Last in Line

by Sydney Addae

  Baron growled. “What?”

  “Yes, his curses were aimed at your seed, they would’ve suffered terribly if he’d been successful,” Rhiannon said. “You’ll still deal with the vampires he alerted, but that’s in the present.”

  Rugger looked up at Baron and blinked.

  “Bulgar? Cull? Rhiannon? Sven? Marias? What are you doing here? How’d you get inside?” Rugger asked, staring.

  “Baron is our linesman, we cannot allow you to curse him,” Cull said.

  “But he killed Orton. His inventions destroyed Orton,” Rugger yelled, trying to stand.

  “No,” Marias said in a soft, yet firm voice. “A Hunter killed Orton and they’ve paid the price. You have avenged your partner.”

  Rugger shook his head. “No. It’s not enough. I’ve got to stop this or others will die.”

  “Others live better lives because of Baron,” Bulgar said. “They’re free to move around without detection, to enjoy their lives. You cannot kill him; our people need him.”

  “Either he dies or I die,” Rugger said, wobbling just a bit. “I will not allow him to breathe while I live.”

  Sven shrugged. “Your choice, but we did warn you that he’s not allowed to die over this bullshit.”

  Baron inhaled as his linesmen disappeared. Holding the sword in his hand, he waited for an opening. Claws outstretched, Rugger flew at him. At the last moment, Baron jumped and swung downward before landing on the floor.

  Rugger lay crumpled on the ground with his head half severed from his body. Baron swung and the head rolled across the room.

  Exhaustion swamped Baron like a flood. Every part of his body ached. He tossed the sword onto the ground and looked around. “How do I get out of here?” he asked his linesmen after teleporting failed.

  One by one, his linesmen appeared and looked around.

  “He locked the both of you inside when you arrived,” Cull said. “Can you unravel it, Rhiannon?”

  “I will try. It will take some time.” Rhiannon walked around the space, touching walls and muttering words.

  Baron dropped to the ground and placed his head on his knees. Warmth traveled from the top of his head to his toes. “Thank you,” he said, looking at Bulgar.

  Bulgar nodded and moved closer to Marias and Cull. “Congratulations on a well-fought fight,” Icar said. Brevar, Sven, and Ian stood next to him, nodding in agreement.

  “I should be thanking you,” Baron scoffed. “No way I could’ve fought someone like Rugger and won without you guys stepping in and helping. Believe me, I appreciate it.”

  Ian’s brow rose. “You think we helped you fight?”

  Baron met their troubled expressions with a frown. “Of course you did.”

  Sven shook his head. “That would be possession, we don’t, can’t do that. We taught you, supplied our skills for you to tap into, but you must apply them on your own.”

  “What?” Baron asked, confused.

  “Think of all our knowledge as this huge database you access when needed. In the mountains, we showed you how to apply that information for your benefit, but we can’t just take over and make you do anything,” Brevar said. The others nodded.

  Baron stared at them as their words settled. “So you’re saying I defeated a master vampire instructor on my own?”

  “Not necessarily on your own, but it was you who fought the battle. We offered suggestions and moral support,” Halgreth said.

  It all seemed too far-fetched but he didn’t want to discuss it right now. “I need to check on Simone and Marissa, and take a shower, in that order. When can we leave or contact someone?” He’d attempted to contact Brieloff and hadn’t been successful.

  No one answered.

  Baron asked the question again, louder this time.

  “It’s not that we didn’t hear you the first time,” Marias said. “We don’t have an answer.”

  “What?” Baron couldn’t believe it. His linesmen always had answers.

  “Rugger placed you in some sort of protective bubble to keep others out,” Cull said slowly. “We’re in a cave in the mountains but I have no idea where.”

  The news kept getting worse.

  “So I’m trapped here? Forever?” Since he couldn’t die, the idea of spending eternity away from Simone crushed him.

  “Not forever,” Halgreth said. “Just until we figure out how to break this. With Rugger dead, there has to be a way.”

  The others agreed, although no one looked at him.

  “Last in line locked in the side of a mountain for eternity, that sucks,” Baron grumbled.

  Chapter 25

  Simone glanced at the clock again. Baron had been gone for over five hours. She rubbed Marissa’s back for comfort as the child slept. Smiling, she brushed a kiss against her niece’s forehead and sent another prayer of thanksgiving for the child’s safe return. So far Marissa hadn’t asked questions about Chavez or mentioned her time away from home. Instead, Marissa ate, slept, and ate again. Lukian graciously went back and forth bringing whatever the child had a taste for. He’d made huge points with Camilla for his kind acts. The two sat in the living room talking while Simone and Marissa rested.

  Troubled thoughts woke Simone every time she attempted to sleep. Something was wrong with Baron, she couldn’t explain the certainty in her gut, but she knew it was true. Easing Marissa to the side, Simone strode to the living room and stopped. Camilla and Lukian were locked in an embrace, seconds away from doing something Simone had no desire to see.

  “Excuse me,” Simone said, looking at the wall rather than the two lying halfway on the couch. Heat rose to her cheeks as she heard them scrambling.

  “What’s wrong, Simmy?” Camilla asked, walking over to her. Lukian remained in front of the sofa, watching them.

  Now that she had their attention, she hoped they took her seriously. “Something’s wrong with Baron. I feel it.” She placed her hand over her chest and met Camilla’s gaze. “He’s in trouble. I need to help him.”

  Camilla nodded slowly but didn’t say anything.

  Simone looked at Lukian, who stood frowning. “When you say something’s wrong, is he hurt? Lost? Can you be a little more specific?” he asked.

  Glad they didn’t discount her feelings, she released a breath. “Not hurt or dying, nothing that urgent. More like he’s sad, or upset. Something’s not right.” Simone shook her head in frustration for not being able to explain the weird feeling in her mind and chest. Baron needed help, even though he wasn’t asking for it. That made no sense either.

  “Why won’t he come back here?” She blurted. “I don’t get the sense he’s still fighting or doing anything dangerous.”

  Lukian stepped forward. “No? What is he doing then?”

  “Waiting,” she said with surprise, which morphed to confusion. “What’s he waiting for?” She looked at Lukian and then Camilla.

  “Come here.” Camilla took her hand, led her to the loveseat and waved for her to sit.

  “Close your eyes and think on Baron. Block out everything and focus on the man of your heart. Think of your favorite moments with him,” Camilla said in a low voice.

  Simone’s thoughts of Baron raced around her mind before settling on the first time he held her in the club, and the telephone conversations they had before he came to her home. When she recalled the first time they made love, her breath caught and she could see him lifting her in bed clearly. Her heartbeat increased as feelings from that time washed over her. Love lifted her impossibly high and refused to let her go.

  “Call his name, look for your man,” Camilla urged.

  “Baron. Baron, where are you?” Simone called out for a few moments. Frustrated when nothing happened she inhaled, and thought of his face when he left earlier. His face wavered in her mind and then stabilized. His head snapped up and he looked around.

  “Simone?” Baron said, sounding unsure.

  “Yes, where are you? What’s wrong?” Her fingers itched to wipe away
the alarm from his face.

  “Rugger locked me in a cave. We... I’m trying to figure a way out, but it’s been hard. How is Marissa?”

  Simone’s throat tightened at the anxiety in his voice and she fell in love with him all over again. “She’s sleeping. She’s fine. How can we help you?”

  “I don’t know.” He paused. “I don’t understand how this is happening. I mean I’m glad we’re talking, but I don’t understand how.” His eyes squinted and then he rubbed his face.

  She grinned at the scientist in him. “Me neither. I just knew something was wrong with you. Camilla had me search for you.”

  His eyes widened. “You’re doing a séance?”

  She smiled. “No.” She explained everything and waited. He tilted his head back as if he were listening to something. Just as she thought to ask what was going on, he spoke.

  “There may be a way you can find me and get me out of here.”

  “Name it.”

  He smiled. “Tell Lukian everything that’s happened so far. I need to see if we can use any of this.”

  Simone shared her conversation with Lukian.

  “I heard you speaking, but not Baron. That’s impressive.” Lukian glanced at Camilla and then back at Simone.

  Baron couldn’t believe Simone was able to reach him through Rugger’s trap, but he was ridiculously happy to hear from her. That she could see him was an added bonus.

  “Keep talking to her,” Rhiannon said. “I will follow the connection and get outside this bubble to pierce it. Then you will be able to take your woman in your arms again.”

  “Should we send help?” Simone asked him.

  “I don’t know where I am. It shouldn’t be too long, now. I’m working to break this code.” He held up his small packet of tools and grinned. “It’s frustrating being here and you’re there. I miss you. Seriously, I hate being separated from you this long. Are you okay?”

  She nodded. Curls slipped from the band holding them and kissed the side of her face. She tucked a few behind her ears. “I’m good, just missing you. I couldn’t sleep or eat. Not without you. You need to come back so we can go home. I’ve had enough excitement the past few days for a lifetime.”

  Baron kept his smile in place as he thought of the biggest surprise she’d face when he explained his heritage. Would she accept him or toss him aside? He hoped for the former while preparing for the latter.

  “Focus Baron,” Rhiannon snapped. “This isn’t the easiest trail I’ve had to follow.”

  “Where is Camilla now?” he asked.

  “Right here.”

  “Can you go in our room for privacy?” he asked with a mischievous grin.

  “How’s that helping you get out of there?” Simone asked.

  “Motivation?”

  She chuckled. The sound warmed him and he ached to hold her close.

  “You’ve done something wicked to me,” he said softly.

  “Wicked?” she sounded surprised.

  “Maybe not completely wicked, but I’ve changed because of you. Based on what others tell me, the change is good. I’ve never cared about anyone like this before, crazy huh?” He ran his hand through his hair and looked at the spot where Rugger had lain before his body turned to ashes.

  “No, not really.” She paused. “I’m in the room. I like wicked and crazy on you.”

  He grinned and stretched. “You do?”

  “Yeah. So what are you?”

  Baron froze. “What?”

  “Milla says you may not be human. Lukian’s your friend and she’s accepted him, so whatever you are can’t be too bad. So tell me what are you?”

  “Hmm, Lukian and Camilla?”

  Simone laughed. “Oh yeah.” She sobered. “I don’t want to hear it from anyone else. Wait.” She inhaled. “Are you something that’s going to freak me out? I mean am I going to scream and run? Milla’s not running, so it can’t be that bad. But she believes in a lot of weird shit.” Simone gasped. “Not that you’re weird but this whole situation is.”

  Baron’s heart slammed in his chest as Simone asked and answered her questions. Time had run out, he’d come clean and tell her who he was as soon as he returned to the apartment.

  Rhiannon appeared smiling. “You should be able to leave now.”

  Baron stood and returned to the hotel. There were no Sentinels in the hall. Curious, he searched the area and threw up a protective shield just in time to stop four vampires from touching him. Each held a small device in their hands, which explained what happened to the Sentinels.

  “Come with us,” one of them said.

  “No,” Baron said, searching the area for more vampires.

  They charged and slammed into the energy shield surrounding him.

  “Baron?” Simone said. “Why are those men attacking you?” He’d forgotten they were still connected and she saw the attack.

  “They want me to come with them. I refused.”

  “Where are you? Did you leave that place?”

  “Yes, I’m on my way back to you,” he said.

  One vampire held the device in front of him and stepped forward. When it came in contact with Baron’s energy field, it sparked and sizzled. Shaking his hand, he dropped it on the ground.

  “There’s only four of them,” Icar said. “Send them back to their Mistress.”

  “Mistress? Who sent them?” Baron asked, taking a better look at his attackers.

  “Read them,” Brevar said.

  “Not with Simone linked to me. I don’t know what will happen.”

  “Good thinking,” Cull said.

  “Does it matter who sent them? They’re stopping you from being with Simone. She’s anxious and needs you,” Sven said. “Plus, it’s time to tell her everything, I’d like to meet her.”

  Sven’s words chilled him. “I don’t know about that, we’ll see.”

  “Send these back to their master with a message to leave you alone. Anyone who’d try to kidnap you isn’t worthy,” Halgreth said.

  “When will you get here?” Simone asked.

  “Ten to thirty minutes, just depends.” Baron eyed the men and the narrow hall. He’d need to take them away from here to deal with them. First, he needed to deactivate their devices.

  “Good, I’m going to jump in the shower,” Simone said.

  “See you soon, love.” He sensed her withdraw from their connection, turned and met the stares of the four vampires. “Who sent you?”

  None of them spoke.

  “You want me to follow you somewhere without giving any information?”

  They didn’t blink or speak. Baron shrunk his energy field as he moved toward them. Once he stood in front of them, he focused on the devices in their pockets. Smoke rose and sparks flew from their pockets. While they were distracted removing the ruined stunners, Baron enclosed them in his energy field and teleported them to a large, empty field.

  The moment they touched down, Baron jumped and kicked the vampire closest to him, turned and punched the next. Both vampires fell into the others, sending all four to the ground. They jumped up and ran to him. He kicked one beneath the chin, sending him flying backward. Two grabbed his arm while the third ran at him with a knife. Using the two holding him as leverage, Baron kicked the approaching vampire, the knife flew out of his hand and embedded into the neck of the vampire on the ground. Baron yanked hard and crouched, pulling the two vampires holding him together, their heads smacked and they received the kick from the third vampire instead of him. The two dropped his arms and fell to the ground.

  Baron faced the last vampire standing. Claws outstretched, the vampire leapt for Baron’s throat. At the last second Baron jumped and kicked the vampire in the neck, hearing it snap. The vamp dropped to the ground, coughing and crawling forward. Baron walked to the first vampire with the knife sticking out of his neck. He pushed the blade further.

  “Who sent you?”

  The vampire didn’t speak. Baron ripped his head from his body. A
few seconds later, it turned to ash. He took the knife and went to the next two. When they refused to answer, he broke their necks as well. The fourth vampire had crawled a few feet away and grunted in pain when Baron grabbed him by the hair. “Who sent you?” Not expecting an answer, Baron positioned his hands to break his neck. He planned to send a message for the next fool who thought to kidnap him.

  “Mistress Suri and Mistress Anika.”

  Baron tightened his grip. “What were you supposed to do?”

  “Take you to her.”

  “For what?”

  “I don’t know. She ordered, we obeyed. Now kill me with the others, death by your hands is merciful compared to what the Mistress will do.”

  “Did your Mistress kill the human?” Recognizing one of his inventions, Baron grabbed the necklace from the servant’s neck and touched the stone.

  “Which human?”

  “In the mountains, with the child.”

  “Yes.”

  “And the child? Did you remove the child to these mountains?”

  “Yes, she was hurt, Orton was a good healer. One of the servants left the child to be found by Orton.”

  “Which Mistress killed the human?”

  “Mistress Suri. Now please kill me as well.”

  “He’s right, it’s better to die by your hands,” Cull said.

  Baron exhaled and snapped the vampire’s neck.

  Chapter 26

  Baron strode into the hotel room. “Order food please,” he asked Lukian as he nodded at Camilla who sat on the Sentinel’s lap, and walked into the bedroom he shared with Simone. Marissa lay asleep on the bed. He hadn’t gotten a good look at her when Rugger handed her over to Lukian. Someone had reset her arm and placed bandages on her forehead. Seeing her hurt broke his heart.

  Gently, he touched her soft cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she gasped. For a moment he thought she’d scream. Instead, she stared up at him for a few moments. “Baron?”