“Highly likely,” Vicq agreed.
“Type S beings are being permanently tagged and hunted down. We know this because one of them lived in a Refuge facility for a short period of time. But then District bounty hunters came for them. They cleared out the whole place and ten of our men were taken back to District headquarters. I don’t even want to imagine what happened to them when the Heads got involved,” Michael said.
“Is the tag like the 5 they burned on the back of Elaina’s neck?”
Michael shook his head. “No, not that. This tag can’t be seen. They shoot a tracking device inside of you.”
“How much Type S blood do you think they need to complete their project?”
“We still don’t have the answer to that. But now I know they have someone or something in their possession. A vampire so valuable that they keep watch on him day in and day out. The vault is monitored at all times. It is never ever left unmanned. And there is no reason for us to give them access to the thing they need the most to keep profits in their pockets and for them to do further damage. This isn’t just about the vampires, it’s about the humans, as well. This organization has done nothing but kill in the name of scientific research. Nothing they’ve done leads to anything meaningful for humans. It’s about profits and creating things above the law. Playing God. The truth is, they can’t make a hybrid. They never will. It’s against the rules of nature.”
“Then what is it that they’re trying to accomplish,” Vicq asked.
“They want the life force of a vampire without becoming one.”
“That’s impossible.”
Michael cocked his head to one side. “Is it?”
“Partly, but in order to sustain our life force, we take blood. The difference is that vampires can feed from humans or other vampires. Humans that are in transformation need vampire blood. They will crave it. They will go mad and die if they don’t take it. If what you’re saying is correct, other than Type S beings, no human-in-stasis will be able to survive without it. The more powerful the vampire, and depending on how much blood is taken, the more time they will get before the vampire life force fades from their system and they have to take it again. Once they take vampire blood, they’ll need more and more of it, to the point where the transformation will eventually be complete. Aside from Type S beings, is there any other evidence? What else do you know?”
“All along, D5’s goal was to create a human-vampire hybrid that’s able to sustain the vampire agent long enough without a complete transformation. And yes, recent research shows that the only blood type capable of that is S. Now, my guess is that there are only a few dozen of us out there with Type S blood.”
“How do I know you have this blood type?” Vicq asked.
“Aside from the papers I have from the clinic, I can give you hard evidence with your cooperation.”
Michael produced a knife and slit his open palm until a small puddle of blood appeared on the table. Vicq followed suit, slit his wrist, and watched as the blood spread out next to Michaels. Their blood fused together as if by some force or magic, changing from dark red in color to black and then back to red again.
“Elaina’s blood will do the same,” Michael said. “Her becoming a vampire doesn’t change that. See for yourself.”
“I’ve seen enough,” Vicq spoke softly. “What I don’t get is if District 5 knows that they’ve failed their mission on a very large scale, why then are they still in operation? People are dying in pursuit of their low-life missions. The lives of women and children are being ruined so they can make profits.”
“You aren’t the only one who’s raging mad about this,” Michael said. “This is the reason why I’ve stayed with Refuge so long. We’ve all been affected either directly or indirectly. We just need to destroy everything connected to District and expose them for what they are. Maybe we’ll never find out what they’re trying to accomplish at this point.”
“And maybe we’ll just have to make it our business to find out,” Mr. Smith interjected.
Chapter 20
“Seriously?”
Elaina glanced back and forth between Vicq and her dad. She chuckled nervously, waiting for them tell her this was all a joke and that they didn’t expect her to stay behind on a mission she’d been contemplating for years.
“It’s really for the best,” her dad said. “You and I both know that they’ll salvage whatever they can get.”
Waving her hand out in front of her in a swift cutting motion, Elaina shook her head. “This isn’t up for debate. I’m going. Even if I spill blood, how can that be an issue if we’re going to set fire to the place?”
“There’s still a risk,” Vicq said. “I gave my word that we would take down District 5. And we will. That hasn’t changed. There’s just been a slight detour in the way things need to happen going forward.”
“No, Vicq. You gave your word that you would be by my side. We never planned for me to be holed up in a Refuge dungeon while everyone else did the work. That’s not me.”
Anger rose in her chest and she paced the room in front of them.
“I know, Elaina. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. This is about you putting your life on the line, but it’s also about what could happen if District got ahold of your blood again.”
“We don’t want to see you hurt, and we don’t want anyone from the District getting their hands on anyone considered high value to them,” her dad said.
“Then what about Vicq, he’s considered high value. The District has been tracking him for years. Is this just about keeping me out of the raid?”
“Elaina, this attack can’t be executed without at least one Superior Dresdan. I’ve already sent two of my coven members away, and at least three more will remain here at the hotel. We don’t know what we’re going to be dealing with when we open those underground vaults. Together, our men will be able to infiltrate District 5 and get past the humans, but I may be the only one capable of holding off an attack from a stronger ranking Dresdan.”
“That wasn’t the plan. And you, Vicq, have been changing your mind a lot lately. The both of you are fools to think that I’d agree to this,” she exclaimed between clenched teeth. “Leave me, please.”
Vicq moved toward her, and Elaina took one step back.
“Both of you.”
As Vicq and her dad were leaving the room, her dad turned back around and said, “Give it some thought, Elaina.”
Without another word, she sent them off and closed the door behind them.
Chapter 21
Elaina sank deeper into the comfort of the heated water, resting back against the hot tub. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the faint smells of jasmine and lavender calm her. But nothing seemed to be helping Elaina. For the past several days, she’d been occupied by memories of her childhood, of her time being used by District 5, and of her mother. Both of them. She thought about the limited choices her birth mother must have had, and about the sacrifice she’d made to keep Elaina safe even if it meant giving her up for adoption… even if it was only until Elaina reached adulthood. She thought about the burdens her adoptive mother had had to bear, and the secrets they had to keep from her.
The door to the bathroom opened, and Elaina didn’t even have to open her eyes to know it was Vicq. If it weren’t for the noisy hinges on the frame, she probably wouldn’t have noticed he had entered the small space at all. He always had a knack for catching her off guard, sometimes unintentionally.
“I came to check on you,” he said.
“I’m fine.”
“I went out,” he said, inching closer. “Me and the guys. We fed.”
“Good for you,” she replied.
“I overfed, actually. You can take all you need.”
“Why?” She sat upright in the tub and glared at him. “I’m not going on the raid, so why do I need to feed tonight?”
“Elaina…” He sat on the edge of the tub. “I’m trying to do the right
thing here, or at least what I think is right. I never wanted you in danger anyway, and this is for the best. Even if I had an alternate choice, I would never have sent every member of my coven on a mission like this. If the whole coven gets wiped out, that’s the end.”
“And what if that does happen?” she asked. “You’ve got District 5 headquarters to take on, and Russo and his Soldiers to ward off. What happens if you go in and never come out?”
“Then you, Leila, Leo, and Melrose will take over the coven,” he replied. “But that’s not going to happen. I have someone to live for now, and that person is you. I just need you to trust me and trust my process, and we will find peace.”
She sighed deeply and sank back into the hot tub.
Vicq took the sponge from her and poured a little body wash over it. She withheld any further protests as he smoothed the sponge across her tense muscles.
“When this is all over, we’ll relax together. No more running. No more worrying about who’s after us,” he said.
She wanted that type of life with Vicq, and although she felt blindsided by his recent change of heart, she knew he had her best interests in mind.
“Do you trust me to keep you safe?” he asked.
She couldn’t stay angry at the man she loved and needed.
“I do.”
But not five hours later, after they’d made love and slept in each other’s arms, Elaina woke up alone in bed with her wrist chained to the headboard.
The only source of light was from the moonlight streaming through the curtains.
Thinking the worst, she shot up in the bed and fought against the handcuffs. She screamed at the top of her lungs, and only then did Leila and Leo burst in from the adjoining room.
“Elaina, you’re up,” Leila came to her side. “Everything’s fine. We just—”
“Why am I chained to the bed? Vicq did this, didn’t he?”
Leila nodded.
“I’m going to kill him. I’m going to kill him with my bare hands.”
Leila couldn’t even make eye contact with her as she said, “Vicq…your father…they had to take precautions.”
“They’re gone, aren’t they?” Anger rose in Elaina’s throat as she looked for Vicq’s bags.
Leo came to the bedside with a set of keys. “Yes, we had to make sure you weren’t going after them. We were given orders to let you out, but only if we have your promise not to leave the Refuge hotel.”
Elaina clenched her fists and drew in slow, steady breaths. “Like hell I won’t. I can’t believe they would lie to me.”
Leo stood and pocketed the keys.
“Just unlock the cuffs, honey. They’re long gone by now,” Leila took Leo by the hand, urging him.
Leo shook his head. “I made a deal. Unless she promises that she won’t follow them to District headquarters, I can’t let her out. If something happens to her, Vicq will have my head.”
“No, he won’t,” Elaina said.
“Don’t you think we all want to succeed?” Leo asked. “My sister is trapped in there, remember? Of course I’d like to go in and find her myself, but we all have a part to play in this. I have no doubt that Vicq and the others will do whatever it takes to shut everything down and set the innocents free. I trust the process. Even though this isn’t what you expected, you should, too.”
“Elaina, please,” Leila exclaimed. “Both teams will handle everything. Everyone knows the plan from here on out. We all have a part to play in this, and you can’t risk getting tagged.”
“You don’t understand. For months, I’ve been planning to do this, now I’m expected to just sit by and wait. I doubt Vicq is even coming back. He said so himself. That he’d leave everyone behind after the raid.”
Leo and Leila exchanged knowing looks.
“Unlock me,” Elaina demanded.
“I need your word that you won’t flee Refuge,” Leo replied.
“I can’t give you my word, because I’ll only break it. You’re right. Everyone here has a part to play, and it just so happens that I have my own mission,” she told him.
Leo stepped back. “Then I can’t release you.”
Chapter 22
Another hour passed before Elaina heard someone fumbling at the door again.
She released a deep sigh of aggravation. Without looking up, she said, “Not again, Leo. If you’ve returned to get me to swear to you that I won’t try to escape, it’s no use. Once I find a way out of here, I’m gone.”
“I’m not Leo.”
Elaina looked up to see Melrose entering the room with one of the Refuge guys right behind her.
“Melrose, what are you doing here?”
“I was ordered to stay behind too, remember?”
Elaina rolled her eyes. “Well, at least you’re not cuffed to your bed.”
Melrose tilted her head and bit her bottom lip as she took in Elaina’s predicament. She laughed. “Hmmm, you look pretty tempting tied up like that. Did Vicq ever tell you that this is how they keep female blood Donors in the Court?”
Elaina pressed her lips together and narrowed her eyes. “Very funny.”
Melrose turned to address the guy. “Will you give us maybe five minutes or so? Girl talk.” She giggled. “Maybe we can hook up later, though.”
The guy smiled and nodded. “Sure. I’m going to run down the hall. I’ll be right back.”
“Later.” She waved her hand.
When the guy was gone, Elaina said, “Melrose, please…get me out of here.”
Melrose produced a key from behind her back. “Why wouldn’t I?”
Elaina sighed deeply, letting the tension roll of her shoulders. “Thank God.”
Melrose unlocked the cuffs and helped Elaina out of them.
“How did you get the key?”
Melrose grinned. “Leo left for a bit. And that guy—”she chucked a thumb back at the door—“was on break. I added in a little persuasion, sex appeal, and a little bit of grab and snatch action. He was an easy target.”
Elaina chuckled. “You’re bad.”
“Oh, don’t I know it.”
Melrose looked behind her at the door. “We can’t go back through there. We have about five minutes to jet out of here.”
“I fought like hell to break through those cuffs and drained just about all my energy. They must be vampire-proof or something. I can’t shift anywhere.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” Melrose offered her neck.
Elaina swallowed, but every moment she hesitated equaled wasted time. They only had a few minutes. She found Melrose’s jugular easily and took what was offered. Recent memories of Melrose worrying about her and devising a plan to her out of the room flooded her mind, but there was no time to delve any deeper. When she detected a surge of powers igniting within her again, Elaina pulled back.
“Thank you. You know we’ll both be in a heap of trouble for this, don’t you?”
“Yes. Are you afraid?” Melrose asked.
“Of the trouble we’ll be in. No, but…”
“But, let me guess…you’re afraid of joining the raid on District 5.”
“I know I have to do this, but yes, I am.”
Melrose looked confused. “Why?”
“My human emotions.” She shrugged. “They surface every time. Isn’t that what you said when we first met?”
Melrose grinned. “You remembered.”
“I haven’t learned to suppress them yet, but I think that’s a good thing. Fear has always been the one thing that’s kept me alive.”
“I get it.” Melrose nodded. “And I’m with you. Always.”
Elaina held out her palm, and Melrose took it, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze, forming an alliance that would never be broken. Together, they used their combined strength to shift away from the Refuge.
Chapter 23
Elaina’s anticipation rose as she maneuvered the big eighteen-wheeler off the interstate and onto the main highway. Where had she gotten
the guts to steal a big rig and drive it more than ten miles up the road? Even in her human days, she hadn’t been much of a driver. But she craved answers, and not just the one’s her father or Vicq had given her. Plus, she’d worked for this moment over these past several months, fantasized how she could serve destruction to every District 5 Head responsible for the death of innocents. Finally, that time was here. Tonight was the night she’d unleash all fears, any doubts, and rain terror down the halls of the District headquarters. In search of answers and those in need of help.
On the passenger seat next to her, Melrose hitched two daggers into the loops on her belt and peeled out of her tall overcoat. She pointed up ahead. “You’re gaining on your dad’s crew. They left in the Hummer right after Vicq and the team.”
“Good. We’ll follow the Hummer through the gates. You ready?”
“Been ready,” she said and then slid out of her seat to help Elaina strap on her bulletproof vest. “Try to stay out of the line of fire. I’ve got you covered. Same plan, right?”
“Yeah, same plan. I’m not getting in the way of Vicq and his team. Not if I don’t have to. By the time we reach the admin offices, D5 security will have shifted all of their attention to the area under attack by both teams. My hope is that no one will suspect you and I slipping through the side door while the team is holding up the front end.”
Just as planned, after confirming that Vicq and his team had breached the entrance, Elaina drove the eighteen-wheeler through the security gates.
Renegade (Shadow Realms): An Urban Fantasy Dragon Shifter Romance Page 38