by Raven Steele
"But this countess chick lived hundreds of years ago. There shouldn't have been anything left of her but dust."
"Not if she really was a vampire. Her cells would've been very different from a human’s."
"Let's say you're right and she really was a vampire. She was staked in the heart. Doesn't that mean she'd go puff, smoke into the air?" He made an exaggerated motion with his arms.
"Normally, yes, but my father believed she was one of the first or, maybe even, made by an original vampire. Her body would've been stronger."
Oz ruffled his hair in frustration. "So your father took this crazy-assed, dead chick's blood and gave it to your mom who somehow duplicated it and gave it to Jonas, and you're his son so—" His eyebrows lifted high on his head—"Are you saying Jonas was a vampire? That you're a vampire?"
I shook my head. "He wasn't, and I'm not. I only have some of their strength and speed passed down from my father. Heightened senses and quick healing, too."
"Is Roman a vampire?"
"No, but let me continue so you understand. My mother and Roman studied the tissue samples and blood. It took almost a year until they were able to replicate it. My father was especially excited and hoped to use it for good. During this time, the city was being overrun by the Morettis."
Oz's expression darkened. "My grandfather was killed by Moretti's men."
"A lot of people were killed. That's why Jonas, my dad, was so anxious for my mom and Roman to create something. He thought if he could inject it into himself, he would become strong enough to defeat Moretti. And he was right. They finally did create a special serum. My father injected himself with it and well, you've heard the stories. He turned this city around."
"But how does Victor play into all of this? And why did Roman go underground?"
"Victor was my father's best friend. He often traveled with him on his expeditions as his assistant. They did everything together. I don't know their complete history, only bits and pieces from my aunt, but I believe Victor grew jealous of my father so he took the serum for himself. And that's when he had my mother and father killed. People believed I was dead, too, but Kristen and Roman smuggled me to Ironwood."
I leaned against the wall. I'd never spoken out loud about this with anyone. I couldn't stop. "Before Roman destroyed his and my mother's work, he also injected himself with their serum in hopes he could stop Victor, but the V proteins reacted differently to his cells. It ended up blinding him, but he did become stronger, and his hearing became super sensitive, too much though. He gets ill if he doesn't have regular periods of absolute silence."
Oz leaned forward. "So you guys have been living underground all your life?"
"Not the whole time. Shortly after Roman hid me, we left the city. He took me to an island off the coast of Louisiana where he learned more about what we were. He also learned how to channel magic through deep meditation and by using the earth's elements. We lived there for about five years, then returned to Ironwood."
He dropped back into his chair and slouched down. "That's incredible. So you and Victor have the same abilities, but you're not vampires. Will you ever become one in time?"
"No." I lowered my gaze to the floor. This is one secret I must keep. If Victor ever found the truth and became a true vampire, I could never defeat him. Not without becoming one myself. Roman had considered turning and would have, but his body had reacted differently with V in it from the very beginning. In every test we ran on his blood, his cells stayed dead, unlike mine, which were able to regenerate. If Roman ever tried to be reborn as a vampire, it would kill him.
"But, like I said," I continued, "we share a lot of the same attributes with vampires, including being quick to anger. I almost lost it on Victor this morning."
Oz sat up straight. "You saw him?"
"He showed up at the lab early this morning. He's had the manager there working on something using Victor's blood. I think Victor means to replicate it like my mother did. I won't let that happen, but it just shows how far he is willing to go. That's why it's so important we stop him now."
"Count me in! I want to help as much as possible."
"It's too dangerous. You could've been killed last night."
"You’re kidding right? You are the one that could've died. Have you already forgotten how I saved your life?"
"Thank you for that, but I will be more careful from now on. I lost my focus last night."
"Speaking of the Physician, he seemed to be as strong as you. How is that possible?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe Victor stole something from my mother's lab before it was destroyed."
"So what's next?"
I leaned away from the wall. "The money, Oz. Where is it?"
He averted his gaze. "What money?"
"Don't mess with me. You know what money I'm talking about. We need to turn it over to the police."
He came to his feet. "No. What we need to do is give it back to the people. Victor stole it from them first!"
"Do you know how dangerous that is? Victor is going to be looking for that cash. Don't you think he'll find it suspicious if all of a sudden a bunch of people have money?"
"I'm not gonna be stupid about it. No one will ever find out."
"You can't keep it. You have to turn it in. I'll do it for you, if you want."
He huffed and dropped his shoulders. "Fine. But I'll do it myself. I'll go to the police station later today and tell them I found it behind the school or something."
"You better." I walked across the room to a window and peered out. The streets were busy with late afternoon traffic. Nothing seemed abnormal and no one looked out of place. "You need to be careful, Oz. People will be looking for me. And they could be looking for you, too."
"No one's looking for me. They don't even know I exist."
"I hope you're right."
I left his apartment and headed back to Ironwood. I hoped he was telling the truth and would return the cash. In a way, though, I felt bad for him. It must cost a lot to take care of his sister. Would it be so bad if he really did keep some of the money? It was going to a good purpose after all.
Back in Ironwood, I walked inside my home and straight to the left wall, the one that had a large map plastered across it. A red X had been crossed over the location of the old elementary school. I looked at several other locations that were still operational, the ones we knew about, anyway. These were places Roman had discovered through his special hearing. Places where drugs were sold, money laundered, prostitutes bought. If it was illegal, Victor was somehow involved. Nothing happened without him knowing about it.
Tonight I would hit several smaller locations across the city instead of one of the bigger ones, which had probably upped their security after last night.
I tilted my head and listened for Roman. I could hear his quiet steps circling the Halo. He did that sometimes. I should probably go talk to him to tell him about my plan for tonight, but I couldn't bring myself to go. Maybe I was more upset about his focused training last night than I cared to admit. I had been training with him for years, enduring what most would consider abuse, but I hadn't been a normal kid and could handle much more. That was Roman's justification. It used to be mine, too.
I prepared for the night, dressing in dark clothing and outfitting my boots with my special knives. I considered taking a gun this time. All of Victor's men had them. In the end, I decided not to, not after that little girl had gotten shot. The fewer guns, the better.
Besides, with all the adrenaline coursing through me, I felt more powerful than any feeling a weapon could give me. I sort of felt sorry for those who crossed paths with me tonight. My time had come, and I was ready to take back the city.
17
I barely slept the next few weeks. I'm not even sure I ate much. Every day was a blur as I destroyed everything I could of Victor’s. Dozens of men were arrested. The more I hurt him, the more I was spurred on.
But that wasn't all that propelled me forward.
Because my nights were full of destruction, I looked forward to my days at the lab where I could be close to Emma. Her presence helped keep the darkness inside me at bay. There were days when we wouldn't talk, but I didn't mind. Just being in the same big room as her rejuvenated me.
Life was good, the best it had ever been. I got to see the girl I loved every day, I had found a friend in Oz, and I was taking apart my enemy piece by piece. I had no doubt my father would be proud. That was my only regret. That my parents couldn't be here to see what I was doing.
I returned to Ironwood at nearly three in the morning after another successful night. I had taken down the owner of a nightclub that was involved in counterfeiting money for Victor. When I had phoned the police, it was almost as if they were waiting for my call. Finally, the men they arrested were actually staying in jail.
I walked into my post office home, feeling slightly irritated at the sight of it. I shouldn't be living down here anymore. Maybe I could find my own apartment up above.
Roman was there, standing in front of the large map. His fingers traced over the many X's across the board as if he could feel them. Maybe he could. Over half of the map had been marked up. I couldn't help but take pride in my accomplishments.
I glanced to the other side of the room on the opposite wall, where dozens of news clippings of my father's work had been pinned up. I'd like to believe his ghost was bearing witness to Victor's defeat through those clippings.
"I heard something a few hours ago," Roman said without turning around. He clasped his hands behind his back, his long ponytail nearly reaching his fingers.
I waited for him to say more, but when he didn't, I asked, "What did you hear?"
"Apparently someone has been handing out a lot of money in Pigtown." He turned around. "This money was traced back to the missing funds from the elementary school. Victor's men discovered the young Robin Hood and have taken him back to the Devil's Playground for questioning."
I reached for the wall to steady myself.
"They also believe this man knows you." He crossed the room to me. "I told you it is too dangerous to have friends. That warning was not just to protect you, but to protect him as well."
"I have to go," I said, trying to keep my stomach from swimming.
"How do you plan on getting in to the Devil's Playground?" he asked. "That is one place you can't just walk in to."
"Actually, that's exactly what I'm going to do. I've been invited."
I hurried over to a pile of junk I kept in a basket beneath the counter and searched for the card Victor had given me. I had almost thrown it away a couple of weeks ago, but now I was glad I hadn't.
After I dialed the number listed, a man answered on the second ring.
"Victor told me to call this number if I want to fight," I said.
"Name?" His voice was deep and bored-sounding.
"Adam Smith."
"I'll call you back."
He hung up without saying another word. I paced the room wondering how long I was going to have to wait. If I didn't hear back soon, I was going to have to make plans to rescue Oz some other way. Roman had turned his back and was staring at the map again.
A few minutes later, my cell phone vibrated. I quickly answered it.
"You can fight tonight. Victor wants to see you go up against Hacksaw. He's never lost."
"Time?"
"Nine."
"I'll be there." I hung up, not the least bit concerned about someone who was undefeated. They hadn't met me.
It didn't take long to pack my gym clothes and get dressed for the night in jeans and a button-up black shirt, but it took forever to properly cover my entire tattoo. I used layers of makeup until I was sure it was completely invisible. I wasn't worried about sweating it off. I doubted I'd sweat at all in a fight against a normal human, but I was concerned it could rub off if somehow I got punched there. I would have to be extra careful.
Roman had left me a while ago to go sit in the Halo. Sometimes I wondered if he would ever help me if I got into serious trouble up above. I know he would be able to hear it.
I waited as long as I could make myself before I headed to the top. With my gym bag slung over my shoulder, I surfaced along Main Street and decided to take the bus again. The sun had set thirty minutes ago, but the sky still clung stubbornly to the last rays of light.
I thought about Oz as the bus bounced along the city streets. Why did he lie to me about the money? If he would've just given it to the police, he would be safe now.
A sudden thought occurred to me. Who is taking care of Amy? I swallowed around the tightness in my throat and sat up. I was within a few blocks of their apartment building.
At the next stop, I exited and walked quickly to Oz's apartment, but as soon as I had eyes on his street, I slid back into the shadows. Victor's men were everywhere. They were lurking the streets keeping an eye on everything and everyone.
After taking a deep breath, I stepped onto the sidewalk and kept my head down. I didn't want to give them a reason to stop me. I managed to make it to the apartment complex without incident and hurried behind the building where I quickly ascended the fire escape. I would've gone to the front door, but I wasn't sure if Amy would answer the door for me.
Like before, I scaled the outer ledge to her room. The window was cracked open. I slipped my fingers inside and opened it the rest of the way.
Amy slept inside, a pillow tucked between her arms. Several pill bottles were on a nightstand along with several cups partway full of liquid. I didn't want to scare her by jumping into her room, but standing out here on her ledge watching her sleep might scare her even more.
Very quietly, I snuck inside and tip-toed across her room. I stepped out into the hall and closed her door to make it appear as if I had come in through the front door. I knocked loudly and said, "Hello?"
Amy stirred from within and answered in a groggy voice. "Huh?"
"I'm sorry to bother you, but Oz sent me over here to check on you."
There was silence followed by a flurry of movement.
"Give me a name," she called, her voice stronger and clearer.
"May I come in?"
"Name first." I heard a familiar click.
I slowly stepped to the side of the door in case she decided to fire the gun I knew she was holding. "I'm Adam Smith. I'm not going to hurt you. I promise. Oz won’t be back until really late tonight so he wanted me to check on you to see if you need anything."
"You may enter," she said.
I opened the door but stayed in the doorway. She was sitting up in bed holding a gun with both hands. It shook slightly in her grip, but I don't think it was because she was scared. By the look in her eyes, she'd shoot me without hesitating.
Proving my point, she said, "If you try anything, I will blow your brains out."
I raised my arms in surrender. "I just want to make sure you're okay."
"I am. Where's Oz?"
"He can tell you when he comes home."
"Is he okay?"
"I think so."
She eyed me up and down. "I've never seen you before. How do you know Oz?"
"We're friends."
"Doubt it. I'd know."
I glanced behind me. "I need to go, but can I get you anything before I leave?"
"You're changing the subject. That's shady. I don't like shady people."
"Oz and I really are friends," I said. "You can ask him about me when he returns."
"What's in the bag?" she asked.
Nothing got past this girl. I admired her spunk. "Gym clothes. That's where I'm headed now."
She wrinkled her nose. "Why? Your muscles already look like you're going to pop."
I smiled. "I like to burn off energy."
"Are you a good influence on him?"
"On who?"
"My brother."
I hesitated to answer. Was I good for Oz? I wouldn't say I was bad as I did tell him to return the money, yet I had put him in several dangerous situations.
"I try to be," I finally said.
"Good. He needs that in his life. He has a big heart but he doesn't always make the right decisions. I worry about him."
"He worries about you, too."
She nods. "He is a good brother." She lowered the gun. "You may leave now."
"Can I get you anything before I go? Food from the kitchen?"
"I'm able to walk there just fine. It just takes me a lot longer than most people."
"I'd like to leave my number for you in case you need anything. Is that okay?"
"You can write it on that paper on my desk." She motioned the gun toward a desk in the corner.
I walked in just enough to scribble my number, then I stepped back outside of her room.
"Tell Oz to hurry up," she said.
"Will do."
I left the apartment, making sure the door was locked behind me. I liked Amy. She had a lot of courage for someone so physically weak. It reminded me that bravery had nothing to do with strength or speed.
All that was left to do now was walk into the lion's den and rescue her brother.
18
There were two parts to Victor's estate. The first was the Devil's Playground, a three-story building made from gray stone and iron trim. It looked right out of medieval times with gargoyle statues glaring down from ancient-looking turrets and ramparts. It made me shiver just looking at it. Those foreboding walls held a special kind of darkness. I could feel it all the way out here in the cold.
Beyond the Devil's Playground was Victor's home. It was smaller and much simpler in style. I didn't know much about it. From what I'd heard, very few people were allowed inside. A tall metal fence surrounded the entire complex, filled with trees and shrubbery. Security cameras were everywhere.
I approached the entrance but was immediately stopped.
