by Sarra Cannon
“No worries.” Drake climbed into the truck’s passenger seat and flicked through the radio, as Talon started it up. “I’ve got some methods.”
Talon suppressed a smile, thinking he’d be more than happy to try a few of the vamp’s methods. Where his strict by-the-code attitude disappeared to he didn’t know, but with Sera’s whereabouts still unknown and her safety in question, he found he no longer cared.
Chapter 26
PHAGE APARTMENT COMPLEX, CALGARY, ALBERTA
Sera didn’t know how to suspend her disbelief. Her eyes refused to process the sights, but there they were. The phage she’d burned in the warehouse lay in bunk beds in the basement of this apartment building. Their charred skin flaked off and pink layers grew underneath. They healed fast as their wounds knit together.
“By the gods,” she cried as the acrid stench clogged her nose.
“No, Sera, not the gods.” Adriana Farrington, the woman who abducted her, the woman who shot Matt, and the woman who acted on behalf of the phage queen—or so she’d claimed—stood in the corner of the room. “Not the gods at all. The Luminarium.”
Sera stifled the fire in her palms, determined to uncover as much as possible...and well, to not get shot. Adriana’s gun trained on her in a most unsettling way.
“Come with me. This is no place for such an important discussion.” She placed a hand on Sera’s shoulder while the other held to the gun. “This way.”
Elevator doors opened at the end of the basement. Sera tried to collect her thoughts as they stepped inside. The ride from the warehouse to this apartment building had taken only fifteen minutes, but the woman had prattled on and on. Processing all the information had Sera’s brain working overtime. “You mentioned you came across my file when you were searching for information to blackmail politicians.”
“Well, not me in particular, of course. We have several people working on that.” Adriana tapped the PH button on the elevator console and inserted a key into the lock. “And it’s not blackmail, Sera. It’s using every advantage we can. The phage have been persecuted for years. We’re trying to get a foothold into this new N.U.A. government so we can have a fair say.”
“Right. Sure.” She shifted her feet and hoped her nervousness didn’t show. She had to keep this woman talking and her mind off her trigger finger. “But what does that have to do with me...or Matt?”
“Matt was a mistake. When we came across your file, we used it to negotiate with your father. But Senator Marsh can be difficult.” The gun slid over Adriana’s hair, as she used the barrel to push back a stray strand. “My associates believed bringing Matt out of the coma and turning him phage would endear him to our side, and maybe even help him in the process. In return, he would find you for us.” The elevator car climbed to the top. “I believed it was foolish, but was outvoted on the matter. Unfortunately, I was right. Matt’s mind was too unstable, freed too soon. Besides, all he wanted was revenge.”
Sera shuddered. Her mind replayed the sickening images of the phage burning, Matt’s horrible scars, the way he’d stalked her, and the bullet wound. Her gaze fell to the gun in Adriana’s hand again.
“He had this psychotic obsession with punishing you.” The wisps of hair fell around Adriana’s face again. “He wanted you to cry, wanted to see you suffer. He even thought to collect your tears like a trophy.” She shook her head. “It was disgusting. Unworthy of a phage.”
“So you killed him?” Sera felt the sickness creep up her throat. The memory of Matt’s body sinking to the floor caused her stomach to churn.
“No, of course not. I only stopped him from killing you.” Adriana hugged her waist with her free arm and tapped the gun against her shoulder with the other. “Phage can’t be killed that way, and he’s one of us now. But I’m afraid he’ll have to answer for his crimes.”
The small space grew grave quiet as Adriana’s words sunk in. When the doors jingled open at the penthouse level, Sera jumped.
“Here we are,” Adriana said. Her burgundy suit and blinding smile presented the picture of hospitality—Silence of the Lambs style. “Have a seat on the couch. I’ll make us a drink.”
“A nice Chianti, I’m sure,” Sera muttered.
The room looked like something out of Millionaire Housekeeping. A swank leather couch with white cushions faced an ultra modern fireplace and flat screen TV. Floor to ceiling windows wrapped around the living room. Two wide chairs with low wood backrests flanked the couch. Not exactly the sparse room or torture cell, she’d feared. Still...
Nope, not Hannibal. American Psycho for sure. She shuddered, then scanned the room.
After eyeing and dismissing the windows—way too high for a suitable exit—Sera walked to the sofa. Overhead, the dangling chandeliers provided soft ambient light. Square sheer boxes, with gauzy fabric, hung over single bulbs. Three sat in a line above the coffee table, highlighting a red and blue Persian rug. The shimmering lights brought another question to mind. Could I use them like the bathroom sconces at the hotel? Ignite them?
Because that turned out so well? Guy chided. Best not test that with a gun pointed at you, pet.
Good point. She let the rock beats stay silent. If she was going to get out of this alive, she might need the pest’s help.
As an attempt to distract the psycho with the gun, she asked, “You said something about Luminarium? What is that?” Sera leaned on the low cushions, feigning a relaxed posture. “And you still haven’t said what this has to do with me...or your plans for me.”
“Well, I plan to offer you a drink.” A golden dish held two wine glasses filled with a red liquid. Adriana clutched the tray one-handed, still keeping the gun available for use in her right hand. “It’s a ’79 merlot, great vintage.”
“Thanks.” She sniffed the glass, but put it down without a sip. Her face flushed, fire creeping under her skin. It tingled and offered comforting reassurance. “Now, can you tell me what the hell is going on?”
Adriana drank deeply from her cup and filled it again. She placed it on the coffee table and took a seat on one of the chairs. Crossing her legs at the knee, she allowed the gun to rest in her lap. “Of course, but I’m afraid it’s a long story. The wine would help to calm your nerves.”
Settling against the cushions, Sera tried not to focus on the gun. She flicked her gaze at the bottle, then her glass and shrugged.
“As you will.” The second serving flowed down Adriana’s throat. She cupped her chin, careful not to spill a drop. “To understand your part in all this, my dear, I’m afraid you’ll need a bit of a history lesson.” Opening a drawer on the table beside her, she clutched at a laminated paper. She smoothed it on the coffee table and motioned for Sera to lean forward. “This is a tree chart of all the supernatural creatures on our planet and their beginnings.” Pointing at the top, the words Luminarium stood out in bold lettering. “Now, I’m going to tell you something very few people know, and many have died to keep secret.”
Sera held her breath. Her curiosity piqued and adrenaline pumped in her veins with raw heat.
“Humans weren’t the first form of intelligent life on this planet. Long ago they worshipped immortal beings, creatures of pure light as gods and goddesses.” Her face mashed together in a vicious sneer. “Humans, pathetic.” Giving Sera a knowing eye, her features softened. She grabbed Sera’s hand, flipped it over, and swirled a manicured nail over her palm. “Haven’t you ever wondered where your fire comes from?” Not waiting for a response, she continued, “It comes from them, humanity’s false gods and goddesses of old, the Luminarium collective. And all supernatural creatures sprang from them through their vicious rape and abuse of humans.”
“Wait.” Sera held up a hand in a universal stop sign. “You’re telling me all of us, vampires, phage, shifters, and psykes come from humans and these...creatures?” She stared at the gun, trying to determine how drunk the crazy bitch needed to be before fire could be faster than a bullet.
Don’t try it, pet
. Guy chided, but offered no alternate plan. Before Sera could badger him for more information, Adriana cut off the silent conversation.
“All of them, yes. The Luminari males violated human females in unspeakable ways.” She downed a third glass of wine, seemingly in a race with herself to finish the bottle. “But not you. You’re something different. You see, we’ve been trying to find a way to reach these...things. And you are the answer. It’s why we needed to find you.”
“How’s that possible?” The slow itch of the flames scratched over her muscles.
“You’re a natural child of the Luminari, born of their essence, not made. Second generation, but still pure. You can communicate with them.” She inched closer and patted Sera’s knee with her free hand. “All we need you to do is make the connection. We want to contact these creatures to,” she paused and smiled, “talk. Once we see your process of communication, we can replicate it. That’s all we want. Then, you’re free to go.”
Her mind churned, and an immediate denial sprang to her lips. “And if I refuse?” She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the couch.
“I don’t want this to get ugly.” Adriana stiffened. Her brows drew together.
Be careful, pet. Sera didn’t need Guy’s warning as the gun sat level—in Adriana’s far too steady hand—with her head.
“I’ll need time to think.”
“Certainly. Allow me to give you a space to think.” Grabbing Sera’s forearm, she hoisted her up and shoved the gun at her spinal column. The Martha Stewart poise and polish fell away as the woman’s face fell into a snarl. “I’d preferred this to be civil, Ms. Benenati. But if you insist on being difficult.” The barrel dug into her lower back. “Put your hands over your head and move.”
With all pretences dropped, Sera put her hands up, but allowed her palms to warm. The heat soothed her, but she needed the opportunity to strike without getting shot. She let Adriana lead her back into the elevator and down three floors.
When the doors opened, the phage bitch knocked her on the side of the head and dragged her into a hall. As Sera clapped a hand to her temple and took in her surroundings, she got sprayed in the face for her efforts. Her eyes burned like liquid fire ate them. She screamed.
“This could have been easy, Sera.” Adriana’s mocking words and the horrible pain had Sera clawing at the air. She squeezed her eyelids to fight the agony. Her arms and legs thrashed, searching for a target. Her skin ignited. “Now, I suggest you behave and think about why you’re in here.”
A harsh white light permeated her stinging vision. The door slammed shut.
Chapter 27
PCD DISTRICT 8 HEADQUARTERS, CALGARY, ALBERTA
Talon stood against the wall, watching as a single bulb flickered overhead. The light cast an orange glow upon the blackmailer. Two chairs met in the middle of the room facing each other. Bound to one sat their prisoner. With his head bowed on his chest, he appeared half-dead, but sadly still breathed. Solid concrete made up the rest of the room. The main wall housed the lone door and a tinted one-way mirror. Microphones and cameras hid in all four corners and could be turned on or off from the outside.
Knocking on the bulletproof glass, Talon signaled they were ready. The electrical equipment went dark and a shutter encapsulated the mirror. No one would be recording what happened in this room tonight.
“Wakey. Wakey.” Drake smacked the prisoner’s burnt cheek. “Time to get up.”
The second chair’s metal legs screeched across the stone floor as Talon took a seat. He planted his feet on either side of the chair and palmed his gun. Leaning his elbows on his knees, he titled forward and stared as the man’s black eyes fluttered open. “So, Matt, is that what you said your name was? You ready to start talking?”
Talon kept his gaze locked on the prisoner, but watched from his peripheral vision as Drake crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the far wall. The tension permeated the air as thick as oil. If they didn’t get answers from this piece of shit, they might never find Sera. He locked his jaw and squeezed his leg hard. He couldn’t let those doubts enter his mind for even a second or he’d never be able to carry on this interrogation.
“Well, Matt.” He counted to five, stifling his emotions and letting the bastard regain consciousness. “What’s it gonna be?”
“Agent Rede.” The prisoner lifted his head. A smile formed on his scarred face, stretching the skin into awkward angles. He looked around, tested the cuffs that bound his wrists and ankles to the bolted metal chair, then met Talon’s eyes. “It seems you’ve caught me at last. Good for you.”
Talon nodded and half smirked. “And now the question is am I going to keep you?” Flicking the safety off, he tapped his gun on his thigh. “You have two options here. Tell us what you know and have a long life in jail or...” He allowed his words to drift away. The shot sailed home an inch from Matt’s foot. The sound reverberated off the concrete walls. “Have a short and painful life in this room. Your choice.”
A manic laugh bubbled from Matt’s throat and sputtered from his lips. “Now, now, no need for the threats. I have nothing to hide.”
“Glad to hear it. Let’s start with Sera.”
He slouched against the seat’s grated backing. “Oh, yes, dear Seraphim. What part would you like to start with?” His voice grew soft, then louder until he shouted and pulled at his restraints. “Her tits? Her ass? No? How about the part where she spouts fire?”
Talon never heard his chair move, nor the sound of Drake’s feet rushing from the corner. Somehow, he’d managed to knock over his seat, holster his gun and wrap his hands around the bastard’s throat. At the same time, Drake maneuvered a hold under his shoulders and yanked. Talon stumbled into the vamp’s chest, but not without leaving harsh red bruises along the prisoner’s neck. It took mere breaths; any longer and they’d have no one to interrogate.
“Try that again, phage, and you’ll wish I let him rip out your throat,” Drake said, holding Talon in a deadlock grip.
“I’m good, vamp. Let go.” He stilled. The blood drained from his head as the rage passed. He shot a look over his shoulder and slanted his eyes. Drake released him and took up his previous position against the wall.
Talon turned to the prisoner, sitting across from him once more. “I won’t kill you, Matt, and if you want to play this game,” he pulled out his gun, aimed and fired. The bullet landed just under Matt’s shoulder, avoiding vital organs. Blood spilled from the wound and the scream pierced the air, “we’ll play by my rules.”
“Asshole.” Matt clamped his teeth as the hole weaved together. “Aren’t you a cop? Where’s my lawyer?”
“You’ll get a lawyer. Later. If you cooperate.” He aimed the gun again. His brows pulled in a line as he concentrated on where to shoot next without putting the bastard under. Pain was a great motivator, but an unconscious prisoner wouldn’t get him answers. “So, let’s try again. Where is Sera?”
A snort was his reply.
Talon pointed the gun at Matt’s stomach, then lower.
“Alright. Alright. You want answers, no problem.” He wiggled the fingers of his right hand and waved his palm down. “Put the gun away. Let’s chat.”
“Gun stays. And for every answer, I don’t like,” he clicked a bullet into the chamber, “I add to your collection of scars.”
“Oh, but that’s the beauty of becoming phage.” He glanced at the spot on his shoulder where Talon had shot him. “No more scars. Besides, Sera already took care of that.”
“You.” Talon stiffened. “You’re the one that tried to hurt her. The piece of shit from high school.”
“I...I...tried to hurt her? Look what she did to me!” He stretched his wrist and motioned to the scars along his collarbone and chest.
“Some might call that justice,” Drake said from the corner. “Wouldn’t you agree, Talon?”
He narrowed his eyes and shook his head at the man’s scars. Before he might have felt differen
tly, might have called it unfair, vigilante even, but now... “I agree.”
“Idiots. That bitch put me in a coma for eight years.” His teeth extended from his gums as his jaw widened. Black eyes bulged from their sockets, spinning in circles. “The phage promised me retribution. I became one of them, and I never have to deal with another scar again.” He smiled and the double row of pointed four-inch teeth curved up. “They gave me power and freedom. I could control a whole army of them. All those new phage just itched for flesh. It was so easy to unleash them, and drag Sera into the trap. But, that whore kept burning them. So I had to do the deed myself. That’s justice.”
“You turned phage to get revenge on Sera, and use newbies to trap her? Clever. But then, why let her go?” Talon relaxed into the seat.
“Adriana! She stole her. I was supposed to have Seraphim to myself. But she shot me and took her.” His voice screeched higher with each word. “Revenge. She promised me revenge.”
“Ah yes,” Drake said, walking into the light. He raised an eyebrow. “The queen’s general, right? She can be a real piece of work, huh?”
Talon didn’t have a clue who this Adriana was, or how Drake knew about her, but he noticed the vamp’s questioning method and played along. “Not true to her word at all.”
“Yesss.” A crooked tongue forked between Matt’s fangs. “She thinks she’s so high and mighty. But she made me and released me from the mind control so I could do her dirty work.” He banged his fists onto the chair’s arms. “I was supposed to have vengeance, but she stole her. She took her from me.”
“You can’t trust women.” Drake sighed in mock support. “They’ll screw you every time.”
“Now, you’ll never get Sera back.” Talon placed his head in his hand, his cheek resting on his palm. “It’s a shame, really. We could’ve used her for questioning.”
“I will. She’s mine. I won’t share her.” He bit his bottom lip with two long pointed incisors. “I can get her.”