"I'll do what I can," I nodded. "Dusty isn't going to fall asleep is he?"
"Not likely. He's going to be a day sleeper, just as you are. I'm assigning you two to be night guards."
"Good idea," I told him. "Where's Dusty, now?"
"The room next to yours." Tony was already heading toward his computer case to pull out the laptop. He was in work mode so I didn't ask any more questions.
Agent Howell answered my knock almost immediately. He was prepared and had keys in hand when he came to the door. "Ready to go?" he asked, grinning a little.
"Yeah. Let's boogie," I said and followed him to the elevator.
"Tony says you're on loan to us," Dusty said as he drove out of the hotel parking lot.
"Yeah. And I can't tell you from where," I said.
"He said that, too. That doesn't keep me from being curious," he said.
"You'll have to get used to curiosity, or get rid of it altogether," I muttered. "Lord knows I've had to." Dusty chuckled and nodded.
Dusty used the on-board GPS system to find the nearest Walmart. If not for their penchant for staying open all night, I might not have a wardrobe at times. We ended up at a store located in Culver City. Time was short so I rushed through the store. Dusty had to run to keep up with me and we barely made it back to the hotel before dawn arrived.
"I'll have everything cleaned," Dusty promised, taking the bags of clothing from me. I'd carried my share up to our floor. I thanked him and nearly slammed my door in his face since I was about to keel over. I did fall face-first onto the bed and didn't move again until nightfall.
* * *
"Lissa, you really don't have any control over this, do you?" Tony turned me over so I'd be face-up that evening. I blinked a few times to bring his features into focus. He was dressed very nicely in a tux and set about picking up the bags of toiletries I'd dropped in the floor on my way to the bed. Shampoo and other things had rolled across the carpet; the rest was scattered near the dropped bags.
"No, I don't have any control over it," I mumbled. "Some of the older guys can stay up a little later as long as they're out of the sun. They wake a little earlier, too. But not me. Sorry." I had a hand over my eyes; the bedside lamp Tony flipped on made my eyes water.
"Come on, lazy bones, get out of bed," Tony sorted out his toiletries, setting them on the bedside table. He then grabbed my arm and pulled me out of bed.
"I don't think lazy has anything to do with it," I snipped, wanting to smack him a little.
"Come on, I have your clean clothes here," he pointed to a pile of clothing, all wrapped in dry cleaner bags. "Get in the shower. Do you need help?" He had a hand at the small of my back. I stopped and turned to look at him.
"No." My eyes focused on his chin as I moved away from him and shut the bathroom door firmly in his face. I even locked it. That wouldn't keep him or any determined five-year-old out but it was the gesture that counted. He wasn't telling me anything, just like everybody else. He could keep his secrets. He could kiss my foot. No way could he kiss my ass—that was privileged territory.
"Here." Tony handed a badge over when I walked out of the bathroom, clean, dressed and ready to go. The laminated badge had a metal spring clip attached to it so I could clip it to my blouse. The badge had my photograph, along with the title Special Agent Huston on it. Well, la-de-da. And where the hell did he get my picture? I didn't even ask where we were going. I was a little pissed and I think he knew it. I clipped the badge to the gray, short-sleeved blouse I'd brought with me; I'd coupled one of my better blouses with a pair of new black jeans and my black athletic shoes. My shortest wig was slapped on my head; I had no idea what I'd be doing so this outfit would have to work. If Tony didn't like it, he could at least tell me how to dress.
"You look fine," he said as I adjusted my shirt a little on the way to the elevator. "Don't fidget. I need you for guard duty tonight and if you see, hear or smell anything, let me know immediately," he added, tapping his forehead. I nodded, stepping into the elevator with him. We rode to the first floor and I followed Tony across a wide expanse of marble tile until we met up with Bill, who waited impatiently for us.
"The back entrance is this way," Bill said, taking the lead. Tony walked between the two of us while Bill handed a small earpiece off to him. I watched as Tony placed it in his left ear and the crackle came through clearly, as somebody spoke.
Be careful, I can hear every word, I sent to Tony. It was time he knew.
I'm counting on it, he sent back. Well, well, well.
There were six cars lined up at the back of the hotel, waiting. FBI and state agents were everywhere, with Tony's men scattered throughout. Bill and I were protecting Tony; everybody else was there for Madam Secretary. We ended up in the car next to last, driving toward the Chinese Embassy for a private dinner. I heard over Tony's earpiece that the Chinese Ambassador and several important Chinese entrepreneurs were attending. They were planning to discuss making China a greener nation; at least that's what their business goals were.
Protesters were lined up outside the embassy when we arrived, waving signs and shouting accusations at some of the arriving guests. Ecological groups were accusing Chinese companies of not working hard enough to bring China in line with other countries on greenhouse gas legislation. Some were complaining about the economy, of course. That was always an issue, in addition to the usual human rights protesters. Local police were everywhere and had the crowd backed up behind wooden barricades so the cars could get through. I saw plenty of signs and heard even more shouting as we drove past and wondered how often Tony had to deal with this sort of thing.
Bill and I were stationed in an alcove inside the Embassy, just outside the dining room. Madame Secretary seemed to know Tony—they engaged in brief conversation before both were greeted by their host and led inside the formal dining area. FBI agents surrounded and followed. Bill and I were the first line of defense, I suppose, if anyone tried to get inside.
I did my best to stand still and not wiggle nervously, while Bill stood as if he'd had concrete poured around his ankles. Maybe he'd been taught to do that; I hadn't. After the first hour, I fidgeted a little more and then my skin began to itch.
"Mr. Jennings, I need to find the ladies' room," I said rather urgently. Bill started to object but I was already trotting down the hall before he could call me back. Finding a place to mist was a problem; it took several seconds to locate an empty restroom stall, but it was worth it in the end. Our plotters and schemers from the house in Georgia had sent in one of their vampires.
Chapter 6
Tony said to keep him informed. I had no idea what he was going to do with this information. The vampire I followed was a mister, his purplish gray mist flying ahead of me in a rush toward the dining hall. Henri and Gervais were a greenish gold when they turned, so the Council didn't know about this one. Merrill said the only other known misters were the brothers, who were also Council Enforcers. This definitely could turn into a problem—I was about to see how I stacked up against another vampire who could turn to mist.
Tony, I'm tracking a mister, I sent as I followed the invisible vampire down a lengthy hall. He misted right through a crack between two heavily guarded double doors, flying straight into the dining room with me hot on his undetectable heels. I could see Tony talking into a band on his wrist and every FBI agent inside the room immediately went on alert. I have no idea what they thought they were going to do against a vampire; all of them were human.
My biggest advantage was that the vampire not only didn't realize he was being followed but that it would take him a few minutes to regain corporeality.
Where are you now? Tony sent back.
Inside the dining room in a dark corner. It'll take the mister a few minutes to turn back to himself.
What can we do?
Nothing. He'll probably try compulsion if he gets a chance. I'm going to take him out of here instead.
Like you rescued the man from the
pirates? Tony asked.
Yes. That's all I know to do without causing chaos and getting anybody hurt in here. My problem was what to do with the vampire after I dropped him somewhere and came back to myself so I could fight him.
You're going to fight him, aren't you?
Tony, that's the only thing I can do unless you want him to get away.
I knew I should have gotten White and Townsend out here. Tony was upset.
Tony, there's no guarantee they'd have any better success. He's turning. Gotta go. I cut off the mindspeech. The vampire was indeed turning and as soon as he solidified enough that I could grab him, I did so, shocking the hell out of him. Fear and anger were pouring out of him as I fled the room, carrying him through the same crack we'd used to get inside. We zipped through the entryway, out a narrow gap between tall, heavily carved wood doors and into an April night.
Our flight seemed to take forever as I desperately searched for a place to drop the vampire that was secluded—this showdown definitely wasn't for public viewing. I hoped to heaven that I'd be able to fight him once we both became solid. I felt the taint on him too; he was unquestionably one of Saxom's get. A huge storm drain channel where runoff from rains would travel through the city and empty into the ocean loomed ahead of me. I dumped my guest in the center of that deserted concrete canyon. He was cursing and hissing, his fangs and claws out, as I appeared twenty feet away.
"Well, look what we have here," his eyes were so deep a red they were nearly black and he smiled, fangs and all, as he got a good whiff of me. "Stand still little girl so I can get my claws into you. We'll have a bit of fun before I kill you." Compulsion dripped from his voice. It wasn't the thunder and lightning that Merrill could do, but it would eclipse Wlodek. This one was older, even, than the last one I'd seen at the Council meeting.
"I won't be having any fun with you," I snarled back. His compulsion had absolutely no effect. His eyes widened a fraction but that was the only indication given that I'd surprised him. My own claws slid out as I prepared for his attack. I avoided his first assault, which occurred in a rush of wind and blazing fury. He growled as he came to ground, facing me still. Not only could he fly as Merrill and Wlodek did, but he could do so as swiftly as any vampire could run. That was frightening. Now, my problem seemed to be getting close enough to decapitate him. That was my only chance of taking him down.
Flexing his claws a little, he hissed and charged me again. I slashed out at him as I whipped out of his way once more. "Nice," he growled, wiping a bit of blood off his face. My claws had barely nicked a cheek. "Little girl, I don't intend to let you live. Give up now and I'll make your death swift."
"That's an offer I'll have to refuse," I said and misted right next to him. He roared, turning in a swift circle to look for me when I appeared at his side. Moving faster than I could see, he punched my jaw, breaking it. With dismay, I heard bone snap as I swiped at him. He clawed my side even as I removed his head.
The body dropped like a sack of grain and began to flake away immediately. The pain in my jaw caused me to drop to my knees and I knew the gashes in my side were deep. When I drew my hand away from the sliced skin, it was covered in blood. There wasn't any help for it; I had to let Tony know. I didn't know if I could stay conscious long enough to get back to the embassy and I certainly couldn't go in looking like this.
Tony, I need help, I sent. I think I whimpered with the effort it took to send the mindspeech.
What do you need, baby? Tony sounded scared.
I need somebody to come get me. I got hit a little, I returned.
Where are you?
I don't know. In the middle of a big concrete drainage ditch somewhere. He wasn't going to be able to find me and I nearly panicked.
Do you have your cell phone with you?
Yes. It was in my pocket. I had no idea why he wanted to know that.
We'll be there, baby, just hold on, all right?
All right. I sat down on the concrete, then, hunching over in pain while the mister flaked away right beside me.
It took Tony and some of his men twenty minutes to get to me and Tony was running down the sloped side of the steep drainage ditch with three agents right behind him when they found me. "Lissa, what's wrong?" Tony knelt down next to me, ignoring the clothing and pile of ash that lay on the concrete nearby.
He broke my jaw and did this; I lifted the hand that covered part of my deep claw marks.
Tony swore as he examined my gashes. Is that him? He nodded toward the pile of ash and clothing.
Yes. Tony I can't go to the hospital but I need somebody to set my jaw. The rest will clear up with the sleep. I need blood, too.
"We'll take care of this," Tony assured me, motioning for one of the agents to help get me up. "Call one of our doctors and have him meet us at the hotel," Tony ordered. Another agent pulled out a cell and made a call. I was in too much pain to listen to the conversation.
"I can carry her," the agent who'd helped pull me to my feet offered, so Tony nodded and allowed it.
"Be careful, her jaw's broken, too," Tony said. The agent lifted me up—I moaned a little at the movement. It caused blinding pain in both my jaw and my side. Tony asked one of the agents to pick up the vampire's clothing and the ash that clung to it. I wondered what he planned to do with it but didn't ask. Somehow, we climbed up the steep side of the drainage channel and they placed me inside a waiting SUV.
The man waiting for us inside Tony's hotel room wasn't dressed like a doctor, but what did I know? "Just get the jaw aligned and clean out the gashes," Tony instructed as the agent settled me on Tony's bed.
Towels, Tony, I hugged myself, hoping not to get blood on his bed. We'd come into the hotel by the back way and hotel security had stood aside and watched us pass.
Tony convinced the agent to leave us alone while the doctor examined my jaw first. Getting it back in place was a bitch—I might have screamed, I think, if I could have.
"There," the doctor said when it was over. "Don't talk," he held up a hand. I nodded, tears in my eyes. "Now, what do we have here?" He lifted my shredded shirt and looked at the deep rips in my skin. "Get that shirt off," he said. "Are you sure she doesn't need a tetanus shot?" He gave Tony a curious glance.
"No shots, no drugs," Tony said. "You can use peroxide to clean it out, that's it."
"Fine," the doctor grumbled. I shrugged out of my shirt with Tony's help. I sat on the edge of Tony's bed as the doctor cleaned my side with the recommended peroxide, bandaged it with gauze and tape and then stepped outside the room to talk with Tony. I was afraid to move my jaw; it needed to stay in place so it would heal properly. Very carefully, I lay down on the bed—on the good side of my face—and closed my eyes.
"Here, baby," Tony held a partial bag of blood in front of my nose after a while. Clenching my jaw and hoping not to jar it any, I sipped slowly at the blood. Tony took the bag away when it was empty, asking if I wanted any more.
No, I sent and closed my eyes.
* * *
"This all began when we took Lissa to Vilmos' cottage. He refused to respond to our demand that he give up his human companion when the Council rejected his request," Wlodek informed Gavin, who sat on the other side of his desk. "Sebastian was already gone; he'd called to let Charles know the assassination had been carried out and we arrived perhaps two hours later. Lissa went through the house, swore that a baby had been there and that Sebastian had done something with it. Merrill and I found no evidence and the only thing Lissa could produce to support her claim was a pacifier."
Gavin was surprised that Wlodek knew what a pacifier was but held his tongue. "Lissa's sense of smell is more sensitive than mine," he said instead. "Are you sure she wasn't right?"
"I no longer know for certain," Wlodek sighed. "Sebastian has disappeared and now human children are turning up missing or dead. Find Sebastian, Gavin. If I learn that he took a baby from Vilmos' human companion and is responsible for taking these other children, well
, we will deal with that situation as it arises. If you locate him and he refuses to cooperate, then kill him."
Gavin nodded. It would be extremely difficult to take down another Assassin; they were the elite of the Council's fighters. Sebastian had no love for Gavin, just as Gavin had no respect for Sebastian. Sebastian often toyed with his kills before taking them down; the kills were never clean and swift.
"I will do what I can, Honored One," Gavin nodded and stood.
"If you need Henri or Gervais, let me know."
Gavin gazed at Wlodek. Even with the brothers' improved turning time, they might still be too slow. What he needed was Lissa, but she was far away and he was reluctant to involve her in something like this. "I'll keep you informed," Gavin nodded again and turned to leave.
* * *
My jaw and side still ached a little when I woke Monday night—it was April twelfth—and I moaned as I rolled over, discovering I'd slept in Tony's bed.
"About time, sleepyhead," Tony said, sitting on the side of the bed. "How do you feel?"
"Like shit, what do you think?" I mumbled, slapping a hand over my eyes.
"You managed to lose your wig somewhere. When we found you last night, you were wigless," Tony rubbed my nearly bald head and grinned down at me. I lay flat on my back on his bed, staring up at him, my mouth set in a petulant frown.
"Your bedside manner definitely needs improvement," I snipped. "Are you always this cheerful when you wake someone up?"
"Always. When I wake I'm as grumpy as a bear so it's only fair that I get to deal out misery to someone else," he chuckled.
"At least you get coffee to remedy the situation," I said, slapping a hand over my eyes again. He looked fine—quite good in fact—in a dark gray suit and white shirt with a gray and burgundy striped tie. "I have to get cleaned up and dressed," I attempted to sit up in bed.
"You can clean up and eat but you're not going anywhere else. You get tonight off," he said. "And I sent Dustin out to replace the blouse that got shredded. He couldn't choose so you now have six more shirts."
Blood Sense (Blood Destiny #3) Page 10