Raven, Red

by Connie Suttle

  "I haven't gotten a reply to my text," Laronda said. "Somebody will be checking on him, and that may take time."

  "In other words, he isn't answering his phone," Mac observed.

  "Got it in one," Laronda agreed.

  "Where are we going?" Lance asked as Del drove the van toward the ferry, rather than going back toward the beach house, which was in the opposite direction.

  "Across the ferry, and toward Rockport. I think we can get lost somewhere in between."

  "Long as they think you have information, they'll keep you alive," Phyllis breathed as she slid plates of food into Jeff's and Teresa's cages. The expansive, dimly-lit tornado shelter, built to house numerous guests at the hunting lodge, had turned into a makeshift prison.

  "Who are they?" Teresa whispered, her words trembling and confused.

  "You saw what brought you in," Phyllis gave a soft snort. "If that ain't the devil, then he don't exist."

  Jeff waited until Phyllis left the large tornado shelter behind the main house before speaking. "Mike's in trouble, if he isn't dead," he muttered, naming his boat-owning friend. "We may as well be."

  "Maybe we can get that woman to help us," Teresa hissed.

  "You didn't get a good look at her, did you?" Jeff demanded. "Her face is black and blue. She won't help us because she can't even help herself."

  "It's not just us in trouble," Teresa said flatly. "Anything that comes in contact with what took us is in trouble, too. I recognized one of those men. If I can get out of here," she left the threat hanging.

  "Who was it?"

  "Senator Darnell Cheatham," Teresa said. "Now do you understand?"

  "Great. The state has made a deal with the devil."

  "Let's hope it's only this one part," Teresa snapped. "Eat before they come back and take it away."

  "That was fast," Val shook his head as he and Janie watched the news. "The park ranger and the journalist who reported on those monsters are both missing, now. Probably because the ranger saw our bunch and was involved in recording the mass rising of those undead creatures."

  "At least Ari got the vampires away safely before their rental was destroyed," Janie said. "This is terrifying."

  "I'm thinking about letting them have the Franks house—to use as their base if they want to bring in more agents," Val said.

  "That's a good idea, hon. A really good idea. There's plenty of room, although they may have to fumigate to get the smell of Mitchell Franks out of there before Ari will step foot in the place."

  "Very true," Val appeared thoughtful. "They included some of the furnishings in the sale; all they want is a few things off the walls and such."

  "Val, what if Ari's father," Janie didn't finish.

  "We need to get over there and find out," Val said. "And demand that it stay so we can have a proper funeral here on the ranch."

  "All those years," Janie shook her head. "It must have been beyond frustrating—and sad at the same time."

  "Yeah."

  Val's cell phone rang. He answered.

  "Val, it's Lance. We're at the front door."

  "Be right there." Val ended the call, leapt from the game room sofa and ran toward the stairs.

  "The beach house barely made the news, once word was out that Jeff Walker and Teresa Moore were missing," Mac spoke with Claudio and Renault.

  "We are grateful that Ari and Nico performed a rescue," Claudio dipped his head to Mac. "We are in your debt. The others we brought with us have gone home, but they asked me to thank you on their behalf."

  Renault didn't comment that Ari had carefully placed him and his vampire associates in the same position she'd found them, once she transported them to the Jordan Ranch.

  The notes helped greatly, too, when they awoke in a strange place and to different scents. She and Nico had saved their lives. Renault carefully touched the shell imprint on his palm.

  Could he do some of the things Ari could—eventually? He already had telepathy, and that was a wonder in itself.

  "The Governor of Texas has called a special session, no doubt to deal with the unusual activity we've already witnessed," Mac went on. "We should watch carefully, to note what their suggestions are. If the Adversary has already gotten to a few," Mac shook his head.

  "Ah. The usual tactic. Get the law and the government and your religion on board, and things become even more horrific," Claudio observed. "I've asked two of our additional crew to keep track of those websites, where the recording of the first killing of witches took place. I will be very interested to see which legislators bring that up first."

  "Del and his Department are feeling out the Texas Rangers investigating that crime," Mac said. "It should be easy enough to see if any of them have been compromised. He's been given permission to brings some on board, but Nico has to approve them before they're read in. We may need a lot of help when crowds of people are attacked to create more zombies and demons."

  "We can send vampires to night venues, if we suspect an impending attack," Claudio offered.

  "Nico needs to be involved in those choices, too. I'll ask if he's had any feelings on the matter."

  "They will act soon, will they not?" Renault's imprint tingled the moment Mac mentioned zombies and demons.

  "We believe so. Del's Department is working its way through potential targets."

  "Do you think the journalist and the Park Ranger are dead, or being kept alive in case they have vital information?"

  "Could be either. If they get reliable descriptions on any of us, then our alias won't protect us any longer."

  "You expect this to happen?"

  "In this day and age, yes. At least Ari and Nico colored their hair. They may be more difficult to pin down. As for Erly and Laronda, they have other guises, as do I. My worry is for Del, Mona and Lance."

  "We will protect them at night," Claudio said. "You must find a way to do so during the day."

  "Ari will protect them as much as she can," Renault offered.

  "I'm worried about when they're not close to Ari, Nico or me," Mac admitted.

  "Very true. I understand that Mona and Lance have a meeting with their captain tomorrow?"

  "Yes. I think Ari should go along; I can stay here with Nico, unless he says otherwise."

  "Then I suggest making another hair color change for Ari, only this time it should be a more permanent solution."

  "She'll love that," Mac's words betrayed sarcasm.

  "Renault, will you place a call to Everette? If she is available, ask her to visit us tonight, and bring a friend to act as security."

  "I'll do that now." Renault excused himself and floated away.

  "Everette?" Mac was curious.

  "One of us, although she is ah, quite different, too. Everette will do Arianne's hair, so she can go out tomorrow with Lance and Mona."

  "I figure Del and Laronda will go, too, but Ari can help Laronda keep an eye on everybody. Where is Everette, by the way?"

  "Dallas. She can be here shortly, if she's available. She will also be instructed not to reveal any information, should she be asked."

  "Pick your color. I'd suggest platinum or auburn, girl. You'd look good either way," Everette told Ari, framing Ari's face with capable hands.

  Everette, dressed in a slinky, glittering silver top and tight-fitting black pants, wore size ten platform heels from a well-known designer. Her honey-gold complexion was set off by a carefully styled pink wig and long, thick, false eyelashes.

  Ari, fascinated by Everette, watched her every move. "Your nails are amazing. Are they real?" Ari asked, staring at the pink and black zebra-striped designs.

  "Oh, these? Pffffff," Everette waved a graceful hand. "You don't want me doing your hair with my real nails. You know I'm a vamp, just like I know you're a shifter."

  "Still looks great," Ari shrugged. "Why don't you choose which color—platinum or auburn. If I have to color my hair, then at least one of us will be happy."

  "You'll be happy, too, once I'
m done," Everette ran her fingers through Ari's hair. "I promise."

  "May I make a suggestion?" Renault walked into the bathroom where Everette had set up.

  "You can do whatever you want," Everette smiled at Renault.

  "Ari, I think I'd like to see the platinum first," Renault said. "And if you have to revert to the auburn, it may be an easier transition."

  "You get a gold star," Everette pointed a finger at Renault. "Platinum it is."

  Chapter Seventeen

  "I haven't been here since Lance talked to Nico after his parents were killed," Ari followed Laronda and Mona into the police station the following morning.

  "You look completely different with that hair color," Mona said. "We can get visitor passes and go upstairs while Lance and Bill park the car, Leah," Mona used Del's and Ari's new aliases as they passed two detectives on their way to the front desk.

  They were helping themselves to breakroom coffee by the time Lance and Del caught up with them.

  Ari followed the others to Captain Belwether's office, and shut the door behind them.

  "Who's this?" Belwether studied Ari.

  "Security," Lance said, taking a seat at the far end of the desk. "I assume you want to ask us about the vermin at the refuge?"

  "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted to talk about," Belwether waved Del, Mona and Laronda to the other chairs in his office, leaving Ari standing by the door.

  "We can tell you right away that our usual weapons had absolutely no effect against those things," Mona said. "Like they didn't even feel the bullets."

  "Did you kill any of them?" Belwether didn't sound happy.

  "We killed two-thirds of what was there," Del replied evenly. "Or, I should say our security killed them."

  Belwether's head jerked toward Ari. "You killed those things?"

  "This is where you have to trust us, Captain. It's better if you don't know how it was done. For your protection and for ours," Del said. "My Department is currently testing the remains of what was killed. I hope we have a report soon. We'll share as much as we can with you."

  "You know the Governor has called a special session?" Belwether turned toward Lance.

  "We do."

  "Well, I, along with several others from Dallas PD, have been called to testify before a committee. The Governor wants to know what's going on."

  "We'll have someone contact the Governor," Del said. "Meanwhile, you can give the information you have."

  "Which isn't much—by design," Belwether complained.

  "I'm sorry we can't be more forthcoming," Del apologized. "We have a job to do, just like you. Hand over information on the zombies and say with a clear conscience that all you know about the vermin in the refuge is what you've seen on television."

  "Carefully leaving the FBI out of it," Belwether didn't sound pleased.

  "We're officially dead, remember?" Del reminded the captain.

  "Hmmph." Belwether didn't appreciate Del's ready answer.

  "But you're the ones behind the request for extra security at festivals and concerts, aren't you?"

  "Yes. This is of extreme importance."

  "Right. Well, if that's all you plan to give me, then we'll talk later, perhaps."

  "How soon do they want you to testify?" Mona asked.

  "In three days. I'm supposed to have all my ducks in a row by that time, along with the people summoned from Corpus and Austin."

  "Good luck. I hope they feed you well while you're there," Lance rose first.

  "That makes two of us," Belwether gruffed as they walked out of his office.

  "He hates not being in the loop," Mona explained as they walked toward Lance's car. "He can get really grumpy about it, too."

  "We've seen what a little bit of knowledge did for Jeff Walker and that journalist," Del pointed out. "Belwether could be walking into danger, with what little he knows."

  "A lot of people know what he knows," Ari said. "We know more. He doesn't need that extra target on his back, especially if those hearings are televised."

  "I'll find out," Del said as he opened a car door for Laronda. Mona and Ari got into the back seat from the other side, leaving Del and Lance up front.

  "Where to now?" Lance asked.

  Del gave him an address. "What's that?" he asked.

  "A Department motor pool, where we can switch vehicles," Del replied. "We need something bigger than this, and it won't hurt if your car goes in a different direction and lays low for a while."

  "Can't be too careful," Laronda said.

  "Yeah."

  "Thomas and Sons Used Car Parts?" Mona read the sign over the brick façade.

  "They actually sell used car parts out of the front," Laronda explained as Del instructed Lance to drive into an adjoining, covered parking garage marked for employees only.

  "It only looks small on the outside," Del grinned as Lance found himself going down one level, and then another level as Del instructed. "Park over there by the black Lincoln Navigator," Del pointed toward an empty spot. "We'll be taking the Navigator and the Mercedes parked next to it."

  "Damn, we've moved up in the world," Lance said, pulling to a stop in the designated space and shutting off the engine.

  "The Navigator has dark windows, so you'll get that one," Del told Lance. "Lara and I will take the Mercedes."

  "Who'll drive mine, and where is it going?" Lance asked.

  "Here they come," Del grinned. "Ari will know, but you won't. They're werewolves, and they'll take a jaunt around the city before parking it at a house leased by the Department."

  "Aren't we efficient?" Mona grinned.

  "It saves lives," Laronda shrugged.

  Lance waited a full ten minutes after the werewolf agents drove his car out of the underground garage to venture out. Mona and Ari rode with him; Del and Laronda would follow within a few minutes.

  "Anyplace you want to go before we head back to the ranch?" Lance asked as he pulled onto the street.

  "I think I'd like a strawberry shake," Mona said. "It's been that kind of day."

  "I'd take one," Ari said from the back seat.

  "All right, but don't nag me if I want a root beer float," Lance responded before heading toward the nearest ice cream and dairy store. "Okay if we go to the drive-through?"

  "Fine with me," Mona said.

  "When do you think we'll get the list of events and venues for Nico to look over?" Ari asked.

  "Probably have it by the time we get back to the ranch," Lance said. "Why?"

  "The spot between my shoulder blades is twinging," Ari told him. "That spells trouble."

  "Is there something specific you can focus on?" Mona turned in her seat to ask.

  "Not yet," Ari shook her head. "If the pain gets bad, then the danger is close. The first time it happened, I had no idea what it was."

  "When was that?"

  "When we went to Abilene to buy clothes for Mac. I got a sudden pain then. Had no idea that it was warning me that Mitchell and Denton were now in the area and watching for Janie to get back to her car."

  "That's some kind of warning system, then," Lance said, turning off the road and into a drive-through, where he joined a line of other cars waiting to place their ice cream orders.

  "Yeah. It took a while longer for me to realize exactly what it was and how to read it. Nico has a warning system, too, but I think his works differently."

  "Let us know if we need to get out of here in a hurry," Lance said, inching the SUV forward as the line of cars moved ahead.

  "I will."

  "Something doesn't feel right." Nico rose from his deck chair by the pool. Mac, sitting nearby, was on his feet a blink later.

  Ari? Nico sent. Something feels—off.

  I know—I'm already feeling tightness and discomfort between my shoulders. Do you have an idea on the location?

  Toward Austin? Nico sounded as if he were struggling to get a better feel for the discomfort he'd experienced. There's a crowd, and I, he hesitated.
Motorcycles?

  Oh my gosh, it's the motorcycle rally they hold in Austin every year, Ari moaned. Nico, we need to get down there. Thousands will be at that rally.

  Take me, Mac demanded.

  I'll meet you there, Nico said before hauling Mac with him to Austin.

  "Tell Laronda and Del that the motorcycle rally in Austin is under attack," Ari told Lance and Mona before disappearing from the back seat.

  "Fucking hell," Mona cursed before hauling out her cell phone and calling Laronda.

  "I thought you'd like to watch the replenishment of your army," Belhar stood beside Darnell, looking out a floor-to-ceiling window upon the crowd of people below them. A parade was winding its way along the street, filled with motorcycle clubs, individual bikers, girls riding in bikinis, convertibles carrying celebrities and a few floats. Musicians played music at intervals along the sidewalk as the parade passed by.

  Darnell licked his lips. "You think we can haul in a few of those girls—for other activities?"

  "Of course," Belhar grinned. "I was only waiting for you to ask. Give the word, Master, and I will bring your army."

  "The word is given," Darnell smiled. Only a moment passed before the air above the parade was filled with flying, shrieking demons, diving in and out of the crowd and methodically pulling away humans, while others around those taken screamed and fled in terror.

  "Protect Nico," Ari yelled at Mac as she lifted a hand and began blasting demons who weren't carrying humans.

  They'd landed atop a three-story business on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, just blocks away from the Texas capitol building.

  Nico had his own way with the enemy, although it took longer. He employed his power to snuff demons into powdered dust, before floating the humans they carried gently to the street below.

  Some had already gotten away, he knew; he and Ari could only save so many in the time they had.

  "Incoming," Mac shouted as a demon took notice and raced in their direction, folding its wings and reaching out with viciously clawed fingers to destroy the three who were bold enough to fight with his horde.