Hunter waved his hand for Chaz to get on with it. “They were sanctioned.”
“Were they? By whom?”
Hunter frowned. “Not your concern.”
“Really? Now that’s interesting. Because I followed them, and I told Mick. And when I talked to Pitch, he said Mick had gone off-grid, like he was investigating something. I think that’s how Mick ended up…” But the creature wasn’t Mick anymore. “A rogue.”
“Coincidence?”
“My gut tells me no.”
Hunter didn’t answer right away. “Agreed. Any idea’s why?”
“Something very dangerous. What if someone was creating rogues and trying to control them?”
“A rogue army?” Hunter whispered in disbelief. “Impossible.” But once said, the idea wouldn’t disappear; it bloomed, thrived. “I’ll speak with Sam and warn her that there’s trouble brewing.”
“Right under your own nose.”
That brow went up again as if to ask if Chaz was impertinent enough to suggest Hunter didn’t know what was going on in his own cell. “Thank you for letting me know.”
Sarcasm. Politely cold. Just what Chaz needed, even if he did deserve a dope slap. “Let us go, Hunter.”
“And your friend?”
“Like I said, let us go. We’ll both be dead if I don’t get her somewhere safe before the sun goes down.”
“My home is about as safe as it gets,” Hunter replied, his tone dry.
“Maybe, but are you willing to risk that danger? Aside from the stuff I can’t quite prove how many of your people do you want to lose before we destroy it?” He paused before adding, “If we destroy it?”
They eyed each other for a long, tense moment before Chaz continued. “Look. One human knowing we exist is meaningless compared to the shit that’s going on here. You know that, and I know that, but if it makes you feel better, I give you my word. I’ll make sure she doesn’t talk. All right?”
Hunter didn’t reply. Chaz frowned. Obviously, Hunter didn’t like putting control into the hands of other vampires.
“I’ll make sure she stays safe, then I’ll find…” He’d been about to say Mick again. “Your rogue for you, and I’ll destroy it because it’s my job.”
“Your job?” Hunter asked with disdain. “I don’t give a good goddamn about your job. Rogues are uncontrollable, no matter what either one of us thinks. They enjoy killing.”
This time Chaz didn’t answer. A statement like that, and Mick would never equate.
The vampire leader shuddered lightly. “You know as well as I do, going rogue is every vampire’s deepest fear. When will the change start? When will my vampire life start coming to an end? I’m one of the oldest now, Charles.”
Chaz gave the man a sad smile. “I think it has to do with what’s left of the soul.”
“Do you now?” Hunter deadpanned. “Cheeky bastard.”
Chaz didn’t want to go anywhere near there, but he asked anyway. “Am I?”
Hunter leaned back in the chair. “You’re right. This is the wrong time to get into a philosophical discussion.”
He seemed to be weighing every option. Chaz figured he had to. Otherwise, Hunter wouldn’t rule this cell for long.
“Are you certain you don’t want to stay here?”
“No. I think this is one fight that should be waged outside of your cell.” Relief washed through him. It seemed that, for the moment, Hunter was going to let Stacy live. “By the way, thanks.”
“Right now, I’m not sure gratitude is in order.”
Tell me something I don’t already know. “I may need some help besides Pitch. And I’m going to reach out to Ozzie. Some of your best soldiers? Just in case?”
The vampire rose and nodded. “Agreed.”
Any and all back up would be greatly appreciated. Chaz watched Hunter flick his wrist, and a door opened. “Against my better judgment, you may both leave.” He stepped toward the door. “Do you need sustenance?”
“I’d be grateful.”
“It will be provided.”
Chaz inclined his head. “Thank you.”
Up close, Hunter Pierce seemed even more intimidating than from far away, but Chaz knew better. Deep inside, Hunter had something no other vampire had–a heart.
“I’m not sure gratitude is in order,” Hunter replied. “Mikhail knew every cell and every defense we have. If there’s any vestige left of him inside, we may all end up very dead.”
Chapter Ten
Stacy
A plain room. Not quite austere. A bed. A dresser. A chair. Plain white linens. Stacy was certain she’d go mad if she had to wait a second longer for Chaz to rescue her. Then the door opened, and Stacy sprang to her feet. “You have no right to keep me here.”
The man who entered had close-cropped black hair and a look that took dead aim, a no-nonsense guy; he wasn’t going to mess around.
“Rights are non-existent in this house, Ms. Morgan.”
She wasn’t surprised that these vampires knew who she was or that they operated the way they did. And she dared not let them see she was frightened. So she lifted her chin and said, “A lot of people will ask questions if I go missing.”
He laughed. “Indeed, they will, and I’m sure Charles has already explained, we prize anonymity above all else.”
“He may have mentioned it.”
The vampire continued to smile. And that seemed to surprise him. “Which puts me in an interesting Catch-22.”
Indeed it did. Stacy studied him for a long moment. The man standing before her was huge. Tall, well over six feet and stacked, kind of like a tight end. His suit jacket stretched across his shoulders, and his hands looked like they could wrap around a tree trunk without effort. He had cropped black hair and icy gray eyes.
“And you are?”
“Hunter Pierce, at your service.” The man, no vampire she reminded herself, gave her a gracious bow.
“Well, I’m glad you figured that out at least.” Her haughty tone hid so much more than he would ever know.
A flash of surprise ran across his face, removing his smile. But he didn’t respond.
“So, where is he? Where’s Chaz?”
“Downstairs, getting something to eat.”
“You mean drink, don’t you?”
He inclined his head, his lips twitching to keep from smiling again. “Of course.”
She frowned. Was it bad form to discuss dining habits with a vampire? Then she decided what the hell? She was a scientist. Besides, Chaz had already decided to enlist her help. All she had to do was be careful. She didn’t want Hunter Pierce to know she was on a fact-finding mission. “I’m curious. He went out and fed not too long ago. How much do you have to replenish? How often?”
“An interesting term, ‘replenish.’” There was an underlying thread of humor riding his tone. “Very delicate and very astute. So I’ll be honest. As I’m sure you’re aware, someone of my size would carry around six quarts of blood.”
Stacy took a moment to estimate his height and weight. At a height of over six feet and a weight of probably more than two hundred pounds, the vampire in front of her would require a bit more. “I’d estimate at least seven.”
“Humans lose about two ounces a day. We lose about two pints.”
Shocked, she answered, “Wow. That’s a lot.”
“However, the fluid volume isn’t our issue. It’s nourishment. The effects of the blood we drink only last for so long.”
“Now, I understand.”
He smiled. “I doubt you do. However, it does make dining often a necessity. And since there are rules about how much we can take, it makes us, shall we say, territorial.”
Now that was interesting. Survival seemed to be a term that crossed both worlds. “And this is your territory?”
“It is.”
“So, you’re the guy I have to convince.”
“Convince?” He seemed startled by the term.
“Of course. That I’m
worth more to you alive than dead.”
“Yes.” He peered at her and cocked his head as if trying to judge her. “But not to me, I think.”
Stacy wondered how Hunter knew she had a connection with Chaz. She thought she’d gotten good at hiding her thoughts. Then she shrugged. She was finding that all bets were off when it came to these people. “You stand a better chance of getting your rogue if I do.”
The vampire laughed. “Indeed.”
“But then, I become a threat to your anonymity.”
The laughter left his face. “Indeed, you do.”
“Quite a conundrum.”
“On the surface. However, there is one thing you need to know. Human life means nothing to me.”
Stacy lifted her chin. “Sorry to hear that. Your feelings mean nothing to me. We’re talking logic here and the best situation for all involved.”
He stared at her, surprised by her attitude. “We are.”
“So, I’m free to go?” she asked, knowing the question bore so much more depth than an immediate answer.
The vampire leader held up his hand. “Yes, but before you leave, answer one question.” Hunter’s gaze seared right into her. “What would you do if you had to choose?”
Stacy grimaced. “Between what?” She had a bad feeling she already knew the question. “Or should I say whom?”
“Charles and my people.”
“Not a fair question.”
The vampire leader nodded in understanding. “I know.”
“Chaz,” she answered without hesitation.
The man smiled with genuine warmth. “If you’d lied, I’d have drained you dry on the spot.”
Stacy shivered. She didn’t think he was kidding. “I’ll remember that. Thanks for the hospitality, Hunter.”
The man’s mouth quirked in sardonic amusement. “The pleasure was all mine.” Stacy held out her hand, surprised when he shook it. “Nice to meet you,” he said. “I look forward to future discussions.”
“I do too.”
She met Chaz in the house’s foyer, his shoulders lowering, and the tension around his mouth easing when he spotted her. She guessed he was as grateful they were leaving the mansion unscathed as she was.
They climbed into the limousine that picked them up. “Do you really think your Council wants to kill me?”
Chaz looked uncomfortable, fidgeting in his seat. The driver can hear you.
“I’m assuming he was chosen for his discretion.” She leaned up against the seat in front of her. “Weren’t you?”
The vampire driver didn’t answer, and Stacy made a face at the back of his head. She turned to watch Chaz fight not to smile. You really are amazing. “Killing you would certainly be the easiest course of action, but they’re not stupid. Hunter saw the advantage of keeping you alive. So will The Council.”
“I’d like to be more than a means to an end, you know.”
He lifted his hand and turned her face towards him. “Stacy, listen to me. I admire you. True courage is rare to find in anyone, but you stood up to Hunter without thinking anything of it.”
“I guess he admired that.”
He grimaced. “Which was pretty amazing, Stace,” Chaz began, shortening her name in a familiar way that she found she didn’t mind. “Hunter, although a slave, was revered in his day.”
“A slave?”
“Yes, a gladiator.”
She shook her head. “Wow. This is all difficult to take in. Makes me feel like I’m just a mere human.”
Chaz really smiled at her this time. “Mere? I don’t think so. You had the courage to go toe-to-toe with a rogue. You’ve also offered to help us by using your skills despite being a target.”
The limousine pulled up to the curb in front of the apartment building Chaz lived in. They got out of the vehicle, rode the elevator up, and walked into his loft. He walked over to the bar and poured her a glass of wine that she didn’t refuse. “Stacy. Listen. You need to try to understand some things if we’re going to get through this mess. Vampires have gone through more than you’ll ever imagine during your human history. We’ve had to fight and scrape to survive. Many of the myths are true.” Stacy watched an old pain enter his gaze. “I—I’ve done things. Terrible things. Simply to continue existing.”
Stacy tried to think back through history. She realized they called the Dark Ages dark for a reason.
“I guess you have.”
“I think, well, I think that when you become a vampire, you carry a piece of your humanity with you. Not all vampires want to hurt humans, and not just from a practical standpoint.” He sighed. “But many of us have had to do—things. To stay alive. As a result, we’ve been hated, shunned, even hunted. If we seem hard or uncaring, maybe it’s because we’ve had no choice.”
Stacy wondered how many wars had been fought during the millennia Chaz had walked this earth? How many eras? Societies? And there would always be a class structure no matter how it was defined, by society or by economics. Because of people. Because of humans.
“I understand.”
“I don’t think you do.” Was he warning her? “Though some of us might still show feelings towards humans, there’s no love lost between our races. We’re still predators.”
“I said, I understand.”
He grinned. “Good.”
“Okay. So now that that’s out of the way for the moment, what’s next?”
“It’s dark. That’s one problem, and we have our other issue to deal with.”
“Ahh yes,” she answered slowly. “Your encounter with those young vampires a couple days ago. You said there was something strange going on. Strange? In what way?”
“They weren’t frightened of me.”
“Frightened? As in big bad Paladin frightened?”
“Yeah. It was weird. Other vampires don’t like me. I’m a necessity they don’t like having around. You know how people are leery of you because you’re a cop? Same with me. The other vampires, too. In the end, I’m the guy who’ll put them down if they can’t do it themselves. And yet, these vampires could’ve cared less that I was following them.”
Stacy got the unpopularity part but not the importance. “Hang on a minute. Aren’t you being just a little paranoid?”
Chaz frowned. “I’d like to say yes, but I don’t think so.”
“Okay then. So you need me as bait for the rogue, but you also want to use me as bait for these vampires that are acting weird to see if they’re connected. But what you really need is for me to work in my lab, right?”
He grimaced, raking his hand through his hair. He seemed to really hate everything Stacy said. “Yes,” he bit out.
An idea flooded her brain. “You know, if you were to catch one of these young vampires, I could maybe test their blood. The sooner I find out what’s causing vampires to go rogue, the sooner I can help you stop this mess.”
“Bad idea. No. I don’t like this idea one bit.”
“Obviously,” she said, rolling her eyes. “You’d be killing two birds with one stone, you know.”
“How?”
Stacy swallowed hard but squared her shoulders. “By going back to O’Reilly’s and capturing one of these vampires that care less about you.”
“Capture?” Chaz asked in disbelief.
“Well. You seem to think they’re acting weird, right? And you seem to believe someone is using something to turn vampires rogue. If something’s going on biochemically, I’m the one who can test their blood to find out. Let me help you, Chaz. Let me feel like I can make up for what happened to Jim by not letting it happen to anyone else.”
He didn’t answer.
“I’m sure your friend Hunter would tell you the best way to use bait is to tantalize your prey. If you want to get a snake to come out from between some rocks, you tease it out. I can do that on both counts. If I hang out in the bar and draw them outside, you can grab one.”
“No. I refuse to put you in that kind of danger.”
&nb
sp; “Any more than I’m in already? Do you just want to sit back and let your friend get his claws in me first?”
“He’s not my friend!” Chaz exploded, and Stacy felt something warm open inside her. “Not anymore.” Ah. He cared. He really did. “And no, I don’t want that.”
“We can use other things. Like…like stuff out of my pocketbook or whatever. Why not let this rogue think he’s found me? Why not entice him? He might just make a mistake and fall into a well-set trap.”
Even though Chaz paled, which was hard to do as a vampire, he agreed. “That might work. If I can get some help.”
“Pitch can help. Maybe one of your other Paladins.”
“I already thought of that. I’m going to contact Ozzie.” He rubbed his chin. “It might work.”
“Thought you might see things my way.”
Chaz didn’t look like he even wanted to think about her suggestion, let alone answer.
“I don’t have too many options at the moment, and I don’t think you do either. But don’t get cocky, okay? The minute you do, you’re dead.”
“I don’t do cocky,” she shot back.
His shoulders tensed. He walked over to her bar, picked up a glass then put it down. Contemplating another drink despite the consequences? “Stacy,” he said, turning. “I don’t think you really understand.”
“I don’t?” She stared hard at him. “I’m putting my life in your hands. End of discussion.”
Chaz opened his mouth to protest, then snapped his jaw shut.
“I don’t plan on dying,” she continued.
Stacy watched as his brows drew together, and his jaw clenched. “The young vampires are going to be bad enough. But the rogue?” She watched him shudder. “In all likelihood, by the time we’re able to catch him, you’ll be dead.”
The truth shivered down her spine, and Stacy took a deep breath, letting the air out slowly. She swallowed hard. “Well, then, what are we waiting for? Let’s get to work.”
Unexpected, Stacy thought. The look on his face told her she mattered.
“I can’t believe you. Your courage, your fortitude. Damn. You refuse to acknowledge the possibility of failure.”
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