Vampire in Conflict Read online

  "Oh, you have been given something. No doubt about it. And they are killing you with it." She looked at Vince. "You aren't suffering as much as your friends. Either you have different drugs or are on different doses."

  "That's because of who he is." Hardy groaned. "I'm a nobody. I'm expendable."

  "I thought you said they were short on manpower. If that's the case, you are more valuable alive then dead."

  "No. They are growing new batches of vamps. They only need us until the first crop matures."

  And damn if the kid didn't have tears in his eyes when he added, "Our way of life is over. Only a special few will survive, and it will be at the discretion of these powerful men."

  "Like hell," David said. "I'll make sure these assholes don't survive this war for what they've done to Ian and Jewel."

  "And the others," Tessa said. "We're going to beat them like we beat those at the blood farm. Now the real question is – are you with them – or us?"

  ***

  Goran slid around the corner of the stairwell where he could keep an eye on the elevators as well. He didn't like these underground parking lots. He understood the necessity but not the value. Then again, he wasn't in the business of bringing more vamps into the place. At least this way they could run all-night gaming halls here. Good for business. Bad for the vampire community. Most gaming halls had a tendency to lean toward the darker side of life, and what went on here catered to the darkest of appetites.

  He doubted the kids knew about that. Especially Wendy. She'd never have come here to hide if she did. The criminal element was darker than Goran cared to see – and he'd seen much of that side of life.

  Time to have a talk with Cody. Make sure he understood just what went on here.

  The kids had gone upstairs to find Wendy. Goran was torn between wanting to follow to protect them and wanting to stay down here and see if their arrival had been noticed by anyone.

  He blended into the shadows and waited. There was nothing for the longest time. With a patience he'd learned over the centuries, Goran figured the kids should be back down soon. That they weren't was a bit concerning. Just as he decided his overactive imagination had been making up scenarios instead of real concerns, several vamps detached from the shadows on the far side. Goran slipped deeper into the darkness. Had they seen him?

  If so, his cover was blown and the kids were likely in danger.

  Cursing himself, he sent out a warning to Serus. Not sure what's happening. I'm in the underground parking area of the mall. The kids have gone up to get Wendy outside the gaming hall. They haven't come back and now I've got a few vamps that appear to be up to no good.

  In that area? Serus responded. You know most of them are up to no good. Why the devil would Wendy go there to hide?

  She likely thought there'd be safety in numbers.

  Except most of those numbers would kill her for the high. And they'd do it for money in a heartbeat. If it moved them up in the power chain or because someone would owe them for doing this, well, they’ll be fighting off a dozen others trying to kill her for the same reasons. Serus's voice sharpened in Goran's head. Why didn't you stay with them?

  Because I was afraid that we were being followed. A weird sensation when we came into the parking lot. As if someone came or left on the sly. And I wanted to know who.

  It's most likely some of the drug dealers, Serus said impatiently. They’re likely doing a lot of deals in that place.

  Goran thought Serus would have made the connection, but obviously the mess going on at the Human Council was occupying his thoughts more than Goran's issues. Exactly, he said quietly.

  It took Serus a moment to pull his thoughts together. Then he exploded. You think the drug dealing at the mall is connected to the drugs from the blood farm?

  What's in common? Goran asked. Drugs.

  Serus’s low hiss slithered through Goran's mind. Yeah, now Serus was listening.

  And I ask again, why did you leave the kids alone?

  Now fear and anger mixed in his best friend's voice. Goran, humor rippling through his words, said, Tessa was with them. I figured there wasn't much she couldn't handle. I was likely better off down here to grab as much intel as I could. Instead, the place has been as silent as your grandmother's grave until now…

  ***

  Jared ran down the block toward the school. He didn't know why there versus anywhere, except he thought there might be safety in numbers.

  He'd been texting David steadily. David had only been able to tell him his parents were dealing with the problems. He'd also asked if Jared had a place to go to stay safe. Jared had wanted to go to Tessa's house but understood that might not be the best option at the moment.

  So school it was. At least until he figured out where to go after that. He wondered if the teachers or administrators there knew anything about this mess. The problem was so secretive and pervasive. And that blood farm had operated under everyone's nose for so long…

  Talk about a slow burning poison eating at humanity.

  He'd seen the results and didn't like them. Any of them.

  The dead men at the home and his uncle were just more. He shuddered. The school grounds were up ahead. He could sit in the playground until the doors opened.

  He checked his cell phone for a news update. The early morning news hadn't reported any deaths at the group home, either. Would it even make it to the news, or would it be squished down before that happened? Could the people behind this mess keep something this big hush hush? And his uncle? Was he going to be listed as a suicide or an unsolved murder in the years to come? He doubted anyone would make that mistake in reality, but those people appeared to be able to twist the news the way they wanted to.

  When had he become so cynical? Oh yeah, after he'd been kidnapped at a movie theater.

  He walked onto the school grounds, surprised to see a lot of vehicles parked. An early morning meeting?

  Not that it was that early anymore. Other kids were here. The playground was occupied as well. He checked his watch. Classes wouldn’t start for fifteen minutes. If anything, the place should have been busier. He shrugged and walked inside and down the hallway to his locker. There, he unloaded his heavy bag stuffed with his stuff from his uncle's house. He had no idea what else to do. And he was grateful that he had a big locker. He stepped back and stared at the full interior.

  This was everything he owned in the world. He was essentially homeless. And an orphan.

  "Hello, Jared." The principal spoke from down the hall. Jared quickly pulled out his school books and closed his locker before turning to face him. "Good morning, sir."

  "I hear you're quite the hero." The principle smiled. And damn if Jared didn't wonder if that smile was for real. He would be forever wondering about the people around him now. Wonder if they were involved in his attempted murder and the murder of both his parents. After all, that's what the blood farm was. A murder machine.

  "I'm no hero," he said. "But I won't be a victim anymore either."

  Chapter 13

  Tessa glared down at the punk kid in Cody's arms. No one had said a word since she'd asked whose side they were on. "Answer me."

  When the kid opened his mouth, she studied the energy flowing from him. She heard his words but looked at what was going on around them. Fear. Betrayal. Pain. And the need to survive.

  She could understand all of it. She nodded at Cody. "I think these guys need to be taken to the Council. Let someone like Motre get what they need from them and set up a sting of some kind."

  "Not sure what Motre is doing. Many of his friends were injured or are recovering, so I'm sure that's what he's focused on right now," David said, a tremor to his voice.

  Tessa hated to hear the fear in everyone's voices. She understood it, but fear crippled people. Instead of action, they fell into inaction. And this was not the time for that. "We need to get these guys to the Council. Let Adamson deal with them." She waved her arms toward the three punks. "If Motre
is around, even better. I'm sure Chad and Lenther would like to be in on this, too. They were at the top of the mountain with me when Gloria blew it up."

  Cody grinned. "Not sure they want to be anywhere close to you at this point. As I recall, you grabbed them and jumped off the top of the mountain. How you were going to land, carrying not one but two full-sized vamps from that high up, I don't know."

  Wendy gasped. "Is that what happened?" She stared at Tessa. "I saw you arrive on the ground, but I never did hear about how you got out."

  "Yeah, that wasn't much fun." She shook her head. "But there are a few guys that are likely to be grateful to me for saving their lives."

  Cody lifted the kid to his feet. He glared at him. "You get one chance and one chance only."

  The kid nodded rapidly. "Understood." He glanced at his friends. "What about them?"

  Cody glanced over at the one still out cold and the other one sitting quietly in front of him. "Tessa, any reason these other two don't get the same chance?"

  "No. They each get one chance. Blow it and we'll kill you," she said calmly.

  Cody watched the look exchanged by the two men in front of him.

  There was no doubt they believed her.

  ***

  Cody could almost read their minds. These men were staring at this sixteen, almost seventeen-year-old female vamp who was talking about killing them so casually – completely at odds with her dynamite looks.

  He grinned. God, he loved her.

  And heard her gasp in his head.

  Did you mean that? This time?

  He was quiet, not knowing quite what to say. He'd surprised himself.

  She giggled. Right. Guess that answers that question.

  No, it doesn't. See, I don't know, he said quietly, I don't know what that emotion is. I've never been able to recognize it and I've never said it to anyone.

  No one? Not even Xana?

  No. Definitely not her. But…I thought I was in love with her. And I know now that I wasn't.

  How do you know you weren't?

  Because I didn't feel for her what I feel for you.

  He couldn't see her smile…but he felt it.

  You like that, huh?

  Of course, she murmured. Every woman wants to know that she's special. Even to a man with tons of experience. No female wants to be the same as another, and especially not the same as the last one.

  You will never slide into that category, Tessa. I have never known any woman like you. I can't imagine anyone even coming close. He grinned. Honestly, I don't think the world is ready for another Tessa.

  Her laughter tinkled through his mind.

  After what I've been through, I wouldn't wish being me on anyone.

  True, but look where you are now. Isn't that worth it?

  He could hear her think it over, her mind operating on one level even as her body operated on another level. She'd picked up the second kid at her feet and shoved him over to where the third one was out cold. Cody watched her, wondering if she'd answer.

  Then she turned and said Yes. And turned back to the business at hand. "Wendy, are you okay?"

  Wendy nodded. "Now that I'm not alone. I didn't know what to do or where to go once they started chasing me." Her voice quavered at the memory. She wrapped her arms around her chest. "What's going on? I don't understand. This nightmare was supposed to be over. I got to relax for what... one day, two days maybe. Now it's chaos again?"

  David wrapped his arm around her. "Take it easy, Wendy. We'll get to the bottom of this."

  "But will we get there in time to save Ian?" She lifted swollen eyes to David then over to Cody before locking on Tessa's face. "Please help me save Ian."

  "It's not just Ian," David said. "All our friends that were at the mine are potentially in danger. And so is," his voice thickened. "Jewel."

  Cody slung the unconscious vamp over his shoulder and led the way back to the underground parking lot. He kept a hawk's gaze on the other two vamps. He didn't dare let any of them escape. David was helping Wendy, and Tessa walked beside him, quiet yet stoic.

  Are you okay?

  Yes, she murmured. Just had hoped…

  I know. Sorry. I'd like nothing better than to have this over with myself.

  The elevator was dark, empty, and creepy. Cody almost laughed. Since when were elevators or even large underground spaces creepy? Since the damn mine. He wished he could spend more time up above ground in the light. Tessa had no idea how lucky she was.

  I'm starting to, she answered in response. Makes me wonder if there would be a way for others to enjoy it.

  And that's what got these experiments started, Cody said. And no good can come from that.

  I know. We all want what we can't have. Vampire nature.

  And human nature. It seems like they are willing to do anything to have what they can't have. The elevator descended to the underground parking level.

  Just before they reached their destination, David glanced over at him, a grim look on his face. "We need to call in someone to help transport these guys. The car won't fit four of us in front, and I'm not comfortable with all three behind me while I drive."

  "That's not going to work."

  "No, it's not." David pulled his phone out. "I'll make the call." He called Councilman Adamson.

  "Sorry to bother you, sir, but we have three vampires who have been working for Councilmen Baker and Wilson." He winced at Adamson's indrawn breath. More betrayal. Barreling ahead, he added, "We have Vince, Councilman Baker's son. Both councilmen are apparently behind the mess at the hospital."

  David hung up the phone. "A truck is on its way."

  "Good. Now where’s your father, Cody?" Tessa asked. She looked around. "I've been expecting him to pop out the whole time. I lost track of him when I ran up the stairwell."

  "He stayed behind," Cody said. He looked around, concern shifting through his thoughts. "He wanted to keep an eye out just in case our arrival brought some unwanted attention."

  "Good plan – where is he then?"

  ***

  Ian waited for someone to come to his room. Anyone at this point. He had what passed as a port-a-potty, and damn if that wasn't humiliating, but peeing out the window didn't exactly appeal to him, either. Besides, he was trying to lie low until he could escape out the window. It was a bitch of a first step, but he figured it was better than being dosed with more drugs. Besides, he had worked his wings to the point of straining them, but they'd started to move.

  Paralyzed my ass, he thought. I can do this. Sure, he'd rather get the hell out sooner than later, and preferably not by jumping out of the eighth floor window. But he'd do what he had to do, then he'd go find Wendy.

  Snick.

  He spun around.

  He'd checked the door earlier and it had been locked.

  Did that mean it was now unlocked?

  He waited. Then crept to the door. Was someone waiting on the other side? He turned the handle, and the door made a tiny sliding noise as it opened.

  He held his breath.

  And pulled the door toward him. Shit.

  ***

  Tessa slid to the left as soon as the elevator opened on the parking lot level. On one side, energy flashed and danced in the murky darkness.

  Two people were fighting. Goran appeared to be one.

  She held her arm back, stopping the others from leaving the elevator. She pointed in the direction of the fight. Behind her, the light went out.

  The men stirred. One of the punks hissed. "If we're caught in here, they're going to know we failed to grab the girl. We won't have a chance to get away safely."

  Wendy turned to glare at him. "Good. Maybe I should tell them myself so they know. And I'm Wendy, by the way. It might be harder to kill me if I have a name."

  He glared. "We weren't supposed to kill you. Just hold you until they came to take you back to the hospital. What would you care if you had a mind wipe? It's not exactly going to make a difference – you wou
ldn't remember this anyway."

  "A mind wipe?" she gasped. "That's what they were going to do?"

  "I doubt it," David said, "You've already proven to be too much trouble. That might be what these punks thought, but they'd have killed you in a heartbeat if you'd showed any resistance. They can't afford that anymore."

  Smack.

  Tessa spun around to see Hardy holding a hand to his cheek as he glared at Wendy. "What was that for? I didn't do anything, remember."

  "Yeah, but you were going to," Wendy hissed. "And you still might if you got a chance."

  Tessa grinned. "You go girl. Next time, use a fist and maybe you'll knock him out. That way we don't have to listen to his convoluted logic."

  Hardy sneered. "I heard about you. Big mouth and sneaky tricks."

  Thunk.

  This time, the guy crumpled against the back wall, barely staying upright. The blow had come out of the left field.

  Cody glared at him. "Open that mouth against Tessa again and I'll close it permanently."

  Noises off to the side stopped. Cody stepped forward and calling out, "Goran, sir?"

  "Yeah, I'm here. Call for a Council transport truck, will you. I've got two that we need to take in for questioning."

  "Already done. We've got three here for transport as well."

  A loud snort sounded out of the darkness. "Just so you don't think you did better than me. There are four of you against three of them," he grunted and suddenly appeared in front of them, tossing two unconscious vamps on the floor beside them. "Whereas I'm all alone."

  Tessa grinned. "Ha. I figured you could handle these guys alone, otherwise I'd have offered to help."

  Goran's grin flashed. "Thanks for not insulting me. I told your dad the same thing about you."

  Pride swelled through Tessa, making her stand up taller. She liked the sound of that. "Maybe you should say something similar to my mom."

  "Like hell. I'm not getting within an arm's reach of her. She bites."

  Tessa laughed.