by Mary Abshire
Zale checked on the others. The man with the sword was holding an arm across his abdomen as he exited through the opened patio door. Two others stumbled as they followed him. One had been the man missing his nose.
Aaron had hold of the back of a demon’s head. He dragged him to the dining room table and then shoved the demon’s forehead on the surface. Following a loud smack, the demon crumbled to the floor.
Two bodies were laying on the ground, motionless but with beating hearts. Another body closer to the door didn’t have any sounds coming from him.
Holding a knife in one hand and an arm across his ribs, a demon faced Tiffany. Step after slow step, he was inching his way toward the open door. A large dark stain had formed on his gray shirt. She watched him as if she were calculating his move so she could stop him. When he swung his weapon, it was Aaron who caught the demon’s forearm. Aaron twisted it in one jerk. The bone snapped and the demon fell to his knees screaming.
Zale moved closer to see Scott. The vampire held a blade in one hand and was backing a demon into the kitchen where he had nowhere to go. The demon had a butcher’s knife in his grasp, but he was holding it in more of a defensive manner. Sensing Scott wanted to kill the man, Zale ran between the two. Scott stopped, but his ice-cold glare on the demon never wavered.
“Move away werewolf,” Scott said in a feral tone. His skin had tightened around the bones in his face and hands. He looked as if he’d aged two decades. The thick smell of blood drifted from him.
Zale growled in response and showed his canines. He couldn’t let Scott kill the demon.
Aaron and Tiffany stopped on each side of Scott. Their clothes had been ripped in countless places. Dark fluid covered their hands. A stream flowed from one of Aaron’s arms.
“Don’t Scott,” Tiffany said. “You have a chance for the DS to interrogate and exorcise him. You can save more of us by sparing his life.”
When Scott took a step forward, Zale barked at him. The vampire glared at the demon and revealed his canines. Zale growled and yelped again. Scott stood his ground. After several tense seconds, Scott moved to the counter at his side and then slammed the knife on it.
Zale spun to face the demon. Holding his weapon higher, he shifted it between the three vampires. Zale backed away as Scott moved closer. Fury remained strong his eyes. In one swift move, Scott had the man’s wrist in his grasp. The demon dropped the knife and it clanked on the floor. Holding his arm, Scott punched the man’s elbow. Bone crunched and protruded from the skin. The demon closed his eyes before he crumbled to the ground.
“There, I didn’t kill him, wolf,” Scott said.
Zale stopped by the dead body on the floor. Out of the nine who’d shown up, the vampires had knocked out three and five had managed to escape. The death toll didn’t seem so bad considering the vamps had been outnumbered.
For a while, Zale had thought Scott might not survive given his severe state of dehydration. Zale had to give the vamp credit. Even though he’d broken the man’s arm, he’d let the demon live.
Aaron squatted next to Zale. “This one is my fault. I stabbed him in the chest after he tried to slice my arm off with his knife. I think I punctured a lung or something. I’m sorry Zale.”
The vampire’s admission meant the world to Zale. Aaron seemed to be a good man. He’d defended himself and hadn’t intended to kill. Zale couldn’t justify punishment for the vamp.
Zale walked away and then stopped next to the two living demons on the ground. Their heartbeats had slowed and both reeked of blood. But they were alive. The DS could now gather information from them. Zale hoped the agents were ready to get to work.
Hearing the ring from a phone upstairs, Zale perked up his head. Gordon had been expecting him at the office. He shot forward, heading for the stairs. He had to let his boss know what had happened. Other vampires were in danger. He needed to alert them and the DS. But first he had to shift.
Chapter Seventeen
Zale’s tires squealed as he turned the corner too fast into the parking lot at the pyramids. Gordon had said in his call from earlier he urgently needed Zale at the office to assist him with speaking to a visitor. When Zale had asked who the visitor was, Gordon had refused to tell him. His response had been to return as soon as possible.
During the drive, Zale had called the DS and had informed them about the demons in Scott’s home as well as the attack. He’d also mentioned the three vampires were injured and were being targeted by demons. The agent he’d spoken to had said he’d send a team right away.
Finding vacant spots in the middle of the lot, Zale parked his SUV. He didn’t pay any attention to the lines and didn’t care. Getting to Gordon and his visitor took top priority. After he snatched his cell from the empty passenger seat, he hurried out of the car.
The cool morning air graced Zale’s damp body as he jogged toward the center tower. His shirt, underwear, and jeans clung to him and he felt uncomfortable. He needed a shower. At the very least, he could’ve used a towel to wipe of his sweat after he’d changed, but there hadn’t been any time. He’d returned Gordon’s call immediately post shift. Based on the firmness of his boss’s request, Zale had dressed, said a few parting words with the vamps, and then rushed out the door. He hated feeling wet and hoped he didn’t stink too horribly since he had to meet with some unknown visitor.
He jogged past the guards at the front desk to reach the elevators. One dinged within seconds of him hitting the call button. He rushed inside and pushed the dial several times for the doors to shut faster.
As the elevator moved, he leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. His rapid heartbeat had yet to slow since he’d left the office not so long ago. So much had had happened in the short time. He definitely needed a drink.
The elevator doors opened and he jogged out onto the fifteenth floor. He curved around the cubicles to the back hall leading to the offices. Gordon’s door was open. He slowed his pace to a stride before he reached his boss’s room. Surprised to see it empty, he dropped his jaw.
Zale ran a hand through his damp hair as he strode toward the cubicles where he heard someone talking. Two male employees were standing near one of the copy stations.
“Have you seen Gordon?” Zale asked.
“No,” said the one with red hair.
“Haven’t seen him in a while,” said the taller man.
Zale jogged down the center, heading to the back. If anyone might know where Gordon was, he figured Henry might. Before he reached the hall to Henry’s office, the werewolf he sought stepped around the corner.
“Zale, where have you been?” Henry asked and then wrinkled his nose.
“Where’s Gordon?”
“In one of the conference rooms in the basement. Did you shift?”
“Who’s he meeting with?”
“He didn’t say, but he’s been waiting for you.”
With a slight grunt, Zale took off jogging down the center again. More perspiration rolled down his forehead and he scrubbed it with his arm. When he reached the elevator, he tapped the button.
While he waited for his ride, he ambled in the area and wondered who would meet with the UoJ so early in the morning. And why would Gordon take him to the basement? He realized within seconds the basement offered the best privacy. If he had to guess who might show up, he’d pick a vampire from the Divine Syndicate.
He took another long breath during his ride to the basement. Anxiety high, he paced in the small elevator and tapped his hand on his thigh. As soon as the doors opened, he hurried out.
The air smelled of dust and mildew, but felt cool and pleasing to his heated body. Typical of most basements in a large building, gray concrete walls surrounded him. Water moved inside the pipes above, but at least tiles hid the plumbing and ventilation ductwork. Striding down the hall toward the conference rooms, Zale heard a heartbeat coming from one. A door opened and Gordon stepped out. Brows scrunched, Gordon pressed hi
s lips together in almost a frown.
“Sorry, I ran into trouble,” Zale said.
“We have an important visitor with concerns,” he said as he gestured to the room.
Zale walked in and found a man sitting at the head of the long oblong table. Dressed in a dark blue suit, he twisted in his seat. His short brown hair reached his earlobes and matched the color of his thin beard. He stood as Zale approached.
“My name is Colin Beckman,” he said as he offered his hand. “I am the Community Leader for Indianapolis.”
Zale shook his hand and noticed the cool temperature. Since Colin lacked a pulse, Zale didn’t need to ask which community Colin represented.
“Colin speaks for the leaders on all sides of town,” Gordon said as he stopped on the vampire’s other side.
“Nice to meet you. And I apologize. I didn’t have a chance to clean up after I shifted,” Zale said.
“You’re here and that is what matters.” Colin gestured to the chair. “Please, join us.”
“Were you aware of the meeting on the west side tonight?” Zale asked before he sat.
“I was aware of it.” Colin returned to his seat at the head of the table. “I couldn’t attend because I was meeting with leaders on two other sides of town. Tim called me and informed me what had happened. I came to apologize for the fight with the UoJ agent.”
Gordon sat across from Zale. “I assured Colin we’re not going to seek any kind of retribution.”
“Of course not. It’s important now more than ever that we work together. One squabble shouldn’t deter what we collectively are trying to accomplish,” Zale said.
Colin smiled. “It’s good to hear you say that. I know it must be difficult for you to lead this investigation when your usual job is to track and serve justice to the criminals of our kind.”
“Many agents including myself have a distrust toward vampires because we must deal with the ones who have broken the AoA law. But I’ve put aside my biases. Everyone must do the same if we are to survive peacefully. Mankind’s future depends on us. The demons are the troublemakers who need to be stopped,” Zale said.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Colin said.
“Too many died from the last outbreak. I will do everything in my power to prevent another one,” Zale said.
“I have survived several centuries. Many vampires in the city have too. Trust me when I say we do not want to go through another outbreak,” Colin said. “But many feel we shouldn’t rely on werewolves for help, especially when your job is to destroy us.”
“The UoJ only punishes those who break the law,” Gordon said, sounding like a politician.
“I know this and I say it countless times to others, but some have formed their own opinions.” Colin met Zale’s gaze. “I’m sure you’ve seen a similar issue with agents.”
Zale understood Colin well. The UoJ and vampires needed to learn to play better together.
“Here’s the deal, if the community works with us, we can prevent another outbreak,” Zale said. “We need more information in order to locate the identity of the demons.”
Colin put his hands on the table and threaded his fingers together. “I was sharing with Gordon how many in the vampire community are nervous right now. They’ve seen friends and lovers disappear. Many have heard rumors about the destruction of vampires. The increase in the demon population has many on edge and it seems the DS isn’t moving fast enough to stop them.”
“I informed Colin I am communicating with the DS and we may be working with them soon to help them find the master,” Gordon said.
“Which is hopeful, but for now we still have to deal with the demons who manage to find ways to destroy us,” Colin said.
“Convince the community to work with us,” Zale said.
“I agree to share information to help you and I will encourage others. But there will be some that have their own agenda. They will go off on their own and seek to kill. No matter how much we ask them to wait for the DS and UoJ to do their jobs, some will act on their rage and take matters into their own hands,” Colin said.
Zale recalled Robert Galloway in the club. He’d been so distraught about Bethany’s disappearance. If other vampires acted as he had, the UoJ would need serious help.
“You need to persuade them more to let us and the DS handle things. If we have to start hunting vampires to bring to justice, we won’t have time to look for demons,” Zale said.
“I will do my best and so will the other leaders. Still, we would like assurance from the UoJ you will not hunt vampires who destroy demons during this problematic time,” Colin said.
“I informed Colin the UoJ can’t make that kind of assurance,” Gordon said.
Zale understood his boss’s position. He wouldn’t give any blanket approval to Colin either. Yet, there needed to be a middle ground for the vampires who had no options against demons who aimed to chop off their head.
He leaned his elbows on the table and looked at his boss. “If demons attack a vampire and the absolute only way for the vamp to survive is to kill, then I can’t say the vampire committed a crime.”
“I think you’re skirting a fine line, Zale,” Gordon said.
“I just came from Scott Campbell’s house,” Zale said.
“Why were you at his house?” Gordon asked.
Colin’s brows narrowed as his gaze darted between him and Gordon.
“On my way here earlier, I wondered how demons knew about Mark Renaut’s location. Then, I remembered he knew Bethany through Robert,” Zale said.
“Robert Galloway?” Colin asked.
“Yes,” Zale said. “Bethany was identified as one of the corpses I found in a warehouse. It appeared to me she and a couple others had been tortured. My gut instinct led me to believe demons wanted information and had tortured them for it.”
The vampire stiffened. “Bethany knew the names and locations of all the leaders as well as other important members of our community.”
“I figured she had some valuable information. I didn’t know specifics, but I relied on my instinct and went to warn Scott. Two other vampires were with him. I warned all of them they could be in danger. Scott didn’t want to leave his home and thought vampires should handle the demons on their own. I hadn’t been at his house long when a group of demons showed up.”
Colin looked down and shook his head.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Gordon asked.
“I didn’t have time. I went straight from Mark’s to Scott’s house. I talked to Scott for several minutes before we heard the demons. I asked Scott and the others not to kill and they agreed to do their best. The demons broke in while I was in the middle of changing.”
Gordon leaned back in his chair. “Please tell me everyone survived.”
“There were nine demons in total. Three were knocked out and one received a fatal injury. Five escaped, though not unscathed. I called the DS on my way here so they could pick up the demons for interrogation.”
“How are Scott and his guests?” Colin asked.
“They lost a lot of blood and looked weak, especially Scott. He came close to losing his head.”
“When word gets out, others will be enraged,” Colin said.
“He wanted to kill the last demon, but one of his guests talked him out of it. If you keep talking to your community, I think you can sway them to help us and spare the lives of the demons so the DS can exorcise them.”
There had been several times Zale had thought he was wasting his breath trying to persuade the vampires. But Tiffany had listened to him. She’d managed to stop Scott from ending the human’s life. Zale had to believe other vamps from the meeting had heard him too. With more encouragement, it seemed they were willing to work with the UoJ.
Colin slid his hands off the table. “If the demons knew Scott and Mark’s location, they know mine and every other leader’s address as well.”
“You need to
warn them and find somewhere else to stay. I don’t know why the demons aren’t attacking during the day, but they could start at any time. It’s better to play it safe and find a new temporary home for a while,” Zale said.
“You mentioned there was one fatality,” Colin prompted.
“Yes. The vampire confessed to it and apologized. He’d said he hadn’t meant to kill the human. He thought he’d stabbed him in a non-lethal area. I can’t fault him for his action. The vampire had defended himself against three demons. He wasn’t trying to kill any of them. I even witnessed him knock a man out. Based on what I saw and his confession, I believe he acted in self-defense. I can’t justify punishment. Had he intentionally killed the human, then I’d have a problem with him.”
Gordon moved closer to the table. “We can’t issue a statement waiving forgiveness if a vampire defends himself. Every vampire could make such a claim.”
“Vampires need to learn to knock out the demons. It will give time for the DS to show up. I don’t want to encourage anyone to break any bones, but if it’s three against one… Sometimes it may take a broken arm to stop the demon from fighting.”
Colin’s lips curled on one side.
“Bottom line, vampires should not kill,” Gordon said.
“I know a demon’s strength is twice that of a human’s. But a vampire will always be stronger,” Zale said.
“Against one demon,” Collin scoffed.
“I’m willing to bet more than one. Three is a struggle from what I’ve seen,” Zale said.
“Regardless if it’s one or three, the demons should be spared for interrogation and exorcism,” Gordon said.
Colin pressed his back against the chair. “I will try to convince the community to cooperate with the UoJ. Can I get an agreement from you the UoJ will not punish those who kill while defending themselves?”
Zale met Gordon’s gaze. The request was too vague for his liking, but he wasn’t the one who made the difficult decisions.