by Dale Mayer
Weird. Cool. And could be wonderful if there wasn't this horrible lassitude inside. She wanted to wake up but at the same time she knew she wasn't ready. It would be nice to roll over though, and shift around to ease the muscles that had become sensitive from being carried so long.
So long?
A part of her brain woke up at that thought. Just how long had she been out?
Was she injured? Cause otherwise, why she was being carried?
Carried. Cody. Blood farm. Shit.
As her mind made the connection, the images filled her mind. The old dying vampire. The young one she almost remembered. What had happened?
She combed through her memories, trying hard to piece together the sequence of events.
Then a flash of silver had her flinching.
Instinctively she pulled up her arms to avoid the thrust. And...
And what? She'd blanked out at that point. She shifted her arm. And cried out in pain.
Her hand.
And then she remembered.
Cody. My hand.
I know. Take it easy. We're lucky you're alive at all.
Did I lose my hand? She didn't dare open her eyes because the thought of a cripple or missing a limb terrified her.
Easy. You still have a hand. But the silver spike went through it. Your throwback genes saved you, but I don't know how much damage the silver did. Everyone has been so worried.
Yeah, me too, she joked. Still don't feel great.
No. And you're weak. It's like the silver stole your strength.
Hopefully not for too long. Where are we? She'd kept her eyes closed but now opened them. Colors bombarded her. She shut down her vampire vision, realizing that it was damaged in some way. At the very least, it seemed to be on overload. With her human vision, she struggled to orient herself.
"White tiles. God I hate them."
"You and me both."
"Can I try to stand?" She let her eyes drift closed. She felt safe this way but it wasn't fair to Cody. He had to be tiring.
"Like hell," he said good-naturedly in response to her thought. "I'm all vampire, remember?"
The arrogance made her smile. "So it's okay to play the injured female a little longer?"
"If you were playing, that would be a different story. But you're not. And you are injured, so please focus on healing. It would be so much easier to have you fighting at my side than me trying to protect you while you're down."
"Fighting? What fighting? The old vamp is dead, right?"
"Yeah but..."
Tessa listened in surprise as he caught her up on events. "So we're in a totally different part of the mine?"
"Looks like it, but there are white tiles here too."
"Gross. I wonder if this is where I was taken before."
"No way to know. There is something up ahead. The others have gone to take a look. We're last in line."
"Sorry about that. I know how you prefer to be out in the forefront."
"Forget about that. I'm exactly where I want to be – here with you."
She opened her eyes and watched his energy shimmer in the dark. Beautiful. Just like him.
He slanted a look of mock horror at her. Hey, guys aren't beautiful.
Yes they are. And you especially.
*.*.*
Serus couldn't believe how the knot in his chest loosened at the buzz in the air and the sound of Tessa's voice. He had no doubt Cody and his daughter were forming an alliance he'd yet to understand. Sure he could mindspeak with Rhia and Goran, but those relationships had been ongoing for centuries. He'd never seen anything like that happen in just days.
The problem was Tessa was unique in so many ways. And this appeared to be yet another way she was different. Cody was a fine young man. But Tessa was just a kid. She shouldn't be forming a relationship like this for a few more decades at least. He'd connected with Rhia much later and had wanted to wait. Rhia would have nothing to do with it and, he admitted, he hadn't tried too hard to change her mind. He knew women made up their minds so much faster than men, but Tessa was only sixteen.
And he wasn't ready to let her go. She was still in high school, for Christ's sake. But she was also alive, and for that he'd learn to deal with the rest.
Are you done bitching yet?
Goran?
Who the hell were you expecting? Christ, that father stuff was getting on my nerves. My son is a good man.
I know that. But my daughter is so young.
It's just that they blindsided us.
Actually, Serus added thoughtfully, I think this blindsided them.
Goran chuckled. I'm jealous in a way. Can't say I've found another relationship that’s quite the same as my first wife. I'd like to but...
Yeah, you're so not ready to settle down. If and when, then maybe.
I'm still a youngun. No need to settle down for a bit.
Huh, if you're a youngun, then your son is a damn pup.
Goran roared. Yeah, well he's likely to be your son-in-law one day.
Serus shuddered. I got nothing against your boy...
Hell, I know that. Up until this last week, I'd have taken him aside and asked him if he was sure about this, but now...
Yeah, he's changed. Grown into a man.
And your girl is growing up like I've never seen before. I say we step back and leave them to it.
Easy for you to say, Serus grumbled. You're not the one with the daughter.
And none of us will have anyone if we don't get out of this mess. So what do you say about getting your ancient ass up here and helping me open this door?
What door?
The one in front of me. Goran's tone of voice was both affectionate and exasperated. Earth to Serus. We might have another battle to fight once we get through this door.
Good. Serus pushed his way past David and Jewel and then made his way in front of Ian. I'm more than ready to take out some vampire ass.
Wow. For a moment there I thought you were Tessa. That's something she'd say.
Ha. Like you haven't changed yourself these last few days. You're positively glowing. When you're not injured, that is. Serus finally caught up to Goran, reached out, and slugged him on the shoulder.
"Hey, what the hell was that for?" Goran grumbled, glaring at him.
"To get you in the mood." And Serus grinned up at him evilly. "Now in the words of those kids behind us – let's go kick some butt."
*.*.*
Jared watched as several large army trucks pulled up and parked. The back of both trucks opened up and dozens of men in combat outfits poured out the back.
Instinctively, he retreated. That was a lot of firepower and a lot of men. At least they were human. Thankfully. He took a deep breath. And stepped around the shed wall to where they could see him.
En masse, the group of men raced to form a circle around him, and everyone had a hand on their gun – just in case.
He slowly put up his hands. He swallowed hard before taking a deep breath. "Hello. I'm Jared."
One of the bigger men stepped forward. "Hi Jared. Glad to find you safe and sound. We were hoping you'd be here. I understand you know a couple of ways in and out of this mountain."
"One for sure, and possibly the second one as well. It's a little hard to find, but I found it once so..."
"Good enough." He motioned to the men to split into two groups. "Show us how this garage floor works then you can tell my men how to get to the other entrance."
He hadn't actually opened the floor himself, but he'd seen how it was done. With a nod, he led the way to the shed and told everyone to step back. Then he hit the large button and watched, relieved as the floor obediently rose back up. As it rose, with the leader at his side, Jared crouched down and pointed in the general direction of the door. "The door leading into the blood farm is in that corner."
The floor clicked into place. The men moved onto it. Jared pushed the butto
n again and stepped back into the floor. He strode across the platform to the steel door that they were in front of. "Nothing works in this place like you expect it to." He pulled his leg back then kicked the door. Nothing.
Crap.
He tried a second time. Nothing. Then a third. Still nothing. Then he remembered Tessa was shorter than him. And he aimed his next kick lower.
It popped open.
Thank God. He'd felt like an idiot when it wouldn't open. Now he stepped back out of the way and smiled.
"Good enough. We'll take it from here." More men jumped down as the leader led him back to the wall. He motioned to a ladder that had been dropped over the front edge. "You first."
Jared clambered up the ladder to find several of the other men waiting for him. The leader pointed to a group surrounding a map. "Now let's find the other entrance."
And Jared's heart sank. He didn't know if he'd be able to point it out on the map. It had been hard enough finding the entrance when he'd slid down the mountain to the road...but on a map? He wasn't even sure how to get to the road he'd found while escaping.
Taking a deep breath, he explained how he'd escaped and why he wasn't sure he could lead them back there. He thought he could from the inside, but he wasn't at all sure that he could from outside the mountain.
That wasn't quite what they'd expected. The leader stared at him for a long moment. "Then I guess you need to come with us. And we'll see if we can find the tunnel exit."
He smacked the hood of the truck and said, "Get in. We're rolling out now."
Shit.
Jared tossed one last look at the blood farm entrance and jumped into the front of the truck.
He pulled out his cell phone and texted Taz. Searching for second entrance with army.
Taz responded within minutes. Guard your back. We still don't know which humans are involved in this mess.
*.*.*
Rhia knew she should say something about her plans to someone. To Sian at least. But Sian was working to find out what her sister and Gloria were up to – if anything. She hoped not. She hated her sister sometimes like all siblings did, but that didn't mean she wanted her involved in this mess. But wishing it didn't make it so.
And she'd thought Gloria to be one of the stalwarts against blood farms because of what she'd lost the last time. But that didn't make it so either. She also couldn't say that just because one might be involved that the other was.
But now she felt like she couldn't trust either of them.
She strode down the hallway to the far end. There were people milling about all over the place. That was good. She'd blend in and no one would remember her.
Just the way she wanted it. She opened the door and heard the sensor say the UV rays were too strong to go out. Damn, so it was still daylight out there. The council hall was just like home. She needed the sensors there too. She had been accidentally burned a few times already. She could use the motorcycle outfits that had been put away in the large cloakroom by the front entrance. But it meant facing the women again and she'd just as soon avoid them at this point. They'd ask questions she didn't want to answer.
She paced the office, wondering if there was anyone she could ask to retrieve a suit for her. Up ahead was Wendy, another of her son's friends. She'd been involved in the first trip to the blood farm and had stayed home after that. Good.
Wendy's face lit up when she spotted Rhia. "Hi. Have you heard anything from David and Ian? I keep trying their phones but no one is answering."
"I don't think the phones are working anymore." Rhia stroked her hair away from her face. "I haven't been able to contact them either."
Wendy's face crumpled. "I've been so worried. I stayed home after the last time and felt terrible when they all went back up there."
"It's not a good scenario at the mountain right now. Be happy you aren't part of it." Rhia meant that, but she understood what the girl was going through.
Wendy shook her head. "It doesn't feel like it's a good thing." She stared up at Rhia, tears glistening in her eyes. "I just wish there was more I could do. All the gossip makes this whole thing a nightmare. So many dead. So many more that are likely to end up that way. I hate this."
"I do too. I'm heading out, but I have a few things to collect before I go. I don't suppose I can ask you to go the cloakroom and grab me a full set of motorcycle leathers and a helmet, can I?"
Wendy's face brightened. "Sure. I'll be right back."
Rhia smiled. "Perfect." She waited by the back door for Wendy to return then groaned when her son's friend returned. Wendy had dressed herself in full leathers as well. She handed over the armload of protective clothing for Rhia to put on. She stared at Rhia, defiance mixing with fear and concern. "I'm going with you."
"Going where?" Rhia tried to think of an excuse to give Wendy, but she couldn’t come up with a plausible reason. She quickly got dressed.
"To the blood farm." Wendy held out the helmet.
Rhia paused in the middle of closing her jacket zipper. She looked at Wendy curiously. "What makes you think that I'm going there?"
"That's where your family is."
Rhia’s fingers stilled. "And why do you want to go?"
Wendy winced. Then took a deep breath. "Ian is my boyfriend. We've kept it a secret for months. But I can't stand not knowing what's happened to him."
Damn. How could Rhia argue with that logic when it was the same she was using for herself?
Tessa took a deep breath, feeling her chest expand and constrict normally...if somewhat painfully. "Well, that's a good sign," she said, her voice sounding weak, even to her own ears.
Cody gently lowered her feet to the ground but kept a supporting arm around her shoulders. "What is?"
"No pain." She opened her eyes and smiled up at him.
Her brother and Jewel crowded around her, big grins on their faces. Ian was there too. She grinned lopsidedly up at him. "Hey Ian."
He gave her a sheepish smile. "Hey Tessa. Nice to have you back in the land of the living."
She gave a small laugh. "Are you sure? I'm still a pain in the butt."
David hugged her gently. "Yes you are, but Cody is so much easier to get along with when you're not hurt."
"Really?" She turned to catch the discomfort on Cody's face. With a warm smile, she reached up and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for caring. And for being you."
"Hey, where's my kiss?" Ian protested with a big grin. "I'm being me too." He jerked back as Cody shoved him into a wall. "Ouch. Like that hurt." Then he sniggered. "Or maybe not."
David laughed, a sound filled with such joy that Tessa reached out and hugged him again. "My hand still feels like someone shoved a spike through it but other than that... I feel pretty good." She wiggled her fingers experimentally, wincing as the fingers fully extended.
"About time. The ancients went through that door while we were engrossed in your being alive, and they didn't tell us." Cody stared at the still partially open door. "I also don't hear anything on the other side."
David stepped over. "We did earlier."
Tessa walked over, trying to study the ground around them. Her vision was different. Maybe stronger? Maybe not, but something odd had happened while she had been injured. The colors were brighter. The energy clearer. There was almost a buzz in the air.
"Can you see anything?" Cody murmured quietly.
She shook her head. "Not any more than the various energy signatures that should be here."
"Okay. Then at the count of three, let's find out why the elders haven't come back for us."
Just then the door opened and a very grim Goran stood in the open space. "You need to see this, but it's going to hit you hard. All of you."
He looked over at Jewel as if regretting she was there. Tessa's stomach churned. This was going to be bad. If they said it was bad, that meant it was really bad.
"Where’s my father?"
"Oh, he's i
n there. And he's fine. Well, as fine as anyone can be after seeing this."
Goran shoved the door wide open and stepped aside. The small group surged forward.
Tessa's breath caught in the back of her throat but a small cry escaped. She barely heard the shocked gasps of those around her.
Her father stood in front of her, his head bowed.
She took a step forward, only to have Cody grab her and pull her back. "Careful."
Careful? Of what? The room in front of them was another blood farm. A horrible travesty of the one they'd already passed. These victims? Hanging so lost and alone?
Her own people. This blood farm was full of vampires.
*.*.*
Serus stared blindly at the room in front of him. He heard the others arrive and knew they were trying to assimilate what they were looking at.
He could barely even understand. And the little he did – hurt.
That his people could do this to their own kind was beyond comprehension. For what possible reason could they have for torturing vampires like this?
"Wait," David said, his voice shocked and not understanding. "This doesn't make sense."
"How and why would they need to hang vampires like this?" asked Ian.
Goran placed a hand on Serus's shoulder. In understanding and shared horror. The two had seen a lot over the centuries, but never anything like this. "Do you have any idea what they are up to, Serus?"
"No," he said, his voice cold and hard. "I don't. But we need to find out and we need to pull every one of these vamps down. They might recuperate if they are given a chance to. Our vampire DNA can heal them. If these poor creatures haven't been here for too long, they might survive."
Then Tessa spoke up and shocked them all. "They aren't real vampires."
"What the hell are you talking about?" Goran spun around to face her. "They are as real as you and me."
"Not according to their energy," she said firmly.