by Imogene Nix
He took a deep breath, ready to say the words that would change the little girl’s world forever. “Your mummy died, Samantha. Your daddy too. The bad ones hurt her and now they’re with the angels.”
“S’ra said they gone. When are they coming back?”
Daniel’s eyes burned and he glanced at Cressida. Tears shook on the tips of her eyelashes.
“They can’t, baby. Once you go to see the angels you can’t ever come back.” Daniel spoke gently.
In his arms the little girl shuddered. “But I want my mummy! I want my daddy!”
He tugged her closer, hard against his heart. “I know, baby. I know.”
Just as he was sure she would erupt into hysteria, Sarah entered the office with a tray.
Daniel gathered the child back into his arms, then dropped into the seat. The plate was colorful, with sliced chicken, carrots cut like flowers, a tiny mound of corn and artfully gathered beans.
The little girl squirmed and he tugged the nearest chair over after depositing her in it.
“Where’s your dinner?”
The squeaky voice made him laugh, as did the lightning change of emotions.
“We’ll…” He cleared his throat. “We eat after you go to bed.”
It was common practice for the young to be shielded from the realities of the vampiric life—many nests would only introduce the truth once the child understood certain abstract concepts. It made it easier when the children were introduced to newly turned vampires.
He watched as she grabbed the food in her chubby fist.
“You handled that much better than I could. You’ve experience with young children, then?”
“Living in nests where there are always children, you can’t help but get experience. Come sit down, Cressida, and drink. She’ll be more comfortable like that.”
She did, lifting the goblet and slowly draining it.
By the time Samantha had finished her meal, she was yawning and Cressida glanced in his direction. “The others should be down by now.”
“Sarah?” He turned and noted the nestling waiting in the open doorway. “You should take her upstairs now.”
The woman nodded. “Take care this evening.” Then she hefted the tired child into her arms and left the room.
* * * *
Cressida strode into the room, gazing over those who’d gathered in silence.
“Last night we faced Creedar’s men. As you know, he refuses to meet us face-to-face. Instead, he hides and uses others to do his dirty work. He’s weak and he’s running out of time and options. But tonight we have discovered, with assistance from one of his own, the location of his stronghold, and we’ll take the battle to him. Whether we’ll find him there remains to be seen. Personally, I wouldn’t be surprised to find he’s fled, because he’s a coward, sending those he’s created as disposable warriors, hoping to weaken our strength.” She dug deep, seeking the words to galvanize those gathered in the room. “If he’s fled, we’ll find traps set for us. That’s how he works. He relies on sneaky, underhanded tactics because he doesn’t have the strength or ability to tackle us head-on.”
She dragged a deep breath in, expanding her lungs as she looked to those before her. How many won’t see the end of the night? That thought was self-destructive, so she banished it.
“Take all precautions, team up with another who will watch your back at all times. Keep your mind on where you are, what you are doing. I want you all to return here in one piece. We’ve mourned the loss of enough in the battle with Creedar. We must defeat him, here and now, because failure not only leaves us exposed after centuries of battling for the right to be seen, but it leaves o-our nests and those who serve us—unprotected. That goes against everything we’ve fought for and given oaths for.”
Grunts and nods met her steady gaze.
These were seasoned warriors for the most part. She’d instituted a mentoring system for the newer ones since taking the office of Councilor, but although no one would go in unprotected, there were many who’d had minimal experience of battle. She personally knew of several dozen who’d only participated in the most recent, since Hope’s change. That made them easier targets.
When Daniel touched her hand she blinked, letting go of the insidious cloud of fear that had gripped her.
“You have your assignments. Take your time and stay safe! Dismissed.”
They trooped out in silence and she watched them leave.
She had confidence in them, but every time she sent warriors into battle it was with the knowledge that it was her decision.
My command.
Those who died did so under her direction. That knowledge was sobering.
With a shake of her head she stretched upward, clearing her mind. The battle that lay ahead would be fierce, of that there was no doubt, particularly if they did happen upon Creedar.
He and his abilities couldn’t be taken lightly.
She needed to be highly focused.
“We should go.” She flicked a look in Daniel’s direction. “Come on.”
He followed her, his attention on her a palpable and living thing. Settling into the car, she kept her mind clear. The schematics she’d had her human staff fixed in her mind as she checked everything she’d done, every plan she’d made.
The entry was short with a potential bottleneck. The hallway then opened onto a variety of rooms and down into a dungeon. If the layout was as she expected, that was where they’d find his waiting room, suite of personal rooms and training area.
They traveled in silence, a short trip, and she noted the human government had made good on clearing the area of people. No need for more carnage, she’d argued, and they’d agreed hastily, well aware of the losses suffered to date.
She gnawed at her lip, thinking of the traps they might find.
The building itself was squat, red-bricked and utilitarian. Old shutters banged in the cool breeze as she called Daniel forward to scan it with a heat-seeking device.
Warriors armed with whips, UV guns and swords surrounded it. “Samra, what’s the ETA for Xavier, Javed, Hope and Celina?”
“Any minute now, Cressida. They weren’t far behind us.”
“Ready, Daniel? Remember to stay with me. We don’t want to be separated. I know your magic is…” She waved her hands as the adrenaline started pumping.
He grunted. “I know. Same back. Remember none of us have exactly nutted this out yet.”
The reminder of how little experience they had using the amulets and sharing power twisted her gut. They really weren’t ready for this. God help them if he was still here.
As two more cars disgorged their passengers she gave the alert and suddenly noise filled the air. Urgent and angry sounds swelled, her mind blocking automatically as the four others wearing amulets reached them.
“Ready?” Cressida didn’t wait for their agreement before she strode forward into the heart of the melee.
Doors crashed open, feet thudded.
A blinding light shone and they shielded their eyes as a boom sounded. Dust followed, chased by coughs and splutters.
“Nothing. Where is he? Hiding?” In her heart though, she accepted that this was likely too little too late.
The stairs, old rickety wood, lay ahead in the heart of the building and she hurried down them.
“Samra? Report!”
The warrior bounded up, her leathers stained and her face tight. “I’d say he’s gone. But he did leave you a present.”
That piqued her interest and she followed the woman, feet thudding on the uneven cobbles. At a doorway, Samra turned back in her direction and stepped out of the way.
A body. A vampire Daniel had battled in the Samantha’s home but who’d escaped, she realized, remembering his face from the vision Daniel had shared after the battle. His body sprawled in a pool of congealing blood.
She stepped forward carefully and sank to her haunches beside the creature. His eyes were open, staring at a fixed spot, a look of
terror the death mask on his face.
Cressida reached out, detecting a faint hint of heat. “He’s not been dead long. We’ve not missed them by much.” She grunted in anger. “Damn him.”
She rose slowly and turned. She saw her team gathered by the door.
“Bloody hell!” Celina shook her head. “He’s a cunning bastard, isn’t he?”
Cressida bit back the epithet that rose to mind. “We’ll get him. He’s running scared.” She wasn’t necessarily sure she believed that herself, but it would have to do for now.
Javed reached into a pocket. “Kharisma requested you get this as soon as possible.”
Cressida took the paper without a word.
“What is it, Cressida?”
She gazed at Hope. “This information will hopefully clear up a thought I’ve had for the last little while.” The sheet of paper crackled as she unfolded it.
Cressida,
We were right. The DNA traces that we’ve run have indicated that the receptors to the viral infection are of a lower percentile than is considered optimal for changing. There were two specimens that rated in the minimal rating and may have survived the change, but the rest would not have made a full transition.
It appears that Creedar is changing humans without considering the risks. From what we’ve been able to ascertain, most of his vampires will not be tightly bonded to him and won’t be subject to his will.
K
The news stole her strength for a moment. It was one thing to guess at this kind of information, but to have it confirmed meant the tightly guarded bonding of vampire to sire would give them an edge over Creedar.
“So? What does it say? Is it good news?” Hope crowded forward.
“Yeah, it’s the best news I’ve received since Creedar woke.”
Chapter Twelve
Creedar stalked across the small room, his body quivering with anger. Once more they’d brought him low. To a position where he’d had to run and find a new and decidedly less-than-perfect nest.
Now his forces were in disarray. He had no second and he was here, in a building that didn’t meet his particular needs.
No subterranean sleeping zone, safe from the dangerous sunlight.
“You, girl! Come here.”
Her eyes were wide with fright and she shook. He felt the need to feed, but he had no one to provide sustenance. He could drink her dry, that had been his plan initially, but then he’d have to send his warriors in search of sustenance and supplies.
His army was weakened.
He advanced, teeth descending, and she scurried in the direction of the window, squeaking loudly. Hearing her cries filled him with pleasure while the scent of her distress filled the air.
Even now he looked forward to the taste of her blood, fresh and unsullied.
In her haste she tugged open the curtains, and for the first time he noticed how they billowed in the cool air. The girl too realized there was no barrier to escape and slipped out, barely taking a second to look over her shoulder. Off she scurried, like a frightened rabbit.
He could go after her, but he was king! Instead, he’d send one of his warriors. They were the ones to hunt and chase like dogs through the countryside and warrens.
Creedar roared and a number of his blood-bound fighters ran into the room. One look at their blank gazes simply fed the bubbling cauldron of fury inside him.
“Go after her, you fools!” He flung an imperious hand toward the window and they peered into the gloom.
One leaped through the window while the others scurried through the door. He used his mind, hoping to follow them somehow, but the link was weak.
Not for the first time, he cursed the loss of Jelani. He may have been foolish, but he’d been aware of his Master’s needs before his own. He’d have ensured Creedar fed well and had another bolthole.
Time passed as he scowled and paced, waiting for the triumphant return of those he’d sent to find the woman. When they did return, it wasn’t with the happy boasts of the successful. Behind them they dragged another woman, old and pockmarked, her face marred with the cosmetics many used to enhance themselves. She smelled of stale sex and other, even less savory chemicals.
“What is this?” His furious bellow caused them to flinch.
“Sire, she escaped, but we brought you this instead.” The warrior tugged the woman forward.
She didn’t protest her treatment, instead she just whined, “What about my money? I need my fix.”
The mixture of the stink and the sight of the marks on her arms when he tore the shirt from her filled him with distaste.
“Hey! Watch the shirt. I had to give a BJ to get that!”
“Silence, cow.” He sneered at her as he pulled her close. The sour scent of her breath almost turned his stomach but he required sustenance. Once he’d fed, then so would his army.
As he sank his incisors into her flesh the muddy blood fountained, so he flung her away before turning to retch on the floor.
The warriors slinked from the room before he could catch them up, but the bellow of anger he gave shook the building to its foundations.
* * * *
Cressida looked out over the garden. The sight and smell of the plantings didn’t soothe her spirit. Creedar was wily and cunning, managing to escape them yet again.
“Samra, you’re sure they have no further information about the new location?” She didn’t turn around. She already knew the answer, but even so it was a bitter blow to realize that for every step forward there was another step back.
The beep of the phone broke her introspection and she frowned, picking it up.
“Cressida.” She spoke even though glancing at the caller information screen told her it wasn’t a number she knew.
“Councilor? I was… Uh, it was suggested that we should contact you.”
A woman babbled and Cressida quirked an eyebrow while cradling the earpiece. She caught Samra’s eye and her second bowed before leaving her alone. Cressida retreated to her desk and lowered herself into the plush chair.
“And you are?”
“Oh, apologies… I’ve never spoken to a vampire before. I mean, a Councilor…”
She grinned at the words.
“Well, now you have. How many I help you?”
She heard the hiss clearly over the lines as the caller obviously attempted to control her fear and excitement.
“I’m Officer Fernly with the NYPD and we currently have a woman here claiming she was attacked by a vampire. Except, he doesn’t sound like any kind of vampire we’ve ever heard of. We were wondering if…?”
Gripping the receiver, she hoped that maybe this was the break they needed.
“Indeed, you need us to talk to her? To try and find out who and where?” She carefully traced circles as she spoke, harnessing the thrill that rose.
“Yes. We can bring her to you, as we understand about the time and all.”
“Of course, Officer. When should we expect you?”
The door to the office opened and she raised a hand, stopping whoever it was from interrupting, and closed her eyes while she listened to the woman, blocking out sounds from beyond the doorway.
“It’ll maybe take us an hour or so, but that means—”
“We can shelter her here until tomorrow, or if she fears our kind, I can arrange for her to be transported to one of the other residential facilities while we rest along with our human staff.” She waited while the human conferred with others in the background.
“That would… Uh, if you could.”
“Perfect, we will be awaiting your arrival.”
She opened her eyes, replaced the receiver and looked up. Samra and Daniel waited on the other side of the desk.
“Well? Is it a lead?” Daniel brushed his hand over her shoulder.
She smiled. “It could be.”
“So?” Samra leaned over her desk. Cressida rose out of her seat, well used to Samra’s tactics. As she slowly made her way around the des
k, Samra’s gaze followed her.
“You’ll have to wait and see, Samra. Now, we’re expecting guests soon. There will be a human who will require accommodations. I’m not yet certain whether here or in one of the residential facilities. Please ensure they are prepared.” Thus dismissed, Samra left them, muttering imprecations under her breath. As Daniel turned to leave, she stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. “Daniel, I need you here for this, and I will need the others as well. Can you arrange that?”
“Sure.”
Then he too left her alone with her thoughts.
* * * *
By the time the officer and young woman arrived, Cressida had made preparations for the discussions and afterward. The six of them had settled into the casual seating area. She was bedraggled and eyed them cautiously, her hand twisting in the policewoman’s grasp.
“Do I have to do this?”
The woman patted her on the hand. “I’ll stay, Emily. I promised, didn’t I?”
“But they’re vamps…like he was.”
When Xavier made to rise, Cressida sent a quiet command to wait and he subsided once more.
“Emily? Will you come and sit down? We’d like to ask you some questions about the vampire who attacked you.”
The woman started and looked at her with horror. “What do you…they know. They probably want to…”
“No, Emily. Officer Fern…?” She looked at the woman, then to the officer whose name she couldn’t remember.
“Fernly, Councilor. Genny Fernly.”
“Officer Fernly explained that you’d been accosted by a vampire. Emily, we are searching for one. I need to ask you some questions. To work out if it’s our quarry. If it is, then you will be helping us to…” She racked her mind, seeking the best term that wouldn’t scare the woman further.
“He’s been killing humans and vampires alike, Emily. You trust the police, don’t you?”
Cressida watched as Daniel took the initiative. She’d noticed how he put people at ease before, and Emily nodded at him.