Honorable Rogue

by Linda J. Parisi

  He laughed softly. “I think everyone is a little in love with Sam.”

  “You’re not answering my question,” she shot back, her impatience obvious.

  “You know, you asked yourself if you were jealous. Are you?” That warm feeling surged through his heart again, melted his insides.

  “Of what? If you weren’t sick right now, I’d just be another steak dinner.”

  He choked back a laugh. “Delectable,” he murmured.

  “Stop, Hunter,” she cried, shaking her head. “Please. This on-again, off-again switch is killing me.”

  “All right. All right. I think everyone is a little in love with Sam. Except me.”

  Her features cleared. Her gaze warmed. Twin spots of pink dotted her cheeks.

  He breathed out the words. “You care.”

  “For someone who prides himself on his intellect, you’re really dumb.”

  Hunter reached out and snared her wrist. With a gentle tug he pulled her closer. And closer. “I’ve dished out all of the bad and all of the ugly I know, and you’re still here. Why?”

  She still seemed unsure as she fought against his pull. He wondered what lurked beneath her calm expression, for her thoughts were so chaotic they were impossible to read. “Professional courtesy.”

  He drew her nearer. He drowned in the same citrus scent and soft, brown gaze. “I don’t think so.”

  Hunter finally let the moment live. “Tori, listen to me. I’ve never felt this way before, not even with Antonia. Roman soldiers shattered the concept before I could even really put it into words, so I may never know how to love. The rest, as you know, went downhill from there.”

  Her gaze snared his. Was that a spark of hope he read? “I care for you, Tori. Very much.”

  She angled her head as if trying to gauge the truth of his words. He couldn’t lie. Didn’t want to. She’d shown him his best action was honesty at the very least.

  “There seems to be more at stake than even I imagined. If this is true, then there may never be another time for me to explain. I want to care. I want to give you back what you’ve given me. But I don’t know how. Yet.”

  In a deep, husky whisper she answered, “I can teach you.”

  “You already have,” he smiled down at her. “But I must learn on my own. Can you be patient with me? Can you wait?”

  She didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, “Will you send me away, give me the drug, make me forget you if we win the day?”

  He shook his head. “What do you think?”

  Her lips quirked. “I don’t know.”

  “Never,” he promised, lifting her hand to his lips.

  “Even though our races should never mix? Even though we’re nothing more than a meal?”

  He winced, deserving the jab. “I was wrong. We need each other.”

  She nodded. “Took you long enough to understand.”

  “I do,” he replied, wondering now if she would ever forgive him. “But you need to remember something important. As long as you’re a part of my world, you will always be in danger.”

  She didn’t hesitate as she answered, “I can deal.”

  “A chance is all we can hope for, then.” As he said the words, Hunter wanted them to be real. All he was asking for was a chance. “And a new beginning. If you’ll allow it?”

  “Perhaps,” she teased, joy shining in her gaze.

  They stared at each other for what seemed an eternity, until she sobered. “There’s more you need to know, Hunter.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I was able to contact a colleague. Long story short, I think there’s a way to cure you. But I have no idea if it will work. Are you willing to try?”

  Hunter knew the answer before the words passed his lips. He shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t. Casperian needs to be stopped. Now. Before he attacks the compound. My people need me. I have to save them.”

  Pride for him filled her gaze as well as a deep disappointment. “I need you.”

  “I know.”

  “Always the hero,” she bit out. “Strength and honor, right?” His heart constricted at the bitterness in her tone.

  “A long time ago I was a champion but never a hero. I’ve scraped and clawed and protected, lying to the mirror that my actions were for my people. Make no mistake. What I did for them I also did for myself. Don’t make me what I am not—forget valiant and remember reality. Dying to save you, to save them is much more appealing than just dying.”

  She nodded. Her shoulders straightened. Her chin lifted.

  His heart turned over in his chest.

  Pride and wonder coursed through his veins as he watched her turn and walk away. And he realized. He did know how to fall in love.

  Chapter Thirty

  Hunter held the meeting in a small gatehouse on the far side of the property so as not to alarm the members of the cell or say no to those wishing to fight who were more valuable remaining to guard. Charles, Vanessa, Mercedes, and Ozzie. Sam needed to rest and feed; he’d taken too much of her blood. Besides, she didn’t need to be here in person. He knew her thoughts on his plan.

  “Normally I would have called you all together in a joint meeting with The Council. But this is my fight, and the fewer who know the better. I don’t want to start a panic, and I don’t want an army.”

  Charles stepped up to the table. “According to Tori’s colleague, it sounds as if this Nirvana speeds up the aging process inside the cell, so it runs out of control. Her colleague also warned there was no way to stop the process.”

  “But I’m living proof,” Hunter continued, “that it can be controlled with royal blood. So we have to assume Casperian knows this and he knows there isn’t enough royal blood to save everyone who goes rogue. This is why we haven’t seen more rogues created.”

  “Casperian?” Ozzie questioned.

  “Some of you know my story. Some of you don’t. I come from the time of the Caesars, the Roman Empire. I was a gladiator and a slave. Casperian was my master.”

  “Gotcha,” Ozzie replied, his face a mask of distaste.

  Hunter shook his head. “Not quite. Casperian is not my maker. I was made by royal blood.”

  “Sam?” Vanessa asked.

  “No.” He drew in a deep breath. Letting the air out, he said, “By Antu Si-Tayat. Her brother.”

  Dead silence. Of the vampires standing in the gatehouse, only Charles knew she had a brother. “Another reason for this small gathering and a request this information remain private. Agreed?” They all nodded, even Vanessa. “Good. And just so you know, she had no idea he was even alive. She thought she’d killed him.”

  “Killed him?” Vanessa repeated. “Now this is getting interesting. Do tell.”

  “Not my story. You’ll have to ask her.” Hunter frowned. She shrugged. “Sam believes her brother is behind everything. Casperian. The rogues. All of it. But unlike Sam, he doesn’t care about anything or anyone. She fears he’ll stop at nothing to exact his revenge.”

  “Revenge?” Vanessa asked.

  He lifted a brow. “She did try to kill him.”

  Hunter watched his compatriots absorb this new information. They all seemed to get the seriousness of the situation. “So where does that leave us?” Charles asked.

  “In the middle, I’m afraid,” Hunter replied. “We do what we can. We stop Casperian first. We hunt down and find every vampire who’s been given Nirvana and destroy them. Then we hope Tori and Stacy find a cure.”

  Shocked silence filled the room. All of them seemed ready to speak. Hunter held up his hand. “Not yet. Mercy? If you’ll continue?”

  Mercy explained recent events. “We were able to track down the helicopter service Casperian used.”

  “Helicopter?” Ozzie blurted.

  Mercedes stared at him for interrupting. Good. But she also took the time to explain. “We tracked the two vampires who tried to kill Dr. Roberts. The trail led up into the middle of New York State and then simply vanished. B
ut there was a small field nearby. The grass had been swept and bent as if by a strong wind, but there was no sign of footprints. People don’t just go poof. The logical answer was a helicopter.”

  “And?” Hunter asked, motioning for her to continue.

  “A small sightseeing service. The owner was the pilot. He looked terrified when we showed up. He shouted his thoughts at us. We gave him the drug to be safe.”

  Mercy unfurled a map of New York State onto the table. “There’s an estate. Here,” she added, pointing to a spot on the map. “In the middle of the woods. In the middle of nowhere, actually. We scouted the property once as a possible cell after the owner died. He was a recluse.”

  Hunter watched Charles turn ghost white. “Charles? What’s the matter?”

  “Oh my God. The pictures of an abandoned estate in New York. Mick sent them to me. I didn’t know why. Then Pitch came to warn me. He couldn’t contact Mick. Mick must’ve found out about Casperian and Sam’s so-called brother. They must’ve found out he was spying on them and turned him into a rogue.”

  No one spoke. Mercy looked up at him. Hunter nodded. “Continue.”

  “Anyway, the area is too barren and too sparsely populated. We decided there weren’t enough people to sustain an entire cell. But just look at the place. It’s perfect for Casperian. My guess is he doesn’t have many soldiers. He can’t because there aren’t enough people around to feed on without arousing suspicion.”

  Hunter shook his head at the group and held up his hand to stave off a myriad of questions. “Thank you, Mercy. Good detective work. But I can’t emphasize my next words enough. No guesses. No assumptions. Are we clear?” She nodded. “Your men?”

  “They’ve been keeping the estate under surveillance along with humans during the day. No signs of activity.”

  “Aboveground,” Charles murmured. “But what about underground?”

  Hunter nodded. “An excellent thought. Also, Casperian was made with royal blood, as was I. He is more than capable of passing through human detection during daylight hours. What I find surprising is he didn’t feed off any of your human soldiers.”

  “That would’ve alerted us to him,” Vanessa commented.

  “True. But you all need to understand your enemy—I wouldn’t put it past him. He truly believes he’s more powerful than all of us combined.”

  Hunter looked around the table. Charles looked grim but more than ready to fight. Indeed, Charles had every reason to want retribution now. Vanessa seemed amused as always, but a fire burned in her gaze. She’d loved Mikhail just as much as Charles. Mercy stood ready to follow his orders and lay down her life if necessary. And Ozzie seemed ready to go along with whatever was decided because it was his duty. And yet deep inside Hunter could feel his anger burning bright. Mikhail was just as much a friend and mentor to him as he was to Charles and Vanessa.

  Very well. “We need ten more of your handpicked best, Mercy.”

  “What about Creighton and the rest of our force?”

  “Not yet, Charles. If we can’t stop the rogues, they’ll need to try to guard those who survive.”

  Try. Such a small word which carried such weight and apprehension. Because if their small group was unsuccessful, there would be out-and-out war. The Council would be forced to fight. Hence the warning from Miklos. Get your house in order, or we will.

  “Sir?” Mercedes asked. “What about Tori? I mean, Dr. Roberts?”

  “She doesn’t have a cure yet. She’s been working day and night. But we must accept the facts as they are right now. She may never have one. I’m giving two orders you must follow.”

  Hunter’s gaze scanned the room, knowing he’d fight with none better. “Casperian is mine. And as soon as I take his head, one of you needs to take mine.”

  “I’ll do it,” Vanessa chimed in a bit too cheerfully.

  “No,” Charles countered. “You’d enjoy killing him too much.” His gaze lifted. He nodded. Hunter nodded back. “I’d consider this request an honor.”

  Mercy stared at both of them. “No!” Hunter read her fear and horror and anguish. “No,” she repeated. “The duty is mine.”

  Hunter smiled, proud and sad at the same time. In that moment he felt like a human parent. “As I’d hoped you’d say.” He bowed his head. “The cell is yours to command, Mercedes. No matter the outcome, I wish to step down. Rule in my stead. Lead us into the future.”

  Shocked, Mercy stilled. “No sir. You can’t. This is—”

  “Wrong?” he asked, cutting her off. “No it isn’t. I endangered every man and woman in this compound by not being truthful with all of you. A mistake of that magnitude is unacceptable.”

  Mercy straightened. Then she bowed. “By your command.”

  A great weight lifted from his shoulders. He would have only one regret leaving this world. Tori.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Tori reached out and gulped another swallow of cold coffee. Ugh. “Stace?”

  “I know. I heard you groan again. We need a microwave, right?”

  Stacy looked dead on her feet. Okay, her pun was bad, and she did feel a bit guilty about the vampire joke, but tendrils escaped the drooping ponytail on Stacy’s head, her cheeks were hollow, and the bags under her eyes had bags. Tori imagined she looked much the same.

  “Have you been able to isolate the protein with the transcription factors yet?”

  She nodded and yawned. “Yeah. But when I add it to the stem cells, nothing happens. The stem cells remain human.”

  Very well, it wasn’t the protein which was disappointing but not unexpected. Still, something in a vampire was able to turn a human into a vampire, otherwise they couldn’t be made. Hunter had called it an essence, but could it be something more, like the drug that made a human forget? What had they called it? The Lethe? Tori wondered if she’d ever figure out the answer.

  But for now, she had a task to complete. Take neutral, imprint-able cells and make them vampiric so they could destroy rogue cells. Every time she tried to drill down with logic, she kept coming up with royal blood. So maybe stem cells could take on vampiric properties from royal cells.

  “Stace? What about Sam’s blood? If it works for Hunter, maybe it’s the ‘missing’ ingredient. Let’s try.”

  About an hour later, Tori kicked Stacy out of the lab. They might’ve both been tired, but Stacy really looked beat. “Go upstairs and get some sleep. I’m right behind you,” Tori lied.

  She had to keep going. She had to.

  Stacy grinned but acquiesced. She tidied her workspace as she answered, “Sure you are.”

  Tori shrugged. “Just one more experiment. I’m going to create a royal blood plate. See if it works.”

  Stacy nodded. “Good idea.” She yawned again.

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” Tori asked, feeling guilty.

  Stace gave her a quick hug, then headed to the elevator. “Just tired. Besides, Chaz should be back by now.”

  “Back?”

  “He left the house a little while ago. Scouting party, I think.”

  Had Hunter gone with Chaz? A chill ran down her spine. She bit her lip, glad Stace couldn’t read her mind.

  The elevator doors closed, and she turned back to her workbench. Her best bet, no, her only bet to save Hunter was logic, and everything pointed in one direction. Royal blood. Could it be this simple? First, Tori used a slide. Sure enough, when a drop of royal blood hit the stem cells they began changing.

  Hope rushed through her. For the first time she thought she might have an answer. Sam! I need you. As soon as possible.

  A few minutes later, Sam marched into the lab looking none too happy. “You called?”

  Tori threw her a sheepish look. “I need more of your blood.”

  “I thought you had enough with the extra tubes I already gave you.” Tori shook her head. “Seems as though I’m extremely popular these days,” she groused. “Hunter just tried to drain me dry.”

  A sinking feeling fill
ed her belly. “He what?”

  Sam rolled up her sleeve. Tori used the moment to gather herself and took several more tubes from Sam’s arm. When Tori was finished, she realized. “He’s going after Casperian.”

  “That is his duty,” Sam answered. “And his choice, a choice I must respect.”

  “Even though I don’t want him to go?”

  “You should have told him the truth when you had the chance.”

  “And when would that have been?” Tori fired back. “While I was culturing cells? Running gel electrophoresis on blood samples? Running chemistries to find out what chemicals are in your blood that might be killing you?”

  Tori was shaking by the time she finished. Sam reached out. “I’m sorry. I was unkind.”

  Sam apologizing? Wow.

  “Please tell me he didn’t go alone.”

  Sam shook her head. “No. We’re all in this together.”

  “Sort of.” Simple human females didn’t stand a chance in a fight like this.

  “You’re not simple,” Sam admonished.

  Tori rolled her eyes. “Thanks.”

  A timer went off. “I, uh, have to get back to work.”

  She nodded. “And I have unfinished business to attend.”

  Tori read her meaning loud and clear. Sam needed to finish feeding, then she was going to join the “scouting party.” Tori’s time had just run out. Hunter would certainly sacrifice himself, thinking he was already dying.

  Tori used most of the blood Sam had given her to create plates. Then she put stem cells on them and placed them in the incubator. She had one small cluster of stem cells growing from before, created on a plate made with human blood agar. Her last. Under the indecently expensive molecular microscope she’d had Sam purchase, Tori took the blastula and added a fresh drop of Sam’s blood. The cells began taking on vampiric properties. And fast. Really fast.

  Heart pounding, Tori kept asking herself, Had she found it? Had she really found a cure?

  She began to pace. Time, it seemed, could move with agonizing slowness when it wanted. She had no choice but to wait because even though vampiric cells grew at an accelerated rate, she still had to let nature take its course.