“You should have.” Her voice was a whisper, but John’s enhanced hearing picked up every word.
“I couldn’t. You’re my big sister.” He placed a hand on her leg and patted it. Her hand shot out and swept his away.
“I’m not that person anymore.” She shifted further, turning more of her back to him.
“You’ll always be my sister, Brooke. Being a vamp doesn’t change that.” John sighed and stared across the other seats, his mind replaying the night she was taken. “I would have stopped them if I could have. I was just too little to do anything.”
“You did more than you know.” John shifted his head, trying to hear her better. He could almost swear that her voice cracked as she spoke.
“What do you mean? I couldn’t do anything but…”
She turned in her seat so swiftly that she startled him. “Do you really want to know why I hunt vampires now, Johnny?” His blank expression must have read as a ‘yes’ to her because she continued. “I hunt them down because I have to. You see, they took me to use as bait. For the first few weeks, I was used to lure others in to be fed on. Then they turned me. Had to keep me ‘young’. They used me as bait to catch people so they could eat.”
“That’s not your fault, Brooke. You were just a kid yourself.”
“That’s not all, Johnny.” She turned more and he could see her face. Tears streaked her cheeks. “The highest crime a vampire can commit is to kill another vampire. Do you understand what I’m telling you? Do you know why? It’s because we have no soul. When a vampire is killed, that’s it. There is no afterlife. It’s just darkness.”
“I don’t get why you’re—”
“They said that the new girl is good, but they needed somebody that could lure more people in. They wanted a kid. They wanted to go back to the house and get you Johnny. They wanted to use you like they did me. Use you for bait so they could catch some unsuspecting soccer mom…or other kids your age. I couldn’t let that happen.”
“Brooke, what are saying?”
“I killed them, Johnny. I killed them all.” She pointed to the sword that Donnie now held. “I used that blade and I sliced them all to ribbons. I watched as they turned to ash right before my eyes.”
“Brooke…I had no idea…”
“I did it to protect you, Johnny.” Her face tightened and her eyes hardened. “I turned against my own maker. I killed my entire coven to protect a single human. From that decision on, my life wasn’t worth a bucket of warm spit. From that moment on, it was kill or be killed.” She shifted her body again and stared straight ahead. “So I kept killing. Any time there was a sign of a vampire, I hunted it down. I hunted it and I destroyed it. I kept killing and I kept killing until there was nothing left of me anymore.”
“I don’t get what you’re saying, Brooke.”
“Brooke is dead, Johnny.” She pulled her hood down further, blocking her face entirely. “There’s only the Raven.”
9
A soft knocking had Tracy pulling the door open. She wasn’t prepared for who stood in the doorway, peering over her shoulder at the body on the bed. “May I come in?”
She cast a quick glance toward Mark who nodded. “I hear I owe my life to you.” He tried to pull himself upright more in bed and failed. The pain shooting through his torso was simply too much to tolerate. “Thank you, I think.”
Evan hung his head as he lingered against the far wall. “I suppose you know about the infection then.” He paled even more as if that were possible. “I am so sorry, Major. I did everything in my power to…”
“Doc, don’t. This wasn’t your fault.” Tracy helped pull Mark up to a sitting position and stuffed another pillow behind his shoulders. “You did everything you could.”
“I honestly thought I’d have known sooner.” Evan took the chair that Tracy offered and practically fell into it. His skin appeared so pale in the blue fluorescent lighting that it almost seemed transparent. Dark veins crossed his face and neck and Tracy tried not to stare. “I never thought that the virus would take so long to affect either of us.”
“Hit ya pretty hard, did it?”
Dr. Peters nodded. “The expression, ‘vomited everything I’d eaten since Kindergarten’ came true tonight. Or…is it day? I’ve lost track of time.”
Mark shrugged. “Who knows, Doc.” He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “I wish you hadn’t saved me.”
“Mark!” Tracy chastised as Evan’s head popped up. “You shouldn’t say such things.”
“Major, we couldn’t have known about the infection. The wolf never bit you. You were torn open by nails and—”
“And the damned thing spat blood and slobber all over me as it tore into me. Teeth or fingernails. If there’s spit mixed in, I don’t think it would matter if he stabbed me with a damned screwdriver.”
Evan contemplated that little tidbit and had to give the major the benefit of doubt. He definitely made a good point. “At least you weren’t infected by a vampire.” Evan’s voice chilled as he spoke. “That truly is a death sentence.”
Mark slowly rolled his head to stare at the vampire. “And this isn’t?”
“You couldn’t possibly compare the two.” Dr. Peters appeared honestly shocked. “To become a vampire you must truly die first. To be infected by the wolf virus, you still live. Hell, you live a lot longer and healthier. You just have one day a month where you have to be careful.”
“So, it’s like PMS to the nth degree, is that what you’re saying?” Mark didn’t try to disguise the venom in his voice.
Evan sat taller in his chair and tried to square his shoulders. His hands shook as he pointed at the executive officer. “I’m not saying that at all. I would not begin to belittle your condition, Major. But I also think the same respects could be paid to me.” He pushed up from the chair and turned for the door. Turning to Tracy, Evan placed a shaking hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, my visit didn’t go as planned.”
She merely nodded as he stepped past her. As Evan reached for the door, he turned slightly and addressed Mark once again. “You say that you wish I hadn’t saved you. I understand your thinking that the infection is a curse, and in some ways it might well be. But that very same virus is now fighting like hell to keep you alive. I wonder if you’re even worth saving any longer.”
*****
Rufus watched from the shadows of the office area as Paul addressed the vampires assembled to act as personal security. When he felt the time was right, Rufus stepped out and approached the group loosely scattered about within the warehouse.
“Gentlemen, so good of you to come on such short notice.” He knew that they had no choice but to drop everything and rush to their aid, but he also felt it was in their best interest to be diplomatic while addressing them. “It would seem that your services as professionals are very much needed. My team of wolves,” Rufus noticed Marco still hovering near the rear and corrected himself, “save one, seemed to have abandoned me in my time of need. And these are trying times, indeed. The vampire council has decreed a meeting this very full moon. My wolves have turned against me and may very well be attempting to turn the Monster Squad against us.” He inhaled deeply for dramatic effect and shook his head. “I fear that we find ourselves between the proverbial rock and hard spot, oui?”
Paul nodded and stepped forward, speaking out on his brother’s behalf. “Your primary mission is to guard our master. Rufus will not be harmed.”
“Non. To protect us both.” He draped an arm over Paul’s shoulder and squeezed his brother affectionately. “I have you back now. I will not lose you again.”
Paul nodded sheepishly then turned back to the vampires he was addressing. “Once the sun sets, you’ll all go out and hunt. Build up your strength. We can’t afford you to be dim witted if you are protecting either Rufus or myself. We will prepare a small team for Geneva. That mission must be completed. The rest of you will be sent on to another of Rufus’ homes here on the mainland. You wil
l secure the property and ensure that the grounds remain cleared.”
A wolf near the front stepped forward and nodded to Paul. “Is the Honor-pact between Viktor’s wolves and us now dissolved?”
Paul turned to Rufus who sighed, his head shaking. “I must speak to Viktor before I answer this truthfully. But my Second, Jack Thompson, is now persona non grata.”
“Who then acts as your Second?” another vampire asked.
Rufus clenched his jaw and rolled his head on his neck. “I have yet to proclaim a formal Second.” He glanced to Paul who simply shrugged. “For now, I name my brother. He saved my life and nursed me back to health. He has displayed more than ample loyalties. Consider him my Second.” Paul’s jaw hung open as he stared at Rufus. This went beyond any of his initial plans. Then again, he went astray of his initial plans a long time ago.
“Which of your properties would you prefer us to secure, sir?”
Rufus turned his attention back to the security detail and considered them for a moment. The only property that he thought Jack might not be aware of would be the Aspen estate. A risky move, to be sure, but he had little choice. He turned to Paul and pulled him aside. “If you were Jack and you were aware of my holdings, how would you go about checking them?”
“How do you mean? Which ones first?” Rufus nodded. “I’d go for the ones furthest away probably. The ones that I thought were abandoned. Then work my way in to wherever he calls home.”
“As would I. But I would send multiple teams to inspect as many as possible. I somehow doubt that Mr. Thompson will have those kinds of resources.” He turned back to the security detail. “Aspen. The estate there has plenty of rooms in the main house, the guest house holds more and the land surrounding it is not only clear enough that we can see if anybody approaches, there are no neighbors.”
“Colorado is awfully close to Oklahoma. If Jack went back to the squads…”
“I kept no paperwork on the estate in Aspen.” Rufus gave him a wicked grin. “The registered owner is a fictitious name.”
*****
Laura hung up the phone and leaned back in the chair. She rubbed at her eyes and wished she hadn’t. It felt like she had rubbed sand deep into the corners and now her eyes teared. “What’s the verdict?” Laura looked up to see Jennifer leaning against the door frame.
“Colonel says that if we don’t have our own ride, let him know, and he will gladly authorize two Business Class tickets to the U.S.”
“Business Class?” Jennifer feigned shock. “He does realize that I’m supposed to be his Fated Mate, right?”
Laura chuckled lightly under her breath and waved her off. “When the government is paying for it, that’s a marked improvement from coach.” She stood and stretched, feeling her bones crack in protest. “At least it isn’t a military hop. With those you’re lucky to get a wooden bench to sit on.”
“Business sounds good.” She stared cautiously down the hallway. “Are you going to ask Mick, or do I have to?”
Laura shrugged. “He’s your friend. Besides, we have tickets. We don’t need to ask him.”
“I know, but I feel like we owe him the opportunity to see this through.” She turned away and stared out the open door. “He’s running from my father every bit as much as we are now.”
Laura placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Then go ahead and ask him. The worst he can do is say no.”
Jennifer shot her a sideways smirk. “No, that’s not the worst he can do. Trust me on that one.”
*****
Apollo finished stacking the crates next to the aluminum shipping containers. He made a mental checklist and marked off a few more boxes from his list. “Yo, Sheridan, where’s the M203 grenade launchers?”
Sheridan’s shoulders slumped and he hobbled toward Apollo. “Not everything is being delivered at once, old chap.” He pulled Apollo aside and tried to lower his voice. “I had to use more than one supplier to keep expenses under control. This bloke wanted too bloody much for the launchers, so I went with another supplier.”
Apollo planted his hands on his hips and stared at the much smaller man. “Let me guess. You got a budget and figured if you cut corners you could pocket the rest.”
Sheridan sighed and ran a hand through his wavy hair. “My friend, you are every bit as observant as you are large. Just trust me when I say that they are on the way. Your launchers and the grenades for them. I give you my word.”
Apollo groaned but turned back to the crates. “I’m bustin’ open every one of these to make sure we get what’s coming. If they be short by so much as a holster, somebody’s head is gonna roll.”
“Be my guest.” Sheridan made a grand sweeping motion as Apollo marched past him.
Grabbing two other English speaking wolves, Apollo began to unstack the crates and going through the contents. Sheridan stepped back, but even on his way back to the office, he could hear the man arguing about where to stow the equipment. He paused and checked the time. The next wave of reinforcements were due in that afternoon, and he needed to be sure that everything was in place. Food stores were in place, the shipping containers with the silver webbing were stacked in place for the men to shift on the full moon if necessary and housing containers had been brought in and set up. Potable water trucks and port-a-potties were brought in. From what he could tell, they were ready to make a short term stay in the industrial park.
*****
Jay Wolf parked his Excursion in the parking lot behind the hangar and watched the flurry of activity as personnel continued to replace damaged equipment and run new cabling. As soon as he stepped away from the large truck, two security guards flanked him. “Identification, sir.”
Jay paused and turned on them slowly. “Jay Wolf here to see Colonel Mitchell.”
“ID, sir.” The guard held his hand out in a no-nonsense manner.
Jay opened his mouth to say something and thought better of it. Whatever was going on here, the men were obviously on high alert. He slowly reached for his back pocket and retrieved his wallet. Pulling his driver’s license out, he handed it to the large man.
The guard looked the ID over then handed it back. “Colonel Mitchell doesn’t have you on his calendar, sir.”
Jay nodded. “I couldn’t get through by phone. It’s pretty important, son. I need to talk to the man.”
The guard shook his head. “Not without prior authorization.”
“If you would just contact him and let him know that I’m here, I’m sure he’d—”
“NOT without prior authorization, sir.” The guard squared his shoulders and stepped between him and the hangar.
Jay deflated and placed his license back into his wallet. Nodding, he reached for the door of his Excursion. “Fine. But do this, will ya? Tell the man if he wants any more silver ammunition then he’d damned sure better talk to me.” Jay watched the guard as he spoke and noted the nervous tick form in his jaw. “I’m just going to sit in my truck while you make that call.”
The guard looked to the other one and gave a slight nod. The smaller guard stepped away and pulled a radio from his belt while Jay sat effectively pinned in his truck. Moments later Colonel Mitchell came stepping out of the hangar, yelling something to the guards who seemed to melt back into the background. Jay stepped out of his truck cautiously and looked for the large men, but they had effectively disappeared.
“They’re good. I’ll give them that.”
“What’s up, Jay? Why are you here?” Mitchell looked like he had been through hell. Jay noticed the dark circles under his eyes and the haggard look of his uniform.
“Have you slept?”
“I don’t have time, Jay. Why are you here?” Mitchell crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the man.
“I know silver isn’t the easiest thing to get in bulk. Not the way you need it. I may have found a source, but…”
“But?” Mitchell raised a brow at him.
“But it’s expensive Matt. I just don’t
carry that kind of pocket change.”
“How expensive?” Matt asked as he turned and headed toward the hangar. Jay fell into step behind him. “My funds are limited as well, and after what happened, I can’t just drop a chunk on bulk silver.”
“I understand…wait. What happened?” Jay asked as they stepped into the hangar. His eyes took in the effects of the carnage and he stood still in shock, his eyes darting from scene to scene.
“This is after we’ve cleaned up and repaired most of the damage.” Matt’s voice was low and quiet. “We got hit.”
Jay felt a hand on his shoulder pulling him toward the elevator doors. “Who in the hell would have the balls to attack you guys? Don’t they realize what you do?”
“We’re working on it.” Mitchell pressed the button and pulled Jay back so the doors could close. “My team is tracking every scrap of information they can. As far as we can tell, they’re using weapons stolen from South American military units. Most likely sold on the black market.”
“Son of a…”
“You were talking about silver.” Matt held the elevator door for Jay who stepped out and moved toward the offices.
“I’ve got an idea. I don’t know how effective it would be, but it might stretch the silver out quite a bit.” Jay entered Matt’s office and took the first chair. “You know we manufacture the Trident round, right? It’s a machined brass alloy that breaks into three distinct pieces once it hits its target, but it’s still effectively armor piercing.”
Matt shook his head. “Honestly, I hadn’t kept up. Too many other irons in the fire.” He took his seat behind his desk and poured a cup of coffee. He held the pot up for Jay who waved him off. “Are you wanting to machine some Tridents out of the silver?”
“Yes and no.” Jay smiled mischievously. “I want to use the same cold dipping procedure we use on the .30 caliber rounds on our Tridents. They’d still have a brass core, but they’d have a silver jacket. If we make them as thick as the .30s, I really think they’d be just as effective.”
Wayward Son Page 13
