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When crows come a'callin'...
05:46 Feb 27 2009
Times Read: 1,024








I followed David to the front doors, which were wide open. Zipper was at the threshold, very agitated. Instead of the expected barking, a growling sound came from his throat. I soon saw the source of his agitation...the yard was covered with hundreds of crows. David looked at me with a lost questioning look on his face.

"What's up with the damn crows?" he finally asked.

Upon seeing the crows, I was immensely relieved. "I think we have a visitor" I replied.

A crow of immense proportions swooped down out of nowhere, alighting upon one of the porch posts. David shuddered and backed away from the entryway, pulling Zipper along by his collar.

"Well - if everything is all good, Zipper and I will be getting along now" he said. He and Zipper rushed to his suite, slamming the door behind them.

A long shadow fell across the porch, followed by a tall figure dressed from head to toe in tan leather - from his cowboy hat down to his cowboy boots. His face was partially hidden in shadow from his hat for a short moment; long blonde hair tumbled to his shoulders when he removed his hat in respect. The giant crow flew from the post to the man's left shoulder, making itself comfortable.

'Lady Isis - forgive me for the unannounced visit."

I invited the man in. "It has been awhile, Erik" I replied.

"Yes it has been, ma'am." came the Texan-accented reply. Erik came into the great room and stood as still as a statue. The large crow on his shoulder was just as immobile.

"Erik" I said, somewhat exasperated "Please sit down and tell me why I have the pleasure of your company."

"Yes ma'am." He lowered himself into a chair, hat still in hand...with that giant crow still perched upon his shoulder.

"Erik - there is no need for formality here. Relax -and call me Isis". I smiled at him. He smiled back. I asked him if he was going to tell me the reason for his visit, or unblock his thoughts for me to figure it out for myself. Since Erik was a man of few words, I was allowed to delve into his mind. I finally said out loud "Yes - Ankh-Re and I had a discussion on the same matter. It appears as though we have a renegade or two stirring up trouble...and the States would be the worse possible place for it."

Erik smiled again, then said "It sure would be fun to go on a renegade hunt with you again, Isis." He relaxed and stretched out his long legs. The giant crow on his shoulder fluttered its wings and returned to being immobile. I was rather surprised to see that it was Odin - he must have been about two hundred years old - a vampire crow. I laughed out loud. The crow looked at me and gave a soft 'caw.' I laughed again.

"Have you begun tracking yet?" I finally asked.

"Yes - more or less following the trail of bodies so far. There are currently four - two here in the Bay Area, and two more in the Central Valley. Not including the girl, the woman-beater, and the dead priest, of course."

I felt my face get warm...dammit...does everyone know about the dead priest? Erik wisely changed the subject.

"I'm sure that the Lord Ankh-Re would also relish the hunt." he said.

"You are right about that" I said, thinking about what a bloodthirsty prick Ankh-Re was. "So" I said "Where do you suggest we start? It is obvious that this needs to be taken care of immediately. We do not need detectives sniffing around."

"I agree - hence my unannounced visit." said Erik.

"Well" I said "What is also now obvious is that whoever this renegade is, he or she is old and powerful enough to block us, so we will have a short list to work from. I do feel confident that with our combined efforts, we will put an end to this mess".

Erik nodded in agreement. There was a sparkle in his blue-grey eyes. He relished the hunt ...his Viking ancestors would be proud.

Anna entered the great room with a tray laden with pitchers of lemonade, cranberry juice, and glasses. She smiled at Erik as she placed the tray on the coffee table.

"Hello, Mr Erik" she said. Erik smiled and nodded to her. "Is there anything else I can do, madam?"

"No Anna - you are perfect as always. Thank you." Anna left, still smiling. Erik and I looked at each other and laughed quietly.

"You know that she is totally enamoured with you, right?" I said. "She calls you 'El Rubio' - not just any blonde" I snickered. Erik actually had the good grace to blush.



Returning to the serious task at hand, I finally stated "Well. I will alert Ankh-Re. We need to handle this now and get it over with. There is plenty of room here for you and Odin. The other crows have got to go though, so send them away...I do not need to attract attention here."

"Of course" replied Erik. "They fly away as we speak".

I poured myself a glass, mixing the lemonade with the cranberry juice - one of my favorite concoctions. Erik gulped down lemonade and got a refill.

"I know it may seem strange" I said "But I still get excited hunting down renegades. Actually, I love hunting evil humans more. There have been so many unsolved murders and missing people over the years...it is good that most humans do not believe in vampires. There are always enough serial killers to take the blame."