The Brimstone Betrayal

by Terence West

  Stepping into the living room, I noticed he was sitting on my couch exactly as I had been before. “How are you feeling?” I asked. This was the first time I had seen him in human form since before the raid. He looked well.

  "I'm good,” he confirmed. Lifting his shirt, he ran his hand over his athletic chest. Only a few slight red scars remained in the flesh, and even they would be gone before long. “Healers got all of the bullets and the shrapnel. I should heal perfectly."

  Sinking down into a wooden chair opposite the couch, I crossed my legs to avert any accidental sightings of my nakedness. “What's up, T?” I asked as I took the first sip of my coffee and winced. The flavor was slightly repulsive. I would have to remember to clean the pot, or buy a new one.

  "Did you find the ID card?"

  I shook my head. “Nope."

  Toby snapped his fingers as he thought. “Did you find anything that could help us?"

  "Not sure,” I said after swallowing down another gulp of the coffee. It wasn't so bad if you ignored the taste. “Whispers from the dead. I don't know what to make of them yet."

  "Well then,” Toby said, standing up, “It's a good thing I did some research. Get dressed. We're heading to Brimstone."

  I didn't move, instead cradled my mug between my hands. “Why?"

  "You know that Master Vampire you caught the other night?” Toby waited for me to nod. “Guess whose name was listed as the brood's Master that we wiped out?"

  This time I stood up. “No way. Really?” I paused. “Vlad?” I ran over the information in my head. It all seemed to fit. “How did you get access to the Brimstone databanks?"

  Toby smiled. He wasn't going to tell.

  "What an amazing stroke of luck,” I gushed, setting my mug on the table in front of the couch. I started back toward my bedroom for clothes, but stopped short of the door. My mood darkened. “Wait, how are we going to question him? We don't have Seeker status at the moment. They're not going to just let us in."

  "I have a plan,” Toby offered.

  Ah, youth. So naïve. But I believed him. We had to find a way. Our lives depended on it. “Okay. Let me get dressed, and we're on our way. Ten minutes?"

  "Ten minutes?” he asked impatiently. “I could be ready in two."

  "I need a shower,” I said, holding my robe closed. “I just woke up, remember? I've still got sleep stink on me."

  "Fine,” he said after a moment. “Ten minutes,” he said, glancing at his watch.

  "Fine,” I echoed and turned back toward my bedroom. I saw Toby take a step into the living room so he could better see into my bedroom. I shook my head playfully. “That's not polite."

  He blushed and turned away.

  Chapter 11

  I took fifteen just to bug him. Added to the drive to Brimstone, it had turned into nearly forty-five minutes. A hive of activity this time of night, the day shift was cleaning up while the night shift was just starting to check in. It was easy to get lost in the shuffle, and that was exactly what we were hoping for.

  The building Brimstone was housed in was fairly good sized. An old office complex on the outskirts of the industrial section, it was four stories tall with an additional two sublevels hidden from prying eyes. The upper floors were mostly offices, medical, and labs while the basement levels were reserved for the motor pool, weapon storage, prisoner cells, and those deep, dark things no one really wanted to deal with. No one was really sure what was in the basement, but company officials didn't like anyone snooping around down there. It was company policy not to go into the basement unescorted—for safety reasons. Unfortunately, that was exactly where we were.

  Ditching my coupe back in the motor pool, Toby and I had swept past weapon storage and down into the basement. We were heading for Vlad's cell, but taking the scenic route. We hoped to keep interaction with the staff to a bare minimum. We weren't supposed to be here after all.

  Despite the basement being well lit, the cement walls and floors seemed ominous under the green hue of the industrial-strength fluorescent lights. I knew it was psychosomatic, but the light was so bright it felt like my skin was burning. Water leaking from a broken pipe created that constant, echoing, ever-present dripping noise in horror movies. Various discarded projects and experiments littered the corners creating heaps anything could hide in.

  Toby was moving just behind my heels, his senses on high alert. “Have you ever been down here before?"

  "No,” I glanced at a dark pile of ... something just beyond us. “You think the stories are true?"

  "I don't know.” He laughed uncomfortably. “I'm not sure I buy a man-eating monster in the basement of the Brimstone Syndicate. Just seems...” He paused and straightened up.

  Skittering to a stop, I turned and stared at the Werewolf. My senses were very attuned, but his were well beyond anything I could hope to achieve. I waited.

  "Thought I caught something's scent,” he explained after a moment. “It was there then just gone. The ventilation system is moving the air down here, but not that fast...” His words trailed off. “Sort of smelled like,” a smile flashed on his face, “Goblin."

  I shook my head and hoped his nose was wrong for once. We didn't have time for one of those nasty little beasts. I had no idea why Toby liked Goblins so much. He said they amused him, but I personally thought they were disgusting. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if there were actually a Goblin living down here. Seemed like the perfect place for one. I caught the flickering scent of a Goblin as well. I understood what it was doing. Using a common cloaking spell, the little beast was trying to mask its scent in order to remain hidden. Fortunately Goblins have a very distinct, easily identifiable aroma. Unfortunately, they tend to smell like rotten eggs. It, or they, was very near.

  I saw a service elevator on the far wall. I assumed—hoped, rather—that it would take us up just beyond the detention area. From there it would be a simple matter of getting past the guards, through the guard barracks, and to the cells. Seemed easy enough, or utterly impossible. But I was being Ms. Positive tonight. I turned and started toward it.

  "Wait,” Toby said in a hushed tone.

  I turned and looked at the wolf. It hit me. I felt the hair rise on the back of my neck. This wasn't his plan, was it? Please, don't let this be his plan. “Toby,” I said warily, “you didn't..."

  Toby looked past me with a grin on his face. “Karl!"

  Karl? I turned and saw him in dismay. Karl the Goblin? Scarcely over a foot in height, his flesh was an olive shade of green. Deep-set emerald eyes were expressive and spoke volumes of his age and knowledge. His black hair was slicked back to his head exposing his tall, pointed ears. Dressed in a miniature pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, he looked like an alien version of the Fonz. He was laying suggestively on several crates with his hand propping up his head. This was just getting weird.

  "You can't be serious,” I said, turning back to Toby. “I am not working with a Goblin."

  "You got a problem with Goblins, lady?” came Karl's shrill reply. His voice sounded as if he were constantly breathing helium. He hopped off the crates and marched toward me.

  "Karl's a good guy,” Toby defended himself. “He's offered to help us get into the detention area."

  "He's a Goblin,” I argued, pointing at the little green man standing next to me. “He steals babies.” I turned and scowled at him. “Then does who knows what with them."

  "Yeah, like you're a saint, honey,” Karl spat. “You're a bloodsucking Vampire. You kill people. And by the way,” he said spitefully, “that's a myth. Goblins don't steal babies,” he lowered his voice and turned away from me, “anymore."

  "Ha!” I laughed and pointed at him.

  Karl balled his fists and kicked me hard in the shin with his tiny black boots.

  With a yelp, I felt my eyes go black. “You're a filthy little beast."

  "You're a leech,” came Karl's shrill reply.

  "Knock it off,” Toby growled. I saw his eyes flash yellow for
a moment. “Karl's here to help.” He stepped close, dwarfing me. “If you can't deal with that, I suggest you leave."

  I couldn't help but step back from Toby's anger. He had never before rebuked me. I felt a flash of fright. It occurred to me in that moment why he kept his distance from me most of the time. Beneath his human exterior, he was a raging monster ... just like I was. I couldn't get any words past the lump of fear in my throat.

  Toby shook his head and lowered his voice. “I don't want to hear anymore of this.” He glared down at the Goblin. “From either of you."

  "The suckhead started it,” Karl protested.

  Toby folded his arms across his chest. “I'm paying you, right?"

  Karl nodded.

  "Then I don't want to hear it.” His eyes flashed solid yellow. “Understand?"

  There were many things Goblins were capable of. Outrunning a pissed off Werewolf was not one of them. Karl acquiesced. “Fine.” He took a breath into his little lungs. “Let's get this over with.” He turned and started climbing back onto the crates.

  Goblins were experts at finding “alternate” ways into just about anything. Their tiny stature allowed them into places other Inhumans couldn't get to, and they were devious. Always thinking, their minds presented them with ideas others wouldn't even consider. In ancient times, it was not unheard of for a family's baby to vanish without a trace from a completely sealed room. No one was really sure what the Goblins did with the babies, and they certainly weren't telling. One myth had them eating the children, while another had them selling the babies into slavery. Still, some felt Goblins weren't responsible at all, but because of their unique skill set, and inhuman appearance, they were blamed for the disappearance of children. No one had actually ever caught a Goblin with a stolen baby.

  Still, I didn't trust them. “Why are you living in Brimstone? Shouldn't you be under a bridge or something?"

  "Damned trolls took all the good bridge spots,” Karl grumbled as he neared the top of the crates. It would have been easy for me to lift him up to the top, but I would rather watch him climb. “Ever try to raise a family under a bridge, suckhead?” He stopped and peered over his shoulder. “No, I guess not."

  The obvious shot at my barren Vampiric womb sent a shock of rage down my spine. It wasn't my fault I couldn't have children, rather a quirk of my adopted species. I looked back at Toby and bit my tongue. Another remark like that and I would bite Karl's.

  Reaching the summit of the crates, Karl pointed off the opposite side. “You're going to have to move these boxes, Toby. There's a ventilation shaft we need to get to."

  "Are we all going to fit?” Toby asked.

  Karl peered over the edge and thought carefully. “Maybe."

  "Maybe?” I echoed in dismay.

  "It's all you've got, honey,” Karl said with a devious grin. “Otherwise, feel free to take your chances with the guards at the top of that service elevator. I'm sure you'll do fine."

  That's it. I'm going to smash him.

  "Rose,” Toby said, slowly sensing my growing displeasure with his plan. “You may have to go alone."

  I closed my eyes for a moment and focused. Toby was right. After all, I could smoosh the little bugger when I got back. “All right."

  As Karl kept a careful lookout, it only took Toby and I about five minutes to move the massive pile of crates. With his Werewolf and my vampiric strength, we easily picked them up to allow access to the ventilation shaft. The shaft, covered by a dark red grate, was just about four feet square. Karl would be able to easily maneuver through it, while I was going to have a bit more difficulty. Still, I knew I could make it.

  Climbing inside, I discovered that the vent stretched out horizontally for almost seven feet before turning toward the upper levels. Composed of aluminum, it didn't look like it could hold my weight. Snaking my way in, I made the difficult turn up and lifted myself to my feet. Staring up the seemingly endless shaft, I braced my hands and back against the walls and began to inch my way up. Karl, using some arcane Goblin technique, seemed to skitter along the aluminum almost silently ahead of me. Occasionally stopping to check on my progress, he would drop a derogatory remark and continue on his way. I was really starting to hate that Goblin. Passing several connecting horizontal shafts, we finally arrived at our exit.

  Karl, standing completely upright in the vent, was leaning against the side tapping his foot impatiently. “Took you long enough, suckhead. I thought you Vampires were supposed to be super fast."

  "It's four feet wide,” I argued. “Plus, I'm not a foot high freak like you."

  "Kiss my green ass,” Karl responded cheerfully. He turned and pointed down the shaft. “The detention area is directly ahead. We can drop down in the cell block and miss the guards altogether."

  I nodded. It was all sounding too easy. “What about alarms?"

  Karl shrugged.

  "You don't know if there's alarms or not?” I asked in disbelief. “Isn't breaking and entering your specialty? Shouldn't you know this stuff?"

  "Look, I'm sure you were just as pleasant in life as you are dead, but could you cut me a little slack? I'm putting my hide on the line here, too. I've never wanted to get into the detention area before.” His lips were drawn into an angry frown. “In fact, I usually avoid it. It's not some place an illegal Inhuman usually wants to hang out."

  I had suspected he was. As a Seeker, you start to understand the differences an ID makes. I had learned to see it in their body language, the way they spoke, and how they carried themselves. Some legals still clung to the old ways of life, like living in basements or under bridges so it wouldn't be that shocking to find he was, but an illegal Inhuman living inside of Brimstone? He was just rubbing our noses in it. I liked him even less.

  "Okay fine,” I said after a moment. “Let's go."

  "I'm not going,” Karl said as he slid into the shaft next to me. “I did what I told the big wolf I would. That's it. I'm out.” He skittered into the darkness.

  "You little shit,” I said quietly. I was definitely squishing him when, or if, I got out of this.

  Pulling myself into the adjoining vent, I wriggled ahead as quietly as I could. Realizing the guards were probably below me, I carefully calculated every move. Pushing past the first two openings in the shaft, I came to my destination. Through the thin slats in the vent grill, I could see the brightly lit detention area. A long row of cages lined both sides of the room with solid glass fronts. I knew from experience the glass was electrically and magically charged to keep the beasties in. They were also soundproof, reducing the chance one of the other prisoners could yell for the guards and screw me.

  I spotted the cell I had personally escorted Vlad into. Three up from the door, it was almost exactly beneath the vent shaft. I popped the vent cover free and set it neatly inside the shaft. Pushing my head and shoulders through, I rolled my legs over and dropped silently onto the floor. My senses on high alert, I turned my attention toward Vlad's cell. Our gazes met. I didn't realize until that moment how much danger I was in. I stepped to the side and activated the intercom.

  "Seeker,” Vlad greeted me.

  Vlad's white shirt was stained with blood from the fight, but his head had healed nicely. Only a large bruise and barely any scarring were visible despite the fact I had blown a gaping hole in his head. The two fang marks on his neck were still readily visible though. The residual effect of my venom was slowing down the healing process. His hair still looked perfect. I had to find out how he did that.

  Sliding off the bench built into the wall, the Master Vampire moved languidly toward the glass. His limbs seemed almost too heavy for him to control. He hadn't fed enough. The guards had been giving him just enough to keep him going, yet this could easily backfire. Vampires often kept a reserve of energy in situations like this that enabled them to capture prey and feed. We were, after all, predators. Vlad was like a tightly coiled spring ready to explode. I had to be wary of the Master, even though six inches of char
ged glass separated us.

  "Garrett,” I acknowledged, using his real name. I didn't think needlessly upsetting a hungry Vampire by calling him “Vlad” was my best option right now. Vampires in his condition had been known to kill other Vampires and feed off them just to survive. Blood was blood after all.

  "What brings you to my humble crypt?” Vlad asked, spreading his arms wide. “I would have prepared tea if I had known you were coming."

  "There's no need to be pissy,” I spat out but quickly bit my tongue. He was baiting me. “I need you to answer some questions."

  "You attacked me, blew half my head off, and bit me,” Vlad said, gesturing to his head, “and now you expect me to help you?"

  I nodded. “Yeah that sounds about right."

  He smiled politely. “What's in it for me?"

  "If you cooperate, it will reflect well when your case is judged by the Tribunal,” I answered.

  He raised an eyebrow. “And how can you claim that, little Vampire?"

  Little Vampire? “I am a Seeker,” I replied.

  "Don't Seekers usually use the door,” he pointed toward the ceiling, “instead of climbing around in the ductwork?"

  He had me there. I had lost my only bargaining chip. Pausing, I had to rethink my tactics. “A lot of Vampires are dead. I need your help."

  "Actually,” Vlad said smugly, “I thought all Vampires were dead."

  "You know damned well that's not what I meant.” I ran my hand over my face in frustration. He was just being a jackass. “Vampires are being killed."

  Vlad started to turn away. “Why should I care?"

  "Because they were your Vampires,” I said, stepping closer to the glass. I wasn't sure this would work. Vampires like Vlad often had no sympathy for anyone but themselves. “They were your brood. There is something strange happening at Brimstone. I need to find out what."

  Vlad paused.

  I waited, but decided to push ahead. “Why did you abandon them?"