Hope and Vengeance (Saa Thalarr, book 1): Saa Thalarr, book 1 (24 page)

"Things are worse than we imagined," Lion muttered. "Somebody got the undocumented immigrants in the area in a panic, and told them they would be arrested if they didn't get out of town. I figure at least forty people were at that campsite. They're all dead, now."

"They were sent to a campsite that was booby-trapped?"

"Looks that way," Merrill took a chair nearby.

"I figure they'd have been bitten by spawn if we hadn't set off the bomb somehow," Lion observed. "They were being herded, that's easy enough to see."

"How did we set it off?" I asked.

"Could have been anything. While we employ cunning whenever we act, the enemy can be just as cunning—and much more destructive. Those people were dead, no matter what we did." Dragon walked in, carrying a mug of the dark tea he liked so much. I didn't have enough courage to try it; it smelled too strong.

"And we're back to the beginning, hunting werewolves," Daniel and Griffin joined us. "I just spoke with Shirley," Daniel went on. "We have more leads, but I don't want them to turn out like this one."

"Where was Rita's body found?" Kiarra stopped pacing and cursing to ask the question.

"They said a house outside town," Daniel replied. "That's all I know."

"Then it's time we found out," she said.

Griffin rattled off an address for her. She frowned.

"That's down the street from Roy Cheek's house," Joey said. He and Bearcat had just walked in.

"Adam, how fast can you turn to mist now?" Kiarra asked.

"I haven't tried it," I said, rising to my feet. "You know I'm a mister?"

"Yes. Try it now."

I did. "Wow, Adam," Joey breathed. "I didn't even see it, it was so fast."

I became corporeal again and blinked stupidly at Kiarra. "It's my blood," she shrugged. "How about a reconnaissance mission? I think we should check both those houses."

"They won't be able to detect his mist," Griffin laughed.

"Can you take someone with you?" she asked.

"I've never been able to turn anyone else with me," I hedged.

"Try it now," Griffin nodded.

"Come here, sweetheart," I motioned for her to come to me. She did. I pulled her into my arms, offering her a quick kiss before going to mist.

"It works!" Joey crowed. "Adam, you're both mist. That's outstanding."

"We'll go tomorrow," I said, allowing us to become corporeal. "I think we need to sleep on this."

"I think that's an excellent idea," Dragon said. "How about before dawn?"

"Always a good time for an attack," Kiarra nodded.

* * *

"Kee, reconnaissance only," Lion reminded as we prepared to go the following morning. He and Dragon were dropping us off two miles away, then driving to a small restaurant on the west side of town for breakfast. We'd mist to the houses in question from our drop-off point and report our findings.

It took less than a minute to mist to the first house, where I found the barest crack to slip through. The blood was easy enough to find—it was dried on the carpet in one of the bedrooms. My nose, curiously enough, still works while I'm mist. I was grateful.

Werewolves were here
, I informed Kiarra.
The smell of them is everywhere. I smell Rita, too, and her blood. I also smell my sire, and one other vampire
.
Too bad they're not still here
, I grumbled.

So we know they're all together in this
, she returned.
Let's go to Cheek's house
.

Misting through the same crack a second time, I changed course and headed down the street toward Cheek's house. Joey had staked it out several times, as had Kiarra. The garage door was easy enough to slip past, and the back door leading into the kitchen allowed enough space between it and the jamb to slide my mist through to the interior.

They've been here, too
, I said.
All the scents, plus other vampires. I don't like this at all, my heart. I smell at least six vampires and a dozen werewolves
.

Adam, let's get out of here
, Kiarra said, a fair amount of panic in her sending. I sped toward the cracks I'd found in order to enter the house. We'd barely made it out again before Cheek's house exploded behind us.

* * *

"Somebody knows how to build bombs," Lion handed a menu to me when Kiarra and I walked in and sat down.

"That much is certain," I said, accepting the menu and opening it. Kiarra scooted as close against me as she could—Lion and Dragon had chosen a booth near the door, and Dragon had moved from his seat opposite Lion so Kiarra and I could sit together.

"They're either good guessers or they have an edge of some sort," Dragon pointed out.

"I'd say guessing on this," Kiarra said. "They knew we'd latch onto that information, and after we set off what we did last night," she shook her head.

"So they're laying traps, and hoping we'll fall into at least one of them," Lion nodded. "Sounds about right. I think I'll have steak and eggs."

* * *

"Shirley has someone watching both houses, now," Daniel said later, after ending a phone conversation with the Corpus Christi Packmaster. "The one where Rita was killed was an empty rental property. It's scheduled for cleanup and renovation now, but that won't happen for a few weeks," he shrugged.

"What have the authorities made of the scales they found?" Dragon asked.

"They have no clue, and forensics hasn't been able to identify what type of scales they are. We have a wolf on the force, so that's how I'm getting information—through him."

"At least they came from the same kapirus," Kiarra said. "I know by
Looking
," she held up a hand. "How are these rogue werewolves feeding themselves?" she asked, changing the subject.

"Deer and small game are in the area," Daniel said.

"Enough to feed a group? Every day?"

"Probably. They'll hunt coyotes if they're desperate, and there are plenty of those around."

"That sounds tasty," Joey made a face.

"How are the vampires feeding themselves?" I spoke my thoughts aloud.

"Good question," Merrill said. "Very good question."

"If they're following the rules, then no bodies will show up and the human won't remember being bitten after compulsion is laid," I said.

"What about the safe house?" Kiarra asked. "You left bagged blood in the fridge."

"Shall we go see?" I turned both of us to mist before anyone could object and flew toward the door.

* * *

The safe house refrigerator had been left open, and all the blood had been taken. We studied it for only a moment—there was no other evidence that the house had been inhabited—before misting away again.

"There's enough to feed them for several days," I said when we reached the beach house again. "They took all of it, including what was in the freezer."

"I'll let Charles know the safe house has been compromised," Merrill said. I knew what that meant—the house would be destroyed and the property sold before Charles searched for a new location to build another.

"What now?" I asked. "They have a food supply for a few days. Past that, it's donors unless they find another source of bagged blood."

"I have a suggestion," Griffin said.

"What's that?" Kiarra turned to him.

"We know they're housing part of their army on those two oil platforms. At the moment, those things are still in operation, to keep the corporate offices off their back and to make everything appear normal. I say we take the fight there, to let the enemy know we're not backing down."

"Is that what you meant when you said the crews had been fired and replaced?" I asked Kiarra.

"Yeah. But you didn't take the bait, did you?"

"No. I feel naïve now," I said. "The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know."

"But you didn't feel so naïve then, did you?" Lion grinned. "Ignorance really is bliss, sometimes."

"The ground certainly felt firmer beneath my feet," I conceded. "I'm standing on quicksand now, and slowly sinking."

"Sweetie, stop worrying. We're nearly as clueless, and we've been dealing with this for a long time," Kiarra rubbed my back.

"Did you just call me sweetie?" I lifted an eyebrow at her.

"I called you sweetie. Does that mess with your tough vampire mojo or something?"

"It might," I rumbled.

"You may call me sweetie," Merrill offered.

"Adam can stare down most vampires," Joey chuckled. "The rest of them bow and scrape, because they're afraid. I've never seen him lose a fight," he added.

"His Council records are impeccable," Merrill agreed.

"You've read them?" I turned to Merrill with a frown.

"Of course. I've read all the records on Enforcers and Assassins."

"You have access?"

"I do. Wlodek is my sire."

"Holy fuck," Joey breathed. "No wonder he takes your calls."

"He is still unaware that you are my turn," Merrill informed Joey. "I was warned to keep that information from all the Council, so I have."

"Are we going to the oil platforms?" Kiarra asked. "I worry that it may set something in motion we may not be prepared for."

"It will come anyway, regardless of what we do," Griffin advised.

"Probably true. When are we going?"

"Tonight. I'll find a fishing boat big enough for all of us, plus a few werewolves."

"I'll contact Shirley," Daniel said and pulled out his cell phone.

* * *

"How dangerous will this be?" I asked, moving the collar of Kiarra's shirt aside to kiss her shoulder. We were back in our bedroom; the decision to rest before going to the platforms later was an opportunity for me and I intended to seize it.

"Dangerous enough. You've already fought spawn, in small numbers. This will be an army of them. Some may be older and larger, like the trolls you saw in Shreveport."

"How far apart are these platforms?" I slowly began to unbutton her blouse.

"Less than a mile. The good thing is that once we attack, the spawn from the second platform will be forced to join the others by conventional means, unless the enemy is willing to reveal himself. I doubt he's ready for that, yet."

"Meaning we may have time to eliminate one army before the second attacks? That's something, I suppose. This will anger the enemy, no doubt, if we eliminate a major portion of his fighting force," I said.

"I thought you didn't want to talk business while making love."

"We're not there, yet. This is merely the opening volley. I feel you out, determining your readiness for me to proceed. So far, the indications are quite positive."

"Indications, huh?"

"Pulse and respiration. Scent. Taste." I nipped her collarbone gently before lowering my head and scraping fangs carefully across a bared nipple.

"You're still dressed," she pointed out. I nipped harder, making her gasp.

"I am already aroused. It is my duty to see to your arousal," I knelt and breathed against the tender skin of her belly. "These must go." I undid the button of her jeans and lowered the zipper.

"And what if," she began.

"I can smell it, my heart. Therefore, it is my desire to make you wait just a bit, to make it wilder and sweeter."

"I can rip some of this out," she ran her fingers through my hair.

"Really?" My fingers gripped much shorter hair, lower down. "Tit for tat?"

"Uh, no, thanks."

"Then make no threats. I promise this will be worth your while." Backing her against a wall, I proceeded to undress her slowly, kissing my way up and down her body. If she became too breathless and aroused from my stimulation, I backed off and traveled to safer territory.

"You're driving me nuts," she said eventually, burying her fingers in my hair. "I'm not sure I can stand up much longer."

"You think I can't hold you up?" I tilted my head back and gazed up at her. I proceeded to show her that she could straddle me perfectly well, her knees hanging over my shoulders while I stood and busied myself with the scent and taste of her. She may have shrieked a time or two when she came, but it only made me smile.

* * *

"I find this quite appealing." I ran a finger down the black leather vest. Like Dragon, she'd dressed in black leather for our trip to the oil platforms. The vest was sleeveless and fit like a second skin.

"It's better protection than cotton," she shrugged.

"How are we going to sneak up on them?" I asked. "They'll know we're coming."

"We're posing as night fishermen. That happens often enough. You're going to get us onto the platform, Adam, by turning us to mist."

"But," I began.

"I think you can take all of us. I think you just don't realize yet what you might do after getting my blood."