Blood Chained (Dark Siren Book 3) (30 page)

He lifted the tarp partially, revealing a pretentiously sized logo York was unfamiliar with.

Of course, that wasn’t the case with Rion. “Hey!” he said. “I’ve seen that before.”

York felt wrinkles of impatience settling into his forehead when the rest of the information wasn’t quickly volunteered. “Well? Where’s it from?”

“Hold on a second.” Rion bowed his head in thought. Looking up again, he snapped his fingers and started spewing data like a fax machine in the throws of a seizure. “Global Cures. It’s an international corporation that specializes in medical research. The CEO, Thaddeus Eleazar, is convinced his company can fix the human world…or at least cure every sickness and disability in it. Rhane asked me to backdoor the company’s database and dig around. But the only thing I found out of place was a secret division of robotics and some Dr. Frankenstein science that was mostly theoretical, and honestly a bit hocus pocus for my taste.”

York’s frown deepened. “Thaddeus Eleazar, aka the billionaire who strong-armed Mack Richards into whisking Kali away to China in order to be turned over to Gabriel and his reapers.”

“Bingo,” Rion said. Then he and everyone else turned to look at Gabriel.

The former Prime actually squirmed. “That is perhaps an overly simplified version of the events that transpired.”

“Well I think it’s past time we heard your side of that particular story.” York sighed. “Orrin, take Matthias and set up a perimeter watch. But listen in. This might take a while.”

So far, Gabriel was solely responsible for too many of the most terrifying nights in Kali’s present lifetime. In the past six months, he’d done much to redeem himself. Until his latest fiasco, York was willing to take the bet that any bitterness Kali harbored toward him was reduced to a minimum. From a personal standpoint, Gabriel’s obvious discomfort made York more curious than angry at the role he played in setting up the horrifying ordeal in the desert that had nearly gotten Kali, Warren, and himself killed. “Gabe, the floor is yours.”

Though the former Prime didn’t look pleased, he launched into the story without delay. “Rumors of our kind in the desert stretch back to the earliest legends of men who walked the earth wearing both human and animal skins. Eleazar knew where to look to find us. And with his resources, it did not take long before the first encounter. Through human servants an arrangement was made to deliver the siren to me in exchange for my blood. At the time, I did not know the reason the human desired it, and my lust for the siren’s power overruled any need to learn his true intentions. But later, the opportunity presented itself to acquire a member of Eleazar’s private army. Through him, we determined the human had discovered the existence of the tomb.”

“Great.” Kali rolled her eyes in exasperation. “So, Eleazar wants to awaken this Blight thing as well. What does all this have to do with Bailen?”

Gabriel shook his head. “I am not sure. I only know that Eleazar wants what is
in
the tomb with the creature.”

“And what’s that?” Kali asked with a drilling stare.

“I do not know. Some sort of device that suits his purpose.”

“Hang on,” Rion interjected, unable to conceal his excitement. “Wesley mentioned this too, remember? He was kicking our asses until Kali did this weird siren scream and made him stop. Then he told us about the technology the rogues were after. It can be used to change the genetic code in humans, making them creatures that Blight can feed on when it awakens.” Rion began pacing, dropping his voice to converse with his inner geek. “With Warekin hunting parties out of the picture for some time now, rogue and kindred numbers have been steadily growing to a threshold that will trigger a sort of automatic emergence from hibernation. But using such a device against humans could severely speed up the process. Blight will awaken much sooner.”

York was incredulous. “You love this stuff, don’t you?”

A goofy smile lit up Rion’s face. “Set aside the inescapable doom this means for the entire world and it all becomes very interesting.”

“Right,” York said, but wasn’t at all convinced.

“Why does Global Cures have Bailen?” Kali asked again. “I don’t see the connection. It was Wesley, a Builder, who wanted him.”

“Maybe it’s a setup,” Rion offered. “We go in and get ambushed.”

York held up a hand to stop any more conjectures. “Or we could ask Gabriel’s spy. Certainly your inside man can tell us what’s going on here, and possibly could have told us exactly where Bailen was being held before we went through all this trouble.”

“Unfortunately, the mercenary from Global Cures did not remain an asset for long. He was an unwilling host, and his unusual biology made the symbiosis volatile. We had to put the human down.”

Disgusted, York threw his hands up. “Of course you killed him.” He didn’t want to be at odds with Gabriel but had to challenge the holes in his story. If they really couldn’t trust the former Prime, York wasn’t in a hurry to continue the mission with him. “We were told Builders orchestrated that whole set up between you and Eleazer. They were only forcing a confrontation between you and Rhane, trying to see who the real badass was between the two of you. Now you’re telling us that Eleazar wanted your blood?”

Gabriel’s gaze was intense. “He did. My blood as payment for the siren.”

“And why again was that?”

“Well, he is a mad scientist,” Rion muttered.

“Possibly for company experiments. Possibly because he thought he could use my blood in some way to unlock the tomb.”

“Okay,” York said with a receding amount of suspicion. It might have been unnecessary, but there was one more point that had to be made. He stepped closer to Gabriel, intentionally invading his space. “If you’re still in this for some mad power bid or betray us in any way, you will regret it.”

Clearly not intimidated, Gabriel’s expression became even more impassive. York seriously wanted to put a dent in that poker face. “Hey,” he said. “I may not be able to make good on that threat, but someone is coming who will.”

Behind him, Kali gasped.

His declaration also got Gabriel’s attention. His eyes flashed red. “My desires have not changed. Last year, I saw Banewolf and realized the immortal was reborn. And so I knew there was another way.”

“Rhane is coming?” Kali said in a tiny voice.

York felt terrible. She shouldn’t have heard the news that way. Turning away from Gabriel, he took Kali in his arms and kissed the top of her hair. “Yeah, kiddo. Rhane’s coming home.”

Chapter 43

Knowing Rhane was on his way back to her did a tremendous job of improving Kali’s mood. From the moment York announced the news, she had felt instant relief and joy. Everything was going to be okay. It didn’t even matter that York had made the big reveal of Rhane’s return during a pissing match with Gabriel.

Her spirits soared through the second exploration of the empty trailer and Rion’s conjectures on artificial gravity fields. But when Gabriel found several small puddles of Bailen’s blood, her worst fears brought her mood crashing down. But her anger bore the weight of the landslide, preventing collapse. Tiny flames licked at her fingertips. With great effort, Kali snuffed them out. “Can you tell how bad he’s hurt?”

“The trail is brief. He healed within minutes.”

“How much farther?”

Cal’s face turned into the wind, and Cal’s nose sniffed it. But it was unmistakably Gabriel who currently held control. Kali wasn’t sure she would ever be at ease with their symbiosis.

“Less than a quarter mile.” Gabriel looked coolly at York. “I suggest we send a scout. There may be guards.”

“There’s no need.” The voice came from above, soft but firm. A chill of anticipation rippled through Kali as the dark figure dropped to the ground, making less noise than a jungle cat in mid-hunt.  She felt the wind of a second person landing nearby but was rooted to the spot with every muscle paralyzed by hope.

“War and I have already observed the perimeter and its defenses.”

Kali covered her mouth, choking back a sob. It wasn’t okay to fall pieces, no matter what emotion fueled the breakdown. “How did you find us so fast?” she said through silent tears.

He stood in front of her now. Barely inches away, his heat filled the intimate space between them. For just a moment, they were the only two who occupied the dark forest. “I spoke with York while we were still in the air and redirected the jet to an airstrip thirty miles north of here.” He touched her hair. “The rest was easy.”

“Rhane,” she whispered. “You’re really here, for good?”

“I’m here, Kalista.” Then he put his arms around her and pulled her close. But it was their foreheads that met and not their lips. Kali understood. Even though every part of her ached for him, if she started kissing Rhane now, they wouldn’t stop. She felt the slight tremble of his muscles beneath her hands, and that made her want him even more. Kali pulled away and Rhane let her, but one hand held her cheek, stroking her tears. After another long look, he broke his gaze and lifted his eyes to York.

“It’s good to see you, buddy,” York said with more tenderness in his voice than Kali had ever heard.

“It is good to see you too.” Rhane turned to include everyone in the circle formed around them. “All of you.”

War and Orrin stood side by side, elbows touching in their closeness. Rion was grinning from ear to ear. Even Matthias appeared to share in the excitement.

Kali didn’t miss how Gabriel’s stare remained fixed on the two of them. Something in his gaze, or maybe it was the ghost of a smile at his lips, told her his interest had little to do Kali and Rhane being the center the others gravitated toward. When Rhane’s eyes reached Gabriel, she didn’t miss the way Rhane tensed and his shoulders lifted a little straighter. Gabriel had played an instrumental role in saving them both from rogues last fall, but when Rhane left, the two were still enemies. As a prisoner in Golden Mountain, of course Rhane had witnessed none of what Gabriel had done to atone for his many wrongs. But certainly York had filled him in on the former Prime’s involvement with tonight’s search.

Kali sensed the tension stemmed from somewhere else. She knew terrible things had been done to Rhane in Golden Mountain. She had felt the exact instance of one particularly awful event. Whatever happened had changed him. With a brief look by the moonlight, Kali knew something was different about Warren too. And it had nothing to do with his much shorter auburn locks.

But those would be matters saved for a different time because Rhane had settled into full warlord mode, addressing each kin with their orders.

“War, take Rion and lead him to the junction. Rion, cut the power. We’ll all move in once that’s done. We’re going to cover all sides, every exit. York and Gabriel, I want you on the south entrance. It’s heavily guarded so hit hard and fast. Matthias, clear security on the roof and enter from there. War, once you and Rion are done, enter from the east. When you put a guard down, make sure he stays down. Kill if you have to. But use absolutely no skins in front of these humans.” He tossed a military grade radio to Orrin. “That rule does not apply to you. I want you out here, watching our backs.”

“I suppose this is from a guard?” Orrin said and tucked the radio into his belt.

Rhane nodded. “Two men from the perimeter detail had the misfortune to cross our path during earlier recon. It’s tuned in to their channel. Monitor it. Give us a head start when backup gets called in. And if anyone tries to leave, stop them. Understood?”

Orrin nodded. “Understood.”

“What about me?” Kali asked, the only one yet to receive an assignment. She didn’t feel left out though, thinking it rather sweet that he didn’t bark orders to her as if she were just another one of the troops.

Proving her theory further, Rhane took Kali’s hand and squeezed it. “I need you with me.”

“And what’s our position?”

“We’re hitting these bastards head on.”

#

He could hear Kalista’s heart pounding next to him. The emotions she felt were so powerful, he could smell every one of them. Seeing her again as a free man had caused a profound reaction in him. All he wanted was to take her in his arms and hold her. And when she stopped shaking his mouth would find her lips and then the rest of her, exploring every inch until she broke into spasms beneath him. Then he’d take his time, rocking slowly inside her until she was spent again. Rhane wanted her so badly. Resisting had been physically painful. But danger was so close, and they had an audience. Rhane would have risked making love to Kalista behind enemy lines. And he didn’t think he’d mind an audience. But a combination of both would be inexcusable…and likely deadly.

They advanced down the steep slope that led to a fenced perimeter mostly in silence. Kalista was consumed with emotions but hid the confusion, anger, and fear quite well. Rhane wondered if she knew the truth about Bailen, that he was really theirs. Back in the caverns they had spoken of her pregnancy and the missing child neither of them knew existed. Then as Kalista shared her suspicions about Bailen, within the memories of the wolf, Rhane felt a sense of deeper connection between himself and the young kin who had never taken a human form in his presence. Jethra’s declaration in the desert had all but confirmed it. Bailen was his son…was their son.

He studied Kalista in the darkness, but her focus remained on the compound. There was a fierceness in that gaze, primal intensity, and a little bit of crazy.

She knows, he decided.

The night got quieter when the electric fence stopped humming. The power grid was down. Rhane touched Kalista’s arm, signaling it was time to move. Together they raced toward the heavily guarded facility that held their son.

The first guards were deposed of easily enough. Kalista took down her guy almost as quickly as Rhane did. Inside the compound and within a narrow corridor, the fight coming toward them was much tougher. These men were soldiers. They were faster and stronger, as well as more skilled in hand to hand combat. Rhane would have chalked it up to military training, but something in their movements was almost animal-like. From a distance he had only suspected. But up close, the truth was unavoidable.

Kalista’s opponent landed a blow that pounded her into the opposite wall. Rhane made a step in her direction, intending to help. But she was already on her feet, exacting a swift and brutal revenge that started with a knockout and ended in fire. Rhane hadn’t thought it possible for his desire for her to be any stronger than the inescapable force it already was. In that moment, Rhane realized he’d been wrong.

Tugging her by the hand, he led her further along the hallway and deeper into the facility. Using a second radio swiped from a fallen guard, Rhane switched to the alternate frequency. It was standard procedure during an operation like this, and the others should have already tuned in.

He was confident in their ability to handle whatever came their way, especially paired in twos. But still, Rhane kept his voice as low as possible. “I need everyone’s status.”

One by one, each of the kin checked in. All had successfully entered the building and were clearing rooms in a clockwise direction. Understanding why he hadn’t heard from Matthias, Rhane swore.

“What is it?” Kalista asked with worried eyes.

“I didn’t tell him to grab a radio.” Rhane felt uncertain. The mind of the wolf held little about the kindred except a standing directive to kill them. There was a more recent memory of a shaky alliance made with the alpha Ian, cemented by the death of a young but formidable kindred sent to help guard Kalista at school. War had filled him in on a lot more during the flight back to the States, but it sure felt like he was missing so much more.

He clicked on the radio again. “Someone needs to make contact with Matthias and check in.”

War volunteered for the assignment immediately. “I’ll find him.” There was a pause. “I think Rion has bad news.”

“Go ahead, Rion.”

“Uh,” he started hesitantly.  “I’m pretty sure a silent alarm has been triggered. Some of the cameras appear to be running on an auxiliary power source. I’m headed to the control room now to see if I can manually shut them down, but it might require a more direct, less delicate approach.”

Rhane grimaced. “Understood.” Good thing he had banned the use of skins. It was possible they’d already been recorded at some point. “Everyone got that? Take out the cameras.”

A few minutes later, he and Kalista had cleared two rooms, five cameras, and three more guards. His boot was resting on the throat of a fourth one when the radio crackled to life again. “Rhane, it’s Rion. I think I’ve found Bailen.”

Rhane snatched the radio from his belt. “Tell me where.”

From the control room, Rion had spotted everyone’s position via a black and white video feed streaming live from about twenty different monitors. Midway through shutting everything down, he noticed an insanely large amount of power was being fed into Zone 4. Consulting a diagram of the compound, he found the same zone. According to blueprints, Zone 4 was an area labeled for storage. Curiosity begged him to go in for a closer look to make sense of it, but the cameras in Zone 4 were positioned for a limited scope, intentionally omitting the secret of whatever was held in that room. Extra guards convened inside, and more were piling in. Rion counted three shy of a dozen but suspected more were off camera. No matter what buttons he pushed, nothing from his station controlled anything in that room.

Mapping out the best route and an alternate one in case he hit trouble, Rion fed Rhane the directions he needed. Then he killed the rest of the cameras and raced to meet him.