Picking up my phone I paused the camera to save battery. So far, I had not captured anything of value. Whatever they were doing they didn’t want anyone to see them. If I let them get away, I might never find out what they’re up too. The streets are clear because Derrick and his mystery guest had ensured it. I need to know what they are up too.
“I got eyes on them,” said Maximus. He emerged from the shadow behind the fireplace.
“I didn’t see him.” Where did he come from? My hand dropped from the pocket that held my phone. My eyes darted to the pretty china doll. I don’t know her name but she’s like Maximus’s shadow. She is unnaturally beautiful like a precious piece of porcelain and even more reckless.
She walked to the ledge and peered over. Her eyes narrowed and she bent low on her knees and fired something below. The car engine still hummed and their hushed voices were loud enough for me to hear them.
“That man has evaded me for four weeks. I will find out his identity tonight,” said Maximus. He pointed to the car’s gas tank. There were tiny droplets leaking. The car wouldn’t get far.
“He has something to do with her,” said Aiko. She holstered her gun and made a signal high above her head. The trees shook across the street, but the men didn’t notice.
“Who are you talking about?” Could this be over a girl? Maximus is a player but even he has better things to do.
“A week ago, I was out patrolling and saw a girl, our age. There was nothing special about her, so I didn’t pay too much attention. I was following a rogue vamp who had no business in our territory. The vamp decided to eat the girl, but she transformed into a fox and he couldn’t catch her,” said Aiko.
“You must have had too much to drink. Humans don’t have any magical abilities.”
“We’ll have proof soon enough. This doesn’t concern the vamps. I wasn’t going to tell you since I don’t trust you. We’re a team now, so like it or not we will operate as one.” Flinging her long black hair over her shoulder she took off a few seconds before the car door slammed.
“I’ll send you his photo tonight. Once I identify him you will be the first to know,” said Maximus. He took off running. He leaped in the air over the ledge to the next rooftop. It wasn’t long before he caught up with her. They slowed as the car turned and raced down the road.
The worse thing that could happen is for the humans to have special abilities. Humans were greedy by nature, and very conniving, manipulative, people at their core. Glancing at my watch I didn’t have much time. Whatever Derrick Grand was up too, Maximus would find out. I don’t trust Maximus as far as I could throw him but when he finds out I’ll make sure I do as well.
Running at top speed I jumped to the next building and turned right. There’s something about running as if your life depends on it. It’s a useful skill and it clears my mind. Five minutes later I arrived at Pratt Labs. Arriving in five minutes when it was two hours away felt great. Climbing through the top right south window I was in the lab. Humans seem to think it’s safe leaving high windows open. Too bad they live in a world with werewolves and vampires. For years humans have thought they know about vampires’ powers but they don’t have a clue.
The lab smelled like bleach. Some of the beakers on the last lab table weren’t clean. Someone had been working in here. I quickly opened the windows up. Several steps are headed this way. Glancing around the lab, there weren’t many places to hide. Jumping up, I grabbed a steel beam running across the ceiling. Running toward the end nearest the window, I crouched in the shadows, pulling up the multicolored bandana over my face. I froze when he tapped me on the shoulder.
Maximus smiled and pointed to the door. Derrick and the man walked through it.
“Are you sure this will kill the vampires? It’s not like we know a lot about them?” He followed Derrick to the last lab table and sat down in the chair. Derrick put on some gloves, grabbed a beaker with tongs and placed it over the fire.
Derrick is somehow involved in the attack on the vampires. Why? That low-down dirty dog’s father had begged for a peace treaty with Liam. Were they responsible for Corey’s death? “My father is sure that once the vampires are dead, we’ll run the world.” Derrick held up a beaker, with liquid that looked like blood. He picked up the syringe that had blood in it and injected a rat.
Derrick looked at his watch then stepped back from the rat cage. The white rat’s red eyes bulged out of its head. He toppled over and started whimpering. I looked at my watch. It was five minutes and the rat’s whimpers ceased. Tiny holes opened on its fur and it started having seizures.
“I still think we could learn a lot from the vampires before making them extinct.”
“We have. We learned that they aren’t as strong, smart or as determined as humans, and their conceit will be their downfall.” Derrick smiled as the rat bled out and stopped moving. He picked up the dead rat with a pair of tongs and showed the man.
“I’m not Donald Young if you try and swindle me you and your family will disappear.”
“You just keep the money flowing, and watch the show,” said Derrick. He tossed the rat in a black trash bag and tied it up. They walked to the door.
“How many people do you have working on this blood? What makes you think it’s safe to make it at the lab instead of somewhere else?”
“The vampires think we’re scared of them, so they would never think we would betray them. I have the best molecular biologist; her name is Claire Sand. She works on this as a way of curing cancers and saving lives. She’s passionate about saving people.”
“How does she think that? The rat dies in five minutes.” He frowned as he watched Derrick clean the beakers and sterilize them before putting them away.
“She was the one that found the loopholes in the immune system, and the biomarkers needed to target cancer to eradicate it. We used that knowledge to create IDS. The Immune System Destroyer attacks the vampire’s immune system from the inside out.”
“Here is four million dollars. Tell your father he has thirty days to show me what I want to see or the money stops.”
“The Vampires were right. Humans are weaker by nature but when you enhance nature, you take the weakest and make them the strongest. My father and I are making humans great again,” said Derrick. He held the door open for the man, and when the man walked out, he slid the money inside his jacket pocket.
When I could not hear their steps down the hall I turned to Maximus. “What are you doing here?” I hopped down from the ceiling and rushed over to the breaker, but it was thoroughly sanitized.
“I followed him here. I put a tracker on his car. I made sure I assign someone to follow him.” He held his hand over his open wound.
I frowned as the blood soaked through his bandage. “How did you get wounded?”
“I ran into some of those humans with special abilities that you don’t think exists.”
“Do you believe us now?” He held up his wounded arm.
Maximus walked over to the trash and looked inside it. He picked up a cracked beaker with a few drops of pink in it. “I’ll have Orion analyze it to see if he can determine its components. If we can figure out the components, we can make a cure.”
“You should be happy they’re trying to kill us. Why do you care?” I shrugged. The vampires and werewolves have never been the best of friends, but we haven’t been enemies either.
“Derrick must also be behind the strange shape-shifting creatures too. It’s not enough for him to be rich,” said Maximus. He pulled out his phone and texted someone.
“He doesn’t know about you guys so why would he need to enhance humans?” Humans didn’t know that werewolves existed and if things got worse, the vampires may have to depend on the wolves for help.
“People hate vampires, but they admire your powers. He must be getting paid to make super soldiers.” Maximus slipped his phone in his pocket and walked over to the window.
“Earth hasn’t been at war for thousands of years
. This corrupt government drove this country into an empire of corruption.”
“You assume that the humans prepare for a threat, but they are the threat.”
I didn’t have any evidence to take back to Liam. At this point, I have more questions than answers. The humans want us dead. Can we go to war with them? Technically we can survive without the taste of human blood if we get blood from the animals. It’s like condemning a person to a life sentence of eating chicken. You can survive on chicken but occasionally, a porterhouse steak was needed.
“I sent you a picture of him. His name is Walter Higgins. He is a man who inherited billions from the oil industry.”
Instead of thanking him I pulled out my phone. It took a second for me to see the text and the man’s photo. I wasn’t leaving here empty-handed, thanks to Maximus.
“He’s apparently in politics, funding crooked Myron Grand Sr., but what is he up to?”
“Cade, life is full of politics. Open your eyes and you will see truth behind the veil. We are all just pieces on a chessboard.” Maximus jumped out the window.
After closing the window, I jumped down to the trees. I wasn’t sure if this place had surveillance, but I did not find any. The cool breeze felt great against my skin. I stayed in the trees until I was deep into the woods. When the fog was thick around me, I hopped from the tree. I ran all the way to the academy.
Climbing into my bedroom window I paused staring at the cardboard box. The moonlight shined in from the window on Letoya’s locket. Ignoring the stabbing pain in my chest I clasped it in my hands. Closing my eyes, I could still see her radiant smile when I gave it to her. My heart fluttered when I opened it.
Someone had replaced the photo of her and me in the locket. It now held a photo of her, Derrick and a little boy. He looked like Derrick. What the heck was going on? I slipped the locket inside my dresser drawer under my boxers. I headed to Liam’s office. Prior to my sister’s death, she was finally getting attention from boys. It finally dawned on her that girls who were tomboy didn’t get the attention she craved. If the baby is Derrick’s why did she allow everyone to blame Maximus?
Stalking down the hall I tried to calm down. Liam knew the whole time. He knew more than what he let on. Why reveal deep dark truths that you allowed hidden for years? Thrusting the door open I shut it behind me. The lights were off and I spotted him staring into the fire. Bright red bloody tears rolling down his face. He was holding Corey’s silver necklace. All my life, I’ve never seen him cry. I suspected he wept when Letoya passed away, but he didn’t leave his room for a month. I backed away slowly.
“I know why you’ve come. Yes, Nathaniel Cohen was Derrick Grand’s son.”
Chapter Seven
Trevor
I fell through the clouds as I passed realm after realm. There was no way I could survive this fall. I’m not sure I want to. Valcrum made me look like a fool. The worse part of all, he vowed that I would never see my Lily again. Screw Valcrum. I will find a way to be with my love one way or another. If we are apart in this life, surely, I can be with her in the next.
I landed with a thud on an abandoned highway. My head slammed against the warm asphalt. Bright lights headed toward me and I closed my eyes bracing for impact. Crack. The tires rolled over my head before swerving to the right, losing control and ramming headfirst into the tree.
Blinding pain shot through my head. My neck snapped in several places and my head rolled off my shoulders. Five minutes passed and I opened my eyes. Why am I still alive? Valcrum cursed me. He is going to wish he had killed me when I am done here. My wound started healing and my head reattached to my body. My neck bones snapped into place, and the pain eased away.
Walking over to the yellow sedan, I saw the woman driving was impaled on the tree. She did not have a seat belt on. A few minutes later, I saw her spirit soar through the clouds to Xundar. I summoned my powers but nothing happened. The wind changed directions. All forty men including Dylan were thrown out of Xundar.
Things could be worse. I could be at the mercy of Victoria. Valcrum does not know it, but he has done me a great service. My lips curve.
“My love. You’re hurting my feeling,” said Victoria. How is that possible? You could have helped me with Valcrum and you hid. You should have helped me. I am stuck on planet Earth with the rest of these weak beings because you did not help me. Our deal is off. What can you do to me? I am out of your reach Victoria. If you go back on your word, then so do I. I will kill Lily very slow. No other person in Xundar will suffer more than her, and then I am coming for you.
I hate you Victoria. Kicking the rocks out of my way, I headed toward my men. We needed to stick together if we’re going to conqueror Earth. I am going to wreak so much havoc on Valcrum’s precious planet Earth that he will come down here to kill me himself.
Dylan landed on top of the last guy. The loud grunt of pain meant they were still alive.
“Get up guys we need to get a move on it.” I helped Dylan up. Dylan swung at me.
“What are you doing?” I dodged the right hook and punched him in the gut. When he fell to his knees I stepped back.
Dylan must really be pissed. My best friend has finally snapped. This really is not my fault. Valcrum is unforgiving and once you cross him that is it. I never made Dylan do bad things. It is not my fault Dylan is a follower and never a leader. One day he will see that being thrown out of Xundar was the best thing that happened to us.
“Do not make me beat you down. If you need to be mad at someone then be mad at yourself. I never made you disobey Valcrum you did that all on your own.”
“I hate you. You told us that we were more powerful than Valcrum and we are exiled here with all our powers stripped from us. You don’t care. We’re the only ones that can die,” said Dylan.
“It’s us against you. Why should we listen to you? We are not more powerful than Valcrum. We got our butts handed to us without so much as a sweat from Valcrum,” said Fred.
“I say we kill him. He is not more powerful than Valcrum. He isn’t our leader and we don’t need him.”
The grumbles of agreement rippled through the men. Dylan stepped aside and started walking away.
“We don’t need Dylan. Let’s get him,” said Fred. He rushed toward me.
Thrusting my jacket aside I blocked Fred and punched him in the face. Rushing toward the second man, I swung my elbow in the back of his head. I glanced at the circle of men surrounding me, two men down thirty-seven to go. Jump kicking the third in the face, I slid in between another’s legs and flung a hand full of rocks at two men to my right. Pain shot through my head, and I fell face forward in the street. Blood rolled down the base of my neck and dripped on my shirt.
Jumping to my feet I ripped off my jacket. My veins swirled with the black poison, and Fred’s eyes narrowed on my arms. I faced the men and extended my fingers for them to come to me.
“Fred you have such courage and heart. Come show me your heart, so I can rip it from your chest.”
Fred roared and lunged at me.
Concentrating I summoned all my strength and a ball of energy formed in my hands. I launched it at all the men. The blast of energy knocked all of them to the ground.
“I am your leader. Submit to my reign now or die here on the abandoned street alone among these worthless humans.” Walking over to Fred, I placed my foot over his throat and applied half my weight. There was a gurgling noise that escaped his throat as he tried to breath. It sounded like music to my ears.
“Get off him Trevor. We’re not happy with you but we don’t have any other options at this point. We’ve foolishly followed you this far. What else can go wrong?” said Dylan.
I pressed my foot harder into Fred’s neck before walking away. “We need to scope this place out and figure out our next move.” Pointing into the woods I started heading south. It was not smart using what power I had left on them. Who knows what dangers lurk down here? Valcrum might have lied to me. Why would he deny
me death?
My love your life belongs to me. If Valcrum kills you, you still can’t escape me.
Victoria, we talked about this. Stay out of my head. Thanks for showing up now but stay out of my head. If you haven’t noticed I’m in a precarious position and my men hate me. I need to focus.
Don’t snap at me. It’s not my fault that you think your pride took a beating tonight. If you ask me, you needed to be knocked down a peg or two.
Victoria. I did not ask you.
“We need to make a sacrifice so that we are not walking around here with silver pointed horns on our heads.” I hate these pointy horns on my head, but I am still beautiful. This planet won’t know what hit them when we get through with it.
“Are you missing your handsome head,” asked Fred. He cut his eyes at me but walked close behind Dylan.
“I will always be handsome. Keep your eyes focused and find a sacrifice before the humans see us.”
“Why don’t we just sacrifice the first human that sees us and kill two birds with one stone,” asked Jake. His blond hair was long and hid most of his horns.
“No killing humans until I give the word. We need to learn our surroundings before we hunt our prey.”
I spotted a doe nibbling in an isolated patch of grass. Creeping up on it, I wrapped my arms around its neck and bit. Once I drained half the animal’s blood, I felt my horns recede into my skull. Who would’ve thought that animals are scarce on this planet? I stepped away and waved the men to me.
“This planet doesn’t have many animals. Take enough blood to hide your horns then let the next man go.” I walk deeper into the woods. All the men wouldn’t get their horns retracted with that small doe, and I can’t afford for them to blow our cover. What the hell happened on this planet that Valcrum sent angels down here? I don’t know but I will find out.
We had traveled thirty miles and my feet hurt. It’s crazy how you have all these powers, and once they are gone, then you appreciate them. This planet looked depressing and ugly. The rain came down like Valcrum wept for all of humanity. It was cold, and my hair stuck to my head like a helmet.
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