Bureau Under Siege

by A. K. Michaels

  She saw a few that were about to argue then thought better of it, turning around and heading back to their desks.

  Charmaine joined her. “Do you think Sam and Ronan will be okay?”

  Starr spoke with a confidence she didn’t feel. “Of course, would take more than a little explosion to hurt those two. Now, why don’t we see if we can get some coffee on the brew, looks like we may need it.”

  “Okay, I can do that,” Charmaine said as she walked away towards the break room in the corner.

  As she looked around Starr’s worry increased. They were on the fourth floor and if things had been knocked around here then just what kind of damage lay below?

  *****

  Ronan and Sam took the stairs, heading down as fast as they could move, taking the steps three and four at a time. His mind going in a dozen different directions as he thought on Sam’s words, a bomb! If that were the case then he was pretty certain who was to blame…Mikhail Karloff.

  If that were the case then Ronan would take great pleasure in ending the Vampire personally.

  “Where do you think it was? The garage?” Sam shouted to be heard over the alarms that were still ringing loudly in the stairwell.

  “I’m sure we’ll know when we reach the floor that’s been hit.” Ronan shouted back, just as they jumped down to the doorway leading to the ground floor and the smoke, dusts, shouts and screams told him all he needed to know.

  The door was jammed closed and it took both Ronan and Sam’s Vampire strength to get it open. As they did it was obvious the reason for it being jammed, pieces of concrete were littered behind it, together with a large piece of a steel girder had blocked it. There were several guards lying on the floor, dark blood oozing from gaping wounds, some of them obviously dead.

  Sam’s curse came a second after his own. “Fucking bastard!”

  Ronan moved forward, bending down and checking on each body he came to for any sign of life. So far it was three for three dead, his anger growing with each one of his men that lay shattered and broken amongst the debris. The only light was coming from the large hole where the doors used to be.

  “Fuck! Ronan!” Sam’s voice was filled with horror and Ronan’s blood turned to ice.

  Turning around he saw his friend on his knees cradling the head of someone in his lap. Ronan made his way over slowly, certain that he didn’t want to see whoever it was. Dread in his stomach a he reached Sam and looked down.

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake! No!” Ronan’s stomach roiled as he fought feelings of shock and despair as he saw the blood stained face of Drake held within Sam’s hands.

  “We need to get this bastard!” Sam spat out, hatred in every syllable.

  “We will, we fucking will!” Ronan’s anger was now so vast he wasn’t sure if he could keep it under control. All he wanted to do was find whoever was responsible for this carnage and rip them apart…slowly.

  A loud roar reverberated around them causing both he and Sam to turn quickly, looking for another threat. What Ronan saw was almost worse than that though; Serge barreled across the debris, coming straight for them.

  “No! Tell me it’s not true, Ronan!” Serge pleaded as he saw the broken body of his best friend.

  Ronan grabbed Serge’s shoulders. “I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, Serge. Maybe you should go and see if there’s anything you can do upstairs. Let us deal with this.”

  Serge’s body thrummed with anger and power as his eyes saw the damage Drake had sustained. “No, I’ll deal with him.” Serge spoke through clenched teeth, obviously fighting for control.

  “You don’t need to do this, Serge. We can handle it,” Sam spoke as he gently lay Drake’s head back onto the rocks and rubble that surrounded them.

  “Yes,” Serge met Sam’s eyes, “I do. He would do the same for me, Sam, you know that.”

  “Okay, Serge,” Sam’s voice low and thick with emotion as he patted Serge on the shoulder.

  “Ronan, you better get on, see if there’s others that you can help. I’ll take care of Drake.”

  Ronan’s heart ached with the sorrow he could feel rolling off of Serge, he turned away, not able to stare at the broken body of his friend any longer. He returned to his search for survivors in the devastation surrounding them.

  “Ronan!” Creed’s shout interrupted his search and he looked around, finding the Vampire making his way through the rubble towards him.

  “Mikhail?” Ronan asked through gritted teeth.

  Creed looked around with revulsion clear on his face. “Has to be. Nobody else would dare to launch an attack here.”

  Sam joined them, looking shocked and angry at the same time. “Is anyone alive?”

  Creed shook his head, “Not that I’ve found so far. One Elite squad and the three Wolves that were on duty here are all dead.”

  “Drake’s among the dead,” Ronan spoke with disbelief, still not quite grasping his friend was gone.

  Creed frowned, looking over briefly to where Drake’s body lay. “I know, I saw him. He was doing an extra shift on guard duty. He shouldn’t even have been here.”

  “Yeah, that’s Drake, always helping whenever he can.”

  Creed pointed over to the front corner of the destroyed area. “I’ve found a body of a Vampire that’s not one of ours. I can only assume he’s one of Mikhail’s and he acted as a suicide bomber.”

  “How?” Ronan’s anger was growing with each passing second, “Shouldn’t the magical alerts have gone off? Even if it was a lone man and the guys keeping watch on the cameras didn’t spot him, the spells should’ve alerted us and what about the Wolves out patrolling? They should’ve scented a stranger long before he got this close.”

  Creed snarled as he looked around him, towards the gaping hole in the front of the building. “I don’t know. If I’m being honest, I’m worried about them. I want your permission to get a couple of my squads and go and look for them.”

  Ronan held his hand up, halting Creed as he turned to Sam. “Get teams down here to clean up, we’ll need to burn the bodies of the Vamps but the Wolves will want to take theirs back to Pack land for burial. Afraid that’s gonna have to wait for a few days ‘til we get this threat dealt with and I know they’re not gonna be happy with that so try and deal with them softly, Sam. Also, get Esther in my office, now, I want to know why her spells failed…again! Creed, firstly, try calling all the teams that are out, if there are any that don’t check in I want the others to go and check on them. I don’t want you out there right now.”

  Sam turned away, heading back to the stairwell. “I’ll get started.” He said as he disappeared into the darkness.

  Creed’s face was taut with tension. “Ronan, I really think I should go out and see…”

  Ronan stopped him, “No, I said no and I mean it. You’re not in the right frame of mind right now and what’s worse is that I think you may just go off on your own and try and deal with this Mikhail. That is not an option, so don’t even think ‘bout it. Do as I told you and do it now. I need to know if any more of our men have been hurt, or worse.”

  He watched as the muscles in Creed’s neck and jaws tightened, the guard taking a moment before answering. “Fine, you’re the boss.”

  “That I am, but this is the best course of action right now. I’m not putting anyone else out there until I know what the fuck is going on. Now, get me the information and come find me in my office. Make sure there are other guards down here to look out for the guys that are gonna be working to sort out this mess. We need the building secured before nightfall.”

  Ronan looked at the bodies one last time before heading back upstairs. “This fucker doesn’t know what he’s let himself in for!” he thought as he ran up the stairs, not even breaking a sweat.

  Chapter 6

  Ronan found Starr pacing back and forward in the hallway outside their offices, nibbling on a fingernail. The worry in her face pulling at him deep inside. Quickening his steps he reached her, pulling her into his embrace
. “You okay, Puff?”

  A sigh escaped her lips as her whole body relaxed. “I am now. I was worried, Fang. What the hell happened?”

  He couldn’t stop the growl that rumbled from his chest upwards, coming out low and menacing. “Mikhail Karloff. That’s what happened. A fucking suicide bomber but what I need to know is why the spells didn’t alert us or why the teams out patrolling didn’t scent a strange Vamp on our turf.”

  Starr pointed. “Esther’s waiting in there for you.”

  Ronan let Starr go, striding to his office and pushing the door open. Esther was sitting in a chair, her eyes closed and her hands moving as if casting a spell. His reproachful words died on his lips, not wishing to interrupt if she was using magic. Instead he went to his chair and sat down, waiting on the old Witch to finish what she was doing. Starr stood at the door expectantly, obviously wishing to know how the Vampire had breached their security with such ease.

  Another few moments passed before Esther’s hands stopped moving, her eyes opening and staring straight at him. “Ronan,” was all she said as he tried to keep his tone civil.

  “Esther,” he took a deep breath, “can you tell me why this Vampire breached the spells without so much as a single alert?”

  The old Witch blanched as he realized his tone had been anything but civil. She steeled herself against his gaze, folding her hands in her lap. “I don’t know.”

  Ronan stared at her, waiting on more and when he realized she wasn’t going to give him any more he pushed his chair back, standing up quickly. “What? You don’t know, that’s all the answer you’re going to give me? You are aware that I have at least six dead downstairs? Blown apart with a bomb!”

  He was aware of Starr entering the room, coming to his side and placing a hand on his back. He glanced at her quickly before turning his attention back to Esther.

  “Ronan,” she sighed, “I understand you are upset, angry and justifiably so. That doesn’t change the facts. I do not know how that Vampire got so close without alerting us to his presence. If I knew I would tell you because then I could counteract whatever it is. Obviously it’s magic of some sort but I can’t feel it, whatever spell they used is hidden from me. I’m sorry that people were hurt...”

  Ronan’s snarl stopped her. “Hurt? They weren’t hurt, Esther, they were blown apart! Including a Wolf who is a friend of mine! Drake is amongst the dead down there, covered in fucking blood and gore.”

  Starr’s tone was soft when she spoke. “Oh my god, no. I’m so sorry, Ronan. But, if Esther doesn’t know then there’s not a lot we can do about it. Shouting at her won’t help any of us.”

  His head spun around. “Shouting? I’m not shouting.”

  “Yes,” she said, “you are. Kinda loud too, so maybe you should sit down and talk with Esther and see if we can find a way to overcome this.”

  Starr’s hand rubbed his back, her touch calming him somewhat, so he sat down, frowning across at the old Witch who was supposed to have kept everyone, if not safe then safer. “I’m sorry if I shouted but seeing those bodies strewn around covered in blood has made me more than a little angry. We need to know when they come again. Esther, is there anything you can think of to do?”

  Esther inclined her head to the side, looking thoughtful before answering, “I understand your anger and grief, but I can honestly say I am not entirely sure why the man got through the wards I’ve put in place. Not knowing the how means I can’t ward against it. There is only one possible type of magic that I’m completely unfamiliar with so I can only assume that is what has been used. If it is then there is one person in New Orleans who may be able to help. Can I have your permission to send for him?”

  The concerned look on Esther’s face worried him greatly. He didn’t think there was any kind of magic she didn’t know, even being able to wield dark magic. “What kind of magic are you talking about?”

  “Voodoo,” Esther spoke quietly, as if even the word had power.

  Ronan wasn’t sure he had heard her properly. “Voodoo? As in raising the dead type magic? Are you kidding me?”

  Esther shook her head. “No, I’m not kidding. It’s a very specific form of magic and it is far more than anything to do with raising the dead. It’s a magic passed down from generation to generation, absolutely no outsiders are ever allowed in. That’s why I have no personal knowledge of it and it’s the only magic I won’t be able to sense. Although my magic can physically hurt someone who deals in Voodoo, it can’t find the spell they’ve used to counteract my alert wards.”

  “Cac!” Ronan swore, “So we’re blind? We won’t know if they send in a lone man again.”

  “Exactly,” Esther agreed, “that’s why I want to see if this person I speak of will come and help. If it’s Voodoo then he’ll be able to place his own wards.”

  “How long will it take to get him here?” Ronan frowned, knowing time was of the essence.

  Esther stood up, smoothing down her clothes as she did so, before looking straight into his eyes. “I propose going there myself, alone, now, if you approve it and if he agrees to help I’ll bring him straight back.”

  “Alone? Is that wise?” He worried that their Witch may be walking into a situation she wouldn’t get out off.

  “Yes,” Esther said and gave him a small smile. “I know him rather well. I’ll be safe enough but I’m not sure he’ll agree to help. He mostly keeps to himself and is not fond of leaving his home. It will be a…challenge…to get him to agree to come and help. I’ll do my best and in the meantime my only suggestion is to put as many men on the ground as is possible to keep watch for others.”

  Ronan stared coldly at the Witch, barely restraining himself as he spoke, “I know how to do my job, Esther. Go, get this person you think can help before any more of our people are killed.”

  She didn’t answer, only closing her eyes as her lips spoke softly, her hands moving with silent grace, before she disappeared.

  “I hope she can get this Voodoo guy to come help.” Starr sat on the desk next to him, her hand moving to take hold of one of his.

  He knew his eyes showed his grief as he looked into her face. “Drake’s gone. I can hardly believe it. He was so strong, loyal, kind, and brave, it just seems impossible that he’s not here anymore.”

  Starr squeezed his hand. “I know and it’s going to take time but we’ll get through this, we will. Now, is there anything else you need me to do?”

  Ronan steeled himself, knowing he was in charge and had to put his personal feelings aside. No matter how difficult that was. “I’m going to have to...”

  Creed strode in, his face a mask of anger. “One Wolf team is missing. The others went to check on them and they’re nowhere to be found. I think we can assume they’re dead or captured.”

  “Can this day get any fucking worse?” Ronan cursed, his anger mounting again. “Okay, we need to track them and find out for sure. If they’re prisoners then we need to mount a rescue mission.”

  As he stood up Creed was shaking his head. “I’m sorry, but if they’ve been taken then they’re as good as dead. Mikhail doesn’t have the patience to keep them alive. He’ll question them and they will have a very short period of time to either answer or not. In either case he will then kill them. But, it’s what he does then that’s up for debate. My guess is he’ll try and use them to make us do something rash.”

  Starr stood up, turning to face Creed. “What do you mean?”

  His face was cold as he replied. “I know him, he uses scare tactics and if he can get close enough he’ll bring them back.”

  “No!” Starr was obviously horrified at Creed’s words and Ronan couldn’t blame her.

  “This Vampire, Mikhail, we need to find him and if necessary we take the fight to him. Creed, go tell Matthew to find the Vampire that brought the bomb. See if we can get any leads on how he got here.”

  Creed didn’t answer, only nodding before leaving the office as Sam came barreling down the hallway. Sam enter
ed, running a hand up and over his face before composing himself. “I’ve got teams working downstairs to fix things up and the bodies have all been taken to the underground garage. The Alpha’s weren’t happy about delaying the burials but they do understand the reasons. However, they want to know if it’s possible to get their women and children away from here, take them to the nearest Pack land for safety. I said I’d ask, what do you think?”

  Ronan frowned, trying to work through the logistics in his head quickly. “It may not be safe. If they leave in a convoy of vehicles they’ll be sitting ducks for explosive devices placed around here. We don’t know if there are any but if there are then they’d be slaughtered. I’m going to say no for right now. Esther is away trying to get us some magical help and if that works out we’ll be able to know the wards are in place, but that won’t help us if any devices have already been planted.”

  Sam sighed heavily, “They’re not gonna be happy, boss. They want to get their families out of here.”

  Starr had started pacing but stopped, turning around, “What if we wait ‘til night and they go Wolf, I can fly above them, spot any trouble. If these people have placed any bombs, surely they’ll have done so along the routes they think we would use? They won’t expect a ton of Wolves to go cross country from the back of the building?”

  “No!” Ronan spat out, the thought of Starr putting herself in danger again almost stopping his heart.

  Starr’s tone was sharp and indignant as she placed her hands on her hips, her face stern. “Behave, Ronan! I’ll be in the sky, out of reach of these Vamps, if there are any that is. If they are stupid enough to have any out back then I’ll fry their asses so fast they won’t know what hit ‘em!”

  Sam was nodding his head. “That might just work for the most part. There are a couple of young ‘uns that can’t shift yet so I’m not sure how we’ll get them out.”