by Dale Mayer
As evidenced by her actions once again.
He bent over. "So are you too old for a piggyback ride?"
She laughed in delight. "Never." With David helping, she was soon seated on his back. He led the way back to the room Goran hated.
And we can wait here now. Goran's growl filled his mind. I want to make sure they are all dead.
As long as you don't go off all crazy again.
Goran snorted at his side. He strode past Serus and led the way. Carrying his daughter had shifted Serus's view on getting things done. She came first.
Goran held up his hand for those behind him to stop. He placed his finger on his lip and motioned to both Ian and David to join him before slipping up to the door. Tessa struggled to slide off her father's back without jarring her leg. Tired, sore, and hungry, she wished a power nap was on the menu. Those had kept her energy levels up during her night and day lifestyle. She rarely got five hours in one stretch. Power naps were her answer.
Too bad her stomach couldn't do the same thing.
As if it had heard its name, her stomach started growling. Cody and her father spun to look at her.
"What was that?" Cody asked, confusion in his voice.
She winced. "My stomach."
They both looked at her. Then at each other.
Her father spoke up, "How serious?"
Cody pinned him in place with a glare. "What do you mean?"
Her father shrugged. "She eats human food instead of blood if she can."
Cody glanced at her, one eyebrow raised.
She winced. Nothing like springing one of her major quirks on him without warning. "Not really. I do drink synthetic blood if I have to, but I don't like it."
"But you need food for energy and there won't be human food here. So therefore, you'll have blood," her father said, his tone of voice not allowing for an argument.
"If I have to, I will." And she would. But not unless she really had to. She kept her face carefully blank and her tone of voice carefully calm. But her father wasn't fooled.
He gave a loud snort. "Let's go. The sooner we get out of here the better. She can get downright mean when she's hungry."
She glared at him. "Do not."
"See what I mean?" Her father turned around to look for Goran. "Ah hell. Where'd they go?"
"They shouldn't have gone in without us." Tessa bit back a moan of pain as she slowly hobbled over to the open door. David and Ian stood just inside the room watching Goran check out the half-suspended vampires. On the ground were several piles of burning ash. Tessa closed her eyes as she realized Goran was finishing off the rest of the vampires. The rest of his family.
Don't call them family.
She scrunched up her shoulders at Cody's chastising voice. Sorry.
I know, but he's really having a hard time with that right now.
Understood. Still, she stood in the doorway and watched along with the rest of the group. I suppose this is as good a way as any for him to work his rage off.
Maybe.
Serus walked over beside Goran.
Happy to leave them to it, Tessa made her way over to the stairs she'd jumped off when she'd tackled Tyson earlier. This area looked to be untouched by the quake or Goran's actions. Good thing.
She didn't know what anyone else needed, but she needed food and sleep.
Stay there. I'm going to see if we can find something for us to eat.
She nodded and watched as Cody strode toward the back of the room. Be careful.
I will.
Jewel joined her a few minutes later, shaky and pale as she collapsed beside Tessa. "I don't think I can do this anymore."
"Cody is searching for blood." She motioned to the closed doors at far side of the room. More of the room was open to viewing as Goran cleaned up. She grimaced and turned back to Jewel, barely holding back the shudder of revulsion. She didn't like what Goran was doing, could barely stand the thought of it, but she knew her arguments against his actions weren't going to go over well either. But were all the hanging vamps bad?
"I hate what he's doing," Jewel slumped back against the hard stairs. "But I hate what those...things...represent more."
"I know." Tessa shifted so her back was to Goran's systematic actions. "The thing is, I have trouble believing that they are all bad."
Jewel opened her eyes to stare at her. "They are a messed up combination of all things and they aren't vampire or human or animal. They are just—"
Jewel stopped as words failed her.
"That's why I'm not out there fighting for them," Tessa admitted. "At the same time, I hate that we brought them to life at all."
“Not us."
"It was still one of us. Our people. Like what is wrong with us?" Tessa cried out. "Look at this whole disaster. All caused by vampires."
Jewel rolled her head from side to side. "It's too big to take on the guilt. I'm not guilty and neither are you. Those madmen are the ones who did this, not us."
"I know that mentally, but inside, my heart is hurting. We are so vicious. Why couldn't we be a species of faeries or something?"
"Faeries?"
Tessa gave a half laugh. "Sorry, it's a human thing. A species of fictional people that are all things nice and sweet."
Jewel stared at her. "I think I'd like that. I've had enough nastiness to last me a lifetime."
"And considering how long we live..."
"While you two are busy talking, maybe you should multi-task and drink at the same time."
Tessa looked at Cody, caught sight of the two IV bags in his hand, and skittered backwards up the stairs. "Get those things away from me."
Jewel swiveled from Tessa to the bags in Cody's hands. She licked her lips.
Oh shit.
Jewel needed to feed. And bad. The smell of blood from her own injuries had stopped Tessa from noticing the heavy metallic smell that permeated the room. It had to affect her friends and family. Highlighting their need to feed.
But damn – from those IV bags?
She hoped not.
Why not?
Who knows what's in it? They could have all kinds of substances in there.
But we don't have a choice. Jewel is fading. You've never seen the type of damage a ravaged vampire in bloodlust mode can do. And if everyone drinks a little blood, then we can hold off that state.
Jewel reached out with a trembling hand. "Is it safe?"
Tessa watched, horrified as Cody held the bag toward her. Her own stomach was screaming...but no longer in hunger. In shock. In panic. In fear.
"How can it be safe? It's from here."
Jewel's hand fell away and she turned to look up at Tessa beseechingly. "I can't go on much more. I need to feed...eat." she corrected. "We all do." She took a deep breath and asked, "Don't you?"
Yes, she did. When she had to. But she mixed it with other stuff in order to get it down and make it stay down. Her body allowed for both foods, and she needed both but she didn't like the blood stuff.
She had no idea what would happen if she went past dizzy and fainting. If she was flat out unconscious, would she die? Did she have to drink some of the blood from this farm? Surely other blood was available? It would be too much to hope they had human food here. The vamps would have thrown out anything they'd found on the humans. She glanced down at her hand and held it out in front of her. It trembled slightly, but it was nothing compared to Jewel's hands.
Were the others the same? Were they going to go into a feeding frenzy if they didn't eat soon? And if they did, who would they turn on? Humans? Or if there weren't any humans around, would they turn on each other?
Or would they turn on her instead?
Don't ever think that. Cody's harsh voice slashed through her fear. It won’t happen.
Are you sure? Even if you all become so lost in bloodlust, will you care?
Of course we'll care. Do not for one minute think you will b
ecome the victim of our hunger.
She closed her eyes and collapsed against the railing. Sorry. I'm sorry. I must be more tired than I realized.
You damn well better be.
The hurt and anger in his voice made her ashamed. She hadn't wanted to think along those lines, but once she started in that direction, the thoughts had just come.
Well, stop going in that damn direction. No one here is going to turn on you. That's your fear speaking. No one will ever again turn on you – and if they do, I'll be at your side keeping them off you – do you hear me?
The fierce anger in his voice had her sitting upright to study his face curiously. You mean that, don't you?
He gave her a clipped nod and said, "Yes."
She really wasn't alone any longer. Unbidden, tears came to her eyes. How long would it take before she felt that on the inside?
Now. You'll start feeling it now.
Then in front of whoever was watching as if he no longer gave a damn, Cody laid down both bags of blood in Jewel's lap and reached over to clasp Tessa's head firmly in both hands, leaned in, and kissed her. Hard.
He pulled back and said in a terse voice. "Believe it."
Still in a temper, he snagged up one of the blood bags and headed toward Ian.
Jewel giggled. "Wow."
Tessa slid her a sideways glance and grinned. "Actually I think that was more like...double wow!"
*.*.*
After dropping off a bag of blood for Ian, Cody strode over to his father. He didn't understand the rage coursing through his body, but if anyone could spike his anger over nothing, it was Tessa. How dare she think they'd turn against her? So what if she had some throwback genes? No one knew if they were actually human genes. Everyone assumed that's what she had, but it's not like her family had done any tests to find out. Like how foolish could she be?
And how insulting?
Actually thinking they'd lose control. They weren't green vampires unable to control their urges. Hell, if that were the case, he'd have turned her over his knee a long time ago. Or thrown her over his shoulder and carried her off to his lair.
Just the thought of doing that made him feel primitive. And hungry. For her. Damn. What were the chances he'd be able to take this relationship where he wanted it to go anytime soon?
Zero to none.
Double damn.
He allowed his anger to re-ignite. It helped burn away the other fire in his system. One he was likely to be nursing for a very long time.
Damn female.
Not my fault.
He stilled.
Shit. He closed his eyes as he realized she'd heard the thoughts in his head. Yeah. This was not good.
I'm sorry. I should have left, but you were so angry I was trying to figure out how to explain, when you...
Shame washed through him. He wanted to run away and hide.
Please don't. She sighed, a tiny breath that wafted through his mind. I like that you feel that way about me.
He opened his eyes. What?
A girl likes to know she's wanted.
He smiled wryly. Yeah? You like knowing I'm suffering mightily for this?
No. Not really. Her tone of voice changed and humor crept in as she added, Well, maybe a little.
He grinned. How the hell could she shift his emotions from one direction to the other so fast he felt like a hormonal teenager?
Her laughing voice filled his head, making him roll his eyes. You mean like me? You aren't that much older, you know. Maybe it's your hormones that are going wild.
Yeah, they sure are.
Is that...why?
He stopped and had to think about what she said. And still couldn't figure it out. What are you talking about?
Never mind, she said quickly.
No. Not never mind. I don't understand. And he wanted to.
I just wondered... and she stopped again.
Wondered what? Now he was getting impatient.
She rushed to answer. You said it might be hormones so I wondered if that was the only reason you feel this way.
He had to stop for a moment to figure out what the hell she meant. Then he got it. And he laughed and laughed.
It wasn't that funny, she muttered.
Oh yes, it is. Nothing, and I mean nothing is needed to make me feel this way. I don't need hormones to enhance anything.
Oh. She said in a small voice.
He grinned. Tessa, I want you now and I'm gonna want you in a couple of centuries. No hormonal enhancements required.
She smiled, and damned if he didn't feel it as it spread through his mind. And how special was that?
"Cody?"
He spun around at the sound of his father's voice. "What's up, sir?
"Come here. I want you to see this."
*.*.*
Rhia turned around slowly, her hands up in front of her. Wendy followed her lead. Together, the two women faced a large group of soldiers. Human soldiers. Pissed-off human soldiers.
Crap.
"Gentlemen. I am Rhia of the Vampire Council." She stood tall and straight. "I'm one of those who helped organize your presence here."
One of the soldiers grinned, but there was no humor in his face. Nor in his voice as he said, "Prove it."
She cocked her head to the side. "Call your commander. I worked with Councilman Adamson and Gloria of the Vampire Council. They are, as am I, part of the Human Council. They will vouch for me."
"If you are who you say you are, you wouldn't be here." A second man spoke, as cold and angry as the first one.
She understood the bitterness. This warehouse was full of their people. Humans who'd been badly treated by her people. She agreed with their mood, but she didn't dare have it directed at her and Wendy. She needed their help.
"She's telling the truth. I was at the Council chambers with her."
"And you... who are you?"
"Wendy. Daughter of Councilman Wilson." Wendy's voice was cool and composed.
Rhia was impressed. She couldn't imagine anyone else being this calm in this situation.
More men clustered around the first two soldiers. One in the back, asking, "How do we know you aren't responsible for this abomination?"
Rhia patiently reminded him. "That's why you should phone your superiors and confirm our identities. We need to get medical personnel down here to help these people. Taz was here, he needs to come back now that you are here to keep him safe."
"You know Dr. Taz?" The second man spoke up.
Rhia nodded. "He is a good friend."
"Not likely. Not with him being human and you being..." he broke off and waved his hand at her. "A vampire."
"Not true. We are good friends. His wife is my best friend," she added coolly. "Sian."
The men reared back slightly, looked at each other, but stayed silent. The first man, apparently the leader, pulled out his cell phone and walked a few steps away from the group.
"If you're telling the truth,” the second man said, "Then we'll find out. But if you're lying... you'll be dead just like this guy." And he pointed to a vampire lying off to the side.
Rhia cried out. "But he's one of the techs who was here helping Taz."
The same guy snorted. "Like hell. He was trying to run away when we got here."
One of the men in the back laughed. "Like that was happening."
It was Wendy's shocked voice that put things in perspective and highlighted how dangerous this situation had become. "You shot him in the back?"
"He wouldn't stop. We ordered him to stop. But he wouldn't." The big man shrugged. "Then he wouldn't die."
Another man in the group called out, "Innocent men don't run."
"Maybe not," Rhia said in a hard pained voice, tearing her gaze away from the dead vamp. "Scared men do though."
"Scared? He's only going to be scared if he did something wrong and he's afraid we'll retaliate."
&nbs
p; "Which we will."
"And did."
Rhia stared at the men so eager for payback, they'd killed an innocent vamp. As she stared down at her fallen peer, she had to question if he was innocent or not. If he was, then why was he still here? Taz had said all the vamp techs had been separated from the human techs. Once released, the entire group had left. She spun around to face the way they'd come in. He'd also said that Jared had stayed behind. If so, where was he now?
*.*.*
Jared stumbled for what had to be the twentieth time as he followed his trail back to the staircase. He could only hope he'd recognize the entrance. With all the rock and debris, it was hard to recognize his surroundings. And in the piss poor light, he was lucky to see anything.
He clambered over another large group of rocks. He was starting to work up a hell of a sweat, too. He wiped his forehead on the shoulder of his t-shirt. Taking a deep breath, he jumped up and over the next boulder to the far side.
Was it getting hotter in here? Dustier? He wished he had water. He hadn't thought to ask the soldiers for a bottle before they left. Maybe they didn't have any. Or maybe they had cases of the damn stuff. Just the thought made him look back the way he'd come with longing. How long would it take? He coughed up more dust from his throat and cursed his stupidity. It would likely take another hour to just to reach the trucks. Too long.
He had to catch up to the soldiers and make sure they didn't shoot his friends.
If any of them were still alive. That he hadn't seen anyone dead or injured was a good sign. Maybe.
He dug deep and headed to the next pile of rubble.
Surely it couldn't be much further.
He came to a clear sector. He started to run. Just when he settled into a decent pace, he heard something up ahead.
Voices.
Tessa glared down at her leg. It still hurt like crazy. As much as she hated the pain, it gave her something to focus on. And it beat watching Jewel and David suck back blood from the bag. She hated to think of what might be mixed in the blood. Drugs? How could there not be?
Still, Goran had found it in a small cooler off to the side for the staff – or he assumed it was for the staff. From what she could see, her friends were tanking up. That should have made her feel better as they needed this. She was likely to be the one with the waning energy now. She knew Cody was healing nicely as he appeared to be using his injured shoulder just fine. She didn't know about his wing though.