Exist (Vampire Assassin League Book 30)

by Jackie Ivie

  The call ended because Anso pulled the phone away and flung it. The crash as it shattered was loud. Leah watched as he turned back to her. Folded his arms. Acted like he was fully dressed and this entire scenario was completely acceptable and normal.

  “You heard?”

  She nodded.

  “You have questions for me?”

  She licked her lips. Glanced away. Both signs of an upcoming lie. But maybe he didn’t know that. She returned to meeting his look and tried to hold it. “None...that come to mind.”

  “I must go.”

  She nodded.

  “You will stay here?”

  Despite what Steven had said, she’d never been good at drama. Acting. Faking anything. She swallowed and glanced away again, this time into the upper left corner of the cavern. Damn it! It took an act of will to move her gaze back to his and nod.

  “You give me your word?”

  She had to settle for another nod. Any attempt at voicing words got stuck in her throat. He smiled. And then he moved.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “How did you know I was lying?”

  Anso sent a sidelong glance toward her. One of his eyebrows lifted, drawing her attention to his eyes. That was quite the affectation. He didn’t need it.

  “I was a leader of men. Bravery is often faked. Usually when facing a battle. When death is possible. There are signs.”

  “It’s because I looked away, isn’t it?”

  “No.” He shook his head as if it needed added emphasis.

  “Then what?”

  “Your heart sped up. Your breathing got shallow. You had to swallow often.”

  “How...do you know that?”

  Her voice matched the sensation of incredulity. He gave her a swift grin before turning away. She followed his gaze. They looked over an old Soviet military complex. It was located on the Polish border, eighty-some-odd miles from Prague. She knew that because a helicopter had landed on an outcropping of rock outside Anso’s hidden castle. They’d taken it. Some guy named Ivan piloted. Leah hadn’t gotten a good look at him. She hadn’t looked at much. The sun might be a no-show today, but it was almost blindingly bright. Excruciatingly hot. She’d hidden beneath a shawl and hung onto Anso while he explained. He couldn’t just take a leap and they’d be at this camp. It was too far. He needed to reserve his strength.

  That was another oddity in this dreamscape. Didn’t vampires have unlimited strength? Wasn’t that the mythos? And why did she even question it? Dreams, delusions and/or hallucinations had many nonsensical and unexplained things in them. That was one thing that came out in therapy sessions.

  The view was desultory. What was once lush forest had been scarred with progress, but then it had been deserted. The forest was now winning. The place had been hard to spot. Here and there she could make out angular features that belonged to derelict, graffiti-strewn buildings. Strips of asphalt ribbed the ground in overgrown sections, while a multi-storied tower peeked from beneath a patchy covering of foliage. It was rusted. The entire area reeked of desolation. Decay. Rot.

  “Because you are my weibchan. My every breath matches yours. As does each heartbeat. My pulse. It did then. It does now.”

  “Oh. No way.”

  “You deny the truth often, lioban.”

  “No. I deny science fiction that is presented as fact. Different concept entirely.”

  “Come. The guard is coming out again.”

  “Yeah. Looks like he’s a chain-smoker.”

  “Where did you read that? It was not in the report.”

  Leah’s heart stalled. Her mouth watered. “What...report?”

  “The one I left open on my computer thing while I dressed and prepared.”

  “What makes you think I read it?”

  He was pretty damned accurate about her physiological response to a lie attempt. He had the heart rate covered. The need to swallow. The pent-up breath. He regarded her for some moments while a smile played about his lips.

  “What woman could resist?” he finally replied.

  “Okay. So, maybe I peeked.”

  He grunted, grabbed her to his chest and sped through leaves that showered them with raindrops when jostled. His pace didn’t have any steps to it. Good thing. Nigel’s forecast hadn’t been accurate. The skies were gray with clouds, each breath heavy with moisture, while the pelting of rain drowned out any other sound. She was grateful for Anso’s assistance. Her skirt was made of burgundy-shaded velvet and nearly a foot too long. If this material got saturated, she’d have a hard time moving at all.

  He stopped at a building edge. Knelt onto a knee and settled her atop his upraised thigh, inches away. Rain had plastered his dark hair to his skull. Rivulets drained down his pecs from where strips of hair clung to his shoulders. He was beyond gorgeous. He looked big, dark, sexy...

  Dangerous.

  Her heart gave a twinge. His eyes widened.

  Oh shit.

  He hadn’t experienced that, too, had he? His words answered that. And her heart gave another lurch.

  “I like your train of thought, lioban. If we had time. And a suitable spot. I would very much like to show you.”

  “Um. Anso?”

  “Yes.”

  “It’s not what you think.”

  He leaned forward to peer around the building edge. Straightened. Looked back at her.

  “Is he still there?” Leah asked.

  He nodded.

  “I’m going to hamper this rescue, aren’t I?”

  “No.”

  “You should put me down. I’ll be fine.”

  “Your skirt is too long. You’ll trip.”

  “Who says I’ll be moving anywhere?”

  One of his eyebrows lifted.

  “I wouldn’t. I’d stay right here. Honest.”

  “No.”

  “Come on, Anso. I don’t even know where I am! And look at me. I’m dressed like a—. A—. Oh! I don’t know. A medieval princess or something.”

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Oh. Of course I do. To you. You’re the guy who stocked all the wardrobe closets with really low-cut dresses that belong in a Renaissance Fair! And this shawl is useless! Look. It’s pretty much see-through when wet.”

  “You did not wish to bring your jacket.”

  “That’s because it’s not mine. It belongs to Steven. My colleague. Or – he was my colleague. Remind me to send it to him if I don’t wake up from this, okay?”

  He grunted again.

  “You know, I have a doctorate in psychology. You’d think I’d have the wits to envision efficient attire if I’m going to hallucinate! Especially if I’m going to be running through a forest in pouring rain, and traipsing through some heretofore unknown and secret deserted Soviet military complex! That would be the smart move. I need cargo pants! Hiking boots. Thermal Henley. A water-resistant, fleece-lined jacket. With a hood. Yeah. That would work. And I have all that in my closet. I even bought short men’s sizes, so I wouldn’t have to go through a fat lady catalog to get them big enough. The outfit is brand new. Never worn – except for the jacket. One of my exes was the outdoorsy type. So I pretended.”

  He regarded her for long moments. “Why do you speak of all this?”

  “I’m hoping it will trigger a wardrobe change.”

  He shook his head. “How so? And why? You look very beautiful.”

  “The translation of that is I look ridiculous.”

  “No. Perfect. But, I do apologize. You are a bit smaller than I anticipated. Everything will be too lengthy for you.”

  “Excuse me? Am I hearing right? You anticipated?”

  “We are told about mates. I envisioned mine. I ordered all manner of attire, but you never arrived. So I gave up. Centuries ago.” He looked around the corner again, his hand slowly reaching behind his back. “Have you ever handled a weapon?”

  Her mouth had opened to start the denial, but he’d pulled a sharp dagger from the back of his trousers, silenc
ing her. It had a black leather grip. A really long blade. Jagged-looking edges along one side. Looked extremely lethal. He held it out to her. Leah lifted both hands in the universal sign of defeat.

  “This is too much for me, Anso. I mean, really. I’m a doctor of psychology. I don’t do death and dismemberment. The most I’ve handled is a cooking knife. The occasional steak knife.”

  He secured the knife back behind him. “Very well. I will handle it. You stay at my side.”

  “Can’t I just stay here?”

  He gave her an unfathomable look. She tried desperately to keep her heart from beating any faster. Modulated her breath. Didn’t even attempt a swallow. She didn’t even move her gaze.

  “I am sorry. I cannot leave you. It is too dangerous. Come. I will carry you.”

  He stood. Lifted her against his left side. Looked down at her, locking gazes. Her heart gave every sign of being affected as it thudded heavily. Rhythmically.

  He was right.

  There was a distinct echo as his heart matched.

  “This isn’t going to work,” she whispered.

  “Wrap your arms about my neck. Legs about my waist. Hold tight.”

  “How are you going to get him to go with you? Nigel says he’s your size. Angry. Stubborn. You can’t force him if you’re holding me.”

  She did the requested movements while she argued. Got suctioned into place against his side. And it felt really nice. Damp, but warm.

  “That is the least of our trouble. You saw the plan?”

  “Vaguely. Something with ‘D’s.”

  “Yes. Four of them.”

  “That’s not a bra size?”

  “Why would it be such a thing?”

  “Delusions have a way of being off-the-wall like that.”

  “This is not a delusion, lioban. A 4-D Team is scheduled for noon. We have less than an hour.”

  “Before what?”

  He looked down at her. Lifted both eyebrows, putting little lines across his forehead. Replied with one word. “Boom.”

  “Boom?”

  “Deploy. Destroy. Disinfect. Disappear.”

  “Destroy? How much destruction are we talking?”

  “Everything.”

  “You’re joking.”

  He shook his head.

  “You can’t just blow everything up! Not in my delusion! That kind of thing will really do some damage to my psyche!”

  “I speak, but you do not seem to hear. This is not a delusion, lioban.”

  “It has to be.”

  “Why?”

  “Because anything else is impossible.”

  “How so?”

  “We really have to go into this now? Right now?”

  “We have a few moments. The guard is still there. And even if he moves, I can go through a door as easily as open it.”

  “All right. Fine. I’ll just start with that. You’ll go through a door?”

  “Yes.”

  “Let me guess. Because you’re a vampire.”

  He smiled.

  “Let’s start there, shall we? We can drill down from that. There’s a root cause to this hallucination. I might as well find it before we blow stuff up. You claim to be a vampire. You actually exhibit vampiric traits. Both are impossible.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because it’s true.”

  “What makes it true?”

  Leah blinked. Thought for a moment. “Because it just is.”

  “Again. Why?”

  “Certain beings do not exist. Never have. Werewolves. Yetis. Vampires. Easter bunnies. Tooth fairies. You know. Impossible things.”

  “Why do you say they don’t exist?”

  “Because nobody ever saw one!”

  “They have.”

  “Bull crap. If they had, there would be a valid record.”

  “Every culture has written proof of their existence.”

  “Mythical stories. Complete fiction.”

  “What makes them fictional?”

  “There is no scientific proof to back anything up.”

  “What would you need for this scientific proof?”

  “Okay. Maybe if I met one. Saw signs of special powers. Proof of immortality. Got bitten by one. Or maybe—”

  Her voice stopped. He had one eyebrow quirked up again.

  “If I cut myself right now and it instantly heals, would that suffice as scientific proof?”

  She was going to gag. “No. Please. Don’t do that.”

  “You worry for no reason. But you are amusing.” He leaned forward and looked around the building again. Returned. “You are ready?”

  “Just don’t kill anybody. Okay? Don’t make me go there! Killing people in your mind is the sign of a truly deranged psyche!”

  ”Lioban. This is not in your mind.”

  “Please, Anso?”

  “You make this extremely difficult for us. Do you know what you ask?”

  “Please? If I cross that line, there’s no going back! Please?”

  He considered her for a moment, as if she asked something completely unreasonable. And then he sighed heavily.

  “Very well. No killing. For you.”

  The relief was short-lived. Anso was moving before the words finished making sound. They should have gone around. Used the hulking chunks of concrete buildings for cover. They traversed an old courtyard. Thick layers of gravel appeared to have impeded plant growth. There wasn’t any cover except the rain. Leah couldn’t seem to move her gaze, or even close her eyes, despite sending the order for both. The guard looked up. Saw them. Chucked his cigarette to reach for the gun over his shoulder.

  Leah sucked in a breath. Watched as Anso back-handed him across the chest. The guard smacked into the wall and slumped to the ground, on his front, looking broken. Anso shoved him with a boot toe. The man groaned and then went silent.

  “He’s still...alive?” she whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Thank you.” She hiccupped as she exhaled.

  Anso didn’t wait to hear it. They were already inside the door, facing what looked like miles of metal-sheathed tunnel. The ground was earthen. Dark. Damp. It was instantly much quieter. Anso gripped her tighter to his left side and leapt forward. And then he was flying.

  Literally.

  The air was immediately cold. Brisk. It whipped at her clothing and hair, drying both. The ribbed tunnel blurred into a solid stream of dull silver tones. She watched it happen.

  That still didn’t mean she had to believe it.

  CHAPTER TEN

  Anso had never fought under restrictions like this. Always before, he’d killed without compunction. Used his bow for distance shots. Hacked his way with sword and dagger at close range. He’d taken on multitudes with pleasure. Left a bloodbath. It was his signature. The larger the horde facing him, the better he liked it. Centuries had passed while his hits raised barely an eyebrow. Now – depending on the country - an assignment could engender all manner of unwanted scrutiny. Global news coverage. His assassinations could usually be attributed to war. Men always seemed to fight for the same reasons. Resources such as farming land. Water. Precious minerals. Religion. And power. Somebody was always trying to subdue someone else. Humankind just couldn’t seem to get along with each other...but that did offer a lot of perfect killing ground.

  His head grazed the line of fluorescent tube lighting as he flew. The complication of leaving his foes breathing added an edge of danger he hadn’t felt in millennia. His pulse ramped up. His muscle went taut. His breathing quickened, each one was deeper and heavier, air filling his lungs before he expelled it. This sensation was heady.

  Exciting.

  Addictive.

  A large fence blocked further passage, backed by two guards. A dog. They had a camp stove burning. One man waved his hands above it, warming them. Anso’s approach wasn’t even noticed. He yanked Leah more tightly against him, turned, and slammed through the obstruction with his right shoulder
. One guard got enmeshed in chain-link, rendering him useless, semi-conscious, but alive. The other ricocheted off a wall. The camp stove went flying, spewing heated coals that sputtered and sizzled. Neither man got a shot off. The dog didn’t react.

  Anso could hear the next batch of guards. Talking. Laughing. They didn’t have any reaction to having security breached. Because they were at least a hundred yards away. Whatever organization manned this complex, the leaders needed a course on military strategy. The guard stations were spaced too far apart. They were obviously not expecting trouble, and if it came, they were counting on an alarm being given.

  And they were lax.

  Anso stopped at a corner, pulled in a breath. Held it. And then peeked. He had three men to get through next. They stood in a semi-circle around another stove, warming hands. Humans and their frailties. Anso wasn’t remotely cold. Then again, the excitement of this venture might be cancelling sensations such as temperature.

  One guard scratched at his groin before hefting his gun into a more comfortable position on his shoulder. The other two were unarmed, their weapons leaning up against the wall behind them. No dogs. Leah was breathing rapidly, but nothing that troubled. She was the perfect companion.

  Anso leaned over to her ear.

  “I must do this on my own, lioban.”

  Anso whispered it before loosening his arm. He settled her on the ground beside him. Smiled at what looked like real concern in her eyes.

  “I will come back for you. Please. Stay here.”

  She tilted her head. Anso took it for agreement. And moved.

  He leapt into the midst of the guards. Kicked the armed man into the fellow standing beside him. The hit probably broke bone, as did the landing, but he wasn’t slicing off heads. Nothing appeared lethal. The next guard got back-handed into the opposite wall. This mode of warfare was beginning to be enjoyable as well as exciting. Anso was grinning as Leah reached him, holding a wad of skirts in her arms.

  His grin faded as she looked up at him.

  “You are...well?” he asked with a whisper.

  She looked over the three guards as if assessing mortality rate. And then she looked back up at him. The mass of fabric in her arms looked unwieldy. It also drew attention to her bosom. Anso swallowed and looked away before the lust for battle turned into something else.