Seduced by the Night

by Robin T. Popp

  Dr. Weber had developed an antiserum that destroyed the venom in the host’s system. Though he didn’t come right out and say it, his goal, she could tell, was to find some way to destroy the vampires. More amazing to Bethany was that his concoction had worked. Suddenly the idea of reversing the venom and restoring life wasn’t as far-fetched as she’d originally thought.

  Unfortunately, figuring out how to do it was going to take a lot longer than a single day. It could take a lifetime.

  She sat on the cot and continued to read, fighting to keep her eyes open as she pored over Dr. Weber’s notes. Just maybe . . .

  Exhaustion stole over her and it wasn’t long before she fell asleep.

  Something jerked her awake and she felt herself hauled roughly off the cot. Patterson stared at her, his eyes blazing with anger. “What the hell are you doing asleep?” he yelled, slapping her across the face as he held her upright. “Where’s my venom?”

  Bethany tasted blood at the corner of her mouth where her lip had split. Her heart raced from the combination of adrenaline and terror coursing through her. She opened her mouth to say something, but never got the chance.

  “If you’re not going to do what I tell you, then I have no use for you,” he spat out.

  She barely had time to anticipate the pain before he’d yanked her to him and sank his teeth into her neck. Agony ripped through her, spreading along her veins as Patterson drank. She fought against him, hitting and clawing, but her efforts didn’t faze him. She thought of the admiral’s herb in her bloodstream and hope filled her—until she remembered its twenty-four hour limitation. Her last cup of coffee still sat, untouched, on the kitchen table. As hope died, her strength failed and only Patterson’s hold on her kept her from falling. She was dying, but too weak to care.

  “What the hell—?”

  Suddenly released, she fell to the floor, landing in a crumpled heap. Harris stood over her, confronting Patterson, and though she tried to focus on their words as they argued, she only caught bits and pieces.

  “. . . crazy? We need her,” Harris was saying.

  “She’s no better than Meyers,” Patterson shot back. “We’re better off killing her and finding someone new.”

  “No, it’s too late for that.” Harris clenched his hands into fists. “Let me take care of this—you go deal with Adams. I’m sure he’s awake by now.”

  Bethany saw the way Patterson stared at the other Prime. There was a decided lack of trust between the two. As if sensing Patterson’s hesitation, Harris said, “Leave her to me. I can be very persuasive—or have you already forgotten that time in Iraq?”

  Patterson still seemed hesitant, but he finally nodded. “See that she’s cooperating when I get back. Her only value lies in her ability to duplicate the venom. If she’s not going to do that, then we might as well enjoy her.”

  Bethany felt cold fear lance through her at his words and she watched him walk out of the lab. Then she looked up to see Harris standing over her, his expression unreadable, and she didn’t know whether to be relieved or afraid.

  Dirk woke to find he was alone in an empty room except for the decaying corpse of some unfortunate soul chained to the wall next to him. When his captors had carried him in hours ago, he’d been too weak to put up much of a fight. They’d secured him in the iron cuffs that were chained to the wall and left him. He’d thought if he could find the strength and energy, he could use the time while his captors slept to escape and find Bethany, but as the sun rose, he’d been overwhelmed with fatigue. Unable to fight against it, he’d slept.

  While he did, his body had used its special abilities to recuperate. Now, looking at the wall behind him, he saw where the chains were bolted and felt a spurt of hope. The mortar and brick looked old. Cocking his head to listen for the sounds of someone approaching, he heard nothing.

  There was enough slack in the chains that if he took a step closer to the wall, he could grab them with his hands. With his feet spread for balance, he strained, pulling with all his might until the muscles in his arms and chest shook with the effort. Sweat broke out over his body and his groans filled the room.

  Then one of the bolts moved. Encouraged by this small victory, he renewed his effort. Little by little, the bolts ripped from the wall, sending cracked mortar flying.

  Suddenly free, Dirk fell to the ground and stayed there, exhausted. His muscles ached beyond belief and he wasn’t sure he could move, but he needed to. He had to find Bethany, if she was still alive.

  He refused to consider any other possibility and forced himself to his feet, his chains dangling from the iron bracelets at his wrists, weighing him down. There was no way to get them off, so he didn’t waste time trying. He swung his arms around in circles, winding the chains about his forearms to act as a cumbersome type of chain mail.

  He’d taken only a step toward the door when it burst open and Patterson appeared. His face was clouded with anger, but at seeing Dirk, he smiled.

  “I’m going to enjoy this, Adams,” he taunted as they squared off. “I’ve just enjoyed a taste of your girlfriend—she put up quite a fight. If Harris hadn’t come in, there’s no telling what I might have done.”

  Dirk fought to keep his emotions under control. If he lost it now, Patterson would have the advantage. He had to remain calm and look for an opportunity to attack.

  “Yes, indeed,” Patterson went on. “She was quite a treat. I definitely want another taste—provided there’s anything left. You know how Harris gets when he’s . . . negotiating. You remember what he did to that Iraqi terrorist responsible for bombing the mission a couple of years ago? Do you think anyone ever found enough of the body to figure out who it was?”

  “I guess some things never change, do they?” Dirk scoffed. “I thought you were in charge of this little underground operation, but I see now that it’s been Harris all along.”

  The barb hit its mark and Patterson roared as he attacked. Dirk threw out his arm, pain ripping through the already stressed muscles. The weight of the chain added to the power of his punch and Patterson flew across the room. He recovered quickly and with another yell, charged. This time, he was ready for the impact of the chain and Dirk wasn’t able to throw him off.

  Patterson jumped on Dirk, bearing him to the ground. For the second time, Dirk felt the vampire’s fangs sink into his neck and the warm trickle of blood ran down his skin. Already weak, Dirk struggled to knock him off. Unsuccessful, he pushed himself off the ground, carrying Patterson on his back. Finally, getting his feet under him, he stumbled to the wall and slammed Patterson against it. He had to repeat the move several times before Patterson loosened his hold.

  Reaching up, Dirk grabbed the vampire and hauled him over his shoulder. As soon as Patterson landed on the floor, Dirk hit him, breaking the vampire’s nose. Patterson rolled to the side, freeing himself from Dirk’s grip, and they both staggered to their feet.

  Dirk knew that if he didn’t beat Patterson soon, he never would. Letting a length of chain unravel off his arm, he waited for Patterson to lunge at him. As he did, Dirk swung a loop around Patterson’s neck and caught the other end. Before the Prime knew what Dirk was up to, Dirk pulled the chain tight.

  Dirk’s original intent was to decapitate the vampire, but between his weakened muscles and the bulk of the chain links, it proved impossible to do, so he pulled the chain as tight as he could and prayed that the vampire needed air to breathe.

  Patterson fought to get free, doing everything he could to cause Dirk to loosen his grip, even slamming him bodily into the wall repeatedly. Through it all, Dirk held on, pulling the chains tighter and tighter. Slowly, Patterson’s efforts weakened until, finally, he crumpled to the ground. Dirk didn’t let go of the chain, worried that Patterson might be faking.

  After what seemed like an eternity, Dirk unwound the chains. He moved cautiously, poised to react should Patterson suddenly spring into action. However, even with the chain no longer around his neck, Patterson lay still
. Dirk slowly backed out of the room. Closing the door behind him, he turned and raced down the hall, praying he reached Beth before it was too late.

  “Can you stand?”

  Bethany blinked her eyes, trying to clear the dizziness. She found herself staring up into Harris’s eyes and realized she was lying on the floor. She stared at him blankly as her brain did a rewind.

  “I don’t know,” she answered honestly. She struggled to push herself into a sitting position and then paused while the world righted itself. Then she put her hands on the floor and tried to leverage herself up.

  “Give me your hand.”

  Bethany paused in her efforts and stared at Harris’s outstretched hand. Did she dare trust him? He stood there patiently while she made up her mind. “What did you do in Iraq?” she asked, finally placing her hand in his and letting him pull her to her feet.

  The sudden movement made her light-headed and everything turned black. She felt herself falling, but could do nothing to prevent it. Then strong arms wrapped around her, arresting her fall, holding her while the darkness passed.

  “Thank you.” Her voice sounded weak, even to her own ears, but she didn’t care. She needed to pull herself together if she was to have any chance at all of escaping.

  From far off, she heard the sound of a door crashing open and then she was falling again as Harris was tackled to the floor.

  She heard grunts of pain and the clanking of metal against concrete. Struggling to her knees, her hands braced against the floor, she looked over and saw someone on top of Harris, arms flailing. With a quickening of her pulse, she realized who it was.

  “Dirk?” Her whisper couldn’t be heard above the fighting, so she tried again, this time louder. “Dirk?”

  Still he didn’t respond and as adrenaline shot through her body, she got to her feet. “Stop it,” she ordered, going over to grab his arm. He shook her off as if she were nothing more than a fly. A glimpse of Harris’s bloodied face gave her the strength to try again.

  She pulled at Dirk’s arm pinning Harris to the floor by the throat. It was like trying to move a stone column. Giving up, she grabbed Dirk’s face and turned it so he stared at her. It was a frightening sight. Never had he looked so much like a vampire. She was almost afraid he wouldn’t recognize her.

  Keeping her voice smooth and easy, she tried talking to him. “Dirk, look at me. Please. You have to let Harris up.”

  “Why?” Dirk’s voice came out a snarl.

  “He saved my life.”

  Dirk shook his head. “I saw him. He was attacking you.”

  “No. I was too weak to stand. He was helping me up.”

  Dirk looked unconvinced, so she hurried on. “Patterson came in here and attacked me. Harris stopped him. Please. I’m begging you. Don’t kill him. Please. For me?”

  Dirk loosened his grip and she heard Harris draw in a breath. Running her hand down Dirk’s arm, she pried his fingers from around the vampire’s throat and pulled him away.

  Harris lay there, unmoving, his gaze focused on Dirk. Bethany didn’t know if he was hurt or just being cautious. Once Dirk and Bethany stepped back to give him room, though, he got to his feet.

  He stood there, rubbing his throat. “What now?”

  Dirk gestured to Bethany and himself, “We’re getting out of here and you’re going to let us.”

  Harris shook his head. “It’s not that simple. These pipes run under the entire city; some of them caved in years ago and are impassable—and there are other surprises out there. Unless you know the way, you could be down here a long time before you get out.” He nodded to Bethany. “She’s not in any shape to be down here that long and from the looks of it, neither are you.”

  Dirk took a step forward. “How about I just beat the directions out of you?”

  Harris shrugged, though his eyes blazed angrily. “I’m already dead. What more do you think you can do to me?”

  Dirk started forward again, but Bethany pulled him back. “This isn’t helping,” she said, looking from changeling to vampire. “We—”

  “What did you do to Patterson?” Harris interrupted, his brow furrowed.

  “What? I killed him.”

  Harris gave an impatient jerk of his head. “No, I don’t think so. Royally pissed him off, maybe, but you didn’t kill him.” He looked back at Dirk. “Can’t you feel him?”

  Bethany watched Dirk cock his head to one side, as if he was listening to a sound she couldn’t hear. Then he grabbed her hand. “Time to go—can you make it?”

  His blue eyes shone with an intense light. “Yes.” She was exhausted beyond belief, and frightened, but she would do whatever he asked of her.

  “Get out of our way,” Dirk growled when Harris blocked the door.

  “Not so fast. Ms. Stavinoski?” Harris stared at her expectantly.

  She knew what he wanted and it reminded her of the journal. Releasing Dirk’s hand, she crossed the room, picked it up, and hurried back to Dirk’s side. Instead of taking his hand, though, she stepped in front of him, facing Harris.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know how to make you human again. I lied to you earlier because I wanted to escape and I’m sorry for that.” She looked down at Dr. Weber’s journal and then held it out to him.

  “I think that Dr. Weber might have been on to something. I don’t know if there’s a cure for you or not, but if there is, the notes in here might help.”

  “What the hell am I supposed to do with this?” Harris growled, taking it from her. “Kidnap another biochemist?” He threw the book across the room where it smashed several glass flasks sitting on top of the lab table.

  “Maybe I could help,” she offered hesitantly. “If I can get out of here—to a real lab. Maybe in time—”

  She was interrupted by a roar as something powerful hit the door from the other side. Only Harris, leaning against it, held it closed.

  “Open the door, Harris,” Patterson yelled, his manic tone more frightening than anything Bethany had heard before. She watched as Harris and Dirk stared at each other, volumes of unspoken words passing between them.

  Patterson rammed the door again, startling her and apparently breaking the deadlock between vampire and changeling.

  Clenching his jaw, his expression world-weary, Harris spoke. “When you leave, stay right. Where it dead-ends, you’ll find a set of rungs in the wall leading to the surface. It comes out in the park. From there, you’re on your own.” He waited until Dirk nodded and then, moving at lightning speed, tore open the door and rushed at Patterson. The sound of the two vampires fighting was more like that of two wild boars.

  Dirk grabbed her hand and they took off running through the pipe. The farther they moved away from the vampires’ lair, the fainter the sounds of the fight became. They turned right at the first intersection and kept running. The light faded until it finally became too dark for Bethany to see. With his night vision, she knew Dirk would have no trouble, but several times she stumbled and he had to catch her before she fell.

  When they neared an intersection where another pipe T-boned into the one they were in, Dirk slowed their pace, bringing them to a stop. Beth moved close and automatically Dirk wrapped his arms around her, holding her. She curled her arms around his neck and froze.

  “Is that blood?” She lightly touched his skin and then pulled her hand away, pressing thumb and index fingers together to check the stickiness.

  “I’m okay,” he assured her.

  “No, you’re not. Patterson bled you again, didn’t he?”

  He captured her hand in his and brought it to his mouth where he kissed it. “I’m okay. Let’s keep moving.”

  They continued down the pipe, stopping occasionally to listen for sounds of pursuit. Bethany wasn’t sure how far they’d gone when she heard a noise that chilled her to the bone. Up ahead in the tunnel, blocking their path to freedom, were several of Patterson’s abandoned vampires and from the sound of their piercing howls, they were crazed and hungry.<
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  She instinctively clutched Dirk’s hand a little harder as she slowed her steps. “How many? Can you see them?”

  “Four. Maybe five.”

  She fought to keep the panic at bay. “Maybe we can find another route?”

  “The only other way is back the way we came—that’s not much of an option.”

  “What’ll we do?”

  “I can fight them,” he said grimly.

  She thought about that as the sounds of the approaching vampires got louder. “No. You’ve lost too much blood and besides, you have no weapon. How much of a chance do you have?”

  She heard him sigh. “I can’t kill them, but if they’re busy fighting me, you might be able to sneak past them and escape.”

  She grabbed his hand and pulled him back a step. “No. I’m not leaving without you. Let’s go back. We can hide in a side tunnel until they move past us.”

  She realized that Dirk must be hurt worse than she originally thought because he didn’t argue with her. They retraced their steps, the howls of the vampires trailing after them. At the first side tunnel, they turned, taking it far enough that the approaching vampires wouldn’t see them when they passed.

  Pressed against the wall, they waited, hardly daring to breathe. When the vampires came to the opening, however, instead of walking past it, they turned in.

  Bethany heard Dirk swear softly under his breath as he led her farther down the pipe. The sound of the vampires continued to grow louder, as if they were coming faster. Bethany and Dirk had no choice but to keep moving. It soon became apparent that the vampires knew they were there and were hunting them.

  Going down yet another intersecting tunnel, Bethany and Dirk came to a sudden stop.

  “What’s the matter?” Bethany asked, all too aware of the vampires closing in on them.

  “Dead end.”

  “Really? Do you see rungs leading up?”

  There was a moment of silence as Bethany waited, trying not to let herself get too excited. She hated it down in the tunnels. The oppressive dark was suffocating her.