“I do not care much for coffee, Miss. But thank you for your thoughtfulness.” He couldn’t take the chance. For all he knew, the Venators may have spiked the coffee with the poisonous flowers. He could not afford to put caution aside, even for a second.
“Oh, sorry.” She picked the mug back up and took a sip. I suppose you’d like a cup of tea then?” she said giggling. “You know, being from England and all. My name is Veronica, by the way, but please call me Ronnie.” She played with her hair, twirling a thick lock around a finger.
“Truly, I am fine. I just had a lovely cup of water.” He could see that she thoroughly enjoyed his accent, and he smiled as he continued. “What I would truly like Veronica, is to get out of here. What seems to be the hold up?”
She shrugged, wondering why he was so formal. “I’m not sure. They’re probably doing a background check on you. It may take a while.” She flipped her blonde hair back and raised an eyebrow, giving him a suggestive grin. “You may as well sit down and get comfortable.”
Running out of patience, Emrys shook his head and said, “I do not wish to sit.”
Something pounded up against the door, startling Veronica. “Those idiots!” she said furiously. Assuming the guards were frisking another detainee, she imagined they’d shoved him up against the wall in their futile attempt to look mean and rough. Muffled talking came through the walls, and then a loud scratching sound and a thick thump. Her eyes grew large.
“Perhaps you should check up on them,” Emrys suggested. “It is not right, you know, to mistreat passengers like this. I am considering pressing charges myself; but whoever is out there might be getting hurt!”
She turned to the wall and pressed the code into the keypad. That was her second mistake. By the time her hand was on the doorknob, Emrys was behind her with his arm around her throat and her gun in his hand.
“I do not wish to harm you, Veronica,” he whispered into her ear. “All I need you to do is open the door, and act like nothing is wrong in here.” He cocked the gun, adding, “Do you understand?”
Bobbing her head up and down, she realized that coming into the room all alone was her first mistake. But at the same time, she felt strange electrical energy coming from this man, and she liked it. She took a huge breath and began to ease open the door, but the weight of the unconscious body leaning against it, forced it to fly all the way open. The body fell halfway into the room with a heavy thud. Veronica’s scream was instantly muffled when Emrys clamped his hand over her mouth. He pulled her backwards, and then let her go.
“Move away from the door, please.” He motioned with the gun, pointing toward the middle of the room.
She stood near the table as Emrys pulled the unconscious Venator into the room, relieved him of his gun, and secured it in his own belt. It was the smaller, more timid guard, out cold. Emrys laughed to himself, thinking that Gavin decided to leave the best for last. When he glanced back at Veronica and noticed the fearful look on her face, he felt bad for her.
“This man is not dead,” he explained. “He might have a headache, but he should be fine.” He closed the door again, but didn’t let it latch.
Veronica gave a loud, exasperated sigh. “I thought you were brought here by mistake. I thought you were just one of their random security checks - an innocent man.” She was disappointed in herself and the fact that she’d misread his intentions.
“You are partly correct. I am only guilty of one thing: keeping these people away from my family.” He sounded serious, and looked her in the eye. “This one here,” he said, giving the man’s shoe a soft kick. “He is being misled by the bald one. It is a long story that I do not have time to go into now, but I believe they want to take my newborn nieces and nephew.”
It was partly true, and Emrys assumed it would keep the woman’s mind occupied for now. There was another commotion outside in the hallway, and just as Emrys started to crack open the door, someone pushed it aside. He had to chuckle at the sight. The bald Venator stood there with his hands up, an angry scowl on his face, and Gavin was behind him, grinning, one hand gripping the man’s neck the other on a gun hidden in his pocket.
“Welcome, my friend!” Emrys said with an echoing grin. “How nice of you to drop in!”
Gavin laughed as he shoved the Venator through the open door and ordered him to sit. He took the handcuffs and locked the Hunter to the table leg. Veronica’s eyes were wide, but she didn’t say a word. Gavin then went to the unconscious one and dragged him closer to the other side of the table, and secured him there with his handcuffs.
“See, my dear lady,” Emrys said, glancing at Veronica. “We are civil. There will be no blood shed today after all!” Emrys stood near the door and gestured with his hand, saying, “I shall ask you kindly to please retrieve my things for me now.”
She frowned as she edged her way past the table and stepped over the body that lay halfway under it. He followed her out into the hallway, taking a quick glance around. It was empty.
“I sure hope you don’t plan on locking me up with those two,” she whispered, handing him the large envelope. “I don’t know what’s going on, Mister. But I don’t want to be locked in there. Please?” she pleaded. Her eyes filled up with tears.
“I do not have a choice, Veronica,” Emrys said, taking her arm and leading her back into the room. “I am truly sorry.”
She felt another electrical jolt on her arm. “But that guy gives me the creeps!” she hissed under her breath, pointing at the bald Hunter.
“That’s funny. Real darn funny,” the Venator said snidely. “If ya only knew what yer dealin with here. Those two ain’t even human. I’m here ta do my job, and rid the earth of bloodsuckers like them.” He scoffed, and added, “And you think I’m creepy?”
“Be silent,” Gavin piped up, clamping down on the Hunter’s shoulder with a heavy hand.
Veronica frowned as she glared at the Hunter. “If they aren’t human, then what are they?”
She had heard rumors through the years about vampires and vampire Hunters in the southwest. But to find out that one of her co-workers really believed this - blew her mind. Prior to this, she had always believed the stories were only legends, silly drunken-party antics. Peering back at Emrys, she was now filled with a strangely exciting curiosity, and wondered, could the legends be real?
Her eyes darted back to the bald guard, and she caught sight of the tattoo over his ear. It was a sword with the words: No Mercy above it. She swallowed hard and said, “Bloodsuckers? As in vampires? You’re serious, aren’t you, Duke?”
With Gavin’s hand still too close to his neck, the Hunter remained silent and nodded his head. Veronica turned back to Emrys again, even more intrigued than she was earlier. Emrys had half expected to see the fear in her eyes, but instead he only witnessed resolve and determination.
She gave him a tentative grin and with a shaky voice, said, “You’re going to need me to help you get past security, you know.”
The two Ravens looked at one another and had a hard time holding back their laughter. Assuming that she meant to strike a bargain with them, Gavin said, “No, Miss. Actually we don’t. But never fear. We intend you no harm. Our only desire is to get back home.”
“But you’ll need to book another flight now. And I am quite sure your faces, at least yours,” she said, pointing to Emrys, “have been plastered all over the security monitors by now. I don’t see how you’ll make it past them.”
“We do have our ways,” Emrys stated clearly.
If all else failed, they could move so fast that no one would see them. Just as Gavin did getting past all the guards to get inside the security headquarters.
“But I want to help you!” she insisted, raising her voice.
“They’ll drain ya dry, Ronnie.” The Hunter simply could not keep quiet. He let out a yelp when Gavin squeezed his neck even harder.
“No, they won’t.” Veronica seemed sure of it and she looked to Emrys. “Will you?”
/> “Of course not,” he sighed, shaking his head. “But I do not understand your motives. Why do you wish to jeopardize your job for us?”
“Because...I want to go with you.” She was quite emphatic, and added, “I can get you out of the country without a hitch. I can fake the paperwork and make it look like you’re being extradited. I can even be your escort,” she said, pointing down at her uniform. “I’ve got many connections.”
“I am quite sure we can make better time by ourselves,” Emrys said, glancing over at Gavin. “What do you say, my friend? Exactly how easy was it to return from the gate where our wives left?” He was now determined to make sure that Veronica was aware of his status. After all, her intentions were obvious. He could see they went far beyond just accompanying them home.
“It was easy enough. Although she may have a point. We do need to purchase new tickets now.” Gavin raised a brow.
Emrys glanced wearily at the woman. “Is there anything else we can offer you for your help, Veronica, other than what you have already suggested?” He could almost guess what her next words would be. And this was exactly why they tried to maintain a low profile. Far too many humans wished for this life of immortality - but they needed to control the ratio of donors versus Ravens.
“I’m pretty sure you already know what I require.” She put her hands on her hips, trying to appear brave. “I want to become like you.”
The Hunter she had called Duke let out a choked laugh. The Ravens ignored him.
“This immortality is not given without cost. We would require a minimum of two years living as a donor before we allow a change such as what you are asking,” Emrys explained, “and we normally acquire new donors only once every decade.”
Gavin cleared his throat. “That is true, my friend. But this is not a normal situation. Perhaps we could rethink our rules for a moment?” Their eyes met and Emrys nodded for him to continue. They both looked at the woman, and Gavin said, “Why don’t you go get that paperwork started and I shall reason with my friend.”
Veronica frowned at them. “Alright, but don’t try to sneak away on me.” She went to the door, cracked it open, and took a quick peek. Looking back she said, “I trust you will be here when I return. After all, I still have your passport...Emrys Bertrand.” She grinned and slipped out of the door.
“Tell me you have another plan,” Emrys said, sounding exhausted.
“One option is to take what we need and just leave,” Gavin suggested. “Another is to give her part of her wish. We could bring her with us and use her as a donor for now. If she really wants this life, she would most likely be agreeable. He didn’t want to say it in front of the Hunter, but he knew having a Newling around with the babies was not such a good idea.
“We will offer her the second option then,” Emrys stated. He peered at the Hunter, still handcuffed to the table, and said, “See, we can be agreeable to accommodate the humans. I do not understand why you think that we are monsters worthy of death.”
After a squeeze, Gavin removed his hand from the back of the man’s neck. “Now you have nothing to say, do you?”
“I’ve seen yer kind before; nothin but lies. Once ya get her away from here, she’ll be a goner.”
Emrys shook his head. “It is pointless to try to defend ourselves. You choose to believe what you will. But ponder this: if we are, indeed, the monsters that you say we are - why have we not snapped you in two or drained you dry?” Emrys was more frustrated than angry, and half tempted to show his fangs just to frighten the guy. But he knew there was simply no way to get through to this dimwit.
“Filthy bloodsuckers.” The Hunter’s voice spewed forth venom like a poisonous snake. “I’ll catch the both of ya. And when I do, I’ll kill ya.”
Gavin smacked the back of his head. “That’s enough talking. Silence yourself, or I will be forced to crush you.”
Emrys knew his friend was bluffing just to shut the man up. Gavin had glanced over at him with a sinister grin, and then went to the sink for some water.
Veronica slipped back into the room, placed the tickets, documents and envelope on the table and said, “Well, look at that! They can be trusted!” She glared at the Hunter. “Tell me, how does it feel to be wrong again, Duke?”
“Yer a fool, woman!” he said, taunting her. “Yer nothin but a wannabe, blood-suckin whore.”
Veronica lunged at him with a closed fist - aiming for his face, but he caught her by the wrist with his free hand. She kneed him in the groin, doubling him over, but still he hung onto her. Suddenly he was free of the handcuffs, and in a swift and blinding movement, he twisted Veronica around, clutching her from behind - with a knife on her throat.
“What was that ya said about bein wrong?” he hissed into her ear. “These stupid bloodsuckers didn’t even search me.” He sneered at Emrys with a warning, “Don’t even think about tryin ta help her. It won’t faze me a bit ta cut her.”
Gavin had already aimed the gun at the Venator’s head. “Let her go, Hunter. She hasn’t done anything to you. We’re the ones you’re after.”
“Stay back, filthy bloodsuckers!” the Hunter yelled, pressing the knife to Veronica’s throat. “Back!” His shout echoed off the walls in the small room.
Emrys had started to move closer, but stopped the moment he saw the knife bearing down. He did not want the Hunter to slip.
With a sudden movement, the blade flashed up to the woman’s face, and the Hunter carved a thin slash across her cheek. An arrogant smirk crossed over his face as he watched the eyes of the two vampires to see if they were distracted by the blood now trickling down toward her chin. His hostage let out a small whimper, but stopped struggling, now afraid of both the Hunter and the vampires. Emrys held his breath, but Gavin’s fangs emerged immediately at her tempting scent.
“Both of ya, back off and put all the guns on the table. Now!” Duke snarled.
Emrys had to step over the unconscious body of the other Hunter to reach the table. He set the gun down with care, and then raised his hands.
“Calm down, Hunter. You do not need to do this. We will surrender… just leave the woman out of it.” Emrys nodded his head to Gavin, giving him a silent order.
“There’s another gun somewhere. Where is it?” The man was angry and his sharp knife pressed into Veronica’s throat again, threatening.
“Right here.” Emrys pulled the other gun from his belt and set it beside the first one.
The Hunter turned slightly, bringing the woman with him. Gavin followed Emrys’ silent order and placed his gun on the table, raising his hands as he stepped back toward the sink, and positioned himself so that the Venator was now directly between the two of them. He had a plan.
But then, within the next few seconds, Veronica’s world was forever changed. When she squirmed, trying to free herself, all hell broke loose at once.
The Hunter plunged his knife into the woman’s back, shoved her toward Gavin, and in one smooth movement, reached for one of the guns and cocked it. He turned in a flash and aimed directly at Emrys’ head, and in a rabid, blind rage, he squeezed the trigger.
* * *
The vampire didn’t fall. The Hunter squeezed the trigger again. More hollow clicking; someone had emptied the gun. He turned, searching frantically for another gun on the table, and reached out for it - but he’d run out of time. Filled with deadly fury, Emrys lunged for the Venator, grabbing his head. It was not a very loud snap, but everyone in the room heard it. The Hunter slumped to the floor in a heap, just as Gavin caught Veronica in his arms.
The woman gasped for breath, but not because the blade had done any major damage. She was in the midst of a panic attack, and rightly so. There were now two bodies on the floor, and she had no clue if either was alive. And she now wondered if she might be next.
Gavin had her lay on her side as he tended to the knife wound. By the time he had caught her, the knife had already fallen to the floor. It had only penetrated an inch or so.
&nb
sp; “You are quite lucky, young lady. Your shoulder will be sore and you may need some stitches, but it appears as though the Hunter’s intention was not to kill you, only to use you as a diversion.”
Sighing with relief, Veronica looked up, no longer worried about their intentions. “I guess this wasn’t his lucky day then.” She pointed to the bald one. “Is he dead?” she asked, with a shiver.
“I thought he would kill you, and then he went for the guns…” Emrys said, standing over the dead Venator. “I would never have done it if I had known…”
“You didn’t know I emptied two of the guns,” Gavin said as he put a wad of paper towel over the woman’s wound. “And if he had chosen the third gun, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
Emrys nodded, but felt terrible. He hated having to kill humans.
Just then the younger Hunter started to stir from his unconscious nap. He put a hand on his head as he attempted to raise it up, looked around with glassy eyes, and squinted, trying to focus. He groaned when he saw his bald partner lying near him.
“Did that lunatic go and get himself killed?” he asked, not at all surprised.
“It was his own, damn fault,” Veronica cried, holding the towel to her shoulder. “He stabbed me and tried to kill these innocent people here.”
“Innocent? If they’re so innocent, why am I cuffed to the table with a bashed in skull?” Rubbing his head, he asked, “What happened here?”
“Gavin, we do not want to repeat history.” Emrys motioned toward the Hunter.
Veronica frowned; his gesture was lost in translation. Gavin scrambled to the wounded Hunter and checked him for keys or weapons while Emrys helped the woman to her feet.
“I believe I have had enough excitement for one day,” Emrys said dryly. He went to the table and checked through the documents, put his ID back in his wallet and grabbed his passport. Glancing down at the young Venator he added, “For your information, this was self-defense. But we must be on our way, and we bid you farewell.” With a nod to Gavin he said, “Come, my friend.”
The Ravenswynd Series - Boxed Set Page 80
