Deliverance of the Damned

by Jean Marie Bauhaus

He reached out to thumb the book’s pages. “I hope so.”

  “Anyway, Alek is ready for you.”

  His eyes widened. “Already?”

  “Whenever you’re ready. Although if you’re having second thoughts—”

  “No, no. I’m ready.” He started to stand, but seemed to think of something before sinking back into his chair. “Except I’ve got an afternoon shift on the cleaning crew. I’m expected back in fifteen minutes.”

  “You’d better wait until you’re not expected anywhere.” Hannah spotted a guard’s uniform in the corner of her eye. She glanced over and saw the female guard who had served as Celine’s messenger. “I need to go,” she said, standing up. She placed a hand on his shoulder. “Just find me or Alek when you’ve got time.”

  He nodded. Hannah released him and turned toward the guard. Before she could even think about the best way to make contact, the guard turned toward her and pointed. “You there!”

  Hannah froze in her tracks and looked around. The guard, whose name she struggled to remember, marched up to her. “Hannah Jordan?”

  Warily, Hannah nodded.

  “I have orders to search your cell. Come with me.”

  Hannah’s stomach dropped. Was this a ruse, or had this supposed ally turned on them? Her heart hammered as the guard took her by the arm and led her toward the cell block, her mind racing for a way to warn Alek.

  Once they were beyond sight of the catwalk and the other guards, the guard released her. “Relax. I just want to talk.”

  Hannah rubbed her arm, wondering whether the vampire had intentionally gripped her so hard or simply didn’t know her own strength. It was a stark reminder that as much as Hannah’s strength had multiplied, it was still no match for theirs. They would need the numbers on their side for this to work.

  She took a deep breath to slow her racing heart. “What about?”

  “The doctor wanted the names of potential recruits.” She held out her hand, as if for a handshake. “I’m Reynolds, by the way. Phylicia Reynolds.”

  Hannah eyed her outstretched hand and then looked back at Reynolds’ face. She suddenly appeared self-conscious, and a little embarrassed. She started to lower her hand, but Hannah grabbed it and gave it a firm shake, eliciting a smile from the petite vampire. She couldn’t help but like this woman. Besides, Celine had clearly told her everything. She was on the team, whether or not Hannah liked it.

  She jerked her head toward her cell block. “Come on. You can deliver them yourself.”

  Reynolds looked behind them, presumably to make sure they weren’t being followed. Then she nodded and gestured for Hannah to lead the way.

  When they reached the cell, Alek had set aside his lunch tray and was poring over his notes. Hannah cleared her throat. “We have company.”

  He looked up and got to his feet at the sight of Reynolds. “Phylicia,” he said, making the name sound like a greeting.

  She stood in the doorway, surveying the makeshift medical lab. Then she nodded to him. “Doctor. Good to see you. Like the hair.” He raised a hand to his blond locks and grimaced. Reynolds smiled. “Humanity looks good on you.”

  “As I’m sure it will on you, in time.”

  “I sure hope so.” She reached into a pocket and took out a folded piece of paper. “Here are the names you wanted.” She handed it to him. “I can answer your questions.”

  Alek unfolded the paper and scanned its contents. “I know Demetrius. Good choice.” He read more and then paused, pointing to a name. He raised his head to look at Reynolds. “I’m not familiar with Paulson.”

  “She was only turned a year ago. She’s been pretty horrified with the overall treatment of humanity since the disaster.”

  He nodded. “I see.”

  “We thought it would be best to stick with the young and recently turned. They tend to be less loyal to the old guard, and less set in their ways.”

  “I can’t fault your reasoning.” He folded the paper and handed it back. “Celine is sure about these individuals?”

  “We both are. But we’ve got measures in place in case we’re wrong about them.”

  “What measures?”

  “Celine’s new position means that we all report to her now. I’ll handle the recruiting and leave her name out of it. If anyone reports on me, they’ll be reporting to Celine, not Julia.”

  Alek glanced at Hannah, his look grave. He turned back to Reynolds. “You know she’ll have to take action if someone turns you in. She has to be seen doing her job. There’s only so far she can go to shield you.”

  Reynolds seemed to let this sink in. She swallowed, but nodded. “I understand that. But...” She looked Alek up and down and shook her head in wonder. “Look at you. If I can have what you have...”

  “It’s too late to get your life back. The world has changed too much for that.”

  “I know. But just to go outside again... to get a tan, or even a frigging sunburn. To eat and enjoy real food... did you know I used to be an award-winning baker?”

  “No.”

  Reynolds beamed with pride. “My Dutch apple pie took the blue ribbon at the Nebraska state fair three years in a row.” Alek smiled, but said nothing. Her proud smile turned wistful, and then sad. “I suppose my baking days are over, at any rate. But I don’t care. If I can be human again, even if only partially, I’ll do whatever it takes.” She held up the list. “And I’m confident that so will they.”

  Alek nodded, but gave her a stern look. “Be certain in your confidence. For all our sakes. If you have even the slightest doubt about any of them—”

  “Believe me. One lesson getting turned taught me was that I should always trust my gut.” She looked around the cell again, then nodded to Hannah. “I should get back.”

  “One moment,” said Alek. “We’d like to meet with Celine.”

  Reynolds nodded. “She thought you might. Tonight, during the dinner rush. The laundry room. Arrive as early as you can after the last shift and wait for her there.”

  “We’ll be there.”

  “I’ll let her know.” She looked at Hannah. “You can stay. If anybody asks I’ll tell them I received a false report.”

  Once she was gone, Alek raked a hand through his hair, leaving it standing every which way like a proper mad scientist. He looked at Hannah. “She’s in a precarious position.”

  “Aren’t we all?”

  He let her question stand without comment, instead asking one of his own. “What about Burell?”

  “He’s still in, but he had to report to his work assignment. I told him to find you after his shift.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’m supposed to man the infirmary this afternoon, in case someone’s in dire need of an aspirin or something.”

  Alek smiled a rueful smile. “At least that should be somewhat nostalgic for you.”

  She recalled the first time she’d ever lain eyes on Alek as she came out of sedation while strapped to an infirmary cot. She matched his smile with her own. “I guess my experiences in that room haven’t been all bad. Speaking of which, I should start down there.”

  “Will you have the baby with you?”

  “Paula has the afternoon off. She’s agreed to keep him.”

  He nodded. “Head to the laundry after your shift. If it hasn’t emptied out yet you can say you forgot something this morning. It’s probably best if we’re not seen going down together.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” She started to go, but stopped in the corridor and looked back at him. “So I guess the ball is really rolling on this, huh?”

  “Not quite. But once Reynolds starts spreading the word...” He made a gesture to show it was out of their hands.

  “I hope she and Celine know what they’re doing.”

  Alek’s gaze locked onto hers, his expression full of worry. Hannah thought she might even see a hint of fear, though she might have been projecting her own anxiety. Slowly, gravely, he nodded. “You and me both.”

/>   NINETEEN

  IN MINUTES, THE BELL would ring to signal the end of the afternoon shift and the start of the dinner hour. Alek set his notes aside and rubbed his eyes, their tiredness and irritation exacerbated by the contacts he wore. He’d been trying to concentrate on his notes all afternoon, but his mind kept wandering back to his conversation with Reynolds, and the consequences that could rain down if her recruitment efforts went wrong.

  He had to protect Hannah. That was paramount. She, along with Noah and Chris, had to be kept out of it. He would tell Celine, but could only hope it wouldn’t already be too late.

  Hannah shouldn’t attend the meeting, he decided. She would argue, but there was no good reason for her to be there. Not with the risk involved. He still had time to make it to the infirmary to tell her so. He got up to do just that, but at that moment Captain Burell appeared outside the cell.

  “Hey, Doc. Hannah said you’ve got the vaccine ready for me?”

  Alek glanced at his watch and sighed. He nodded and waved the captain in. “Have a seat.” He gestured toward the bunk and retrieved the syringe he’d already prepared with ten CCs of antiserum from the back of the sink. “Here, hold this.” He handed the syringe to Burell before crouching to fish a packet of alcohol wipes from his backpack.

  Burell held up the syringe and stared at it in wonder, rolling it back and forth between his finger and thumb. “So this is it, huh? The thing that will make me immune to shamblers?”

  “To the virus that made them,” said Alek, grabbing a wipe and a box of sterile gloves and standing back up. He laid the packet of wipes on the bed and took out a pair of vinyl gloves. “You won’t be immune to attacks, only to getting turned.”

  Burell looked up at him. “But I’ll be stronger. Strong enough to fight them. Chris told me about all the ones he killed when you went into town.”

  Alek had to stifle a shudder at the recollection of Chris’s unchecked violence, and how close he’d come to making Alek a victim of his rage. He pulled on the gloves and retrieved the wipe which he used to clean a spot on the captain’s shoulder. “I can’t say for certain what it will do. Chris and Hannah both received an infusion of blood after they’d been bitten and started to turn. We don’t know what effect this serum will have on a healthy human. That’s why we need to test it.” He took the syringe from Burell, who looked up at him, his expression uncertain.

  “But is it safe?”

  “There are always risks. But this is a miniscule amount compared to what the rest of us received. It may not be enough to have any effect. If not we’ll have to increase the dosage.” He poised the needle over Burell’s arm. “If you’re having second thoughts, now is the time to speak up.”

  Burell looked at the needle, then looked straight ahead, his expression resolved. “Do it.”

  Alek did. It was over quickly. “You can roll down your sleeve.”

  Burell looked surprised. He examined the site of the shot. “That’s it?”

  “For now.” Alek reached onto the top bunk and retrieved a box of green contacts. “Take these. If your eyes change color, put them in.” Burell took them. Alek also retrieved a small notebook and a pen. “Be sure to take notes. Write down any changes you experience, and the time. Come and see me if you experience any pain, nausea, dizziness, or any other negative effects.”

  Burell took the items and stood up. “When I change... will it hurt?”

  “I can’t say for certain. Only that I felt nothing during my transformation.”

  Burell nodded. He held up the box of contacts and gave it a shake. With one last, resolute nod, he exited the cell.

  Just then, the bell rang.

  Alek swore. If he left right that second, Hannah would already be halfway down to the laundry room by the time he made it out of the cell block. Running to catch up with her would draw too much attention. With a defeated sigh, he tossed his notes onto the sheet. He replaced the cap on the syringe and placed it in his pocket, along with the used gloves and alcohol wipe, to dispose of in the infirmary. Then he folded the sheet over his equipment and gently slid the whole bundle underneath the bunk. Nobody should come this way, but with the lights out, all signs of what he’d been up to should be well hidden. So long as nobody bent over to peer under the bunk.

  He made his way through the long corridors lined with cells, most of which were empty this time of day. He passed the dining hall, already filling up with hungry inmates, weary from their long shifts. Alek kept his head down, averting his face from the guards peering down from the catwalk overhead.

  In the infirmary, Hannah was nowhere to be seen. Thankfully, neither was anyone else. Alek tossed the gloves and trash in the bin next to the sink and disposed of the syringe in the hazardous waste receptacle before heading for the laundry room.

  She was already there, pacing the floor, when he arrived. She looked up as he came down the steps. “Hey. Did Captain Burell come see you?”

  “Yes. It’s done.”

  “I guess now that ball really is rolling.”

  He came over to her and took her by the shoulders before leaning down to kiss her forehead. “You should go get something to eat. You’ve had a long day and there’s no reason for you to be here.”

  She pulled back from him and gave him the exact look he’d been expecting. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Because I’m such a kidder? It’s too risky for you to be here. If things go south, I don’t want you implicated.” She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off. “Think about Noah.”

  That only seemed to irritate her more. “I’m always thinking about Noah. He’s part of why I’m doing this. So he can have a future that doesn’t involve becoming food.”

  “I know that. But—”

  “But what, Alek? We’re a team. Remember?” She held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger. “We do this together. Besides, Celine already knows I’m involved. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

  “Because I want you to have plausible deniability. If someone spotted you coming down here—”

  “Then it’s already too late.” She sighed. “Look, I know the risks, and I already talked to Paula. If anything happens to me, she’ll make sure Noah’s taken care of.”

  Shoving his hands in his pockets, Alek rocked back on his heels and gazed down at his stubborn young wife. “There’s no way to talk you out of this, is there?”

  She folded her arms and shook her head. “Don’t even waste your breath trying.”

  He tried, and failed, to suppress a smile. The sound of footsteps on the stairs wiped it from his face. He spun to see Celine coming down them. She no longer wore the black tactical uniform he’d become accustomed to seeing her in, but a business suit. Not the expensive tailored kind both Esme and Julia favored. It looked more like something she’d purchased off the rack at a discount store, more than a decade out of style. With her fiery hair pulled back in a bun, she looked more like a secretary than ever, despite her lofty new position. Wearing high heels, she stepped carefully, as though unused to walking in them. She kicked them off at the bottom of the steps and came the rest of the way in bare feet.

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve had to dress for an office job.” She tugged the hem of her jacket down as she spoke. “I think I prefer the uniform.”

  “You look nice,” said Hannah.

  “Thanks,” said Celine, although her expression conveyed she didn’t quite believe the compliment. She shrugged. “My clothes are outdated, but it’s not like I can just run out to Kohl’s for a new work outfit.” She folded her arms and turned to Alek. “So what’s this meeting about?”

  “The blood collection. When is the next one scheduled?”

  “Next week. Why?”

  “We’ll need to be taken off the roster. So will Christopher Dunn and Charles Burell.”

  “I already thought of that. But who’s this Burell?”

  “One of my people. He volunteered to test the vaccine. I administered it
to him this evening.”

  Celine nodded. “Okay. Four of you not showing up to donate shouldn’t be too noticeable. More than that, it might start to be a problem.”

  “At some point, it will be.”

  Celine nodded, but she seemed to be lost in thought. “Yeah. Maybe.”

  “Maybe?” asked Hannah. “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing. I’m just thinking out loud.”

  “About?” Alek prodded.

  She met his gaze. “That could be a way to go, couldn’t it? Spiking the blood supply?”

  “What are you talking about?” Hannah asked, but Alek thought he knew.

  He shook his head. “It’s too risky. If the wrong vampire drinks the spiked blood, they’ll know what we’re up to. And even if the right ones drink it, how do you propose to hide their transformation from the others?”

  “I don’t mean doing it with this blood drive. But the next one, maybe, or the one after that, when you’ve got enough of your people vaccinated for the numbers to be on our side.”

  “Wait.” Hannah stepped between them. She looked from Alek to Celine. “You’re talking about slipping the vaccine—our blood—into the blood supply? Spreading it to vampires without their knowledge?”

  Alek barely heard her, his mind spinning with possibilities. “It could work, if we time it right. Assuming we can get enough of my people vaccinated and enough of your people ready to receive it.”

  Hannah gave him a sharp look. “Without their consent. It’s one thing if you’re talking about marking the bags so those who want to be cured can drink from them, but—”

  “But the only way to safely cure those who want to be might be to cure everyone at once.”

  “How is that ethical?”

  He narrowed his eyes at her. “Considering how often their victims aren’t given a choice, I’d say it’s debatable.”

  “And that’s exactly why we should think long and hard before taking away their choice.”

  Celine sighed. “I don’t think we have the luxury of debating the ethics. The stakes are too high.”

  “Celine’s right,” he said. “We may have no choice.”