by Jeff D Ellis
Erica left the conference room.
Chloe looked confused. “I wonder what she is talking about?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
Erica came back with two black duffle bags which she put on the table.
Mark opened the first bag and found two H&K MP5SD3 submachine guns fitted with Aimpoint red dot sights.
“If you look closely, two magazines have red tape applied to them. The others don’t. The red ones are filled with special ammo that John got from the Marshals. The others are standard 9mm ammo. We only got enough for you both to have the one magazine each, so use them wisely and only use them on Vukodlak. They will just be normal bullets against anything else.”
“I’m not so sure about this, Mark. Don’t you think Erica should have mine?”
Erica shook her head. “Sorry, the Marshals were only were willing to help us with this if you two were the ones with these guns. They also want the guns back when you are done with them. Oh, the second bag has body armor with pouches for the magazines for you both.”
“None of this is going to do us any good if we shift into coyotes.”
“I need to check on our people. Let me know if you want me to put the stuff back in the safe.” Erica left them with the equipment.
“Chloe, can you do this? I know you were just going to be on the administration side of things.”
“It looks like we don’t have any choice, and they expect the two of us to slow down any Vukodlak if needed.”
“I think it’s their way of telling us to ignore Wolves. The rifles the rest of them are carrying would be more effective on the Wolves than these guns. There is so much we don’t know. We better hope Vivian is the only Vukodlak we’ll be facing.”
“Show me how to use this thing.”
Mark went over how the safety and fire selector worked, as well as loading and clearing the rifle. It would have been great to have some training at a gun range, but there was nothing he could do about that. He knew Chloe was a fighter and could handle herself. It was a little hard on his male ego that she was his match in a MMA ring, and could handle physical combat better than him.
“Chloe, if you were Vivian, what would make you feel safe to visit Greta in her lair?”
“From the stories I’ve heard about when John faced Pyotr Volk, he seemed to have a sense of honor. I am not saying Vivian would be the same way. It could be that if she came under a truce, she would expect us to honor that. I am sure John would, but I am not sure about Greta.”
Mark asked, “What do you think her backup plan would be to get out if Greta didn’t offer her that protection or violated it?”
“We don’t know Vivian would actually honor the truce herself. I expect she is a mirror image of Greta and would not be above using this situation to remove Greta from her way.”
“I can see that, but what would she do, or what would Greta do in the same situation?”
Chloe thought for a moment. “She would know that Greta would only do the ritual fight for Clan leader with another member of her Clan. The only one that has a chance to live through a fight with Greta is Nadine who would also be next in line if something happened to Greta.”
“Could Nadine be working with Vivian, like we think Sam is?”
Chloe shook her head. “Greta has a supernatural ability to sniff something like that out. We should still expect that if things don’t go Vivian’s way she would try to kill Greta, but how could she expect to make it out alive?”
“That’s the big question. She would need to secure a safe exit. Maybe they would count on using the exit to the underground, or have people up top secure the elevator. I expect it will be securing the elevator and bringing down more people if needed. Going for the underground would mean going through the main part of our people and we have had no indication of anybody searching the underground for the door. I don’t think any of us would allow a public gunfight on the streets, so it means they will want to hide their people inside the nightclub. Can the elevator be controlled from someplace else?”
“Onyx can control it from her desk and lock it out.”
Mark nodded. “Then we don’t need people upstairs. We can run things remotely, and if they occupy the nightclub, we can call the police to investigate a break-in. They would have no choice but to retreat.”
“It seems like all we can do now is wait for Vivian to make the next move.”
Mark hated waiting. Much of the staff had to take shifts sleeping in beds normally used by clients. To Mark, it felt like he was in jail. Even Chloe complained about the situation. Going from a penthouse in the sky to an underground cell was a bit much for her as well. The word didn’t come until the next day that she wanted a meeting with Greta after dark, and they agreed on only two bodyguards each. Mark was surprised Greta had agreed to that. Greta had also decided that her bodyguards would be Chloe and himself. Mark had the feeling he was missing some vital piece of information.
Onyx came and found them. “It’s time, guys.”
Mark started to put his tactical vest on when Onyx stopped him. “Put that away. Greta can’t have you looking like you are going on a SWAT raid. You will be limited to concealed weapons. Get ready and I will be back in five.”
Mark shook his head. “That sucks. We need to quickly move the special ammo to our backup pistols. One spare magazine with the special and one with the normal ammo.”
It wasn’t the most concealable pistol in the world, but his Walther Q5 Match would be fast and deadly with its Trijicon RMR red dot sights. He had a lot of experience with this gun in high stress competition situations. If he had been required to go without the coat, he would have needed a smaller gun, but these would work for this situation. With a total of forty-five rounds each, they should be able to handle two bodyguards, but their focus would have to be on any Vukodlak first. If needed, they could handle Wolves with Coyote tooth and claw.
Onyx came back. “You both look ready now. Follow me.”
She led them away from the elevator. “Where are we going?”
She just smiled.
Mark looked at Chloe and saw her eyes light up. “We are going to the throne room. I have never seen it from the back entrance.”
They were guided to what looked like a closet where Greta and John were waiting. John gave Mark a stone-faced look, sword in hand, and entered the closet. Greta followed and Mark and Chloe entered last. John grabbed a lever and they were moving down. The elevator came to a halt with a lurch. John slid a metal door out of the way and held a curtain open for them to pass through. Mark’s footsteps echoed off the walls. Greta took her seat on a large wooden throne that sat on a semi-circular dais. Three steps led down to the main floor below. To the right and left were rows of theater-like seats, so the Clan could watch whatever event was scheduled to happen. The main floor was large enough that knights could be jousting for the pleasure of a queen. At the very far end was a normal looking elevator. It was strange to have such a large place without an easy way to fill it with people. There must be hidden stairs somewhere. Mark felt stupid. He knew the Clan battled for their leader just like the Alpha battles of the Pack. They would need someplace to hold the fight in. It’s not like they could use the waiting area of The Second Circle for that.
Mark stood to Greta’s right side and Chloe to her left. John took up a position to Mark’s right.
Mark announced in his radio earpiece, “We are in place.”
“A woman followed by two men are in the elevator. Sending it down now.”
Mark saw the elevator door open, and a woman with light brown hair walked out, followed by Sam and a large man he had never seen. As they got closer, Mark smelled it. The man was the same monster that had killed Adam at the studio. The woman had a subtle but similar scent. Just what he needed, two Vukodlak.
Mark heard on his radio, “Elevator locked down.”
Greta stood to greet her guests. “Welcome to my audience chamber.”
Vivian di
d not look pleased. “We agreed to only two bodyguards each. Why do you have three?”
“Now, now, Vivian. Can I call you Vivian?” Greta took her seat. “These are my bodyguards and John is here as Clan lawyer to witness whatever you have to say to me.”
“Since when do lawyers carry a sword? I know he is the one that killed my beloved Pyotr. He may stay, but I don’t guarantee his safety.”
Greta laughed. “His safety? I would be more worried about your own.”
“What is so funny? I hold your world in my hands, ready to crush.”
“Vivian, why don’t you say what you came here to say.”
“You took my Pyotr and my business. Now I have all of yours locked up. You will give me back my Russian brothers, access to all future intelligence, and my approval of any new business you might want to conduct.”
“Is that all?”
She pointed at John. “You will give me your man and you will now report to me.”
“Why should I do that?”
“If you don’t, first I will destroy your little computers, and then the men who are your customers.”
“Go right ahead. We will shut down those businesses for the next fifty years and make it our mission in life to destroy any of your new ventures.”
“You stupid cow. You expect me to believe you can give up all that money and power, rather than share it with me?”
“Feel free to find out for yourself.”
“Where is Nadine? Someone in your Clan must have some intelligence.”
Greta smiled. “I have her locked up for her own protection.”
Vivian looked back at her two guys. She swept her coat back with her right hand and drew a strange pistol looking weapon. Time seemed to slow down for Mark and his eyes focused on Vivian. He heard a puff of air from the weapon. From the corner of his vision, he saw Chloe push herself in front of Greta and then slump down.
Mark yelled out, “Chloe’s been shot!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The Fight Continues
CHLOE SAW VIVIAN pull a gun as if in slow motion. She tossed her arm out and dove to protect Greta. Something hit her in the chest. It hurt, but not as much as she expected a gunshot to hurt. She looked at her chest and some sort of dart was sticking out of her. He legs felt weak and she was losing her balance. Mark yelled something and his gun was pointed at Vivian’s head. She felt herself hit the ground at Greta’s feet. Chloe kept her eyes on Vivian as she groped for her gun, but her hand was not working. She noticed Vivian falling, but she did not look right. John was running at the man behind Vivian in a blur.
Someone started ripping Chloe’s clothes off. She was confused. Now was not the time for sex. She needed to rest and closed her eyes. A slap to her face startled her. Mark was yelling something at her. She needed to focus…
“Chloe, shift to your Coyote.”
Coyote? She was too tired to go for a run. “Huh?”
“Shift now!”
Chloe, I need to take control. You are badly hurt and we need to be a coyote now. Shift with me if you want to live.
“Okay, Coh. Whatever you want.”
***
The red dot on Mark’s pistol hovered over Vivian’s head. In his rage, he fired round after round into that bitch’s face. When her head turned into pink mist, he hit the magazine release and reloaded. His pistol found the second Vukodlak just as he noticed a flash of light, and John’s blade removed its head. Mark dropped his gun with a clatter as he went to his knees over Chloe. He grabbed the dart with both hands and yanked it out of her chest. It smelled of hawthorn. He tossed it aside and started pulling her clothes off. She needed to shift so she could heal from whatever poison the dart contained.
Her eyes were closed and her breath was getting shallow. He needed to get her shifted. He slapped her face.
He yelled “Chloe, shift to your Coyote!”
She didn’t seem to understand him.
Coh, if you can hear me, you have to make her shift.
He cried out, “Shift now!”
A glow covered her body as she changed form into her Coyote. Her animal eyes showed panic as she tried to get onto her feet. He put his arms around her neck to hold her still.
“It’s going to be all right.” He petted her head. “Rest now.”
His only thoughts were to shield her with his body as the sounds of battle continued. He moved from kneeling to sitting. She put her head in his lap. He tried to see Chloe behind those animal eyes, but only saw the coyote. He had never seen anyone lose themselves this far before. All he could do was comfort her until she gained control of her Coyote. He buried his head in her fur with his back to the danger.
Someone put their hand on his shoulder. He looked up and saw Onyx.
“It’s all over now, Mark.”
Mark looked around and saw John cleaning off his sword and three bodies littering the ground. Vampires were milling around. They had left a stretcher next to Chloe.
“Everybody is safe and Greta is back in her office. Stay here as long as you need.”
“I just need some time.”
“Will Chloe be all right?”
“I think she shifted in time, but we need to let her body reject whatever she was shot with.”
“Should we call a vet or something?”
Chloe made a growling noise. Mark leaned his face close to hers. “No vet, she is going to be fine. Right, girl?”
He was rewarded with a lick to the nose.
“I think she will be good soon.”
Everybody left him alone while he buried his head in his hands.
“Mark, do you mind? I am getting cold and stiff laying here.”
He raised his head and opened his eyes to see Chloe staring back at him. Words failed him as he wiped the tears from his eyes.
“Hey there, you saved me. I just need to find something to put on now. You shredded my clothes getting them off me.”
“I thought I had lost you…”
She kissed him and wobbled to her feet. “You can’t get rid of me that easily, mister!”
Mark took off his coat and put it around her shoulders. “I think I need a vacation.”
“Well, I think I need my honeymoon, but first I should get dressed.”
Onyx laughed as she entered the room again. “Speaking of dresses, here is my backup again. We really should keep a change of clothes for you both here if you are going to keep ending up like this.”
Chloe slipped on the dress and returned the coat to Mark.
Mark went to sweep her off her feet. “Not so fast. I can walk out of here just fine on my own two feet.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
Debrief
CHLOE WALKED OUT of the elevator to the reception area of The Second Circle. All of the Vampires on the security detail clapped and yelled.
Erica yelled over the crowd, “Everybody back to their normal jobs. Anybody not normally on this shift, go home and rest and we will see you in the morning.”
Erica came over to Mark and bowed her head. “We need to debrief, but if you are up to it, Greta wants to see you both in her office now.”
“I am fine, but would like to go home after talking with Greta.”
Mark took Chloe’s hand. “We can debrief in a couple of days.”
Erica shook his hand. “Sure thing, boss. You did great work today. You are both my heroes.”
They knocked on Greta’s door and went right in.
“You wanted to see us?”
“Please take a seat. I know it’s been a long day, but I wanted to talk to you both before you left.” She continued after they had settled into the guest chairs. “I knew we were right in selecting you both for this job. I wish your father could have seen you, Mark. He would have been as proud as I am of you both.”
Mark brushed back a tear. “Thank you.”
Chloe squeezed his hand. “What did she shoot me with?”
“She had darts like what is used on wild animals, but we
re filled with a Vampire poison. I expect she thought I could be killed like the Vampires of her home country. What she didn’t know was unlike them, we are all only half Vampire.”
“You mean it wouldn’t have killed me?”
“It killed your Vampire.”
Chloe cocked her head to the side. “I don’t feel any different.”
“You are all Coyote now.”
“What about being part of the Clan?”
“You are no longer in the Clan, but a paid employee like Mark. It mostly means you can leave if you want and have limited advancement.” Chloe nodded but wrestled with the information. She had never expected to be released from the Clan.
Mark leaned forward. “What happened to my brother, Sam?”
“He threatened us with one of those dart guns and tried to shoot John while running away. John had to kill him.”
“Did he have to kill him?”
“Let’s put it this way, if he was the one that shot Chloe instead of Vivian, what would you have done?”
“I was in such a cloud of rage, I wouldn’t have done anything different.”
“I think we are about done here. Do either of you have any more questions?”
“I have a question.”
“Yes, Chloe what do you want to know?”
“What is going to happen to Nadine?”
“We are going to investigate if she actually had any ties to Vivian. There is some evidence that she was giving some information to Vivian and was shopping for a way to break her business away from the Clan. Chloe, you are an adept manager. Would you like to take over as executive producer at the studio?”
“Can I think about it?”