by Dale Mayer
She wanted them all back.
As she stood there, sounds of other people arriving had her turning to face the front door. A good dozen men and women streamed inside. Signs of weariness, mussed hair, and hefty yawns attested to the early morning. Most had probably been pulled away from their warm beds.
As much as she hated disturbing them, this was a necessity.
"Good, everyone is here." The first human greeted the new arrivals then led the way to a large round table. "Everyone take a seat, please. And let us begin."
Rhia chose a spot beside Sian while Councilman Adamson sat on the far side beside Gloria, strategically placing themselves on both sides of the table and minimizing the sense of them against us. As she went to take her seat, her gaze was drawn to the still open front door.
She'd assumed it had been left open for other people that were due to arrive.
As she watched, the door slammed shut.
And the bolt on the inside of the door snicked shut.
Shit.
*.*.*
Cody led the way back up to the main office area above the massive cavernous room still under construction. They hadn't seen anyone the last time they'd been in this area, but they'd been cornered soon after. He knew there still had to be well hidden areas, and that in theory they could spend months down here and never find all the nooks and crannies. And for that reason, he doubted they'd be able to flush everyone from here. They'd have to set up traps above ground and catch the others coming and going. It also meant that none of the medical staff working to help the victims would be safe either.
They'd need a full battalion of guards. All the time. Just in case.
"Cody."
He turned at the sound of his father's voice. "What?"
"I'm going to scout ahead. Why don't you come with me?"
Cody wasn't sure if his dad was trying to separate him from Tessa and Serus or because he wanted his son with him. Still, he decided it was better to go.
His father lifted up and flew off with a grace that always amazed Cody. He could only hope he had the same strength and agility as his old man when he reached the multiple century mark. He'd asked his father how old he was years ago, but Goran had refused to answer.
Cody launched behind him. He caught up with his father, who was gently circling high above the crowd.
"Are we here for a reason?"
"A couple. The biggest being, I don't like seeing everyone in a single group. This way we can scout ahead. Make sure we aren't going to be under attack again."
Cody wondered what his father was getting around to. He understood the benefit of scouting ahead and didn't need a reminder. Not after having been taken captive last time. He had no wish for a repeat of that experience.
Nor I. Tessa's warm voice filtered through his consciousness.
"So how bad is it with Tessa?"
Ah, there it was. "What do you mean by how bad is it?" Cody didn't think anything about it was bad.
"How serious?"
Cody sighed. Here it was. His father's turn to ask about his relationship with Tessa while they were alone.
Tessa chuckled and whispered, I'm gone.He wished he could disappear with her, but no such luck.
He could feel his father's gaze searching his face, and he really didn't want to look at his sire. But he needed to. He glanced up, caught his father's gaze and said, "Honestly? I have no idea."
Goran frowned. "You're not new to this relationship stuff. You must have some idea of how you're feeling."
"Some. But it came on hard and fast and I haven't exactly had time to analyze my emotions or even my thoughts."
"Speaking of thoughts..."
"Yeah, what the hell is with this mindspeak?" Even as he said it, he understood Tessa was there in his thoughts. In his mind.
No, I'm not. I so don't want to hear this. I'm gone. He spun around in the air, searching for her, but she was there standing beside David. And she was no longer inside his head. Damn. How did she do that?
"Now that's a good question," his father said. "I've never heard of anyone having that ability this young. I never had it with your mother. With Serus, we've been able to do this type of communication for centuries, but we'd been close buds for decades before we even started. And that's another thing, it started off slow and we can't do it all the time."
"Whereas we appear to have started suddenly and have extreme capabilities." Cody snorted. "As an example, she just left my mind to give us privacy to talk. Twenty minutes ago, we were discussing that we didn't know how to do that. All our thoughts were open for each to read."
Goran stared at him in shock. "Wow! That's harsh."
"It was a shock. We didn't notice it because we kept on getting separated in here, but the more time we spend together, the stronger and clearer we can communicate."
"And you're okay with that?" Goran studied his features closely. "I'm not sure I would be."
Cody snorted. "You forget – I haven't got a choice. Nor have I had time to figure out if I'm good with it or not. It just happened."
"That's crazy." Goran did a slow circle around him, searching the area. "I don't see anyone anywhere."
"Yeah, you should probably tell Serus it's all clear."
Goran laughed, that deep rolling laugh that Cody always remembered. "I already have. There are definite advantages to mindspeaking."
"Yeah, but there are definite disadvantages too," Cody muttered, "Especially when you can't help but notice how hot someone looks."
Goran surged around to come up in front of him. His eyes were wide with shock. "She can hear those kinds of thoughts?"
At Cody's nod, Goran shook his head. "Oh wow. I had no idea."
"Yeah, there isn’t much privacy this way."
"And what about that whole attraction level? This is Serus's daughter. David's kid sister, you know."
"I know," Cody said coolly. "I do understand that. I didn't expect this to happen. I certainly didn't plan on it. She's too young."
"She's young, yes, but the years will go by very quickly."
"She hasn't had a chance to experience life. As much as I like knowing I'd be her first relationship – I don't like thinking about how she hasn't had a chance to experience other relationships. Once she's mine, I'm not going to let her go."
"Strong words, boy. You're too young to be settling down."
"I never said I was ready to settle down."
Goran gave him a hard look. "You remember whose girl you're trifling with."
"I'm not trifling with anyone." And he wasn't. The problem was he didn't know exactly what he was doing. But trifling wasn't a word to apply to Tessa.
"You'd better not."
Thankfully, his father's gaze was diverted by movement in the open window area overlooking the cavern. "Company up ahead."
"I see them." Cody flew higher, trying to catch a glimpse of who was in there. But he couldn't see clearly. "Let’s go."
"The others will meet us there."
Great. At least this time they had backup. With his father in the lead, Cody swooped down to the open ledge high up in the middle of the room. They landed silently, but the open area was empty. Quietly, they did a sweep to the left and entered the first room. Nothing. They then checked the second room. Still nothing. Silently, Goran pointed out a doorway around the corner.
Cody slipped in behind his father.
Goran held up three fingers then silently counted down.
They both jumped into the room. And found two vamps waiting for them.
Goran took a hit to his jaw and fell backwards into Cody, who tried to move out of the way but got jumped instead. Cody ended up with his back on the ground again. His wing, still not fully healed, was so painful that he felt paralyzed for a few seconds. Before he could move, a big vamp straddled him.
"About time you assholes got here. What you think, we got nuttin better to do than wait for yer slow asses to
make your way here?"
A second punch caught Cody on the nose. The vamp sitting on his chest laughed. But it was his still healing wing twisted beneath him that pissed him off. That poor wing would never heal at this rate. He grabbed the man's knee and in a sudden move he lunged up and over – nicely reversing their position. Only he didn't waste time mocking the asshole. Cody dug his spike out and incinerated the guy while he was still pinned down.
Then he shifted a few feet, stabbed the second vamp on the back of his shoulder, and watched while his ashes floated over his father.
"Dad, you okay?" he asked, staring down at his father.
Goran groaned. "I'm getting too old for this shit."
"Aren't we all?"
"You don't have anything to whine about. You're barely out of diapers," Goran growled.
"Ha, and you're almost back in the damn things," Cody said with a grin as he rose to his feet easily then held out a hand. "Come on, up and at it."
Goran glared at the hand, but reached out to grab it.
Surprised, Cody pulled him to his feet. His dad couldn't be feeling very good if he accepted a helping hand. Normally, his father held his pride as a shield. But then, he had been through a lot lately.
Once on their feet, they heard sounds of racing footsteps coming up the stairs. Goran straightened and his face bore a haughty look that Cody recognized as the facade he always showed the world. He felt honoured that he was able to get a glimpse of his real feelings for just a moment. And it made him feel closer to his father. More of an equal.
David came through first. He slid to a stop, relief apparent on his face. "Are you okay?"
Cody grinned. "Absolutely. Two more incinerated."
David smacked him on the shoulder. "Yes. We're actually starting to win the war. At least for the moment."
Serus stepped closer to Goran. "You okay old man?"
Goran's eyes blazed and his brows knit together in outrage. "Who are you calling an old man? Who got here first? And who took forever to make it up those stairs?"
Serus grinned. And turned as Jewel and Ian and the rest of the group finally arrived. He pointed and said, "Them!"
*.*.*
"Taz?" Jared called out softly. The friendly doctor hadn't returned and by now Jared was well past worried and headed straight to panic.
He did not want to be lost alone here. Seth and the others were here – somewhere. But where? And in the dark like this, Jared was at an even bigger disadvantage. He couldn't see. Not like the vamps could. They'd know he was there long before he'd know he wasn't alone.
Unfortunately, it was the same for Taz. Although he had to admit Taz appeared comfortable, friendly even, with the vampires. He wasn't sure but from the bits of conversation he'd heard, Taz might have a relationship of some kind with a vamp. If so, that was way cool. And maybe dangerous. Jared didn't know which.
But given that Tessa was a vamp...
He peered around the corner to look into the vast warehouse. He thought he heard something on the far side. Dare he go look? Taz had told him to stay put. And that's what he wanted to do, but if Taz needed help...
Jared groaned softly and flattened himself against the warehouse wall. Why him? Why couldn't there be dozens of doctors and techs working away under bright lights with security guards posted at all entrances? But no, the guys he'd arrived with had taken off and the only person he'd found had just run into the pitch black warehouse leaving Jared, once again, all alone in this house of horrors. Like who else had such shitty luck but him?
The noise grew closer. Jared sucked in his breath, hoping he wasn't visible. Was he safer in the office or here? Where would the new arrivals be heading? Jared would like to know who the newcomers were before he identified himself as a human. He'd had enough of being the vamps' lunch...and dinner.
And surely he'd be forgiven if he admitted that an itch on the back of his neck was warning him that he was about to become an early morning snack. He held off as long as he could, but his nerves screamed at him to run.
Three, two, one...and he bolted to the nearest hiding place he could think of.
Amongst the rows of bodies.
Tessa stayed at the bottom of the stairs when the rest of the group had charged into the fray. They'd all raced forward after hearing the sounds of a fight going on. It had seemed relatively minor by the time she hit the bottom of the stairs.
And that's when the weariness hit her. Again.
She'd been at this forever. And damn, she wanted this to be over. Back to the blood farm, then home. That sounded pretty damn good right now.
Giving in, she parked her butt on the bottom step and slumped against the wall. Just for a moment. She closed her eyes.
She didn't need long, just a quick power nap so her vampire genes could fire up again.
A warm hand landed on her shoulder as Jewel sat down beside her. "Are you as tired as I am?"
"Yeah." Tessa gave her a half smile but didn't even open her eyes. "I just want this all to be over."
"Yeah, you and me both. I so badly want a shower and some sleep." Jewel groaned and leaned against Tessa. "I want my life back." In a half whisper she added, "And I want to be able to fly again."
Tessa winced. That last part had to be tough. She knew the drugs would slowly drain from Jewel’s and Ian's systems, but in the meantime, not being able to do something that had come so naturally since birth had to be tough. She was glad that the drugs didn’t affect Cody’s flying abilities the same way. She loved seeing him fly.
David jumped over their heads, spun, and crouched down in front of them. There was a big grin on his face. "It's all good now. Just think. Two more done and gone."
Tessa gave him a tired smile. "Good. Home time?"
"Almost. We'll just keep heading toward Taz and take out everyone we find in between. Oh, and rescue all the rest. Taz should have news from the councils. Maybe there’s security on the premises by now." He tugged both girls up to their feet and wrapped his arms around their shoulders. "Once we're sure security has arrived to keep Taz and the others safe, we can leave."
"Sounds good to me." Jewel stood up and walked with a new bounce to her step.
Tessa wished she had that same energy. "Anyone heard from Mom?"
"Not yet. And it's almost impossible to communicate from in here. We'll need to go to the computer rooms and contact her that way."
"I still have Bart's phone, but the battery looks dead."
"The batteries die much faster underground."
Just then, the others made it down the stairs and walked toward Tessa and David.
"If you're ready," Serus said. "let's go."
He led the way forward, Goran at his side. Still walking with her brother's arm wrapped around her shoulders, Tessa trudged forward. She yawned. Then yawned again.
"Wow. Sounds like bedtime." David laughed. He removed his arm from her shoulders.
"I wish."
"Good. It's definitely time we got out of here. The fresh air will do you some good." Serus said. "Come on, let's get back to the blood farm."
Just go slow, Tessa. Cody said quietly as he walked up beside her. You'll get through this.
Yes. I will. But it pisses me off that I have to remind my vampire genes to actually kick in. If they'd done it automatically a while ago, then I wouldn't be in this pickle.
His warm laughter flitted through her head.
Trust you to find the humor in the situation.
Yeah. I know, she said glumly. Like why me?
Because you are special.
You know how much I hated being told that growing up. It only meant I wasn't like the rest of my family. By now, Cody was half supporting her. I can walk on my own now, you know.
Too bad. I'm not taking that chance. I want you home and away from this house of horrors.
She smiled. You and me both.
*.*.*
It seemed like forever before G
oran realized that they reached the warehouse section of the mine. "Here's the blood farm."
"Thank heavens for that," Tessa whispered.
"You're doing good," said Cody. "We'll get Taz to check you over in a few minutes."
Goran added, "He's the one to look for. He should have the updates on this place."
They approached the blood farm warehouse warily, with Tessa and Cody and Serus in the back.
"The room is pitch black." Goran came rushing back to them. "There's no sign of anyone. We have to assume there's something wrong."
Oh, not again.
Goran was getting pretty damn fed up with fate pissing in his world. He'd done everything right and still these asshole vamps kept turning up. He glared at the open doorway of the blood farm, barely seeing discernable shadows ahead. There were flashing lights on the small computer boxes associated with each victim. So this wasn't a power failure. Or else the computer boxes wouldn't flash those bright colored lights.
Someone had somehow turned off the lights to the large warehouse area. But why? To conserve power? He couldn't see a place like this having a shortage of power. Besides, turning off the lights would have minimal impact on the energy saving process.
No, chances were good that turning off the lights was meant to confuse or scare someone. As vamps could see in the dark, the only ones adversely affected would be humans. The human doctors and techs working to save the humans. Taz. Damn it.
He turned back to Serus. "I think someone is after the humans again. There's no other reason for turning off the lights."
The look on Serus's face was impressively cold. He said, "I've had enough of this crap."
"Yeah. Me too." Goran strode up to the doorway. "I'll go left."
"I'll take the right," Serus said. "You others split up and follow behind us. Nobody gets left behind. And for God's sake – stay out of trouble."
*.*.*
Cody slipped his arm down Tessa's back to rest at her waist. At the doorway, they stopped for a moment and listened. The barest of sounds could be heard as the two groups made their way around the massive room.