by Dale Mayer
A shout behind them had her being jerked to a stop. A whispered conference from the others behind her kept her guessing. She tried to hear enough words to make out what was going on, but their hushed voices blended with the background noise. She could only hear a few words here and there.
"Come..."
"Two of you..."
"Wait..."
She turned around, noticing her two guards were also more interested in what was going on. But they still held on to her arms tightly. Damn. She watched, muscles tense. They were only ten yards away from the end of the tunnel. She just needed a chance.
And maybe this was it. Two of the six guards took off back the way they'd come. Good. She was down to four now. Good enough. She'd take her chances.
Her arm was jerked forward.
She glared at him and jerked her arm free. "Don't be so rough. Geesh, what's your problem?" She slipped her free hand into her jacket pocket and palmed the silver spike.
"Shut your mouth and get moving." This time, her arm was grabbed and used to haul her forward. Her hand came free from her pocket. She almost smiled as the spike stayed hidden under the leather cuff of her coat. Instead, she snarled at the two henchmen.
"What's the matter? Didn't you get picked to go help the others? Are you pissed off that you got put on babysitting duty? Huh. Not good enough for the real fighting like the big boys, are you?"
The men glared at each other and dragged her forward. She let them. She wanted them off balance both mentally and physically.
That the biggest vamp of the lot was still behind her and trudging slowly along just meant he was closest for her to take out. They were only a yard or so from the end of the tunnel when she realized it was the cavern she'd been hoping for. If she spent much more time in this damn mine, she'd actually start to find her way around.
Perfect.
In a flash, she elongated her long nails and dug them into the arms of the two men.
"What the—"
The vamps howled as she drew blood. She pulled backwards, freeing herself, then spun around. With her spike out, she stabbed the big-assed vamp in the chest.
She continued her spin to face the next closest vamp and slashed outward, catching him across the face. Both vamps went up in ashes.
Now the odds were much better. She turned slowly to look at the two assholes who'd been dragging her down the tunnel. She held up the spike and flashed her long nails, still dripping with their blood. She stalked toward them, tired, frustrated and...pissed off.
The first asshole grinned and jumped her. His own spike was out and slashing like mad. She snorted. "Like that will do you any good." She leapt over his head and dragged the spike across his head.
He screamed in agony.
She landed and took out the fourth one before he even understood what the hell had happened.
Yeah, geniuses they weren't.
Alone again, she stood for a moment to catch her breath. Those screams should have brought reinforcements – if there were any close enough to have heard them.
She waited, but there were no sounds of running footsteps. That didn't mean they weren't there though. Besides, her plan had been to escape these guys into the cavern, but now that she'd taken care of them, she needed to go back and help the others.
Good idea.
A light burned brighter inside on the inside at the sound of his voice. She smiled. Cody, where are you?
Who knows? Are you okay now? I could hear you earlier but wasn't sure if I should interrupt. Your thoughts were full of plans.
Really? That's just bizarre. And it was. But it was also kinda cool. I'm free again. I need to go back and help David and Ian, not to mention Motre and his group. They were surrounded by way too many vamps when I was led off in a different direction. And I have no idea where our fathers are.
I should be close to you. I think I'm almost at the big cavern where they had the half-finished medical research area.
Really? Cause I'm right there too. I'm coming up to the tunnel entrance. You have to be very close to me.
I'm now at the cavern. Where are you?
She stepped into the cavern and stared.
*.*.*
"We have to do something. They are moving the whole lot of them somewhere. And we don't know where. It's going to be hard to track them in the tunnels."
Shit. Serus hated this. "I'll go after Tessa. You keep an eye on the others."
"You can't do that. We have to stop this lot from moving too far into the tunnels. I know you want to save Tessa, but they aren't going to kill her right off. You know that. She's a lab rat to them. But David is just a troublemaker. They are likely to kill him immediately."
The painful truth was enough to send a shock wave down Serus's spine. He couldn't take that chance. If Tessa did get injected with drugs, chances were good that the effects could be combated by other medicine in the same way they'd worked for Rhia.
He had to save his son David.
Easy, slugger, whispered Goran in his head. I'm right behind you. Let's wait until they get everyone moving, then we can pick off the men in the back one by one.
As if on cue, several of the vamps started straggling behind, deep in conversation with the two that had come back from escorting his daughter.
Perfect.
Now.
Serus dropped like a rock to the floor of the open space. Not a hallway and not a cavern like the big one they'd all passed through a while ago, but something in-between. He'd have called it an anteroom. Since this was an old mine completely hidden in a mountain, who knew what or where these tunnels led to. There was some kind of miniature railway that wove in and out of the mine as well. That he had yet to see. He landed silently just a few feet behind the last man.
The vamp turned. "Wha—"
And Serus stabbed him with a spike. He'd rather break the vamp’s neck, but this way the vamp couldn't come back after them again. And before he'd even finished that thought, he had the second vamp floating in ash around them. And a third, with Goran finishing the last of them.
Instantly, Serus turned and raced to catch up with the group ahead.
If there was one thing vampires did well, it was stealth. But being stealthy against your own kind levelled the playing field. Or so Serus would have thought, but these vamps had none of the same finesse or superior vampire qualities he was used to. These had to be turned vamps or enhanced – designer vamps, as Tessa called them. With Goran at his side, he snuck up, grabbed the closest of the guards, stabbed him with the spike, and kept moving. Between them, they had five guards down before David noticed them. He reached out and smacked Ian and Jewel lightly. Both glared at him before twisting slightly to see what was going on.
An evil grin lit up Ian's face. He walked faster and caught up with Motre. Seconds later, Motre's big back stiffened. Serus swore he could read each vamps’ body language as they got the news.
He didn't know how to time this for everyone to move at the same moment, but just as he was about to let out a war cry, everyone in front of him attacked the vamp closest to them.
The two ancients stopped in place and stared in astonishment as a mini war raged in front of them. Before they had time to join the fray, the designer vamps were vanquished and Motre was finishing off the leader of the group.
"Well, look at that. Maybe the odds are finally in our favor." Goran beamed happily. "They did good."
Serus snorted. "Damn well better have. These assholes seem to be getting dumber and dumber."
David approached with a big grin on his face. "I'm thinking the bosses don't have the time to make the enhancements or programming take like they used to. We're killing so many that they may have been forced to pull in reinforcements before they were ready."
"Now that actually makes sense." Goran said. "It's also good news. Means we're slowly winning this war."
"Slowly isn't good enough," growled Serus. "This has to stop."
"It will. We’re getting there." Goran motioned around the room. "Look how well everyone did."
"Yeah Dad." David punched Serus gently on the shoulder. "Now shall we go and get Tessa?"
Serus brightened. "Absolutely." He turned and headed in the direction he'd seen Tessa disappear earlier. The others could be heard falling in behind him. He made it partway down the tunnel and came to a shuddering stop.
In front of him were four piles of smoldering ash.
*.*.*
Cody stepped out carefully into the cavern. He'd been caught in this place once. He didn't plan on it happening again. But Tessa was somewhere close.
He searched the skies. Nothing moved. Absolutely nothing. Hoping his wing was up to it, he jumped lightly into the air and up onto the roof of one of the partially finished rooms. So far so good. His muscles ached with the movement, but the wing was functional. It would heal the rest of the way soon enough.
Staring into the massive room, he realized it was silent and empty. He frowned.
Tessa? Where are you?
Here.
She sounded like she was standing right beside him, and yet he couldn't see her.
Then she laughed.
He spun around to find her standing behind him, grinning wildly.
Cody opened his arms.
She launched herself into them.
He hugged her close then picked her up and spun her around. When he lowered her to her feet, she giggled and tried to step back, only he tugged her forward and squeezed hard. When she protested, he pulled back slightly.
Damn, she looked good.
Thank you.
Heat suffused his face. Okay, this is embarrassing.
Her smile faltered. But is it okay?
He grinned. Yeah. Besides, it's not like we know how this started or what to do about it. For all we know, it will stop just as suddenly as it started.
Tessa nodded. True. I just wonder what it all means.
I don't care. It's special. You're special, and I'm glad we can talk this way.
He watched her eyes widen then start to warm, a light glow shining from within. He felt happy and sappy and so not like himself.
And then he realized the two of them were alone. Like really alone. Tucked up high in the shadows above the main room. There was no one around see them.
He couldn't resist.
He lowered his head.
And kissed her.
*.*.*
"What was that?" Jared asked, hating the sense of panic clawing at his throat. The darkness was absolute. He spun back around to the computers, relieved to see the lights on the machine. "The computers didn't go offline."
"These ones haven't. But I don't know about the others. I'm assuming they have a decent backup system to keep the liquids flowing. If that were to stop..."
Jared stared out at the vast warehouse, but couldn't see anything in the dark. "There should be more than one backup system. All these people would die if the system went offline for a long time."
"Exactly."
Taz fiddled with several of the dials on the machine beside the computer. There was so much equipment here and Jared didn't understand half of what he was seeing. Didn't want to know more either. He was sure it had to do with nasty body functions and he so didn't want more details on those.
"What's the chance that some asshole turned off the lights to sneak up on us?"
Taz glanced over at him. "I'd probably take that as a given right about now. But there are more of us here so it's not going to be all that easy. Goran and Serus and many other vamps are fighting in the mine somewhere."
That sent a wave of relief though Jared. "How can we contact them? Cause I'm starting to think maybe we should."
"We can try cell phones, but it’s sort of hit and miss here." Taz straightened then walked over to the door leading to the warehouse. "They should be back soon. They released me and the others from a locked room and took off, but that was hours ago."
"Or maybe it's Seth and his friends playing a joke on us." Jared both hated the idea and loved it. It would be typical of their age group and would mean that killer vamps weren't about to jump out of the dark at them.
"Forgot about them." Taz turned to stare at Jared. "Why did they come up here again?"
"I assumed it was to help the others." Jared glanced over at him. "Ask Rhia."
"I asked Sian and she said something about making an agreement to keep Rhia in the hospital." He shrugged. "She didn't stay there anyway."
"Shit."
Jared spun around, his nerves starting to get the better of him. "What's wrong?"
"The computer is going on the fritz. Whatever is happening out there is starting to affect the electronics in here."
"Uh-oh. That's not good."
"Especially not for people like your father." Taz looked out at the warehouse then back at Jared. Before Jared understood what he planned to do, Taz was already running out of the room, calling behind him, "Stay here. I'll be right back."
Tessa melted as Cody took her lips in a warm caring kiss. She tried to stop her knees from buckling, but she couldn't stop from sagging against him. Thankfully, he didn't pull back. Instead, he shifted his arms, tucking her in closer and deepening the kiss. She sighed gently, their breath mingling, warming each other. Then he teased her lips open. She'd have gasped, but his tongue surged inside to stroke hers then retreated, teasing, tasting, tormenting.
She moaned softly.
He started to pull back.
She stretched up on her toes, her hands sliding up his chest to rest on his cheeks to hold him in place.
Tessa. We have to stop.
Noooo, she whispered softly in her head. This time, she took the initiative and tugged his head lower so she could slide her fingers though his thick dark curls as she deepened the kiss.
He shuddered then took her kiss and turned it into something so hot, so fierce, it left her wanting so much more.
Suddenly he stepped back, holding her at arm's length. Someone could come at any time. They'd see us.
She closed her eyes, swaying in place, hating the cold air between them. She just wanted to snuggle closer and stay that way. Bravely, she stepped closer and hugged him, letting her head rest against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and held her closer. Just held her. Letting her know she wasn't all alone any more.
So nice. She stayed close, soaking it in for a moment longer. Then she stepped back and looked up at him. The concern in his eyes made her realize how worried he was about her. He was just that much older. That much more experienced.
It didn't bother her. But it might bother him.
So not.
She gasped as heat washed up her neck and warmed her cheeks. You're right, that is definitely not easy to know you can read my every thought.
"Not read them – hear them." He said out loud. Then he frowned as if thinking hard. "We must be able to turn it on and off sometimes, but I'm not sure how."
"There must be a way or this would be very invasive."
"I don't know about invasive, but it is definitely personal."
"Yah think?" she snorted. "You're already hearing things I'm uncomfortable with."
"And that goes both ways. It's not like we're used to guarding our thoughts," he added, consternation is his voice.
"No, and I don't think that would be easy to do."
"Then I guess we're stuck with it for now."
And what did that mean? She had to wonder. As his gaze narrowed, she realized he could hear that thought too. She groaned.
"I mean that this is the way it is," he clarified. "Not that I'm upset about it, or worried and will read the wrong thing into your thoughts – it means it's odd, different, and weird. But we can do this."
She sighed. "Thanks." She sighed. "I'm feeling fairly out of my depth."
He grinned boyishly. "So am I, Tessa, so am I. My age and experi
ence is of no help these days. We're both out of our comfort zones."
"Maybe that's a good thing. Level playing field and all that." She had to admit it did feel good to know he wasn't miles ahead of her on this one.
Why don't we look at this as yet one more thing we can learn together?
She smiled up at him, then heard something off to the right.
She spun around.
Cody stepped up beside her, his arm wrapping around her shoulders possessively as he pointed to one of the tunnels.
David. And her father.
*.*.*
Goran searched the area David was pointing at and saw Tessa and Cody.
"Oh thank God." Goran whispered.
"I'll second that." Serus ran a hand down his face, hating that sensation of having barely skimmed through safely once again by sheer dumb luck. But he was afraid that the next time, they wouldn't be so lucky. How many times could they walk through fire and not get burned? He didn't know what he'd do if he lost his kids. Any of them. He loved them all.
And Rhia would be devastated.
"They look awfully close," Goran said, his tone of voice confused yet curiously cautious.
Serus studied his daughter and the young man who he'd looked upon as yet another son for so long. "They do, don't they."
David turned to study their faces. "And you might want to get used to it. Cody is confused enough about all of this as it is without you two going all possessive and becoming know-it-all fathers here."
"Harumph." Serus didn't know what to think. Surely mindspeak wasn't possible at their young age. The two had some link, but he doubted it was telepathic. Then again, Tessa had been showing all kinds of abilities. And that would make mindspeak a whole different thing with them. Maybe it wasn't as personal as it looked. As David seemed to think it was. He said slowly, trying to feel his way here, "She's awfully young."
David grinned. "Not as young as she used to be. And she's not as young as you see her. Most girls have been dating for awhile at her age."