Episode 22: Black Magic Woman

“What have we here?”

Magician Carrington Primross held the beautiful Sabbath Black by her milky shoulders. From a safe distance he spied upon the Ganthorian starship crippled against a ridge. His admiration noted the scrumptious looking cattle contained within a glowing energy pen. He could feel the electricity in the air terrorizing his hunger.

An evening bonfire flared around a stacked array of shipping containers. Sitting near it was Cowgirl Greta Winston and her friend Sergeant Elle Franklin. Blood coursing through their veins calling out to both vampires made for impatience, resistance difficult.

“Well done, Dearest Sabbath. Mother will be pleased.”

Sabbath said nothing in response, her expression cold and empty. She had no concerns now. She knew it would be hopeless to even try to persuade Primross from his objective. Sustenance through Mother only satisfied their hunger for only so long. They had not fed in weeks.

“Lovely ladies. Shall we go say hello?” Primross winked tipping his hat over a blood red gaze.

Leaving her side Primross defied gravity and sped up to the two women in silence and dared to stand behind them. He could hear their pulse like a raging river, even if Elle’s diamond facets rerouted the flow. Easy pickings for dinner yet his ego required an introduction.

“Is this not a welcoming sight? A fire to warm what ails?” He spoke loudly, both women jumping at his unexpected entrance. To his beguiling grin he faced a poised hydraulic javelin, and a Winchester rifle primed to cut him down.

“Where did you come from?” Elle responded defensively her eyes flaring up as if on fire.

“South Wales. Yourself?” He removed his hat and courteously bowed.

Elle eyed his pale complexion, “America! Stay right where you are.”

“But of course. I mean you no harm. I am merely a weary traveler in search of food and shelter.” He realized the dawn approaching. He would need to move quickly. “Spare a meal? A drink perhaps?”

Greta tossed him her canteen of filtered water. He in turn let it hit the ground without so much as a glance at it. “Something a bit tastier perhaps?”

“Get behind me Greta.” Elle warned! “I’m not feeling the red shades.”

“I’m good. He gets too feisty I’ll unload buckshot.”

“I said get behind me. Stop being such a badass.” Elle touched her collar forcing Primross to admire her throat. Diamond attired he smiled as if impressed.

“So very shiny.” Before him a hologram appeared in the form of Jack Ramse. Primross reacted with curiosity. “Ah, illusion! I must admit respect for I too am a magician.”

Jack responded to Elle. “What’s wrong Elle?”

“Intruder, Jack! Better get down here.”

“Yes, Jack.” The magician mocked her with swagger. “Do come say hello.”

Down the ramp looking weary came Jack Ramse in his boxers followed by Sophia Ridge whom he had asked to join them from the hallway. Safer in numbers and power set. Sophia stormed past Jack in her own protective matter. Her tiny, microscopic friends warning her of danger.

“Sophia, wait!” Jack wasted his breath. “We don’t know him.”

“Hi Stud. I’m Sophia. It’s a pleasure. Like my titties?” Primross did lower his circular shades and stared at her body aglow due to the fire.

“Indeed, I do! You are quite the young lass.” He picked up a scent he couldn’t understand and tilted his gaze. Racing right up to the vampire she stopped cold, hands on her hips, chest bouncing before his eyes. Her skin unlike anything he had ever sensed. Something about her troubled him. “The pleasure is all mine. A lovely young lady you are.”

“Aww! You’re going to make me blush. Welcome to our humble home.” She moved closer with her arms outstretched as if awaiting a hug. He realized her heartrate was different than everyone else and stepped back.

“Forgive me. I too have my guard up.”

“All good. Just being sociable. I just figured you might be lonely like I am.” She coyly grinned trying to coax him in. “I need a real man.”

“Lonely I am. However, perhaps another time.”

Jack stepped closer Glock in hand, “Who are you?”

“Carrington Primross, at your service.” He bowed removing his hat. Never once taking his eyes off of them.

“He’s so cute. Johnny Depp dark!” Sophia attempted to charm the fellow, batting her eyes at Primross. As much as he desired to feed, he maintained his pose. The magician that he was he swiftly pulled a bouquet of fake flowers from beneath his cuff.

“For you.”

“Back away Sophia.” Jack advised!

“I don’t think so Jack. I love getting flowers.” She danced in step reaching out to claim the floral arrangement. The second she accepted the flowers they withered and were devoured into her palm, “Oopsie! My boys got jealous.” Primross noted her damage done and stepped back in favor of another candidate, his appetite brewing by the moment.

“For the record.” Jack pointed his gun. “None of us will go down easy. If you’re what I think you are.”

Primross lifted his palms to calm his prey. “A simple Magi I am.”

“Your skin tone tells us different.” Jack countered! “Sun will be up in an hour. Willing to stick around until then as a show of faith?”

With a loud sigh Primross summoned Sabbath from hiding in the dark near the storage containers. Mentally she was forced to step into the open. The sight of her forced Jack to tense up. How many others might be out there his question.

“Sabbath?” Elle narrowed her eyes! “Cameron told us of your visit. Are you alright?”

The pale beauty shuffled forth to reside next to Primross and merely nodded with a hesitant fear in her eyes. Primross delicately reached out to pull her to his side. “Have no fear, Dear Sabbath. This fine fellow will not harm you.” He grinned toward Jack.

“Don’t underestimate me.” Jack glared with his Glock pointed for a perfect head shot between the eyes.

“Nor you me my good man.”

A mental command ordered Sabbath Black to run interference. With a look of sadness, the British diva flashed about in a blur of speed toward the cattle pen. Literally leaping over the static curtain to enter the cows she faced a static charge that made her hiss in agony. The small herd reacting in a panic tried to huddle in one corner of the pen.

Greta cried out giving chase when Sophia joined her to keep her safe. Amid the shock Jack fired a single shot at the feet of Primross. The cad merely smiled at his attempt at bravado. “Oh, Dear! Now you have hurt my feelings. I so wished to become fast friends.”

Primross in a maddening dash of velocity grabbed Jack’s gun hand and then his throat. To his surprise Jack lashed out just as swiftly choking Primross by the neck as well. Presuming Jack to be an easy target he soon realized the man’s strength, eyes flaring at his tightening fingers.

“Nice try, Lugosi.” Jack and Carrington staggered in the dirt giving Elle a chance to move in behind Primross. Reaching out with both hands she surrounded the vampire’s waist. Hissing at his captors Primross suddenly felt strange.

“What have you done?” Before Jack’s eyes he witnessed Carrington Primross turn from pale white back into a familiar shade of pink flesh tone. Carrington began losing his inner strength and his hunger subsiding.

“For the record, Jack the Ripper, I have a healing touch. If I’m not mistaken you Sir are back to being a living breathing human being. You can thank me later.” Elle released him and moved back retrieving her thin spear from its vertical stab in the dirt in favor of a battle-ready moment that would make her African ancestors proud.

Primross trembled and softened his features. Jack sensing his change released the man’s throat. In turn Primross gave up on his own grip in favor of studying his hands and renewed pulse.

“I do not know what to say.” Carrington swayed in step gathering composure and a refreshing glint of inhaling oxygen. He had no reason to breath before now. To be safe Jack still maintained his target, gun poised just in case.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the static fence Greta and Sophia opened a thin sliver of curtain to enter. Within they found Sabbath had dropped to her knees praying. The shock left Greta speechless.

“Forgive me. I had no control over myself. Sir Primross is my maker. I must obey him. If not, I would run far away and live out my days.” Sabbath pled her case as Sophia stepped closer to her, Greta lowering her Winchester.

“She ain’t harmed any of my critters.” Greta pointed out, her cows hugging the net nervously on the far end.

“I sense your power.” Sabbath peered up at Sophia. “Please end my existence before I can harm any of you. I can feel Sir Primross losing his hold over me. Freedom even for a moment is precious.” Uncertain what to do Sophia resisted touching her.

“Not today.”

“The sun rises shortly. I will rest in its might and end my own life then.”

“You don’t deserve this.” Sophia eyed the sky. “My little friends are like lie detectors. They tell me you’re not so bad, unless controlled. Let us help you.”