Wayward Son (29 page)

“What the hell is going on here?” Jack stepped into the room and glared at each of them.

“I didn’t do nothing, I was just standing here.” Gnat stepped back and propped his hammer over his shoulder.

“There are no issues, Chief Jack.” Azrael let go of Kalen’s shoulder and bowed slightly to Jack. “Just a slight disagreement. It is settled now.”

“Is it?” Jack looked to Kalen and Brooke.

Brooke threw her hands in the air. “Hey, I can’t help it if Sugar Cookie can’t take a joke.”

Kalen turned to Jack and bent to one knee. “I have failed you as your Second, Chief Jack. I humbly request that you select another.”

Jack chewed at the inside of his lip as he watched Kalen lower his eyes to the floor. “Sorry, kid, you’re the one.” He tapped him on the shoulder. “On your feet.”

Kalen glanced up, shock and surprise plain to see across his features. “I don’t…”

“Squaring off is one thing. If I’d had to bring a body bag in here, then I’d relieve you.”

“The body bag would have been for him.” Brooke stared at her nails as she pretended to clean them.

“Possibly.” Jack stepped between the two. “But I can tell you both this right here, right now. If you don’t bury the hatchet and figure out how to work together, you’re going to have to figure out how to live with a size-twelve boot in your ass.”

Brooke shot him a rebellious stare and Jack shook his head. “Don’t test me.” He watched as she lowered her eyes and nodded. “We’re a team now. You have to learn to work together, fight together and trust that each has the other’s back. The future may well depend on it.”

*****

Damien stood outside the office that Lilith called her bedroom. He shook with righteous anger and prayed that somebody would give him the power to destroy Gaius. The humiliation dished upon him was more than he could bear. He stared at the platter with the pitcher of water and bottle of wine and ground his teeth together. He was
not
a slave. He was a vampire!

Damien shook with righteous rage as he listened to the two of them go at it beyond the door. The screams of ecstasy and the grunting, huffing and puffing was enough to make him want to burn the building down around their ears. If he thought for a moment that it would work…

He set the platter down and fought the urge to kick it over, sending the drinks across the concrete floor. His rage only grew as he considered the turn of events. He had gone from being promised to rule at her side to being nothing more than a…what did she call him? A pet?

He stomped away and growled under his breath.
If I had a soul, I’d sell it for the chance to put that bastard in his place!
He swung at empty air and wished that Gaius’ head had been there.

Damien slumped to the ground and pressed his hands over his ears, his eyes clamped shut in a vain attempt to block their activities from his ears.

For the briefest of moments, Damien felt a tingling, a pull like nothing he’d felt before. He opened his eyes and saw a strange green glow coming from within the warehouse. He dropped his hands and immediately a buzzing invaded his mind. It wasn’t so much in his ears as it was in his head.

He stood and looked around the empty warehouse, the source of the noise and light…apparently everywhere. There was no single thing causing it that he could see. For just the briefest of moments, Damien felt fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of what was to come, fear of a power unlike any he had ever sensed before. But just as quickly, the fear passed and he opened himself to the possibilities.
Is this the answer to my prayer?

He stepped away from the wall and walked closer to the office that Lilith called her bedroom. He looked about and noticed…the light…was shining on him, focusing its brilliance on him! He looked up and saw nothing that could be a source.

YOU SHALL BE MY VESSEL.
The voice boomed in his skull, echoing in his mind unlike anything he had ever experienced. Damien nearly fell to his knees as the voice hit him like a hammer. He pulled his hands from his head and looked up. “Who are you?”

Damien knew he had no soul. He had forfeited it the moment he became vampire, but he still had a consciousness. He could feel his grip on reality begin to slip…his memories fading, his sense of
self
disappearing. Whatever was happening, Damien knew, he was losing himself.

He wasn’t sure exactly what was happening, but he knew without a doubt, once the transformation was complete, he would be gone forever. He could feel himself slipping. More and more of himself was being stripped from his body. He stood and shook with fear as what little was left tore in futility to remain. Damien turned his eyes skyward and screamed as the last remnants of what made him who he was got ripped from the shell of his body.

As he fell to the ground, the being that once was Damien Franklin caught itself then stood erect. He turned toward where Lilith now lay with the Roman and a sneer crossed his face. Somebody was going to pay for touching his woman.

16

Mark stared as Evan dropped silver nitrate solution onto the sample of blood he had given. Evan stared into the microscope then sat back and gave him a wide eyed stare. “What’s wrong, Doc? Did it smoke and sizzle?”

Evan slowly shook his head. “Not exactly.” He turned back to the slide and made an adjustment to the ocular. “This isn’t supposed to be happening.”

“Don’t leave me hanging here.” Mark stood and hovered over the vampire’s shoulder. Evan reached for another amber bottle of solution and dripped a few drops onto the sample. After a moment he pushed away from the microscope and rubbed at his eyes.

“What’s happening, Doc? What’s it telling you?” Mark’s agitation was causing his voice to rise in volume.

Evan shook his head. “I honestly can’t tell you. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“What do you mean? Is it reacting like a sample of werewolf blood should?” He plopped into a chair next to him, his eyes imploring.

“Actually? No.” Evan shrugged. “Nor is it reacting as a vampire’s blood should.”

“So…it’s what? Acting normal? That can’t be right.” Mark scratched at his chin in thought.

“Oh, it’s definitely not acting normal.” Evan wheeled over to a set of lockers and donned heavy rubber gloves. He withdrew a wooden arrow shaft and pushed his chair back to the microscope.

“What are you doing?”

“Testing another idea.” Evan poked the end of the wooden arrow shaft into the sample of blood and watched as the blood separated and moved away from the arrow shaft. “This can’t be happening.”

“Jeezus, Doc. Would you at least tell me what’s happening?” Mark was on his feet and trying to look over the man’s shoulder.

Evan sat back and placed the arrow shaft on the table. He pulled his safety goggles off and turned to face him. “Your blood is acting most strangely. When I drop silver nitrate onto the slide sample, it…spits it out, for a lack of a better description.”

Mark gave him a deadpan look. “Come again?”

“Your blood refuses to allow the silver nitrate to interact with it.” Evan turned and pointed to the arrow. “That is one of the arrow bolts that we turned from the Cross of Christ fragment. It is treated with a sealant that has the blood of Christ in it. When I poked it into the sample of your blood…it literally parted.”

“Like the Red Sea?”

Evan shrugged. “I suppose.” He shook his head. “I have no idea what’s going on with you.”

Mark sighed and slumped back into his chair. Suddenly he looked up. “Is whatever this is…is it affecting my mind? I mean, do you think it compromises me?”

Evan shook his head. “I have no idea what it is. How could I possibly know how it might be affecting you?”

Mark slumped again. “I may never get to go back to work.”

“We’ll keep at it.” Evan turned around and grabbed another syringe. “I just need to draw another blood sample.”

“Is there no way to simply test for
which
is running through my veins?”

“I don’t have the equipment to test for…” Evan froze and stared at him, a silly smile crossing his face. “I may not be able to differentiate the different viruses, but there are other tests.”

“Like?”

Evan grabbed his UV light emitter. “Roll up your sleeve and let me see your forearm.”

Mark rolled up his BDU sleeve and stuck his arm out on the table. “Is this going to hurt?”

Evan shrugged. “I don’t know yet. My guess is that if it does, it will only burn for a little while.” He pulled on his UV goggles and plugged in the light. “At the rate you’re healing, it won’t be long before you’re back to normal.”

Mark groaned as Evan flipped on the light and ran it up and down the soft underside of his arm. He looked up at the Doc who had a puzzled look on his face. “I really thought there would be a reaction.”

“So, you think there’s vampire virus inside me.” It was more a statement than a question.

Evan turned off the light and pulled off his goggles, his eyes scanning the skin of Mark’s arm. “I’m beginning to lean more and more toward both viruses living inside you, but I can’t explain how.”

“Fucking great.” Mark chewed his bottom lip as he considered the possibilities. “But you’re pretty sure I’ll heal, right? I mean, if something happens that…well, I mean, I’m not dead so…”

“What are you getting at, Major?”

Mark reached across the table and grabbed the arrow in his hand. Evan’s eyes went wide as Mark gripped it tightly in his hand. Both men watched, waiting for smoke to rise or his flesh to light afire. When nothing happened, Mark slammed the wooden shaft into his left hand and ground his teeth to keep from screaming.

“Good heavens, man!” Evan pulled the heavy rubber gloves back on and reached for the arrow. As he grasped it and began to remove it, the first small wisps of smoke began to rise from Mark’s flesh. “Oh, my…”

“I guess that answers our question, doesn’t it?”

Evan pulled the arrow out and both men watched as the wound slowly began healing. “Besides hurting like a bitch that burned.” Mark gave Evan a knowing look. “I think it’s safe to say that somehow you infected me while you were saving my life.”

Evan swallowed hard and nodded. “I believe you may be correct.” He turned away from the man and slowly came to his feet. “I was working so fast…it’s more than possible I nicked myself with either a suture needle or scalpel or…” He turned back and Mark saw the tears forming in his eyes. “I am so sorry, Major.”

Mark inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “It was an accident, Doc.” He flexed his hand, the light pink scar barely visible as he squeezed and flexed. “Apparently the timing was perfect for both viruses to be able to live inside one organism.”

“I suppose so. Technically though, this isn’t supposed to be possible.”

“I realize that.” Mark sat up and stared at the man. “The real question is what do we do now?”

*****

“Are you sure the hotel is secure, brother?” Foster continued to pace the room, occasionally glancing out the corner of the window to stare at the shadows outside.

“For the final time, if the Council wanted to kill us before granting us an audience, they would have done so already.” Rufus stretched out on the bed and closed his eyes.

“Forgive me, brother, for not trusting the very organization that has tried to kill you for the last two hundred years.” Foster fell into the chair opposite and glared at him.

Thorn opened one eye. “And not once have I reminded you of exactly
why
they want my head. Have I?”

Foster’s glare turned to a stare of shock as the realization hit him. He knew it was his fault. He always had known. Being forgiven and made his brother’s Second had allowed him a reprieve from the guilt and for the briefest of moments allowed him to forget. “Forgive me, brother.” His voice fell to a whisper, “I have no excuse for…”

“Do not apologize, Paul.” Rufus sat up and ran a hand through his hair. “You did what you had to at the time. I came to realize that a long time ago. If you hadn’t, they would have had your head.” He turned a weary eye to his brother. “My only regret…my only misgiving in the whole matter is that our father had to pay for your actions.”

Foster turned away and stared at a blank wall, his emotions threatening to betray him. “You may not believe me brother, but a day doesn’t go by that I don’t regret my actions.”

“I know.” Rufus stood and slowly approached Foster, his hand resting on his shoulder. “That is why I was able to forgive you.”

“Better than I deserved.”

“Perhaps, perhaps not. A hard lesson was learned.” Rufus squeezed his shoulder then turned for the cases of clothes stacked in the room. “We can discuss the follies of our youth another time. It is nearly time. Come. Let us dress for our meeting with the Council and pray that we both survive the night.”

*****

Laura flashed her ID card at the main gate and was quickly waved through. “With hours to spare,” she commented to Jennifer. “I’m sorry you won’t really have time to get to know Matt before the shift.” She glanced at her watch then out the window of the car as she maneuvered her way through the base.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I was nervous.” Jennifer bit at her thumbnail as she stared at the buildings that she only vaguely remembered passing as she escaped the last time she had been here. “My heart is beating like a drum.”

Laura slowed the car and gave her a weak smile. “I can only imagine. Do you want me to stop so you can maybe walk around and get some air?” Jennifer shook her head quickly. “I don’t mind, and we have the time.”

“No, really, I’ll be okay. I think.”

“Are you more nervous about meeting Matt or because you were a prisoner the last time you were here?”

“Both, I think.” Jennifer stared out the windows, her eyes darting about.

“Just keep reminding yourself that you’re not a prisoner this time. You’re free to leave whenever you want.” Laura patted her arm. “Well, after the shift is done, I mean.”

Mick leaned up from the back seat. “What am I supposed to do while she’s shifted?”

Laura shrugged. “Whatever you want. I’m sure that they’ll want to debrief you.”

“Debrief me? What the hell could I know that they’d want to debrief me?”

“Uh, for one thing, Jennifer’s father? You were more or less working for him.” Laura’s eyes met his in the rear view mirror. “They’ll want all the intel you can give on the man. Where his houses are, the manpower at his disposal, everything and anything you might know.”

“If that ain’t a fine poke in the ass.” Mick flopped back in the seat and shook his head. “So, she’ll be free to move about, but I’ll be a prisoner until they get what they want. Ain’t that a dandy?”

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t have betrayed me,” Jennifer shot at him.

“I didn’t betray you love. I was trying to keep you safe!” Mick huffed in exasperation. “I swear. Women are so
thick
sometimes.”

Laura glanced in the rear mirror. “Telling a lady that she’s thick isn’t going to win you any points.”

“If she refuses to see reason, then she’s by-gawd thick.” Mick crossed his arms and stared out the window.

“You should have just taken the plane to Dallas, Mick. You shouldn’t even be here.” Jennifer’s voice threatened to crack.

“There it is.” Laura pointed to the hangar and felt the tension level rise as Jennifer fought to catch her breath. Laura pulled to the side of the road and reached for her as Jennifer continued to stare, her eyes wide. “Easy, sugar. It’s just a building.”

Jennifer slowly began to nod. “Y-you’re right. Just a building.”

“You shouldn’t make her do this,” Mick argued from behind them.

“This is her choice. I’m more than happy to turn the car around and…”

“No!” Jennifer turned and shook her head at Laura. “Keep going.”

“Okay. But remember…just keep telling yourself. You’re not a prisoner this time.” Jennifer nodded as Laura put the car back into gear and pulled into the parking lot.

*****

Apollo checked his weapon then slung it over his shoulder. He strode into the office and went to his locker. Pulling his tactical vest and gear from the locker, he began preparing for his night as security patrol.

“You are one hell of a scary looking individual in that get up, mate.” Apollo turned to see Sheridan following him into the office.

“All part of the job. If you can scare ‘em away all the better.”

“Do you expect any trouble tonight?” Sheridan seemed distracted as he dug through his mounds of paperwork.

“Not really. In all the time we’ve been here, none of the other roving patrols ever had an issue. I figure it will be a long night of drinking coffee and walking the perimeter.” He turned to Sheridan. “You don’t reckon there will be much howling, do you? That might draw attention if it’s very loud.”

Sheridan shook his head. “All of the other facilities around here are empty, mate. Long since abandoned.” He paused to look at the list of personnel and nodded. “We’ve got the cargo units dead center of this place. Even if they do make a ruckus, we’re far enough from any place populated that I doubt it will be heard. Those containers will muffle more noise than you might think.”

“Good. I’d hate to think I’d have to kill somebody just because they got curious.” He finished with his gear and pulled his rifle back around to the ready position. “When you plan to shove their hairy asses into ‘em?”

Sheridan glanced at his watch. “Sundown is in two hours. We’ll be in the containers with a thirty minute safety window.”

Apollo nodded. “Do I need to come in behind each one and secure it or can they do it theyselves?”

Sheridan reached to the table top and pulled a small box with a large red button on it. “Once everyone is inside, push this. It’s a radio transmitter and locks the cargo containers with an electronic lock. That way you can unlock them in the morning without running yourself ragged.”