I couldn’t let Henry know anything strange was happening.
I’m home but I’m exhausted. Going to bed early. Call you in the morning?
I slipped my phone back into my purse, satisfied with my alibis. I just hope mom and Henry don’t compare stories, I thought nervously.
“Anyway,” Lucas continued, “getting back to what I was telling you about Matthews. He didn’t say much on the phone or in emails – he’s very careful. But one thing stood out. He had an old email – from before the first meeting – that mentioned making sure each and every attendant got a stamp.”
“Like when they stamp your hand at a concert to show you’re underage?” I asked.
“That’s what we were thinking,” Nicholas said. “So we decided to set out and find one of these so-called stamps.”
“But didn’t you say that they’re all unique?” Emmett asked.
Lucas looked uncomfortable but Nicholas seemed totally at ease. “Correct. That’s why in order to find a stamp, I first had to find a vamp.”
“You see,” Nicholas continued, “there are some creatures you don’t want to mess with. And vampires are one of those creatures, but I’ve got a leg up since I happen to be one myself. So, I thought if I could find a vampire with a stamp, I’d take his stamp and put it on my neck. And voila. I’d become him for the next meet and greet.”
“What happened to the vampire you took it from?” Emmett asked suspiciously. He was watching Nicholas closely and didn’t look like he trusted him at all. But then again, Emmett didn’t seem to trust anyone. It was probably a miracle Lucas got him to agree to come out with them and not meet in some hugely populated place.
Nicholas pantomimed stabbing a stake through his chest, then dramatically fell back onto the couch as he twisted his face in pretend pain.
“Is that really how they die?” I blurted out.
Lucas looked like he was trying to decide whether to be annoyed or amused. “Nic is screwing around,” he finally said.
“About all of it?” I raised my eyebrows.
“Nah, just about the way vamps die. It’s much more brutal than that.” Nicholas leaned forward, a serious expression on his face. “I’m not trying to scare you, but yeah, I had to kill the vampire. Maybe Lucas sugar coats his job, but I don’t. Sometimes it’s necessary.”
I looked at Lucas. “You told me you only kill the bad guys!” I said accusatorily.
“I wasn’t implying Lucas has a lax moral code,” Nicholas said quickly. “Neither of us does. This vamp I killed – Raymond – had it coming. Always involved in shady shit and by the skin of his teeth would muster up an alibi to clear his name. Or all of the sudden some other creature would turn up dead, a handy ‘tell-all’ suicide note tucked in his pocket confessing to whatever brutal murder had just happened – the brutal murder that had Raymond’s name written all over it.”
“But you killed him and there was no solid evidence that he did those things,” I argued. I knew I needed to shut up; this wasn’t what we were here to discuss. But what if someone used that logic on Lucas – piled together circumstantial evidence and decided it was okay to stake him?
“This is why I don’t explain the things I’m forced to do,” Lucas said with a smirk. He turned his attention to Nicholas. “I did warn you she was a firecracker. Divulge your actions at your own risk.” Lucas looked like he was trying to hold back laughter.
“There are always casualties in war.” We all turned to look at Emmett when he spoke. He was leaning forward on the couch, head in hands, resting his elbows on his knees. “You guys understand, right? This is just the beginning. One vampire is nothing, compared to what’s to come.”
“What aren’t you telling us? What else do you know?” I demanded. “I’d rather have a heads up if we’re about to be in the middle of a bloodbath, thanks.”
“It’s obvious,” Emmett shot back. “I’ve been warning you that a war is coming; what do you think war is? Everyone airs their grievances then they all shake hands and go home? I’ve been trying to prepare you, but you don’t listen.”
I tried to think of something to say back, but there was nothing. Emmett was right. I was choosing to wear blinders. War meant death. And one vampire didn’t matter in terms of the big picture.
“Anyway,” Nicholas said, deliberately ignoring both of us. “Raymond’s been on my radar off and on over the years, and this was as good a time as any to take him out.”
“So you cut off a hunk of his neck to recreate that barcode?” I asked.
Nicholas nodded. “Yeah, I have a contact who is also a damn good artist; he figured out how it was applied and put it on me, line for line. We’re good for tonight, I promise.”
“Okay,” I whispered. “So you have the right mark to get into this meeting. What else? How do you plan on keeping me from blacking out? You said we had to prepare for tonight.” I directed my last comment at Lucas. He was the one who’d physically dragged me from the party.
Nicholas reached into the satchel and pulled out a black box.
“That’s the scrambler thing?” I asked, looking nervously between Lucas and Nicholas.
“Yes,” Lucas answered.
“And you know it works?” I demanded. “I mean, what if I lose consciousness like I always do? Does it have to be in close proximity to me? Are we going to try to sneak the box in or something?”
Nicholas opened his palm to reveal a black round disk. It was about the size of a dime.
“You won’t lose consciousness because I’m going to be carrying this,” he told me. “The frequency scrambler will transmit the signal to this little gem. Just make sure you stick by my side at all times.”
“What if we get separated?” I asked worriedly. “Can’t I carry it?”
“Don’t freak out,” Lucas started.
“Oh, wonderful, I just love sentences that start like that,” I said sarcastically.
“It’s safer for Nicholas to carry it,” Emmett cut in.
“Why?” I demanded.
“Because you’re special. And I can’t guarantee they won’t search you,” Emmett replied.
“But they definitely won’t search good ol’ Raymond,” Nicholas added. “He’s just a minion. Easy to control. No one will look at me twice.”
“Great,” I said, barely able to keep the frustration out of my voice. “Fine. So this keeps me from zombie-ing out, for the sake of argument. Won’t the drones next to me – next to us – also reap the benefits of no mind control, no blackout?”
“Er, that’s where the fun part comes in.” Nicholas again reached into the satchel. I was beginning to hate that stupid bag. He pulled out a large white envelope.
“Extra insurance that we’re the only ones not affected by Tobias and Matthews.” He grinned.
“What is that?” I asked suspiciously. Nicholas turned the envelope upside down and two huge syringes fell onto the couch.
Chapter 3
“What the fuck?” I spat out.
Lucas placed his hand over mine. “Don’t worry, Rory, I picked these up myself,” he told me.
I raised my eyebrows skeptically.
“They’re from the same guy who gave us the scrambler. He’s legit. The injection, along with the frequency scrambler, ensures you aren’t going to black out.” Lucas squeezed my hand.
“I guess I’ll just take your word for it!” I said in exasperation. “I mean, I don’t even have blood in my veins. How the hell is this going to work on me?”
“It will work,” Emmett said forcefully. We all turned to look at him.
“I, I can see bits and pieces of tonight,” Emmett explained. “You’re not going to black out. But you need to follow their advice. Stay close to Nicholas and take the injection.”
“Oh fine!” I pulled my hand from Lucas’ grip and crossed my arms in front of my chest defiantly. “Whatever. I’m tired of arguing.” I didn’t want tell anyone that I was deathly afraid of needles. They used to make me pass out whe
n I was a kid.
I closed my eyes and held my arm out in front of me. “Just get it over with,” I snapped to no one in particular.
“Afraid it’s not that simple,” Nicholas said apologetically.
My eyes flew open. “Meaning?” I asked through gritted teeth.
“Has to go in fatty tissue. Absorbs best if you inject it directly into your stomach, by your navel. Here, I’ll show you how it’s done.” Nicholas stood up, raised his shirt to reveal a set of shredded abs and jabbed the needle next to his belly button without even flinching.
I willed myself not to swoon. God, I hate needles.
“See?” he was saying. “It’s easy.” Nicholas held out the other syringe for me to take it.
“I could do it for you,” Lucas offered.
I ignored him and snatched the syringe out of Nicholas’ hand. I wasn’t mad at Lucas but I needed to get this over with. Having him stab me in my stomach with a needle wasn’t going to be any easier than doing it myself.
“Where’s the bathroom?” I asked. Nicholas pointed down the hall.
Without looking at anyone, I walked purposefully out of the room. I didn’t want them to see how much I was shaking. Once inside the bathroom with the door locked, I pulled up my shirt to reveal my stomach. No fucking way I can do this. But I had to.
With shaking hands, I uncapped the syringe and, before I could think about what I was doing, I awkwardly shoved the needle deep into my stomach. I tried to decompress the syringe, to shoot the liquid through the needle, but my hands were shaking profusely.
I pulled the needle back out in relief and chucked it into the garbage. Hope I did that right. I headed back to the main room.
“Done,” I announced. “So what else did you find out about Henry’s dad from tapping his phone and email?” I asked, changing the subject.
“Only about the barcode,” Lucas replied. “He must have deleted everything else before I saw it. I wanted to tell Emmett right away and remembered that you said he was a professor. So I went to the faculty section on the university’s website and got his contact info there.”
“I still wish you’d included me,” I muttered. “So why did you have to come tonight?” I turned my attention to Emmett.
“I didn’t. In fact, Lucas told me not to feel obligated. But I thought I might be able to offer some support, if I could see anything about how this is going to go down.”
“That was nice of you.” I meant it. “Have you been able to figure out any more about it then?”
Emmett smiled wanly. “I know where the check-in point is located. It’s about 15 miles from here, farther north.”
“What happens at the check-in?” Nicolas asked. “If you can see anything, that is. I’d like for Aurora and me to be as prepared as possible. Once we’re in the middle of this thing, neither of us can show a hint of emotion.”
I could tell Lucas was looking at me when Nicholas said that last bit. I kept my attention focused on Emmett.
“Yeah, you go into a huge building - a warehouse. It’s one story, if that helps. Then, there’s some type of gatekeeper – sorry, I can’t tell you anything about the gatekeeper, specifically. That’s who checks you in, verifies the barcode,” Emmett explained.
“Okay,” I whispered. My nerves were starting to get the better of me. Up until now, it had seemed surreal. The full effect of what was about to happen hadn’t sunk in. I wasn’t really going to some underground meeting with a bunch of undead things…right?
“After you get past the gatekeeper, it should be smooth sailing,” Emmett said.
“Meaning?” Lucas raised his eyebrows questioningly.
“Meaning that’s the only stop before you get to the meeting,” Emmett replied. “I don’t know anything else,” he added. “You’ll just have to evaluate the situation and go with it.”
I shot a nervous glance at Lucas. He looked perplexed. He opened his mouth to speak, then stopped himself. With a deep sigh, Lucas got up from the seat on the couch next to me. He walked over to Emmett.
“I know I haven’t said it before, but thanks for everything, Emmett. You’ve really been a tremendous help.” Lucas patted Emmett on the shoulder awkwardly. “I know we keep asking for more,” he added. “It’s hard not to. But I also realize you’re telling us as much as you can.”
“Anything else we need to go over?” Nicholas asked. He turned his attention to me. “Once we’re there, we can’t falter. We can’t talk. Whatever happens, you have to keep staring straight ahead; try to make your eyes look dead, like you’re not focusing on anything in particular. Don’t look at me, even out of the corner of your eye,” Nicholas ordered.
I nodded. “I can do this,” I whispered.
“I hope so.” Nicholas’ nonchalant attitude was gone. “We both have to put our game faces on, if we want to get out of that meeting alive.”
Chapter 4
Lucas and Emmett were coming with us to the check-in point location, but they didn’t want to get too close in case there were guards hanging around. Lucas had gotten one of his contacts to disable the cameras on the outside of the building, so we wouldn’t have to worry about being filmed going in.
Midnight was the summoning time. We pulled up, several blocks over from the abandoned warehouse. Emmett thought the gatekeeper was already inside. It was only five minutes before show time.
“So, what now?” I asked nervously. “In a couple of minutes we’re going to start seeing the zombies Tobias is controlling walking into the warehouse? Wouldn’t that look kind of suspicious if someone happened to drive by?”
“They’re teleported there,” Emmett explained. “At midnight, everyone coming to this meeting will disappear from wherever they are, and reappear inside the warehouse. That’s why they needed so much space. The creatures have to be hidden from the outside world throughout this whole process. In fact, I didn’t mention it before, but this is just one of many check-ins. I don’t think they have the ability to teleport that far, so they had to set up multiple check-in stations.”
“But we’re not under their mind control so we won’t get teleported, right?” Nicholas asked. “We’re just going to walk on in like we own the place,” he said with a grin.
“It’s bound to be locked,” I said nervously.
Lucas reached in his pocket and held up a small key. It looked like the one he’d used to open the cemetery gates once before. “It works, trust me.”
“Ah, I haven’t used one of those in awhile.” Nicholas plucked the key from Lucas’ fingers. “One minute until midnight,” he announced. “Let’s go.” Nicholas got out of the car and pulled the back door open for me. Reluctantly, I stood up.
“Well, bye guys,” I said awkwardly to Emmett and Lucas.
“Wait.” Lucas scrambled out of the car and came around to engulf me in a hug. “Just remember everything we said: look forward at all times, don’t get curious and try to see what’s going on out of the corner of your eye, and no matter what happens, remain expressionless. What you hear is going to be more useful than what you see tonight. So just pretend that you really are blind.”
I nodded, unable to speak. “Let’s go.” Nicholas’ face was serious; he wasn’t smiling or joking around now. With a small wave, he turned and started jogging. I jogged after him. I wanted to look back at Lucas, but I didn’t dare.
“I can go faster, if you’re worried about being late,” I told Nicholas. I wasn’t sure if he knew about my cool running ability.
He gave me a strange look. “We’re already here.”
Huh? I thought we were blocks away. I had to figure out how to control that. As useful as it was to be able to run at crazy fast speeds, I’d like to at least comprehend when I was doing it.
We walked through an unlocked gate that surrounded the parking lot and headed for the huge warehouse. Nicholas placed his finger over his lips, signaling for me to be quiet. I gave a slight nod and watched as he slid the key into the lock on the outside. It opened wit
h a barely audible click.
Slowly, Nicholas pushed the door of the warehouse open. I huddled close behind him, almost scared to peek around his shoulder and see what was inside. Suddenly, Nicholas relaxed his posture and dropped his hands lifelessly to his sides as he took a few slow steps into the room.
I quickly did the same in what I hoped was a believable zombie impersonation. I heard the door we’d just come through click shut, but I didn’t turn around. I was staring dead at Nicholas’ back. The lighting was low, which was just as well since I couldn’t take it all in, anyway.
I felt something brush against my arm and just barely caught myself before I recoiled. Then something was touching my other arm.
It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic. Nicholas and I were in a sea of bodies.
We shuffled forward several more feet, then Nicholas abruptly stopped walking. I was so focused on acting like a mind-controlled drone that I didn’t realize he’d stopped and I careened into his back. But Nicholas didn’t flinch.
What’s going on?
I didn’t have to wonder for long. The bright warehouse lights were being turned on. One by one, they flickered overhead, bathing us in a blinding spotlight. I blinked, trying not to squint from the sudden change.
“Hurry up,” a voice snapped. “We need to do this as quickly as possible. Line them up, single file.”
I stumbled as my arm was grabbed by some goon. He wrenched me to the left. I couldn’t tell where Nicholas was anymore. What if I’m too far away from him and I black out? How was this possible? We’d just arrived and we were already being separated!
Whoever grabbed me forcefully moved me into the line that was forming. The new back I was staring at most definitely did not belong to ‘Raymond.’
Shit! I tried to think. But my head felt cloudy, my thoughts muddled. This wasn’t right. It must be because Nicholas was too far away. Their mind control was getting to me.
“That’ll do,” the voice said. “Let’s get a move on. The trance won’t last without the warlock.”
Emmett had said Henry’s father was chanting last time, making sure everyone stayed under this weird spell.
Into The Void (Vampire Hunter Book 4) Page 2