Coalition of the Damned - 03 (3 page)

“What else?” the vampire asked calmly.

Dom stared at him a moment longer. “Who are you?”

“I already told you, I am the Sicarii,” he said calmly. “What else?”

“What the fuck is the Sicarii? That tells me nothing!” Dom shouted. “Give me something of substance!” He pounded the concrete table with such force that his own teeth rattled and his head ached. He could feel his kidney throb where he had been punched.

The dark vampire stood slowly and reached across the na
rrow table, grasping Dominic by the face and pulling him slowly toward him. Dom tried to pull back but it was like a fly trying to pull itself from a spider’s web. He had nothing to grasp but the table’s edge and he was already leaning too far forward to get any real leverage. The dark vampire pulled him close and stared into his eyes and in what seemed only a moment, images flashed through his mind, a lifetime’s worth of memories that weren’t his. He saw life and death, he saw murders and entire families butchered. He saw happiness for such a short period and then pain and suffering…so much suffering.

When the dark vampire released him, Dom found himself sprawled across the cold stone floor, gasping for air. Slowly he reached up and held his aching head and tried to unsee what had been seen but he knew he couldn’t. The vampire had implanted so many memories into his head…but now he knew. He knew
exactly
who he was. He knew
what
he was. He knew what he was capable of as a man, and he knew what he was capable of as a monster. He felt his stomach curdle on him and bile bit the back of his throat before he retched.

Slowly, Dominic gained his composure and rolled to his knees. He sat up and stared up at the starry sky and he knew. He gulped the cold night air and shivered. He pulled himself up to his full height and did his best to square his shoulders when all he really wanted to do was curl up in a ball and hide. He turned and looked around the courtyard and found the dark vampire si
tting atop the same pile of rubble, absently picking at his fingernails.

“I wondered how long it would take you to recover. I must admit, you are much stronger than I would have suspected. I honestly thought you were full of false bravado, but you truly are a strong soul,” he said softly.

Dom staggered toward the vampire and gathered himself as he approached him. “You’re mad,” he stated. “You showed me all of it…and you are one sick, twisted bastard.”

“Perhaps. But they
will
pay,” he replied.

“Oh, well that just makes all the sense in the world, now doesn’t it?” Dom shot back. “God pisses you off so you make the rest of the world pay the price? What about the innocent people?”

“Aren’t they all innocent?” he asked. “And yet, He arranged that they would be my food. Tell me that isn’t ironic.”

“You’re shit-house rat crazy,” Dom wheezed. “You still h
aven’t thought this through.”

“How so?”

“Once you’ve destroyed the world and killed everybody, who will be left to feed you and your vampire horde?” he asked sarcastically.

The vampire laughed. “We’ll raise humans much like far
mers raise cattle.” He stated matter-of-factly. “There is plenty of beef in the world, is there not? And yet, the cattle do not rise up and destroy the farmers.”

Dom sighed. “You won’t succeed.”

“And who will stop me?”

“We will,” he said softly. “We’ll find a way.”

“You have already seen it,” the vampire stated. “You cannot stop me. And you know it.”

2

Robert Mueller knocked on Colonel Mitchell’s door and waited to hear him bark before he entered. Mueller stepped i
nside and stood at attention and waited to be acknowledged. Mitchell looked up from his paperwork long enough to realize that Mueller wasn’t going to speak until spoken to and said, “At ease, son. Spill it.”

Mueller stood at ease and cleared his throat. “Permission to speak freely, Colonel?”

“Of course, Mueller. What’s wrong, boy?”

Mueller’s eyes darted about the room as if he wasn’t sure how to start. “Just spit it out, son. We’ll figure it out once it’s on the floor, okay?”

Mueller nodded. “Yes, sir. Um…I’d like to go home for a short bit, sir.”

Matt gave the operator a sideways stare. “To what purpose, soldier?”

“To say good bye, sir.” Matt saw his eyes start to mist and he fought it. “To my ex-wife, sir. We were talking about trying to get back together…and now we can’t. Ever. I need to at least let her know that it won’t happen.”

Mitchell’s eyes started to widen, when Mueller added, “I won’t mention what’s really going on here, sir. I just need to see my son and…” He glanced away for a moment, then faced his CO again. “I need closure, sir.”

Mitchell sat back in his chair and studied the young operator standing in front of him. He nodded slightly then asked, “Have you discussed this with Apollo?”

“Before I came here, sir. He gave me the green light. Said that now that the full moon is over, things are usually quiet for a while.”

Matt nodded again. “He’s right about that.” Mitchell glanced at the calendar. “You can have a few days. I can’t spare any more than that though. There’s just too much going on and the clock is ticking.”

Mueller lit up with a grin. “More than I need, sir.”

“That includes travel as well. I’ve got First Squad going to Labrador and Northern Canada, I’m going to be in D.C. and…well, hell, we’re all going to be scattered. With you out, Second Squad will be a man short…sorry, son. I don’t mean to discount Dominic.”

“I understand what you mean, sir. Gus is filling in for him. I just need to do this. And Third Squad will be here, just in case.”

Mitchell nodded. “Haul ass, soldier. You’re burning leave time.”

Mueller saluted Mitchell, “Thank you, sir!” all but running from his office.

*****

Rufus Thorn stayed in the shadows while his friend and S
econd, Viktor repacked for Vatican City. He held an uneasy feeling about this mission and was hesitant about sending him. “I am uncertain of this,
mon ami
. I think we should rethink this decision.”

Viktor continued to pack and spoke softly. He knew that Rufus could hear him if he whispered. “We both know what is at stake here. We also know where Tasha and Nadia are going and the odds of them succeeding.” He finally stood straight and squared his broad shoulders, stretching his neck. When he turned, Rufus saw only sorrow in his eyes. “I like it no better than you, but we both know that this would be far easier if I do it alone.”

“If I were to go with you, I think we could convince this Secretariat of State what exactly is at stake,” Thorn stated. “And I could make good my threat to turn him if he didn’t cooperate.” He grinned slyly.

Viktor sighed and placed his bag on the edge of the bed. “The man won’t be swayed by threats, Rufus,” he informed him softly. “Even threats that you would surely carry out. I don’t i
ntend to relieve them of all of their artifacts, but if I can get
some
of them…” He explained, “One of the pieces of silver, one of the cross pieces, one of the bloody rags, or…any combination.” He averted his eyes, not wanting to disappoint his friend and master.

Rufus placed a hand on Viktor’s shoulder and squeezed ge
ntly. “I trust you will do your best,
mon ami
. You have never let me down before,” he said. “I just wish that I could be there for you as you have been there for me.”

Viktor nodded, still feeling that he had failed Rufus. He had searched for years for a cure to the vampirism that Thorn had been infected with to no avail. He had spent untold millions of Thorn’s money gaining access to the most secretive of vaults where information had been hidden away for centuries, spent years digging through archives all to come up empty.

He feared what Thorn feared: the only ‘cure’ was the true death.

Theologians who were in the know on vampirism had a
rgued for centuries that there could be no cure for the condition. Those who were afflicted had to die to become the undead, and once they did, their soul left the body. If the body were one day ‘cured’ of the disease of vampirism, the soul was long gone, and the body would still be dead, therefore, only true death could be the result. Yet Viktor had vowed that as long as he were able, he would continue to search for a way to free Rufus of the curse that afflicted him. “I do have a plan. I will be making a stop before going to Vatican City,” Viktor announced. “It should not take me very long and will aid in our efforts.”

Rufus only nodded. He knew better than to question Viktor. If he felt that Rufus needed to know all of the intricacies of his plan, he would have laid them out for him. “Travel well,
mon ami
.” He embraced the large man and patted his back. “May God bless your endeavors,” he whispered.

Viktor pulled back and stared at Rufus. “You must be wo
rried to invoke His holy name.”

“I know what is at risk,” Rufus simply stated. “And I know that we will not be fruitful if it is not His will.”

“I never thought of you as a religious man.”

“Can one truly be religious if his soul has been ripped from him?” Rufus asked. “It does not mean that one cannot still try to serve,
non
?”

Viktor averted his eyes and simply nodded. “I don’t like thinking about it, Master.”

Rufus’ features screwed up and he tsk’d away Viktor’s words. “Enough with the ‘master’ and titles. We have been friends for far too long,
non
?” Rufus captured his gaze again. “You and your people have served me well for many long years. And I would have released you from your service if I could. You know this. You are as free as either of us can make you.”

“I know this,” Viktor replied softly, the subject still a sore matter.

“I still would release you completely if I could. But it is not up to me,” Thorn stated. “If it were entirely up to me…”

“I understand. We both know the circumstances and you know that I appreciate all that you have done.” Viktor hung his head and slowly shook it. “One day we will be released from our bonds and our honor restored.” Viktor stood erect again and squared his shoulders. “And when that day comes, I will leave our island home and have my revenge against the evil she-bitch that dishonored my family name.” A slow growl growing in the back of his throat.

“I still do not understand why you simply did not challenge her and take back your position—”

“I could not,” Viktor interrupted. “Not while she held her position within the pack-formal. It would be akin to treason.”

“Surely Maxwell could have cleared everything…”

“My father has nothing to do with me anymore, Rufus. You know this.” Viktor turned, his vision turning red at the mere mention of his father. “He disowned me centuries ago.”

“But he doesn’t even know about Nadia. Surely he would like to know his granddaughter,” Thorn offered.

“He’s a pacifist now.” Viktor bit back the bile in the back of his throat. “The very man who laid down the rules for the L
ycans, the wolf who laid out the requirements for becoming a warrior to defend the pack, disowns his own son for clinging to the very laws that he, himself created!” Viktor cried. “Do you really think he would give a tinker’s damn about my offspring?”

“But she’s his own flesh and blood…”

“Flesh and blood means nothing to him anymore.” Viktor whispered. “I wish you weren’t sending Tasha and Nadia to him.”

“He’s our best hope to finding this Roman guard Claudius Veranus,” Rufus explained.

Viktor’s eyes glazed over. “He is long since dead, my lord. Long since dead…”

*****

Natashia and Nadia settled into the jet for the long trip across the Atlantic. Nadia had asked for and received a soda and some crackers to settle her stomach as the large plane’s acceleration had made her feel a bit nauseous. Natashia watched her daughter with a cautious eye and without warning pulled her arm close to her face and smelled deeply of her skin.

“Mother?! What are you doing?” Nadia asked, pulling her arm free.

Natashia smiled at her daughter and placed a hand to her cheek. The twinkle in her eye told Nadia that she knew something, but Nadia was afraid to ask. “Have you told Jack, yet?”

“Told Jack what, mother?” Nadia asked, suddenly worried. “Do not speak to me in riddles.”

“That you are with child, my love,” Natashia purred, a contented smile painted across her face.

Nadia could feel the blood drain from her face as her eyes widened. “What did you say?” she asked, unsure that she had heard correctly.

“You are with child, my dear. Surely you knew?” Worry suddenly crossing her features.

“How can you assume that I am with—”

“Darling,” Natashia cried out, “You are upset at the stomach without eating, your temperature is high without sickness and your scent has changed.” She stated matter-of-factly, “You
are
with child.”

Nadia panicked for just a moment. She knew without a doubt that if her mother told her that she was pregnant, then she
was
most certainly pregnant. Her mother’s nose was more sensitive than any test, and she had been feeling queasy lately. She thought it was from all the excitement and the fear of the upcoming battle. She placed the back of her hand to her forehead and felt slightly warm. She placed her hand to her lower stomach, as if she might feel a presence…something that would indicate the life that grew within. She felt nothing there.

Natashia laughed softly beside her. “Do not panic little one. Wolves have whelped pups for many centuries before you b
ecame pregnant, I assure you.”

Nadia turned to her mother, a smile slowly creeping across her face, her eyes misting, “Mother, I’m pregnant!”

“Yes, you are!” Natashia laughed, holding her hand and kissing it. “Imagine that!”

“Yes! Imagine that,” Nadia laughed. “But…how?”

“Well, my dear, when a mommy wolf and a daddy wolf love each other very much, the mommy wolf backs up and lifts her tail…”

“Mother!” Nadia screeched, swatting at her mother’s hand.

“Oh, darling, how do you think? It had to be while you two were at the island. When you mated.”

Nadia reflected back to when she and Jack had spent their time at the island. It seemed almost a lifetime ago, but it had o
nly been a matter of weeks. She remembered every moment and she could almost smell his scent upon her again.

She sighed softly to herself and heard her mother huff next to her. “Oh, stop it. We’re on a plane, Nadia.” Nadia snapped out of her reverie and glanced at her mother again, blushing as she did so. Natashia leaned in close to her and whispered, “Just be happy that twins don’t run in our family.”

Nadia’s eyes bugged at the thought. “Twins?”

*****

Matt entered the outer offices of Dr. Tom Coburn, United States Senator and the newest member of the Monster Squad’s Oversight Committee. Dr. Coburn had been chosen to replace Senator Franklin on the committee when Senator Franklin had taken his own life. The other committee members felt that, since Dr. Coburn was from Oklahoma and the squad was based out of Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, he was a perfect choice. He often returned home and it would be much easier for him to ‘drop in’ from time to time and check in on their little black budget operation. Mitchell checked out Dr. Coburn and felt the man might not be so hard to work with. At least not nearly as difficult as Franklin had been. Franklin was certifiably insane, yet somehow he continued to get reelected each year.

The secretary checked Mitchell’s ID and escorted him into the inner office where Dr. Coburn greeted him warmly. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Colonel.” He extended his hand. “I was hoping to get a trip home next month and stop by to see things firsthand.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Senator,” Matt returned the greeting. “Our doors are always open to you, sir.” The Senator offered Matt a chair and pulled the squad’s file from a locked drawer.

“I went over the briefing with the other committee members and I have to admit, I was a bit shocked when they first clued me in. It was bad enough to learn that we had active duty military operating on U.S. soil, but that they were actively hunting…” he paused, searching for the politically correct word.

“Monsters, Senator. We refer to them as monsters,” Matt said straight-faced.

“Yes. Monsters.” He shook his head, still disbelieving. “It’s all so surreal.”