Christopher: Blood Brotherhood – Erotic Paranormal Dark Fantasy Romance (12 page)

“What do you mean, command computers? I would guess that anyone could if they have a working knowledge. But to command them? I don’t think I understand what you’re talking about.” Nate asked to be freed and he’d show him. “All right, but you fuck up and I will hit you so hard back there that you’ll feel it for months.”

Nate said that he understood and moved to the room’s computer. There was a television in this room, as well as a house phone. The addition of those, only used within the boundaries of the house proper, had been a startling revelation to them all. As far as they knew, there wasn’t a phone company involved. Yet they would ring when necessary, and it would be as clear as if the person was standing in the room with them.

Nate put his hand on the blank screen. Rick moved closer to watch, but far enough back that if this was a trick, he’d be able to defend himself. As the screen started to light up, Nate turned to him, his hand still on the computer as it flickered under it.

“Ask me something that I wouldn’t know. About you. Ask me a question about you that no one, not anyone, might know about you.” He asked him a question and Nate turned back to the computer to touch it again. “All right. How old is Rick Harmon?”

“It’s not...my real name is Richard James. I go down the alphabet...never mind. I change my last name every ten years. I’m really Richard James.” Nate asked the computer again. The screen lit up, but not with a green screen as he’d expected, but with a light show that outdid most of the Independence Day celebrations he’d seen. Then Nate stepped back…staggered back, really.

“You were born January thirteenth in twelve seventy two.” That was right, and before he could ask him how he’d done that, Nate continued. “You are a pureblood, not made, and your parents both met the sun when you were several hundred years old. They’d had enough, and you mourn their loss daily. You lost your mate…she was murdered when it was discovered that there were vampires in the house. That is why you don’t live with a nest of them. It’s safer. You have always felt that they betrayed you, and you set about ending their lives when you were able to get out again. You were hurt badly, bad enough that you had to go to ground to heal for several years.”

“And how did you get that from the computer? There are no records of my birth. My parents were gone long before the invention of the Internet or any phone service.” Nate moved back to the chair this time and not the bed. He told him he had no idea. “But you just came up with information that no one knew and got it from there.”

“I also know that our mates are coming, what they look like, and what they are. Your mate is—” Rick told him that he didn’t want to know. “But you should. She’s not human, as you might have guessed, but she’s old, older even than you. And she’s already marked up. And pissed off.”

“And she’s not even met my charming self.” He was joking, but Nate said nothing. “And what of your mate? What sort of being is she, and what powers do you suppose she’ll bring with her when you fuck her?”

“Benton kills her.” Rick started to tell him that wasn’t possible, but he continued before he could. “I have these nightmares. A great many of them, but about this woman…I see her clearly now. Her face...I’ve read poems about beauty such as this. She is simply the most beautiful creature I have ever met. But when she comes to me, just coming to the edge of the property line, he’s there suddenly. When I first came here she was just a dream of a woman. I didn’t know her or what she might mean to me, but since this happened to me, this drug was given to me by that man, things are clearer, sharper than they were before. Her name is Ila. And she’s dead just as we meet.”

“At the border.” Nate nodded. “And Benton does it. He kills her. In this dream of yours, he kills your other half. Do we all just stand there and let it happen, or is there something else going on at the same time?”

“Yes. To all of that, but I don’t know what. It’s not clear to me for some reason.” Rick told him that it was only a dream. “I told you, I can see her. I know what she looks like and that she’s powerful. What do you mean, it’s only a fucking dream?”

“A dream, not reality. You said yourself that it’s changed. Is it the same every time you dream it? Does he kill her in the same spot? Tear her in half the same way? Are there any differences?” Nate said he didn’t know. “Well, when you dream it again, upon waking, write down the details. Remember everything you can about it and keep track. I mean, I have no idea, but if things change, even a little, that means the outcome can as well.”

Nate only sat there. Rick wondered what was going on in his head, and when he turned to him, his face full of hurt and pain, Rick was sure that he didn’t want to know.

“Why are you being nice to me?” Rick asked him what he meant. “You’re all nice to me. Even though I’ve pretty much shit on each of you, everyone has been nothing but nice. Some of you have been a little tense at times, but no one has hit me.”

“Do you want me to hit you?” Nate said no, and that wasn’t the point. “Then what is? You think because you act like someone shit on your oatmeal that we should all continue to shit on you? I don’t work that way. And the only reason I’m here today is because Remy and a few others have been going out on your shift while you sit in here with your blankie and your thumb up your butt. Get up off your ass and start pulling your own weight, or let me do us all a favor and remove your head. Because from where I’m sitting, that’s about all you’re good for right now.”

“Okay, I amend that last statement. Most of you have been nice to me.” Rick just stared at him. “I really have no idea what I’m doing here. I have no talent whatsoever. I don’t know how to use the weapons on my body, and other than the computer thing, I don’t have anything to add to this team. The first time I go out I get captured, and all of you have to come and rescue my ass or I’d be nothing but fodder on another realm that we can no longer access.”

Instead of answering him, or even commenting, Rick stood up, drew his sword, and swung it at Nate. He was aiming for his neck, but before the blade was there, Nate had his own blade out, knocking Rick’s away, and was slicing his blade at Rick’s neck too, only a great deal closer than Rick cared to think about. Rick let his sword go back to his body and turned to the door.

“You know as much as the rest of us. You’re on call at six in the morning. I suggest that you get your body in gear along with the rest of us. We’re not going to be carrying your lazy ass again.” Nate was standing there still, his sword out, when Rick turned back to him. “Well?”

“I don’t like you.”

Rick just laughed and moved out of the door. When the door was closed behind him, he leaned against the wall and let out a long breath. He didn’t need to breathe, but right now he needed something to calm his frayed nerves. He looked down the hall a short distance when Remy said his name.

“You could have been killed. What point were you trying to make that nearly got your head removed, or do you even know?” Rick nodded. The blade had come very close to removing his head just then, and he didn’t think he could answer him without sobbing about how stupid he’d been. “Was it worth it?”

Rick thought about it, really thought about what he’d just done. Was it? Was it worth the idea of being dead now?

“I think so, yes.” Remy said nothing. “He’ll be put in the rotation now. And with me if you don’t mind.”

“You two have made friends now?” Rick told Remy that Nate probably hated him more than he did himself. “Then I do not understand why you want to be paired up with him. Are you not afraid that he’ll not have your back?”

“He will. He won’t want anyone killing me.” Remy asked him why. “Because he wants to save that pleasure for himself. And by the way, he has a power now you should talk to him about. I don’t understand it, but he has one hell of a power because of the drugs he was given.”

Remy said that he would and Rick moved down the hall to his own room. He was inside, his door closed and locked, when he stripped off his shirt and looked down at the tat that had appeared on his belly that morning. He spoke to it now, asking it what he already knew the answer to.

“You belong to her, I’m thinking. Don’t you?” The tat, a circle of glyphics that he couldn’t read, had started at five last night, just as he was in the yard with the pups. As soon as they started, he looked around for his mate, knowing that it was inevitable that she was coming now. All that he could see were small children that had been there for some time and nothing more. But the burning hadn’t left him until he’d had the overwhelming urge to go and talk to Nate.

“Now what the fuck do I do?” There was no answer, not that he had expected one, and he’d done as he needed. But as for this woman? Rick was almost as afraid of her as he was Nate a few minutes ago.

Chapter 12

“There was someone here. I don’t think they wanted anything but the drugs, and didn’t even bother taking the food with them.” No shit, Chris wanted to say, but didn’t. Remy was upset enough as it was. “Do you suppose we should put a guard on the place? Maybe a camera?”

“I think whoever it was, they got what they wanted.” All the drugs, as Remy had said, and even some of the over the counter stuff was missing. “We can put a guard on it if you want, but I think that would be closing the barn up after the horse has run.”

Remy nodded. Chris knew that the man was distracted, but said nothing more about it until he spoke again. He and Remy had been on a drive around to see if anyone needed anything, and they’d come upon the damaged big pharmacy. They had not thought of it before now, having the doctor and all the meds they needed at the compound.

It had been five days since Benton left them. Five days of relative quiet. A few outbreaks, mostly just small things that one person could handle, but nothing major. There were no more large gatherings of malefactors, nor did it seem that Benton was making any more. But they all knew that as soon as they let down their guard, he would come at them. Remy was making them work out every day, in the event that something did happen. It was sort of scary, Chris thought, having things seem...well, so normal. Chris knew that that, more than anything, was what was making Remy so tense.

“The grocery stores are all in good shape. We have started charging for the food now, as you suggested. I think having people work off what they buy for now is going to make them feel better about what’s going on around here too. Plus, the cleanup is going much better with the help.” Chris had only suggested that they make a work detail from some of the people they were helping to get to the removal of not just the trash, but cars that had been abandoned. And telling them where they came across a body. Remy continued before he could point this out to him. “I have seen an improvement in tempers as well. With them working, they have less time to pick at one another and us.”

“Idle hands and all that. My mom used to say that to me all the time when I’d get into trouble.” Remy nodded as he started picking up a makeup display and putting it to rights. “Wanna tell me what is really bothering you? It can’t just be the fact that this place is destroyed.”

Remy moved to the door and looked out. There wasn’t much out there. It was daylight, yes, but people for the most part didn’t roam the sidewalks just yet. And if they did venture out, it was to get what they wanted or needed and return home.

“The people want to see a funny movie. I was thinking about asking you what one they would enjoy.” Chris gave him the title of his favorite movie. “I think you’d be better off telling Skylar. She’s seen a few more than I have.”

Two weeks ago they had opened the drive in. It had been closed up long before the people started being taken. The weed removal alone had taken the better part of a week. Then there was trying to figure out how to run movies from the ancient projector to the big screen. Finally, they just used some of their magic to do it. The projector looked as if it was showing the movies, in the event someone came into the little room to ask something, but for the most part, they’d been running movies nightly with their magic. It was simpler.

Chris moved to where he was standing and looked out. Remy stood staring at the large wall of bricks before he spoke.

“The other towns…the ones not affect by all this. Do you suppose we will be able to integrate ourselves into their world without questions? I have...over the centuries, I have had to work hard at not being singled out because of my age.” Chris started to ask him why he wanted to, but he realized something. Remy was afraid, as they all were. Not of being hurt, though he supposed that was part of it, but of not being accepted. “I know that we have sent out a few others to see what they can find out. A few have returned saying that things are too much for them. The noises alone are enough, one said, to make him have a headache for a week. I don’t know if we can keep us beyond the realm of the others when this is finished.”

Not if this finishes, but when. It was a good sign, Chris thought, that their leader was thinking positively. But to answer his question? Chris didn’t have an answer for him. Wasn’t even sure why they were thinking along those lines just yet.

Benton was still out there. At least, they were pretty sure he was. There were still malefactors around; not nearly as many, but enough that it was still unsafe to be out and about unless in large groups. With Dolin and Ward confirmed dead, it did ease the mind, but they still had a long way to go before they were safe. Anyone could be helping Benton, and if they were, then they’d be in deep shit again if they didn’t stay on top of their game.

“Before I answer you, why do you ask? I mean, really, we’re pretty much self-sufficient here. We have plenty of food. A doctor, hospital, and school. There isn’t any mail or Internet, which I find kind of peaceful. We have money to use should we want to, a leader in you, and a jail system in place now. We even have homes that are, in my opinion, nicer than I think some of these people had before. Roomier for sure, and up on the latest of gadgets.” Remy nodded and waited for something, but Chris wasn’t sure what. “Are you asking me if I want to leave here?”

“Nay, I only ask what you think we’ll be doing when this is done. Will we be here for the rest of the earth’s days?”

Good point. They would still be warriors with these pretty amazing powers. And thanks to a quick visit to one of the outlying cities, they knew that no human could see them as they did each other. A few shifters did. Vampires for sure, but they only treated them as strangers and not weird ones. The tats, it seemed, were for them to use and see, and not others.

“I think, once this is finished, we will want to take our time in moving out. I’m in no hurry really. I love it here, as I said…it’s quiet. But will I want to go away later, become a part of whatever is out there? I have no idea. I guess, like you, we’ll have to think about that.” Remy asked him if he’d thought about things like jobs and children. “Yes to both. I was an entertainer before this. I don’t know why I won’t be after if I’ve a mind to. Kate was a teacher for a time, a doctor when she was younger, and any number of things in between. So she would be able to find work should she need it, if she wants to. But according to Hector, we will be paid forever because of the magic in the other realm. You have always been a warrior. Perhaps you can open your own muscle firm; you know, hunt down the bad guys and bring them in for justice.”

“I have been told by Skylar that I would be very good at that. Only I cannot be the judge on what their payment is. She said that I would only be the...what you called it, muscle, not the one that passes their sentences.” Chris laughed and nodded. “Skylar wishes to have children and open a restaurant. She said that before this, as you have said, she was good at something and would like to do it again.”

“We’re immortals. I’m pretty sure that even if we don’t know how to do something, we have plenty of time to learn it.” Remy nodded, and Chris had a feeling that whatever was on his mind, this was only a part of it. “Kate and I want to have children as well. But I think we’re going to look into taking on some of the ones that have been left behind from this.”

“The other world, it’s gone. So many people have lost everything. Not just lives, though that is enough, but homes, photos, as well as memories that can never be replaced.” Ah, so that was the unspoken problem, Chris thought. He was thinking of what had been destroyed in the name of greed. “All those people that have died over there have been left where they lay. At least the ones here have a place to call home. Dead or living. They have nothing left of their own; all their memories and things have been left in a place that no one will be able to return to. Not from this realm, I’m told.”

“They have called this their home, Remy. And from talking to a few of them, they have it much better than they did in their realm. I think, for the most part, they’re happier too.” Chris watched as a woman moved along the streets, her cart in front of her and a gun slung over her back. Her eyes darted everywhere as she moved. When she saw them, she waved but never stopped moving. “People will soon feel safe here too, I believe. Once Benton is dead and all the malefactors with him.”

Remy said nothing but watched the woman as he did. When another person came out of a house a few doors down from the woman, they both watched as they huddled together with their guns and carts and made their way to the other street, where the grocery store was. He wondered if they had planned this, or if the second woman just happened to be watching for anyone to come by so as not to be alone.

“I wish to ask you something.” Chris told him that he could have anything he wanted. “I should like for you to wait first before answering. I want you to do me a favor and move to the other town. The one where there are people.”

“Move out.” Remy only nodded, then looked at him. “Are you asking me to move out for a reason? Because if I’ve done something wrong, I would hope that you’d let me know.”

“No. Nothing like that at all. I should like for you to purchase a home in a neighborhood. Live among them for us. Find out what we have missed, as in news reels. I understand that we might not be up to the latest news on things, and it would seem horribly remiss of us if we were to suddenly appear in a town and not know current events. Come here, when you can and it is safe, and give us information. A learning class on what we should know.” Chris was surprised at the request as well as the reason behind it. “When I was alone, just working the task as it came, it wasn’t necessary for me to know much of anything that was going on. Not the newest fashion, should I have cared, or who was running for an office. What the price of eggs were. But with this many people, we will seem out of place if we don’t even know the most basic of current events. Don’t you agree?”

“I do. I can gather newspapers for us to read. Magazines, as well as some other means of information. Perhaps I can even figure out a way to make the projector work here and bring in current movies too.” He’d meant it as a joke, but Remy said that sounded like a great idea as well. “May I ask why you picked me?”

“Davis was my first choice, as a matter of fact. But I dismissed him because of his hardened ways. As a cop, he would be more inclined to gather the current events that pertain to laws and regulations. What crimes are being committed and the punishment of them. You are more...current in a great many things. And more open minded as well. I’m not saying that we don’t need to know laws and regulations, but I think we’ll need a more broadened gathering of facts.” Remy laughed before he spoke again. “Davis would not have thought of movies and magazines. He would have brought us police reports and graphs and line charts. He is a good man, but he is very jaded, I think.”

Remy seemed more relaxed after Chris agreed he and Kate would do it. He’d have to talk to her, but he didn’t think she’d mind. And he started a mental list of things that he might want to bring back that they were lacking in as well. He wondered how hard it would be to bring out a few computers and get them hooked up.

~~~

“She’s coming.” Rick nodded at his friend, and then asked her who. He’d been meeting Janell here for several months now, if for no other reason than to just catch up on some of his other issues. Mostly his home and other properties. “The woman I told you about before. You have to watch your back with her. She’s not really...I was going to say she’s like you, but that would be an understatement. She’s meaner.”

“I’m not mean.” Janell snorted at him. “I’m not. I’m right all the time, and I get upset when others don’t see my way. I need a sign that says that to them before they open their mouths to disagree with me. Don’t you think?”

“You’re mean. But she’s still coming. And when she gets here, you won’t be able to come to see me again.” He asked her why. “Because, my dear friend, she’s your mate.”

“I don’t think so.” But the conversation he’d had with Nate came back to him. “She’s really coming here? I mean, soon?”

“Time doesn’t mean much to me, and you know that. But I would say about a fortnight.” Two weeks. He had two weeks of being free left. “She will bring with her a great deal of baggage.”

“What sort of baggage?” Janell told him what she knew. “So this woman, who is meaner than me, is coming here with her entourage? Why do you think she needs four others with her to come here?”

“Don’t know, don’t care. All I know is that she’s making plans. And she’s closing up her house too. I don’t think the two of you will suit, but it’s not my business.” Rick nodded. He didn’t think they’d suit either. He was as set in his ways as most people his age were. “When she gets here—and like I said, it will be soon—I’d like to be warned about it. I don’t want to be hanging with you and lose my head because she’s a jealous bitch.”

“You don’t like her.” Janell snorted again. “What is it about her that has you hating her so much? I mean, you get along with everyone, but this woman has you pissy. Why?”

“You don’t know, do you?” Rick asked her what she meant. “You know her too, or at least you know of her. She’s Lucia. Lucia Alvarez.”

Rick nearly fell back, he was so shocked. “Lucia is dead. She was killed when the war broke out, and was caught on the battlefields killing the dying for a meal. The council said that they’d taken care of her, and that I had no worries that she’d find me.”

“You really are out of the loop, aren’t you? She was found not guilty. Not that I know who did it, but she had proof that she wasn’t the one doing it.” Rick held onto his fear like it was a coat and it was blowing in a heavy storm. “She’s sworn on her life that she was going to find out who turned her in for this. I’m guessing that she can hold a grudge like you can. Are you all right?”