Davis: Blood Brotherhood (9 page)

He took her to her peak twice as he made love to her. Tears streamed down her face as his love seemed to pour from him into her. Holding him to her, keeping his body inside of her, Vicki came with a scream, her body bowing up so hard that she felt him nearly slide out of her. His own release was not far behind hers as she fell back to the bed, and his fangs sank into her throat as he emptied himself once more.

When he rolled to his back, taking her with him, Vicki let her tears fall. She was in love with this man, there was no doubt about it, but she wasn’t sure how much more she could take of this lifestyle. When he spoke, breaking her from her dark thoughts, she looked up at him and asked him to repeat himself.

“I said I saw your brother today. He was at the warehouse. Leo actually spoke to him. Randall wanted him to bring you to him.” She asked him what Leo had said. “He hit him.”

Vicki stared at him, shocked. First because he’d sounded so amused by what he’d said, and secondly because her brother was really trying to get her to come to him. Then the absurdity of the entire thing hit her.

“Mother fuck. I’m so dumb.” He told her she wasn’t and kissed her nose. “Thanks, but I am. I’m laying here with you feeling all sorry for myself because a bunch of people got killed. I had nothing to do with it. I mean, a few of them I did, but nothing more than that. And those people were going to kill us. Then my brother steps in and tries to get me. No, that’s not right, he tries to sell me.”

“He used the money for drugs. He has track marks all over his arms.” Vicki knew her brother was a cokehead and wondered now why she didn’t think about him selling her for money. He’d done more for drug money.

“When I was working at the hospital one night, I was called to ER. I had all sorts of thoughts as to why I had been asked to come down. All of them centered on my mom and what might have happened to her. She’d been working at the clinic for about two weeks then, and it wasn’t in the best sort of neighborhood. But it was Randall. He’d been brought in.” She got up and walked to the window, dressing herself in thick sweatpants and sweatshirt as she went, suddenly very cold. “They had strapped him down with leather ties that are sometimes used to hold down a combative person like he was. Randall had already hit one of the nurses, and the police were asking me questions. None of which I knew the answers to. All the while he’s begging me to let him go, it’s all a mistake.”

“It usually is to them.” Davis sat up. She noticed that he had dressed too, in the same manner she had, as if he too were cold. “I did a lot of calls where someone in the house was violent because they couldn’t get a fix. What did he do to you?”

“Hit me. Almost as soon as they let him go, he doubled his fist and hit me. I had nineteen stitches in my cheek and another ten in my arm. They were letting him go to take him to jail. There was little to nothing they could do for him since he had refused treatment.” She looked out the window again. “I never trusted him again, and avoided him as much as possible. And did a good job except for when he would catch me off guard somewhere. The security staff at the hospital knew that if he came on the premises that he was to be arrested and I was not to be called unless he was dead. I washed my hands of him that day, and since.”

“Until now.” She turned to look at him again. “We’re going to have to deal with him. Sooner rather than later. He’s going to keep at you until he finds someone that will help him. And we can’t let him have you. I love you and need you here with me.”

“I should just blast him.” Davis grinned at her. “I was kidding. Sort of. I’m not sure what I could do if it came down to me and him. I don’t…I guess I could hurt him if I needed to, but it would be hard.”

“You could do it. I’m sure of it. He’s low on your list right now.” She asked him what kind of list he was talking about. “When I was a cop, there was so much going on all the time. Drug deals going down, jaywalkers, car jackings. Right within feet of one another. I would have to have a list. Drug deals were going to happen, nearly a fact of life. But if it was to a kid, it shot right to the top of the list. Same with the jackings. A sweet old woman was higher than some jackass that was asking for it to drive a nicer car in that neighborhood. Did they deserve to be hurt? No. But there was no way I could be everywhere at once. Some things, like the jaywalkers, never made the cut. It was all I could do not to go insane trying to be a great cop in a crime-infested war zone. So I had a list. It kept me from killing the wrong person, namely me. I even had one when I was diagnosed with cancer. It was just a way to deal with what I could control.”

Standing at the window, she thought about what had brought her here. Not to this room, but to this place. So much had happened in a short amount of time. More than she’d ever dreamed possible really.

“I’m in love with you. I never thought I’d love anyone. I guess it was my upbringing that did that. But you’re very amazing, and I’m a better human because of you.” He got up and came to her. When he wrapped his arms around her, Vicki felt love like it was a warm blanket coming from him. “I hope we can finish this soon. I’d very much like to get on with our lives.”

“We will. In the meantime, we have to work on my flying. You have it down, but I’m still knocking things over…and people. I hate it when I knock someone down.” He kissed her ear. “Let’s go out and see what sort of damage I can do out there.”

They were nearly out the door when Ann called them back. She showed them the new panic button that had been installed, as well as asking to speak to Vicki alone. Davis left them, and Ann hugged her almost as soon as the door shut behind him.

“You saved my life. And that of my daughter and grandchild. I can’t tell you how terrified I was when he hit me.” Vicki tried to tell her it was all right. “No, it isn’t. He was bent on killing me, and you saved me. I’ll never forget that. Not so long as I live, and every time I kiss my grandson, I’ll think of you saving me.”

“I don’t want you to do that. You should just be happy that one of us was up here when he came.” Ann nodded and hugged her again. Vicki leaned against the counter. “My brother is looking for me. Did Mom tell you?”

“Yes. She said he was out there looking for a quick fix that would get you hurt if he found you.” Vicki nodded. Leave it to her mom to cut to the chase. “I want you to know that he won’t get by me. Not with that button there.”

“Just be careful. He and Leo tangled today. He’s a mean ass when he’s high. And he doesn’t care if you’re a woman or not.” Vicki started out and stopped. “Do you know how to use a gun? He’s human, so it will work on him. I’ll have someone show you if you don’t.”

“I can use one. Tell them I want one and that I want a place to practice. Your mom and I will take lessons if necessary.” Vicki went out with Davis and told him what was going on.

“I’ll train them both. It would be my pleasure. And that’s a good idea that they both carry. It might be the difference between life and death for a lot of people.” She agreed with him. “Now. Spread your wings, my dear, I want to learn how from the best.”

They were out in the yard for nearly two hours. Skylar and Remy had joined them earlier on in their work out, and the four of them worked together to get the taking off down pat. Vicki could do that, but it was the landing that messed her up. She couldn’t seem to turn in midflight to land on her feet. Usually, she was on her head when she set down. But it was fun to get out of the house and not think about what they were doing. She decided to make this a regular thing, to get out of the building and do something fun. They were all working way too hard and needed to have some fun or explode.

Chapter 9

“What do you mean, the power has been turned off? That’s not possible. We have it hooked right into the wall.” Dolin was getting angrier by the second. The man at the other end of the conversation was not telling him the truth. “I want you to go there and check again. The only people who knew about that grid was Ward, and he would not do something as stupid as that.”

“I’m standing right next to the machine. All the parts have been burned up. The housing that puts off the waves has been destroyed, as well as the entire machine has been wrecked. There are enough of the creatures laying around, headless I might add, to make me think that one of them done it. There is evidence that one of them might have crawled up in the thing.” Dolin wanted to scream. “Not to mention, there is some…I think it might be a message to you guys.”

“Message?” He felt his blood chill when he heard the words. “Message of what sort? If it’s in an envelope, then you have my permission to open it and read it.”

“Nope. It’s on the wall. And now that I’m standing back from it—the sucker is really big—I can see that it is to you and Mr. Ward. Let me see if I can get it all for you.” There was a scraping sound as well as something falling over. It would be just Dolin’s luck that the man would fall over and die before he got the information. “Okay, here we go. You want me to read it word for word or just give you the general idea?”

“Word for word if you please.” It was hard to be polite, and Dolin was having a hard time just being civil to the man. “And do hurry. I’m late for something.”

“Okay. ‘Morons.’ Then he has your name and Ward under it. Not very nice, is it?” Dolin was so close to hanging up the call and going to the scene himself that he had to grip the side of the couch to make sure that he didn’t. “‘I have destroyed your device. And so you know, Hector said that now that you’ve put one in, he’ll know to look for them. He said you shouldn’t waste your time; he will destroy them as fast as you build them. From now on we’re going to be hunting for you.’ Then at the end there’s this little shaky line. Under it the word ‘turquoise’ is written. You know what that means?”

The phone fell from his hands. He looked at the piece of turquoise that had been in his robe pocket this morning when he’d slipped it on to go and talk to Mary. And then when he’d thrown it away, putting it in the outside can this time, he’d come into the house to find it on the counter. It was the same piece, he knew it. He’d been about to call Ward when this idiot called.

The machine had been built in the secret of the night. It was to bring the malefactors to the building, and the energy was funneled to his and Ward’s homes. It was the only way now that they could charge up the stones that they were powering the lab with…with magic from the creatures it was made for. They were essentially supplying themselves with the power to create more of their kind. And it was the main reason they’d not been able to give any more to Benton. The man would suck them dry if they let him.

Dolin was still sitting there when Ward slapped him. It took Dolin a few seconds to realize that he might have been there for a while.

“What is it? I get this call from that fool you have on earth telling me that he thinks someone killed you. And when I get here you’re in a trance.” Dolin nodded but said nothing as Ward went on. “And did you send me that fucking stone again? This is not funny, Dolin. I’m not—”

He pointed to the one on his counter. Ward went to it but never touched it. Instead he put a bowl over it and came back to the couch. He didn’t look any happier than Dolin felt. He told him about the machine.

“Hector did it?” Dolin nodded. “Why? What harm was it doing him for us to have it? It’s not like we’re taking the humans from them. Just using the energy that we need to make more. Doesn’t he understand that?”

Dolin just stared at him. Ward could not be that stupid. Before he could tell him why it bothered Hector so much, Ward got up and put his stone that had been in a plastic Baggie under the bowl as well.

“Whatever this turquoise is, Hector is using it as well. It was on the message from, I’m assuming, Remy.” Ward paled. “That was my reaction as well. We’re going to have to do something about him. This has gotten well out of control. Is there anyone we can trust to go after him?”

“Not yet. I’m talking to one such person. He said that they owe him, whatever that means. I’m assuming that he thinks they’ve slighted him somehow.” Dolin had no idea, but if the man wanted to help them out, then he was all for it. “He is demanding a million dollars to do it. Said he has needs.” Dolin waited for him to tell him it was a joke, or at least tell him where he was going to get that kind of money. Since this thing with Hector, his money had been going to things that he thought would make his life better once they made it to earth.

“We don’t have that kind of money. Not even with the money that was deposited for the first shipment. We’ve had needs as well.” Boy, had they ever. Of the nearly five million in jewels and coin that they’d been given, only about a third of his portion was left. He’d gone through almost two million dollars in less time than it had taken them to set this thing up.

“I have most of my money left. No reason to spend it here when it would be nicer to have things, new things in the new world. We’re still going to set up there, right? Live there?” Dolin nodded. How could Ward not have spent his money? But before he could ask, Ward continued. “Also, I took it upon myself to have someone look into houses for us. With that kind of money we can afford something on a grand scale. There will be plenty to choose from cheaply now that all the humans are gone.”

“I should hope so since there will be no one there to gainsay us.” Free was what he was hoping for. And with the money that was being left behind—hundreds of millions of dollars, he thought—they could live in style. “I was thinking we should narrow down our list of those we plan to take with us. We’re going to need a staff and such.”

Ward handed him a sheet of paper. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. I have ten names there. There were twenty-five, but as they are getting sick, my list has shortened.” They both looked at the bowl on the counter. “You think someone here is trying to kill us?”

“I don’t know.” But he had a feeling that it was Hector somehow. He had no idea how, but it was him. He was sure of it. “Perhaps someone is working with Hector. Making it so we get sick as well. I don’t know anyone that would want us dead. We have given them so much, but you never know about some people. Maybe we should keep a closer eye on the people working with us.”

Ward nodded. “I have been working from home. This is the only place that I come anymore. I’ve even taken to having my food delivered to me. Then I leave it in the hall for a while before I touch it. Even then it’s with gloves. I’m so nervous about getting sick again.”

It had taken them very little time to get over the poisoning, so little that Dolin wondered now if it was also a trick of the mind. There had been so many things going odd in the last weeks that he was beginning to doubt his sanity. He wasn’t ill in the head, but there were things going on that made him think twice.

“Have you seen anything, heard anything in your home of late?” Ward looked confused. “It was just once, but I swear to you I heard someone screaming in my bedroom. Nearly made me fall all over myself getting there to look. Nothing like that?”

“No. I’ve been…now that you bring it up, I have noticed that my things are moved. I know it’s not the cleaning person because she’s not been there in weeks. But all the same, my books will be out of order. A chair just not right.” Ward flushed. “I’ve taken to taking pictures of my rooms when I leave them and comparing them when I return. There is some movement.”

So there was someone playing with them. But who? Neither of them went anywhere but to each other’s houses. They didn’t even go to the lab anymore because like Ward, Dolin had taken to working at home. Who would it be? Hector would have to know their schedules and be ready at a moment’s notice to get there and out. Dolin wondered if they didn’t have someone spying on them, reporting back to Hector when they left.

“I think I’m being paranoid.” Dolin looked at Ward. “I have all these things running through my head. And all of them have spies or cameras looking in on us all the time. I think…why are we so afraid of Hector? What on earth could he have to hold against us? Surely our Mary passing is payment enough for his wife, don’t you think? I mean, we’ve all lost someone in this. Move on, I say.”

“Indeed.” Ward had a good point. They had Hector’s notes, all his lab equipment, and just recently they’ve gotten his computer opened. It was much like his notes in that no one could read them, but if they couldn’t then neither could their competition. Nodding, Dolin decided to let go of this stuff and concentrate on getting things in the other world finished up so they could get paid.

“I’m going to have that man brought here. The one we talked about.” Ward nodded and took out his little computer. He was forever taking notes, which, Dolin supposed, was a good thing and something that he should start doing. He was forever forgetting things. “When he is out of quarantine, I’ll contact you and we’ll get him set up for the transformation. He should be ready to do the work we need within a few weeks.”

For the next several hours, they talked about work that needed done on the young human. He was perfect for what they needed, but they were both a little concerned about his intelligence. The man was not the smartest human they’d come across, but he did have the brawn to back up his work. There was also the amount of drugs he had in his system all the time. Dolin could almost taste them on him it was so strong.

As he left, Ward laughed about their earlier worries. “We’re going to do just fine with this. In a few weeks, we’re going to be on top of the world. Both worlds.”

Dolin agreed and watched the man scurry home. As he put his hands in his pocket, he nearly fell backward. Pulling out the round, smooth stone, he could only stare at it in disbelief. Running to the bowl, he lifted it up and saw that not only was his missing, but Ward’s was as well. Dolin would bet anything that Ward would find it in his pocket.

~~~

Hector was nervous. He’d never been very good at talking to large groups of people, and these were not going to be happy with him at all. Not one bit. He’d kept so much from them. And by the same token, he’d learned so much from them. They filed into the command center, and he was surprised to see that Ann and Margarita joined them. When they were settled, he began.

“I wanted to say how sorry I am.” No one said anything, so he continued. “When I started this, with Rembrandt working with us, I had no idea that it would come to this.”

“Come to what?” Hector looked at Skylar when she spoke up. “You knew even then that there was going to be an issue with these things. So what else did you think it would come to?”

“Ward and Dolin betraying me, for starters. When we first started this…when we all started this project, it was in our head…my head that we were helping this realm. The stones that we sought after were plentiful then. Or at least I’d been led to believe they were. And when we sent the first few malefactors here—as helpers, not destroyers—we thought that we were doing the right thing. I did anyway. I never realized how wrong I could have been.” Hector turned and brought up the computer images that he’d had when coming here. “This is our realm. As you can see, things are not that much different from what you have here. The plants are different somewhat. We can grow most of what you have here, but not all of what we grow can be used here. The houses are set up differently. There is one room per house, and everything is out in the open. Light from the sun shines in all the houses from the top as well as the sides, and we have servants, at least some do, that do most of the work for us for a good coin.”

“What was the reason you made the malefactors in the first place?” The question from Davis was a good one, and one he had thought would be asked. Nodding, he brought up the pictures of the wars.

“We were a peaceful realm. Rarely did we ever go to war. In fact the last time, before the malefactors, had been so long ago that none of us could remember. We live to be thousands of years old on our realm. We die from only a few things, and it had come to the point where we were being slaughtered right in our beds by other beings that would sneak into our houses and kill us. Our kind, the people from our planet, had no idea how to fight. So we…I came up with a formula that would change their chemistry and make them not just aggressive, but without thought to what they were doing. Killing without any thought to who or what they were killing.”

“You did.” Even though it was put as a statement from Rembrandt, he nodded anyway. “And then you thought to send them here when you were finished. When you released these monsters on us, did you have a plan to kill them off? Or did you plan to kill us all instead?”

“Neither. When we sent them here, it was with orders to only engage with the enemy. We didn’t…we only had one enemy, one force against us. We never took into account that you would be fighting against yourself. Or that the enemy today would be your ally tomorrow. It was…it wasn’t something that occurred to me.” He looked around the room before continuing. “Then there was…they began to fight the control we had over them. The plan to bring them home…to be destroyed by us was…it was taken out of my hands. By the time I figured out that it was going to be bad, the malefactors were so many that destroying them was nearly impossible.”