by Justin Sloan
“As much as I’m against it, anyone who stands between me and my tools of seduction probably deserves to die.” His smile became a grimace. “Not really, but if they’re threatening our security? Our lives? Then yes, we do what must be done.”
“Well then, let’s get this man to medical so we can set about making preparations for our trip.”
He kissed her hand and said, “Our first vacation as a couple.”
“We’re a couple now?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.
“Yes.” His tone held finality. No room for argument, and she liked it.
“Well then, sweet cheeks, let’s get this show on the road. I’ve been wanting a vacation.”
He rolled his eyes, but turned and walked away, giving her a playful sashay of his hips as he disappeared past the curtain into the back room.
While she was only joking about the vacation comment, she had to admit that the city had been making her feel claustrophobic lately. It always had, after being raised out in the Fallen Lands.
As much as this was going to be dangerous, possibly life-threatening, she was looking forward to it.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Chicago Outskirts, Dusk
Gusts of wind carried the scent of meat grilling along with dust from years of unsettled dirt in the surrounding areas. Even Valerie had to shield her eyes—just because she could heal didn’t mean her eyes had some sort of awesome repelling dirt function.
She would have to request that on the next upgrade, she thought with a smirk. There was a lot of dirt she would like to repel in this life.
A couple of large, cylindrical buildings stood sentry at the edge of town. As they approached, Valerie realized it could very well be a water treatment plant and a sewage plant. She could see why the CEOs would have chosen this as their fallback point—better than the bandit camps with their sewage in the gutters, or even some of the other cities she imagined were out there struggling with how to get clean water. How many more people had died from diseases caused by dirty water and other inconveniences that they hadn’t had to deal with before the great collapse?
As if fallout and the rest weren’t enough to worry about.
They approached a worn-down bridge that crossed a narrow river, when the wind shifted and Valerie paused, eyes shifting. She held out a hand for the other two to stay still, then said, “We’re not alone.”
“Yes, Valerie,” Diego said. “There’s a whole city right there. Doesn’t mean it’s Chicago.”
“Ye of little faith,” Sandra said, standing tall, a smile on her face.”
Valerie turned from the two and assessed it, wondering if they had finally found their destination. It was a vibrant city, well lit, and modern as modern went. Like Old Manhattan, Skyscrapers created a skyline that was a monument to the past, while the entire area was surrounded by dark ruins—well, except for the lakes.
“Come on,” Valerie said. “Might as well find out.”
They pushed on, their legs moving as if on their own, so used to this non-stop walking that had been their routine for a month now.
They came across a small stream, nothing like the river they’d crossed, though Diego slipped at the far side. His foot got wet, but nothing else. No harm done. It wasn’t long before they were passing the treatment plants and could even make out some of the windows of the better-kept buildings of Chicago.
“I hope they have something better to eat than jerky and crackers,” Diego said.
“What do you suppose the chances are that some of those blimps made it out this way with extra cheese?” Sandra said. “I mean, I never hoped they were holding out on me, but if it means they got some here, and it’s waiting to be devoured by a true lover, I’m willing to look the other way this time.
“How about we deal with evil first, our cravings for cheese and steaks after?” Valerie asked, feeling the irritation creeping into her voice. She had brought several vials of blood, but hadn’t wanted to use it all up on the journey over to feel her absolute best.
“Oh come on,” Diego said. “I hadn’t even thought about steaks! Ahhh, the thought of a thick, juicy, rib eye. Did I ever tell you about the steaks in Spain?”
“They have cows there?” Sandra asked, intrigued.
“One of the first things the new founder set up after the rebuilding started—farms on the outskirts of the cities. In Northern Spain, they know how to cook a mean steak. And I don’t mean all red and cold in the center like you French.”
“For your information, we don’t do it that way,” Sandra said. “In fact, we rarely eat steak at all, because the cows are so rare and then where would we get the cheese? So when we eat steak, it’s only when they’re close to death or when the meat’s imported, and nowadays everyone’s too paranoid about disease. So yeah, maybe before the collapse that was true, but—”
“Seriously, is this the time?” Valerie shot a brief frown his way, and then saw them—several people in camouflage, stepping out from the tall grass nearby. The group carried a variety of weapons, all except one, the youngest-looking of the group.
Valerie’s instincts kicked in and she sniffed. One of them was special, Were special. The Were was attractive, but in that do not mess with me sort of way that most Weres had going on. A line of almost silver-white ran through her hair.
“That’s close enough,” a large soldier said, aiming in on them and clearly eyeing Sandra’s sniper rifle.
He glanced over his shoulder and said, “Where’s the colonel?”
“He’ll be along soon enough,” the Were said, hands on her hips, assessing Valerie. She was tall, with sparkling purple eyes that studied the three, but especially Diego and Valerie, with interest.
“Please, just tell us,” Sandra said, her voice full of exhaustion. “Is this Chicago?”
The Were nodded.
“Then that must make you part of this Force de Guerre we’ve heard so much about,” Valerie said, keeping her voice level, not trying to intimidate or offend. “Keeping the peace?”
“Keeping the wrong outsiders out,” the Were said. “When need be. Especially certain types of outsiders.” Her eyes darted from Valerie and the sun at the edge of the hills, its rays casting long shadows across the ruins and trees.
“We’re either welcome or we’re not,” Valerie said, not in the mood for games.
“I have to say, I’m curious,” the Were said smoothly, tilting her head slightly and sniffing the air. “So yeah, welcome to Chicago. There’s someone who’d like to meet you.”
“Thanks, Char,” a man’s voice came from the tree line, and then he stepped out, rifle slung over his shoulder. “Is she…?”
“She is,” the Were, Char, replied. “And the small one’s a Were.”
“That so?” The man looked impressed, then said, “I take it you’re not with the Black Plague then?”
Valerie shook her head. “Though we do mean to stop them, so if you have any affiliation, better let us know sooner rather than later.”
The soldier looked at her, then to the man. “What’ya say, Colonel?”
“I don’t think we have new recruits for the Force de Guerre, TH,” Char said.
Terry nodded. “That’s true enough. But… one has to wonder what a day-walking vampire’s doing around these parts?”
A moment of unease followed between Valerie and her companions.
“Maybe we should join them?” Sandra said. “I mean, can’t hurt, right?”
Valerie pursed her lips, debating, and felt their thoughts, like a warm cup of tea, with a bit of spice. She still wasn’t sure how to interpret these sensations, not exactly, but she figured that couldn’t be all bad. Perhaps safe, but guarded.
“After introductions,” Valerie said.
The man smiled and extended a hand. “Name’s Terry Henry Walton. If you’re here for the Black Plague, then we’ve got no quarrel with you.”
She took the hand in a firm grip and smiled. “Valerie, and it’s a pleasure, TH.”
His eyes narrowed. “Let’s go with Terry for now.”
She nodded. “Thing is, Terry, we’re here for more than just them. And I’d love to hear how much you know about this Black Plague group, but first, I think I better tell you everything.”
He nodded, then motioned toward the outpost. “Inside, in case anyone’s watching.”
“Watching?” Sandra asked as they started walking.
Valerie gave the two a look that said, proceed with caution.
“We like to think we have this place under lockdown,” TH said as he led the way. They walked past shrubs and around the bend of the outer perimeter of the city, where they saw a small outpost ahead. “But with the rumors of the Black Plague—”
“How much do you know of them?” Valerie asked and, judging by the look he gave her, he wasn’t accustomed to being interrupted.
“Truthfully, not much.” He reached the outpost and held the door open for the rest, following behind a moment later.
It was dark in here, except for the light from glass-less windows.
“First, I want to know what a vampire is doing walking around in the daylight,” he said. “Second, whether you know where Akio is now.”
“You assume he gave me the power?”
Terry nodded curtly.
“I can tell you where he is, but it wasn’t him. He went to Europe, in pursuit of Michael.”
“No…” Char said, stepping forward and staring into Valerie’s eyes as if that would tell her if this was the truth. “Michael has returned?”
“He has. And Akio and Yuko just missed him. He was going off to France, to deal with some, er, unsavory characters.”
Char and TH shared a look of excitement. TH took a big breath, and then looked at her with a new level of respect.
“We don’t get many visitors here,” he said. “Nor welcome them. But if what you say is true, if you actually knew Akio and mean to go after the Black Plague, you can stay as long as you need.”
Char put a hand on his arm. “She did say they came for another reason.”
“That’s right, you did.” He furrowed his brow and stood, waiting.
Valerie leaned back against a wooden beam, arms crossed, and said, “Better get comfortable, this could take a while.” She went into the full story, about coming across the Ocean and finding out about the fact that people were hunting vampires for their blood, and how she had realized the problem came from the top, that to stop it she’d had to cut off the beast’s head, leaving Old New York in a state of flux.
“A bit too trusting, I think,” Char said. “You tell everyone you meet on the road your life story, you might want to watch out.”
“People have certainly criticized me for being too trusting in the past,” Valerie said. “Thing is, I figure it’s better to trust and have people at your side, than to not trust and stand all alone. Plus, if anyone ever betrays me, I can remove their head from their body easily enough.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It wasn’t directed at anyone here.” Valerie unfolded her arms and held her hands out, so she could show she meant no aggression. “More a statement of fact. There aren’t many that could survive once I’ve decided they shouldn’t.”
“I believe her.” Terry Henry Walton leaned back, hand on his pistol, assessing them through narrowed eyes. Finally, he raised an eyebrow and said, “Okay, here it is. We don’t interfere with people if they come to us and say they want to be part of our society. These CEOs you speak of, we don’t know if they’re here or not, but do know that one man arrived recently with a pretty big posse. The type you watch out for, because they look like some mean mother fuckers, and because a group that size can always be trouble.”
“If he’s here, he is trouble.”
Terry held up a hand. “If he is what you say, if he’s done what you say he’s done, I’d have to agree. So here’s what we’ll do. Extraction. You go in, you get him out, then you deal with him as you see fit. But you cause a scene, you make trouble in Chicago, then we’ve got ourselves a problem, you and me.”
She didn’t know this guy, but she sensed something different about him—he didn’t have the Were or vampire scent, but… there was something. That, plus the look in his eye, was enough to decide she’d trust him about this.
“You have yourself a deal,” she said.
“Oh, and Sergeant Garcia is going with you,” Terry said, pointing to a man leaning against a wall, He looked one hundred percent military from his uniform, to the short hair, to the weapons he carried. The kind of man Valerie associated with Commander Strake and the Enforcers, she thought, instantly distrusting him.
“I work best with my team, no one else.” Valerie stood tall now, staring him down.
“This is our city. Would you let outsiders enter your city fully armed without an escort?” He assessed her, then shook his head. “I didn’t think so. It’s set then.”
“Deal,” she said, shaking his hand.
Terry ran a hand through his hair and raised an eyebrow. “You’ve got a big mission ahead of you. Best get to it.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Outside Chicago
Robin had been shaking uncontrollably when she took that first step into the light of pre-dusk. She expected to explode or burst into flames or something, unable to fully accept that the protective clothing and facemask she put on would protect her or the others.
However, they had walked into the light, heads down, eyes covered, and were soon making their way out toward their destination: Chicago.
The mission was to scout it out, prepare for the attack. They would take out the guards, then, when all was ready, send the message that it was time to send in the army. Since they only had a limited number of protective outfits, the rest would remain at Black Plague HQ until sunset waiting to receive the word that it was time.
Long shadows formed behind even the smallest pebbles—something Robin had never paid attention to in the past. When she once dared to glance up, the angle of the sun was too much and burned even through her protective lenses, so she ducked her head and continued on like the rest.
She had to laugh at the thought of anyone watching them. What would they think when they saw a dozen people all in black, walking without looking up? Maybe they would assume it was some strange mourning ritual for the dead.
In a way, it kind of was.
“How far is this place?” Brad asked from his position beside her.
“Not a clue,” she said, shaking her head. “But I don’t know why we couldn’t just wait for sunset.”
“Probably because it’s damn far away,” he replied. “And we’ll want to make it back before sunrise.”
She nodded. That made sense, actually.
“Wake me when we get there?” he said, and she could hear the grin in his voice.
“Oh, you’ll sleepwalk the rest of the way? Good! Some peace and quiet.”
“Peace?” He laughed. “I think that’s the last thing we’ll be having tonight.”
“How about the quiet part at least?” she said, more to distract herself from the sinking feeling in her stomach as they walked. Tonight would be different from the other nights, she imagined. If she didn’t fight tonight, she might die. Brad might die.
But to fight, to kill, and live… She wasn’t sure which would be worse. They trekked on and on, and past busted pipes sticking out of the ground, nasty smelling old sewage facilities no longer in use, and buses toppled over and covered in overgrowth.
Soon that horrible orb of death known as the sun descended behind the ruins and wastelands to the west, and the stars began to sparkle overhead. The vampires were able to remove the protective clothing and goggles.
A breath of fresh air felt amazing.
“Not much farther,” the lead vampire said, and before long they saw the lights of the city in the distance.
It was like nothing Robin remembered ever seeing. She had been raised mostly on the move, staying for a w
hile occasionally in settlements, sometimes with generators that provided electricity. But nothing like what they saw now.
A voice sounded nearby, then a scent in the wind—vampire!
It wasn’t one of theirs, Robin was sure of it. This one felt different, with a hint of sweet to it—like a mist of perfume caught in the wind. Then something else, something less appealing.
“What’s that?” she asked, and Brad looked at her, knowingly.
“Were,” he said, holding up a hand to get everyone’s attention, then hissed, “Back, now!”
Everyone turned, pulling back twenty feet and finding cover.
“The hell’s this about?” the lead vampire asked, running over while staying low to avoid being seen.
“If they smell us, our mission’s blown,” Brad said in explanation.
“The hell’s a vampire and some Weres doing with them anyway?” the lead vampire asked.
"How do we know it's just one? They could have a whole army of vampires waiting for us.”
“We have to get back and warn Giuseppe and the others,” Robin said.
“Are you crazy? We have a mission!”
Robin turned on this vampire and was about to yell, but controlled herself, remembering that the strange vampire wasn’t far off. “Did you even stop to think that this could be the vampire they were sending the others after, from New York? That maybe she’s still alive, that the hit failed, and that this somehow ties into her coming after us for what we did?”
The others all stared at her, horrified.
“Shit, no,” the lead vampire admitted. “We have to get back. Now.”
Robin gave him an annoyed raise of her eyebrows, but he was already moving, passing the command on to the others. With another look back toward Chicago, she saw several silhouettes moving across the land, headed toward the city.
If this was the female devil they all spoke about, Robin couldn’t let her win. Winning meant Robin’s death, because she was one of these assassins now, effectively.