Wildfire Gospel (Habitat) (6 page)

“How long have you been doing this?” Zulu let go of me and stepped around to my side.

“We’ve been digging for five years, which was when we first felt the earthquake and realized that no one in Santeria experienced it above ground.”

“Five years of digging and no results?” Zulu’s emotions still didn’t flow through our cords, but I could see the excitement all over his face.

“No results.” Dante shook his head. “Now, what is your secret?”

I waited for Zulu to take the lead and he did. “Lanore and I can touch the wall and the bars. I’ve flown her up there and saw outside of the cage.”

A loud intake of breath came from Dante as he leaned back into the door and closed his eyes. “Are you being honest with me?”

“Yes.”

“How many times have you done this?”

“Enough to realize that it wasn’t a freak accident.”

“Who else knows?”

“No one but us.” I glanced at Angel.

“You can go to the wall! You never told me that.”
A red tint shaded her face. Her eyes widened as her toothless mouth opened.

“Interesting. If you both can touch the wall, then the soil may not affect you.” Dante stood back up. His eyes’ focus moved all around the room as if he was creating all types of various scenarios in his mind. “You can’t tell anyone down here. If you do they’ll try to—”

“Get themselves killed.” Zulu’s eyes transformed to black. “Before you get any ideas of wrapping a piece of metal around my neck with a B for Bottelli dangling at the end, understand this. I won’t kill you yet, but I have no control when it comes to others. I’m no slave to anyone and if someone touches Lanore in any way, I’ll poke a tiny hole in their side and spend hours yanking out their intestines.”

Dante directed his attention to me. “Is he always this violent?”

“Always.”

“I’m not interested in slaving or trapping you two,” Dante said. “The more I battle you, the more I lose where it truly hurts. However, I do want your blood tested.”

“No. I’m not sure about that,” I said. “I would have to think about it and know why you’re doing it. And I’m not interested in spending days and weeks digging to nowhere.”

“Fine. We’ll talk later. For now we keep this knowledge between us.” Dante put his hands into his pockets. “But I have a feeling that there is more that we can do for each other than digging tunnels to freedom. We should however, test you both with the soil and see if you can walk in one without being harmed.”

“I want to see if I can get through a portal that I don’t have any permission for,” I said.

“That’s tricky.” Dante gazed off in the distance. “It would have to be another family’s portal if we try it, which causes several problems for me.”

“Why?” Zulu asked.

“I’ve been on top in Santeria. Then someone bombed a number one business of mine.” Dante glared at us. “All the families in Santeria are scrambling to devour me. I’m only strongly connected to the foreign habitats.”

“Which ones?”

“Shinto Habitat is my strongest connection.”

Exhilaration burst through my veins. “The habitat in Japan? I’m down. Let’s do it. I would love to go through. In fact, let’s do it now.”

Everyone turned to me.

“What?” I twisted my lips to the side. “Haven’t you ever longed to go to other habitats?”

“A cage is a cage.” Zulu returned to Dante.

“Yeah, but a cage in Japan is awesome. That’s where they created Captain Habitat. All of the best habitat comics come from—”

“Really, Lanore?” Angel shook her head.

“Fine. Maybe this isn’t the best time to discuss Captain Habitat, but I volunteer to go through to Shinto.”

“We’ll have to discuss all of that later. I have an event to go to down here. An important ceremony.” Dante twisted around and placed his hand on the doorknob. “Once we go inside, my office will be the first one on the right. I’m going to have you both wait in there while I do something. Hopefully no one outside of the Bottelli family realizes you’ve been down here killing.”

“If they do?” Zulu leaned his head to the side.

“Then we’re all fucked.” Dante opened the door.

Five Vampires stood on the other side, all fat women with auburn hair and different complexions—licorice black to vanilla white. Bulky rubies adorned their necks and gleamed against their double chins. Crimson gowns draped their chubby bodies. It was the first time I’d seen grotesquely big Vamps.

The darkest one lifted her top right lip into a sneer. “Who are they and how did they gain access into your compound?”

Lanore

Minutes later, the five redheaded fat women inhaled our scents as Zulu, Angel, and I stepped into Dante’s office.

Mahogany decorated the whole room. Wherever mahogany didn’t lie, luxury did. Crimson silk pillows embroidered with gold thread rested on a chocolate leather couch. A huge desk lay in the middle with a thin slip of vertical glass floating three inches above the top of the desk. The glass’s surface illuminated when Dante tapped his finger on it and was at least four feet high and wide. Lightning blue text skimmed across the screen as it brightened to green and glittered on the edges in many colors. Dante walked past it and I could see him on the other side.

What is that glass? A computer screen of some sort?

Dante still had not answered the woman’s question. He just escorted us all inside, including the obese women, and shut the door behind him. “Ladies, I hadn’t realized you would be visiting my compound today. It is so close to the Feeding. I assumed you all would still be getting ready for the day’s events.”

“It’s difficult to prepare for a party when murderous screams are coming from your area.” The darkest woman stormed over to him. Her gown dragged on the ground. Her rubies clicked against each other. “I asked you a question and I expect an answer. Who are these people and how did they get in here?”

“Top law demands that one’s compound business remains within the knowledge of the compound leader.”

“Answer the question. You haven’t fed yet and I still outrank you.”

“I’m well aware of that.” A neutral expression spread over Dante’s face. “I had a problem earlier with one of my men. It was handled.”

“And who are these people?” The milky white complexioned one circled me and touched my dreadlocks. I glared at her and made my eyes glow. She stepped back.

“They’re my guests.” Dante brushed down the side of his jacket. I was soon realizing that he fixed his clothes a lot whenever he was nervous.

Interesting. He’s always messing with his clothes when I’m around. Poor guy is just getting messed with from all sides today. Good.

“Your guests?” the dark one mocked. “I may not have been above ground in several years, but I do look at the news. This one is Lanore Vesta. The unmoving stake in your heart that you just can’t yank out. Who’s the other two with her?”

I’m surprised she didn’t recognize Zulu. Maybe it’s the fact that his dreadlocks are all gone.

Dante placed his hands on the desk and tilted forward. “Lanore and I have formed a temporary truce. The other two are more guests of mine. As you’ve nicely said earlier, I do not outrank you, but I am out of your jurisdiction when it comes to orders and questions. I’m answering you now, because I’m not interested in a fight on a very joyous occasion.”

“Can we see your portal to make sure everything is okay?” Milky clutched her chest. “I sense lots of blood from that area. And these three are covered in it. It smells like Vampire blood. Did you lose any tonight?”

“None,” Dante said through clenched teeth. “All are accounted for. Additionally, as you noticed, I’ve just returned from my portal. Everything is fine. I don’t need to remind you that forcing yourself into my space is akin to declaring war.”

“Are we not concerned friends visiting you?” Milky fluttered her eyes. Her cheeks flushed with mock innocence.

A fat, blushing Vampire? Now I’ve seen everything.

All five women smiled. For some reason, the silent ones freaked me out the most. They’d wobbled into the room as if they were obese and weak, yet something screamed that it was the opposite. For one, I’d never realized Vampires could even be fat. I’d never seen one before. Studies reported that chubby humans who transformed into Vampires lost weight and their skin flattened to form around their bodies as if they’d never been fat to begin with. It was why Vampire blood sold so high on human markets for hundreds of products—skin rejuvenation cream, weight loss pills, oil to fix minor cuts and burns, and even the rather new serum that allowed older men to maintain an active libido.

“You are correct, Hildune.” Dante bowed to the blushing one. “We are all friends here. I’m pretty nervous about tonight. You all have done the Feeding before. For me, this is a most anticipated first. If you will please leave my compound in order to give my guests time to be cleaned and dressed for the ceremony, I will forever be in your service.”

“There’s no time for them to be dressed for the ceremony,” the light brown Vampire said, although I could’ve sworn her lips didn’t move. This one hadn’t spoken before. Her red hair draped her shoulders and fell down to the floor. At first look, I’d thought she wore a cape, but it was actually those silky strands. She stepped forward. Her stomach and double chins wobbled.

“Do you expect us all to wait for you to arrive? The ceremony begins in less than an hour.” Her dark voice drummed through my body.

Goosebumps rose on my skin. I stepped back. Zulu did with me. My man backing up was never a good sign. I glanced at Angel. Her fingers shook. Dante didn’t seem at ease with the woman either. Instead of leaning forward on his desk, he stood up straight and didn’t look her in the eyes. “I had planned for them to have a quick bathing.”

“And are you bringing them as a snack for the sisters or simply to perform?” That voice jabbed at my senses. “The sisters will expect one or the other when you bring outsiders into the ceremony, regardless of them being your guests. Which one is it?”

“Entertainment.” Dante didn’t check our faces. If he had, he would’ve spied Zulu’s scowling and Angel and my shocked expressions.

“Very well then. We’ll see you at the ceremony, but if I hear any more screams, I’ll raise the emergency defense and enter your portal’s pathway myself.” The scary one did a slow about face. Her gown twisted around her legs and then straightened on its own.

How did she do that? Is the dress like the gown I wore at the masquerade ball?

It had been a no-sew gown with tiny little pieces spelled together.

All the women strolled by us in slow movements as they headed to the door, step by fear-inducing step. I didn’t relax my shoulders until they left and the door closed behind them.

“Entertainment?” Zulu’s claws shot out from his fingers, tearing flesh. “I don’t dance or sing.”

“Would you rather they drink from you? You haven’t seen the Sisters, but trust me, you don’t want their fangs near your neck.” Dante ruffled his sculpted waves into a messy pile at the center of his head. He paced back and forth, muttering curses under his breath. “You three can’t go to this ceremony. It can’t happen, but I don’t know how to get you out of it without everyone being hurt.”

“We’ll go through the portal,” I said. “Show us where it’s at.”

“Open the door.” He gestured to it.

I walked over, grasped the glass knob, and yanked it open. The five women stood on the other side of his office as if waiting. I cleared my throat and tossed them a weak smile.

“We’ll be right back.” I closed the door and twisted to Dante.

“Can we kill them?” Zulu raised his eyebrows.

Only he would think that was an easy solution.

Dante snorted. His pacing turned into anxious marching. “If you three can kill them, then I would give you half of all I owned. They have more power than you realize, so much that they can’t go above ground. Humans leave those alone that remain hidden underground, just like the Fey.”

Fairies have their own underground?

“Maybe I could spirit us out of here,” Angel suggested.

“You three have to come.” Dante shook his head. “You shouldn’t, but you have to come. Even though they’re outside the door now, the news of three new guest arrivals has already begun to spread. You’ll need to be cleaned and dressed to perfection.”

“Or what? You’ll get in trouble?”

“That would be one of the things yes.”

“I don’t care about that.” I walked over to Angel. “If they kill Dante, then we don’t break any rules.”

Angel rolled her color-shifting eyes. “If they kill him, then how would we get out of here? Killing a boss can’t be good and I’m still not sure if this violates the path or not.”

Dante waved his hand. “We’re aligned or did you forget?”

I looked over my shoulder. “This is a shaky alliance at best.”

“I need you to go to the ceremony.” Dante unbuttoned his jacket. “Everything depends on tonight. If my honoring is successful, I’ll be able to execute major moves in the habitat. More than before. I’ll be able to discover more about Mother Earth. I would be able to help you with whatever else you needed. Bigger things. In fact, what do you both want? Mixbreed equality? Rights for the weak?”

What was he getting out of this ceremony? Suddenly his mood went from “ha ha you’re all fucked” to “please help me I’ll do anything.”

He opened his jacket a little as if giving his crisp white shirt breathing time. “I could help with Mixbreeds. I would release many of my Vamp-owned later.”

“Into another box where you would kill them?” Zulu sneered. “I’m done bargaining with you.”

“What is this ceremony about?” I placed my hands on my hips. “What do you get from it?”

Silence fled his lips. He wrenched off his jacket and banged a closed fist on the desk. The thin screen rose higher in the air. I wondered if it was some sort of computer or something else.

“Assaulting your desk is a waste of time.” I tapped my foot on the ground. “What is this ceremony?”

Dante combed his fingers through his waves, laying them back down into a smooth pattern. “We spend years and years dedicating our lives for the purpose of feeding on the Sisters. It’s a great honor, one that is only given every six months to only three people out of all the habitats. The lucky ones have to do major things. For me, it was bringing money in and pushing the Vampire species in Santeria back to the top of the power chain. I worked hard to earn it. I deserve it and I don’t need this situation messing all of my hard-earned work up.”

“So you’re one of the people that are going to drink tonight?” I asked.

“Yes. The bombing almost stopped it, but luckily my biggest products remained underground and I recovered a decent amount of money from the insurance policy. All was forgiven by them.” Dante returned to pacing. “Zulu killing so many of my men will be noticed, but as long as it isn’t discovered until after the Feeding, I’m fine.”

“So you feed on a Sister for a few minutes and then that’s it?”

“No. The feeding lasts for five hours.”

I sighed. “And we’re expected to sit around while you feed.”

“No. After you entertain them, you both can—”

“Does it look like I’m a performer?” Zulu’s claws snapped back into his fingers.

“Entertainment for the Sisters is different than you’re thinking. When they were caught, they were immediately kept in massive containers. They sat imprisoned in a closed box during the entire war. Once the habitats were made, they were simply transferred in those boxes to our underground compound. Like other powerful magical species, they’re not allowed to go above ground. Their brands have special detectors within them that explode if they pass a portal to the outside.”

“So these Sisters have been in boxes for years and then underground for even longer?” I twisted my face in disgust. “Why didn’t the humans just kill them?”

“I don’t think they knew how.” Dante wiped the sweat off of his face. “Not that the humans didn’t try, but they were unsuccessful and in the end played around enough with the Sisters’ blood and discovered many uses. They believe it heals some types of cancers. We drain the Sisters once a month and provide it to the government on scheduled days. Regardless, we’re getting off of the point. I need you at this ceremony.”

“You’re just a talkative pool of information today.” I smirked. “You must really need us.”

“Everything depends on this Feeding. Everything. That being said. If you just talked with them that should be enough.”

“Well, you’ve caught me on a good moment. I’ve just realized that my recently kidnapped girlfriend is alive and the kidnapper was smart enough to not harm her in anyway. I’m open to negotiations.” Zulu went to the couch and sat down on it. “Release all of your Vamp-owned Mixbreeds and I’ll do it, but I won’t wait for you to free them. I want them all gone before I go. I want definite proof so keep your blood promises and legal contracts off the table. Release them all and I’ll go.”

“I can’t.”

Zulu crossed his legs and leaned back with a bored expression. It looked absurd for this huge man decorated in blood to be lounging on a couch. I strolled over and sat down next to him. Angel joined us too.

Dante faced me. “Lanore, you have to understand that I can’t release every Vamp-owned Mixbreed under the Bottelli family. That’s close to a hundred men and women that serve us.”

“Don’t talk to me.” I wagged my finger at him like he’d done earlier. “I worked with you weeks ago. I gave you several non-violent options. Then you fucked up. Now I’m backing Zulu’s movements. Release them all and we’ll go.”

Dante closed his eyes.