by Dale Mayer
Serus turned slowly to stare at his daughter. That she was the only one to see this energy she was always talking about it made it difficult to confirm her suspicions. But damn it, she'd been right every time so far. "What are they then?"
Tessa grimaced, and then took a deep breath. "Something in between. I'm thinking they are 'created' vampires. Designed to the specs of whoever built this house of horrors."
Everyone stared at her face then turned to look down at the warehouse below them. Serus realized it was a much smaller room than the human blood farm. There were only ten vamps in a row and although he couldn't see how many rows there were, he could see the end of the room from where he was standing so he doubted that there were more than ten rows. So close to a hundred vamps hung here.
"So you're saying they aren't real?"
"They are real in that they are breathing living organisms. Animals, I guess." Tessa spoke carefully, choosing her words as if the wrong one could cause an explosion. "I'm thinking they might have been created in a lab and moved here to 'finish' up."
Ian whistled, a long low sound that was perfect for the shock running through Serus's system then said, "Wow. I hope you're wrong."
"So do I," she whispered. "What I can tell you is that they have a different look to their energy than anyone else I've seen to date, animals, human, or vamp."
Jewel asked, her tone so shocked it was almost silent, "A new species."
"A hybrid," Tessa said, "A true hybrid." Serus listened to her voice. He watched her take another deep breath and announce, "I'm actually thinking that these things might be a hybrid of all three."
*.*.*
The sun beat down overhead as Jared studied the road, hoping to lead them to the tunnel exit. But everything looked so different. He wasn't even sure he'd seen this road ever before. How could that be?
"See anything familiar yet?" asked the driver.
"Not yet." Jared admitted, "I'm afraid that I won't recognize the entrance at all."
"We'll be turning onto the road where the barricade was put up to stop the masses from entering the blood farm. You should be able to find your way from there."
A wave of relief washed through Jared. That he could do. That would explain why he didn't recognize this area. They hadn't even gotten to the right road yet.
A few minutes later, the truck took a sharp left corner, the turnoff barely discernible. But the driver seemed to know where he was going. The driver continued in this direction for a few more minutes. Jared wondered about the change in terrain. It looked closer to the right area.
Then he saw it. He leaned over and pointed. "That's where I came out of the trees. The entrance is up a ways."
The driver nodded. "Good. Let's go."
*.*.*
Sian tried to keep her head down and her fingers working. She needed to be almost invisible and the only way to do that was to be studious and keep working away in the background. Only then would Gloria and Gittoria forget she was there.
Inside, she tried to sort though the information she had and the suspicions that they'd had about Gittoria. Not that they had anything there to go on. Hate didn't count.
That Gittoria couldn't be more different from Rhia was just part of it. If there was trouble brewing, Gittoria was usually at the edge of the disturbance, whether she made use of the final product herself or not. She loved to instigate trouble. She loved mind games and power plays. Sticking it to rest of them when they didn't know it would appeal to her nature.
For that matter, she might be 'sticking it' to Gloria in this instance, too.
The two women continued to talk as Sian tapped on the keys. She wished she had a better understanding of Gloria's involvement. Councilman Adamson appeared to trust her, but Sian was no longer so sure. She'd been all for sharing the intel with Gloria in the beginning under the assumption that they had to tell someone. And Goran apparently trusted her. Now, however...
A young man came over. "Ladies, I'm looking for Wendy. Have any of you seen her?"
Gloria looked up and frowned. "No, not recently. She was working in one of the other rooms earlier."
The man nodded. "She came in looking for two sets of motorcycle gear but we were missing one gauntlet. She grabbed a different one and said that would do, but it was a terrible fit." He held up a black leather one. "This is the right one."
Sian studied the black gauntlet. It might be the missing glove, but it was too big for Wendy. She was a tiny girl. "I haven't seen her. I presume she was picking out the suits for someone else?"
He shrugged. "One suit for her and the other one for Rhia."
Sian stared at him, a wave of ice slithering down her back.
"Rhia?"
"Yeah, they were both heading out somewhere." He turned to leave. "I thought I could catch them before they left, but it looks like I just missed them."
Sian watched him leave, pain and loss setting in. She should have known Rhia wouldn't stay behind. No matter the logic, she'd gone after her family.
Sian, her hand to her belly, found it hard to blame her. As much as she wanted her friend to stay safe, she wouldn't have listened either. Not if her family was in danger.
*.*.*
Cody watched Tessa study the energy pattern floating around the floor level.
"Tessa?" Cody nudged her arm. "Can you see anyone here? Or signs of anyone being here recently?"
"That's what I was trying to see, but looking at the energy from this height, all the colors are blending into one big mess. I also can't see an easy way down. Surely these people know what stairs are?"
He nodded. "So down we go."
"Great," Ian said. He looked over the rail and gulped.
Serus let out a snort and picked Ian up before jumping over the railing.
Jewel and David jumped holding hands.
Cody studied Tessa. "I'll carry you down. I know you can jump, but if you misjudge the landing, it's liable to give you the mother of all headaches.
"Ugh. I don't need more of those, thanks." She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around Cody's neck. "Besides, this will never get old."
He dropped a kiss on her nose, wrapped an arm around her waist, snuggled her up close, and lifted off. "Good. I'm glad to hear it."
On the ground level, he floated down as gently as he could. The whole way they could hear Ian talking, "How come she's getting such royal treatment? Geez, Serus basically dropped me." But his grumbling tone was good-natured.
Tessa laughed at him. "You're lucky he didn't just toss you over in the first place."
The look on Ian's face made everyone break out in laughter.
Cody shook his head. "Uhm people, did anyone consider using stealth and not letting anyone know we're here?"
A vamp laughed. The sound came from behind them.
Tessa gasped. She closed her eyes.
Cody stared down at her, his muscles tense as anger surged through him. She didn't need another fight right now. She hadn't healed enough for that.
She opened her eyes to stare at him. Her thoughts were silent. Shocked.
When would things go their way?
Then the harsh cold voice said, "Like hell. We knew the minute you entered the tunnel up top." He gave a coarse laugh. "That's right – we've been waiting for you guys for quite a while."
A second vamp stepped forward from the large group that had suddenly surrounded them.
His sarcastic voice cut through the silence. "So, what do you think of your new home?"
Tessa stared at the large group of vamps. They had a similar energy to the mess emanating from the hanging ones behind her. She thought they might be the same – only older. Because what she hadn't pointed out was the fact that all the vampires hanging behind them were young.
Young?
Yes. As in all the same age. At least the ones in the front are. There could be older or younger ones further back.
You really think these…things were ma
de in a lab?
I'm not sure how else they'd get so many looking so similar and all the same age. Study them. Look at the similarities. Sure, there are a few differences. but not enough that they can't be related. They look like brothers. She thought about that. And consider the fact that they are all male. As are all the hanging ones.
I never noticed. So why no females?
Tessa had to wonder if they kept females as prisoners to service the men. And if that thought didn't make her want to puke, nothing in here would.
That's not likely. Don't even think about it.
She turned to study the space around them. There were about twenty vamps circling them. But no clear leader. She wondered where the boss was hiding.
I can't see one.
Neither can I, but there's been one every step of the way.
True. I suggest we take care of these assholes first then continue on our journey to freedom.
He said it so casually she almost laughed. I wouldn't discount these guys so quickly. They could be a new generation. Look at their clothes.
She felt Cody's sideways look.
"Hey. What's the matter, don't you guys work for a living? Your clothes are all brand new. All of you." She studied the confusion on their faces. "It's almost like you're brand new to the job…" she lowered her voice so only the rest of her group could hear her, "…or brand new to life."
Goran, standing by her shoulder, stiffened, a hiss escaping from his mouth. She knew he could talk with her father, but that left three of them out of the loop. She could only hope they heard her. Not that it made that much difference. These guys were going down.
But she didn't know yet if that was going to be hard or easy. If they were stupid turned vamps – no problem. But if they were state of the art designed and created vamps – that might be a whole different story.
Shit. Did you have to mention that? Cody's mental groan swept through her head. She giggled.
Goran gave her a sideways glance.
The vamps glared at her. "Think this is funny, do you?"
"Nah," she said. "I just can't imagine the size of the damn birthday cake you must have for all of you together."
They glanced at each other while she studied their reactions.
Goran whispered, "Seriously?"
She nodded. "As close as I can tell. Look at them. Similar features. All the same age, same brand new clothes."
His hiss turned to a growl.
She hastened to add, "Remember that they might be 'improved' versions."
"All the more reason to take them out."
The vamps shuffled uneasily in front of her. Tessa almost felt sorry for them. They had no idea. She didn't dare let herself side with them because that would mean she'd accord them the same rights as any animal.
Not going to happen, Cody whispered. They are machines built to wage war.
Only they may have a part of us.
Not even close.
As if Goran and Cody could mindspeak, they both lunged forward, grabbing and scooping up two vamps each. Goran flew straight up and dropped them – on top of some of the hanging not-quite-ready vamps. The one screamed as he fell all the way to the ground
"Well, that answers one question – they can't glide or fly." Serus laughed.
David and Ian jumped up to meet the incoming group. Tessa turned to check on Jewel and found her father fighting at Jewel's side. Unfortunately, Tessa’s strength wasn't back one hundred percent. She didn't dare try to kick ass. It would be her ass that took a kicking.
And before she could do anything, she was scooped up into the air and placed back up on the catwalk. Stay here, Cody ordered as he flew back into the battle.
Startled, Tessa didn't have time to react. She was still trying to grab the railing to stop herself from falling sideways. Damn, she hated not being able to help. She could only watch as her friends and family took out vamps and were beaten back as more joined them. The bad guys seemed endless. This was a war they couldn't win.
Shit.
She searched the room for something that would turn the tide in their favor. There were no weapons she could find. No other people to join in. What the hell could they do?
"Stop it. That's enough." A horrific whistle swept through the room.
The vamps all stopped, got back on their feet, and stepped back – like well-trained militia. Which they weren't.
She slipped out of sight as a huge vamp strode in from the right side. Where the hell had he come from?
"You can't win, in case you hadn't noticed. For every one of my people you kill, I have dozens more to take their place. You are going to wear down eventually."
The most horrible sound Tessa had ever heard came from Goran's throat. "Tyson?"
"Yes, of course. Who were you expecting?" The icy superior arrogance made Tessa mad. Asshole. Who was this guy anyway?
Trying to keep an eye on the proceedings, Tessa asked Cody, Who is Tyson?"
His shocked grim voice answered, each word dropping like a heavy stone. My brother.
*.*.*
Rhia studied Wendy once they were outside the building. She appeared completed dwarfed in the suit. "Let's snag a vehicle and drive up."
"Can we make it a vampire vehicle so that we can take off most of this gear?" Wendy asked hopefully.
Rhia shook her head. "Better to stay dressed in gear until we get into the mountain."
"I wonder, after all the rumors flying around about experiments on vampires and potential gas and explosions, if we'll ever be safe."
"I hope so. This has to be over soon."
Not for the first time, Rhia found herself wondering if she'd look suspiciously at all her friends and family forever. Wondering if they were traitors and liars. She hoped not.
She pulled out the keys she'd snagged off Gloria's desk during their last conversation and pressed the button in the middle. A vehicle on the far side beeped. "Good. Let's go."
They both raced to the vehicle and got in. Rhia started up the engine and pulled out of the parking lot, hoping they would have at least a ten minute lead time before anyone noticed that they were missing.
She'd need at least twenty minutes to get up to the mountain. And who knew how long to find her family in that mausoleum? She could only hope the military had gone in and secured the place first. But even if they hadn't, nothing would stop her from going in to save her family.
*.*.*
Sian ran to where she'd last spoken to Rhia. She needed to know for sure. So she could warn the others. Rhia was a good vamp and there were a hell of a lot of angry well-armed humans heading up the mountain to take down any vamps that got in their way. Sian was afraid that they might accidentally harm the friendly ones as well.
She turned the corner into the room and found several other vamps, but not her best friend. They looked up at she skidded to a stop.
"What's the matter, Sian?"
"Has anyone seen Rhia or Wendy?"
"I saw Rhia about ten minutes ago. I'm not sure I know a Wendy," said the oldest of the three vamps in front of her.
Another said, "I saw Wendy carrying some gear a little while ago. I don't know where she was going though."
The third vamp just shrugged and went back to work.
Damn. Sian spun around and quickly texted Rhia. If she had her phone with her, she'd answer. At least Sian hoped she would.
Where are you? she asked.
Silence.
Sian waited a few minutes longer, then realizing that deep inside she already knew what Rhia had done, she texted, You've gone up to the mountain, haven't you?
It was a long time in coming, but the answer finally showed up. Yes. I have to.
*.*.*
"Tyson?" Cody tried hard to keep his voice even, perplexed. Talking was already difficult, but to do so with a confused tone in his voice was damn near impossible. He'd shifted closer to his father, hating the way the ancient wa
s reeling from the blow his brother had dealt him.
"Is this your operation?" He studied his brother's face. "Why?"
"Why not? It's who we are." His brother's cold face looked so familiar and yet so foreign. As if Cody hadn't ever really known him. Apparently he hadn't. Not if the man staring at him was the same one he'd grown up with. Then again, how often had they seen each other? Over a century separated them. He'd barely even seen his brother while he was growing up and there'd been no meeting of the minds at any time.
Tyson was a stranger.
But not to his father.
Cody risked a quick glance over at Goran, then forced himself to look away. Goran stared at his son as if his world was falling apart. His shoulders slumped and his face...Jesus...vamps were already pale to begin with, but his father's face looked like life had just become too much for him to handle.
Considering the depth of this betrayal – it probably had.
Cody?
He stiffened slightly. Tessa, don't let him know you're there.
I won't, but he might already know.
"How nice to have you all packaged into one tight group." Tyson said, his voice cold and amused. "Easy to take care of." He paused and smiled. Then he spoke again and confirmed their worst fears. "Only we need a few genetic samples from you first."
The large group of vamps, and surely more had joined them by now, surrounded her friends and family. Cody clenched his fists. How the hell were they going to get out of this mess?
"That's it?" His father spoke up. "You'll take our genetic markers and then kill us? We're your family. All you've got."
"Not quite." Tyson smiled, but the sight of it chilled Cody to the bone. "See all these vamps? Well, they are my kin. Your blood is still of interest to us. I don't have wings. Unfortunately, you managed to hand them down to Cody, but not me. Even though I'm an ancient as well, as was my mother. But you changed the brood mare in Cody's case and she cast true."
Brood mare? Cast true? What the hell? That was Cody's mother Tyson was talking about. She'd died before Cody was old enough to remember her. According to his father, Cody had been an unexpected surprise that he'd been delighted about. Particularly after his mother had died and Goran had devoted his time to raising Cody. They had an awesome relationship and as he stared at his forbidding-looking brother, this was likely to be part of the core problem.