Shoving thoughts of revenge aside, for the moment, I determined to learn all I could while my hosts were in the talking mood; I asked the one question that hadn’t been answered. “Why kill the men in Plum Beach then? They didn’t turn into the bald guys.”
“That was my work,” Jazmine said with unmistakable pride. “We’d been testing the process for months before it actually produced the desired results.
In the beginning, no one was changing into anything. We used a vampire associate’s powers, and erased the memories of our patients’ time spent on the barge.
Unluckily, for a few of them, it came to our attention they were regaining their memories. We couldn’t risk having news of our operation spreading. So, I eliminated the problem and obtained an added benefit. Law enforcement was focused on solving the murders, keeping their attention off the other unusual happenings in their town.
They kept Zane busy too, so busy he didn’t see what was right in front of him.”
“How convenient,” I muttered, sickened by her compassionless explanation. She was beaming.
I took a quick peek in her head and was appalled to find her reliving the murder of Josh, including the violence-laced sex beforehand. I pulled out, revolted.
A subject change was in order. “How did you learn where the coins were hidden?” I directed my question to James McQuillen. “We weren’t the only ones searching for them.”
“We applied certain physical pressures on one of the bald abominations.”
“You mean you tortured him.”
“To death,” Logan answered.
I looked away from his gloating face.
I didn’t want to hear anything else about death and dying. What I wanted was to get those coins away from Logan’s henchman. The possibility of Logan and Jazmine gaining immortality was downright horrifying. They’d murder, without any qualms, anyone or anything that got in their way.
That would include me and everyone I cared about.
I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let it happen.
If my supporting forces didn’t show soon, I’d see exactly how and to what extent my powers had expanded.
***
Chapter 45
Martin clapped his hands, “We’re way overdue for our evening entertainment.”
Logan moved to the podium and adjusted a handheld microphone. “I can see you are all enjoying your night of freedom to its fullest.”
His comment was met with a strange combination of howls, yips, and human cheers. It seemed that everyone had forgotten their captive status and the fact at they normally spent their days on a rigorous and tightly supervised schedule inside the old school.
The unrelenting brainwashing was working.
As was the case with any minority, equal rights were deserved and desired, but Logan had failed to explain the price they’d pay for what they thought would be equality with the purebreds.
These mutant women would become even more enslaved. Freedom for them was a beautifully crafted illusion that would crumble under the weight of truth. And there was a strong possibility that I’d be the one telepathically delivering that very truth in a few short hours. I hoped I could wait for my backup, but I’d do whatever was necessary to stop this madness.
With any luck, the entertainment segment would end with my comrades bursting into the mix and giving the masses a true taste of freedom. Although, I wasn’t real comfortable counting on luck; mine had taken an unexpected turn for the worse when James McQuillen had joined Logan’s already powerful posse.
I remembered his extensive mental capabilities; they’d rivaled my own in many ways. I’d prefer him as an advocate not an adversary, but it was clear that the choice wasn’t mine to make. He’d chosen his side. We were now chasms apart.
Stealing a glance his direction, I was startled to see him watching me.
Things are not what they seem, Ms. Carpenter.
Before I could answer, a group of Native American drummers and dancers entered the clearing. When I looked back at James McQuillen, his attention rested on the dancers, leaving me to wonder if I’d imagined the mental message.
I was sure I hadn’t.
What did he mean? Like I didn’t already know that things were not what they seemed. That statement could be the opening line in a book about my life. What if …?
The musicians pounded their drums to life, drawing the crowd closer, stopping Logon from any further grandstanding and interrupting my silent debate.
Dressed in traditional ceremonial attire, the group swirled into action, their musical whoops and hollers sending chills down my spine. In the distance, a chorus of howls complimented the performance far more than any traditional backup singers.
I’d attended a Pow Wow many years ago with my parents and had loved the theatrical dancers and musicians. But tonight’s performance had the opposite effect. It felt eerie, wrong somehow.
Everything was wrong tonight. Even the moon had morphed into a sphere of seducing shadows, casting a suspicious, crimson-hued glow for as far as I could see.
Chloe, I’m here, Zane announced into my mind, making everything, for one brief moment, right again.
Just knowing he was near, sent my libido into overdrive. I’d never believed the scientific studies on pheromones acting as aphrodisiacs, but I was willing, when this was all over, to reexamine the data. Maybe it was the whole mating thing, but I could swear I smelled Zane’s distinctively masculine scent over every other fragrance, and there were scents abounding in the night air, not all of them pleasant.
Forget the moon; I was heady with visions of my mate. Never mind the possibility of death; I wanted my man, my werewolf. I wanted him at my side.
Together we’d defeat our enemies.
Chloe, your fanged admirer showed up and offered to transport us here vampire style. I decided I’d kill him later. I had to get to you first.
Who’s here with you? I couldn’t help wondering just how extensive Valamir’s teleporting abilities were. Envisioning the vampire bringing Zane to me was difficult considering his self-proclaimed obsession with my blood. My promise of a future favor must have provided the precise amount of motivation.
“Mack, Michael, Valamir, of course, since he drove, Rita, Stryder, and several friends of Stryder. I think some of your cloaked crusaders are here as well. I’m not sure how many. They’re harder to pick out.”
I was again aware of McQuillen’s gaze on me. He nodded just enough for me to notice. For certain I wasn’t imagining things. Maybe he’d fight for us after all. Having him, Alcuin, and Misty would increase our odds significantly. Factoring Connie, Deb, and Dillon into the equation would be even better.
I sent out a mental probe, hoping to locate my newest allies, informing them the time was now to do what we’d planned all along. There was no response. I hoped they’d found a way to escape. If not, we’d have to attack without them.
Be ready, Chloe. Valamir’s circling around to teleport you away from the frontline. I can’t fight and worry about you.
What? I screamed into his mind. They needed me. My mind magic was vital to our winning. What was he thinking? He clearly wasn’t.
It’s temporary. Just until we remove some of the danger. Don’t worry, Princess, you’ll get your chance to blast their brains.
So not funny.
We’re already taking out mutants around the perimeter.
Zane, some of these women want out of this crazy cult. Please don’t tell me you’re killing at random.
I already thought of that. We’re asking if they want to join us. They have ten seconds to decide. That’s the best we can do.
I froze. Valamir was behind the platform, preparing to grab me. When that happened, all hell would break loose.
Right now, my team was functioning under the radar. They had the advantage. In a few seconds that would all change. And I’d be forced to hitch a ride behind someone’s eyes to see the fight firsthand. That wasn’t good enough.
Before I could gather my thoughts enough to think of an argument that would persuade Zane to change his mind, icy arms pulled me close and I was spinning out of control,. If I had to choose, I’d pick Alcuin as my transportation source. I preferred his less dramatic technique.
“I think I’m going to barf.” Bending over, I clutched my stomach.
Valamir looked at me with a strange intensity. “Please forgive me. I just teleported your entire entourage in one trip. I am a bit unsettled. I promise a better experience in the future.”
I didn’t tell him what I was thinking. Teleporting again, ever, with him, wasn’t on my top ten list of things to do. I hoped Alcuin would prove to be a good guy so I could ride home with him.
Straightening to my full height, I cautiously took in my surroundings, almost afraid to see where he’d delivered me.
“No way, uh uh. I am not staying down here. Whose idea was this?” I demanded at the sight of my familiar basement room/cell.
“I was instructed to place you somewhere no one would expect to find you. I didn’t realize you had an intimate relationship with this room. Again, I apologize.”
“Don’t apologize. Move me! Anywhere but here. Please!” I’d begged Valamir earlier to return and help me. Had I known this would be his ultimate act of kindness, I’d have kept my mouth shut.
“I must go. They are in danger. I will return for you as your mate permits.”
As always, he disappeared in a cloud of pretty particles, leaving me in my dreaded dorm room alone.
I knew something he didn’t.
I was no longer that timid and terrified girl Zane had dragged to Vegas.
I was a confident and cunning woman with skills. Supernatural skills that just might be what saved all the tough guys’ supernatural asses.
Oh no, I wouldn’t be here waiting like a good little girl for Zane’s approval and Valamir’s arrival.
I’d be on the bloodstained battlefield with the rest of my entourage well before my motherly mate deemed it safe enough for me to return.
No way was I missing the final showdown. I had a serious score to settle.
Not even Jazmine’s surrender would suffice.
I was seeking absolute silence.
With her mouth shut permanently, I’d be satisfied.
Chapter 4628
“Chloe, is that you?” a muffled voice put a rapid halt to my vengeful thinking.
I turned expecting to see one of my former roommates behind me. “Deb? Connie?” I questioned the silent room, listening intently. It was impossible to gauge where the voice had originated.
Besides my ragged breathing, the other perceptible sound came from just outside the door.
I remembered with horror the first time I’d seen the entrance to my room. The deep gouges had supplied the visual evidence of some sadistic monster’s attempts to tear through the door.
What I heard right now sounded like something making forceful strokes — like razor-sharp claws scraping the door’s full length.
The image sent a spike of terror through my chest. Being mauled to death when freedom had been so close was unacceptable.
Using my mind magic, I thrust my mental feelers out and into the formidable enemy’s thoughts now ripping at the door, like a dog digging for its long lost bone.
Kill. Kill. Kill. Kill Ki …
Halfway through the fifth kill I pulled out. Whatever was pawing so maniacally had a mental makeup unlike any I’d ever explored.
Its psyche was blacker than black, obsidian — a pool of swirling darkness with the audible word — kill — rising from its murky depths with increasing volume and intensity.
The clawing creature’s sole purpose was to cause my death.
Zane had supposedly delivered me to safety. Wouldn’t he be surprised?
I took advantage of an unexpected stretch of silence. Was it gone? Maybe it had given up after breaking a claw.
Cautious, with all my senses screaming for me to stop, I crept toward the door, I could picture The warning sign, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here” from Dante’s Inferno. A well-crafted description of hell’s portico and possibly my door.
What waited on the other side was as inhuman as they came.
The devil himself? — I doubted it, but whatever it was could inflict diabolical damage that I wouldn’t survive despite my increasing arsenal of supernatural weapons. I wasn’t sure how I knew this. But I did.
I was aware that I’d met my match. I had to escape. Beyond that I didn’t have a clue what my next steps would be. Before I could change my mind, I spun to face the four familiar dressers.
My claustrophobic fears paled in comparison to whatever waited in the hallway. I’d navigate the hidden air shaft rather than risking a faceoff with the beast.
Maybe there was another way. I had allies, and one committed purebred-protector. For an instant, I’d forgotten the war just beyond my little prison. It had to be raging out of control.
Sending out a mental probe, I located and latched onto Stryder. I needed to see Zane. I didn’t know what I’d do if he was injured.
To my relief, he was very much alive and fighting viciously in his more mutant-like form, his teeth shredding through the thick neck of a male mutant.
Tracking the movements of my group was nearly impossible. Everything was happening faster than my human eyes could process. Fur, blood, and body parts were blasting from the moving mass, and I had no clue who was slaughtering who.
Stryder was shielding a small group of mutant women, who’d switched to our side. Others were attempting to join their cluster. I wondered why they weren’t advancing against Jazmine’s hordes. It appeared they were cowering instead.
With every breath I drew, I wanted to contact Zane for help, but resisted the urge.
Popping into his, or one of my other friends’ heads, in the midst of this merciless carnage, was bound have unpleasant consequences. Ones I wasn’t willing to risk in order to save myself. They needed to keep their thoughts undivided. A blink at the wrong moment could equal a gruesome death.
Instead, I continued my surveillance, hoping to catch sight of James McQuillen. After a few minutes, I gave up. Getting back to the battle and away from whatever was lurking beyond my door was my present priority.
Slipping from Styder’s mind, I hurried to the dresser. I was able to pull it away from the wall, revealing the shaft’s murky maw. I wouldn’t be surprised if it spouted teeth and chewed me to pieces.
Hesitating, I glanced one final time around the room. Part of me wanted to curl up on my cot and bury my head under the flimsy pillow until danger passed.
Renewed clawing jolted me into action.
I entered the duct head first and made every attempt to distribute my body mass evenly, making sure to keep some weight on my legs. I forced myself to slide along rather than crawling.
Deb had mentioned that this method of travel would prevent the joints in the sheet metal from breaking. I hoped she was right. I’d heard that crawling through an air duct was a myth, but I was doing it. Granted, I was pretty small and this was a large vent. I hoped it would support me the entire journey.
Wishing I had a flashlight, I inched forward. The shaft slopped downward, leading, I guessed, to the basement.
The darkness felt alive, chilling me all over, and to make matters worse, a foul odor grew stronger the further down I progressed. I pictured dead rats just ahead, and waited with dread for one of my hands to come in contact with an animal’s decomposing corpse.
After what felt like forever, I came to a drop. A light was more than necessary at this juncture.
Remaining statue still, I attempted to shut off the rising panic constricting my throat. I sucked hard, gasping for breath. Then I remembered my cell phone.
Slowing my breathing, I retrieved it from my bra, and powered it up. It provided just enough illumination for me to identify an eight foot drop down a narrower shaft.
Taking several more deep breat
hs, I considered my limited options. One, slide down the shaft and hope I didn’t crash through; two, scale down with my back on one side and my feet across from me.
“Chloe, is that you?” A female voice filtered up the duct, sending my adrenaline soaring.
“Deb?” I asked my voice shaky. “Where are you?”
“In a shaft above the basement. Don’t jump!”
“Wouldn’t think of it,” I confirmed, striking off option one as an alternative for my descent.
Confirming my chosen travel mode, she instructed, “Put your back against one side and your feet on the other; keep pressure on your feet and lower one leg, followed by your back, and then another leg. You can do it,” she encouraged.
Terrified, but without another choice, I followed her directions.
Eight feet felt like twenty as I inched my way down. At the halfway point, something gouged my lower back. Pain seared through my right side.
“I think I’m bleeding. Oh, God, it hurts,” I whimpered.
“Chloe, don’t stop. You’ve got to keep moving.”
She was right, but I knew if I didn’t alter my course, the sharp protrusion would damage more of my back.
With great care, and extra encouragement from Deb, I slid sideways, away from the source of what had become an agonizing intrusion to my escape.
Descending with greater caution than before, I managed to reach Deb, who was stretched out on her belly. Our faces almost touched.
“Thank God you’re all right.” She reached around and managed a half hug with us lying down.
She pulled her arm away and grabbed my cell phone, shining the light on her hand. I saw the blood the same time she did.
“Let’s get out of here.”
“How —?” It was her voice I’d heard from the room, and I was desperate to know what’d happened to her and Connie.
“I’ll explain when we’re out of here, for now, keep your eyes on the prize,” she encouraged.
With her mutant agility, she was able to maneuver into a new position with ease, her feet now in my face. But before I could complain about her shoes so close to my nose, she began her advance, using a strange army crawl to slither through the duct like a snake with appendages.
I Kissed a Dog Page 31