Rand took the men she had brought and carried them away. When he and the others returned, they were grinning. “The fire trucks were a mile away, plenty of time to spare. What do you want done with the pilots and the stewardess?”
“Take them back to the hanger. I’ve already planted the story of the plane hijacked, and they’d been ordered off it.” Alexander squatted down and asked the terrified hunter, “Who told you there were vampires at the airport?”
Casting wide, frightened eyes at the vampires around him, the young man turned to her. “I know you! Lady, I'm sorry. I told them not to torch your cabin, but I couldn't stop them.”
She frowned, motioning for Anya to speak to him. His eyes went wide as the sultry blonde squatted down in front of him, her silver eyes gazed, unblinking, into his. “Tell me who called you, and I will protect you.”
Helpless to stop himself, he told her, “Our connection in New York told us there were three vampires heading our way from Santa Cruz. Our team got a call that a plane arrived without calling in the tower. The passengers were gone before dawn.” He broke contact with Anya. “Miss Jordan, please forgive me. I should have been stronger and tried to save you.”
“Who's your connection in New York?”
“John Harklee. He provides security for a group of eccentric, rich businessmen and women, who own a compound in New York City.”
“The Elders. I knew it.” Mariah gave a mirthless laugh. “Well, we can't use another plane, they're onto us. We've got to get to New York City before Rathe and his brothers. Any suggestions?”
Alexander exchanged a hesitant frown with Anya. “There is one way, but we'll be exhausted and unable to defend ourselves for a while.”
“Do we have a choice?” Anya said gruffly.
“Not really.”
After the humans were taken care of, including the hunter, Anya addressed the vampires, “What we are about to embark on will be difficult, even for the most experienced amongst us. We’re gonna pour the speed as we fly to New York City.” The vampires nervously exchanged glances with each other. “Alexander, you take Kai. Rand, you fly with Mina. Mariah, I want you to fly with me.” She signaled, “Let's go!”
Nervous at what they were about to do, Mariah glanced at her daughter, unable to suppress the wistful sigh as Alexander lifted Kai in his arms. Wishing Rathe's arms were around her, she swallowed hard, focusing on what they were about to do.
“Relax,” Anya smiled at her, “what we are about to do is relatively simple — a small matter of thinking we’re racing light.”
“Show me.”
Taking her hand in hers, Anya pulled her into the air. They hovered, waiting for everyone to assemble. Anya glanced down at her, tears in her eyes. “I miss Faeroes, too.” She squeezed her hand. “Follow my lead.”
Anya took off, nearly yanking her shoulder out of the socket. Catching up to her, Anya sped up, she matched her. Everything blurred into a myriad of dazzling colors. What seemed forever, and faster than she could process, they finally slowed. Exhausted, she barely kept herself in the air.
New York City stretched out below them.
Alexander yelled at them, “We’ll stay at my house and rest. Follow me.”
He led them to Stanton Island. A mansion, built on a knoll, near the river, came into view. Alex signaled for them to land on the paved driveway. Anya let go of her and she collapsed onto her knees, drained, like the others. Mariah lifted her head when the mansion’s doors opened, and an elderly man shuffled out.
“Welcome to my home.” Alexander’s mouth was pinched flat as he let Kai down. Kai put her arm around his waist, holding him steady when he stumbled.
“Master Alexander, you and the others must go to ground and regain your strength.”
“Yes, Willis, you are quite right.”
Kai looked back at her, worriedly, as she and Anya held onto each other for support. “Mom, there’s something I need to talk to you and Anya about. Alex, too. Privately.”
Surprised at her daughter not speaking out loud, she nodded. “Anya, Kai needs to talk to us.”
“Hope its brief. I’m fighting not to shut down.”
“It’s gotta be really important. Look at Alex.” The surprised look on his face confirmed Kai had spoken to him telepathically.
He recovered and nodded to his man, who held the door open for them to enter the mansion. “Thank you, Willis.” Alexander led them to the wall near the stairs and touched it. A secret door opened. “Head on downstairs, to my sleeping chamber. Don’t worry, it has a dirt floor. We will be safe here. Willis has set the house alarms.”
When it was just the four of them in foyer, Mariah asked her daughter, “Okay, what’s up?”
✝✝✝
Inspecting the burning wreckage below them, Rathe stiffened when he saw firefighters holding machine guns that had been found on the bodies of the victims.
Scowling, Faeroes commented, “The dead have the tainted smell of vampire hunters.”
A worried gnawing in his gut warned him they’d better hurry to New York City. “We fly at supernatural speed. I want to get this meeting over and return to Mariah.”
When the Chrysler Building came into view, he gave a sigh of relief. Directing his brothers to land in Central Park, they would rest there, hidden from the Damned and Borne. Opening a grave to sleep in, a familiar scent gave him pause. Faint, it still warmed his cold heart with hot memories of the woman who had captured his heart, who gave him hope for a future. A future with her.
Would she want one with him? If they were successful in making changes, will Mariah and Kai leave and return to their life?
Praying for the strength to defeat his enemies, he went to ground.
✝✝✝
As they had for a hundred and fifty years, twelve men and women — the elite of the Borne, collected in the elegant sitting room, just before dawn.
Except for their leader.
Nervous, he paced the length of his opulent office, back and forth. Back and forth. Julius caught sight his image in one of the numerous mirrors he had placed around his opulently-decorated office. The expensive designer suit he wore fit his sinewy figure impressively, yet he could not take pleasure in his ageless perfection. So much rode on the Romulas brothers killed before the bastards arrived in New York. Relying on humans was a new concept for him, and trusting the future of the vampire world in their mortal hands left him anxious.
A rap on the door halted his pacing. “Come in.”
The door swung open, and his newly appointed security advisor, John Harklee, former vampire hunter, entered and closed the door behind him. Dressed in dark military clothes and wore a bulletproof vest, his machine gun hung from the strap around his shoulder, the silver-haired, stocky mortal looked ready to take on the Slayers.
Would it be enough to take on Rathe Romulas?
Hiring Harklee had been strongly objected by the Elders, but he ignored their protests, needing the human’s practiced skills to organize and hunt, specifically to kill three men who could potentially bring him down. All it cost him was the promise to make Harklee a vampire.
“My lord, the mansion is locked down. The surrounding compound area is secured and patrols are walking the grounds.”
“Have you heard from your men in Indiana?”
“No, but I expect Tony to bring you Romulas's head soon.”
Casting a disgusted look at Harklee, Julius slammed his fists on the antique desk. “They haven't checked in because they're dead, you moron!”
“You really think Romulas will just walk on in here, right past my men?”
“Not only will he and his brothers waltz on in here, Rathe will demand justice and try to take my head! And those sheep,” he jabbed a finger at the door, “will allow it!”
“My lord, there’s been another complication,” Harklee said, holding his gun casually, not fooling Julius for a second the human was ready to shoot him if he tried to attack him.
“Wonderful.
More good news?” he said sarcastically.
“Jarrod is dead, my lord.”
Stunned, Julius found he had to take a seat. “When?”
“My source reported he was killed four-maybe five days ago. In Idaho.”
“Who killed him?”
“Rathe Romulas.”
“Son-of-a-bitch!” Julius shot to his feet, walking around his desk. “Has Alexander Walker assumed command of the Damned then?”
“No, my lord. Walker is missing.”
“Are you telling me the Damned have no leader and are out there, amongst the humans, without restraint?”
“Yes, my lord. I have suggestion that could possibly divert the calamity.”
“Please, I’m open to any suggestions you may have.”
“Once you’ve turned me, place me in command of the Damned. I will bring them under control.”
Contemplating Harklee’s proposal, he found it had merit. “Fine. Once the Romulus brothers are dead, I will grant your wish. If you kill them.”
Harklee grinned, a cruel and evil expression. “Tonight, your worries will be eliminated. I promise.” He glanced out the windows. “Dawn, my lord.”
Glaring at the faint light breaking the dark, Julius strode out the door as Harklee held it open for him. “Harklee, see to the defenses and ensure our guests never make it to the front door.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The Elders waited for him to lead them below to their sleeping chambers.
Sheep, Julius thought with a silent laugh as the Elders fell in step behind him as he opened the vault door that protected them while they slept. By their wary expressions and sharp glances at Harklee, he knew they were losing confidence in him. Down the stairs he went, trying not to smile. They were right not to trust him.
Once the Romulus brothers were dead, the Elders were next, leaving him in full control of the Borne and the Damned.
“I will be king, and I will rule the world!
Chapter Eighteen
As one, Rathe and his brothers rose from their graves. The dirt clinging to their clothes and hair disappeared.
Needing to speak with her once more before he met the Elders, he remembered she was still asleep, deep in the ground, in California. He wished he’d told her how he felt about her, how much he loved her. Regret was all a vampire had. The Elders would learn firsthand what it felt like to regret their decisions of late!
Lifting his face to the darkening sky, he raised his hand and collected the wind, gathering a storm of such power and fury the likes New York City had never seen before. Then he directed the storm to settle above the Elders’ mansion.
Grinning, Rathe said, “Let’s see if Julius and the Elders are home, shall we?”
Simon leaned closer to Faeroes. “Man, Rathe scares the hell out of me when he smiles like that.”
Faeroes laughed heartily and clapped Simon on the back. “Worry not, little brother. Rathe's at his very best when he's in this sort of mood. We're in for some fun tonight.”
Flying lead, he searched for an ambush as they neared the compound. Landing on the roof, they crouched down when a foot patrol walked below them. He summoned the lightning, sending it to strike the power lines, severing the electricity supplying the Elders’ compound. Aiming the next strike at the backup generators, the explosion sent the guards sprawling across the green lawns. The compound’s doors opened. Armed guards ran outside, their flashlights bobbing up and down as they went to help their companions.
“Julius is using vampire hunters,” Simon said to him and Faeroes. “What do we do?”
“Kill them all. Leave the Elders no protection.”
Shape-shifting into giant eagles, they flew into the air, diving and snatching the humans into their talons, snapping their necks. In short time, the patrols were dead. Landing in front of the compound, they shifted back into human form. Simon and Faeroes flanked him as he raised his hand and directed a bolt of lightning to strike the steel, double doors. Exploding shards of wood and metal sent those inside the compound screaming and shouting for help.
They entered the mansion.
Pissed, Julius shouted at them, “How dare you enter my house without my permission?”
“But you commanded us here, my lord,” he reminded Julius.
Straightening the front of his expensive suit, Julius smiled tightly. “Welcome, Rathe, as you, Faeroes and Simon. Allow us to offer our hospitality?”
“Do you really want me to comment on your welcoming committee? Oh, your security guards are relieved of their duty — permanently.”
Julius smirked. “Not all of them.”
Armed humans ran into the foyer, surrounding them. They weren’t the only ones as the Elders were herded into a corner, held at gunpoint. A thickset, silver-haired man stood beside Julius, wearing a gloating expression.
John Harklee.
“Look at what we got here, boys. We've bagged us the Romulas brothers. It's been a long time since we last met, Slayer. Do you remember me?”
“Actually, yes. You pissed your pants.” Rathe grinned, winning a scowl from Harklee.
“Not scared of you now.” Harklee aimed his Desert Eagle at him. “My lord, you want him dead now or do you want us to tie them up and leave them to fry in the sunlight?”
Julius tapped his lower lip, as if he were contemplating his options. “Kill them. Leave the Elders to the sun.” The Elders snarled their defiance, unable to do anything else with the machine guns aimed at them.
Lightening flashed, blinding Rathe. Thunder cracked, its violence caused the mansion walls to shudder in response. The sound of breaking glass had him drawing his sword. Dark figures dove through the tall windows, rolling onto their feet. Recognizing Rand and the others, he called out a warning, but too late. The vampire hunters fired their weapons at them. To his astonishment, the bullets weren't stopping the vampires!
Alexander was hit several times, but he neither flinched nor seemed to act like he’d been hurt. “Rathe,” he shouted, “get your ass to cover!”
Harklee was laughing as he aimed his gun at him, Rathe had nowhere to escape and braced for the bullets to hit him. A dark figure tackled him and the force of Harklee’s bullets slammed his savior into him, sending them sprawled across the marble floor.
Lilacs!
Mariah lay on top of him. Pain clouded her beautiful eyes. “Get Julius,” she gasped, trying to catch her breath.
Confused, he opened her coat and rapped gently on the bulletproof vest she wore. “Clever wench!” He captured her soft lips in a relieved kiss.
She shoved at him and was on her feet, pulling him up on his. “Get that bastard! He’s getting away.” Julius and Harklee were running out the broken doors.
“Simon, Faeroes, I’m after Julius!”
Outside, he searched the pouring rain, unable to find his prey. Forced to halt the storm, he found Harklee’s body heat radiate in the darkness. Flying in the air, he came down, ramming his fist into Harklee’s face, sending the human sprawling in the mud. Disappearing into mist when Julius drew his gun, firing, Rathe easily dodged the bullets.
“Show yourself, you, bastard!”
“Why did you betray the Borne?” In form of the mist, Rathe slithered around Julius, forcing the man to back away from Harklee, who was lying in the mud, unconscious.
“Your father agreed with my vision. He knew for our survival, we needed to unite with the Damned, to bring an end to the war.”
“Julius, we both know you weren’t doing it for the good of our kind, but to rule the world.”
“What other way can we, the Borne, protect the humans if we don’t lead them?” Julius straightened, letting his gun drop to his side. “Join me and I’ll consider allowing you to keep the abomination you found.”
“You prick,” he snarled, solidifying in front of Julius. “Mariah is not an abomination! You and the Elders distorted the Laws. You used the Slayers to do your dirty work, to keep your own hands clean. But they’re not
clean, are they? Blood stains them. Blood of our children!”
“To weed out the undesirable and those who refused to adhere to our laws — yes, I made the decisions. I made a stand for our kind! ”
“You are hereby judged for your crimes.” He raised his sword to strike when Mariah appeared.
“Rathe, stop! You must not shed his blood. Not a Borne’s!”
Julius lifted his gun, aiming it at her. “If I didn’t find a half-breed so repulsive, I’d actually be grateful for you seeking to spare my life. Sorry, but my work is not done, not by far. With you dead, my plans to rule Borne and the Damned, the humans as our cattle, will go on without a hitch.” Drawing the hammer back, Julius grinned. “Nothing personal … well, yes, it is actually.” He gasped, his eyes bulging as his head toppled to the ground.
Stunned, they watched as Julius’s body crumbled slowly down into the mud. Rathe looked up and saw Alexander wearing a satisfied grin.
Shrugging, he offered them a lopsided grin. “Mariah felt strongly enough for you not to kill him, she didn't say I couldn't.”
Rolling her eyes, she shook her head. He grinned at Alexander. “My thanks for taking the initiative.”
With a debonair bow, Alexander winked at him. “Anytime, my friend.”
Drawing Mariah into his arms, Rathe held her tight, relieved she was unharmed. “God, woman, I love you.”
“Love me?” she repeated, leaning back in his arms, a stunned expression on her face.
Grinning, Alexander wiped his blade clean on Julius’s expensive suit. “That’s what the man said. It appears you, two, need a private moment. I’ll see if I can find Harklee. Little bastard slipped away.” He disappeared into the dark.
“I have fallen deeply, madly, heart and soul, in love with you, Mariah Jordan.”
She started crying.
Panicking, he asked, “Have I said something wrong?”
Shaking her head, she offered him a watery smile. “No, it’s just that I’ve never had a man honestly say he loved me before.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing close to him. “I love you, Rathe Romulas.”
Whisper to Me (Borne Vampires Book 1) Page 29