by T. J. Quinn
He asked, “How old are you?”
She guessed, “Nearest I can tell, about twenty-four-years-old. I was one of the first the evil one brought here. I do not know who my parents were or if they are still alive. I think I must be an orphan to have come into his care. I am one of…I’m going to say hundreds.”
He asked, “Is the child yours? She is very adorable.”
The woman looked shocked and said, “Of course not. Most of us have never done things to make babies. We have no doctors. It simply does not make sense in the context of our current circumstance. Some of the very established couples make love play, but all the children you see are runaways or rescues from the compound.”
Sharon could see the look of shock and pure blind fury on the man’s face, and she understood why. She answered his concern, “They show up at the compound as young as two-years-old. We have people on the inside who help us get the tiny ones out. He seems to care little for them because they are not…productive.”
Durk assured her, “Well have no worry, after this day all will be free, and he will no longer be in a position to do your people harm.”
She replied, “May I ask you questions now?”
He nodded, and she asked, “What do you do? Are you a hunter?” He replied, “I work for a congressman. We pass the laws of the land.”
She asked, “Do you live like we do?”
He sighed and responded, “I live in a very nice apartment all alone. I spend my nights in places called clubs dancing with beautiful women and drinking blood from a different woman each night.”
Sharon looked shocked, “Does that make you happy?”
Durk looked down and did not answer. He was reluctant to lie to the innocent young woman.
She asked, “What possessed you to put yourself in harm’s way?”
He replied honestly, “When I was a small child I was in an accident. My best friend was a mixed heritage female child who fed me all better. If she had not done that I would have died. We remained best friends for life. That child is Jared’s mother. I came to ensure her safe release then I am back to my life filled with emptiness.”
Sharon nodded her understanding. There was something about her eyes that haunted him or maybe captivated him.
Durk offered, “I would be pleased if you fed. You look pale. I am a full blood vampire, and my blood will give you strength…enough for you to care for others in this time of great need.”
Rebecca sent the child to another female and sat beside Durk. He pulled her close to his body and lifted her lips to his neck. The brief moment before she bit was intimate, and he realized he almost never fed another because he was so preoccupied with feeding from human women.
Feeling her fangs on his neck was strange and arousing. He held her and cradled her head as he encouraged her to drink. He was strong and the little blood she would need would not slow him down even if the day’s events led to trouble. As she drank she lifted her wrist for him to drink and the moment her blood flowed into his mouth he felt the images begin. Immediately he broke their bond. She looked confused, and he quickly apologized and moved out of her field of vision.
Durk kept walking until he was outside. The sun shone upon his face, and he realized he was breathless like he had run a marathon. What in the name of all that is holy just happened? He realized he was experiencing the blood bond with her but how could that happen? He didn’t even know her. He immediately determined he didn’t want to know her.
More importantly, he didn’t want her to know him. She would know him like no other. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to calm himself. Suddenly Marko was beside him giving him a concerned look. Durk immediately walked over and began breaking down his gun and cleaning it.
The shuttles landed and the young people loaded in. Garan introduced Senol’s woman, Rebecca to Miss. Lona. Miss. Lona was very supportive and nurturing particularly with the children. It left Garan with the impression that she would make an outstanding wife and mother.
Jared was furious that Selene had come on the second shuttle craft, but she stilled him with one hand on his arm and said, “Once I heard children were involved I came. Please do not be angry because I followed my heart.”
Jared introduced Selene to Senol as his love mate, and Senol responded by introducing her to his own love mate. Miss. Rebecca immediately gave Selene a hug. Rebecca was warm and friendly. Selene liked her immediately.
They loaded the last of the children into the last shuttle and gave one last look to their males before closing the shuttle door. Senol and Jared looked at each other and Garan glanced at Alek who looked fascinated. They acted like actual brothers instead of vampire brothers. The fact was not lost on Durk, Marko, Ariana or Faran.
Everyone understood that protecting Senol was a high priority. Alek was already thinking of ways to keep Senol and his people at the institute. Perhaps they could arrange a private school for the smaller children…
Chapter 18
Wearing a Wire
Once all of Senol’s people were out of the way, Arianna arranged for them to meet with the FBI agents.
Jared took Garan, Alek, and Senol aside and explained, “We will need to meet somewhere other than the caves. We can’t risk drawing attention to the place where innocent people live. They could be targeted for repercussions.”
Jared glanced at Senol for his input and Senol responded, “I think it is a moot issue. Apparently, your father and step-father are both of the mind that because of the love you bear for me it would be better if I were given the option of staying at the institute. They feel that my love mate and I will be much safer there with you and your family. Your step father thinks that if I agree, then he will build a large condo for us and open a school for the children.”
Jared said quickly, “I would love that but the final decision in all such matters will be yours.”
Senol put his arm around Jared and replied, “I already know that your family is kind and good. They would never force us to do anything we didn’t want to do.”
Jared looked relieved, and Senol mentioned, “They both love you a great deal, and they have a large amount of respect for me for taking so many vulnerable young people to me and caring for them properly.”
Senol turned to Garan and said, “You are correct. Having so many designer drugs tested on me over the years has affected me. No, I don’t read minds. My ability falls just short of that. I sense what others are feeling and get images of things they feel strongly about.”
Garan smiled and responded, “That is a good skill to have. Have you ever thought about the good you could do as a hunter?”
Senol replied, “Not until you just got me thinking about it.”
Garan laughed, and Senol knew that his special abilities were resented by many however Jared and his fathers were very accepting of him…protective even. Senol felt he was being folded into his friend’s family and to be honest he liked the idea.
The four of them joined the larger group, and Senol got the message from Jared and his fathers to keep his ability under wraps for his own safety. When they joined the group, Senol immediately realized that Durk was thinking of one of the females of his group. Senol stared at him as soon as he realized what he had done to Sharon.
Jared could tell Senol was angry with Durk and he put one hand on Senol’s chest and said, “Durk, I think you should go back to the Institute and see that all is well with the security of the people there.”
Senol leaned over and whispered something in his ear. Jared smiled and whispered something back. Jared corrected himself, “Sorry Durk. I misread the situation. You need to stay here with us and stay away from Miss. Sharon. She is young and innocent, and she is not for someone like you.”
Much to Jared and Senol’s amusement Durk seemed slightly relieved.
Eventually, the FBI Agent arrived and greeted Jared, Senol, Garan, and Alex. They brought him up to speed on the situation, and he said, “I agree with your friend Senol. If
Mr. Abrams wants the two of you, then I think you should give yourself over to him. We need intel, and I can give you devices to wear that will enable us to see and hear everything that goes on. We need to know what others are involved, particularly who is purchasing the children. Once we have that we can move in. We have enough armed men to ensure that you have a safe exit strategy.”
Garan interjected, “I do not feel comfortable with the two of them just walking in there. There has to be another way.”
Jared interrupted, “Look, we are losing daylight here. My mother has already apprised us that if we want Mr. Abrams alive, we will come before darkness. Trust me if he dares to touch her, she will react.”
Senol put in his two cents worth, “Going in is a risk, not going in is a risk, whatever course of action we take there will be risks. I say Jared and I should go ahead in and see what we can make of the situation. Trust me when I say Jared and I have played him back and forth between us for years. Now that we are grown we pose much more of a risk to him than he does us.”
Garan reluctantly agreed, and Senol got a flash of how very much Garan would regret anything happening to either of them. He smiled to himself because he knew that he just got adopted in Garan’s heart. He felt the strong urge growing within Garan to protect him, and it was almost as strong as his need to protect Jared.
Senol said, “I have a short cut we can take on foot and be at his front door in twenty minutes. The agent gave them each a different color button to wear over a button on the front of their shirt. It had a mini microphone and camera.
They headed out immediately, and once they were alone, Jared said, “Senol, I am sorry about my over protective fathers. Although they mean well they do not understand our ways.”
Senol replied, “Our ways are the ways of the warrior. Although they think themselves warriors it has been a long time since either of them stood against insurmountable odds to protect the innocent. For us, it has been but a few short years. I want you to know that I appreciate what you did to free Rebecca. Each time I hold her in my arms I dream of the day, we will be in a position to mate and have children, and I think of the sacrifice you made to free her. Do not worry my brother, I will not let you down when the time comes to free your mother.”
Jared sighed and said, “Senol, please do not take chances with your own life tonight. This situation is different. Tonight we have enough force to take my mother and the remaining children. I want enough evidence to put him behind bars for the rest of his life, and I want to know who is really the brain behind his operation. There is no need for blood shed. It would grieve me deeply to lose you tonight.”
Senol smiled his understanding. Jared was a person that always said exactly what he meant, or he kept his mouth shut. It was one of the things that Senol really liked about him.
They arrived at the old man’s front door, and he came immediately. Jared could see the surprise and pleasure on his face. He said, “Jared, I knew I could count on you. You never let me down. Senol, you must be tired of living in the hills like an animal. Come and talk to me.” Jared and Senol followed him into his house, and Mr. Abrams motioned them to sit in his living room.
His mother came in with coffee a few moments later wearing only her lingerie. Senol could sense Jared was livid, but he held his anger carefully in check. Jared was well aware of how very much his foster father liked to build the anticipation and take the lead in such situations, so he pandered to his ego by sitting quietly like the dutiful son. Senol could sense the old man’s eagerness to mate with the beautiful hunter. He could also sense what the old man could not, her vampire heritage. He could also feel her ambivalence at being chained and knew that she fully planned to kill the human if it became necessary.
Finally, Mr. Abrams spoke, “I have decided to keep your mother here with me for a few months. Once she shares my bed, we will see how eager she is to go back to her vampire lover.
Senol spoke, “I guess you have changed much in the last few years father. I never once suspected you would share your bed with a vampire.”
Senol held out his wrist, and Dakota realized immediately that if she showed her vampire heritage he would be repulsed and reluctant to sex with her. She immediately bared her delicate fangs and bit into Senol’s wrist but didn’t feed. Senol sensed immediately that she only fed from her love mate. Sure enough, Mr. Abrams was shocked and repulsed.
Jared immediately got up and wrapped his jacked around her scantily clad body.
Jared sat back down and asked, “Father, why have you summoned us to your side. Tell us what you require of us.”
Mr. Abrams replied, “I have been pressed for many years by the local police chief to perform certain functions, and I have complied. Now this gentleman has passed on, and I am left to my own devices. I have determined that without the full support of local law enforcement I must turn my attention from designer drugs to other pursuits. The business I have chosen involves providing a commodity many people are interested in, and I can earn many times the money I made selling designer drugs.”
Senol was quiet then said, “You want to sell people…little people to be precise.”
Mr. Abrams explained, “The two of you are more like real sons than my real sons. I have raised you to understand that the world is not the place represented in data streams where everyone loves and respects each other. In the real world sometimes we all do what we must. There is no good and evil, only poor and successful. I need young males to transport my product and to ensure proper payment is received. The two of you would be inconspicuous and reliable.
“You would each enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. Women, money, an endless supply of blood…whatever you want.” Senol could tell that the old man was so far gone that he honestly didn’t expect any objection from them.
Senol could tell how extremely furious Jared was that the old man would even think for one moment they would be interested in involvement in the skin trade at all.
Jared was getting ready to say something clever, so Senol interjected, “Can you show us more about your plan. I think that although this is despicable, we are tired of living as you say like animals.”
The man immediately replied, “Compliance is necessary if you want the hunter released.”
He took them into his study and began going through information related to his outrageous plan. Senol immediately recognized the vital piece of information. He picked up a bit of data that showed potential buyers and three were members of the local sheriff’s department. As soon as that flashed in front of the camera. The FBI agent called in the reinforcements.
Mr. Abrams was shocked when his house was overrun with FBI agents. He immediately grabbed Dakota with one hand and his laser pistol with the other hand and pressed the gun under her chin. It was Jared’s worse nightmare come true. Senol immediately pulled him back. He would risk no harm to his friend. Alek and Garan edged into the room along with Durk, Marco, and Ariana. The old man’s anxiety jumped up as he could see he was surrounded.
Dakota held up two hands and motioned them back. She did not appear frightened. Senol immediately tuned out the others and concentrated on Dakota. A soft smile slid onto his face, and he whispered in Jared’s ear, “No worries, your mother discharged his battery pack.”
He sensed Jared relax. Jared stepped forward and said, “I’m sorry to say fake father that your reign has come to an end. I’m also sorry you ever thought Senol and I would cooperate with you in the trafficking of children. I think where you are going, you will experience first-hand the utter hopelessness you have visited upon others.”
The old man began to argue with him, and Dakota grabbed his hand, quickly moved the end of the gun from under her chin to his and pulled the trigger. The old man was shocked that nothing happened and then realized that she must have messed with the weapon.
He grabbed her by the hair, but she spun around, kneed him in the groin and then hit him in the back of the head with both her hands fisted together when he bent over
. Needless to say, he was down for the count.
Chapter 19
Rescuing the Children
Alek immediately went to unchain her, and as the chains slid off her hands, she murmured, “I think we have been here before but it was me taking chains off you. Guess this makes us even my love.”
Alek pulled her into his arms and whispered, “Not even close my beautiful little hunter.”
When their lips touched Senol began blushing, and Jared said, “Let’s get ourselves the hell out of here.”
Senol replied, “Alek is taking your mother home now. Come, I will show you where Mr. Abrams keeps the children.”
The FBI agents and their men followed him to a large warehouse. Senol opened the doors, and it was completely empty. Jared immediately realized that Senol had somehow gotten word to the kids because they were hiding in the upper level. It was the way they used to protect the children when they lived in the compound. Jared whistled, and they began climbing down. Senol knew most of them, but Jared knew very few because it had been a while since he lived among them.
Suddenly Senol looked very upset and turned to the FBI agent saying, “No, you will not call anyone to pick them up. Jared and I will take responsibility for them.”
The FBI agent replied, “I’m sorry, but there is nothing I can do. Jared will have to return with his parents.”
Senol smiled slightly because Garan was on top of the situation almost before the agent got the words out of his mouth. Garan immediately intervened, “I am aware of a children’s home that will take them all in. Trust me it is licensed and they will be well cared for.
Jared wondered why Senol didn’t object, but he was relieved that the FBI agent relented and said, “Contact them. If what you say is true I will release them to their care.”
Garan was on his com device immediately, and Jared looked at Senol. Senol took him aside and explained, “Apparently your father is quite wealthy. He donates large sums of money to an orphanage near the institute and is even now hatching an ingenious plan by which the orphanages take all the children in and then releases them to his custody. He plans to assign space at the institute until Alek can get us living quarters built. You are lucky, Jared. Your father is quite amazing.”