Fanghunters (Book 4): The Claw Order

by Leo Romero

  “Vincent thought you’d prefer the car. Your pilot will take care of the chopper,” the Agency guy retorted. Trixie glanced over at Mack, who was going through papers with a security guard.

  “That’s great,” Trixie said. “Hey, what’s with all the paranoia anyhow?” she asked, nodding her head at a nearby soldier.

  “Things have got a bit crazy around here since the attack on the I-Sore Tower,” the Agency guy answered.

  “Attack?” Trixie echoed.

  “Yeah. The cartel. You didn’t hear? They stormed the place. Tried to hijack it. The Feds managed to beat em away.”

  “The Feds, huh?” Dom said, his voice laced with irony.

  “That’s right. It was all over the news. Didn’t you see?”

  “Sorry, we been outta town.”

  “Right. Okay, let me talk to this fine gentleman, and we’ll get you all through.” The Agency guy rubbed his hands, put on his best smile and approached the security guard. After a flash of a card and a few kind words in his ear, the guard ushered them all through.

  Trixie turned to Dom. “Well, that was easy enough.”

  Dom gave her a sideways look. “Almost too easy.” He grinned at the guard as he went by. The guard’s face remained like stone. The Agency guy waved them off before vanishing into another part of the airport to do whatever he needed to do next.

  They made it out of the airport and to the car waiting for them outside. “What was that Agency guy all about?” Dom asked Trixie.

  Trixie shrugged. “It’s probably best not to ask.”

  “Your dad’s got high level security clearance? I thought only Government guys or spies got stuff like that.”

  “My dad’s rich, Dom. Very rich. And if you forgot, he had a deal with the Blood Order. I’m guessing that deal included perks. Perks such as bypassing airport security.”

  “But Leviah declared the pact broken.”

  “Well, I’m guessing ‘the Agency’ didn’t get the memo yet.”

  Dom rubbed his head. “I dunno, Trix. It all feels a bit fishy.”

  “Just stop worrying about it, will you.”

  Dom turned his attention back to the airport. Soldiers were stationed outside as if awaiting an attack.

  “What is it they’re waiting for?” he asked in an absent voice. It was like a training exercise.

  Trixie shook her head. “I don’t know. Something’s going down though.”

  “Hey, you two getting in?” Troy said from inside the car, tapping his wrist. “Time’s a ticking.”

  Dom rolled his eyes. “Okay, Dracula, don’t worry, we’ll get you home before the sun comes up.”

  “You better!” Troy snapped.

  Dom and Trixie joined Troy in the car. The Sun Security guy who was driving started up the engine and rolled away, leaving the airport behind. Dom watched everything pass by, a sereneness overcoming him despite the military presence. It was nice to be back in cold, rainy Illinois. The thought of humid, mosquito-riddled areas made him shiver. Hope I don’t ever go there again, he thought to himself as he lounged back.

  “Can you tell this guy to step on it!” Troy snapped. He was agitated in his seat. The sky was lightening to lilac, and Dom knew that had him spooked.

  “Relax, Troy. We’ll get you home in time for bed.”

  “Very funny, it’s all right for you guys, not having to run and hide whenever the sun comes up.”

  “Yeah, yeah, whatever, Troy,” Trixie said with a yawn.

  Troy huffed and crossed his arms over his chest.

  They drove down to South Side where Troy bailed out in a frenzied panic. He bolted out of the car and darted for the nearest alleyway, forgetting to close the door behind him.

  “See you later, Troy!” Trixie called after him. The last thing she saw was the flash of his red Hawaiian shirt. The sun was starting to rise, and Troy would need to find a dark nook to slide into or he’d be toast. On the one hand, Trixie found that idea satisfying, but on the other, she realized they’d never have found Magdalena if it wasn’t for Troy. He was a necessary inconvenience, that was for sure. She grabbed the door handle and pulled it shut.

  “What was that guy’s rush?” the driver asked through the intercom.

  “When you gotta go, you gotta go,” Trixie said.

  The driver chuckled and got the car moving again, heading back for the mansion.

  Trixie looked to the side to see Dom sprawled across the seats, fast asleep. She wondered how it must have felt to go through that temple all alone against those ancient traps and come out alive. She had to be honest, once Dom was locked in there alone, she feared the worst. In fact, she’d been convinced that was the end of him. And yeah, that would’ve made her sad. She didn’t want him to die, but the truth was simple: he—or she—could die at any given moment. Hell, they should already be dead. There’s no way they could’ve survived what the last few weeks had thrown at them. But, somehow they did. He did. Maybe she’d underestimated Dom’s survivability as well as his all-round abilities. Maybe he was a real badass.

  He began to snore like a pig and that thought crashed and burned in an instant.

  Trixie sighed and looked out of the window as the rainy streets went by.

  Would the rain ever end? Ever?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  They got back to the mansion and an overwhelming sense of joy suffused Trixie. After the last week of non-stop journeying into harsh and exotic territory, the sight of home held a somewhat mystic quality like a dream or an illusion. It was surreal. Can we really be back after all that craziness?

  The mansion was crawling with Sun Security, the same way the airport was swarming with soldiers. It added a different slant on the strangeness of being back home. The gates opened up and they were ushered into the grounds. The driver rolled up the path to the mansion. On pulling up outside, Trixie turned to Dom. He was still sleeping. She grabbed his thigh and shook him. He snapped into life.

  “What? We there already?” he asked in a sleepy voice.

  “We’re home, Dom,” Trixie told him in a pleasant tone. The word ‘home’ was soothing in her own mind.

  Dom rubbed his eyes and stared up at the mansion. “Man, I never thought I’d be so happy to see this place.”

  Trixie nodded. “I know what you mean. Come on, let’s go see my dad.” She stepped out of the car and stood in the light patter of rain, hands on hips. She breathed in deep, relishing the cool air of Chicago. Mexico and beyond had been way too hot for her liking.

  Dom staggered gingerly out of the car. He stretched his arms and yawned. Trixie eyed him up and down. He looked rough; his hair was messed up, he needed a shave, his eyes were puffy, his clothes dirty.

  “Man, I can’t wait for a nice hot shower,” Dom said.

  “Me neither.”

  Dom gave her a grin. “Wanna share one?”

  Trixie looked at him sideways. “Just get in the house, Dom.”

  The driver stepped out of the car. “I’ll bring your stuff up,” he said.

  “Is Dad around?”

  “He should be. Go check.”

  Dom watched Trixie skip up to the entrance like an excited child. He wanted to do the same, but didn’t have the energy. Instead, he staggered toward the door, his whole body aching like he’d been put through a meat grinder. As he moved past the driver, he patted him on the shoulder. “Thanks, buddy.”

  “No problem, Dom. It’s good to see you both safe and well.”

  “Maybe safe, but I dunno about the well part.”

  “Ha ha, you’ll be alright after some sleep and a good meal.”

  “And a beer!”

  “Goes without saying.”

  Dom chuckled and stepped up to the entrance of the mansion with a yawn and a stretch of his arms. “Home sweet home,” he said, a sensation of welcome familiarity overcoming him. He was in safe surroundings for the first time in what seemed like ages. No one wanting to kill him, no danger from the wildlife, no goddamn pressure plates a
nd booby traps, just a safe haven away from the madness. It was a moment to relish, to savor, to enjoy.

  “Dad!” Trixie shouted. She was standing in the lobby. Any nearby Sun Security turned to face her. “Dad!” she called out again.

  Vincent scuttled into the lobby from the lounge, his eyes wide and eager. “Trixie!” he exclaimed, his arms outstretched.

  Trixie raced into his arms and hugged him tight.

  Vincent rubbed her back. “I’m so happy to see you,” he said, tears oozing out between his closed eyelids. He kissed her on the cheek.

  “It’s good to see you too,” Trixie retorted, her own eyes filling with tears.

  “Isn’t that cute?” Dom asked a Sun Security guard standing next to him.

  The guard smiled and nodded in response. They both stood there, watching on and smiling.

  Vincent opened his eyes, laying them on Dom. “Dominic!” he said, his eyes sparkling with joy. He released Trixie and approached Dom, is arms outstretched.

  Dom put out his own hands. “Hiya, Vincent!”

  Vincent grabbed him and pulled him in. He gave Dom a hearty hug, slapping him hard on the back. “It’s so good to see you!” Vincent declared, tightening his hug.

  Dom groaned under the pressure.

  “Thanks for looking after Trixie,” said Vincent.

  “No problem,” Dom managed to squeeze out beneath the bear hug he was receiving.

  Vincent pulled back. His nose began twitching. “My goodness, you smell like the bottom of a trash can.”

  “Thanks, Vincent.”

  “It was only a day ago we were wading along the Amazon, Dad.” Trixie said, approaching him.

  “Yes, yes, you must tell me all about it!” Vincent said in an excited voice, putting his arms around their shoulders. “Come into the lounge and we’ll discuss it.”

  “I’m just gonna go get a drink. Dom, you want one?”

  “I could murder a Bud.”

  Trixie sighed. “Same old, Dom. I guess you’ve earned it. Dad?”

  “Nothing for me, thank you, Patricia.”

  While Trixie went off to fix drinks, Vincent led Dom into the lounge. Vincent had the TV on mute; it was showing the news. They were outside the I-Sore where the floods were ongoing.

  “Man, is that still happening?” Dom asked, pointing at the TV.

  “Things are moving apace. Looks like the Chaos Order are down and the Dragons have taken full control of that building and the whole of the US it seems.”

  “Is that the reason for the martial law?”

  Vincent’s eyes widened in surprise. “Martial law?”

  “At the airport.”

  Vincent’s stare turned dark. “It seems so. Benedict is tightening his grip. He knows things are moving fast and he wants to cover all bases.” He rubbed his head. Then, he met Dom’s stare. “So, did you get them? The Fangs?”

  “Oh! Yeah.” Dom went to put his hand in his pocket, then hesitated. He remembered what happened the last time he touched those things. He licked his lips, and dipped a trembling hand into his pocket. He grabbed the chain they were attached to with the very tips of his fingers and pulled them out. He grimaced as those nasty fangs came out of his pocket; he could virtually feel the blood draining from his face just touching the chain. They came into his view, those bone-like fangs with their roots still intact. He looked away. He wanted rid of them ASAP. He held the chain out. “Here you go!” he said in a croaky voice.

  Vincent’s eyes lit up. He grabbed hold of the fangs and snatched them from Dom’s grip. He spun away, studying them with excited eyes. “Oh,” he gasped as if gazing at treasure. “Amazing!” He held the chain up to the light. The fangs dangled like stalactites.

  Dom took one glance at them gleaming under the lights and he whipped his head away. He hated even looking at the things, never mind watching someone actually hold them. It made him nauseous. Vincent stared at them like they were a precious gem. He shook his head. “Unbelievable. So, what was Magdalena like?”

  “Oh, a babe. A true ten for sure.”

  Vincent frowned. “Really? I’d always envisaged her as an ugly old sow. She must’ve put you under some kind of hypnosis.”

  Dom facepalmed. “Yeah, Vincent. That must be what she did.”

  “You didn’t manage to harvest her fangs did you?” Vincent asked with a twitchy grin.

  Dom sucked in air between his clenched teeth. “Sorry, didn’t get the chance.”

  Vincent thumped the air. “That is a shame. They’d look incredible right next to Leviah’s.”

  “Well, her body’s still floating around somewhere on the Amazon. If you ever get the time, you could go on a hunt for it.”

  Vincent chuckled. “I’m not that keen. Sometimes things slip through our grasp and we just have to accept it.” He splayed the fangs across his palm and stared down at them. “The Fangs of Moroz.” He shook his head in disbelief. “Just imagine that these were once in his mouth.”

  Dom gulped. “Great. Hey, er, don’t you... feel anything while holding them?”

  Vincent gave him a nonplussed stare. ‘Feel? Like what?’

  “Like, cold.” He shuddered. “Like you want to do... bad things.”

  Vincent burst into laughter. “My goodness, no, no, no, young man.”

  “No voices in your head? No cold sensations? Nothing?”

  Vincent’s mouth became a slit. “Hmm, these artefacts can indeed have strange effects upon the mind when one holds them.”

  Dom puffed his cheeks. “You can say that again.”

  Vincent gave him a grave stare. “Is that what happened to you when you first touched them?”

  Dom looked away. “Kinda.”

  “Hmm,” said Vincent, nodding his head in a thoughtful manner. “They’re powerful relics for sure. That’s why they’re so precious to the orders. They are a connection to their father. The only remnant of him.” He shoved the fangs in his trouser pocket. “Not to worry, Dominic, I’ll lock these away alongside the Eye so no one can be pestered by them.” He patted Dom on the shoulder. “You did very well retrieving them. It can’t have been easy.”

  “It was a piece of cake, Vincent. Just had to dodge some poison darts and crawl beneath a few spears. A walk in the park for me.”

  “I’m so proud of you and Trixie. You really are proving your worth.”

  Trixie entered the room, a bottle of Bud in one hand and a grapefruit juice in the other. Dom laid eyes on the Bud and a dreamy sensation washed over him. Suddenly, the effects of the fangs were pushed to the back of his mind. He began salivating worse than those panthers back in Brazil. Trixie handed him his drink. The moment he touched that cold bottle, a spasm of pleasure shot through him. Without hesitation, he took a gulp; it was like silk on his throat. He let out a satisfied breath. “Ah man, that’s the best beer I’ve ever had.” He had another big gulp. “Ever!”

  “How’s Rufus?” Trixie asked Vincent, taking a sip of juice.

  Vincent rocked on his heels. “Rufus is stable,” he replied with a sure nod. “Don’t worry about him, he’ll be doing roly-polys and summersaults in no time.”

  “That’s good to hear,” said Trixie.

  “So, what happens next?” Dom asked.

  “Next?” Vincent echoed. “Well, there are three more relics to retrieve. Three more children of Moroz, three more Orders.”

  Dom pointed his bottle at Vincent. “Right, there’s Benedict.”

  “Yes, there’s Benedict. But, I’m not so sure it is wise to go after him right now.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “The Dragons are powerful, Dominic. As we’ve seen, they’ve taken control of Leviah’s empire. I think it might be best to rest, let the chaos of the last week or so calm down and then see where we stand.”

  “Rest sounds good, Vince. I’m pooped.”

  “Ha ha, I bet you are, young man.”

  Dom took another gulp of beer. “I’m gonna finish this, call Eddie, then get some shut e
ye. I don’t wanna think about vampires and snakes and godammned poison darts anymore.”

  “Amen,” said Trixie.

  CHAPTER SIX

  Don César took her seat at the table of the Inner Circle. She’d called the emergency meeting following reports from the Unholy Brotherhood of the unthinkable. Magdalena had been slaughtered. El Sanguinario had brought his wrath upon her, destroying her instead of uniting with her. None of them could have envisaged this outcome. Although the reports were as yet unconfirmed, the Unholy Brotherhood were insistent that the unsettled earth in and around the Temple of Snakes was a sure sign that she was no more.

  César stared at the other dons in trepidation. The death of Magdalena would surely mean the death of the Chaos Order. The Inner Circle were the only vestiges of her that remained. Where they went from here wasn’t clear. It was why she chaired the meeting. Why they needed to talk.

  “The Unholy Mother,” she said, her strained face reaching for the ceiling.

  The others echoed the sentiment.

  They settled down, although they were riddled with anxiety. César could tell by the eyes that stared back at her that they knew something bad had happened. Something grave that had serious ramifications for them all.

  “Brothers and sisters,” César began, interlocking her fingers. “News has reached us of something unreal, almost...” She shook her head, flabbergasted; it was unthinkable. “Impossible.”

  “Magdalena is dead,’ Don Vasquez said, nodding his head. “Isn’t she?”

  Glances exchanged, jaws dropped.

  César sighed. “Right now, it is just a rumor.”

  “A rumor that is circulating fast,’ Vasquez stated. “And one I believe.”

  César closed her eyes and showed them her palms. “If it is true, then yes, it has great consequences for all of us.”

  “First Leviah, now Magdalena,” Don Emilio said with sullen eyes. “What’s going on?”

  “It looks like the prophecy of el Sanguinario was false,” said César. “He chose to destroy the Unholy Mother rather than unite with her.”