“She is in danger. I can’t find Bethanny anywhere. Bethanny and Kyra got into it when Kyra told her that Jake cheated on her.”
“Jake dates lots of women.” I would be surprised if Bethanny thought he would change for her. I guess she was more self-absorbed than I realized.
Nicolo snorted. “If Bethanny tells Myron or Jimmy that Kyra is pregnant they will kill her. They will probably keep the baby for experimental testing, but they won’t allow Kyra to live.”
“Call me back if you do not find her in the next five minutes.” I hung up the phone. He would protect her with his life. She wasn’t in immediate danger, but she could be if Bethanny went to Myron or Jimmy.
“What are you going to do?” asked Ted. He rolled his eyes at Jake.
“Why did you have to sleep with her? You always have a habit of making these girls think you care about them,” said Ted.
“Look, it’s not my fault Bethanny thought we were serious,” said Jake. “I never told her we were and I flirt with other girls in her face, so she shouldn’t think we are serious.”
“Shut up! I need to think.” Stepping away I headed back to the car. Kyra would be safer if I killed Myron and Derrick Grand which was on my to-do list. True, it was more towards the bottom of the to-do list, but it has just been moved up.
I dialed Celeste. Looking out of the window, I see my men taking a smoke break. Sometimes I think I am surrounded by village idiots. Why do they think I am sitting in this car?
“Get in here.” My voice echoes through the trees. Up above me, in the tall oak trees, the birds flee. I always knew birds were smart animals.
“Hey, are you at your house?” asked Celeste.
“No, I’m on the way to get you. It’s time to pay Myron and Derrick a little visit.”
“I’m on Peachtree Street at the Fast Mart meeting my connection.”
“We really have to talk about your drug use.”
“Yes, daddy. Drugs are the one luxury that the capital allows us. It’s because they make millions off our habit. I need to escape because today has been hectic.”
“Don’t escape. I need you at one hundred percent so that we can kill these men. You never have to escape reality again because they are dead and you are not.”
Jake drove like a mad man. I guess he’s trying to get on my good side. He didn’t do anything different but be himself, but he needs to change. I am not saying you have to date just one girl. I am saying that you do not have to have the drama associated with vengeful girls with broken hearts. Girls have the audacity to say guys are heartless. Men may be heartless, but it is because a woman has ripped our heart out while it was still beating.
We pulled up to Paradise Ranch Homes. The homes were far out and it seemed like we were going on a road trip to get there. The homes were gated but the security booth was empty and the gate was broken.
The homes looked like mini mansions that sat on at least two acres of land. Out here there were no neighbors. As nice as that sounds, it will help us kill Myron and Derrick. I didn’t understand why Celeste had not killed them sooner. She knew where they lived.
“How did you know where Myron Grand lived?” I turned to Celeste. Her face was pale when we pulled into the neighborhood. There was an empty unfinished street where the housing developer had not finished building houses and there was one partial street complete. Ted parked behind the large trailer and cut off the engine.
“You want to know why I didn’t kill them?”
“If you want to share.” Yes, I want to know. Why not catch them when they are not expecting it and kill them.
“They tortured me for five years. Five years. It’s not easy to face them. I still feel helpless as if I’m stuck in a cage like an animal.”
“This ends today. They won’t hurt anybody else.” Celeste is strong but at the end of the day she is still a female and females are emotional beings. Patting her on the back I hopped out of the car. It was very dark and there was no streetlight. This should be simple.
“Once we get in and take care of Myron and Derrick we’re out of here. Let’s do this.” My men looked almost bored. I guess that was better than terrified. This should be a simple in and out killing but I’m prepared for the worst.
“No mercy,” said Celeste. She cracked her knuckles and shook the kinks out of her neck.
I looked at everyone and we ran across the street to Fair Blossom Lane where they lived. Their house was the last corner lot on the right with the red door. Hopping the dark tan picket fence, I searched the backyard for signs of a dog. The house had an alarm sign on the side of the house and security stickers near the windows. There weren’t any cameras around the house.
A dog was barking and scratching the fence. Ducking behind the tree, I walked over to the back door. Celeste moved me out the way and bent down picking the lock.
After a few minutes, she got the door open and slid inside. Her eyes glowed in the dark as she walked over to the kitchen and pulled a butcher knife out of the butcher block.
Looking up at the staircase, I heard footsteps roaming around one of the upstairs bedrooms. Pointing to the stairs, I signaled for two men to search the bedroom on the main level. I point to Ted and Vihaan to stay near the door; I headed up the stairs.
Stooping low on the staircase landing I saw Myron walking down the hall. He opened the second door and clicked on the washing machine. As the water started to fill in the washing machine he walked back to the bedroom.
“What do you mean Walter tried to kill you?”
“Derrick calm down. It had to be someone else. Walter doesn’t have a reason to kill you. When he finds out you aren’t going to give him a super soldier, he’ll try to kill you then, but then it will be too late.”
“I’m at the house. Don’t worry about me, I’ve locked the doors and I’ll turn on the alarm when I get off the phone with you.”
“I gave Calvin and Hank the day off. One night at home without the security guards won’t kill me.”
Myron picked the wrong time to give his security team the day off. I crept up the stairs until I reached the landing. Myron was either in the bedroom or the bathroom. His voice sounded distant. There weren’t any exits up here unless he climbed out the window. The windows and arches were circular and Spanish Tuscany style home which meant the windows were for decoration and he wouldn’t be able to climb out.
“Don’t worry, I don’t plan on leaving the house tonight.”
“Hurry home just in case they try to kill you again. We’ll figure out who’s behind this and take care of them.”
Creeping toward the bathroom the door was cracked. He was talking while on the toilet. Dying while taking a dump was a crappy way to go and seemed fitting for Myron. Turning to Celeste I stepped back from the door and channeled all my power. I blasted a ball of energy through the door, and into Myron.
Pushing through the door. I saw Myron leaning over the toilet with a gaping hole in his stomach. His small intestines had spilled on the floor and he bent over clutching a handful of his intestines.
“Who are you,” asked Myron? He fell to his knees.
Celeste stood there with her back against the wall not blinking.
“We need to hide him in the attic or something.” I turned to Celeste and her eyes widened.
“Watch out,” said Celeste.
Ducking I turned around, and Celeste threw a dagger at Myron, who had completely healed. His skin had a rose hue and he looked sunburned. He caught the dagger and I grabbed his hand thrusting him up against the wall.
Victoria, I need you. Stop playing games and give me my power.
You don’t have any power but the power I decide to lend you. You think you’re so powerful, so figure it out.
Myron threw me off him. I flew through the bathroom door and slid down the hall. Heat radiated up my back like a match had been lit. Jumping to my feet, I channeled the energy waving my hands in a circular motion. My veins did not turn black and nothing happ
ened. Myron slammed Celeste into the wall and tossed her to the ground like a rag doll.
Myron grabbed me by the neck and lifted me off the floor. His fingers cut of my air supply and my head became lightweight. Stars danced behind my eyes as I kicked him in the chest.
The vein throbbed against my temple.
“You picked the wrong house. Don’t worry; when I’m done killing you, I’m going to kill Celeste next. Well after I have a little fun with her first,” said Myron.
Celeste ran towards us and she disappeared. Large knife wounds appeared on Myron and he dropped me to the floor. Gasping I jumped to my feet and pushed him against the wrought iron railing. It wobbled under his weight, and I threw him against the railing again, and then his legs were lifted in the air. He fell over the railing landing in the glass dining room table.
Glass shattered everywhere. Celeste hopped over the railing and sliced his head from his shoulders. Blood squirted everywhere, coating her and turning her visible.
“Ted hide him in the closet.” I rubbed my neck and rushed down the stairs. Through the window I saw a shadow pass by the stairs. Running down the stairs I pointed to the back door.
We closed the back door quietly and hopped the fence. I could hear the front door slam shut. Whoever it was would run out the back door soon. I pointed to the nearby barn and we ran inside.
The barn was a wood maker’s haven. There was a ton of wood and different projects that were half-finished. There was a homemade bar with alcohol and beer. I pointed to the bar, and we all hid behind it.
A few minutes later, I heard someone hop the fence. The dogs were making so much noise barking it was impossible to hear his footsteps. The door swung open. I covered Celeste’s mouth as she closed her eyes. Jake who was closest to the door crouched lower ready to spring out when the footsteps receded and the barn door shut.
Twenty minutes later, we moved out from behind the bar. Myron was dead but Derrick was still living. He wouldn’t be focused on Kyra now that his father was dead. We got lucky today, but we might not be so lucky next time. I need to find a way to get rid of these people as soon as I kill the vampires.
“We need help if we’re going to kill Derrick. He has an army of mutagens. If we form an alliance with the werewolves, we have a chance of living through this” said Celeste.
“What is a mutagen?” said Jake.
“People like me that have special abilities. Derrick has it too. They say he’s the strongest mutagen out there and he made it that way.”
“How are we supposed to form an alliance with the werewolves? Are we going to walk up to everyone we think is werewolf and proposition him?” asked Ted.
“Maximus Ward is the alpha leader of the werewolves. If we can convince him to side with us against the mutagens then we can kill them all,” said Celeste.
“If you know where to find him let’s go. We need to get out of here.” Celeste was proving herself to be very useful. Once I convinced the werewolves to help kill the mutagens, I will figure out how to get rid of the werewolves
An hour later, we arrived at Hyde Park. Celeste said it was normal for Maximus to patrol this area since it is so close to the vampire territory.
Glancing down, I checked my phone. Nicolo had not called me, so no news must mean good news. Slamming my door shut I hopped out of the car.
“Guys stay in the car. I’m not trying to challenge him on his own turf.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see Celeste has gotten out of the car too.
“Don’t start. You need me and besides you don’t know what he looks like.,” said Celeste.
Passing by the trees we walked deeper into the park. Tilting my head, I smelled the air. It had a faint smell of wet dog, so I knew the werewolves were close.
A tall man walked out of the shadows. He slowed his walk and waited for us.
“Are you Maximus Ward?” I looked the man in the eye. He was built like a tanker and his muscles bulged out of his black tee shirt.
“Beat it.” He turned to leave but I grabbed his arm.
“Maximus, I have driven a long way to speak with you, so I am not leaving until I speak to you.” I could feel his muscle tightened underneath my fingertips.
“My name is Trevor Demkar. We heard that you were forming a resistance against the mutagens, and I want to be a part of it.” It was hard for me to say that when I felt like he had strength oozing out of him.
“The mutagens and humans are working together. Once they’ve stopped targeting the vampire’s guess who’s next?
“What is a mutagen,” said Maximus. He looked like he was staring passed Celeste and me, to stare inside the car parked by a tree.
“It’s the people like me who have special abilities,” said Celeste. She raised her eyebrow at him and shrugged.
“Will you help us fight the mutagens? When the vampires are dead, we’ll need help.”
“Nope. You have an issue with the mutagens, you fight them, but I can’t help.”
“You can’t or you won’t.” My eyes narrowed at him. If he was not going to help, then he could die out here right now.
I blasted him in the stomach. “I’m giving you one last chance to join me or die.”
“Never,” said Maximus.
I channeled my energy and shot a ball of light. It hit him in the heart and he collapsed to the ground. I stepped over him pulling my dagger out of my pocket.
“No don’t kill him. This will send a more powerful message than his death. The others will know that he can’t protect them from us and they’ll join us,” said Celeste.
My lips curved. Today wasn’t so bad. Frowning, I looked down at the number that scrolled across the screen.
“Yes, Nicolo?”
“Bethanny wasn’t here. She did come back but I heard her friends talking. It’s bad, she went to Jimmy and told him about Kyra.”
“Take her off-campus. I’ll text you an address.”
“I tried. She kicked me between my legs and hitched a ride with some man in a blue truck.”
“What man?”
“A stranger. He could be anybody. I’m hoping it’s Maximus since the girls said Kyra was attracted to him until he turned her down.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Cade
My body ached all over, and my skin was drenched with sweat. I sat up in the bed. Shaking my head, I tried to clear the brain fog, but I was lethargic. I didn’t feel like myself but that was the least of my worries. Closing my eyes, the last memories of my life played in my mind like a video camera. Bethanny set me up and there was no doubt in my mind. Where am I?
How many traitors do we have at the academy? I patted my legs and frowned. Where the heck were my clothes? My eyes feel tired but I must have been out for some time. Once I find Trinity, I will have to find Claire. I hope Maximus is doing better than me.
The bedroom was lavender and pink. It looked feminine in here. An aroma of jasmine and brown sugar floated through the air, and a sense of calmness swept over me. Breathing deep I stood up and fell back on the bed. There was no doubt in my mind, that I was infected with the vampire virus. My life will soon end.
Orion walked inside. “You gave us quite a scare. I didn’t think you would ever wake up.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I tried to stand. “How long was I out?”
“You’ve been in and out of a coma for five days.” Orion handed me a red cup of water.
“Where are we?” I forced a smile to my lips and sipped the cold water. The liquid hurt my parched throat but I drank it anyway.
“Trinity and Fred showed up. They fought the demons and the demons ran but not before infecting you with the vampire virus,” said Orion.
“Bethanny, a student at the academy, set me up.”
“Trinity didn’t want to repeat herself, so she waited to talk to me to see if you would live.”
“Where is she now?” I followed Orion’s eyes to the bedroom door. Closing my eyes briefly, I summoned the last bit of my str
ength. It had only been five days and I feel like I can’t breathe. Things were going to get worse soon. Whatever I was going to do, I had better do it now while I can.
The door opened and Trinity and Fred walked inside.
“You must be stronger than the rest of the vampires. It usually takes some vampires twenty-four hours before they succumb to the virus,” said Trinity. “There is unrest with everyone living in the capital while Myron Grands and Jimmy Ballar have a power struggle.”
“Jimmy isn’t any better than Myron, but he’s more covert with his treacherousness,” said Orion.
“Jimmy and Myron were thick as thieves and the best of friends until Walter Higgins came in and started funding Myron’s political agenda,” said Trinity.
“Walter isn’t just giving his money for nothing, there must be something that he wants out of the deal.” Myron was greedy and he was fine if he had a rich sap to bleed dry. Myron was a trickster and a liar, but his son was conniving.
“Myron and his son Derrick have been experimenting with DNA, and making people with abilities, like me. They called us Mutagens,” said Trinity.
“The whispers around the lab where they kept people like me in cages, was that Walter wanted a super soldier and felt that he was entitled to one.”
Why does Walter feel he’s entitled to some super soldiers? I’m sure he isn’t the only sap funding this operation. There must be something that we’re missing but I can’t finger it out.
“You’ve been infected by the vampire virus, and your only hope is for a witch to bind the virus and slow its progression so that you can find a cure. Rose Picard is a witch powerful enough but the only person who might know where she is, Aidan Reynolds,” said Trinity.
“Where can I find Aidan?” If he could slow the virus then he could slow it for Leonardo as well and maybe that would give us enough time to make a cure.
“Aidan is Derrick’s personal bodyguard. Derrick hold’s Sandra, Aidan’s five-year-old daughter over his head, so that he protects Derrick. If Derrick dies then so does Sandra,” said Trinity.
“I have a friend on the inside at the capitol. I can get him to tell me where Derrick will be next.” Leonardo was reckless and wasn’t always dependable but this time I need him. Our lives depended on him. I texted him.
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