The Lion's Den (Knights of the Darkness Chronicles)

by D N Simmons

  “And as soon as we catch them, we’ll make them pay for everything they’ve done. Stay focused, Warren. I need you focused. This case isn’t going to get any easier or nicer for that matter, and you need to start hardening yourself now, or your emotions will only hinder us.” Matthew looked at Warren.

  Warren reflected on what Matthew said. He was right. Without further protest, he picked up the file Johnson had given him earlier and began reading it word for word. “Jesus Christ! Do you know where they found the baby?”

  Matthew looked up from his monitor. “No, I hadn’t gotten to that file yet. Where?”

  “In a department store display laying in a bassinet.”

  “Oh my God!” Matthew covered his mouth, sickened. He removed his hand a moment later, shaking his head. “Stay focused,” he whispered to himself. Diligently, he went back to work on his computer.

  Warren’s telephone rang and he answered it. “Supernatural UnYes Captain, what’s up?”

  “I need to see both you and Matthew in my office right now,” Captain Michelle Lawrence demanded.

  “Listen Capt’, Matt’s busy, I’ll just come.”

  “Fine.” She ended the call.

  Warren replaced the receiver back on the base. “I’ll be back.” He rose and made his way to the captain’s office. He knocked and waited for the “okay” to enter. When he heard her voice grant him entrance, he entered. “What’s up Captain?”

  “Please have a seat,” she said, pointing to the leather chair in front of her desk.

  Warren sat down and waited for her.

  “When I first gave this case to you and Detective Eric, it was because you’re the best I have on this team. You work hard and you’ve closed more cases than the others. But this time it’s different. Seven bodies in twenty-seven hours is far too drastic a killing spree for me to leave it in the hands of four detectives.”

  “Captain, we’re doing our best,” Warren said in their defense.

  She held her hand up. “You don’t have to explain it to me, Davis, I know. However, we’re in a race against time here. We never know when the next body is going to pop up somewhere and we don’t know how many they’r going to kill or why they’re even killing. I’m putting this case on top priority. I’ve got the Infiltration Team out there looking for hiding spots a coven of vampires may be resting during the day. I’ve also enlisted the aide of two more detectives. They’re coming in from California, I want you to pick them up at the airport at one o’clock.”

  “Captain, why the other detectives?” Warren was growing more agitated with each passing second. He didn’t want Barry and Gabriel on the case and for damn sure didn’t want outsiders on the case either.

  “They were experiencing a rash of murders like ours two years ago. They might be able to give us some insight, we could certainly use more officers on this case.”

  “They obviously didn’t catch the killers in California, what makes you think they’ll be able to do any good here?”

  “Listen to me, Davis. I already know you’re no closer to solving this case now that you were seven bodies ago.”

  “Seven bodies ago, I didn’t have a case,” Warren retorted.

  “Now is not the time to be a smartass.”

  Warren nodded, but he still didn’t like the new development.

  The captain continued. “Now, I’m willing to ask for help and accept it to get the job done. All I know is, I don’t want any more people to die. Now, you’re going to work with these two detectives and I don’t want to hear anymore about it!” When Captain Michelle Lawrence put her foot down, it was down, or she’d put it up your ass.

  Warren decided not to argue. What was done was done. “One o’clock, you say?”

  She nodded. “That’s right. O’Lare airport. I want to be working on this case around the clock.”

  “All right, I’ll inform Matthew. Is there anything else?” he asked, unsuccessfully hiding his agitation.

  “Yeah, a little less attitude from you. This isn’t about you sharing your glory, this is about us catching a gang of ruthless, sadistic killers.”

  Warren wanted to explain to her it wasn’t about his “glory” or “pride”, but his nature. These murders were going down in his territory, but more importantly, it involved his Pack, and all of his friends and he didn’t want or need the extra scrutiny. But he knew she wouldn’t understand, so he allowed her to think it was his pride that was still stinging. “I’ll adjust my attitude, Captain.” He left her office, rejoining Matthew less than a minute later.

  Matthew looked up. “What did the captain want?”

  “Basically, we’re leading the case, but the ITs are already in the field, checking out locations where the coven may be resting during the day.

  “Okay, makes sense. We can’t do it all.” Matthew liked the newest development.

  “Then you’re going to love this. Two more detectives are flying in from California to assist on this case. Apparently, they went through what we’re going through now and Lawrence thinks they may have some insight to offer.”

  “Oh, that does kind of suck considering our situation,” Matthew agreed with Warren’s annoyance.

  Warren’s telephone rang again. “Fuck, what now?!” He snatched the receiver up. “What?!”

  “Nice phone etiquette, Detective. I’ve got three people here who want to see you. Come around,” the office desk cop said, hanging up the phone.

  Warren hung up. “I’ll be back, I want to see who these people are.” He rose, heading toward the front desk. Before he made it around the corner, he recognized the scents of these three individuals. Rounding the corner, he was able to see Adrian, Daniel and Ignacio standing by the desk.

  “Hey,” Warren greeted.

  The three men stepped up to him. “We were sent to help you out on your investigation, unofficially, of course,” Daniel said.

  “Shit, great,” Warren said dryly.

  “Is that good or bad?” Adrian asked.

  “Huh? Oh! Good. Extra help is always good. Listen, did you guys sign in?” Warren looked at the three men.

  They nodded.

  “Great, do you have your passes?”

  “Yeah, see.” Adrian pointed to the white sticker plastered over his left pectoral.

  Warren nodded. “Okay, let’s go.” He led them back to his and Matthew’s desks.

  “Damn your ass is unorganized,” Adrian commented, looking at the messy stacks of papers piled up on Warren’s desk. “Why can’t you be more like your partner over there?” he asked, pointing to Matthew’s extremely organized desk where everything had its place.

  “Because I’m not obsessive-compulsive,” Warren answered, rolling his eyes.

  “You’re just messy, always have been,” Adrian smiled.

  “Whatever,” Warren dismissed Adrian’s comments. “Pull up some chairs.”

  The three men looked around for empty chairs, finding three, they pulled them over and sat down.

  “You’re in a mood,” Adrian commented, making himself comfortable in his chair.

  “I’ve got good reasons to be. All right, I’m going to tell you guys everything we have on this case.” Warren brought them up to date.

  “That’s some fucked-up shit.” Adrian was the first to speak after hearing about the infant and the six-year old child.

  “That’s past ‘fucked-up’, Adrian. Shit, I don’t kow what it is,” Ignacio said, his Italian accent thickening in his anger.

  Matthew leaned forward. “What’s more is, some Cali’ detectives are flying in to assist on the case.”

  “Fuck. Just what we need, a bunch of noses poking around.” Adrian was aggravated.

  “Like it could have been avoided. Seven bodies in twenty-seven hours. It was only logical they’d bring in more forces. Hell, I’m surprised the damn military hasn’t been called in,” Daniel said, running his hands through his hair.

  “What are you going to do, now?” Matthew asked.


  “Pretty much what you said the IT is doing. We’re going to be searching remote locations where these vamps may be hiding. We’re also going to search local hotels, motels and the like. And what I mean by local, I mean within Illinois,” Ignacio said.

  “Let’s get out of here, place fucking creeps me out,” Daniel said, rising from his seat.

  The other two men did the same, saying their ‘goodbyes’. On their way toward the front door, the three men ran into officers Kyle Ronen and his partner of four years, Lance Wilson. Ronen placed his hand on Daniel’s chest, stopping the three men in their tracks.

  Daniel looked down at the hand violating his body, then his eyes traveled upward to the eyes of the hand’s owner. “You wanna get your fucking hand off me?”

  “What are you doing here?” Officer Ronen asked.

  “I fail to see how that’s any business of yours?” Daniel shot back.

  “It’s my business because I say it is. Now are you going to answer my question, or should I assume you were hunting in your little furry form just like before?” He looked at the other two. “You shifters, too?”

  Neither Adrian nor Ignacio answered.

  “I guess so.” Officer Ronen removed his hand, tossing a glance to his partner. “I arrested this fucker several years ago when I caught him hunting off sanctioned grounds.” He pointed to Daniel, who was now stepping up to him, so close their lips were almost touching.

  A low, menacing growl bubbled up from Daniel’s throat.

  “What are you gonna do, freak? Rip my throat out?” Officer Ronen smiled.

  “Doesn’t sound like a bad idea,” Daniel retorted.

  “Daniel,” Adrian pulled the shifter back.

  Daniel allowed him to do so.

  “We need to go,” Ignacio said.

  “I want to file a formal complaint,” Daniel said, his eyes staring at the offensive cop.

  “Go ahead, there’s the front desk.” Officer Ronen pointed at the off>

  “Daniel, do you really want to file a complaint?” Ignacio asked. “I wouldn’t. Let’s just go.”

  With some gentle prodding, they were able to get the enraged shifter out of the precinct. Inside the car, Adrian asked Ignacio why he suggested Daniel not file a complaint.

  “Because we could kill his ass later, and you don’t want a complaint recently issued to be the first thing that connects you. That shit was uncalled for,” Ignacio said.

  Daniel chuckled. “The thought of me slowly ripping his head off his body is tempting, but I doubt Elise would allow me the pleasure of killing his ass.”

  “I’ll do it for you, I don’t think Richard would mind. Especially not after I tell him what happened,” Ignacio smiled.

  “I’m with you on that one,” Adrian said. “I started to fuck his ass up when he put his hand on you.”

  “It’s good that we didn’t. We can’t be of much use in jail, awaiting trial for assaulting an officer. Even if the officer is an asshole,” Daniel said, calming down. “Okay, where to first, boys?”

  “First, I call my dad, tell him what’s going on. You two do the same, then we hit up hotels and motels,” Adrian suggested.

  “You want me to call your dad, too?” Ignacio asked jokingly, hoping to calm Daniel down even more.

  “Shut up,” Adrian retorted, smirking. “You know what I meant.”

  “Yeah, I’ll give Richard a call.” Ignacio pulled out his cell. “We should have brought separate cars.” He accelerated to pass a yellow light.

  “Take me home, then and I’ll get mine,” Daniel said.

  “Mine is at your house,” Adrian said, gesturing to Daniel.

  “Let’s investigate Chicago, first. Then branch out from there.” Ignacio slammed on the breaks, unable to speed past a red light.

  “I know I’ll feel safer in my own car than with your crazy-ass driving,” Adrian remarked.

  Ignacio rolled his eyes.

  “Wait, what if we find them?” Daniel asked.

  “Kill them,” Adrian replied.

  “What if they can wake up during the day, even if it’s for a split second? I don’t think we should take the chance on going it alone. There’s strength in numbers,” Daniel pointed out.

  “That’s a good point, so no separate cars. Okay, when we call our leaders, let them work it out. We’ll stick to our riginal plan and check out the hotels and motels … together,” Ignacio said.

  “I wish I had a helmet. Next time I’ll bring one when I ride with you,” Adrian told Ignacio, who tossed up his middle finger.

  The three men laughed and began calling their leaders.

  Chapter Nine

  Marcus ran his powerful, masculine hands through his lover’s black shiny mane intertwining his fingers around the silky locks as his lover’s head bobbed furiously over his groin. His lover’s lips sealed tightly against his shaft, giving him the ultimate pleasure. The Master vampire moaned loudly as his orgasm rushed to the surface, shooting forth. His fingers locked tightly, gripping hair, pressing his lover’s head against his groin as he thrust repeatedly until he had nothing more to give. His lover looked up, adoring eyes gave him the smile his mouth was unable to.

  Marcus looked down, grinning wolfishly. “Swallow.”

  Kiren did as he was told. “Did you like that?” he asked after the deed was done. His light brown, almond-shaped eyes peered closely at his lover, waiting for his response.

  “What do you think?” Marcus asked, running fingers along the strong jaw line of Kiren’s face.

  “I think I enjoyed giving it more than you enjoyed getting it.” Kiren smiled as he climbed onto Marcus’ lap. “I love having you in my mouth.”

  Marcus chuckled deeply. “I love having me in your mouth, as well.”

  “Fuck me,” Kiren panted lustfully, reaching between them taking hold of Marcus’ penis.

  “You know what to do,” Marcus implied. He adjusted himself enough for his shape-shifter lover to slide him inside. A low moan escaped his lips as he began to work his hips in a thrusting motion, sending his lover into a ecstatic frenzy.

  An hour later, the two men were breathless, panting as their sweat slicked bodies remained plastered together on the floor. Marcus pulled away after several minutes, relishing the sensation of his body leaving his lover’s. The two lay side-by-side for a few minutes before they began to speak.

  “Are we going to kill any more today?” Kiren asked, his fingers swirling patterns in the thin layer of blond hair covering Marcus’ chest.

  “Of course we are. I have to admit, this little city is proving to own up to its reputation. I haven’t had this much fun in a while. It never sleeps and it thrives and throbs with energy, life, sex … reminds me of Los Angeles.”

  “Yeah, L.A. was a lot of fun. The S.U.I.T. there didn’t know what the fuck was going on. The best thing is watching them chase their tails,” Kiren laughed.

  “I agree, watching the humans’ little tin soldiers in such disarray is entertaining. But what I’m enjoying even more is watching the Master vampire scratch his head in bewilderment.”

  “You’ve seen him?” Kiren raise himself on one arm.

  “Yes … and what a vision. I can easily see why he was chosen, he’s magnificent.”

  “Describe him.”

  Marcus chuckled and began describing Darian’s features. “ … But, I think the most stunning feature this vampire possesses are his hypnotic forest-green eyes. I don’t think I’ve ever seen eyes so vibrantly green before.”

  “Sounds like a real looker. I take it you’ve got plans for him?”

  Marcus nodded. “I’m going to take my fill of his little territory and drain it dry.”

  “When can I have a little fun? I’ve had to watch you four feed greedily, when is it going to be my turn?” Kiren asked, feeling a bit left out of the festivities.

  Marcus looked at him. “It’s good that you’ve asked. I want you to have your fun today. But be careful.”

  Kiren smiled wide
ly before climbing off the floor. “Thanks!” He jogged off toward his room. Two nights ago, when they had chased that Pride into the city, they had sensed the powerful aura of the supernaturals who inhabited the territory. At that point, Marcus wanted to settle down. After killing the owner of a three-bedroom townhouse in the suburbs, they set up their nest. There were five of them: four vampires and one shape-shifter. Three of the vampires shared one bedroom, Kiren had his own as did Marcus.

  Kiren opened the window, allowing the afternoon sun to shine its bright light over his body and into the room. He stood there for a few minutes, soaking up the warmth before he went into the bathroom to shower and get dressed. The night before, they’d broken into a department store, stole a great amount of clothing and right before they left, Raven placed the skinless baby into the bassinet located in the display window. Imagining the horror-struck expressions of the humans walking past had filled her with devilish glee.

  As it had been, she as right. The baby lay in the bassinet nearly two hours before anyone had even noticed what it was and called the police. Kiren and Marcus stayed up, switching TV channels looking for the breaking news report they were sure would be coming. Finally, around seven o’clock that morning, a news anchorwoman interrupted their cooking show to bring to light the “new disturbing developments in the grisly ‘Reign of Terror’”, as she called it, concerning the gruesome remains of an “innocent” baby in a department store display. Both he and Marcus laughed boisterously as the reporter recounted the witnesses’ statements as well as the police and S.U.I.T. reports. An hour later, there came the other report of the horrendous discovery of a mutilated six-year old boy. Again, authorities were ‘without suspects’, had ‘no leads’ and were ‘seeking any information’. They had recorded the news for Raven’s benefit, knowing she would want to see the aftermath of her mischievousness. They also knew that Alicia would want to know what the humans thought about her little addition to the corpses, or subtraction, to be more exact. She did keep the skin of all her victims, making trophies of them. Kiren wished he could be in the morgue when they discovered Mikhail’s handiwork on the six-year old’s private area. Kiren didn’t think he laughed as hard at Mikhail’s antics before when he’d watched him violate the boy while the child screamed and cried.