The Ortega Project

by Linnea Alexis

  Crawford straightened in his chair. “Absolutely not! There are no so-called vampires on our premises.”

  Relief swept over Doc. His boss wasn't lying. Roman and Alex were no longer one-hundred percent vampires. Gabriel had already left the institute. And vampire hunters had killed Seth. Doc relaxed and folded his hands in his lap.

  The priest moved to the corner of his desk and leaned against it. “You see, currently the Church has a problem. We're most concerned about Father Darius's disappearance. The last time we heard from him, he was on his way to a club hoping to speak with Santos’s girlfriend. We have reason to believe he's involved with a mortal named Grace. A pretty young blonde who works at the club.” Pausing, he drew in a deep breath and pushed it out slowly. “Unfortunately, we never heard from Father Darius again.” He shot Crawford a knowing glance. “Are you acquainted with her?”

  Looking as if he’d been hit by a two-by-four, Crawford shot back, “Why would we know her?”

  The priest shrugged. “Just a feeling.”

  Doc squirmed. He had to warn Roman.

  “Another vampire we want is Gabriel Shapiro. Not only does he have a quick temper, he's ruthless and enjoys taunting his prey. The Church has been hunting him for nearly two hundred years. Almost as long as Santos. He and Santos now travel together. As a team, they are especially dangerous.”

  Two hundred years?

  The priest glared at them. “If you're harboring the vampires, do not be deceived by them. They aren't human. They have no souls. They kill people!” He pounded his fist on the desk. “Tell me what you know!”

  Stunned by the priest’s outburst, Doc jumped.

  “I know nothing about any vampires,” Crawford stammered, but stood firm.

  “They've been sighted near your institute.”

  “That's a lie,” Crawford shouted.

  Resting his folded arms on his ample stomach, the priest narrowed his gaze on Crawford, “Because these creatures are particularly elusive, we've changed our strategy and formed a new, larger, highly organized team of seminarians to hunt and destroy the vampires. The seminarians have recently entered into an extensive training program because vampire slaying is a deadly occupation.” He peered through the glass doors and pointed to a group of young men jogging through the courtyard. “And there they are now.”

  Doc and Crawford turned to watch the joggers.

  “The man in front is Father Lucas,” the priest noted in a boastful manner.

  The much younger, taller, bulked-up priest waved at him.

  Father Bernard waved back and leaned against his desk. “Besides his efforts to find out what happened to Father Darius, he's also in charge of our new class of vampire slayers. We're fortunate to have him. He came highly recommended with a hundred percent success rate.”

  Doc’s heart pounded in his chest and worked its way into his throat. He couldn't breathe. If this vampire slayer and his small army got anywhere near Roman and Alex, they would certainly be killed. He needed to protect them from the young priest.

  Father Bernard returned to sit in his chair. He rested his folded hands on the desk. “So you see, we take vampires seriously here and will not allow them to run amok in South Orange County.”

  Doc swallowed hard and glanced at Crawford, who was chewing on his bottom lip as a trickle of perspiration ran down the side of his face.

  A frown showed on the priest's face. “I'm laying it all out on the table. Whether or not you admit you're harboring the vampires, Father Lucas and his hunters will capture and destroy them. That's a given. Now for my other request. Do you know this Grace or how to reach her? Apparently she recently quit her job at the club.”

  “We haven't any idea who this woman might be or how to get in touch with her,” Doc explained as he fidgeted in his chair. He was telling the truth because he knew Roman would never disclose her whereabouts to anyone—even him.

  Crawford piped in. “Have you tried one of the colleges? Maybe she's a student.”

  “We've already tried, but without a last name… Can you tell me what it is?”

  He's trying to trick us. “Of course not. We don't even know who you're talking about,” Doc answered.

  The priest stared at them, a sly grin showing on his face. “I won't lie to you. I think you know more than you're willing to admit. Be forewarned, from this day forward we will be watching your institute very closely.”

  31

  Roman

  In the lounge, Roman sat across the chessboard from Alex and waited for his cousin’s next move.

  “Aha!” Alex chuckled manically and moved his knight into position to get a clear shot at Roman’s king. “Check.” He hooked his thumbs in his pants pockets and leaned back on his chair. A victorious grin crept across his face.

  “Damn you.” Roman stroked his chin, contemplating where to move next. He had two choices.

  The door flew open and slammed against the wall.

  Vampire survival instincts clicked on. With lightning speed he and Alex jumped up. Their swift motion jarred the card table, shifting the game board, knocking over chess pieces. They kicked their chairs behind them, set their feet apart and leaned forward, assuming an attack position.

  Doc stood frozen in the doorway. Color had drained from his face and his eyes grew wide as an open bear trap. His jaw moved, but no sound came out.

  “Don’t ever do that again!” Roman said.

  Grabbing his chest, Doc wobbled toward the wall.

  Alex hurried to Doc’s side and led him to an empty chair at the card table.

  Roman retrieved the chairs Alex and he had kicked to opposite sides of the room and returned them to their rightful places at the table.

  “Whew!” Doc placed his trembling hand over his heart. “Let me catch my breath.”

  “Do you need to change your shorts?” Alex joked as he moved a chair next to Doc.

  Doc blew out a breath and wiped perspiration from his brow. “No, I’m all right. You gave me quite a fright, is all.”

  Wearing a wide grin, Roman squeezed Doc’s shoulder. “And we aren’t even at a hundred percent. At full power, we’d have been nothing but a blur.” He pulled a chair from the table and sat next to Doc. “So what brings you to our man cave? Take as much time as you need to answer. We aren’t going anywhere,” he said, returning the chess pieces to their rightful places on the board.

  “There’s something you need to know.” Doc cleared his throat. “We may have a problem.”

  Roman set down the rook. Whatever Doc was about to say, he had his attention. He shot Alex a sideways glance.

  “Earlier today,” Doc said. “Crawford and I were summoned to St. Mary’s Church by a Father Bernard.”

  Suspecting the worst, a sinking feeling settled in Roman’s gut. “About what?”

  “We had no idea what he wanted to discuss. Curious, we kept the appointment.” He locked gazes with Roman. “There seems to be a missing priest. A Father Darius. Do either of you have knowledge of this man’s disappearance?”

  Roman shook his head.

  Doc ran a hand down his face. “Apparently, said priest was on his way to the club where Grace works…and no one’s seen or heard from him since. Father Bernard believes Grace knows how and why the priest is missing and he’s most anxious to speak with her.”

  Roman jumped up. “No way is he or anyone else talking to her!”

  “Calm down,” Alex said. ”Let’s hear what else he has to say.”

  Doc wiped perspiration from above his upper lip. “Seems a while ago, the Church had contracted a renowned, up and coming vampire hunter to put together a team of seminarians. Training is happening right now on the Church property. The team is being trained for one purpose—to find and destroy you.” He fixed his gaze on Roman.

  “What’s this vampire hunter’s name?” Alex leaned forward.

  “Father Lucas. Have either of you heard of him?”

  Roman glanced at Alex, who shook his head.

/>   “Heard of him, yes, but don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him,” Roman answered sarcastically. “I’ll check with the Elder Council to find out what they know.”

  Alex narrowed his eyes. “Were they the new slayers Gabriel warned us about? The ones who killed Seth?”

  “Sounds like it might be. Remember to be careful and stay close to the lab,” Doc said. “Of course, Crawford and I denied knowing you, but the priest wasn’t buying it. He warned us that they’re going to be watching the institute from now on. He also mentioned Gabriel by name. If either of you talk to him, you’d better advise him to stay away. Better yet, tell him to get the hell out of Orange County. And warn Grace, too.”

  Roman clenched his jaw. “I swear to God, if anyone goes anywhere near her, I’ll—” he said, his voice shaking.

  “You’ll what?” Doc asked. “Prove to them you’re a threat after all? That the hunters are justified in slaying you? That we lied? Listen Roman, Crawford took a risk trying to convince the priest that we never heard of any of you. If you do anything that might reveal yourself or implicate the institute, they’ll kill you and shut us down.”

  32

  Roman

  Roman muted the television and cocked his head in the direction of the lab where Crawford was mixing their formula. “He’s up to something. Listen, he’s humming.”

  “I wonder what’s going on,” Alex said.

  “Don’t know, but I’m hoping his good mood has something to do with relaxing the ban on us leaving this damn place.” Ten days had passed since Doc informed Roman of his visit with Father Bernard. Crawford also stressed the importance of staying diligent…and “invisible.”

  So far, he’d heeded their warnings. But now, he was missing Grace too much to remain sequestered within the walls of the institute.

  Sounds of clinking glass and metal stopped. Crawford wheeled the feeding cart into the lounge and handed over their personalized tumblers filled with formula. He rolled a stool next to Roman and straddled it. A Cheshire-cat grin slithered across his face like a snake. “Why didn’t you tell me your girlfriend was pregnant?”

  The accusation caught Roman off guard. Since discovering Grace was expecting his child, Roman hadn’t told anyone, except Alex. Would Alex betray a member of his family? Impossible. He glanced at Alex, who shook his head.

  Then how did Crawford find out? By merely seeing Grace, now in her fifth month, how could he possibly diagnose her condition? Especially since the last time Roman saw her, her pregnancy was barely noticeable. Was Crawford was trying to trick him into admitting Grace was pregnant. If so, why?

  “I have no clue what you’re talking about,” Roman said.

  “Oh, I believe you do,” Crawford answered, in a condescending tone. “How long did you think you could keep something this monumental secret?”

  Roman gripped the armrests of his recliner and stared straight ahead. He wanted to strangle whoever told Crawford. “That’s impossible. Vampires have no sperm.”

  “But you forget, Roman, you’re also part human. And as such, you probably have sperm. The only problem is which genes were more dominant at the time of conception—human or vampire.”

  “You must be mistaken. There is no baby,” he said nonchalantly, trying to hide his rage and fear.

  Crawford wheeled the stool closer. “Stop denying it. I saw her with my own eyes. She was at the mall, sitting inside Starbucks without a care in the world. Laughing and giggling with a friend,” he mocked. Crawford’s grin faded. “And Roman, your girlfriend is most definitely pregnant.”

  After promising to keep a low profile, had Grace ignored his request to stick close to home? His stomach churned and he felt as of his heart was being ripped out of his chest.

  “Your girlfriend needs us. If, God forbid, the baby’s a vampire.”

  “There is no baby,” he repeated through clenched teeth.

  Crawford snorted. “We’re much more qualified to care for a bi-species infant than you.”

  “You’re not qualified to take care of shit. Look what you did to us,” Roman ground out.

  Crawford rested a hand on Roman’s shoulder. “Please, Roman. Do the right thing. Let us help her and your baby,” he said with a phony sincerity.

  Roman bristled and jerked his shoulder away. “She doesn’t need your help and she’s not pregnant!”

  He leaned closer, invading Roman’s space. “You may think your child will be human, but have you considered the other possibility?”

  * * *

  Grace

  * * *

  Roman’s phone call about her being seen by Crawford at the mall had hurled chaos into Grace’s life, causing her stomach to drop to the soles of her feet. Her rubbery legs failed her and she collapsed on the sofa, clutching her cell.

  She needed to speak with Deanna. Needed to hear her calming voice. She hated bothering her best friend at work, but her reason for calling was important. Her fingers trembled as she pressed speed dial.

  Deanna picked up on the first ring. “Is something wrong?”

  “Roman called. The director of the institute saw us at the mall and confronted him.” Her throat was as dry as the Sahara Desert. She swallowed hard. “He knows I’m pregnant.” Experiencing a fluttering sensation in her womb, she instinctively rubbed her belly. Why did she wear the brand new, gray shift to the mall? Why hadn’t she chosen something less form-fitting?

  “No way.”

  Tears stung the back of her eyes. “Roman warned me something like this might happen if I left the apartment. And now he’s pissed off at me. But I refuse to live like a hermit for the rest of my life.” She sat up straighter and took in a deep breath, trying to slow down her thundering heartbeat. “Crawford wants our baby. Do you think…? What if Roman gives him my baby? I’ll just die if he—”

  “He’s not going to give your baby to this guy or anyone else. So get that idea out of your head right now. And he’s not trying to turn you into a hermit. I’m sure he doesn’t like this isolation any more than you do. He only wants to keep you safe.”

  “I know you’re right, but everything is so damn complicated.” She ended the call and dialed Roman’s number.

  “Grace?”

  “I’m sorry. Do you hate me?” She burst into tears.

  “Of course, I don’t hate you,” he answered with compassion.

  She needed to see him. Needed to feel his strong arms around her. “Can you come over so we can talk?”

  “I can’t. Not now, anyway. It’s not that I don’t want to be with you, but Crawford’s watching me. He wants our baby…and you. So, for now, until I come up with a way to sneak out of here, it’s best if we stay away from each other for a while.”

  “Don’t say that.” Even though she knew he told the truth, his words still hurt. A tear trailed down her cheek “How did he get so powerful that he can order you and everyone else around like you were his servants?” She wiped her eyes.

  Roman hesitated. “He knows too much…about me…my vampires…the priests. Babe, if that son-of-a-bitch decides to talk, it could be the end of Alex and me…and us.

  For the first time, she felt the baby move and wished Roman was with her to share this moment. Filled with amazement, she gently rubbed her stomach, but wondered if their baby sensed its daddy’s words were breaking her heart.

  33

  Roman

  Staying away from Grace wasn’t working for Roman. He missed seeing her, holding her in his arms while he inhaled her intoxicating fragrance, making love to her. Screw Crawford. Screw the institute. Tonight he was determined to sneak away to spend time with Grace. He lowered himself into his recliner and scooped his cell from the end table. When he dialed her number, she answered on the second ring.

  “Hi Babe, it’s me. I miss you.”

  “Me too,” she whispered.

  The sound of her voice made him smile. “Can I come over?”

  “What about Craw—?”

  He’d take h
is chances. Grace was worth the risk. “Fuck him. I need to be with you.”

  “I’d like that too, but I’ve eaten something that doesn’t agree with me and…I’m not feeling very well. How about tomorrow night? Will that work for you?”

  Not being able to be with her was a letdown. But whatever time he had with her, he’d take. “I’ll try,” he said, trying to hide the disappointment in his voice. “Take care of yourself…and our baby. Until tomorrow. Love you.”

  “Love you, too. ‘Night.”

  He hung up and ran his index finger over the screen of his phone.

  Alex entered the lounge. “There you are. Been looking for you. Doc and I think tonight’s a good night to check out the woods along Ortega Highway. How about it? Want to come along?”

  By now, nearly a year had passed since he’d sent his vampires to settle in Los Angeles. And with the passage of time, the urgency to find out what killed them waned. Yet, finding the cause never left his mind, and it bothered him that no one else seemed concerned.

  Previous tests results had proved inconclusive—nothing toxic had been unearthed. How could something not considered poisonous kill his vampires? As long as he had a free night, why not put his time to good use and research the matter once more? He shrugged. “Sure.”

  At sundown, he, Alex, and Doc drove to the wooded area along Ortega Highway. Doc parked the van on a gravel road, far away from heavy traffic to avoid detection.

  Donning latex gloves, they grabbed flashlights and plastic bags. They fanned out to collect foliage, animal droppings, and anything else to test for toxins, and agreed to meet back at the van in thirty minutes.

  Roman searched underbrush, gathering samples as he went. For not having rained, the ground and foliage were unusually damp, prompting him to wipe his hands on his trousers several times. With his sample bag half-full, his eyes watered and he started wheezing. Overpowered by a God-awful stench that slammed into him like a bulldozer, his breathing grew laborious. He staggered back to the van, crawled inside, and slammed the door shut. Immediately, the tightness in his chest eased up. He dropped his flashlight and bag of samples, and turned on the overhead light. Retrieving water from the cooler, he downed one bottle after the other. The water brought the relief he sought and his breathing returned to normal.