V Games_Fresh From The Grave

by Caroline Peckham

  My tablet bleeped and I rolled over, taking it out of my pocket. Another message from Typhon flashed up on the screen.

  Tomorrow, when you see the lights, run.

  Jameson

  I could have spent the time in my cage wondering why I'd ended up here. Crying about the choices I'd made in my immortal life. All that woe-is-me bullshit.

  But that wasn't my style. In fact, I'd spent most of the last hour humming Gimme Shelter by The Rolling Stones.

  Man, I'd loved the sixties. Before Ulvic bought Skorpa island twenty years ago, me and my pack were nomads. We'd travel around the world with him and I'd made the wildly good decision to move to London for a while during the 1960s. What an era. Sure, I'd loved the pirate life. But I didn't miss it. How could I when I'd spent the last four hundred years experiencing the world, watching it evolve, adapt, fall to ruin then rise from the ashes all over again?

  So what if things weren't working out right now? I'd lived through wars, the fall of empires, entire revolutions. This too, would pass. And getting all down in the dumps about it wasn't going to make it go by any quicker. Besides, if I looked at things in the right light, things were actually going pretty well.

  I'd gotten my best friend back. Hundreds of years had passed, a thousand new friends had come and gone and not one of them had held a candle to that man. Yeah, I had a bit of a bro-crush on him. But some people were kindred spirits, plain and simple. We were the best team I'd ever known. And after he'd been turned into a V and disappeared, I knew I had to find him. Somehow. Which meant I spent the remainder of my human life trying to follow him into immortality. Okay, so I'd had ideas of grandeur that might have been a little out of proportion. But after I'd learnt about the existence of Vampires, I'd spent most my nights dreaming about an eternity sailing the seven seas – an immortal crew, imagine that? I didn't quite factor in the fact that the world was going to change and pirates wouldn't be around forever. But things like that are hard to picture when you're living the only life you know.

  Now I knew a hundred lives. I knew the rule of kings and queens, watched science save a million lives, technology merge from fantasy into reality.

  A rapping of metal on the walkway above me paused my humming. “Shut the hell up!” a guard roared. “You're giving me a bloody headache.”

  “Oh I'm sorry, was I bothering you?” I said innocently, holding my hand over my heart as if it pained me. “God, how selfish of me.”

  The huge man crouched down, glowering at me through the bars. He had a shaved head and a tiny nose that looked barely more than two slits.

  Creepy.

  He sneered. “Are you actually mocking me, asswipe?”

  I folded my arms, gazing coolly up at him. “If you have to ask me that, Voldemort, then you're more of an idiot than I thought.”

  He grabbed an electric prod from his hip, jamming it threateningly between the bars. “Say it again. Go on, give me a reason.”

  “What? That you look like Lord Voldemort or that you're an idiot?”

  He rammed the rod at me with a shriek of rage. But I was ready for it, darting sideways and lunging upwards to catch hold of his arm.

  I grinned for the split-second he registered I had him. Then, with an ear-wrenching crack, I snapped his arm and the rod clattered at my feet. Bending low, I snatched it up and rammed it into his arse.

  He screamed like a banshee, rolling back and forth on the walkway, cradling his arm and simultaneously crying out as I continued to electrocute him until more guards helped him to his feet.

  One of the new arrivals aimed a high-powered rifle at my head and I paused, holding up my hands, smiling all the while.

  “Drop it, dog!” he snapped and the rod dropped from my hand, clattering to the floor.

  “Hands behind your head.”

  I did as he commanded, satisfied to my bones as the wailing of his friend continued.

  “Pass it to me.” He jerked the gun in the direction of the rod.

  “Why don't you come and get it?” I taunted, kicking the rod at my feet.

  “How about you pass it to me or we'll find out how many shots to the head it takes to kill a Werewolf.”

  “Take a break, Rex,” a voice sounded from beside my cage. I'd been so distracted I hadn't noticed Ignus arriving. And hell, he wasn't alone.

  A man stood beside him, rigid, his hands balled into fists at his sides and his face ghostly pale.

  My bravado failed me for a second. “Ulvic?” I stepped toward the edge of the cage.

  “Rod,” Ignus instructed in a bored voice, holding out his hand.

  I whipped it up, passing it to him without a thought, my eyes never leaving Ulvic's.

  My master, my saviour, my friend.

  Ulvic seemed to snap out of some reverie, his eyes scouring the cage I was in. “His conditions aren't what I'd hoped.”

  Ignus shot him a glance. “We're still working out the best ways to hold a Werewolf. This kind of cage works for the Vs. But my team are developing holding pens for wolves as we speak.”

  “Does it have to be so dingy in here?” Ulvic wrinkled his nose, moving forward and wrapping his fingers around the bars. His eyes found mine again and something tugged in my gut.

  “Are you alright?” he asked in a low tone.

  My gaze flitted to Ignus and back. “Apart from being bitten on the arse by a V, I'm peachy.”

  Ulvic took something from his pocket and Ignus nodded, allowing him to pass it to me.

  “For the bites. I've explained that V blood doesn't work for you.”

  “They know,” I answered, pinning my gaze on Ignus. “The Helsings have been quite thorough with their little experiments on me.”

  “All in the name of science, you understand?” Ignus offered me a curt smile. Jesus, was he actually offering me some decency because Ulvic was here? He must have held more sway with him than I'd realised.

  I took the cream from Ulvic's hand. No label, nothing, just an aluminium tube. I knew what was inside. Ulvic had discovered the healing properties of Larkspur a hundred years ago– a plant closely related to Wolfsbane. Rather than poisoning us like its relative did, it healed us quicker.

  I twisted off the cap and took hold of the back of my waistband. Neither Ignus nor Ulvic moved. “Are you going to stand there watching me rub cream into my butt? 'Cause that could get awkward fast.”

  As I went to tug down my trousers, Ignus held up a hand, grimacing. “We'll give you a minute, but when you're finished you'll come with us.”

  “I'd rather not.”

  Ulvic gave me a small look of encouragement. “Just behave.”

  I felt the order run through my body like a block of ice melting in my chest. His commandment was impossible to ignore. I was a slave to it. My jaw locked tight and I nodded.

  Dammit, Ulvic.

  I may have been the Alpha of my pack, but Ulvic was my master. An innate instinct in me made it impossible for me to ignore any command he gave me. But Ulvic rarely pulled that mystical crap on me and my wolves, even though he could. So I knew he must have been doing it for my own good.

  From the blank look on Ignus's face, I hoped that meant he didn't know about the control Ulvic had over me. And thank god for that. Ulvic might have been on my side, but he couldn't protect me if he handed over the secret of that power to Ignus.

  I moved to rub in the cream again and the two of them headed away down the corridor. The cut stung like hell as I rubbed in the Larkspur and I couldn't help but feel slightly bitter about the fact Varick could simply heal himself if he got hurt. There were definite plus sides to being a V. But I didn't think I'd trade in the wolf suit for it, seeing as they were complete slaves to blood. That part didn't look much fun.

  Besides, I'd made my bed when I'd asked a Werewolf to turn me. Now I had to lie in it.

  Ignus returned without Ulvic, clicking his fingers at the guard who'd taken up position above me. “Open it.”

  The man knelt down, unbolting locks
and winching up the door to my cage. I ducked beneath it before it was fully open, gazing down at Ignus with a cocky grin. Unfortunately, he didn't back up, not looking even remotely ruffled.

  “Remember to behave.” His smile was crooked and cruel. With a jolt of horror, I realised I'd been wrong. Ulvic had told him about the power he had over me. My eyes slid over his white-blonde head; I knew betrayal was written all over my face because Ulvic dropped his eyes, ashamed.

  “Come,” Ulvic commanded and I moved, my heart cleaving in two at being so completely abandoned by him. He had always protected us. Even when the Helsings had pressured him to give up a wolf, I'd volunteered to save the pack. Ulvic and I had planned it together. Both of us always did what was best for the others. But now...I worried for the first time since I'd met him, that his loyalty had failed me.

  “Where are we going?” I asked through tight lips, glaring at Ulvic. I could smell the sweat pouring down his back. He was nervous as hell. So something was going on.

  “Quiet,” Ignus snapped, turning his attention away from me as he started chatting with Ulvic about the first round of the games.

  I shifted toward him, my hands curling into fists, my rage reaching boiling point. But every part of me was now being forced to 'behave'. And I knew ripping Ignus's head off wouldn't be classified as behaving.

  So I stomped after them through the dark corridors, winding out to the edge of the amphitheater. When the scent of grass and fresh air filled my nostrils, I almost broke into a run. Ignus led the way outside, a door unlocking at the touch of his thumb on a keypad. I stepped into the arctic breeze, the loose pieces of my braid whipping around me. I got lost in the scent of freedom. Alright, maybe this prisoner crap was getting old. I wanted out.

  Ulvic's hand slid around my wrist as he tugged me away from the twenty foot high silver fence that ringed the amphitheater. I gave in, following him and Ignus along a path, finding an enormous armoured SUV waiting for us.

  The driver quickly exited the vehicle and opened the back door for Ignus.

  “Inside,” Ulvic muttered to me and I nodded, my skin prickling.

  I gave the driver a dark stare as I followed Ulvic into the truck and was satisfied when he backed up a few steps.

  “Next stop funsville,” I muttered as the driver slammed the door shut behind me.

  “Tell it to shut up, will you?” Ignus sniped, running his fingers through his hair.

  Ulvic gave me an apologetic look before commanding me to do so. I managed three profanities before I had to obey, but it wasn't nearly satisfying enough.

  The truck took off down the moonlit track, curving around the amphitheater before taking a fenced-in route across a wide plain of grass. The moon caught my eye. A silver crescent hanging low on the horizon. If I could bite someone when it was full, they'd turn. That would certainly be a little justice for some of those spectators. Unfortunately, Hunters couldn't turn or Ignus would have been at the top of my list.

  The truck dipped down a hill then rose toward an enormous gate that glinted up ahead. As we approached, it slid open, allowing us access into a large complex. An enormous hotel reached high into the sky, surrounded by manicured gardens and perfectly trimmed bushes and fig trees.

  I ground my teeth as I took in the luxury whipping past the window. The driver didn't halt at the resort, instead circling around it and taking another path up into a hilly area of the island. We passed through another reinforced gate and a sign above it marked the way to the 'V Experience'.

  My gut churned uncomfortably as we bumped over rocky ground, climbing up into a gap between two hills.

  Other trucks were already parked up in neat rows at the edge of what seemed to be an abandoned town. My curiosity peaked as the driver opened the door for me. I jumped down and Ulvic followed.

  “Keep at my side. Don't do anything I don't tell you to do,” Ulvic muttered to me.

  I nodded, sneering at him and he quickly looked away. I fell into step beside him as Ignus led the way into the only new-looking building in the place. Inside, the decor almost reminded me of home. The walls were covered in weapons. Guns, crossbows, blades of all sizes. My stomach hardened into a cold ball as I took in the group of five men standing around in casual clothes, sipping on beers as they picked out weapons.

  When they spotted Ignus, a cheer went up and a man with white hair and a Texan accent shouted, “There he is! The kid who made this all happen.”

  “You're too kind, Dylan.” Ignus rested a hand on his shoulder, before moving toward the attendant standing behind a counter.

  “What'll it be, Ignus?” he asked and Ignus picked out two hand guns before returning to Ulvic and passing him a weapon.

  The men were starting to notice me, some eyeing the collar around my neck and evidently adding two and two together. Automatically adjustable now so I couldn't just yank it over my head when I returned to my human form.

  “Ain't that the Werewolf?” said a younger guy with perfectly gelled-back black hair.

  Ignus smiled. “We're taking him for a walk.”

  Most of the men laughed, but I noted how many of them still moved strategically away from me.

  Ulvic cocked his gun, his expression unreadable as he turned to me. The scent of fear on him was tangible though. And as he met my eye, I was sure there was some hidden message in it. A warning maybe.

  The guy behind the counter gestured to the door. “Your guide will meet you outside. Grab a few packs of silver bullets on the way out. Have a fun time folks.”

  We filed outside, meeting with a tall man in a red uniform and a silver plate fixed to his chest. Weapons were strapped to every inch of his body and a walkie talkie sat in a holster on his hip.

  “I'm Farim, I'll be your guide for the V Experience. Keep your guns holstered when we're moving. Only shoot when I say so. And for the love of god, have a good time!” A cheer went up as Farim headed away, leading us into the abandoned town.

  On closer inspection, the buildings all seemed for show. Like it had been constructed from plasterboard and wood. Many of the finishings were plastic and fake flowers sat in the window boxes. It felt like stepping into an empty film set as we wound through the hauntingly quiet streets.

  My heart rate increased as Farim held up his hand to halt us. I wasn't frightened, just anxious as hell. But surely I wouldn't have been standing there next to Ulvic if they wanted me to play any more games? All the same, my instincts were telling me something was wrong.

  As we turned into a quiet street, Farim gestured for the Texan, Dylan, to walk forward from the group.

  “Raise your gun,” Farim instructed. Dylan slung his rifle over his shoulder as he moved forward with a cocky swagger.

  I took a breath as Farim's hand came down, signalling him to start shooting.

  Simultaneously a door opened with a mechanical sound and a V appeared hanging from the back of it by a silver collar around its neck. The Texan started shooting, his shots firing all over the place, hitting the door, the wall and finally the starving V's chest so it jerked wildly from the impact.

  Bile rose in my throat as more doors and hatches swung open with Vs strapped onto them, making them an easy target for the men.

  I bumped shoulders with Ulvic who looked on in disbelief. He'd never liked Vs. But even this must have been below the belt for him.

  A bell rang out and Farim halted Dylan, ushering him back toward the group. All of the Vs were still alive, snarling and trying to claw their way free of the collars that were bolting them in place.

  “You didn't kill any of them,” a blonde man laughed, tipping beer down his throat before chucking the empty bottle onto the ground and stepping forward to have a go. He looked like a businessman who'd just arrived home from work, his shirt collar loose and a cigarette hanging out the corner of his mouth.

  He gazed down the sight of his rifle and aimed at the closest V around ten feet ahead. The first bullet grazed its arm and the second missed entirely.

&n
bsp; “Ulvic,” I growled, my body beginning to shake with how uncomfortable I was watching this sick charade. “Release me,” I demanded but Ulvic shook his head.

  “You'll have a go,” Ignus drew Ulvic's attention away from me. “Show them what Hunters are capable of.”

  Ulvic let out a shaky laugh. “Oh, it's not really my sort of thing.”

  “Nonsense.” Ignus grabbed Ulvic's wrist, forcing him to raise the handgun in his palm.

  Farim called the blonde guy off as his gun rang empty.

  Ignus gestured for Ulvic to step forward and he did so on wobbly legs, angling a glance back at me. I set my jaw, watching, willing him to refuse.

  Come on. Be a man.

  Ulvic's shoulders tensed as he gazed on at the haggard Vs, their groaning and wailing filling the night air.

  I couldn't bear it. If I hadn't been rooted to the spot by Ulvic's hold over me, I would have freed every one of those Vs and let them have their revenge on the men who so eagerly abused them.

  Ulvic raised his gun, his shoulders dropping. I heard the sigh of defeat pass his lips before he took his first shot.

  Dead. Dead. Dead.

  Every silver bullet made its mark.

  Ulvic's aim was impeccable and every single one of the men fell silent as they watched the efficiency with which he killed. Ulvic may have seemed like a fairly inoffensive guy, but he was a Hunter through and through. He could take out a V at fifty feet with the right weapon. And a Werewolf for that matter...

  The silence that stretched out after the deed was done made me stiffen. Every one of the Vs were still, hanging limp. Better that they were dead, I reckoned. No more pain, no more starving, no more games. I was starting to see why Varick wasn't as perky as he used to be. If he'd lived around this kind of shit all those years, I was kind of surprised he hadn't killed himself already.

  Resolve found me at once. My jaw clenched and determination ripped through my body like a tidal wave.

  I was getting us out of here. No matter what it took. And I was going to take down as many of these sick bastards as I could while I did so.

  The men clapped as Ulvic returned to the group, his eyes hollow. Ignus was smiling at him with that crazed gleam in his eye.