The Dead War Series (Book 1): Good Intentions (16 page)

“That's what the guy said,” Aaron said.

Cassian huffed in annoyance. “Find out if that's true, now.”

Robert ran towards the computer, turning it on. Aaron pulled out his cell phone and began searching the net for information. Almost at the same time, both men were offering him answers.

“One at a time,” Cassian commanded. “Robert, tell me.”

“Master, there are several reports that state SciTech Labs was the first to be attacked,” Robert said.

“I'm getting the same information. Apparently, people think they were working on some kind of experiment and it went wrong. At least that's what some so-called experts are saying on CNN,” Aaron offered.

“SciTech Labs? What kind of facility is this and where can I find it?” Cassian looked at both men. They got the hint and turned back to their respective screens searching for the information.

“SciTech Labs is a research facility located downtown.” Aaron retrieved the information first, giving Cassian the address. “They're supposed to be all into organic medicines and studying new environmental elements, whatever the fuck that means,” he said.

“Well ain't shit 'organic' about those things down there,” Robert quipped.

“About them,” Aaron looked at Cassian. “Master, they're in this building and they'll be making their way up here soon enough. I've barricaded the doors on the way up here as best I could and damaged the elevators, but I don't know how long that's going to hold them off since they're in the stairwell.”

Cassian nodded. “You did well.” He turned back to Robert. “My lieutenants, now.”

The order was not to be ignored or delayed any longer and Robert immediately pulled out his cellphone and began making calls to the human servants of the Master's right-hand vampires. He woke up two servants via three-way calling, who happened to be sleeping on the job. He gave them the information then ended the call. While flipping through the contact list, his cell began to ring. It was the last servant he was about to call.

“Please tell me you know what's going on?” He asked by way of greeting.

“Do you? ‘Cause I don't. I just know we need to leave,” Veronica said.

“The Master wants all of his lieutenants with him, now.”

“I figured as much, we're actually on our way. The door was a bit jammed, but we got it open.”

“Wait, jam it again. Those things are in the building and we don't want them to get to this floor, at least not easily.”

“Already ahead of you,” Veronica said. “Open the door, we're outside.”

Robert raced to the door and with a quick glance at the monitor, he opened it. Two tall identical twin vampires walked past him into the condo followed by a petite human female. Well, she was petite in stature, but everything else on her came with double servings. It was no wonder the twins had taken to the tiny beauty. That's what they were known as, The Twins, Alexis and Alexias. Upon first meeting them several years ago, Robert had had a good chuckle at the lack of creativity their parents had when naming them. Still, they were two of Cassian's most viscous and ruthless vampires and two of his most loyal.

“Master,” the twins greeted in unison as if rehearsed.

Cassian stood by the window watching the streets below. He didn't turn around to address them, he just spoke. “I'm not going to waste time. I want you to organize the vampire Lords of my territory powerful enough to take flight and have them gather as many humans of importance as they can. Make sure the humans are uninfected by this disease. Since we are susceptible as well, I don't want us to take any unnecessary risks.”

Alexis frowned, his eyebrows knitting slightly. “We are susceptible? Wait… 'Of importance', Master? Who do you have in mind?”

Cassian sighed. “If you are bitten, you will turn into one of those things down there, killing blindly to feed your bloodlust. It's something we cannot risk, especially not a vampire of your stature.  Now, regarding the humans, we'll need to save those who can help remedy this situation. We're going to need scientists, doctors, soldiers... people who can help us defend and protect our interests.”

“But if they try to fly them out of the city, they'll get shot down, no doubt,” Aaron said. “Only authorized aircraft have been cleared to fly.”

“How stupid are you?” Alexias tossed the insult at Aaron.

“What?” Aaron asked, frowning. He was still confused but now he was also humiliated and pissed.

“Surely, you didn't think he meant we'd use an airplane to fly? You must be extremely young,” Alexias commented with a cocked brow.

“I'm aware of the standard human protocol in the case of emergency, Aaron.” Cassian looked at the young vampire.  “A few of my vampires will be slightly inconvenienced, but they are strong enough to take flight during the day.”

“Holy shit,” Aaron gasped under his breath.

He had heard rumors about the ancient vampires, the ones who held high positions under the Master, but he had no idea they were that powerful during the day. He could only imagine how powerful they would become once the sun set.

“They are simply superior beings, even to you,” Cassian said, his tone as arrogant as the smirk that followed. He had read the young vampire's mind and knew he wished to be held in high regard. In fact, he now knew the young vampire went to his club the night before, looking for him dressed in the best he could afford on his hotel salary. He wanted to be one of his Elite. What better way to keep an inferior being in their position than to remind them of where they stood in your eyes? 

He turned toward the Twins. “You have your orders.”

“As you wish, Master. May I ask where are we taking them?” Alexias inquired.

Before Cassian could reply, there was another knock on the door. Robert checked the monitor then he let the other lieutenants and their human servants inside the condo. Chloe entered trailed by her human companion, Patrick. After her was Cassian's second in command, the vampire strongest to take over in the event of his death, Sajan. His human servant, Nicole followed behind him. She gave Cassian and the other vampires a bow in show of respect and subservience. 

“Did you see if those things have gotten any closer?” Aaron asked apprehensively. He had never been so close to vampire royalty—that's what they were considered. The Master and his lieutenants lived in the tallest building in the city in the most luxurious condos. It was well known that Cassian owned the condos they resided in. He hoped that his efforts would one day place him in an elevated position among the Elite. Hell, he'd even accept being considered for the position of a lord. Lords were the lowest ranking of the vampire royalty, but it would put him one step closer to where he wanted to be.

The other vampires and their humans ignored Aaron's question, their gazes were concentrated solely on Cassian. Their Master turned around, looking at them.

“Well, did they?” he asked, bringing focus to Aaron's question.

Chloe nodded. “I did inspect the stairway and heard them attacking humans on the fortieth floor. They'll be on this floor soon.”

“I see,” Cassian said, turning back to address Alexias' earlier question. “Once you gather them, take them to St. Louis.”

“Gather what?” Chloe asked.

“Not what, who. We're to gather important people in significant positions,” Alexis answered.

“Like scientists and doctors?” Chloe pointed out.

“Exactly.” Alexias nodded.

Sajan whistled. “Concerning St. Louis, Cassian, is he expecting us?”

“He will be,” Cassian replied with utmost certainly in his tone.

“Shouldn't we make sure? I don't want to land in his territory only to find out I'm not welcome. It could start a war, among other things,” Sajan said, stepping a bit closer to Cassian.

“Ovidius will know better than to wage war with me. He will not like it, but he will not deny me either. Now, do as I say. Something tells me our time in this city is limited,” Cassian ordered.

“Master, they've grounded all aircrafts,” Chloe said.

Alexias and Alexis rolled their eyes and Aaron stifled the smirk and any remark he may have wanted to make that it would seem even the
Elite
could be “stupid” as he had been accused of being.

“You're point, Chloe?” Cassian turned toward her.

“Well, if we try to fly them to St. Louis, they'll shoot our plane down,” she said.

“Really, Chloe?” Alexias gave her a sideways look. “We're not taking the jet.”

“Oh.” Chloe frowned. “This is going to be exhausting.”

Cassian's expression grew hard. “It is my orders and it is necessary. Follow Alexis and Alexias; they will give you my instructions as I don't like repeating myself. I will contact you with more information soon. Right now, you have work to do.” He dismissed his lieutenants with a wave of his hand.

The four vampires nodded and left the condo with their humans in tow.

Cassian turned towards Robert. “My cell phone, I need it.”

Robert nodded and ran back into the master bedroom and returned as fast as he could, carrying the sleek, black iPhone. He handed it to Cassian.

“Gather a few of our belongings, only those we need. We don't have time to concern ourselves with luxuries,” Cassian ordered.

“Yes, Master. Umm, may I ask who are you going to call?” Robert asked, the wavering in his tone betraying the brave face he tried to put on. Inside, he was terrified, his only comfort was in knowing that he was the Master's servant.

Cassian didn't answer him. Instead he punched several numbers on the touch screen then held the device up to his ear. Robert decided to leave it alone and left to carry out the order he'd been given. He pulled two of his designer duffel bags from the hall closet and walked into his Master's bedroom first to gather a few articles of clothing and other important items.

Cassian waited several seconds until finally, his call was answered. “I'm sure you're aware of my current crisis,” he said, foregoing a polite greeting.

Ovidius groaned. “Aware and concerned. My territory isn't far from yours and those zombies are killing and reanimating at an astronomical rate.”

              “They are. Which is why I need to seek shelter for my vampires and myself in your territory—I wouldn't make this request unless I had no other option,” he said the last line through gritted teeth hoping he didn't sound as annoyed as he felt. The last thing he ever wanted to do was need another vampire Master to offer him and his protection. Especially not one he had turned himself. A vampire indebted to another was never a good situation to be in. Albeit, it was an unavoidable necessity at times like now.

“That may cause a problem, surely you can appreciate my concerns,” Ovidius said.

“It would still be your territory. I have no desire to claim it. However, if this virus spreads, more cities will be in my predicament. Maybe even yours. We should combine our forces now, strike preemptively before we're caught off guard. I've taught you that much, I know.”

Ovidius sighed. If it was one thing he knew, it was his sire's ironclad will to survive made even more frightening by his merciless and methodical means to ensure his survival. If he were to deny Cassian entry into his territory, it would be a declaration of war—one he'd lose. He was no fool and his desire to survive was just as strong. He thought briefly about his answer.

“As long as you respect my territory, we can work together.”

“Excellent. I will instruct my vampires to go to you. They will be accompanied by a few humans we're trying to save.”

“Why bother to waste time saving random humans when I have plenty here?” Ovidius asked, curious about his sire’s actions.

“These will not be random humans. Understand, Ovidius, I'm standing in my living room looking down at what could possibly be the end of humanity if this epidemic can't be stopped. At this point, every human life we save guarantees our own. This virus, whatever it is, can affect us as well.”

“What?!” Ovidius' voice increased a few octaves in his bewilderment.

“You see, now, why I am so concerned? One of the vampires in my territory was attacked and he went into a bloodlust rage and I'm sure he isn't the only one. All he could remember is the hunger. If enough of us are infected, especially repeatedly, we can drastically deplete our food source. Vampires cannot allow that to happen.
I
cannot allow that to happen and neither should you.”

“Is this vampire you speak of still infected?” Ovidius asked, the uncertainty he felt was evident in his tone.

“I really have no way of knowing. He appeared to be of sound mind when he came to me and his thirst for blood seemed to have waned,” Cassian replied.

“This is going to get much worse before it gets better. Send me your people. I'll have mine prepare a few of my properties where we can protect our investment.”

“Fucking humans,” Cassian cursed, thinking about the current events. “We'll need locations with more resources than your current properties. The humans will need space, food, water... other amenities. We'll also need buildings where windows are limited and doors can be easily monitored and fortified.”

There was a short pause while Ovidius pondered. “I have a few ideas.”