“Denied! Get the hell out,” Mark barked and tried to roll over. Tracy rolled her eyes and gave Donovan a look that he could only describe as ‘exasperated’.
“Has he been this pleasant the whole time?” Donnie asked as he stepped into the room.
“Worse,” Tracy answered as she stood and stretched her neck. “He has some periods where he’s a total ass, but then his mood really sours.”
Donnie gave her a reassuring smile and a gentle hug. “Why don’t you go grab some coffee. Give me and Major Pain here a little bit to visit.”
“My pleasure.” Tracy stepped past the man and reached for the door. “You have my permission to beat him if he gets too hateful.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Donovan shot her a wink as she headed down the hall. He pulled the chair over and sat facing his XO. “So.”
Mark turned his head slightly and opened one eye. “So? So what?”
“So, how was your day?” Donnie gave him a silly grin and Mark’s face turned red.
“Are you kidding me? I had my guts ripped out by a fucking wolf and you ask me how my day was?” Donnie watched as the veins in his neck bulged.
“Feeling a bit aggravated? Depressed maybe? Ready to eat that silver bullet yet?” Donnie crossed his arms and continued to shoot him that same stupid silly grin.
“What the hell would you know about it?” Mark scooted slightly further away and turned his face toward the wall.
“Major…” Donnie sighed and ran a hand over his face. “Mark, look at me. Give me your attention for just a moment, will ya?”
“Why should I?”
“Maybe because you and I share something more than just a working relationship. Maybe because we’re friends.” Donnie leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Tink-tink-tink…”
Mark’s eyes flew open and he snapped his head around to stare at the man. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means I’m not ready to give you that Viking funeral just yet.” Donnie stared at him intently and Mark noted the seriousness of his face.
With a sigh, the major pushed himself up, his face breaking out into a cold sweat from the pain. “Okay, Donovan, say what you have to say then get the hell out.”
Donnie grunted and leaned back in his chair. “What you’re going through isn’t unusual, but it will pass.” He spoke slowly and softly, his eyes focused on a spot far, far away. “Others…other survivors, they’ve all reported the same thing. As the infection spreads through them, their first and only thoughts are how to get rid of it. Even if it means killing themselves.” He finally turned and looked at Mark who seemed to be hanging on his every word now. “Slowly, they come around and realize that it’s not a death sentence. Some may still consider it a curse, but it’s a manageable one.”
“How the hell would you know? You were a test tube conversion.” He didn’t try to hide the bitterness in his voice.
“True. But there are a lot of others who weren’t. And I took the time to talk with them.” He leaned in again and stared at the man. “Just like I took the time to figure out how to deal with certain woodland Sprites.”
“You keep that shit to yourself, you hear me?” Mark shot a furtive glance to the door then pointed a finger back at Donovan. “Not a word, you understand?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Major. What happens in the field stays in the field.” Donovan sat back and stared at him again. “But you need to understand that this anger and bitterness and…well, all of it. It’s part of the transition. Not to mention a bit of survivor’s guilt tossed in, I’m sure.”
“Pfft. Listen to Doctor Phil, here.”
“Just experience talking.” Donnie stood and pushed the chair back. “But I wanted to toss something out for you to think about before I left.”
“What’s that?” Mark spat.
“You just got infected. You know what infected you. It hasn’t been a full moon yet.” Donnie leaned against the door and watched him, waiting for the light bulb to come on over his head.
“So? BFD, bub. I guess you’re going to tell me that, since I know what it was, I can make proper arrangements and all will be right with the world, huh? I can keep my family safe if I lock myself up downstairs in the silver cells and howl at the moon every month?”
Donnie shook his head as he watched his XO bark at him. “Negative.” He turned and opened the door. “But we both happen to know an organization that has these little black pills you can take that might very well keep the whole thing at bay.” He saw that bulb light up and fought the smile curving the edges of his mouth. “Seeing as how you just got infected, it might be a good time to see about getting a big supply of those pills. Don’tcha think?”
*****
Little John escorted Brooke deep into the hangar and below decks, security personnel on either side as they walked. “Are they necessary? I came of my own volition.”
“Sorry, sis. Rules,” John mumbled. He pointed to a door at the end of the hall where another security guard stood. The man opened the door and John escorted her inside the bare room. A lone table with two chairs sat in the middle.
Brooke looked around the room before sitting in the chair opposite the two way mirror. “An interrogation room?” She crossed her arms over her chest and sat stiffly, her face straight ahead.
“I’m sorry,” John whispered. “It’s all just a precaution.” Brooke sat stonily opposite him and stared at the mirror facing her. As John milled about she caught herself stealing a furtive glance at him and catching the similarities between him and their father. She almost felt a pang of regret as memories flooded her mind; memories of a simpler time when her biggest worry was maintaining her GPA.
The steel door flew open and Colonel Mitchell stepped inside with Jack in tow. Little John stiffened slightly and Brooke noticed immediately his change in body language. “Colonel?” John motioned toward Jack, his eyes narrowed.
“John Sullivan, Jack Thompson.” Mitchell had a folder in his hands, his face buried in it.
Jack reached out a hand and accepted John’s. He tried not to let it show how unnerved he was at meeting somebody even larger than Apollo in such tight quarters. “I’m here as a courtesy to the Colonel.”
“And your purpose here?” John’s curiosity piqued as Jack did a double take at the question.
“Evaluator.” Jack held the door open for John who stared at him blankly. “We’ll need a few minutes alone with her, thank you.”
Mitchell didn’t look up from his papers when he stated, “Sullivan, don’t you have a weapon to check in and a preliminary report to file?”
Little John stiffened, the veins in his neck bulging as he stepped toward the open door. “Yes, sir.”
“We’ll inform you of our findings,” Jack said, his face unreadable. He let the door pull shut behind John then turned and took a seat at the table. “I can see the resemblance.”
Brooke turned cold eyes to him. “It’s the facial hair, isn’t it?”
Mitchell glanced up from the file and fought a smile. “I think she likes you, Jack.”
“Don’t they all, Colonel.” Jack continued to study the young woman, his face stoic. “What’s your story?”
“I’m a vampire.” Brooke stared at him, her dark eyes unblinking. Jack waited for her to continue but she apparently thought those three words were enough.
“And I’m a werewolf. That isn’t the whole story.”
“It should be enough.” She tilted her head slightly and studied him. “You weren’t always a wolf, were you?”
Jack shook his head. “You weren’t always a vampire. I guess we have something in common.”
A light knock at the door raised Mitchell’s head and he stood to answer it while Jack continued to play the game with the young woman. He opened the door to find a rather anxious Elf standing on the other side trying to peer over the man’s shoulder. “I must speak to Chief Jack.”
“He’s a little busy at the moment.”
Mitchell tried to pull the door shut when Kalen shoved his foot into the way, blocking the door.
“I must speak with him. It is most important.”
“Unless we’re under attack again, it can wait.” Mitchell lowered his voice and glared at the young Elf. “Trust me, now is not the time.”
Kalen lowered his own voice and pointed over Mitchell’s shoulder. “If that is the female vampire slayer that he is speaking to, there is something he must know!”
Jack’s ears picked up the entire conversation and he assumed that their guest did as well. He stood from his chair and turned to the door. “I got this, sir.” He pushed past the colonel and stepped into the hallway. “What is it, Kalen? I’m in the middle of something.”
“The Wyldwood, she has sent word.” Kalen’s face appeared ashen. “The young woman inside?”
Jack felt a knot in his stomach at the mention of the Wyldwood and more than just a touch of anger that she didn’t come directly to him with information that was supposedly so damned important. “What about her?”
“She is one of the two we are to expect. She is the missing warrior.”
*****
“But when? The full moon is just tomorrow.” Mick stared wide-eyed at the two women. “You will need some place to shift.”
“What about you?” Laura gave him a sideways look.
“I’m a cat. We aren’t controlled by the moon.” Mick waved her off.
“So, what? Litterboxes?” Laura’s attempt at humor was not well received.
“Werecats shift at will. Nothing controls them.” Jennifer stood and paced. “Much like other cats, they are aloof and are not easily controlled. Werecats are the same.”
“Thanks. I think.” Mick studied her with curiosity. “Why the sudden rush to get there?”
Laura noted a change in Mick’s voice but she couldn’t place a finger on what exactly that change was. He seemed almost apprehensive about them returning to the states. “I need to return to work and Jennifer would like to get this meeting out of the way. See if…I dunno. If maybe the chemistry is right?” She shrugged.
“I don’t know what will happen.” Jennifer plopped onto the bed and avoided both of their gazes. “I just need to do this.”
“But do you need to do it now?” Mick asked.
“Why?” Laura stepped closer, her arms crossing her chest. “Is there a reason why maybe she shouldn’t?”
“What?” Mick suddenly turned and gave her a blank stare. “Why would you say that?”
“Why would you try to stop her from returning there?” Laura turned to Jennifer, who was staring at both of them, her face twisted in confusion. “It’s almost like you know something that we don’t know, Mick.”
Mick shook his head, almost too much at first. “No, not at all. I don’t know anything.” His mouth suddenly went dry and he licked at his lips. “I just…that’s an awfully long flight for a light craft and…”
“And Mitchell authorized commercial flights.” Laura cocked her head to the side. “But you didn’t bat an eye at flying us here.”
“Well, heh-heh…that’s really just a hop and a skip compared to…” He cleared his throat and reached for the water pitcher.
“Mick?” Jennifer reached for his hand and he quickly pulled away. “What is it? You’re not acting yourself.”
Mick’s hand shook as he poured a quick glass of water and drank it. He looked down at the ground, shaking his head. “You don’t understand. I was just trying to protect you, that’s all.”
“What did you do?” Jennifer asked as she moved closer to him.
“I was just trying to keep you safe.”
“Spill it, Mick.” Laura took a step closer, effectively cornering him in his own room. She knew that should he get aggressive, she couldn’t stop him from hurting her, but she hedged her bets that he wouldn’t try anything with Jennifer there.
Mick took an instinctive step backward, his eyes glued to the floor. “It was just to keep you safe, Jen. That’s all.”
“Tell me, Mick.” She reached for his hand, and he jumped at her touch. “Mick?” Her eyes pleaded with him as her voice tried to sooth his rattled nerves.
“Your father…”
“Oh, great,” Laura moaned.
“My father? What does he have to do with anything?” Jennifer edged closer, and Mick continued to shake his head. “Tell me, please.”
“He just wanted to keep you far away from there. To keep you safe, that’s all. I promised him I’d fight tooth and nail to keep you safe, too. He knew I would. He knew…”
“What happened? Mick, you’re starting to frighten me.” Jennifer edged closer until she was right beside him. “You have to tell me.”
“He sent his people to attack the hunters. They’re not done. They won’t stop. They’ll never stop until they’re all gone.” Mick finally raised his eyes to meet hers. “He said to keep you away from there at all costs. To keep you safe. He said that he’d hunt me down to the ends of the earth if I let you anywhere near there…”
“Ohm my God.” Jennifer’s face paled and she turned to Laura.
“Your father was behind the attack on the squads.” Laura turned and opened the door to Mick’s door.
“Where are you going?” Jennifer’s hands shook as she saw the determination set in Laura’s eyes.
“I have to call Matt. He needs to know.”
*****
Apollo finished his inventory of the supplies and noted the discrepancies. They were short too much material for it to be considered acceptable losses. Either somebody was skimming and cooking the books or somebody wasn’t supplying what was being ordered.
He tucked the inventory under his arm and marched into the office he shared with Sheridan. “You’re short.”
“No, you’re simply very tall,” Sheridan joked, spinning in his chair to face the large ebony skinned man. “Oh. I see you weren’t making a joke about my height.”
Apollo threw the inventory down on the workbench in front of Sheridan. “Tell me you ain’t skimming.”
Sheridan sighed and pushed the inventory away. “I already told you, due to the overwhelming amount that we needed, I had to go through numerous suppliers. Not everything has been delivered yet.”
“This is what we’re supposed to have. That’s what we don’t have. Somebody has been skimming to the tune of about thirty percent.” Apollo straddled the chair across from Sheridan. “That’s a pretty good amount. It could mean the difference in winning and losing.”
Sheridan shook his head. “There’s more coming, trust me. When the time comes, we’ll have more than enough supplies.”
“What you doin’ with all the extra?” He narrowed his gaze at him. “You pocketing the money, or you storing up your own little armory?”
Sheridan fought back the urge to scream. “I already explained to you—”
“No. You already tried to lie to me.” Apollo stood and raised a brow at him. “Now, you about to tell me the truth. Or me and you are gonna have some serious issues.”
Sheridan lowered his eyes and stared at a spot under the workbench. He contemplated maintaining the lie and hoping that Apollo would believe it. He contemplated making up a new lie. He even thought about letting him on the truth.
He opted for the latter.
“I’m building my own little cache of weaponry.”
“Now why the hell you wanna go and do that?” Apollo moved forward and took his seat again.
Sheridan shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.” He glared at the man. “I ain’t going nowhere, and I ain’t got nothing but time.”
Sheridan inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “Call it an insurance policy.”
“For what?”
“In case this mission goes south.” Sheridan looked up and met his gaze. “I’ll need a way to defend myself while I beat a hasty retreat, and I’ll probably need a way to defend my position once I get there. I’ll need start
up weaponry to start my own little…”
“What? What you gonna start?”
“A mercenary-for-hire contractor can’t very well expect all of his clients to provide the weaponry, now can he?” Sheridan crossed his arms and gave him a stony stare. “One can’t be expected to be taken seriously if you don’t have the arsenal behind you.”
“So, you going freelance once this is done?” Apollo found his story only a smidge above total bullshit.
“That’s the plan. And I was hoping you’d come along as well.” Sheridan raised a brow at him. “You and I both know that, as much as I adore Big, the man doesn’t have the skillset you do. I’m in no shape to fight like I used to.”
“So you thought you’d hijack a ton of weapons then sweet talk me into being the hired muscle.” Apollo shook his head at him.
“Nothing quite that simple, but if you must boil it down to bangers and mash…yes.”
Apollo stood and headed for the door. “If that’s a job offer, I’ll consider it.” He paused then turned back to Sheridan. “But you better get a helluva lot better at cooking books if you hope to get shit like this past the folks financing this cluster fuck.”
*****
Rufus waited while Paul went through the enforcers man by man and hand chose the group to accompany them to Geneva. Once the group was chosen, he walked through them and gave them the once over. Even though their power was strong, their abilities unrivaled, he knew that they were walking into the belly of the beast. Literally. Their powers would be minimal compared to the central guards of the council. They would be centuries older, their strength unparalleled, and their abilities untold.
Rufus dismissed them to their meals and retreated to the office, all the while knowing that their only hope still was with an attempt at diplomacy. He contemplated the many ways that the trip could go wrong and feared that should such a thing happen, all of the good he had tried to do in his life would be for naught.
A light knock at the office door caught his attention and an enforcer dragged a young woman through to him. “You need your strength, master.” He offered her to Rufus and felt his fangs descend before she came within his grasp.
Wayward Son Page 15
