by Sydney Addae
“But what if he did more,” Cryden said. “We need to investigate every lead.”
Taney looked at Cryden and then his father. “My gut says the Fem Suri killed Chavez. They may have been lovers or it was a chance meeting. What do you think?” he asked them.
“I agree,” Carrie said.
“Same here,” Cryden said.
Abalone nodded. “Aye, she killed him and had her servants clean up behind her. Best let the director of that region know a child was left on the mountainside.”
Taney pulled out his tablet and started typing. “We got another warning from Regional about not following protocol. So we do this by the book, I’ll alert the Vampire council about our suspicions regarding the Fem. That’s the first step, let’s see if they follow protocol.”
Cryden snorted. “They haven’t before.”
Chapter19
“I’m thirsty.”
“Orton, the little one says she’s thirsty,” Rugger yelled without taking his eyes off her as she walked near his chair. They stared at each other for several moments until she looked away. She was a little thing, tall and thin. Her recent trek in the woods hadn’t helped the situation. Her arm was in a splint. Orton had bought a first aid kit and bandaged her up. They actually had some foodstuffs in the house, which turned out to be a good thing since she seemed to be hungry often. She’d been in his abode for 36 hours, which was 36 hours too long for him. He had a bad feeling about this. Orton was being pig-headed, and wouldn’t abandon her to the humans. Rugger was fed up with the delays. Tonight, she had to leave.
“Alright, alright,” Orton responded, walking in with a small juice box. He removed the straw and placed it in the container and held it for her to drink. Rugger rolled his eyes.
“Orton, do not hold it for her! Let her take the juice. She’s not an invalid.”
Orton shushed him, and sat her on the chair and continued feeding her. They hadn’t been able to access her memories and had no idea of her name or where she was from. The child couldn’t remember anything, not even her name.
Each hour Rugger grew more concerned that Orton was becoming attached. The child had to leave; he wanted no part of the complications that came with harboring humans in general and children in particular. There was no way this would end well. She’d already taken to following Orton around, like a lost puppy.
Rugger refused to give her a name and referred to her as human or little one. Orton didn’t care for the subtle reminder that they needed to drop her off somewhere. Rugger strengthened his decision that today she would be leaving.
“We need to get a move on Orton, so we can drop her off near the shelter.” They had located a woman’s shelter in another state and intended to leave her there.
“Alright Rugger, but first I want to stop at the all-night store and get an outfit for her.” Orton picked up his stick, ignoring the frown Rugger sent him.
“A what?” Rugger asked. He stood and looked between the child and his partner, unable to believe what he heard.
“Something to wear, Rugger, she has no clothes to protect her from the elements. I need to get her something to wear.”
“Didn’t you get her some clothes yesterday, Orton?” Rugger stood in front of the exit, with his feet spread apart. “I remember you buying something she can wear.”
“Rugger, those were underthings. She can’t just have that on. Yesterday I wasn’t thinking and should have bought more. It will only take a moment. I’ll be right back.” Rugger shook his head.
Orton sighed. “What, Rugger? You can’t seriously think to take this child out with no clothes. Even you know better than that. It will be too conspicuous. Everyone will remember us.”
Rugger hated to admit Orton was right. Although, personally, he thought they should just put her to sleep and leave her on the doorstep. Somehow, he didn’t think it a good idea to reveal his thoughts. Glancing between the little one and Orton, he came to a decision.
“We will all go. You can make your purchases, change her in the car and then we can leave.” Orton looked at the determination in Rugger’s face and nodded. Rugger released a breath. He didn’t feel comfortable alone with the child and wanted her gone. Orton got a blanket and wrapped her tightly. Picking up his stick, he disappeared and reappeared at their truck parked at the base of the mountain. Rugger eyed the blanket. Orton glared at him as he started to recommend they leave her wrapped and deliver. Rugger slid behind the wheel, hating that because of the child they had to use human transport, but since it was his idea for her to come along, he remained silent why they couldn’t just take the child to the shelter and leave her.
Rugger pulled up to the store. It was a quiet night and the super-center parking lot wasn’t crowded. How could Orton stand it? There were just too many humans around. The child lay asleep in the back seat. Orton checked her, glanced at him, and departed the car. Rugger knew Orton was miffed, but he couldn’t help it. He was nervous. The SUV sat up high, so he looked around the parking lot. Inhaling the night, he instantly spit out the odious smells that permeated the air. He longed for the unspoiled beauty of the mountains.
Leaning back against the headrest, he allowed his mind to drift back centuries earlier when they were learning this new place. The mountains had always called out to him. He found peace within and would never leave if not for the sustenance this flesh required. Because The One allowed their race greater utilization of their mental faculties, he and Orton had grown strong. Later they discovered minerals and herbs in the earth’s core that assisted them in their survival. Together they had answered the plea from the council and led the Sentinels, training the entire group and operated as the leaders for decades, until he fell. The memory was a sad one for him. It showed a lack of discipline, causing a mistake he’d never repeated. He shook away the maudlin thoughts, glanced at the human in the back seat, and watched the antics of the shoppers in the parking lot.
A tingle of awareness slithered down Rugger’s spine. He gasped, and disappeared. Orton writhed on the cold tile floor in the children’s department. A young man kneeled beside him with some sort of device in his hand, gasping for breath. Rugger appeared next to them and sent a flare of energy out to the surrounding area, causing all telecommunication devices to malfunction. Placing a hand on Orton, Rugger growled. The young man moaned incoherently. Obviously, Orton had punished his assailant. Rugger picked up Orton and disappeared.
Once inside the cave, Orton gasped. Rugger, trying to understand what was happening, merged his mind with his and saw the young man touching Orton with the device.
“What the? What happened, Orton? Why did he attack you? You were only shopping! In the name of the One, this is crazy!” Rugger yelled.
Orton lifted his hand towards Rugger, who moved quickly to the side of the bed, taking his hand. Orton pulled slightly. Rugger leaned forward. Orton’s face grimaced as a shudder wracked his body. Taking short breaths, he tried again. “Go get the little... the little one.”
Rugger snatched back. “No, Orton! She is the cause of this. You were seen around too often. Food, clothes, medicine!” he spat. “She can rot for all I care. I’m going to get you to Podge at the center.” Rugger sent an urgent message to the training facility advising them of their imminent arrival.
Orton tried to get up and promptly fell. He screamed at the pain. He began crawling before Rugger reached his side.
“You fool!” Rugger screamed. “She’s not worth this, let her go, Orton. They will find her and take her to the authorities. That’s what we were going to do anyway. Let me get some help. I don’t know how much damage there is.” Orton shook his head and tried to move. His face whitened and lines were drawn in his skin as he struggled to breathe.
“Damn it, Orton!” Rugger picked his friend up off the floor, as Orton weakly fought him. “Calm down, calm down,” Rugger pleaded. “I’ll go get her, but you have to promise me, you’ll let Podge work on you.” Orton quieted. “Promise me, Orton, or I won’t go ge
t her.”
Orton nodded as he labored to inhale. Rugger watched a few seconds more, then he disappeared. The little one was still asleep. Rugger picked her up and took her to Orton. He sent a message to one of his followers to pick up the truck later after the furor died down. There was an ambulance and chaos at the store. Orton looked up at him and the little one as they returned. He nodded at Rugger, gave a grimace of a smile and passed out.
“Noooo,” Rugger yelled. He laid the child on the floor, picked Orton up and reappeared in the training center. “Podge! Get Podge in here now!” Rugger shouted as trainees ran to do his bidding. He took Orton to the infirmary and laid him on the table. A smallish man ran into the room, pulling out a stethoscope and reaching for Orton’s wrist. He nodded at Rugger and began the examination.
Rugger stood frozen, watching the drama unfold. His mind couldn’t settle on how something like this happened. One mantra repeated itself over and over in his mind, he was only shopping. He spun on his heels. “Bacas and Strates with me!” he snapped as he disappeared. The three men landed near the parking lot of the store. Rugger opened his senses and discovered the young man who had tasered Orton had been taken to the hospital. The young man hadn’t been alone. Rugger searched for his associates. He noticed the three of them drive off in a small vehicle. Immediately he followed. Sending Baca ahead to place an obstacle in the road, he waited. Within minutes, the car came around the corner, spun out, and landed in a ditch. Seconds later, the three men had been yanked from the car and taken to a remote cave.
“Tell me why the young man attacked the vampire? He was only shopping. He broke no laws. Is this the new rule...hmmmm? Kill all vampires. Have the hunters declared war against my people?” Rugger questioned the three men. They were blindfolded, on their knees with their legs and arms bound. One of the young men had soiled himself and shook. The older man who’d been driving had the best mind block of the three, but it was fading.
“No, the hunters have not declared a war. We were returning from a training class and Jim jumped the gun. He is young and inexperienced. I can’t believe he was able to recognize a vampire. I am deeply sorry if anyone got hurt,” the man apologized.
Rugger slapped him across the face. “Of course someone got hurt!” he spat. “You are a hunter, don’t you know who patrols this area?”
The man tried to right himself as blood dripped from his nose. “We’ve been told that the leader of the rebellion lives in these mountains.”
“What rebellion?” Rugger asked suspiciously.
“There’s a group that hates humans and want us all dead. They prey on our young children and turn our youth into ghouls.”
Rugger and his trainees looked at each other. Their mouths had dropped. They quickly closed them and looked at the hunter again. “Do not believe everything you are told. Most of what you have said is not the truth.”
“Tell me the truth then. That is all we have been told.”
“What is the device he used on the vampire?’ Rugger questioned.
The man’s face grimaced as he thought. “It was a stunner.”
“What is it designed to do?”
“Incapacitate long enough for cuffing. It wears off in an hour.”
“Does it impact the internals?”
“Just a temporary discomfort.”
“Do you have one?” Rugger asked, and nodded to Strates to check the hunters. Each one had a device. Strates handed one to Rugger. He looked it over then nodded to Strates and Bacas. They turned on the devices and used them on the hunters. Immediately, the hunters began writhing on the ground howling in pain. Rugger looked at the device again, noticing the manufacturer and stiffened. He waved his trainees over. They looked at each device and noticed that one had been set at the highest level. Rugger turned slowly and noticed one hunter lay still, trembling on the ground, eyes open, looking up. Rugger disappeared.
Walking into the infirmary, he noticed Orton trembling, looking up. Handing Podge the device, he stood by his partner’s side.
“What’s happening with him? He should be up by now,” Rugger demanded.
“Yes, he should be.” He handed Rugger the device and walked around to the other side. “I’ve never seen this reaction to the stunner before. It should have worn off by now. They must have done something to it.”
“What do you mean, done something to it?”
“Stunners are simple devices the Sentinels use. They only stop immediate action to allow for capture and transport. No more than an hour. There is no interference with internals. This...this is something more. Someone has obviously tampered with the device, making it more lethal. I don’t know what it will do.”
“Damn it! Then find out what it’s capable of doing,” he shouted, reaching over the table, grabbing the man. “Get some answers! He had better not die! Not like this. Not for shopping, damn it!” He threw Podge backward. Mind reeling, he paced in front of Orton, running his hand through his hair. Stopping abruptly, he looked at Podge. “Get me Lukian.”
A few minutes later Lukian appeared in the infirmary. His eyes widened at the sight of Orton on the table. He glanced at Podge and bowed to Rugger. He then turned and bowed to Orton, whose eyes were closed, he barely breathed.
“Master Rugger, Master Orton, Podge,” he intoned. “How can I be of service?” He waited as Rugger looked him over and threw the device at him. Lukian caught it. Turning it over, recognition dawned and he looked at Rugger, waiting for him to continue.
“A hunter used that device on Orton over three hours ago. Why is that?” Rugger asked him. Lukian’s eyes widened as he looked at the device again.
“It’s not designed to...”
“I know what it’s designed to do” Rugger interrupted, slamming his palm on the nearby table. “What I want to know is what it’s doing now? Why is he not responding? What is happening to him?” Rugger pointed in Orton’s direction.
Lukian licked his lips while staring at the device. Finally, he looked at Rugger. “I do not know the answer, but I will find out. If you will allow me to take this to Baron, I will have him check it out.” Even as he finished speaking, Rugger was shaking his head.
“No, you have Baron come here. Have him come now and tell us how to fix this!”
Lukian looked at Rugger and then Orton. “I will try and reach him. He has been away.”
“I wanted this fixed three hours ago, Lukian. If he created this mess, he will fix it.”
Chapter 20
Finally, they were on the move. Camilla had cast three circles and eventually came up with a quasi-location. Marissa was in the mountains in the middle of Pennsylvania. How she got there from North Carolina, no one knew. Baron secured transportation for the three of them, promising to contact the others as soon as they got close or made any progress. With each failed circle, Simone withdrew more and spoke little.
When the second circle Camilla cast failed to bring an answer, she tried to quit and return to the North Carolina mountains. The stress of the situation bothered her to the point of tears, but Jonathan insisted she cast the third and final circle, which provided this destination.
In the airport Baron sensed movement behind him. Throwing up an energy shield around him and the women, he kept walking, but more aware. A slither of unease crept down his spine as they picked up the rental truck. Opening his senses, he recognized the two vampires who watched him. Looking at Simone and Camilla, he wished them anywhere but here. Knowing they’d never leave and that he couldn’t explain why they should, he settled for the next best thing. He yawned.
Both women looked at him as he affected a tired, worn out façade. It wasn’t that difficult, they had been pushing it the last 48 hours. He felt a slight mental push. Ignoring it, he ushered the women into the four-wheeler and drove off, mindful that he was being followed. Immediately, his mind went to Anika. Could she have sent someone after him to persuade him to mate with her? That made no sense but he couldn’t think of anything else. Within a few min
utes, they arrived at the Suites Hotel. Baron asked the desk clerk if they had any suites with two separate bedrooms and received the last one.
“I want us together so we can get an early start. I have some calls to make and may have to meet with a couple of people. This way we can stay together.”
Simone nodded. Her eyes drooped and he thanked the One for her exhaustion. Within the short amount of time they’d spent together, he knew she normally would have been all over his explanation. Camilla followed Simone and he brought up the rear.
Baron quickly ensconced everyone in their bedroom. They were so tired they didn’t argue or ask questions.
Baron sensed the vampires coming closer to the room and threw up an energy barrier that would protect the women in his absence. He also pushed slightly to aid them reaching a deeper sleep. Opening the door to his room, he bent and kissed Simone on the cheek. When she murmured his name in her sleep; his chest wrenched. Without question, she was his weakness. His soft spot. He watched her chest rise. Emotions rose so strong they threatened to overwhelm him. He had no idea why or where this time with her would go. She was human and even if the One allowed them to breed, she would die in a few years.
The thought of her demise caused an avalanche of pain, his legs buckled. He choked on the anger of the unfairness of his situation. He’d never asked for the responsibility of being the last of his line. Yet, he was thrust into it. Emotions, feelings, desires, things he’d always scoffed at and made fun of. They now crippled him. Within the past few weeks, this human, with her courage, sense of responsibility and undying love, had opened a world within the world he’d lived in.
He cared.
That was not a statement anyone who knew him would have uttered regarding his character. Admittedly, he was an unfeeling bastard and made no apologies for it. Science was his world, he lived an arena of absolutes and few gray areas. He had not understood the depths of compassion, trust, and faith until it was exemplified by the actions of Simone and her friends. Bending, he sighed, kissed her again and left.
