by Dale Mayer
"Because you aren't doing anything. We need to act. Fast. The warehouse is full of people that could be saved or need to be given a decent death and burial or whatever it is you do with your dead. And there are vamps risking their lives to save other humans and vamps alike. Kids have gone missing. Adults have gone missing. Council members have gone missing. It’s happened to both sides."
Sian reached over and covered her hand with hers. Rhia stared down, belatedly realizing she was clenching her fists so tight she'd drawn blood. She leaned back and folded her hands on top on her lap. "I'm going up there. If I die fighting your war, at least I'll have done what I can to save my family."
She stood up, edgy and pissed. Anger flowed through her, giving her the strength to walk to the door, intent on ripping the door off its hinges if necessary to get out. That urgency was so much worse now.
"Rhia, wait. We need their help." Sian rushed toward her.
With a shake of her head, Rhia rejected that idea. "They have no help to give. They are victims with a victim mentality. They have no idea what to do or how to find out who amongst them are serving their own people up on a platter to these guys. And I'm not sure they care."
She reached for the handle on the door when Councilman Adamson lashed out. "We came to ask for their help. What was the point if we don't give them a chance?"
"They won't make a decision," she cried out, pivoting on her heels and striding a few steps back toward them. "We don't have time. Even as we speak, they are gathering their forces. Making plans. Capturing more people. Killing our people."
Sian stood in front of her. "Rhia. Listen. We're here. Let's give them a little longer and if it doesn’t go anywhere – I'll come with you. I need to connect with Taz too."
Rhia felt some of the anger drain away. Sian had as much to lose as Rhia. She closed her eyes briefly and prayed for patience. "How long?" she asked, her voice hard and cold.
"Half an hour. That's it. Let's try to find a solution and then I'll go with you up to the blood farm."
She stared into Sian's beautiful eyes, so warm and caring. She'd been a wonderful friend through the years. They'd worked together, played together, laughed together, and cried together. Sian had been there for her. In this instance, Rhia figured she could give Sian half an hour more. But she wasn't going to let them waste the time. Something needed to happen here and now. Or else.
Hooking her arm with Sian's, the two walked back to the table. As she retook her seat, Rhia snapped, "Fine. But a solution happens or I'm going to start looking at this group as being part of the problem."
Cody soared to the top of the warehouse and flew deep into the heavy machinery that criss-crossed the ceiling. The space allowed for his wings to expand fully, pull, and then glide.
He couldn't imagine the amount of science or mechanics required to keep the warehouse functioning at optimal levels. He doubted he'd find anything up here, but it occurred to him that since they had found one suspended office, it was possible that there could be more. There'd been no time for a thorough search. And this wasn't the ideal time now either, except....he was searching for their missing people.
Silently, he glided through the vast space, then pulled his wings closer to his body and zipped between and around several huge pipes. Could he trace this pipeline to the main machinery room? Would that help? It would if it led to the other warehouses. There were three other blood farms that they'd heard about but had yet to see. They hadn't had a chance to explore the railway tunnel either. That could lead to all of them. They'd thought to secure the place and then leave it for others to sort out. Now he realized he wasn't quite so complacent that they would do that again. And he wanted to be a part of this clean up. To make sure it really did get cleaned up.
He slowed down to hover in the air and search below. Nothing moved. Where was his father? He'd have taken to the sky if he'd gotten into trouble. Presuming of course that he'd been able to get away.
And if he had to take to the air, would he be flying around attracting attention? No. He'd be holed up somewhere where he had the best view while he contacted Serus. Or he could already be on his way to helping Serus.
Damn. Again, too much speculation and not enough information. So it was up to him to do a slow and quiet circle of the area below and find the others. To that end, he pulled in his wings even tighter and began a silent glide to the far end of the room, following the direction his father had gone.
Nothing. He'd almost made it back to where Tessa and Jared were when he heard a rustling sound. He charged straight up, hoping his youth would give him the advantage over whoever was creeping up behind him. Then he suddenly reversed directions and came down behind the other flyer.
His father.
With a big grin on his face, Goran pulled up and hovered in place. "Learned a few tricks, have you?"
"Yeah. Out of necessity." Cody looked down at the warehouse below. He was still on the opposite side of the room from Tessa and there was no one else down there. "What happened to your group?"
"Good question. I got that nasty suspicion that I was heading into a trap, held it off for as long as I could, then bolted into the air." He shrugged. "I looked down to see what the hell was going on and the six guys in my group were gone." He snapped his fingers. "Just like that."
Cody stared at him. "All six? As in they found a bolthole to hide in? Or were they taken?"
"I really don't know." He studied the area under them. "I've not seen anyone since."
"And Serus?"
"See, that's the other thing." Goran shifted several feet over. "I can't see or hear him talk."
Uh oh. "And normally you would be able to in this warehouse – correct?"
His father nodded. "Unless he's unconscious, locked inside one of these nasty thick walled rooms, or...dead."
"But you could talk to him before when you were locked up, so I think we have to assume that he's either unconscious or..." Loath to say it, Cody changed the last word in his mind to, "...worse."
Goran nodded. "I vote we find him first."
"Yeah. David, Ian, and Jewel are with him, too."
"And my group could have been the bad guys." Goran glared down at the vast space below them.
"Is that really possible?" Cody stared at him. "They were all fighting on our side before. I know several of them were really vicious. Weren't they part of Motre's group? Or did he take all of his people with him?"
"I don't know. Either way, that doesn't mean that one or all of them didn't change sides or were already spies in the first place. If it was the last guy in my group, he could have spiked everyone before they had a chance to fight back. And if there were two spies in that group, their job would have been much easier. Honestly, I saw the look on the third man’s face. He looked pissed when I suddenly flew up." He shrugged, a motion that spoke of years of understanding the duplicity of his own kind. "You know we can't trust anyone."
Cody groaned. "I was hoping we could at least trust these vamps."
"Not going to happen. You can trust me and Tessa's family and likely Jewel and Ian. Beyond that..."
Shit.
Not wanting to waste time, Cody led the way back to where they entered the warehouse. When they reached the spot, he turned toward the left where Serus's group had gone.
"Where the hell are Taz and the techs? We released a dozen people earlier. Vamp and humans alike," Goran added as they zipped along.
"We found Jared, only he was alone." Cody quickly filled his father in on Jared's trip back with Seth and his friends.
"Damn fool," Goran growled. "We got more people running around here that don't know what's going on. How are we supposed to find and save them all now?"
Cody hated to say it, but they both needed the reminder. "Especially when they've been here long enough to have been captured and drugged. At this point, they could be on either team."
"This is beyond stupid," Goran growled. "We need an army to
lock this place down until the drugs have time to get out of everyone's system and we can figure out who is who."
"Even then, the bad guys are just going to play along and pretend to have been victimized," Cody pointed out, his gaze never leaving the floor below. He flew at such an angle that he could see into the rooms slightly. But he saw no sign of anyone.
No one? Tessa's worried voice whispered through his head.
Just my father. Everyone else is missing.
Turning to his father, Cody said, "They've likely been locked in a room somewhere."
"I'm not sure about that. At this point, I think they are killing everyone right away. We're causing too much trouble. If they can take us all out – who will be left to cause trouble? Rhia and Sian. That's an easy answer for everyone," Goran said, his voice harsh, cold.
"Not good." Cody was about to say something else when his father's face brightened.
His father said, "Serus just contacted me." His face darkened. "They've been surrounded by those that had been in my group. Serus overheard them talking about taking them to the mini railway.."
"I know where that is." Damn, that's one of the places they'd meant to explore and never got around to. "Let's go."
"And fast. Serus doesn't sound good."
*.*.*
David stared in shock at the vamps he'd last seen following Goran. They all held silver spikes in their hand and every one of them were glaring at his group. How? And why? He didn't understand, and neither did his father. Tired, they hadn't expected an ambush from within their group.
"Damn."
Jewel leaned against him, her fear almost palpable. "Why?" she whispered. "I don't understand."
"And you don't need to understand nothing." said the asshole closest to her. "You're all such great sheep. Following the leader and never seeing the wolves in the pack."
Ian tried to take a step forward, but one of the vamps brandished a spike in his direction. "Stay back."
"You all fought on our side in the last skirmish." Ian held out his hands, palms upward. "Why are you doing this?"
David didn't know if Ian was playacting or as tired and confused as he sounded, but the vamp appeared to think he really was exhausted. That could play into their hands.
"So why not kill us outright?" David asked curiously. "Why surround us? What do you want?"
"Some people want to see you." The biggest of them, and for some reason David had counted on that one being on the good side until now, motioned them forward. "Be good and you get to live. For a little while." He showed the spikes he held in both hands. "Or give us an excuse to take you out now. The bosses will never know."
His father straightened at the word bosses.
David could almost see his mind turning over that idea. If they were being taken to see the bosses, in theory, they could find out who was behind this nightmare and kill them off. And for that to happen, they had to stay alive. He didn't dare ask about Cody and Tessa. That they weren't here was a good thing. It gave him hope. But he also knew there was a chance they'd been picked off first. He wanted to ask his father about Goran but didn't dare. That the vamps weren't crowing about killing an ancient gave him more hope. Goran was a cagey vampire. He wouldn't be easy to kill.
"We're moving." Gently, David urged Jewel to move in the direction they were pointed at. Down the stairs to the mini railway tunnel.
Yes! Excitement surged through him. That tunnel led to freedom as well. That's how Jared had managed to escape.
Which way did he want to go?
Fight and possibly escape? Or stay captive and possibly meet the bosses?
*.*.*
Tessa hated the waiting. Hated the dark. And really hated knowing that her father and brother were in trouble. Again.
Cody? Any news? Can you find out where they are being taken?
Dad can talk to your father now, but he says Serus doesn't sound good.
"Tessa?"
Startled, she turned to face Jared. And felt heat wash over her face. "Hey. Sorry about that."
"You were talking telepathically, weren't you?"
She nodded. "Yes. Some of us can do that. I didn't know I could until recently. I still can't communicate with many though."
He studied her quietly. "That would be so cool."
She grinned. "It is."
Tessa, the group is being herded down the stairs to the mini railway.
Tessa gasped. "Do you know where the mini railway is? The others are being taken there."
Jared walked past her and studied the doors closest to him. "That's how I escaped. I think I can find the right door again."
"Cody and Goran are heading there now.."
They've left two vamps behind to keep watch for anyone who might follow. But they are only staying a short while before racing to catch up with the main group. Serus said something about them having big plans for the place. He got the impression that it wasn't nice plans.
Tessa stopped in shock. She asked cautiously, Like what kind of plans?
Like they wouldn't have to worry any more about anyone left behind because they wouldn't be alive for much longer.
"Oh shit."
She quickly relayed that information to Jared. "We have to act. Taz is here somewhere. I don't know what these guys have planned, but I have to search for and hopefully save them."
"Surely they wouldn't do something to this place." Jared stared the people hanging. "There are too many people here. If they think we'd die, then so would all these people."
"Maybe, and maybe they don't need these people any longer. Maybe these ones are too old. Or maybe they are just trying to cut their losses and get away to start up somewhere else." She tossed the last bit behind her, racing from room to room in search of Taz. She should have done this right away. Every minute could make a difference. Cody's last words had nasty images coursing through in her mind. She didn't know if they'd blow this place up or try to seal it or fill it with gas, but she couldn't just stand by and watch.
Empty room upon empty room and still no sign of the others.
Jared ran ahead of her, checking the other rooms, helping them cover the distance twice as fast.
We're going after the two vamps left behind. Get out of there!
Not without helping Taz. He's here somewhere.
Damn it Tessa, we can't save everyone.
I know. Go. We'll follow as soon as we can.
No. Go to the surface. Get out. You should be safe there
She didn't bother answering. Too late, we've already made it to the far end.
Damn it, Tessa. At least go to the right and check that end first. We didn't find any closed doors on the left.
She crossed the room and raced down the far side. "They have to be here – somewhere."
"Unless they were killed, or taken to the railway themselves." Jared called out, running at top speed ahead of her.
She raced after him. "I don't think they'd kill the humans. They need to replenish their stocks at the blood farm."
She watched him head into the next room and heard him shout. "This door is locked."
He pounded on the door and heard someone pound back from the inside.
"Move aside, Jared."
He backed up without an argument.
She leapt into the air at the last moment, using the momentum of her jump to deliver a powerful kick to the doorknob. The door popped open as she made a clumsy landing.
Taz rushed out of the room, pushing her out of the way as a half dozen techs stampeded out.
"Tessa?" Taz said, "you shouldn't be here."
She laughed, or would have if she had the chance. "So not a choice. You have to get out of here. Apparently my father and friends have been taken to the mini railway down below. They were warned that everyone up here is likely to die. I don't know if it's gas they have planned or something else, but we have to move."
The others cried out and raced to t
he far end, where the white tunnels led to the surface. She raced alongside them. "Taz, is everyone else all right?"
"Yes. There were vamps with us but they were separated. Only the humans were left behind.
Shit. Those vamps could have joined the others or been taken out permanently.
Cody, where are you?
She heard the grunting and fighting sounds in her mind and knew he was trying to overpower the two guards. Hopefully his father was helping. Damn.
"Jared, make sure they get up to the surface. And get off the mountain if you can. Get in whatever vehicles there are and drive like hell. I don't know what these assholes have done but it's bad. Go, go!" She yelled. Taz turned as if to protest and she shook her head. "Go, Taz. Save the others."
"What about you?" he protested.
"I'll check on Goran and Cody. Then we'll all follow you. We can fly faster than you can run. Go!"
She wasted another precious minute making sure they were able to make their way safely to the end of the warehouse.
Then she turned in the direction of the door that Jared had pointed out earlier. She leapt into the air and glided to where she landed almost in front of it.
She could hear the sounds of a horrific fight going on and that worried her more than anything. Two on two should have easily made Cody and Goran the winners. That there was even a fight was disconcerting. Who were these two that were causing such trouble?
She opened the door to find the small room empty. Shit, was this the wrong room? Surely not. Then someone slammed up against the wall in front of her. She raced inside the room to find a partially hidden door. As she reached for the knob, the room went deadly silent.
Shit. Hang on, Cody. I'm coming.
She opened the door.
Tessa lunged through the door, her claws extended like the lethal weapons they were.
"There you are." Goran said with a grin. "About time."
She stared at him shock, then glanced over at Cody who was grinning at her. She straightened and rolled her eyes at the two of them.