My heart raced when I saw my father next to Harris. Daddy waved at me. I pushed the gurney forward. Khaldon stopped me. I turned to face him.
“At least we found them, Chey. I know you’re still worried about Dakota. Look at it this way. Tonight we not only rescued your sister, but it looks like we rescued a lot of other sisters, mothers, wives, and daughters here as well. You’ve done good.”
Chapter Forty-Seven
Torchy Gravenor’s Home
Feeling a bit relieved to have Sheridan and my father safe with me again, I watched out the window as a photoshopped Florida sunset graced us with its presence. Torchy’s home had a magnificent view of the Big Sand Lake. Just across the way from Khaldon’s condo, Torch had a lakeside view with lighted marinas docked at each home. I watched as a little green lizard darted across the lanai patio off the side of the guest room.
Torchy and I sat in his comfortable guest room trying to stave off the tension of when Sheridan would fully awake from the anesthesia. We each held one of her hands and watched True Blood on HBO Go using Torchy’s laptop. It was curious to see Torchy so attached to my sister. I remembered when Khaldon had explained to me how smitten Torchy was with Sheridan. He loved how smart she was in her interview. After he had seen her photo in Gamer Magazine, he wished one day to meet her. Who wouldn’t? She was one of the most successful women in the gaming industry having built a global, multi-mass player role playing game. None of us would have ever found one another if it weren’t for the overwhelming success of ExsanguiNation.
I heard Sheridan moan as she slowly moved her head.
Standing up, I cradled her cheek in my hand. “Hey there, Sher – how ya doing?”
It was easy to tell she was confused and most likely coming out of a nightmare. “It’s okay, Sheridan. I’m here. You’re safe.”
Torchy sat closer to the bedside, but not too close.
“Wha …where?” Sheridan whispered in a groggy voice.
“Sheridan. It’s me, Cheyenne, your pain in the ass little sister. Remember me?”
A partial smile curved at the side of her mouth. “Yeah …” Her tongue snaked out across her lips. They were cracked and dry.
“Do you want some water? I have a glass and a straw here,” I asked.
She nodded.
“Okay then, I’ll have to set you up just a little. Can you open your eyes?”
She nodded again. She pulled at her eyelids with the muscles in her face, and they tentatively opened. Squinting at the light in the room, Torchy immediately grabbed the remote and turned down the brightness in the room.
“Are you okay?” I asked. “You’ve been through quite a spell.” She nodded again. “My friend here, Torchy, is gonna help me pull you up, all right? We have lots of nice, comfy pillows here for you. They’re white – your favorite color.”
A wry smiled crossed her face. “Okay here we go… one, two and a three.” Torchy and I carefully propped her up on the pillows and stashed more under her arms to help stabilize.
She had her eyes opened, still trying to adjust to her surroundings. She looked up at me, her puffy face made me want to burst out crying, but I held my composure to keep her as calm as possible. “There now, you look like a princess, sitting there with a hundred pillows at your beck and call.” Stormy jumped on the bed and cuddled in beside her. She stroked the furry monster.
I grabbed the water cup off the nightstand and held it for her while she sucked it down greedily. After a few moments, I pulled the cup away.
Her mouth grabbed for the straw again. “Mo … more,” she said.
“You need to take it easy, sweetie. You’ve been in an induced coma, and your body needs to adjust. If you drink too much too fast —” And with that, she promptly threw up on me.
“It’s all right. Go easy – just easy little sips now. I’ll go get some towels,” Torchy said as he got up and left the room.
“He’s kinda cute isn’t he?” I winked at her.
She nodded again with a stupid grin.
“It’s good to see you smile and even better that you’re safe here with me.” I leaned in for a hug. “Sher – I thought for sure I had lost you.”
She hugged me back with what little bit of strength she had.
Torchy returned with towels and something that looked like a vanilla milk-shake. “Aye now, lassie, here ya go.” He handed me the towel and we got her sopped up. “I’ve brought you something here you might not like, but it’s got vitamins in it to help you gain some strength back.”
“I think it’s the same stuff you gave Daddy when he was in the hospital.”
She scrunched up her face.
“Yeah – I know, not a Ghirardelli gourmet shake. Let’s just stick with water for now, until your tummy settles. You’ll be hungry enough soon.”
“Daddy? Where? Is he …?” she stammered.
“He’s okay. He’s in the next room catching a snoozer.” Torchy stood up and opened the adjoining door to the suite. Our father was sleeping on a bed with Beano nestled up against his back. Sheridan winced as she turned her neck and reached for the place where the blood shunt had been located. She nodded and turned back to face us.
Torchy sat back down beside her. “Are you hungry? Are you in any pain?”
Almost on cue, Sheridan’s stomach rumbled. She held her arms frozen across her belly, her eyes opened wide. I held the water straw in front of her again, and this time she managed a tiny sip. She looked down at her belly and ran her hands over the top of it.
I could see the hamster wheel of questions running through her mind when she looked up at me. “What … happened? I don’t remember.”
I let her take another sip of water.
“There is a lot to explain, how do you feel?”
She looked at me and then again at Torchy.
“It’s okay – he’s one of the good guys,” I explained.
“I hurt. Everything is sore. Like a moose ran over me or something. I’m starving. What happened? Where’s Dakota?”
How was I going to explain about her kidnapping, pregnancy, and Dakota? Let alone me – how was I going to explain to her, I was a vampire?
“Dakota is all right. She’s not here right now. I hope she’ll be back soon.”
“Cheyenne, can you help me to the bathroom? I really feel terrible. Can I take a shower or something?”
“Absolutely,” Torchy said. “Let me draw you a bath.” He jumped up and left the room.
Within moments, we heard the hot water filling the tub. I helped her walk gingerly to the bathroom. Sheridan stopped mid-step with her eyes glued on the mirror. With shaking fingers, she touched the swollen, purple bruises at her collarbone and between her thighs.
I swallowed hard not sure of what to say. Words could not express the pain I held in my heart for her. I wished I could take her place and could have saved her from this awful nightmare. She remained silent and headed for the steamy bath water. When she was ready to talk, she would let me know.
Sheridan continued to cry silent tears as I washed and conditioned her hair.
I finally broke the heavy silence. “I’m going to find you some pain medicine. You need a good night sleep tonight without any worries, okay?”
She nodded.
“There’s a lot to tell you, but just for tonight, let’s concentrate on you feeling better. Everything is gonna be just fine.”
I turned to leave the room. She shot her hand up out of the water, splashing the floor. She grabbed my arm. Her eyes frightened.
“I’m here – I’m not leaving. Do you want me to leave the door open? I’ll be right back. I promise.”
She slowly released the death grip on my wrist and nodded. I kissed her on top of her head. Suddenly I understood what my father had felt like when he took care of me in the hospital.
Following the smells of dinner cooking, I met up with Torchy in the kitchen. “She’s pretty shook up, Torch.”
“I can’t even begin to imagine th
e horror and violation she must be feeling inside.” He chopped an onion into the skillet and seared it in the garlic and butter.
Abruptly, a loud emergency signal blared out of the television.
“We interrupt this regularly scheduled broadcast to announce a mandatory lockdown of Lakeshore Palms Community Golf Course and Driving Range. Anyone around this area is asked to stay in your house. Lock all doors and windows. State police and National Guard are securing the surrounding area. An unknown force is killing people on the golf course. Over ten eyewitness accounts have seen a flying creature terrorizing the golfers and homeowners. Repeat … this is an emergency broadcast encouraging residents of Lakeshore Palms to stay indoors under mandatory lockdown.”
I looked at Torchy and rubbed at my forehead. “Well, I think we’ve found Dakota.”
Chapter Forty-Eight
I dialed Khaldon’s phone.
He picked up on the second ring. “Hey, sweetie. How’s everything going? Sheridan and your dad doing all right?”
“We’re fine. Daddy is sleeping. Sheridan has come out of the fog, and she’s in a bath. We stopped and picked up the dogs, so they’re over here. But listen, I know you’ve got a ton going on right now, but have you seen the news tonight?”
“No. What’s going on?”
“It looks as if Dakota is out feeding again. The National Guard has been called out and they’re evacuating Lakeshore Palms golf course. A flying creature is attacking the golfers. Is there anything we can do to try and catch her tonight?”
“Bollocks, Chey. This is not good news nor terrific timing. We’ve got Ludovic helping all the teams properly prepare the women to be moved. Let me pull him aside for a few to try and communicate with Dakota.”
“Do you think he can get a message to her to stop killing? She needs to be warned she’s in danger. They’ll kill her if she stays out in the open.”
“We’ll do our best, Chey. We simply don’t have the resources. Where would we keep her tonight even if we did manage to catch her? I’m not sure you understand the savageness she is capable of, Cheyenne.”
“Where are Harris and Briggs right now?”
“They just got back after moving a few of the patients. They’re right here with me.”
“Good. Can you put me on speaker?”
“Okay, you’re on speaker. I have the guys here with me.”
I explained the situation again about what Torchy and I just heard on TV.
Harris said, “Chey, if Ludovic can’t contact her, Briggs and I will track her tonight to see where she goes.”
“Yes. That’s exactly what I was hoping. A plan B for her location.”
“You’ve got it, Chey Chey,” Briggs said. “Harris you know how to get over to this golf course?”
My voice hitched up a notch. “Briggs, don’t fly tonight. The news said the National Guard is out looking for a flying creature.”
“Thanks for the heads up. We’ll only track and follow.”
“We’ll call you soon with an update, all right?” Harris said.
“Fair enough. I know you guys will do everything you can. Thank you. Just … be careful dammit. I’m scared this is going to create a lot of attention and the Queen could show up at any time.”
Khaldon agreed. “You’ve got a valid point, but the best thing we can do tonight, is stick to the plan. To keep suspicions down, Stovall is working with a local Wiccan coven to help set up glamours in the area. With all the cars, trucks and vans in and out of here, there was bound to be a tip off from a private citizen, and that would make the news. We’ve got the facility half way evacuated. This has turned into a logistical nightmare. Stovall is trying to find enough places to accommodate the women. We received word the Super Market is going to provide hotel room access for most of the patients until we know what to do with them. Stovall isn’t sure how to proceed at this point and isn’t exactly entertaining the idea of contacting the Queen about all this.”
“Dakota will have to nest down before dawn,” Khaldon said. “She’ll stay put during the day and we can plan out our mission. We’ll meet you back at Torchy’s house in the morning.”
We hung up, and I felt so empty inside. Maybe it was the looming conversation with Sheridan that had me in knots. I prayed for sleep. So many things needed to happen in the next twenty-four hours.
Close after dawn, brilliant streaks of orange rays against pink clouds, cascaded ribbons across the sky. Khaldon had called earlier letting us know they were on their way. He explained how after removing women from the breeding facility and cleaning the bloody remains from Dakota’s attacks, he and Lord Stovall were whipped. The abstergers were still sanitizing the minds of the humans who were involved, including the National Guard.
Khaldon sat out on the patio with me. He had fresh kolaches with steaming cups of mocha coffee in the to-go tray.
Peering into the bag of goodies I inhaled the deliciousness of the spicy cheeses. “Mmm … my favorite. How did you know I love the jalapeno, cheddar ones?” I asked him.
“Seemed to match your personality. One fine, spicy kolache.” Khaldon winked at me.
Torchy walked out onto the lanai where I sat watching the sunrise. “How did you sleep, Cheyenne?” he asked.
“It was sporadic but other than the couple of times Sheridan cried out from night terrors, it was fair. I slept much better than I expected for not being in my own room and worrying about everyone.”
“Rox, did you by chance bring anything a little milder here for Sheridan?” Torchy asked. “She can’t handle any spice right now. Her tummy is a bit queasy, and I don’t think she cares much for my saltines.”
Smiling at Khaldon, he handed me a coffee and said, “As a matter of fact, I brought vanilla almond milk and some old-fashioned cake donuts. Thought maybe she might like to dip them.” Khaldon arranged the goodies on a serving tray.
Before he could hand it to Sheridan, Torchy grabbed a single bud flower vase from the kitchen table and placed it on her tray.
Sheridan walked out onto the lanai and joined us. “Thanks, guys. This looks delicious, I just hope I can keep it down. I don’t know why I feel so nauseated and hungry – all at the same time.” She ate for a few moments and we sat in silence, just watching her. Stormaggedon pranced out onto the porch with Ash and Soot behind her. Beano trotted along behind them. “Hey, Pookie, come here, sweetie.” Sheridan cuddled the little Pomsky in her lap.
“Wow, looks like we have the whole family. And who are you fellas.” Ash and Soot wagged their tails as they sniffed the breakfast bags for future promises of crumbs.
“You definitely look and sound like you’re feeling a lot better this morning, Sheridan.” I handed her some of the almond milk.
Sheridan looked around the room and stared out the screen enclosure at the morning sun. “I do feel better, but I have a lot of questions. Such as – who are you?” Sheridan pointed at Khaldon.
I nudged her side. “Sheridan … you’ll never believe in a hundred years who this is.”
“And you’re gonna make me try and guess?”
“No, silly. This is Khaldon Seters a.k.a. Roxas Morgwain – in the flesh!” I said.
Sheridan’s eyes widened in surprised. “Well, Mr. Morgwain, it is about damn time I get to meet the man I send a lot of money to for developing my software.”
He grinned ear to ear. “All I can say, Sheridan, is we’re so very happy we got you out of that place.” Khaldon came over and sat by me.
I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“I see you two didn’t waste any time,” she said.
“Harris and Briggs just turned down the drive. I’ll meet them out front. Do you feel well enough for more company, Miss Sheridan?” Torchy asked.
Sheridan turned to look at me, her eyebrows arched. “Miss Sheridan … I kinda like that. What are those two clowns here for?”
I grabbed her hand. “Sher, we have a lot of things we need to discuss with you today. Things you’
ve never heard of before. Things that are real, and with real consequences. We need our team, our family, to get through this.”
The energy in the room shifted from light and fluffy to dense and heavy. Khaldon looked up at Torchy and gave him a nod. Torchy left to greet the fellas. Ash and Soot were hard on his heels to go to the door. I heard a couple of car doors slam outside as Ash howled out the warning.
Sheridan took a small sip of the almond milk and moaned. “Gawd that’s good. Okay bring them on in. Let’s get through this together.” She looked around. “Is Daddy still sleeping?”
“Yeah – I expect he’ll sleep for a while. He hasn’t been consistent on his medication, so I’m taking him into the doctor today for a checkup and make sure his blood levels are all right. I’m gonna go peek in on him.”
It wasn’t but a few more minutes when Torchy returned with Harris and Briggs. Harris ran over to Sheridan and hugged her. “Hey, Sher. How ya doing? It’s good to have you back.”
She smiled at him. “Thanks for helping. I’m still pretty confused about everything.” Sheridan’s eyes widened when Briggs came in through the door. “And you must be Briggs.”
“At your service, boss. Good to finally meet you. Not necessarily under these circumstances.” Briggs bent down to hug Sheridan.
“I’m beginning to think the Christmas party would have been a much better venue,” I joked.
We pulled extra chairs onto the porch and got settled.
“So, Sheridan, I’m not real sure how to begin or even where to start. I was hoping perhaps you could tell us what you remember last. Then we can fill in the blanks and probably add in a couple of chapters.” I gave her an apologetic smile and sat back down.
She looked around the room at all of us. “Okay, this is weird. I know most of you very well, and yet I feel as if I’m sitting in a room full of strangers.”
“Maybe we should put on headsets and talk with our eyes closed,” I teased. “Face time is strange when you aren’t used to it. But seriously now, what is the last thing you remember Halloween night?”
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