IM02 - Hunters & Prey (25 page)

He laughed. The sound rumbled through his chest. “That’s all I can hope for.”

The door lock clicked, and I looked over, seeing the handle turn. A second later, Nicholas and Rozaline strolled in, dressed in black from head to toe.

“Perhaps you should change to be a little less conspicuous.” Lysander said, pulling away from me and walking to the bed. Reaching into his bag again, he pulled out a folded pile of black clothes and handed them to me.

Yes, because black is the only thing fashion-conscious vampires wear to an ambush.
“Thanks, Lysander.” I smirked and walked toward the bathroom to don my new outfit.

Rozaline caught me by the shoulder as I reached the bathroom door. “Can I talk to you for a moment?”

My eyes narrowed as I caught her tight lipped-expression. I had a feeling that whatever she wanted to talk about couldn’t be good. Nicholas stood behind her looking smug. That only added to my suspicion. When I turned a questioning eye on him, though, he walked away without a word.

“Sure, let’s talk in a second.” I motioned to the bathroom. “Lemme just get dressed.”

“I’ll help you.”

I cocked my head sideways. “Must be an urgent discussion. Okay, c’mon.”

Rozaline followed me into the small bathroom and shut the door behind her. “I know I cannot stop you from going with us. Nor would I want too. You are a member of this clan and deserve the right to fight. But …” She took a deep breath. Her hand reached up to one of her crystal point necklaces. She held it and thumbed the length of the crystal, rubbing it as if it were a worry stone. “You are brash and rush in for action where a calm head is needed.”

I remembered our previous fight with the Saints and the wounds I’d inflicted on Rozaline. No evidence was left on her immortal skin, but the look on her face told me she still remembered the pain.

“I need you to promise me something.” She dropped the necklace, which fell back to her chest, clinking softly against her other crystal points as it settled into place. “Listen and follow orders. No matter what happens. You have the heart of a warrior, but not the training. Listen to Lysander and Nicholas. They will lead us in this fight.”

I nodded. She was right—I did have a tendency to rush into things. “I’ll listen as well as I can.” Suddenly, Fallon’s frightened face flashed in front of my eyes. I had a feeling that Rozaline’s little chat was not just to prevent me from rushing into things; it might also be a warning that Fallon might not be saved. “I know the clan is not too happy about Fallon. Promise or no, I’ll make sure she gets out alive.”

Rozaline sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. “I know you think we’re all against you. Trust me, this is not the case. In fights like these, though, survivors may be few, and I need you to be prepared for that. Any one of us could find death.”

I gulped and turned away, pulling my shirt off over my head. “I can’t let her die. It’s my fault she’s involved. I will get her out.”

“Then be smart in your actions.” The door opened and shut again behind me. By the time I had pulled on my black turtle-neck shirt, Rozaline was gone.

CHAPTER 19

*****

T
he time had come. As midnight drew close, we all packed into Lysander’s Jeep, and I directed us to Quentin.

We circled the industrial building once, surveying the area. Just as it had been a few nights earlier, the place looked desolate and forgotten. Rodents scurried in and out of storm drains, and trash lined the streets.

Last-minute plans were discussed as we circled around the building a second time, and it was decided, for ease of escape, that we park a few streets away from Quentin’s building. As we exited the car, an eerie calm surrounded us and a feeling of dread washed over me. Flashes of memory brought back the echo of pain from the gunshots I’d received the last time I was here.

“Be careful of traps,” I found myself whispering.

Lysander grunted in acknowledgement but didn’t speak. He carefully surveyed our surroundings.

The whole area reeked of piss and garbage. A hot breeze blew past me, carrying with it all manner of foul odors. It sent a small shiver of dread snaking down my spine. My heart sped and a lump formed in my throat. I sensed something wasn’t right and wondered if we were being watched.

Lysander and Nicholas took the lead and guided us down an alleyway between two old warehouse buildings. We exited into a parking lot directly across the street from Quentin’s compound.

I spotted the Jeep Liberty that Santino had been driving. It was parked just outside an entrance to the building.

A lone guard stood outside with a large rifle-like weapon.

From our distance I couldn’t tell if he was human, vampire, or one of those creatures. Knowing the Acta Sanctorum used all of them to fight us, I stopped and closed my eyes, trying to sense what the creature might be. With the sour stench of death wafting in the air all around us, I couldn’t tell by scent, and with all of the other vampires around me, I couldn’t sense anything either.

Lysander and Drew seemed to be doing something similar, trying to sense our surroundings. When I looked to them they both had their eyes closed and noses pointed up in the air. I hoped their senses were more in tune.

Rozaline and Crystal kept watch at our backs. I turned to see them scanning the deserted alleyway we had just left.

Nicholas whispered something into Lysander’s ear, too low for me to hear.

Lysander nodded, looked to Drew, and pointed to the right. As if following mental orders, Drew and Nicholas took off in a flash.

I wish I could read thoughts. It would make this so much easier.

“What are they doing?” I whispered.

“They are checking the perimeter,” Lysander answered. “We need to know how many entrances there are, and who or what is guarding them.”

After a few quiet moments, Nicholas and Drew reappeared.

“There are two other entrances; each one has a guard just like this one,” Drew said to Lysander. “They don’t appear to be tainted.”

“Sounds like evil henchmen number twelve to me,” I turned and whispered to Crystal. “You know, like in the movies. Poor bastard doesn’t even get a name. He’s just there to get slaughtered.” I’d hoped to lighten the mood a bit. We hadn’t even made it inside, and already the tension was starting to get the better of me. I felt nervous and shaky.

Crystal smiled and nodded, but didn’t laugh at my joke.

Lysander shot me a disappointed look. “If they are human, we can incapacitate them. We’re not here to murder everyone. We’re here to remove the threat against us.”

“Sorry,” I mumbled feeling instantly ashamed for my off-handed comment.

He pointed to the door I had been staring at. “Since there is only one guard, we will take this entrance ahead of us and remove that guard.”

Nicholas moved in a blurry flash. He struck the guard, sending him crashing to the ground with a dull thud. Nicholas bent down, checked the body, and then waved us over.

We followed as silently as we could, creeping down toward the door, using the shadows to remain hidden.

Nicholas dragged the body behind the Jeep and took the rifle as his own. He sniffed the air as he walked back around the vehicle. “Something’s coming.”

“Weapons,” Lysander whispered.

I reached down toward my belt, unsheathing the dragon fire blade Lysander had given me.

“Where’s Santino?” I asked.

Lysander growled. “Not sure, and that is very disturbing.” He looked up, his eyes scanning the surroundings. I followed his line of vision to a blinking security camera.

“Oh crap.” I barely got the word out before a loud screeching noise sounded above us. My head shot up just in time to see the large, hulking form of one of those creatures falling from the sky.

“They’re coming from the roof,” Nicholas yelled.

I took cover under the small metal awning above the door just as three more creatures descended on us, all landing hard on the ground. They rose up to full height and let out loud shrieks in unison, like wolves signaling the hunt. Their ear-piercing wails felt like spears being thrust into my ears.

One of the creatures locked its blood-shot gaze on me. It raked my face with a claw-like hand. I screeched as the claw tore into my skin, and pivoted out of the way before it could land another painful blow.

The creature moved as fast as I did. It backed me in to the wall before I had time to defend myself. A meaty fist landed a hard punch straight into my gut. I crumpled forward. Pain exploded through my shoulder. I felt its teeth tearing through my flesh.

I moaned and jerked, trying to struggle free. Suddenly, I remembered the dagger in my hand. I thrust it forward, putting all of my weight behind it, and buried it into the soft belly of the creature.

It stiffened, and then threw its head back, howling like a feral beast. Its bloodshot eyes darkened with rage.

My heart pounded, threatening to explode from my chest. Fear and survival guided my movements. In a fluid motion, I pulled back the knife slashed in a wide arc, slicing straight across the creature’s throat.

I took a few calming breaths, watching as the creature staggered backward. Blood poured from its gaping wound; like a waterfall, flooding down its body. It reached out again as if to grab me. Before its fingers could reach me, I lifted my foot and with a hard thrust, kicked it dead center in the chest. It wobbled backward, arms windmilling as it attempted to keep upright. Once more I kicked, sending the beastly creature crashing to the ground. I leaped on top of it and plunged my blade deep into its chest.

After a few moments, its limbs stopped flailing and the creature went still.

Panting, I looked up to see how the others were fairing. Nicholas stared at me, his face contorted with an unusual smile.

“Now, cut off its head,” he said.

I nodded, and grabbed the dagger still buried in the chest of the creature. I stepped on its chest and I yanked the blade free. The zombie creature didn’t move or make a sound. It looked dead, but there was only one way to be sure. I clutched the hilt tight in one hand and with a swift slice, severed the creature’s neck.

“You might make a worthwhile warrior yet,” Nicholas said extending a hand to help me stand. “Good job.”

That was the first time Nicholas had uttered a genuine compliment to me. I was stunned and momentarily dumbfounded. I accepted the offered hand, wincing as I stood, then wiped the dagger off on my pants and sheathed it.

Lysander studied me with concerned. “Are you okay?” He reached out and gingerly touched my shoulder.

It throbbed from where the soldier had bit me. I shrugged and moved my arm around, testing it. Movement hurt, but not too much. I knew the wound would heal quickly, though the pain might linger a little. “I should be fine.”

The group standing around me looked battle-worn already. Drew panted, out of breath. His shirt was ripped across the stomach, revealing a wound already in the process of healing. His skin knitted itself back together before our eyes. Crystal stood next to him, pulling her blood-matted hair away from her face and into a ponytail.

“I guess you guys killed all of those other things?” I asked.

A collective nod came from the group. Rozaline gave me an approving smile.

“Something is not right,” Lysander said. “Santino was supposed to meet us here. We do not know if this is treachery, or if Quentin is on to our plan.” He pulled me in close.

“We need to split up.” I suggested. “Lysander and I can go after Fallon. Nicholas can cover our back. Rozaline, Crystal, and Drew can look for Quentin and Santino.”

“No,” Nicholas grunted. “I’m guessing that where Fallon is, Quentin is. And wherever Quentin is, Santino won’t be far. We need to kill the soldiers first. Remove the threat before we go after the ring leader.”

“And what if Quentin hurts Fallon?” I whispered.

Lysander lowered his voice. “Nicholas is right. We must assume he won’t. Removing the threat of his army is imperative. Quentin is human. He will be easier to kill alone. Knowing that, he will guard himself heavily against us.”

I didn’t like wasting time before finding Fallon and destroying Quentin, but it appeared there was no other choice.

Lysander squeezed my good shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Nicholas slowly opened the door. We all listened for any sound of danger. He led the way into the dimly-lit warehouse and down a long corridor with various adjoining hallways. My shoes squeaked against the polished concrete floor.

“Humans,” Lysander whispered.

As he said the words, their scent hit me. It was strong; I could tell there was more than one nearby. The smell made my mouth water. I was thankful I’d fed before we left.

We approached the intersection of two hallways and found the source of the smell. Two young men, barely old enough to be drafted into an army, stood chatting against a wall. Wearing tacky pea-soup khaki pants and matching shirts, they looked less like soldiers and more like a crew of janitors. Only the rifles in their hands gave away their real purpose.