Obsessions: A Monster Squad Novel 7 (17 page)

The NSA representative thumbed through the files then dropped them absently on the table. “They didn’t drink too much.”

“Well, whatever the cause, I doubt they were actually killed in battle. None were ever redeployed to a known combat zone while they were assigned to…”

“Key words there, son—known combat zone. These men died in the field, in battle.” The CIA director tossed the files he was perusing onto the table and motioned back toward the screen. “Keep watching.”

The NSA assistant director clicked through more slides until images of beings with fangs appeared. Other images of what could only be described as ‘monsters’ flashed before their eyes. The analyst stared in wide eyed wonder at some of the images, many apparently were stills taken from helmet cameras. “This can’t be real. These things don’t exist.” He pointed anxiously at the screen.

“Yes, they do. We’ve verified it ourselves.” The CIA director sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “What I want to know is why weren’t we told?”

The analyst shook his head. “Sir, I didn’t know. I don’t think anybody did. Otherwise you would have gotten a full briefing.”

The NSA assistant director placed both hands on the table and leaned toward the analyst. “Cat’s out of the bag now. We want everything that can be dug up on these assholes.”

The analyst swallowed hard and nodded. “I can do that.” He pushed away from the table then paused. “I have to ask though…why did you show me this? Surely it’s classified above my current clearance.”

The NSA assistant director glanced at the CIA director. The older man nodded, giving permission. The assistant director turned to the analyst and stated simply, “So you wouldn’t discount the extraordinary.”

“Sir?”

The CIA director stood and walked toward the door. “Stevens, if you ran across anything to do with these guys, and it had the words ‘monster’, ‘vampire’, ‘werewolf’…any of those key words attached to it, what would you do?”

The analyst nodded. “I’d discount it as a redirect, sir.”

“Exactly. Now you know what you’re dealing with. I want everything.” He opened the door for the analyst who slipped through, forgetting his files as he left.

Director Jameson sat back down and slid the files across the table. “What do you think, Robert? Will he be able to dig up anything on these guys?”

Robert Ingram sat back down and picked up the file for one Colonel Matthew Mitchell. For being a full bird colonel, the file was awfully thin. “He’s supposed to be the best at digging up what doesn’t exist. If it’s out there, he’ll find it.”

Director Jameson leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “What the hell has the world come to that we have men out there hunting monsters?”

“The monsters brought it upon themselves. They should have stayed in the shadows. Like we do.” Ingram dropped the file and stood to leave. “Let me know when he finds anything.”

“And you let me know when your super soldier is online and ready for testing.” Jameson stood and began to stack the files together.

“We should be ready for testing in the next couple of months. Trust me, you’ll be included in the shakedowns.” Ingram winked at the older man as he walked to the door.

“Tell me something, Robert.” Ingram paused and turned back to the older man. “Do you think there’s any truth to the rumors? About what they did to these operators so they could stand against what’s out there?”

Ingram shrugged. “I hope not.” He glanced at the stack of files still on the table. “That’s an awful lot of potentially good soldiers right there.”

“But if it is true…” Jameson trailed off.

Ingram shrugged. “Once the cleansing begins,
all
monsters will be eradicated.” He opened the door and turned back to Jameson. “Even the ones
we
created.”

9

Mark rolled off the couch and turned off the alarm on his phone. He stared at the clock on the wall and sighed. He honestly didn’t think he had slept at all. The oddest part was, the fatigue that he had felt earlier was gone. It had been brief, just a fleeting feeling, but he knew he should be tired.

He dug into his pocket and withdrew the black pill and swallowed it then washed it down with cold coffee. He flipped on the lights and squinted for a moment while his eyes adjusted. Mark pulled a clean uniform top from the wardrobe and swapped it out, sniffing the pits of the old one before depositing it in the pile of dirty laundry. He knew it was dirty, but he couldn’t detect anything, scent wise. He fell into his chair and had just flipped on his computer when a knock at his door caught his attention. “Yes?”

The door opened slightly and Evan stuck his head in. “Is this a bad time, Major?”

Mark waved him in. “I was going to come down and see you shortly. I just wanted to catch up on some…”

“I’ve got some news…possibly.” Evan shrugged as he handed a manila envelope to him.

“What’s this?” Mark tugged the end open and slipped out the report.

“Your blood work. I had a sample sent off. I requested the work be expedited.” Evan sat quietly across from him as Mark stared at the cover.

He laid the report down and gave Evan a blank look. “Is this all? Was there anything else?”

“Don’t you want to read it?”

“I’ll read it later when I have more time. Right now, I have a lot of paperwork to catch up on.” Mark turned and pulled a folder from his IN basket and began perusing the papers inside, his eyes not truly reading the content.

“But…this could answer everything for you. It could tell you for certain if you were infected with both viruses, or if we need to consider another source for your…”

“Is that all, Doctor?” Mark shot him an angry glare that caught Evan off guard.

Doctor Peters stood and shook his head. “No, that’s all.” He turned for the door and paused. “I’ll see you in my lab within the hour.” He pulled the door shut behind him and left the man to his thoughts.

Mark slammed the file shut and stared at the report. He had no idea why he was so angry. He knew that Evan had run blood work. He knew that those results could be back at any time. He closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. When he opened them again, the report was in his hand. His eyes scanned the cover page and he found himself turning the page, reading the findings.

*****

“You’re certain that your elder said a Heavenly being told her?” The Guardian sat atop the ledge that Gnat had launched his attack from.

Kalen nodded. “I have no reason to doubt her.” He motioned to the cavern they all now sat in. “How else could we have found this place so easily if someone hadn’t told her exactly where it was?”

The Guardian nodded, his eyes darting to each of the other warriors. “Still, he looks like a demon.”

Kalen chuckled and sat down beside him. “But he has a gentle soul. Especially for one so effective in battle.”

“He is quite strong.” The Guardian nodded to Brooke. “But what of the undead female?”

“She feeds only on animals. She harms no humans.” Kalen held his hand up and made the sign of the Oath Keeper.

“Still, she is
vampyre
.”

Kalen nodded. “And Chief Jack is werewolf. But he is an honorable man and a great warrior.” He pointed to Gnat who was combing his beard in the reflection of a large shield. “And Gnat is a gnome. A warrior from a clan of warriors, all sworn to protect their people from any harm. And I am Elf. Of the northern Greater Elves.”

The Guardian shook his head and raised a brow at the unlikely assemblage. “My heart tells me you speak the truth, but my bond is to protect these weapons with my life. They shall not leave my sight nor shall they…”

“So come with us.” Jack swung the sword in his hand and marveled at how light it felt. “That way the weapons don’t leave your sight, you keep your word, and when we’re done, the weapons are all returned here.”

“You do not wish to keep them?” The Guardian shot him a disbelieving stare.

Jack shook his head. “Sorry, pal. Swords and crossbows just aren’t my weapon of choice. I prefer things that go bang.”

“But they’re so ineffectual.” The Guardian stood and placed his hands on his hips while he considered Jack’s proposition.

“Chief Jack, why do you invite him to come along?” Kalen slipped beside Jack and tried to keep his voice low.

“Didn’t Loren say that we are expecting another warrior to join us? Maybe it’s him.” Jack smirked at Kalen as he tossed the Elf a long bow.

“Yes, she said we are to expect another, and we are also to search out Allister the Griffin as well. We have made no efforts to do so.”

“Maybe because she sent us looking for these.” Jack held up a shield and tossed it to Kalen. “If she weren’t so busy sending us on errands, we could accomplish something.”

Kalen sighed heavily and leaned against the wall of the cavern. He pinched at the bridge of his nose then turned to the Guardian. “My apologies, friend. I do not know your name.”

“I have no name. I am simply the Guardian. I have never needed a name.”

“And calling you Nephilim seems impersonal.” Kalen rubbed at his chin.

Brooke nudged the Elf. “How about just Phil?”

“If you like.” The Guardian bowed slightly.

“Very well. Phil, if you would be willing to accompany us on our mission, we could most certainly use your help.”

“He’s coming.” Jack brushed past Kalen and approached Azrael. “You back in fighting shape?”

Azrael flexed his hands a few times and nodded. “The effects were short lived.”

“Pick your poison. I want to bug out ASAP.”

Kalen stared after him a moment then turned back to the Guardian. “I apologize for our leader. He’s gruff, but he means well.”

“Pay no mind.” The Guardian slipped down from the ledge and chose a sword and shield from the pile. The whip handle hung from a rudimentary belt at his waist. “He seems adamant.”

“Once he sets his mind to something, yes.” Kalen sifted through some of the weapons and came up empty. “I see no quiver or arrows.”

“Your bow requires none.” The Guardian held out his hand and Kalen slipped the bow from his shoulder. As the Guardian pulled the bow string back an arrow materialized, perfectly nocked and ready to fly. He slowly let the string back and the arrow fell to the ground with a metallic clang.

“Impressive.” Kalen bent and retrieved the arrow. “It’s so light.” He tried to bend the arrow and found that he couldn’t.

“It is a holy weapon. You won’t break it.” The Guardian handed the bow back to him and watched as Kalen tried to find a place to stash the arrow. “There’s no need. As long as your intentions are good, the bow will supply you. You shan’t run out.”

Jack reached for the arrow. “If his intentions are good?”

The Guardian nodded. “Holy weapons cannot be used for evil. They will…not allow it.”

“Yet you were able to use the whip against Azrael.” Jack raised a brow.

The Guardian nodded. “It did not kill him. That was why I was willing to allow you to leave.”

“You mean that whip should have been deadly?” Jack took a half step back, his eyes narrowing on the Nephilim.

The Guardian nodded again. “Had his intentions been less than honorable, yes. It would have cleaved him in half. The energy surge would have set him aflame if nothing else.”

Jack held up the crossbow. “And this?”

“Destroys your enemies from within.” The Guardian put his hands together than quickly spread them apart, mimicking an explosion.

Jack rubbed at the back of his neck and tried to take in the power of the weapons. “Fine. Let’s get these stacked up and ready to go. Kalen, open the door and let me out so I can call in transportation for the rest of these.”

The Guardian stood to his full height and stepped between Jack and the weapons. “You claimed you wanted to arm your people.”

Jack held his hands up and took a half step back. “Easy there, big guy. I
do
want to arm my people, but most of them are back at our base.”

The Guardian shook his head. “You may not take them all.” He crossed his arms and planted his feet. “You may only arm the warriors you brought with you.”

Kalen stepped between the two. “He is right, Chief Jack. The others will not be needing the weapons, only we six.”

“Now just hold on a goddam minute.” Jack shoved a finger in Kalen’s face. “This is news to me. I thought the whole point of us coming here was to arm up the squads.”

Kalen shook his head. “No, Chief Jack, we are to arm ourselves so that we may face the threat. The others will not be needed other than to cover our backs as we do our job.”

Jack narrowed his gaze on Kalen. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Kalen shook his head. “That is all I know! I swear it!”

Brooke stepped between the two and patted Jack’s shoulder. “I’m armed. That’s all that matters.” Jack glanced at her and noted the crossed swords on her back and the numerous knives she had strapped to herself. She carried a small metallic handle that extended into a bow staff.

Jack sighed and threw his hands into the air. “Fine! Grab what you can carry and use. Apparently we’re going this one alone.”

“What is the task?” The Guardian picked up his weapons again and approached Jack.

Jack shook his head. “We still don’t know. But apparently we’re going to have to have angel weapons to do it.”

*****

“Crystal, darling.” Jim reached a hand out toward the woman as she entered his hospital room. “Would you be a dear and do me a favor?”

She reached for his hand and kissed his knuckles. “Of course, my love. Anything you want.”

“Back at the house, in my top dresser drawer, there’s a small photo album. Could you bring it here for me, please?” He gave her a loving smile and she melted inside.

“Of course.” She kissed his hand again then stood. “May I ask what you need it for?”

“I just wanted to go over some family photos with Laura before she has to leave. That’s all.” He gave her a wink as she turned to leave.

“Is there anything else from the house I can get you while I’m there?” She grabbed her purse from the back of the chair and reached for the door again.

“No, ma’am.” He gave her a cockeyed smile. “But I may have a little something for you when you get back.”

Crystal smiled and shook her head. “Not even if they gave you a room with a locking door, my love.”

“That wasn’t what I meant.” Jim smirked as she walked out.

Laura watched the banter and studied her dad. “You really love her, don’t you, Daddy?”

Jim lowered his gaze to her sitting in the chair opposite him and nodded. “I have for a long time, Punk.”

“Why didn’t you just marry her then? I would have come to terms with it eventually.”

“It just didn’t seem right if my kids weren’t on board.” Jim pushed himself upright and pulled the rolling table closer. “I thought maybe it was too soon after your mother…” He paused and stared off into the shadows. “God rest her.”

Laura stood and went to be by his side. “She knew you loved her.” She gripped his hand tightly.

“You remind me so much of her sometimes.” He stared at her with rummy eyes. “It scares me. I almost called you Margaret a number of times while you were growing up.”

Laura tried to hide her smile. “It wouldn’t have hurt my feelings.”

“Oh, it was usually when you were testing my patience.” Jim patted her arm. He glanced around then checked the door. “So, tell me more about this ‘cure’ of yours, Punk.”

“You know the side effects, right, Daddy?”

“Yeah. And if I take the bitter black pills, the biggest one won’t happen. But I’ll get edgy around the full moon.” He tried his best to read her face, just to see if she was pulling his leg.

“Does that mean you want to do this?” She tried not to sound hopeful.

Jim nodded almost imperceptibly. “Yeah, Punk, I think so.”

“You need to know so.” She lifted the vials and set them on the table. There’s no changing your mind once we start this.”

“Let’s see. It will cure me. I won’t age. I’ll get my libido back…”

“I didn’t say that.” Laura poked him with her finger.

“You didn’t say I wouldn’t either.” Jim reached around and pulled the port from his IV around so she could access it. “I’m positive Punk. If this will give me the opportunity to live to see my grandkids, then hell yeah.”

“It will let you live to marry Crystal.” Laura pulled the syringe from her bag and drew fifteen CCs from the vial. She tapped at the body of the syringe to knock the air bubbles to the top and vented them. “Last chance.”

Jim smiled at her and squeezed her arm. “Hit me, Punkin.”