Wrenching Fate

by Brooklyn Ann

  “He helped me,” Akasha fixed them both with a glare. “Milbury was going to kill him too. He’s not part of the COAT. Please, let him go.”

  Grudgingly, the vampires released their prey. Holmes shuffled backwards to Akasha’s side. His face contorted in pain as he held his bleeding shoulder.

  “Thank you for sparing me,” he panted. “I’m Joe Holmes, FBI. I’d offer a handshake, but as you can see…” He trailed off as blood dripped all over the floor.

  Silas began to laugh. “Head of the AIU department? Oh, this is just precious.”

  Holmes smiled weakly. “Yes, the irony is not lost on me. Not only did you fool us completely, McNaught, but you know of us?”

  “We all know of you, and your European counterparts,” he replied gruffly.

  Holmes fell back into his usual enthusiasm for scientific discovery. “I’d love to ask you some questions.”

  “Not a chance,” Silas shook his head.

  “We have not decided whether we will let you live yet, mortal,” Razvan added, doing his “dark scary villain” routine, circling the scientist.

  “Knock it off, dipshit,” Akasha told him. “Can’t you see he’s been shot? Make yourself useful and either heal him or get me a beer…or at least a cigarette.”

  Holmes flinched at her words to the vampire, eyes the size of saucers.

  Razvan chuckled. “You are quite a mouthy wench today.”

  She sighed. “It’s been a real shitty day.”

  Sympathy actually glimmered in his onyx eyes. He bowed and dug the bullet out of the scientist’s shoulder, oblivious to the cries of pain. Then he bit his finger to apply the healing magic to Holmes’s wound.

  The man’s eyes were huge beneath his glasses as the injury vanished.

  “The curative powers of your blood never cease to amaze me,” Joe remarked. “I still haven’t managed to duplicate it, much less isolate the individual compounds…” He shook his head and tried to smooth his poofy white hair. “I’m sorry for digressing. I suppose you would like to view Milbury’s files and destroy them?”

  Silas nodded and handed Akasha a cigarette, ignoring Joe’s disapproving frown. “I would like to read your findings as well. I want to know everything you have done to her.” His piercing gaze made Holmes tremble.

  By the time they’d viewed everything it was almost dusk. Akasha convinced the vampires to let Joe go free, but she was still very worried on another account.

  “Even if you keep your mouth shut, Joe, and even if we destroy this place and all the data, they’ll wonder what happened, and they’ll track us down if we don’t move.” She crushed her cigarette butt on the floor. “I mean, I’m grateful to be alive, but it still looks like we’re screwed.”

  “Not necessarily…” Agent Holmes said, chewing on a pen.

  Her eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?”

  The scientist grinned. “What is a government good for if not for a cover-up?”

  “Explain, mortal,” Razvan demanded.

  Holmes chuckled. “With the sheets you were wearing, it wouldn’t be too hard to adjust the camera footage and leave enough intact to make it look like the work of radical Middle-Eastern terrorists. Especially since Milbury was stationed in Iraq on some secret assignment until he lost his fingers. It’s my knowledge of those facts that led to Milbury’s ultimate decision to annihilate me, or so I believe.”

  “Why, that’s brilliant!” Silas clapped Holmes on the back. “You can do that for us?”

  Holmes smirked. “I can…but for a price.”

  Silas’s eyes glowed and his accent thickened. “Och mon, what game are ye playin’? What price? I should think your life is sufficient tender.”

  “A vial of your blood.” He held up a hand before anyone could object. “I know…you could kill me any time. I only want the blood to study further… to try to make cures for diseases and such. We already have some, so it wouldn’t be a huge betrayal of your kind… I just need more and I would prefer to get it honestly.”

  There was a long, tangible pause before Silas spoke. “Aye, I could kill you any time. Ye best remember that. If I agree I will have your solemn oath that ye will do as ye said and draw the government’s eyes away from Akasha and our kind?”

  Holmes nodded emphatically. “I don’t want any of you dead!” He attempted to laugh, but it came out dry and rusty. “You people are far more interesting alive.”

  Silas nodded in impatience. “Get your syringe.”

  “And hurry up Joe,” Akasha added. “I don’t mind your company, but still I’d like to get the fuck out of here.”

  ***

  Agent Holmes whispered a prayer of thanks for his life when Akasha and the vampires departed.

  He’d been terrified that they’d discover his ulterior motives. Not that he didn’t want them to be safe, he genuinely admired the love the two so clearly had for each other.

  It was only that he had some benefits of his own if the military knew nothing of his involvement with this incident. He doctored the camera footage and erased all evidence of his presence within a few hours quicker than he expected.

  He congratulated himself as he rigged the timed explosives.

  Minutes later, he whistled a cheery tune as he carried the cooler containing Akasha’s eggs and Silas McNaught’s blood out of the building.

  ***

  “You brought my car!” Akasha exclaimed, wiping joyous tears from her eyes. Her Roadrunner glistened before her, racing stripes brilliant in the moonlight.

  Silas shrugged. “I thought you would want to see her right away. Do you feel well enough to drive?”

  Akasha took a minute to compose herself before she began squealing like a girl. He was so thoughtful. “Maybe for a little while. Where are we, anyway?”

  “Richland, Washington,” Razvan told her. “It’s about a three hour drive home.”

  “Really?” she said. “That’s closer than I thought.”

  “My guess is they planned it that way.” Silas said, a growl of rage still tingeing his voice. “They probably couldn’t handle transporting a hellion like you very far. We were very lucky that you were not hurt badly.” He took a shuddering breath as if unable to bear the thought. “I have a doctor waiting at home to examine you, in any case.”

  Akasha slid into the driver’s seat, tipping it forward for Razvan to get in the back.

  “You want me to ride in the rear?” he asked, outraged. “Surely you jest, woman. I made your master.”

  Akasha rolled her eyes. “Waaa, fuckin’ waaa. The boyfriend always gets shotgun in my car. You can fly home if you like.”

  Razvan grumbled and got in. “I am too weary to fly all that way.”

  When they were all settled, Akasha started the engine and honked the horn, smiling as it went “Meep-Meep” just like the roadrunner on “Looney-Tunes.” Whoever designed this car was a genius.

  “You can hypnotize the cops, right?” she asked as she did a doughnut in the barnyard before pulling onto the road.

  Silas grinned, heartbreakingly handsome even in the dark. “I take it you’re in a hurry?”

  “Yeah. I need a hot shower and a cold beer ASAP…maybe two beers…or six.” She lit a cigarette as she got onto I-90, rolling the window down all the way. Akasha didn’t like to smoke in her car, but after the hours of captivity and certain death, she didn’t give a shit.

  They were almost halfway home before her fatigue caught up with her and she was forced to relinquish the wheel to Silas. She was just dozing off when she heard Razvan whisper to Silas. “When are you going to tell her?”

  Silas sighed in obvious dread. “I do not know. Soon.”

  Tell me what? Akasha wanted to ask, but sleep sucked her under.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  After the doctor departed and Akasha showered, Silas was still whispering prayers of thanks that his love had survived her captivity.

  As much as he wished to bask in the joy of their reunion, another threat l
oomed over them.

  He leaned back in his chair at the dining room table and watched Akasha pound her fifth beer as he finished telling her about the summons from the Elders.

  She seemed to be taking it quite well.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding,” she growled, crushing her can to a pulp before grabbing another.

  Silas sighed and sipped his scotch. “I’m afraid not, lass.”

  She lit a cigarette and continued pacing like an agitated lioness. “I always wanted to visit Amsterdam, but not to face a possible death sentence. We gotta be there the day after tomorrow you said? How’s that gonna work?”

  “Razvan scheduled a private jet that will leave tomorrow evening,” Silas told her. “It’s Xochitl I’m worried about. I can handle her foster parents and I have a man ready to forge passports and identification for you both. I just don’t know what to tell her.”

  Akasha chuckled and flicked her cigarette. “We’ll say, ‘wanna go to Amsterdam?’ She may be an alien or something, but she’s still just as nuts about taking a vacation as the rest of us. You and Razvan can bespell her when we get to the courtroom or whatever.”

  Silas sighed and took another drink. “That’s probably the best we can do.”

  He set down his glass and let his gaze rove over Akasha. Her skin was pink and her sable curls were still damp from her shower. What a beauty she is. He longed to nibble on the tiny pink toes peeking under her bathrobe.

  “It is only two hours before dawn,” Silas said, trying to be discreet.

  Akasha’s eyes darkened to purple and her rosebud lips parted. “This may be the last time we get to be alone together,” she whispered. “Could we… Will you…?” She blushed beautifully, making him hard.

  “Come here.” His voice was thick with need. She rose and opened her robe, revealing her nakedness.

  He sucked in a breath at the sight of her creamy skin, pert breasts and the delicate triangle of dark curls at the juncture of her exquisite thighs. A tiny stitched wound marred her perfection above her pubic bone, off to one side.

  “What is that, lass?” He touched the wound; her skin was hot under his fingertips.

  Akasha shrugged. “I don’t know. I just noticed it in the shower. The doctor missed it ‘cuz I wouldn’t let him see me naked.” She ran a hand through her hair and climbed up onto his lap. “I don’t want to think about it right now.” Her tongue flicked across his earlobe. “I’d much rather think about you, all of you.”

  The heat of her chased all thoughts away. He captured those sweet lips with his and devoured her mouth as he felt the silk of her skin under his hands. She fumbled with the buttons of his shirt and he groaned when her hands caressed his chest.

  Akasha moaned against his lips as she ground herself against the hardness straining against his pants.

  “I want you now.” She tangled her hands in his hair.

  “Hold on lass.” He gently lifted her onto the table.

  Silas moved his glass out of the way and spread her robe beneath her.

  He unzipped his trousers and his eyes drank in the sight of her body spread out on the table before him like a pagan offering. The thought almost undid him.

  He slowly slid inside her, gasping at the feel of slick tight heat. She was paradise incarnate. It was all he could do not to ravage her like a thing possessed.

  “Harder,” she moaned.

  It was as if she’d read his mind. “Are you sure?” he asked, feeling sweat gather on his upper lip.

  Her hips bucked up to meet his. “Fuck me Silas!”

  At her words, the chains of his control snapped. He grabbed her legs and pounded into her with such force the table rocked.

  “Yes!” She thrashed beneath him as his thumb rubbed against her clit.

  He took her like he wanted to take her the first time he laid eyes on her. She’s finally mine. Mine! Mine! He felt her clenching on his cock and exploded with a feral roar.

  “That was amazing,” she panted when they finished.

  Her skin flushed pink, strawberries and cream. Silas licked his lips as his cock jerked within her. She trembled, tightening deliciously around his shaft.

  A glance at the window told him dawn was on its way. They’d have to move if he wanted to continue.

  “I’m not finished with you yet, lass,” he whispered.

  Akasha’s eyes widened. “There’s more?”

  “Oh yes.”

  He punctuated his words with another thrust.

  ***

  Akasha gasped in shocked pleasure as Silas lifted her off the table and carried her, still impaled, down the hall. This was a benefit to a vampire’s strength she had not imagined. His forearm muscles felt like iron around her waist as he used his other hand to open the secret passage to his lair.

  She almost screamed in excitement as he slowly descended the stairs. She could feel him moving inside her with every step. Already on the verge of orgasm when they reached the bottom floor, she came the second they reached the bed.

  “Now I want to savor you.” Silas’s husky whisper promised further pleasure. His skin glistened deliciously in the candlelight.

  He made love to her until she was limp with exhaustion. She came so many times she lost count. When they collapsed on the bed sated, he murmured, “Sleep with me awhile. But make sure you’re up in time to get Xochitl. The plane leaves at nine.”

  Akasha nodded slowly and stretched like a contented cat. “If we get out of this alive, promise you’ll fuck me in every room of this house.”

  His chest rumbled as he laughed low. “That is a promise I will gladly keep.”

  As she snuggled against him, a chill prickled her flesh as her own words haunted her soul.

  If we get out of this alive

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Getting Xochitl to agree to a trip to Amsterdam was easier than Akasha imagined. It was the fact that they were only going to be there for two days that made her protest.

  “But we won’t have time to see everything!” she cried for like the fifth time.

  Razvan shook his head. “When you are famous, dear girl, you can travel as much and as long as you want. Now take your passport and buckle up. We are about to take off.”

  “Did you hear that, Isis?” Xochitl said to the complaining cat. “You can get out of that awful carrier soon.”

  The jet surged as it took off down the runway. Xochitl squealed. “Oh I’ve never been on a plane before…or off this continent. This is so awesome!”

  Selfish as it was, Akasha was glad Xochitl was going to be there with her. Her childlike enthusiasm for life was just contagious enough to keep Akasha from having a nervous breakdown. She looked over at her friend, caught anew at her stunning beauty. Her pearlescent skin seemed to glow, her hair looked like spun obsidian. The purple streaks appeared simultaneously soft and metallic. If this glorious creature lost her life for being her friend, the guilt would kill her.

  Xochitl spent the first couple hours of the flight bouncing around the cabin of the jet, exclaiming over the view and trying to persuade her cat to look out the window. Finally she settled in her seat and slipped her headphones on and relaxed. The tinny sound of Iron Maiden sang in the small compartment.

  “Just how are we supposed to explain her to the United Nations of vampires?” Akasha muttered.

  Silas frowned and ran a hand through his black hair. “I have no idea. What’s worse is I don’t know what will happen if we do not keep her mind under. If she knows what we are and what is going on…” He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “Do you believe in God, Akasha?”

  She shook her head briskly, remembering Mrs. Steele’s psychotic religious zeal with a shudder.

  “I wish you did,” he told her gravely. “We are going to need His help.”

  ***

  A vampire flunky met them at the airport. He did some moderately embarrassing bowing and scraping as he promised to take them to their hotel and handle the exchange of their American d
ollars to Euros.

  “They’re sure giving us star treatment,” Akasha whispered to Silas when they were ensconced in the limo. “Maybe this won’t be as bad as we thought.”

  “It doesn’t mean anything, lass,” Silas said ruefully. “It’s merely old-world courtesy. We will truly be treated as innocents until proven guilty.”

  Razvan added, “So you had better make the most of it while you can.”

  Akasha looked at Xochitl’s legs dangling out of the open sunroof of the limo and tried to make light of the fact. “At least we’ll be able to have a good last meal. Crab and lobster, I think.”

  Isis meowed loudly. Akasha grinned at the cat hiding under the seat. “Oh, you like the sound of that, do you, precious?”

  Xochitl plopped down out of the sunroof. “Who said ‘crab?’”

  Akasha wondered how they were going to get Xochitl to the trial without her suspecting anything. When they arrived at the hotel, Razvan told her.

  Akasha shook her head. “Seriously? You want me to get her stoned?”

  Razvan nodded. “Those that are ‘smokin’ the reefer,’ as they say, are ridiculously susceptible to our powers. The sixties were an amusing time for me. I could make those hippies do anything.” He chuckled, obviously reliving fond memories.

  Silas returned to the sitting room of the suite. He had scratches all over his hands.

  “What happened to you?” Akasha asked.

  “I was helping Xochitl remove the harness from her wild beast.” He looked down at his bloody hands and smiled. “I think it will be your turn next, Razvan.”

  Razvan shuddered. “I think not. Any way, it is nearly dawn. We had better go to our quarters.” He handed Akasha a briefcase. “Here is all I think you will need. Be back here at sunset. Do not get lost and do not get into trouble.”

  “Right,” Akasha couldn’t keep the sarcasm from her voice. All I have to do is get my friend baked so she can be hypnotized by a dozen ancient bloodsuckers. What’s the trouble in that?

  ***

  A half-hour after sunset, Silas paced the hotel room, cursing under his breath as Isis wove in and out between his legs. “They got lost, I know it. Damn it, Razvan, we should have made them stay here.”