Part 3
Athena, Mo, and Corrin dragged themselves into the motel room. Their clothes were ripped and dirty; Corrin's eyes were wide and she walked mechanically.
They had split the team up along gender lines. None of the women had wanted to work with Thorne and Parker, so Larry got the short straw and went with the unpleasant men.
Mo collapsed on the bed while Athena went into the bathroom to wash the cuts on her face and hands. Corrin continued to just stand inside the door, her body trembling slightly.
Mo called out, "You think she's going to be okay?"
"Sure. You remember what your first fight with a demon was like. Give her some time to process and she'll bounce back," Athena replied.
"Oh yeah. I was so scared I pissed myself. I was in New Mexico, all of 14, tending my parents' sheep. It was night and the sheep started bleating and crying out. I thought it was a coyote. I go out there with a flashlight and my dad's pellet gun thinking 'Coyote, no problem. I'll just go out, make some noise, and it'll run away.' To this day I have no idea what it was, but it was no coyote. It was maybe four feet tall with grayish skin, and these big flapping ear-like things and this huge ass mouth - it was all teeth. It was eating a sheep - blood everywhere - bones, skin, and flesh. It didn't care; it just shoveled it all in. I start screaming and it looks at me with these yellow eyes and comes at me. I ran but it trapped me. I'm looking at this demon coming closer and closer and I piss all over myself. You know what?"
"No what?" Corrin responded. Mo smiled; the kid would be okay. Her voice sounded a little hollow but she'd responded.
"The thing couldn't stand the smell of human urine. It let out this bellow and took off." Mo started laughing; Athena joined in.
Athena studied Corrin carefully as she came out of the bathroom. The tall woman was in mild shock. "How's it going, Corrin?"
"Good," came the single word response.
"Good to know. Why don't you go use the bathroom to clean up? You got Volmak goo all over you."
"Okay."
The two hunters watched the woman but she made no move toward the bathroom. Athena motioned for Mo to come over and help her.
"Athena?" Corrin started.
"Yes."
"I almost got eaten by a giant worm from hell." The State Trooper began to sob.
Athena grabbed a side and Mo grabbed the other and together they hauled the woman into the bathroom. "It's okay, Corrin. Let it out; let it all out. You've had a rough couple of days. But you wanna know something?"
"What?" Corrin hiccupped through her tears.
"You handled it all like a champ. I wouldn't have wanted another person at my back," Athena said.
"Thanks," Corrin said with a watery smile.
Mo got the shower running while Athena talked to Corrin. Then both women picked Corrin up and threw her in the shower. Corrin yelled as the hot water hit her.
"We don't wanna see your ass until it's clean." Athena turned and dragged Mo out.
Mo pouted. "Can't I see if she needs help washing behind her ears?"
"No. Now come on, you pervert." Athena shut the door and went to see if she had any more of Jake's clothes that would fit Corrin.
"Hey, Athena."
"Yeah, Mo?"
"Did you leave your laptop on?"
"No, it's in my bag if you want to use it."
"No, it's not."
Athena turned around to find her laptop sitting on the small table in the room. She walked over to it; she thought she caught the faint aroma of Jake's aftershave. She saw the words 'Diablo Horca' typed over and over again. The Devil's Pitchfork - she remembered the article that had come up on her computer the other night.
"Athena, that's just creepy," Mo broke in.
"Mo, do you smell that?"
"Smell what?"
"Nothing. Do you believe in ghosts?"
Mo was silent, then in a subdued voice she said, "Yes."
"I think Jake is trying to tell me something. There's a place called the Devil's Pitchfork about 30 miles from here. There's something important there."
"Okay, let's go check it out. I'll call the boys and tell them we're checking on a lead."
"What's up?" Corrin broke in. Both women turned to the wet woman who was wrapped only in a towel and dripping all over the carpet.
"Ah, you need to get dressed or I can't guarantee your safety from Mo," Athena said, pushing Corrin back into the bathroom with an armful of clothes.
"Athena, you ruin all my fun. That girl is hot," Mo pouted.
"Business. Come on; keep your mind on business. I don't have much time. I need to get San Pedro," Athena nearly shouted.
Mo went silent then she gave the smaller blonde a hug, holding her tight. "It's okay. We'll get him and make the universe safe for everyone."
Athena sniffed back a tear. "Come on. Let's get changed into clothes that don't have Volmak goo on them and arm ourselves. We'll be going out after dark; I don't want to be caught flatfooted. Call the boys and I'll do a food run."
Mo nodded, pulling out her cell phone.
- -- - - - - -
Tasha felt the warmth of the sun leave the earth. She turned slowly in her lover's arms, seeing the worry that creased Catherine's face in her death-like sleep. Her hands reached out to smooth the lines, waiting for the heart to give its first beat of wakefulness. She knew what had transpired. She also knew San Pedro's lies, and she could feel the lies vibrating on every word coming out of his mouth. Their lives were forfeit no matter what. She had been expecting this for some time. Catherine would not believe; her lover's faith was still in the clan and San Pedro. She would have to be ready. Tasha pushed her thoughts away as she heard the first thump of her lover's heart signaling her awakening. She placed tiny kisses around Catherine's cheek and lips; as she felt her lover respond, she pierced her bottom lip with a fang. The skin burst and blood beaded out of the wound; she painted Catherine's lips red with bloody kisses.
Catherine responded, opening her mouth and sucking on Tasha's bottom lip, her brown eyes fluttering open to take in the new night. She released the lip with a wet pop. Giving a small growl, she rolled them over so her smaller body was on top. She scratched her tongue on a fang again and wrapped the bleeding muscle around Tasha's tongue. They kissed hungrily, their blood intermingling, sharing life. Dark hands moved like twin shadows over Catherine's back; they slipped under the tight shirt and lightly kneaded the skin then, switching tactics, ran sharp nails over pale skin.
Catherine gasped in pleasure and pulled away from the kiss, her eyes, no longer brown, glinted a dull red.
------ - - - -
It woke hungry and ravenous. The need for sustenance burned through its body, vibrating through every fiber of tissue, veins, blood cells, and down to the core of its DNA. It growled, hearing the beat of a heart and the swish of blood as it flowed from the beginning to end of the vessel only to be recycled and start over. Smelling the tang of fear as the vessel sensed its presence. It moved quickly, one moment still, the next erupting into liquid speed. Reaching out, it snapped the furred neck and ripped into the skin with blunt teeth.
Barking. Harley snapped back to herself; she looked around in a daze. Her eyes cleared and she stared at Lupa. She tried to reach out to sooth the upset animal but Lupa backed away, the animal's fur standing on end. The hand that stretched out before her was strange. Her skin was pale, almost white in the moonlight, and swirling around in chaotic patterns on her skin was a red liquid. Her fingers trembled and her muscles gave an involuntary jerk as her dream rushed back to her. She stared in horror at her hand and arm; it seemed unreal, like it wasn't hers. Her other hand was clenched around something, her fingers stiff and unmoving, but there was something grasped in it. Sense of touch told her there was fur, and something wet as well. She was outside, bathed in moonlight and shadow; she had no idea how she'd left her womb of rock or how long the sun had been set. Finally she had no choice but to look down at white knuckles, dark fur poked up between her fingers. A rabbit, torn apart, lay in sacrifice in her hand; blood slowly trickled from torn muscle.
A scream, barely human, ripped through the night. She was scared and in pain; behind her eyes and in her teeth, pain throbbed. Feeling a presence behind her Harley turned with a growl. The other two pack mates were there watching in silence. Finally the leader, the gray lanky coyote, approached her. Unconsciously, Harley bared her teeth in a silent snarl.
The voice echoed in her head, "Control yourself. Do not give in to the demon," it commanded. "Do not give up your humanity or all is lost. You must be master and master alone of your body."
Taking a deep breath, Harley resisted the urges being fired into her brain. 'She would not attack; she did not want blood,' she told herself over and over. Tense moments went by and she doubled over, vomiting blood and flesh. Crying, she asked over and over again for someone to help her.
- - - - - -- - -
Catherine pulled the small car over. Looking in the rearview mirror, she saw Tasha finish snacking on the former owner of the vehicle. "Come on, love; it's time to hunt our rabbit." She got out and helped Tasha from the car. Giving the woman a possessive kiss, she tasted the man's blood on her lover's mouth. "Are you feeling better?"
She'd been hesitant to leave with her lover, remembering the beating she'd taken at San Pedro's hands, but she knew they had to leave or face his wrath again.
Tasha smiled. "I'm fine, love. Stop worrying. " Pausing, she considered her next words carefully. "We should be careful. I do not think Pedro will honor his words."
Catherine stiffened next to her. "What do you mean?"
Sighing, Tasha continued, "I mean Vampires, like most demons, are passionate and lustful but they do not love."
Catherine remained silent.
"We have loved since the day we turned and it has not lessened in all that time. Pedro hates that because he does not understand it."
"He won't kill us 'cause we love. We are the best enforcers he has. As long as we don't fail, our place is secure. There is no need for worry."
Tasha smiled faintly and let it go, but she knew her lover was wrong.
- - - - - - - -- - -
As the heaving of her stomach stopped, she wiped her hands in the dirt and lay unresponsive. Her body was weak and she was tired.
"Go with Lupa. She will guide you to a pool deep within the rocks; you can clean yourself there. Think upon what has happened. Reflect, then try to guide yourself to the core part of yourself which makes you, you. Hold onto it and make it sacred. It will help you fight your demon nature."
She turned to go, feeling a moment of disquiet as she took orders from an animal. She let it go, rationalizing that with the blood of a demon running in both their veins that the line between human and animal was blurred if not non-existent. How many other vampires had learned this lesson and kept beasts to watch over them? Maybe these canines were unique, maybe the shaman had seen the animals as having a closer connection to humans, and maybe it depended on one's viewpoint of matters. She was startled when Lupa nudged her knee.
"Come," the words whispered in her head.
Slowly she followed Lupa out of the desert and into the hallowed blackness of stone and rock.
.
- - - - - - -
They parked as close to the base of the Devil's Pitchfork as the desert would allow. Corrin looked out at the rock formation then back at Athena. "Why are we here again?"
"I have a hunch."
"Let me guess. Little green men."
"Ha ha. Keep it up, Sparky. No, it does not involve little green men. I think the girl is here."
"Why do you think that?"
Athena opened her mouth then closed it; she had almost said a ghost had told her but thought better of it. "A hunch." Not waiting for more questions she opened her door and climbed out into the cool desert air.
Corrin turned and looked at Mo in the backseat. Mo just shrugged, not elaborating, and got out of the car, following Athena out into the night. Corrin growled in frustration and got out, slamming the car door. Two pairs of eyes glared at her.
"What?"
"We're trying to sneak here and you ruined the mood."
Corrin flushed in embarrassment. "Sorry."
They walked up to the Devil's Pitchfork, making their way through cactus and jagged rock. All the time the silver eyes of an animal watched.
"Athena, do we know anything about this place?"
"I found some stuff in the archives. The agency sent a Hunter team in years ago to take out a satanic cult. It was really a pack of Vamps. The team staked and baked the Vamps and that was it. Local legend says that there was a war between light and dark. The skies were filled with flying angels and demons. One of the angels was felled by a devil's pitchfork and came to rest here."
"Odd," Corrin broke in.
"Odd how?" Mo questioned.
"You think having an angel buried here would make it sacred."
"As far as I can tell, nobody comes here. They know about it, but for some reason they don't come here."
"Hey, Athena?"
"Yeah, Mo."
"What does that cactus remind you of?"
"You have to be shitting me?"
"And me without my camera."
"That's just obscene."
"What are you two talking about?" Corrin asked. She followed Athena's upraised arm. "Oh my God. Is that two cats?"
Mo chuckled.
Athena swung her flashlight around and it highlighted the torn-up body of a rabbit. She walked over and nudged it with her foot.
"Coyotes?"
She looked at Mo and shook her head. "We have a human getting ready to turn."
Corrin looked at the ragged body. "How can you tell?"
"Coyotes wouldn't waste food. Vamps would have done a clean job of piercing the skin and not left all that blood splattered, so it's more than likely our girl and she's going to change soon. If not our girl, then another poor soul."
Mo nodded at an animal trail she spotted with her flashlight.
"Corrin, I want you to go back and call the guys. Tell them to get out here. Mo and I are going to look around a bit. We'll meet back here in 10 minutes."
"I'm not an errand girl," Corrin snapped back.
"No, you're not, but Mo and I know what signs to look for - you don't. By doing it this way we're all helpful," Athena said levelly.
Corrin grumbled and started back to the car.
Mo smiled and nudged Athena as they moved into the darkness. "I like her; she's a firecracker. You like her too. Maybe you just found a new partner?"
Athena snorted. "She's a cop."
"So? After seeing the world as it is, you think she can just go back and pretend the things that go bump in the night are harmless?"
"God, I wish I could. Just go back to college and pretend that that thing never jumped out and attacked my roommate and I on our way back to the dorms," Athena said, absently tracking the ground. "Mo, over there. I think we have a shoeprint?"
"Switching to night goggles. Turn off the lights." The lighted area was reclaimed by the night.
Corrin grumbled on her way back to the car. She knew she was being childish but she couldn't help it. Damn it, she had helped them take out a huge Vol… something, a big ass worm from hell. She had proved herself capable of taking out the forces of evil. She bent over to unlock the door and felt a presence behind her; she turned, going for her gun. From above her, her arms were grabbed and pulled up. The gun tumbled uselessly to the ground as she struggled to free herself.
"Lookie what we got here. It's our friend from the clinic," a voice purred out of the darkness. Slowly the night pulled away, revealing the blonde woman she'd fought with. Corrin struggled harder as Catherine approached her. Using her stomach muscles, she brought her feet up and kicked out at the approaching demon.
Catherine easily moved out of the way and Corrin was released to fall to the ground. She landed with a jarring thump that vibrated up her spine. The car rocked slightly and a figure leapt off it onto the ground. Corrin was now faced with two vampires. Frantically she searched for her gun.
"What do you say, love? A bit of fun with the Hunter wanna be? She looks like a tasty one." Catherine ended her comment with a toothy smile that showed off her large pointed canines.
With a sense of relief Corrin found her gun. She swung it up only to have her hand forced back into the door of the car. The metal bent inwards with a shrill groan and her hand went numb. Teeth ground together to prevent her from crying out. The gun again fell back to the earth.
"Oh no, none of that," the black woman purred in Corrin's face. Corrin struggled, trying to break away as the blonde straddled her legs. Slowly Catherine leaned forward and licked the vein that was frantically working to pump blood to parts of Corrin's body.
"Yummy," Catherine whispered against Corrin's skin. "Enough playtime." With that Catherine struck the tall woman's temple, knocking her unconscious.
- - - - - - - - - - --
"They're coming. Go find Lupa. You two must hide," the coyote spoke.
"What of the young one?" the other asked.
"Things happen for a reason. Her time comes to a head. She will survive or she will die. I was hoping for more time, but we can only work with what we are given."
"I will go find Lupa. What of you…" The question died as the other dog found the coyote gone.
- - - - - - ------
Harley closed her eyes and fell into the water. She let herself sink down; she wondered briefly how deep it was as her body kept sinking slowly. The water was cold and her body lost heat as a chill penetrated her flesh and bones. The cold water soothed the pain behind her eyes, but the hot pain in her mouth remained. Still she didn't try to kick back up to the surface. She thought maybe it would be best if she drowned. She wouldn't have to face the change, losing herself in her darkest self. She remembered a night on the beach, a family vacation. Her and her brothers ogling the nearly naked women who ran on the beach near the beach house her family had rented for the summer. Night had come and they were horsing around in the light of a bonfire and the blonde had walked by, earning Harley a Frisbee in the face for her distraction. The next night the blonde came again, this time the rest of her family had gone into town for a movie. The blonde had intruded in her personal space, running a finger down her throat to the valley of her breasts. Harley had been lost to basic brain function and invited the blonde into the house.
The next thing she knew she was waking up in chains with the rest of her family. Her brother Rory lay spread eagled before them, tied to a wooden table, while all around him demons cut him and sipped from his cup of life. Her fault. She had killed her family because she wanted a quick roll in the hay with a hot woman. Her fault - all her fault. Now she was becoming like the monsters. Slowly it invaded her, taking over and unlocking the deepest darkest parts of her heart. How long before she changed? How long before she repeated the history done to her family to some other family? How long before she was responsible for destroying somebody's world?
Find her spark of humanity was what the coyote said. Reflect. What made her, her? She thought hard, back to biology and psychology classes; nothing came to her that could explain what was happening. She let out a scream of frustration, the bubbles moving upwards as her body went down farther. Water rushed in to take the place of air.
- - - - - - -- - - - -
Athena stared at the opening. "I think we've found an entrance. Why don't you go back for Corrin while I scout it out?"
"I don't like that, Athena. Wait here 'til I come back."
Athena grumbled but nodded. As soon Mo was out of sight she ducked inside, looking around. She saw a nest made of fur and brush that looked like it belonged to a large animal; there was some gnawed-on bones that supported that. Looking around she saw three tunnels leading away into further darkness.
Mo just knew in her gut that Athena wasn't going to stand there and wait. She picked up the pace, wanting to return as quickly as possible before something bad could happen to the small blonde. She returned to the kinky-looking cactus and looked around. Her worry doubled when she didn't see Corrin. "Great," she whispered to the night. She switched her flashlight on and ran to the car. Skidding to a stop, she saw the black car sitting alone, a tangible piece of night in the blackness. "Fuck." Then, as she got closer, she saw the dents on the side and top of the car. Shining her light on the ground, she saw signs of a struggle. She reached into her jacket, pulled a stake out, and spun on her heels, going low as she released the stake.
Catherine jerked back, twisting her body to avoid the lethal piece of wood. She was turning as she hit the ground; she got her feet under her and flipped back up. "Perhaps you'll be more of a play date than that cop."
"What have you done with Corrin?" Mo hissed, her golden eyes flashing with anger.
"Don't worry, Hunter; she's alive for now. Tasha and I will have fun with her later."
Mo yelled in anger, charging the vampire. They came together in a silent impact of muscle and flesh. With her greater demonic strength, Catherine snapped Mo's wrist. The tall woman screamed as bone ground against bone and then fell to her knees. Her other hand reached under her coat, pulling out a stake and slamming it into the blonde's foot.
Catherine reacted with an inhuman scream of her own. Mo quickly went for another stake, ignoring the pain in her hand. Without warning, her shoulders were grabbed from behind and she was thrown back onto the hood of the car. Tasha quickly moved to her love, removing the stake. She held her lover close, giving comfort. "Love, you must stop underestimating the humans. They will always do the unexpected."
Catherine nodded, chastised, and nuzzled her lover's neck. "Yes, you're right. I'm sorry."
"It's okay but I don't want to lose you, especially not to a Hunter." They kissed passionately, tongues dueling. Slowly they turned, looking at the stunned hunter who was starting to come around. "So, love, what shall we do with it?"
"I'm not sure," Catherine said, all the time flipping the bloodied stake over and over in her hand.
The night erupted into an orchestra of screams, and then they fell back in on themselves, leaving silence behind.
- - -- - - - - - - - -
Athena picked the tunnel on the left; sticking to the side, she silently followed it. She picked up the sound of feet first, slapping rhythmically on the stone floor, then her goggles picked up something human-shaped coming her way. She pulled herself deep into a crack. She was blinded as a light was lit and she quickly pulled off her goggles. The light came from an opening slightly further down from where she was hiding. She thought briefly about going back for the others but she figured she could handle one girl.
- - - - - -- - - -- -
Harley pulled herself out of the cold water, coughing up water. Her limbs were heavy and she rolled out and onto her back, not moving. The rock felt warm under her, and she enjoyed the tingling feeling in her limbs as the feeling returned. Her eyes moved slowly, taking in everything around her. She didn't see Lupa but figured the dog might want some space from her. That hurt; she had grown to like the canine and missed Lupa when she wasn't around. Her eyes came to rest on the roof of the cavern she was in. A fungus coated the roof and it glowed softly. She could make out a faint pattern; it looked almost like a bird wing. Also coming out of the ceiling were two large spiky looking stalagmites; they almost looked like they pierced the roof coming from above. The first one was centered over the pool she had bathed in and there was a constant drip of water from the tip. She shuddered, imagining it falling onto her while she had been in the pool. Shaking off such thoughts she got up and wandered out of the cavern back to the room with the trunks, hoping she would find clothes in one of them.
She pulled out a pair of gray woolen trousers and a rough cotton shirt. She rustled around the trunks looking for something to keep the pants up; grinning, she pulled out a pair of suspenders. She felt something enter the room and saw a shadow flicker on the wall out of the corner of her eye. She reached a hand down into the trunk and pulled out the old Calvary sword resting inside. Turning, she brought it up, swinging the sword around. The leather and bronze sheath flew off, striking one of the old wooden chairs. Green and blue eyes watched it go, then turned to meet each other. Harley stared at the short blonde woman standing before her; she held the sword diagonally across her body.
"Harlequin Vaughan?" the woman asked.
Harley blinked; it had been a long time since she'd heard her full name. She hated it; nobody but her mother called her by her full name. Sadness stabbed her chest as she realized that her mother would never call her that again. "I prefer Harley," she spoke slowly, eyeing the gun held loosely in the woman's hands.
"Harley it is." The woman gave a smile.
Harley just stared uneasily because the gun never wavered. "Why are you dressed all in black and carrying a gun?"
"Because, my little runner, she's a Hunter and she's here to kill you before you can change."
Both women spun to face the new voice.
"Catherine," Athena spat out in rage.
"The one and only. Thank you for doing our job for us. You and your Hunter buddies made it easy to find the bargaining chip."
"What have you done with Mo and Corrin?"
"Corrin's fine, but Mo . . . well, Mo is getting closer to Christ."
"You bitch." Athena opened fire.
With speed enhanced by anticipation, Catherine moved out of the bullets' paths; they hit the rock behind where she'd been standing, sending rock fragments everywhere.
Harley ducked as Catherine lunged at her and sailed over her head. Catherine hit the ground in a roll and came up onto her feet. Grabbing the lit lamp, she tossed it at Athena as Harley advanced on her. Athena knocked the lamp away; it hit the floor and went out, sending the room into darkness. Athena fumbled for her goggles. As she got them on, she screamed as Tasha's face materialized right in front of her. Tasha picked up the small woman and threw her at Harley; the two bodies collided, sprawling to the floor.
Catherine picked up the sword as it slid to a stop at her feet. As Athena struggled to get up, Catherine kicked out, her foot connecting with Athena's solar plexus and sending the woman flying backwards. Athena staggered to her feet; leaning against the wall, she reached under her coat for a stake. It was knocked out of her hand and she was held firmly to the wall. Catherine's head snaked forward and her tongue came out, licking the blood that flowed from her nose. "Oh my. You've got San Pedro's blood flowing in you. Naughty Hunter, do your friends know?"
Athena struggled, trying to get loose.
"Don't worry, little sister. You'll be one of us soon enough." As she said this, Catherine's arm went back then came forward, using the sword to pierce skin, muscle, and bone. Onward it went, in one side of the shoulder and out the other, deep into the rock. Pinned to the wall, Athena howled out her pain. "There. That should keep you 'til you change." Then Catherine ducked her head, licking the blood that ran dripping from the edge of the sword, before whispering in Athena's ear. Turning, she saw Tasha holding the rabbit cradled in her arms.
Catherine smiled. "You were always very fond of her."
Tasha smiled and ran dark fingers lightly over Harley's pale cheek. "We had the best fun with her until the Master wanted her."
Catherine felt a twinge of jealousy and wondered again how Harley had managed to escape. She wondered how fond her lover was of the blood bag.
Helplessly Athena watched them leave with the girl. Pain clouded her eyes and she felt blackness creep around her awareness; it seductively called to her to give in to it. She just needed to get loose. Catherine had told her where to find the Clan of San Pedro when she changed, whispering it in her ear before she left. Her good arm came up, grabbed the sword hilt, and pulled with all her strength. Nothing; she was too weak. She began to cry in frustration and pain.
- - - - - - - - -- - -
Corrin woke, her head throbbing and her mouth feeling like she'd tried to swallow a bale of cotton. She was lying in the dirt. As she tried to push herself up, a cry of pain escaped her lips and she fell back to the ground. Her right wrist was sprained. Gentle hands reached under her and helped her sit up; she found herself looking into Harley's green bloodshot eyes. She took in the girl; her face was battered and deep bruises were beginning to darken her skin. She tried to speak but only a croak came out.
"Shhh. Don't speak. Here, drink this." Harley held up a small green mug. Seeing the other woman eye it suspiciously, she gave a small laugh and took a sip. "It's just water."
Corrin drank the water slowly, not wanting to become sick. Weakly she leaned back onto Harley's chest and looked around. They were underground; the floor and ceiling were made out of rock and dirt. There was a steel cage door and on the other side sat a man reading a magazine. She wondered if he was a Vamp. "Where are we?"
Harley absently stroked Corrin's hair. "We're in the pens."
"Pens?"
"It's where the Vamp clan keeps their food," Harley explained.
"Oh God, you mean there are more people down here?" Corrin felt sick.
"Yes. I would guess 10 to 15 others. I'm not sure. I saw a few other pens when they brought us here, but they put us by ourselves."
"Why?"
"Just in case I change, I would guess."
"What would your changing have to do with anything?"
"If I change before they can finish the pact, I'm going to be hungry and they don't want to lose their food."
Corrin paled as she took in Harley's words. "But you're not going to change anytime soon. Right?"
Harley frowned. "Within a day, but don't worry. They're going to kill me in a few hours. So you're safe."
"Jesus, how can you be so calm about your death?" Corrin was almost yelling.
"Shhh," Harley tried to sooth the woman. "One way or another, Officer, I'm dying. It's just a matter of degrees."
"My name is Corrin."
"It's nice to see you again, Corrin. I do wish it was under better conditions."
"Yeah, me too."
"Do you mind me holding you like this? I'm feeling clingy at the moment, a deep desire to be close to another human being."
Corrin hadn't realized how intimate their position was. "No, I don't mind. It's nice. You know my one regret if we don't come out of this alive?"
"What?"
"I never got to fall in love. I wish I would have experienced it."
"Yeah, me too," Harley whispered into Corrin's dark hair.
- - - - - - -- - - - -
Athena wasn't sure how long she'd been hanging on the wall, standing slightly up on her toes to prevent the sword from ripping through more of her skin. Her eyes were closed and her head felt light. She knew if she died she'd wake up a vampire, but it didn't sound so bad anymore, anything to stop the pain. Actually she didn't feel the pain at the moment; it was more like background noise. A hand touched her face and she jerked, blue eyes flying open, and she saw Jake standing before her. He smiled his trademark crooked smile
"Have you come to take me away from all of this?" she asked.
The large man threw back his head and laughed. The laughter rolled through the cavern. "No, quick draw. You have things to finish before you can leave this mortal coil, and the human race couldn't survive you as a vamp." His large hand grabbed the sword hilt and pulled. Athena screamed and fell to the ground sobbing. She felt herself gathered into Jake's arms; they felt real and strong.
"Is this the part where you tell me you'll always love me but I need to move on with my life and love again?"
Jake laughed. "Hell no! If you fell in love again I'd haunt his ass. However, you do need to get on with living your life and quit waiting to die. Go home and see your mamas. Your sister Art is going to need your help soon, but first go kick San Pedro's ass. Corrin is going to make a fine partner for you."
"I don't want another partner. I want you," she sobbed into his chest, burrowing deeper.
"I'm dead, quick draw, but I'm waiting for you. When your time comes, we'll be together again. Go on now." He grabbed her wounded shoulder between his hands; Athena screamed and then the pain was gone. "I'll always love you, quick draw." Bending his head he kissed her then was gone. Athena was left with the smell of Jake's aftershave and the feel of his lips on hers.
She stood on shaky legs and looked around; her flashlight reflected back at her from the table. Investigating she found an open box. Inside were four silver stakes; a fifth one was missing. They were beautifully crafted. She looked at them: the knight, the monk, the tiger, and the falcon. Her hand hovered over them then picked up the monk and placed it in her stake belt. Unsteadily she made her way out of the Diablo Horca and back to the car.
She gasped and held a hand over her mouth. She looked sadly down at Mo; the light from her flashlight seemed harsh as it lit pale skin. "Oh Mo, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have stayed; I should have come back with you." She knelt by her friend's head, slowly stroking the dirty matted hair out of her face. The Vamps had used Mo's own stakes on her. They had crucified her to the desert floor, wooden stakes piercing tan flesh in a human cross.
"Shut up, Athena, and get these things out of me," a scratchy voice whispered.
"Mo?"
"Don't make me repeat myself."
"Oh Mo. Thanks goodness. I thought I'd lost another person. Wait there."
Mo's hazel eyes blinked open. "I'm not going to go running off, Athena."
Athena returned with the blanket and the bottle of water she retrieved from the car. Gently she laid the blanket over Mo's body and held the bottle to her bloodied lips.
Mo gagged at first but finally got some water down. "This isn't getting me loose."
"I can't remove them without doing more damage, Mo. You'll have to wait until the boys get here with the medical team."
Tiredly Mo looked up into Athena's blue eyes. "How come I get the feeling you're not going to wait here with me?"
"Because I'm not. I'm going to go get Corrin and kill San Pedro."
"Athena, you can't do it by yourself. Wait for the boys."
"I can't. Here, when they get here give them this." She pressed a piece of paper into Mo's hand.
"What's this?"
"It's directions to Pedro's lair. Give it to the boys. Thorne will send in a bomb squad if I know him. If I can't get us out by the time the bomb squad shows, it means we're dead anyway."
"Athena, please don't."
"Shhhhh. Just rest. They'll be here soon; you'll be okay." With that Athena got up, went to the car, and drove away, not looking back.
Part 4 - Conclusion
Harley hummed absently as she ran her fingers through Corrin's hair. The repetitive motion and the feel of the silky strands moving between her fingers was soothing. Occasionally she would remove a piece of rock or a tangle.
Corrin felt her tensely coiled muscles relax. "Harley, how old are you?"
The motion stopped. "What?"
"How old are you?"
"I recently turned 21." She faded into the memory as she spoke. "We celebrated at the beach house. My brothers took me out and laughed when I made an ass out of myself and puked in the bathroom at Denny's." Harley laughed at the memory. "It was a great time." The laugh turned to a sob as she realized she'd never see her brothers again.
"It's okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Corrin moved so she could cradle Harley. She tried to sooth the girl by gently stroking her back in slow circles.
Harley sniffed into Corrin's shoulder. "I . . . it just hit me that they're dead; my whole family is gone." She cried harder. Corrin held the crying woman, slowly rocking her.
Harley finally got a hold of herself. "How about you?"
"How about me what?" Corrin said, wiping Harley's face.
"I don't know. Whatever you want to tell me I guess. How old are you? Do you have a family? You know, the basics."
Corrin laughed slightly. "I'm 25, just finished the Academy, and got on here at the State Troopers. I'm not even off probation. I grew up on the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation in Idaho with my mom, step-dad, and his two sons until my biological father decided he wanted me. He came sweeping in with a bunch of lawyers when I was 12. Then I went and lived with him, his wife, and their daughter in Seattle."
"That's quite the extended family," Harley commented.
"Yeah, it was weird. My mom and dad were always fighting, and my step-dad didn't like me because I wasn't Indian enough. My step-mom treated me like some savage. So when I got the chance to move away from them all I jumped at it. I did get along with my step-sister Karla; we still write now and again."
Corrin leaned back against the rock wall, now cradling Harley in her lap. She lightly brushed Harley's face with her fingertips. "Did you have anyone special?" she asked softly.
Harley yawned, partly because she was tired and partly to try and relieve the pain in her mouth. "No, not really. I dated around but never felt anything special for any of the girls I saw. My dad use to tease Rory, Simon, and I that he'd raised a bunch of players."
"A bunch of heartbreakers."
"Yeah, Thomas had a steady girl though. Uh, that doesn't bother you that I'm a . . . well, that I like girls?"
Corrin laughed. "If it did I would have dumped you out of my lap so fast you would have seen stars. Besides, I'm fond of women myself. I do wish my own family had been as accepting as yours."
"That's too bad. Yeah, my dad caught me making out with one of the girls from my high school volleyball team and I thought I was dead. He just looked at me and said, 'Dear Lord, I've got a house full of horny boys.' Then he said no sex until I was married or out from under his roof."
"Your dad sounds like a wonderful man."
"He was." Harley yawned and snuggled deeper into Corrin's embrace.
- - - -- - - - -
Larry leapt out of the Jeep and ran over to where Mo was pinned to the ground. "Mo, please be okay. I don't want to lose you too."
"I'm fine, meathead; get these things out of me," Mo croaked, not even able to open her eyes.
Thorne surveyed the scene and directed the medical unit to the fallen Hunter. When he was satisfied that Morgan was taken care of, he began to pull weapons out of the back of the car. "Larry. Greg. Let's get ready; we got Vamps nearby to take care of," he barked out.
Mo motioned for Larry weakly. The large man went over and took the scrap of paper out of Mo's shaking hands.
"Larry, get your ass in gear. We don't have much time."
"Sir, I have a note from Athena, I mean Agent Jones, that she left with Mo."
"I don't give a shit about that woman. She's a wildcard that could turn on us at any moment," he ranted.
"And she knows where San Pedro's lair is," Larry broke in, waving the paper.
"Shit! Give me that and get me the boss. I need the bomb squad," Thorne ordered.
Larry left the unpleasant man and his cohort and climbed in the back of the van with Mo's unconscious body.
- - - - - -- - - - - - -
San Pedro's brown eyes calmly took in the rival Vampires as they entered his lair. He made no move to get out of the chair he sat in and remained seated, stroking the furred back of the tabby that reclined in his lap. Finally the last man entered. He was tall, almost seven feet, and clearly of Nordic decent. He had deep blue eyes and white blonde hair. This man was a warrior; San Pedro had heard the tales of Erik Fenris, leader of the Ravenwood Clan. Pedro had to respect a man who took part of his name from the Norse myth about the wolf who would swallow the world whole.
However, while Pedro might give respect, he did not give his fear. Erik was only a warrior. Pedro knew he was much more dangerous; he was a politician. He smiled smoothly and slowly stood. "Erik, I'm glad you and your clan could make it."
"You should be since you need me and my clan to help you with the Tiger Clan out of Asia which is taking over your territories. You have the pact?"
"Yes, she has been found and is in the pens."
"Good. The sooner we finish the ritual, the sooner my clan can leave this awful place."
"Yes, I'd forgotten your kind prefers the lands of snow and ice."
"We find it's best to leave the desert for snakes such as you, Pedro."
"Don't be like that, Erik. Besides, we have so much in common. We both gave up our oaths to God to bed in immorality with demons."
Erik stiffened.
"Don't tell me after all this time you still harbor regrets about turning your back on God?" Pedro taunted.
"I am beginning to regret making a pact with you," the large man snarled, his five warriors getting tense. Out of the shadows of the room, five of Pedro's own children emerged.
"Come," Pedro said smoothly. "Let us not sink to our baser nature here. Let us relax and have a drink. I have a new one in the pens, untouched by fang and claw."
Erik nodded and sat in the chair facing Pedro. Everyone relaxed slightly. Pedro nodded to Anita and Carlos and they quickly left the room.
"Catherine and Tasha are preparing the room for the ritual. They will come and get us when it is ready."
"It better be soon. I want to be gone before first light."
- - - - - - ---- - -
Athena hid in the shadows of the wild fruit orchard. A part of her brain idly wondered how the trees thrived and remained green in the middle of a desert. She watched the house, watching the patterns the guards made as they walked around the ranch-style house. Sadly she holstered her gun; she would need stealth. She snuck out of the shadows as one of the guards went around the side of the building. Halfway to where she wanted to be, she froze and dove back into the shadows as she heard cars approaching. Cursing, she wondering how Thorne could have gotten her note so quickly and dispatched a team.
Two large SUV's pulled up and five people got out while two remained in the cars, keeping the engines running. Athena cursed, recognizing the tall man leading the small group that entered the house. It was Erik, leader of the Ravenwood Clan. They were a fierce Clan; Erik only turned those he deemed worthy as warriors. What was Pedro planning, making a pact with Erik? She blew out a breath. She didn't have time to wonder; she needed to get inside and now her plan for doing that was screwed because one of the large cars had its lights shining where she wanted to go.
She sat and watched, slowly trying to come up with a plan. Athena smiled, grabbed a good-sized rock, and as silently as she could she tiptoed toward the house. Staying out of the light from the headlights, she waited, and as one of Pedro's men glared at the lead SUV as he passed it, she threw a rock. In a flash the Ravenwood Vampire sprang out of the car and had Pedro's flunky slammed up against the bumper. They growled at each other, snarling and showing their fangs. With their attention thoroughly diverted for the moment, Athena dashed quickly to the house and disappeared around the side.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Harley dozed, feeling safe in the circle of Corrin's arms. Sluggishly she stirred as she heard a sound at the door. Her body felt heavy; the pain was back behind her eyes and was intensifying in her mouth. She didn't want to move but leisurely cracked an eyelid. The sight of two of Pedro's children coming into the pen caused her to sit up quickly.
Corrin frowned in her own sleep and reached out for Harley; gradually she began to awaken. Harley moved in front of Corrin, blocking the officer's body from the Vampires. She bared her teeth and growled which only caused the two Vamps to laugh.
"Don't worry. We're not here for you yet," the woman spoke.
"Yeah, your time will come soon enough. Now get out of the way," the man spoke with his own snarl which exposed long white teeth.
"What's going on?" Corrin asked then froze as she saw their company.
"We're here to take you for a taste test," the woman growled. She reached out to grab Harley, but the young woman easily danced out of the way.
Harley's growls were becoming louder and more feral.
"Out of my way, meat," the man shouted and charged.
Harley's green eyes flashed red and she charged him; they met in a tangle of limbs, loud growls and snarls echoed in the pen. Corrin kept her eyes on both Vamps as she dodged a lunge from the female and backed away farther into the pen.
Harley twisted her head as a clawed hand went skimming past, just missing her. Before it could retract she bit down, locking teeth into bone and muscle; ignoring the screams, she continued to apply pressure, feeling tissue part and bone begin to groan and grate under the pressure.
Carlos howled in pain, thrashing around. He tried to move out of the woman's clutches but her jaw was locked onto his hand. He tried to raise his other arm but found it pinned to his side by her hand. 'How can she be so strong?' he thought. Her fingers were digging in through his skin and blood began to weep from the shredding of his flesh. Her other hand ripped into the flesh covering his stomach. Suddenly Anita was there, striking the woman again and again; suddenly he was free.
Harley backed away slowly, never taking her eyes from them; her left eye was beginning to swell and her mouth felt puffy. Spitting out a mouth full of blood, she idly noticed a tooth sail out with the fluid. She ran her tongue around her mouth and found an empty spot were a canine used to be. Without warning the two Vampires moved quickly, both striking out at Harley. She dodged the first but was taken down by the other. The air left her lungs in a great whoosh and she fell to the ground. There was a loud crack as a foot connected with her face with such intensity that it flipped her on to her back. Then the two Vampires took delight in kicking and beating the downed woman.
Corrin cringed at the beating Harley was taking. As she saw the young woman go down, she yelled and charged, only to be picked up and tossed into the bars of the door. Her head connected with the metal bars and she fell limply to the floor, her vision blurring.
The pain built and built as each foot and fist met Harley's flesh, and then slowly it faded away. She was beyond it all, an observer to it all; she drifted further and further away from the physical constraints of her body.
"What the hell are you two doing?" a voice shouted, instantly stilling the two Vampires.
They stopped the beating and turned to face Catherine. "This blood bag attacked me. I was just showing her who was boss." Carlos' face went even paler as he saw her anger intensify.
"Do you know what you were beating on? That is the pact. You better not have killed her or your life is forfeit."
Both Vamps went pale and immediately bent over, picking up the limp woman. "She's not dead; she's not dead," Carlos said, frantically searching for a pulse. He couldn't find one. "Anita, get me some water." He sat the body up, wincing at the glassy unresponsive eyes.
Corrin watched fearfully. Tears gathered in her eyes; Harley had tried to protect her.
Anita came back with a bucket of water and threw it on the bloody body. Nothing happened. Water washed the blood from Harley's face causing pink rivers to flow down over her clothes. "Damn it!" Carlos screamed. "She's just stunned. Come on." He slapped her face harder and harder. "Wake up!"
Catherine loomed over his crouched position; reaching down, she grabbed his neck and gave a violent twist. His golden brown eyes went wide as the bone snapped and he toppled over. Then the woman bent over Harley's unresponsive body and moved her fingers to the neck, searching for a pulse. She gave a smile. "Lucky you, Anita. Carlos is a moron. She's got a pulse, weak but it's there."
Anita almost collapsed in relief. "Yes, Catherine. I'm very sorry; I didn't know she was the one."
Catherine waved her arm dismissively. "Don't worry about it. Now take this moron up to Pedro and explain it in a way that makes him look totally at fault what happened."
Anita nodded, dragging Carlos' body out of the pen, "Wha - what about the blood bag the Master wanted?"
"I think you better go tell him what happened and that we're ready for the ritual. Now go."
Catherine turned back to Corrin. "Clean her up and make sure she stays alive," she ordered.
"Fuck you," Corrin muttered, standing up on shaky legs.
Catherine growled and moved quickly over to where Corrin leaned against the bars of the entrance. She easily picked up the taller woman and slammed her back into the metal bars.
"Listen to me carefully, blood bag. Do as I ask and I'll make your death quick. Fail me and I'll turn you and make you my bitch for all eternity." Catherine uncurled her hands from Corrin's shirt and let her drop to the ground.
As Catherine left, locking the door, Corrin staggered to her feet and rapidly went to Harley's side. Kneeling down she took in the crumpled form. Harley was breathing rapidly and blood sluggishly oozed from cuts on her face. "Are you okay? I think you're going into shock." She gently ran her hands over Harley's wet face. She turned as Catherine came back with a container of water and a cloth. The cloth was thrown at Corrin who plucked it off her chest where it landed.
"Clean her up." And with that Catherine was gone for good.
Corrin got up, grabbed the water, and returned to Harley. She wet the cloth and dabbed at the blood and cuts. "Hey, talk to me. Are you okay?" She tilted Harley's face up and took in the panic shining out of green eyes. "Talk to me."
Harley felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest. It was pounding out of control, pumping blood to the farthest parts of her body. She had a brief flash of blackness coating her insides. She shook her head, trying to dispel the thought. "I . . . I don't feel good." With that she lunged for the empty bucket. With painful contractions, she vomited into it. Pain racked her body and she leaned back with a soft sob.
"Shhh. Here swish this around and spit it out." Harley took the water offered and did as she was asked. When she spit a second tooth fell out, hitting the ground. They both stared at it for a moment.
"You saved me. I . . . thanks."
"Hey, what are friends for?" Harley said with a smile, but winced as cuts reopened at the movement of muscles around her mouth.
"Let's get you cleaned up, friend."
"Gotta look good for my execution," Harley quipped.
Corrin's hands stilled. "Don't. Somehow it will be okay. Don't give up yet," she responded fiercely.
Harley just gave a small half smile but wisely kept silent, not wanting to rain on Corrin's hope.
Corrin finished up as best she could, and they sat for a moment in the quiet, blue staring into green eyes. "Corrin, would you just hold me for a while? I just need . . . I want to just feel close . . . I."
Corrin silenced Harley by holding a finger to her lips. Without words being spoken, she took Harley in her arms and held her close. Harley sighed and closed her eyes.
"Your heart; it's beating fast."
"Adrenaline," Harley replied, knowing it wasn't true.
- - -- - - - - - - -
Catherine walked up the stairs to the main floor and walked into San Pedro's meeting room. She barely gave a glance at the newcomers, her eyes focused on where Pedro stood over two large piles of biological jelly. She knew what Carlos and Anita's fates had been.
"I had hoped you'd spare Anita; she had potential."
Pedro finished wiping his hands on a handkerchief and looked at his enforcer. "Ah, Catherine, I know you were fond of her but she was too stupid to live."
"Well, you choose to make her, I guess it's only fair you kill her."
Pedro's eyes narrowed at the veiled insult. The rest of the room stiffened and waited to see what would happen.
Erik began laughing; he stood and gave Catherine a hearty pound to her back, nearly sending the smaller woman to her knees. "I like this one. You have surrounded yourself with lapdogs and yes men. It's nice to see one with a pair."
Pedro smiled cruelly. "Then perhaps I'll give her to you as a present."
Erik laughed but Catherine's eyes narrowed. "I would be honored to have her only if you forsake your claim."
"We will see." He turned his attention back to the blonde. "Are we ready?"
Catherine nodded, not trusting herself to speak.
"Good, then let us finish this before anything else can happen."
As they made for the door, Erik paused and talked to two of his warriors; they gave a nod and left. Erik nodded to the other three and they walked out the door. His blue eyes took in Pedro's back and he whispered that Pedro was an idiot.
- - - - - - -- - - -
Corrin rubbed her hands up and down on Harley's pale arms. "You're cold."
Harley shrugged. "I'm hungry."
"I'd give you some food but we seem to be fresh out."
"There's something you could give me," Harley mumbled and turned so her nose to nuzzled the warm skin at Corrin's throat.
"What was that?" Corrin said with a squeak as she felt Harley's cooler flesh touching the flesh of her throat. "Umm, what are you doing?"
"I dunno. I was thinking I'm about to die and thought there might be something more pleasurable I could be doing rather than thinking about dying." She trailed her tongue over Corrin's neck, biting softly at the pulse point.
"Harley, I . . . oh."
"Tell me you don't like it and I'll stop."
"It's not that I'm not flattered and it's not that it doesn't feel good, but…" She was cut off by another voice.
"You have a prior engagement that you simply cannot avoid."
Two heads turned and took in the distinguished-looking Spaniard. Harley sighed and slowly went to get up. She stopped as Corrin grabbed her arm.
"Don't."
Harley looked into blue eyes and gave a wink. "Don't worry; I've still got hope." She removed Corrin's hand, gave the palm a kiss, and then rose to her feet to walk over to San Pedro.
When Harley walked out of the pen, she was instantly surrounded by Vampires; a large man with blonde hair approached her sniffing. She cringed, remembering him and his fangs. His large hand came down and cupped her face. Sniffing again, his eyes went red then back to blue. Harley waited but he just gave a nod as if confirming something to himself and then he turned, passing Pedro on the way to the pen's door.
Corrin scrambled to her feet and lunged after the departing redhead. "No." A large man stopped her. He grabbed her, preventing her from moving forward, "You keep fighting even though it seems hopeless. That is a good trait in a warrior," he said smoothly, ignoring her struggles to get loose. "If this night was going to go well, I would bargain for you and make you one of my clan, but the Raven sees the night ending in blood and fire."
Corrin stared at the large man. "Are you insane?"
He shrugged, not answering. "Don't worry about your friend. She's already lost in the eyes of God." He turned and ducked out the door, shutting it behind him.
"No! Don't take her." She ran to the bars, shaking them, hoping to somehow get loose and stop the horror she knew was coming.
- - - - - - - - -- -
Harley walked into the room; her eyes briefly took in the fire, the altar, the upside down cross, and the various other symbols that decorated the room . Now that she had read Jacob's journals, she understood the symbols on the walls. Some were the symbols of the clans entering into the pact and others were the symbol of their maker, the demons who had given their blood to Pedro and Erik. She walked forward and stood before the altar, running her hand over what would be her bed.
"I'm glad to see you're not trying to fight your fate," Pedro said.
She turned and took in the Vampires. Her eyes fell on Tasha. She smiled. "Did you ever wonder how I escaped the first time? Well, I'll let you in on a little secret - she helped." Her finger clearly pointed at the African.
Tasha's eyes went wide, Catherine's eyes narrowed, and Pedro's face went dark with rage. "Take her and lock her up in my study," he shouted.
Catherine sputtered, "Sir, she lies. She's just doing it…"
"I don't care. I will not take any more chances. Now do as I say or I will have you locked up as well."
Harley watched in relief as four other Vampires wrestled Tasha into submission and dragged her out of the room. This left her with Pedro and only three of his flunkies to deal with. Her hands went out and smoothed the rough fabric of her pants. She touched the reassuring weight of the stake she'd tied to her leg. She noticed that as Pedro came forward Erik and his men retreated back towards the door.
- - - -- - - - -
Athena quickly jabbed the stake through the man's back. Her muscles strained against his struggles; finally the sliver slid between the ribs and collapsed the pumping organ. As the heart ceased to work, cells began to breakdown and the Vampire was rapidly reduced to organic goo. She grimaced and shook it off her boot. She heard a lot of somebody's coming so she ducked into a room and watched them pass. As soon as they went by she left her hiding place and quickly went to find where they had come from.
As she crept downstairs she hoped she wasn't too late. She paused in the darkness just at the foot of the stairs; there should be a guard somewhere. Her nose rankled at the stench drifting in the air. She had to be close to the pens, the faint clink of chains could be heard as well as whimpers of pain. She took a few steps forward and suddenly she dropped into a crouch as a hand swiped the air above. She pulled her gun, aiming it straight up, and fired. 'Fuck being quiet,' she thought. The bullet traveled up, heating slightly from air friction; it easily passed through skin and muscle and plowed through bones sending fragments stabbing into other parts of the body, before it burrowed into the softer tissue of the brain and came to rest. The Vampire stiffened and fell to the ground. She rapidly searched his body and removed a thick chain filled with keys.
Corrin fell to her knees, her bloody hands gripping the bars. There was no hope; they were all going to die. She let her head fall forward and rest against the bars, enjoying the feel of the cool metal.
"Hey there, miss me?"
Corrin flicked open a blue eye and stared at the battered form of Athena. She gave a weak smile and then let out a sob of happiness. "God, isn't there anybody who hasn't had their ass kicked?"
Athena gave a smile and fumbled with the keys. "Nope. It's been a bad day for team Hunter, but I have faith things are going to pick up in the fourth quarter."
Athena got the door open and rushed to Corrin's side; she helped the taller woman up. "Here, take these keys and this." She wrapped a stake belt around Corrin's hips and handed her a gun. "Go open the pens and get those people out of here. Normally I'd say check 'em to see if any of them are infected, but we don't have time."
"They took Harley."
"I'll do my best to get to her."
"Let me go…"
Athena cut her off. "There isn't time. Thorne will be here soon and he'll blow this place sky high. I need you to get these people out of here."
Corrin straightened herself up and nodded.
Athena watched her go and hoped she made it out alive 'cause Jake was right - Corrin would make a great partner. She hurried down the corridor, not even stopping as the Vamp guarding the door gave a shout of surprise. She threw the stake with all the force she could muster deep into his heart. He stared at the quivering piece of wood sticking out of his chest with amazement and then began to decompose.
- - - - -- - - - -
Harley didn't struggle as she was forced back onto the cool stone face of the altar. Her wrists were bound with rope and then the rope tied to metal circles embedded in the stone. She tested them and then leaned back on the stone with a sigh and a smile.
Pedro stared at the female, confused. She didn't beg or cry; she didn't resist. "I'm glad to see you're resigned to your fate."
"I'm not but I'm resigned to yours," Harley said, not looking at him. She stared at the ceiling.
"False bravado. There is no escape. This is the end of the line for you, as the expression goes." He smiled a thin cruel smile. Stepping forward he stroked her hair.
"You know, Saint Peter, I'm hungry. Think we could order out?" She winced as he grabbed her hair.
He snarled, "Enough. You waste time. No one is coming to save you."
She ignored him. "Well, I guess I could dine in."
- - - - - -- - -
Corrin ducked a swinging arm and brought the gun around low, squeezing the trigger and firing two bullets into the Vampire's midsection. She didn't stop to finish it off but kept moving, moving her and the unfortunate souls she'd unchained in the basement out. She was grabbed from behind. She stomped a foot down and then jerked her head back, grimacing in pain as the back of her head snapped a nose. As she was released, she fumbled for a stake; spinning around she shoved it through a neck. God, she was awful at killing Vamps. She had yet to hit a heart, but she had incapacitated quite a few of the bastards. Detached she watched as the Vamp fell to its knees, struggling to get the stake out. She wiped blood off her face and out of her eyes. "Come on, people! Keep moving. If you get outside this will be nothing but a bad memory and 15 years of therapy," she shouted, moving the survivors out of the house and into the night where hopefully morning would be coming soon to wipe it all away.
Catherine stared at her crying lover, wanting to believe that Tasha was blameless, but not entirely sure. Hearing noise she ordered the other three out of the room to investigate.
"Tasha. Tasha, tell me you had nothing to do with that blood bag escaping."
Tasha refused to look at her. "Tasha, look at me."
"You believe I'm guilty, so what's the point?" Tasha whispered.
"I…" Whatever Catherine was going to say was distracted by a scream. Catherine opened the door and saw the blood bags escaping. She didn't really care one way or another. Humans were stupid and it was easy enough to go get another one for feeding. However, if they were escaping that meant serious problems. "Fuck," she muttered and raced out the door to make sure Pedro was okay.
Tasha watched her lover leave her; she could feel her concern for the Master. Anger billowed out; first, doubt of her loyalty, and second, more concern with Pedro's safety than hers.
- - - - - - - -- -
Athena knocked the decomposing Vamp out of the way and kicked the door open. Pulling her gun she entered the room. She passed four Vamps on her way through; they did nothing to stop her. They were wary but let her pass.
Pedro spun away from the girl and stared at the intruder. His eyes widened. "I thought you would have been dead by now, Agent . . . Jones, was it?"
Athena smirked. "Surprise."
Pedro frowned at Erik and his warriors. "Well, stop her."
Erik laughed. "Pedro, you are an idiot, and not worthy of my help."
"What? Don't you dare," Pedro sputtered. "You would break the pact?"
"The pact was broken when your men killed the girl and she crossed over 30 minutes ago. Don't tell me you didn't notice? Of course you didn't; you were too caught up in your self importance."
Pedro stared dumbfounded at the tall man, and then he reached out with his senses. There was only one human in the room, when there should have been two. He turned, his rage flaring. "You played me, little girl." His jaw unhinged in his rage and his eyes flared red. "I will teach you to play tricks with the devil."
Athena stared warily around the room. Not sure what to do she really hadn't planned on getting this far. Erik turned to the small Hunter and gave a bow. He then nodded to his warriors and left the room, adding, "You are on your own to clean up your mess."
Harley's eyes flashed red as well and she growled. Jerking her arms up away from the altar, she easily snapped the rope and rolled off the side as Pedro charged.
Athena jumped back out of the way of the attacking childe and fired a bullet at the rampaging Vampire. Dodging a kick, she fell back some more and fired again.
Harley ripped the stake out of her pants and slammed it down into Pedro's arm, pinning it to the altar. Turning, she leapt at the other Vampire charging her. They crashed together midair and fell, tangled together in a mass of flesh. Harley being the weaker of the two was flung off and crashed into the wall. Dazed she shook her head from side to side, trying to clear the fog out. The underling ran towards her and Harley rolled to the side. It skidded, trying to change direction; Harley pounced, sinking her newly sprouted fangs into its shoulder.
Athena scrambled for her gun while her other hand pressed against the Vamp's neck, keeping its teeth away from her throat. Grabbing her gun, she swung it up and fired a bullet right into its eye. The top part of its head exploded, drenching her in gore. Sputtering, she pushed the deflating mass off of her. Getting up she turned, coming face to face with Pedro. She froze, her limbs locking her out, no longer under her control.
He smiled. "You are of my blood and you will do as I command."
Horrified, she felt herself nod. Inside herself she screamed and tried to fight San Pedro's control.
"Kill her." He pointed a well-manicured nail at Harley.
She raised her gun and fired.
Harley gnawed on the thrashing Vampire's shoulder, ripping deeper into it, trying to get the blood flowing faster. Her hand shoveled through its chest, deeper and deeper until she found the heart. Her fingers wrapped around the heavily billowing organ and squeezed it until it burst. At the moment of death she stopped, instinctively knowing not to feed on dead blood. She removed her hand and screamed as something pierced her skin. She staggered and fell to the ground.
- - - - - - - -
The Vamps in the SUV's watched detached as humans ran from the house. Several of Pedro's children tried to stop them only to be trampled. A driver looked up sharply as a Vamp pounded on her window. She unrolled it. "What?"
"Aren't you going to help? They're escaping!"
She shrugged and said, "Not my problem," before rolling the window back up.
Corrin followed the stream of people outside. "Run to the orchard," she shouted. Firing wildly at approaching Vamps, she ran towards the trees. Skidding to a halt she raised her gun as figures appeared out of the shadows under the trees.
"Corrin?"
Corrin almost sobbed in relief. "Larry?"
"Thank God. I thought we'd lost you." He grabbed Corrin in a bear hug.
"I . . . Athena, she saved me. She's still in there."
"It's okay, Corrin. Why don't you come with me and we'll get a doctor to check you out?"
Corrin struggled in his grip. "No, I have to go back. Athena and Harley are still in there."
"Come on. You won't do them any good like this. We'll do our best to get them out." He almost winced at his words. He doubted there was much of anything he could do for anybody in the house. He watched as they gave the officer a tranquilizer and stayed with her until her eyes grew heavy.
He walked to where Thorne was standing, talking to the bomb squad. Larry could almost smell the stench of the man's self importance as it rolled off him in waves. "Thorne, Agent Jones is in there."
"I care how?" the man responded.
"She's an Agent and she's doing our job for us." Larry pointed to the nine people being checked over by medical staff.
"Agent Jones is now considered a hostile."
"What? You don't know that for sure."
Thorne shrugged and turned to the man standing next to him. "Blow it," he ordered.
Larry turned away in disgust.
Erik kicked a human out of his way and entered the SUV. "Go, the Hunters are close." The two black cars pulled away into the fading night. He flipped open his cell and dialed a number; he waited for somebody to answer. "T'suang Anung Mao," he uttered. "It's done just as planned. The Hunters are there now. He never suspected our loyalties were already aligned." He paused again. "By sunrise Pedro's clan will be no more and the newly risen Master will be dealt with by the Hunters." Erik listened then gave a laugh. "Trust me. It was my pleasure to bring that bastard down." His hand moved into his shirt, grasping a pendant as he said this. "Our pact is done. If you or yours comes into my territory I will rip you apart and see how Asian blood tastes." With that he shut his phone, ending the call.
- - - - - - -- - -
Pedro watched the new Vampire fall, grasping its side as blood gushed out. "Finish her," he commanded. He laughed at the Hunter's internal struggle. "You're mine now; stop struggling." He stroked her face.
Athena pulled the stake out and it seemed to grow warm in her hand. She could feel the texture of the monk as it knelt in prayer. Her eyes grew cloudy for a moment then she pulled the trigger on her gun.
Harley flinched as she heard the gunfire but gradually realized she was unharmed. Slowly she got up and looked around; her side was already healing. The last Vampire child was slowly crumbling back in on itself, its head ripped open by the bullet's path. Pedro stood his mouth hanging open in surprise.
"No. You can't . . . can't resist me." Panic began to taint the tone of his speech.
Athena looked the Master Vampire over. "Did you ever regret your decision to turn your back on your faith? Did you ever regret tearing apart your brothers at the monastery and eating them?"
He paled. "How do you know such things?"
She held up the stake. "This is you, isn't it? The monk."
His eyes went wide as he saw the silver stake.
"No, you never felt remorse. You joined the church for power and worked your way up until you pissed the wrong person off, and then you were sent to a monastery in the middle of nowhere. There was no power for you there. Then the demon came and offered you more power than could be found in the politics of the church, and you leapt at your own damnation." Athena paused. "This was made for you. It's your marker, shaped from the soul you gave up."
Pedro howled. His eyes blazing, he charged the Hunter only to be tackled from behind. Harley and Pedro rolled on the ground, fighting and snarling. Teeth bit into flesh and clawed hands tore at one another.
- -- - - - - - - - -
Catherine ran down the stairs, ignoring the crumpled bodies. Down the hallway, her eyes came to rest on what had been the guard; her fears were confirmed. As she went to open the door she felt a pain in her chest and her strength began to leave her, bleeding out of her body as if she had a wound. Gritting her teeth, she threw open the door.
The two figures standing over the altar turned and looked at her. They did nothing to stop her as she approached, and they stepped back, away from the altar to let her get close. San Pedro lay on the stone, his eyes and mouth open in shock, a large stake sprouting from his chest.
Harley nodded at Athena and whispered for her to leave. Athena hesitated then fled the room.
Catherine's legs collapsed and she would have fallen if Harley hadn't caught her. "Why doesn't he crumble?"
"He's the source. He'll bleed out like a fount until he's dried up at the source then he'll crumble and blow away. When that happens your clan will be no more." Harley slowly let her down until she knelt at the side of the altar. Harley turned to leave, calling out, "If you should drink from the source until it is dry, then would you not then become the source?"
Mustering her strength, Catherine pushed herself up and leaned over Pedro's bleeding form. Lowering her lips she drank from the first. She continued to drink as a series of explosions rocked the house.
- - - - -- - - - - -
Athena felt as if she were floating. She was free; she was no longer corrupted - she had killed Pedro. Well, she'd had help. She wondered about the strange silver stake, briefly wishing she had grabbed it out of Pedro's body. She had known all those things because of the stake; somehow it had been tied to Pedro. She certainly had not known that much about the Master Vamp's history before.
It was a moment of quiet, almost profound in its silence. Then the world under her and all around her screamed and twitched in pain; she was knocked off her feet. She rolled and tried to get back up. A piercing whine caught her attention; her eyes darted up and the irony was not lost on her. She was now free from a Vampire's blood curse only to die at the hands of her own people. The roof above her spilt open and she caught the smell of smoke just before the contents of the house above her were vomited down upon her. Vainly she threw up her hands.
- - - -- - - - -
The sun was just beginning to rise, greeting the world with a lovely bouquet of colors. Smoke and ash drifted up, swept away on air currents, and the last of the Hunters surveyed the damage. Smoking wood and stone remained as a marker of where evil had once stood and good had wiped it out. Thorne stood overlooking his crew's work, hands on hips and chin jutting out, proudly looking every inch the superhero from a children's comic. He smiled widely, seeing Larry make his way up to where he stood. "Anything?" he demanded.
Larry grumbled, but held his tongue. "No sign of anything surviving. All the humans that tested negative for Vampirism have been sent to Phoenix to Mercy Medical Hospital."
"Good. I like it when things work out."
Larry clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles went white. He wanted to yell and shout that Thorne had killed at least one damn fine Hunter, but he knew it was pointless. Upper levels would just side with Thorne. "If that's all I want to go to the hospital and check on Mo."
Thorne just nodded absently, basking again in his own glory.
Larry walked over to the Jeep that he had borrowed from Corrin. As he bent to unlock it, he found it already unlocked. He pulled his gun and opened the door, one could never be too careful in his line of work. He blinked and cocked his head to the side. Unconscious in the passenger seat was Athena. There was a piece of paper stuck in her hand. He slid into the car, taking in the musty smell of old takeout and shut the door. He plucked the piece of paper out of her hand and read it.
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To Larry - San Pedro is dead and Athena is free from his curse. She has sustained a head injury and has been unconscious now for 20 min. There was an underground basement under the house. You Hunter's are really rather sloppy. P.s. I'm sorry about Thorne - H - |