* * *
Morning came way too early for me. I woke up with the feeling that I was being watched. Opening my eyes carefully, I saw Cassie lying next to me on the bed above the covers. Good thing since I was naked again. Maybe I should start wearing something to bed from now on. She was smiling at me.
“Merry Christmas Eve Day Big Sister!”
“Good morning Cassie. How’re you feeling?”
“Okay.”
“That’s good. Would you like to do something fun today?”
Her face lit up even more. “With you?”
“Yeah, with me. I need to do some Christmas shopping, and Mary said that Santa is visiting the mall this morning.”
“Really?!” Her eyes threatened to explode inside her head if they grew any bigger. “I’ve never met Santa. How does he deliver toys to children without fireplaces?”
I laughed a little. At least she believed in Santa like a kid her age should.
“I don’t know honey. You could go visit him and ask if you want.”
“You would take me to meet Santa?!?! Can we go, please?!” She was kneeling on the bed now.
“Sure, right after breakfast.”
She started to jump up and down on the bed. “Hurray! I finally get to meet Santa!”
If only everyone was that easy to please.
* * *
The Galleria Mall was crowded. Very crowded. At least I comfortably blended in with my boots, jeans and sports-bra under my leather jacket. Emmy was with us, and Vicki came too with Mary’s camera, snapping away to document the occasion. Mary had stayed behind to prepare a holiday dinner for us.
Cassie was so amazed with all the sights and sounds of the mall I was afraid her eyes would pop out of her head. Our first stop was of course Santa’s Village. She was jumping up and down with glee standing in line to see Santa. Being the overly smart and manipulatively adorable little kid she was, she conned the three of us into getting our pictures with Santa too. It was corny, but sort of fun. I hadn’t sat on Santa’s lap since I was six. Besides I was sure Santa liked the break from the kids to have three gorgeous women sit on his lap. I just hoped he didn’t enjoy it too much. That would’ve been embarrassing for us all. Cassie never would tell us what she ask Santa for Christmas though.
I think that’s breaking a rule. Doesn’t she have to tell me so that I can buy it for her? Isn’t there a law on that or something?
Vicki tricked us into going to the arcade next. Eighty bucks and a million games later we moved on to the toy store. We followed Cassie around the store taking note of anything she stopped to look at. She was amazed at the Lego blocks section. We would have to get her a few sets. Of course she found a few video games she wanted since Mary had corrupted her into liking the games. Naturally, most of them involved destroying raging hordes of killer zombies and assorted other monsters.
Then Emmy took her to the doll section. Cassie walked through clearly uninterested, then stopped suddenly and picked up one of the dolls. She hugged it to her almost crushing the box, and begged us to get it for her. We did the parental thing and said that it was too close to Christmas and she would have to wait and see if she got it for a gift. She actually started to cry when we had her put it back.
“What’s wrong?” I asked her.
“But I want that one. It reminds me of you, Big Sister!”
She is definitely getting that doll for Christmas!
Vicki made the excuse that she had to find a bathroom and would meet us at the gadget store. Emmy and I both knew that she was going to double back to the toy store. I made sure that she picked up that doll.
We had arrived at the mall when it first opened, and by mid-morning we had so many packages that we had to take them out to the car. I was the last one to stash gifts away from the others inside the cargo boxes designated for each of us in the back of the Hummer. That way we didn’t all see what we got for each other. We were to meet in the food court next. I promised to let Cassie try pizza.
Back in the food court I couldn’t find the others. They had to be around somewhere though. They probably stopped at another shop on the way. I bought a pizza and found a table that I could see the crowd from and waited.
An hour passed before I tried calling them. None of them answered. I tried calling home to see if Mary had heard from them, but she never answered either. Where is everyone? I gathered the pizza and went to the car. They weren’t there and no new sacks were inside that I could see.
My glasses started to ring. Julie appeared inside the lenses smiles as always. “You have a video message from an unknown number.”
“Uh? That’s weird. Go ahead and play it for me.”
The screen was dark a second then switched to a security camera recording. Tanaka was sitting behind a desk typing one handed, with his other still in the sling. He suddenly stopped and reached under his coat drawing a gun as four werewolves rushed into the picture and started beating on him.
Is this some sort of sick joke?
The picture switched to Marsala. He was wrestling with the arachnataur monster. Both of them were equally matched in size. It knocked him out with one hit, and carried him off like a rag doll in its four massive arms.
What the hell is going on?!
The picture switched again and my heart dropped through the pit in my stomach.
Emmy, Vicki and Cassie were all three shooting their pulse guns at something off screen. They were dressed just like they were earlier in the mall. Was this today? Where are they? A hairy fist came into view knocking out Emmy. Vicki started to shift, but three werewolves overpowered her, forcing her to the ground and injecting her with something that put her to sleep before she shifted. Cassie drew the blade from her back. I knew I should’ve had her bring more than one blade and the pulse gun. She cut and stabbed with the blade. The white werewolf we were looking for lunged at her. His claws tearing huge bloody gashes across her face.
Her face, not her angelic face!!!
Cassie collapsed to the ground bleeding. Broken bone was clearly visible in the deep cuts. The werewolf turned to face the camera. It looked like it was smiling – as much as a wolf could. Then it raised its hand to lick Cassie’s blood off of its claws.
I screamed. Screamed and slammed my hands into the dash again and again. The dashboard broke into tiny pieces under my assault. Julie came back on.
“LOCATE EMMY AND CASSIE NOW!!!” I screamed at her.
She closed her eyes a second then opened them again. “I’m sorry, but I am unable to locate them. Their comm-units are offline.”
Damn it! I threw back my head and let out a scream of frustration. With my head back I could barely feel the tiny implant the size of a grain of rice in my neck, next to the spine, just below the skull. The tracking implants!
“Julie, locate Cassie’s tracking implant!”
She never even paused. “I’m sorry Miss Grey. I cannot do that.”
“Why the hell not?!”
“Only psionics that are a threat to others are implanted. Cassie Grey’s psionics are not a threat to the surrounding community. She was never implanted. I am sorry.”
My anger took over. I screamed in rage and ripped the steering wheel off then punched my hand deep into the dashboard. A thought entered my mind and I froze mid-swing on the next hit.
Oh shit, Mary! I couldn’t get hold of Mary either! Did they get her too?
The car was damaged so bad it wouldn’t start. My temper tantrum had broken the Hummer. I dove out and flexed my shields, flying straight for the apartment.
* * *
From above I could see the blood of the roof snipers splattered in the snow. They were long past dead. I flew down and landed on my balcony. There were clawed footprints all over the balcony in the snow, and scratches on the windows and doors. The scratches looked like claw marks. Did they get inside? I tried the doors, they didn’t budge. I drew my sword and cut my way through the doors. The apartment looked untouched. I crept in slowly. W
as Mary still here? Is she okay? I couldn’t hear anything.
I started to search the apartment when the front door eased opened. It was silent but I saw the light come on in the entrance room from the corner of the dining room. Drawing my gun, I edged around the corner, then dove out into the living room gun pointed at the door. Charles was kneeling by the door, with a wicked looking machine gun pointed at me. We both lifted our guns away the instant we saw each other.
“Problems?” he asked quietly.
“I need to find Mary,” I whispered.
“Lead the way.”
We moved as one through the rooms. There was food on the counters of the kitchen, abandoned in mid-preparation. I couldn’t see any signs of a struggle though. Continuing on, we searched the laundry room and then moved on to Mary’s bedroom. The laundry room was empty. Even the kittens were gone.
Oh I pray that the kittens are alright. I can’t handle finding them otherwise.
We slowly entered Mary’s room. Both of us took a wall. No one was there. I made my way to the closet. A muffled mew came from inside the closet.
The kittens are okay!
Without thinking I yanked open the door. Blue-white light filled my vision. Every muscle in my body flexed at once. Then everything went dark.
Chapter 20
Charles hovered over me with smelling salts in hand. My head threatened to split open and let my pureed brain pour out.
What the hell happened to me?
Mary stepped into view, kittens protestingly squeezed in one arm, pulse gun in the other. “Sorry! I thought you were one of those werewolves from the balcony.”
Apparently my shields wouldn’t stop the pulse guns. That’s not good! Note to self, don’t get shot with the pulse guns again. I ached as I reached around to get a painkiller out of my belt-pack.
“How long was I out?”
“Two and a half hours. What’s going on?” Charles asked with genuine concern.
“I received a message that Cassie, Vicki, Emmy, Tanaka, and even Marsala have all been brutally injured and abducted. I couldn’t get hold of Mary so I thought they got her too. I flew here to check on her.”
“So you were the one that broke through the patio doors? Alarms went off downstairs when the glass was cut.” Charles gently patted his hand on my shoulder as he talked.
“I was cooking and then I heard this banging. I saw a group of werewolves trying to force their way in through the doors. Gathering up the kittens, I hid in the closet. I know, I should’ve taken the phone with me. I just never thought of it at the time,” Mary said hugging the protesting kittens to her.
REN!!! I hadn’t even thought of her before.
“Mary, go call Ren! We need to make sure she’s okay.”
Mary nodded and left. Charles stayed over me like a good bodyguard.
“Any idea where they were all taken?” he asked me.
“Not a clue. Damn, how could I be so careless?”
“It’s not your fault. If you had been with them you would have probably been captured as well. Right now you need to regroup and figure out where they were taken.”
“Could you come help me get them back?”
He hung his head low. “I’m sorry Kieran. I wish I could, but I have too many responsibilities here. Security has already been breached once in the building, and we’re missing a few guards along with the six other of my men that have been killed. I have to stay and make sure the rest of the tenants are safe. I’ll be happy to help you in any other way that I can, just ask.”
Mary came back, still hugging the kittens tightly against their protesting squeaks, and handed me the phone. Ren was on the other line.
“What the hell is going on there? Mary sounds like she’s in shock. Were you attacked at home or something?”
I told her what was going on.
“I’ve been in my office all day. Even a pack of werewolves would think twice before storming the station. Any idea where they took them?”
“No. Please stay inside until I get there. They may be planning to jump you if you leave. I’ll pick you up soon. Jacob is behind this, and he’s going to pay for harming my Cassie!”
Ren agreed to wait for me. I thumbed the speed dial for the valets.
“Towering Meadows Apartment Suites, Valet desk, how may I help you?”
“This is Kieran Grey in 18A. What do I own that is the fastest and safest vehicle in the snow?”
“I’m not sure honestly. Probably the Hummer, but it isn’t here now. You could always try the hovercar,” the kid on the line whispered that last part as an afterthought.
“Fine, have it waiting out front.”
“Really!?! You never let us drive it! Are you sure?”
“Just have it ready downstairs. I’ll be leaving in a hurry once I’m ready.”
“Yes Ma’am!” I heard him saying as I thumbed off the phone.
“Mary, where is my armor?”
“The Tailor has it. Something about modifying it for your new blades I think.”
Great, here I am getting ready to go to war, and my armor’s in the shop. Do the Gods hate me? I really need to get a second set or two.
I got up and headed for my room. I was in a working daze, almost running over one of the door guards that came into the apartment without knocking.
“This is Mike. One of my men. He’ll be stationed up here until we can get the doors fixed. If that’s okay with you?” Charles asked behind me.
I never stopped walking as I questioned over my shoulder, “Can he guarantee Mary’s safety?”
“Yes, he will call me at the first sign of trouble.”
“Fine.”
I pawed through my closet, pulling out the clothes that were the thickest and covered the most. I ended up in jeans and a turtleneck over a t-shirt with my hiking boots and light gloves. I had the four inch blade hooked on my bra, and the locket around my neck under the turtleneck. It took me a minute to braid my hair back, but that would help keep it out of my face. Tossing my leather-like spider-silk jacket on the bed I opened the gun locker.
What to take?
I put on the sword rig with the Walther pistols, two pulse guns, and the new revolvers. Both straight blades and the black sword attached to the back of the rig. Throwing knives went into sheathes on my upper arms. Ammo holders went on the front of each thigh holding six clips apiece of the Walther ammo. I had two of the derringer pistols, one went down each boot against the ankle. I pulled out a shotgun and silver plated double-OO buckshot rounds to go with it, then tossed them on the bed. The next thing out was the large fifty-cal anti-tank sniper rifle. I had a feeling I would need the firepower.
There were assorted machine guns with silver ammo in the closet, but they all just seemed too small. I need big guns, really fucking big guns with lots of ammo! It was then that I noticed the black case on the bottom of the closet. That’s new!? I pulled out the case. Attached to the handle was a note;
My personal staff made these based off the ammo you got from Yuric. They may come in handy if you ever go to war, or whatever. The canister-clips hold five hundred rounds each, and the guns fire at the rate of six thousand rounds a minute on full auto. That should keep any gun freak happy.
Merry Christmas.
Love, Emmy.
Machine guns for my explosive ammo?
I opened the case. Inside were two rifles almost the length of my arm. Each one had six barrels. Hand held Gatling guns. Beyond cool! I lifted one of the assault rifles. It was lighter than it looked. The canister-clip attached on the back of the gun like a gun stalk.
I grabbed a bag and filled it with an assortment close to what I had on. Along with the extra canister-clips, and the ammo for the sniper rifle. Then grabbed the loaded shotgun and handed it along with the extra ammo to Mary.
“Protect yourself at all costs. This time keep your cell phone with you. Call me if there’s any trouble.”
She nodded and took the gun. I gathered the bag and slung
it with the two rifles over my shoulders. Then tossed the leather jacket over my arm and hefted the oversized sniper rifle. I turned to leave.
A camera flash went off. Charles stood there with a pocket digital camera pointed at me.
“No one would ever believe me without proof,” he shrugged.
Why do I have a bad feeling about that picture?
* * *
Everyone in the lobby gave me a wide birth. Is it because I looked as pissed off as I feel, or do you suppose it’s the arsenal? The door guards held the doors open for me without question, and the valet was standing next to my hovercar with the door open for me.
The car was silver. It looked almost like the McLaren except for the fact it only had two seats – oh, and the total lack of wheels. The car was silently floating two feet off the ground. As soon as I had it loaded, I took off in the snow. It drove like any regular car did. And even without wheels it handled better than most cars would. You didn’t even have to worry about losing traction on the icy roads.
I flipped the switch labeled POLICE EMERGENCY, that turned on the hidden flashing emergency lights and siren hidden in the body of the car. It was like a flying police car now. With the siren on I punched it, driving through the city much faster than normally allowed. It didn’t take me long to reach the police station.
Since I was in a hurry, I just pulled up on the front lawn of the station to park. I left the jacket and the tank rifle in the car. It took me a minute to grab the assault rifles and the bag with the guns in it. I hung the bag over my shoulder, but kept the Gatling rifles ready, one in each hand.
If they’re laying a trap outside for Ren, I’m going to be armed and ready.
The walk to the doors went without incident.
Revenge's Web (Kieran Grey Psionic Hunter) Page 18