Exsanguinate
Page 28
“We have a crack team ready to surround the place and watch from the outside if you are ready to go in. We are,” Harris said.
I saw glowing eyes peering at us through the cattails and the high brush area around the building.
We reviewed our strategy around the entrances and the exits. “We’ll have the dragons up top, the werewolves on the ground and the vamps going in. Anyone trying to get in or out of this building will be toast,” I said. “But one thing we do need to know – what happens if the Queen does decide to show up?”
“Then leave that part to me. I’ll handle the Queen,” Lord Stovall said. “Believe me, you’ll know it if you see her. She never travels alone. She always has an entourage with her, especially her right hand, Aisling.
The name caught my attention, and I glanced at him. That was my mother’s name. God, how I missed her and thanked the Goddess she was dead. I was glad she didn’t live long enough to see the day her daughters had become a vampire, a blood demon, and a dhampir breeder.
Khaldon handed me a gun and holster.
“What am I supposed to do with this? I’ve never held a gun in my life.”
“Pretend we’re playing inside the game.” Khaldon showed me how to hold the weapon while rolling my shoulders forward to steady the aim. “You simply point the red laser at your target and shoot. More than anything, it’s another layer of protection. Until I can get you combat trained, I want you to stay close and be careful. I’m not losing you now, m’lady.” His smile was warm and caring. He gave me a forehead hug and pulled me into a kiss. It wasn’t even a passionate kiss, but it was one that said, ‘I care about you and I don’t want you hurt.’
I returned his smile and nodded.
“Sheridan will be over on the right hand side of the facility. Her harness area is 303.” Ludovic cleared his throat.
“You mean as in the third floor – room three?” I asked.
He nodded.
“Just how many of these women are in there, Ludovic?” Lord Stovall asked.
Ludovic grimaced. “Well there were a lot more before Edric started experimenting on them with Solunarae blood.”
“They really were giving that blood to the humans? And their unborns?” Khaldon questioned.
Ludovic nodded. “I’m trying to tell you – the Queen is building a dhampir army to rid the Vampyric race of rogue vampires and impure bloodlines. She needs the dhampirs to train and hunt them down. She is convinced she’s doing the right thing. The Queen doesn’t care for vampires who will not enter into a coven and pay for her protection.”
“I can identify with that,” Briggs said.
“Well I can see her point on some of these items, but you can’t make a rogue do anything. Rogues are a pain in my ass, but that is why they are rogues,” Stovall countered. “They don’t want to follow rules. They’re like Ex Pats – they don’t want the hassle of the government they can’t support. They do tend to kill more and are sloppy about it. That’s why we have the cleaner crews.”
“What I don’t get is why the Queen insists on using humans to reproduce these dhampirs. Isn’t that going to create a half blood type of vampire?” I asked.
“That’s exactly right, Cheyenne. But here’s the deal. Because they have a vampire father and a human mother, the dhampir are able to live twice. She has twice the troops.”
I shook my head. “I still don’t understand.”
“Bollocks! I get it!” Khaldon exclaimed. “She’s using dhampirs because when their human bodies die, in a battle or attack, their vampiric DNA will take over. They’ll rise again to fight as a vampyre who has died the undeniable death. They don’t have the sun’s resistance any longer, but at night they will become a deadly force. She’s getting twice the army, for half the time. She’s creating a super army!”
“Hell, I am in so much trouble for even talking about this. I’m probably a dead vamp anyway. But regardless of what you think about what we do here, I love Dakota. I need to help rescue her.”
I took in a huge breath and allowed the gravity of the situation to sink in.
Ludovic daringly grabbed my hand. “Last night it was the swan boats. There’s no telling where she’ll strike tonight. Please let’s just get inside and decide what to do next.”
I shook my hand out of his. “Enough already, I’m fed up with the wait. Ludovic, why are you helping us? You know Dakota will never love you.”
“I’m a dead man whether I do or don’t. Maybe this way, I’ll be forgiven.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Breeding Facility #42
With Harris’ pack outside, surrounding the facility entrances, he was free to get inside and locate my father as quickly as possible. With Briggs’ team up on the roof, Ludovic unlocked the building and disabled the alarm system. I could see broken glass shards all over the place. When we walked into the building, it looked as though it were a makeshift hospital without the curtains for privacy.
Khaldon whistled. “Bloody hell, man! What in the Queen’s name are you doing in here?”
“That’s precisely what we are doing here, but not for Her Majesty, the Queen of England, but for Her Majesty, Queen Civetateo,” Ludovic answered with a solemn voice.
“Okay, Ludovic, show me this computer system, so I can move the medical files to a secure location. We need this info to help try and reunite these people with their families,” Khaldon said. “Lord Stovall, where do you want to move these women?”
Stovall stood with his hands on his hips, shaking his head. His face held stern in concentration. “How many women are here right now?”
“I believe around 145 or 146 now,” Ludovic said.
Khaldon said, “I’m in. I see 146 active beds. Sheridan is in 303. Looks like Kiernan is down that hall.” Khaldon pointed behind him.
“And to the left – three doors down,” Ludovic finished his sentence. “The combination to the door lock is 4283.”
“I’m on it. I’ll have him out of there faster than wolves at a pig roast.” Harris ran down the hall.
Torchy sighed. “Holy shite – I can’t believe how many women are here. How many have died? How many babies have been born? It’s sickening.”
I ran to the staircase and jumped two steps at a time, Torchy right on my heels. Of course, room three was all the way at the end of the building instead of at the front. It reminded me of an airport. Always seemed as though the gate you were flying out of was at the farthest end of the terminal.
I peeked into the areas they called rooms. They were just spaces of air lined out in paint on the floor. The room was cold and uninviting. A draped sheet hung around room area three. I looked at Torchy and took a deep breath. Now was not the time to freak out. Not the time to be scared, and definitely, not the time to cry, no matter how much I wanted to. I inched the drape back and stood frozen at the macabre sight of my sister.
“She looks like she is sleeping,” Torchy said. He swallowed hard. “She’s beautiful, Cheyenne.” He hugged my shoulder. “We’ve found her. She’s safe now.”
I didn’t have the faintest clue how to get her out of this hanging harness. She was suspended from the ceiling in a nylon net apparatus. Electrodes were taped over her body, pulsating different muscles while she lay unconscious. She had tubes everywhere. I couldn’t start tearing everything down, it might endanger her even worse. I walked up to her and reached out my shaking hand toward her. I took a deep breath and stepped closer. I whispered into her ear and peered through her oxygen mask to see if she could respond to me.
“Sheridan. Sheridan, sweetie, it’s me – Cheyenne.” I touched her arm through the webbing. Her skin was cool, not cold, but clearly not warm. “Sher, are you okay? Can you hear me?” I saw her eyelids flutter.
“Keep talking to her, Cheyenne – it looks as if she can hear you. I’m gonna get Ludovic to help us take her out of this. I’ll find a table or a wheel chair. Hell, I’ll carry her if I have to, but she’s coming down out of this now!”
I reached in and touched her forehead and brushed my fingers through her hair. She looked like she hadn’t had a bath since she arrived. “It’s okay now, Sher – we’re here. Cheyenne, Roxas, Harris, and Briggs – we’re here to rescue you and these other women. You’re gonna be okay. Oh thank the Goddess you’re okay!” Tears ran down my nose. They dripped onto her arm as my voice cracked under the emotional pressure. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could hold it together.
Her eyelids fluttered again. I reached for her. “Squeeze my hand if you can hear me. This isn’t a dream.” The slightest movement from her fingers told me she could hear me. My voice grew excited. “That’s it, Sher – you’re safe now.” She didn’t have the strength to squeeze, but I knew her, and I knew she was using every ounce of power under the sun to tell me she understood.
“Okay good – hang in there. Torchy went to get Ludovic to help you get out of here.” Suddenly the machines around Sheridan spiked and alarms rang out. It reminded me of when I awoke in the hospital. Sheridan began to move her hands, and she grimaced. Was she in pain? Tears puddled in the dark wells of her eyes.
I grabbed a Kleenex and wiped the Vaseline goo which had her eyes caked closed. “Shh … relax, Sheridan, everything is okay. We’ll have you out of this thing real soon. Take a deep breath and just stay with me. I’m not leaving you – pinky promise sister swear.”
Her lips twitched up one corner. She had heard me. The alarms began to abate, she was relaxing. Nothing could betray the mighty sister pinky swear. Nothing.
It was then Ludovic and Torchy returned with a gurney and some tools. They didn’t look too inviting, but at this point, I didn’t care. I just wanted her down.
As soon as Sheridan heard Ludovic’s voice she began to slap again and murmur.
What is she going through? What is she trying to tell me? Most likely she’s telling me to run, get away from this monster – but she has no idea what had happened to Dakota and how we need this psychopath to help us.
“Do you know how to take blood pressure?” he asked.
“Aye, I know how,” Torchy jumped in.
Ludovic pressed a series of buttons at Sheridan’s computer terminal and brought up her record. A humming sound turned on as she was lowered onto the gurney they brought with them. “Careful. Don’t start pulling things out of her. There is a sequence to bringing them back. First we have to unhook the excrement tube and catheter tubes. These get changed out daily.”
Was he proud of his accomplishments? I looked at him with disgust.
“Once we unhook them, then we can lower her all the way down. Be careful not to snag her IV shunt in the webbing. It’s a bitch to get back in.” He looked at me sheepishly. I could see the swollen, purple, mottled bruises Sheridan had at her collarbone.
I didn’t let go of her hands, and I kept talking to her. “It’s okay, Sheridan, we’re going to remove the tubes now.”
She gave the faintest little nod of acknowledgment.
“Don’t go crazy on me – no fast or rushed movement. You’re still hooked up to quite a few things.”
Finally we got her onto the table, shunts, IVs, and blood lines removed.
“There are clean gowns in that closet. Can you grab her one?” Ludovic asked.
I grabbed the gown. “When can she have water? Her lips are cracked and bleeding.”
“We shouldn’t try to give her anything until she has regained full consciousness,” Torchy said. “What drug is she under? How long will it take to wear off?”
“It depends.” Ludovic shrugged. “It’s Propofol, the standard anesthesia, just a smaller dose when used for inducing coma. Some women need heavy sedation, where others don’t. Since she is coming down off her cycle and would have had another dose in thirty minutes, this was excellent timing. She could be conscious and responsive within an hour.”
I looked at Torchy. “Come on – let’s get her home.”
Chapter Forty-Six
“How is she?” Khaldon met us at the elevator.
“Fine, considering the circumstances.” I tried to hold back the emotions harboring in my throat.
“Your father is outside in the truck with Harris, waiting for you. He’s okay, Chey. He actually looks well-rested. Harris isn’t leaving his side.”
Tears of relief ran down my face.
“The cleaner crew and the medical teams are dismantling the harness systems and, helping to stabilize the women. We’re taking them to safe-houses where they have equipment, mid-wives, and other available resources to help until we can find out who they are,” Khaldon said. “Truthfully, Cheyenne, I’m not comfortable with you and Sheridan going to your place. If the Priestess shows up, that’ll be the first place she’ll look for you.”
“Where else would we go? I guess I can take her to the Super Market.”
“They can stay at my place, Khaldon,” Torchy offered. “I’ve got that huge house. In fact, I have room for two more women if you need the extra beds.”
“Torch, that’s a fantastic idea.” Khaldon grabbed his shoulder. “I know they’ll be safe with you. If I trust anyone on this planet, it’s you.”
I smiled at them. I’d had no idea they were as close as brothers.
“Is this okay with you, Cheyenne?” Khaldon asked. “Do you have any problems with this arrangement?”
“Where’s your home, Torchy? Is it far?”
“It’s just around the corner from Khaldon’s place. You can practically talk over two cans and a string between us.” Torchy smiled. His eyes were kind. We would be safe with him. I also trusted Khaldon never to do anything to hurt me. Ever.
“Okay – fair enough. When do you think you’ll be able to come by?” I asked Khaldon.
“We need to get this place cleared out, the women and babies safe, and the equipment removed. This could easily turn into an all-nighter – even with the teams Briggs and Harris brought along. We need to stay on alert and make sure this is an empty tomb before daybreak.”
“I understand. I wish I could help, but I’m not leaving my family’s side.”
“No worries. Not to sound like a chauvinist, I know you’re tough, so please don’t take this wrong – you’ve been through a helluvalot. Stay with your family tonight, Chey. Seriously, let us take care of this. You take care of yours, okay?” He looked at me with please don’t be angry eyes.
I honestly didn’t have any strength left to argue. I wanted nothing more than to have Daddy and Sheridan safely tucked away, and to plan our next move. I gave him a sideways smile as he kissed me on my forehead.
“We need to complete the logistics of discreetly purging this facility tonight. There’s a lot more women here than we first thought.”
“Let’s get this done.” Not willingly, I accepted this current plan of action. “Please call me if you need an extra pair of hands, or if we need to make room for those others. But I have to be honest here, I just don’t know if I’m capable of handling the mental health of women who’ve been here for God knows how long. Hell, when they wake up, they may not even remember who they are.”
Khaldon bobbed his head at Torch and me to step away from Sheridan’s bedside. My eyes never left her. He lowered his voice. “Listen, I didn’t want to say this out loud, but I believe you need to know.” He ran his hand through his hair and then placed both his hands on my shoulders. Khaldon looked me straight in the eyes. “Sheridan is pregnant.”
“What? Oh no! They did it already?” My hands held the side of my face.
Khaldon nodded. “I’m so sorry, Cheyenne. She was impregnated three weeks ago when she arrived here. From her records, it seems they placed two embryos for viability. She could have twins.”
“Twins!” My eyes felt as though they bugged out of my head.
“I’m going to kill these feckers!” Torchy’s
face blazed.
I pulled away from Khaldon and turned back towards Sheridan.
He grabbed my arm and pulled me back closer. “Cheyenne, the one thing about a dhampir pregnancy is we’re talking weeks to months ratios. So in essence, she is close to moving into the second trimester with this baby, or babies, we won’t have confirmation until we get her in for an ultrasound.”
I swallowed hard at his news, not wanting to believe any of it.
Oh Sheridan. I’m so sorry I didn’t find you in time. Why did this happen? What are we going to do?
“She’s going to need very specific food and nutritional supplements to maintain her and the baby’s health,” he continued. “Otherwise the dhampir fetus will take everything her human body has to offer.”
“Come on, Cheyenne. Meet me at the front entrance. We need to get some good food in her. Ain’t no way in bloody hell we’re gonna let anything else happen to her. You hear me?” Torchy grabbed my elbow as we walked towards Sheridan’s gurney. “I’ll go get the truck. We can put you in the back seat with Sheridan. Let her stay flat until she can sit up on her own.”
“Yes, all right.” I stammered still trying to understand this news and figure out how the hell I was going to tell her.
We jostled Sheridan through the vestibule, as the broken glass crunched beneath the gurney’s wheels.
“I’m sure your dad is starving for quality food too. There’s no telling what they’ve been giving him. I’ll make dinner when we get to my place. Do we need to stop and pick up the pups?”
Numb from horrific shock, I was grateful Torchy held the level of concern for us that he did. I hardly knew him, and yet he was taking care of us as if we were family. I gave him a wry smile and nodded in agreement. He took off to get the truck.