With the plan in place, Rafe heads back to our apartment to get all the winter gear he can find. Thankfully, all of the guests came to the inn prepared with the proper outdoor apparel. Most of them anticipated skiing or exploring the property while their human counterparts slept. The excitement level of the vampires is high in anticipation of the hunt, it's like they've all been given a bonus within their vacation.
The companions and servants were allowed back in the room a few minutes ago and most are huddled around their vampire masters. The theater room is the most defensible. It has only one emergency exit door and no windows. Our employees are all retreating to their homes off and on site. I've issued the barest of details to keep everyone calm. I told them there was a criminal on the property and to arm themselves. I left off the parts about Paul, the murder, one of the dogs and the cause for the power outage.
Instructions went out for the personal panic-bracelets that are normally only worn when working or donating blood, to be firmly in place at all times. I will know instantly when one is pressed, thanks to my own matching bracelet. Overall, our group is level-headed. I don't anticipate a false sounding of an alarm.
I let out a sharp whistle to quiet the rising voices, drawing all eyes to me. "In case some of you are confused, all humans will be staying here with me."
Theresa challenges this instantly. "You? Wouldn't it make more sense for you to be outside with the others hunting this psychopath? And wouldn't all warm bodies be useful in this circumstance?"
"No," I answer calmly, making sure I glance around the room as I continue. "This vampire has an extraordinary skill over humans. He can take your will from you so completely, the mental bond with your master may not be enough to protect you. And some of you have no protection at all."
I allow that little tidbit to sink in before I finish. I address the last to the vampires in the room, just in case any of them have lingering doubts about Asa's plan.
"When you love something, do you allow it to be protected by the weakest of your kind, or the strongest?" Heads nod in agreement.
Liam speaks out in support. "You do not leave the worst soldiers to protect the women and children."
Oh, I wish he hadn't said that. Some of them may take umbrage at such a reference.
"You post," he continues, "the most ruthless to take the last stand."
A corner of my mouth quirks up in recognition of Liam's compliment, "Thanks."
One thing that hasn't occurred to him or the others yet is that I refuse to leave Rafe behind. No matter what. Despite our rock-solid bond, he might be vulnerable to this particular vampire's skill. I trust no one to protect him as I can. I can't even tell Rafe this without insulting him. The facts are the facts. I'd give up everything in my life, every bauble, every dollar, and every piece of property to keep him safe. I'll make no excuses or apologies for it either.
"Okay," I call out. "Next step is weapons. Let's head to the dojo and see what we've got."
The seven vampires plus Rafe, Jonathan and myself enter the large padded sparring room. Asa shakes his head in exasperation as the vampires naturally go to pick weapons they fought with when they were still human. I signal for him to come talk to me in a corner.
I lower my voice to a whisper, counting on the clang of swords, maces and axes to distract the superior hearing of the predators for a bit. "I know you're not happy with the weapons, but what do you think the chances are of them finding this guy?"
"Fair to middling. I'm not really sure."
"I'm debating on something here," I shift around to put my back to the room, making sure no one is focusing on us. "Something I'm not really comfortable with."
"Okay, Viv. I'm not a mind-reader. Spit it out."
Terse as always, that's military training for you.
"I'm considering sharing blood with you and opening up a mind connection in case we need it."
"A mind connection?" His voice holds his surprise. "I don't understand. I thought that only worked with vampires and their human mates or servants. How could you do it with me?"
"Remember what I told you earlier in the basement about not wanting to take your will and drink from you?" Asa nods. "Okay, well the two are connected. If I made you my vampire servant by exchanging blood, I could essentially open up a mind connection with you if I wanted."
Asa looks a little put-off with the idea. I rush forward to complete the offer. "I can sever the mental tie at any time. And if I refrain from drinking from you again, your will would be restored in a few weeks."
His face sets with his answer, "If you think we'll need it. Then okay."
No hesitation. No doubt. No pointing out we have cell phones that work, so why would we need it? I think in some cases, like this one, the unwavering training to follow a commander isn't such a bad thing. He tilts his head to the side, offering up his throat for me.
I pull back a bit. Was I ever this trusting? I don't think so. Granted, I was tortured and held captive for years prior to be being forced into this undead existence.
Smiling to ensure no insult, I reach for his hand. "I was thinking of the wrist."
Bringing it to my lips, I swipe the edge of a tooth against his supple skin. Sharp, tangy blood rushes onto my tongue. I swallow it down and seal the wound. Only a small amount is needed to link us. With luck, taking so little will allow the servant bond to dissipate faster over time.
"That's it? Are you sure?" Asa asks in surprise.
I smile. A small smile that shows more in my eyes than in my face. Pushing my will out down my bloodline, I try to make a connection with him. I reinforce the effort by looking deep into his eyes, searching for a way to enter without force. I see the link of our blood, reflecting clearly in the mirror surface of his mind. It's like looking at liquid mercury, with a small doorway opening in.
Can you hear me now? I use the humorous phrase from the wireless commercial to inject a little lightheartedness into the moment.
Holy shit! Asa exclaims mentally. Is that you in my head? His face has a look between panic and fascination.
Seriously? Who the hell else would it be?
The vampires around us are finishing up their weapons selections. We won't have much time before they wander over to us.
Okay. Good point. I guess I do sound like an idiot. Can you read everything in my mind or only when we concentrate like this?
You'll need to work on shielding yourself. I'm staying on the surface to not invade your privacy too much. Normally, we would have time to practice. But this is an extraordinary situation. For now, think of closing the door which let me in and it should help you to balance things a bit better. Make no mistake; I can get through the door whenever I want. But it will help you...
The connection between us cuts off as Asa practices his newfound skill. Good to see he's a fast learner.
"That was cool." He smiles big, letting his pride in the small accomplishment reflect in his features. "How do I open it back up?"
"Focus on that same door. This time, try opening it."
His face scrunches up. He looks like he's thinking hard or trying to pass gas. One or the other, but I'm hoping for the former.
Did I get it right?
Yes, I reply.
I close the connection as Rafe walks over to us.
"Experimenting?" Rafe asks.
"Yeah," I smile. "You know my motto: 'Better to be safe than dead'."
Asa gives us a thumbs-up and walks away to help Joanna pick a suitable weapon from the ones left.
"Technically," I say, looking over the group, "Jet doesn't need a weapon. He's going as a wolf, right?"
"Yes," Rafe shakes his head ruefully. "But he'd like to have one at the ready that is earmarked for him 'just in case'." He smiles as he looks over the motley bunch. "They're so excited, it's as if we've hit on the ultimate vacation experience for them. To legally hunt down another of their kind without retribution." He raises his eyebrows on the last part. "Who knew?"
I snort at that one. Yeah, that's all we need. Killers running loose in Alaska for the enjoyment of the undead-and-unable-to-express-it set. Rafe's arm comes around my shoulder, squeezing me close to his side.
"You feeling better after the vamp blood, liebling?"
"Yeah," I answer a bit distracted. "I'm good."
"What are you brooding on then?"
You mean other than the feasibility of a vamp that turns to mist seeing anything in the dark? Or perhaps it's the tiger-turned-wolf to track when he doesn't know anything of the property outside of his cabin? Could it be the two youngsters that have no battle training?
I pause a second and look around.
Oh wait, let's not forget the angry vamp looking to avenge his wife. Or the one I pissed off, claiming blood rights to his companion and then altering the memories of that same companion?
Disgust colors my mental tone when I'm done.
"So let me guess? You have a backup plan?"
I smile once more. This time, it has an edge to it. "When do I not? This time," I say as I walk away to meet the group carrying weapons and grinning like loons, "I have two."
"Report back via cell phones when you have a visual of the target." Asa's voice drones on like a drill sergeant reminding troops of the basics before heading off on a field training assignment. "Don't try to engage alone, call for backup. Those in animal or other form should contact their mates via telepathy so Vivian and Rafe can inform those out on the property." He looks to me to see if I have anything to add.
"Keep in mind it's forty below out there right now, and that doesn't include the wind chill." My voice isn't as deadpan as Asa's. I sound more like a demented Julie, the cruise director from the old 70's show. "Your core temp is going to slip lower the longer you stay out there. Your reaction time will slow. Your senses will play tricks on you. You can easily lose your way when moving from the light of the buildings. Keep the map with you at all times, and refer to it often.
"Above all, stay safe. The goal is not to add to the body count. We will find Ivan. It just may be a long hunt and you'll need to watch your strength reserves. Come back often to feed. We'll have donors here on hand. Of course," I add with a big toothy grin, ever the salesman, "free of charge."
There they stand, the Magnificent Seven. Bundled to the gills in winter gear. Armed to the teeth with dull, sparring-quality blades and knives.
Christ. What the hell are we doing?
Before I have a chance to even formulate a non-snarky answer to my own question, my cell phone vibrates at my waist. Caller ID tells me it's coming from one of the employee apartments up on the northern end of the property.
"Yeah?" My voice comes out smooth and calm. No need to arouse more fear in them than necessary.
"It's Jerry. We got an issue up here. Are all the guests with you right now?"
"Yes." I glance around the room to confirm. "Why?"
"I just winged a man about a hundred yards out from one the buildings," Jerry replies.
"What?" Does he mean what I think he means? "Are you trying to tell me you shot someone?"
The whole room instantly quiets. All vampires, including their servants and mates, are straining to hear both sides of the conversation over my cell phone. Damn, it's hard to have a private conversation around all these bloodsuckers.
"Yes, you heard me right," Jerry answers. "After you said there was a fugitive on the property running loose, I decided to take some action."
My fingers come up to pinch the bridge of my nose. I'm not sure if I'd rather scream in frustration at the danger he's put himself in or applaud him in his efforts.
"I came up to the apartments with my rifle. Just in case," he says.
The rifle is not going to be able to do much damage to this fugitive, but I don't have the heart to break it to him. I know why he's really there. Dr. Margery Cook lives in one of the cabins near the apartments and she moved to the larger building during the emergency. He's always had a crush on the no-nonsense, auburn-haired doctor.
"Okay, Jerry, thanks. Keep an eye on the others," a smile comes through in my voice now, "and Dr. Cook. But, you need to be more careful. This guy isn't what you think he is."
"Oh, I'm pretty sure I know exactly what he is, missy." His gruff voice takes on a strength I haven't heard from him in a few years. "I came loaded with silver."
I turn my back to the crowd in the room, hoping to hide my surprise. "Excuse me? Did you say you have silver bullets?"
His deep, masculine laugh holds a confidence that reminds one at once of his sharp intelligence. This is no longer the young man I hired back in the late seventies, still fresh from Vietnam. How could I have forgotten his valuable background in this dire time?
"Yeah," he replies. "Silver bullets. Vivian, aren't you aware that most of the employees hunt during the resort's off-season? Most all of us have guns."
My blood chills at the thought of over one hundred employees possibly armed with silver. Perhaps I have been foolish in not binding them to me in blood. I value their free will above all else. Could it be a mistake that could cost me my life down the line?
"Jerry, where did you get the silver bullets?"
"I cast them myself." A hint of pride comes through. "Takes time and hard work but it can be done."
"Who else has them?" My voice remains carefully neutral.
"I see where you're going with this. It's just me." Jerry takes on a more serious tone. "I was never in fear of you, you've got to believe me. It was a precaution against the guests. In life, it pays to be prepared."
I let out a sigh. "I can't fault your logic there. It obviously came in handy." Best to get all of it out in the open. "What are you using?"
"I've got a Remington 700 CDL 7mm magnum, with a Nightforce NXS scope." Asa lets out a low whistle across the room, clearly impressed with the engineer's choice. "Works great, but the silver rounds lose some accuracy over distance. Has to be a close shot, can't do more than a hundred and fifty yards, I bet."
I know nothing about guns. Considering Asa's reaction, it's got to be excellent. "You say you hit him? Are you sure?"
"Oh, yeah. He went down like a rock." Jerry's smile in those few words comes through loud and clear.
This piques my interest a lot more than hearing about the weapon. "Really? Where on his body do you think you hit him?"
"I was aiming for his head." He says it so matter-of-factly that my stomach does a little flip at the thought. "But I got him high on his left shoulder."
"You sure you didn't hit an employee?"
"Yes, he was up and off like the wind before I could crank another round in the chamber and squeeze it off. A human would have been down longer, wouldn't have moved that fast either."
That's the first time Jerry has come right out and said he knows we're not human. The canny old bastard is paying closer attention than I gave him credit for. "Did you see any blood on the ground?" I ask.
"Yes. A small, dark pool showed up in the glow of the footlights on the path."
"Great."
That means the bullet stayed in. The wound would have sealed instantly if the round passed through.
"We'll send out people to track him." I pause a moment, deciding on what I can say to get through to the stubborn man and keep him safe. "Jerry, you did a great job. Listen to me carefully. Under no circumstances are you to go after this guy, got it?"
"I'm not a fool, Vivian. I'll be staying right here on this balcony, watching the entrances. He knows I'm here now, I doubt he'll be back any time soon."
The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand straight up. A chill runs through my blood, stopping the slow beat of my heart for a bare instant. If he's wounded and needs to replace blood, I know where Ivan will be going next. I click the phone off and turn to Jonathan. I open the mental connection between us for the first time in seven years.
Jonathan. His head whips up and he locks eyes with me. Yes, it's me in your head. Please don't freak out. If you understand, just nod.
Jonathan nods, his look intense.
Good. You heard the whole phone call with Jerry. Ivan will need to feed to gain his strength back. The silver will slow him down until he gets it out, so we have some time, but not much. I continue on, knowing he won't want to agree with what comes next. I'm going to send everyone out to track him but I need your dogs.
Jon shakes his head once. He's clearly unwilling to put the animals in the path of this sadistic son of a bitch once more.
The cabins, Jon. The families.
I try to appeal to his inner sense of right and wrong before I force my will upon him to make him do what I want.
I need you to send the dogs to circle the homes. Have them sound the alarm if Ivan approaches.
The anguish on his face is clear. A moment passes, and he nods.
"You're right. In the end they're only dogs." Jon chokes up a bit on the last. "It's just that they're my dogs."
I know, Jon. But could you look at Bunny and her kids and ever forgive yourself if something happened to them?
Jon doesn't answer me. He doesn't need to. He's already moving for the door. Jon will do the right thing.
"All right people." My voice rings out clear and strong across the room. "You heard the phone call, you've got your maps, and you know the plan." Everyone stands a bit taller, ready to face the cold and the danger that awaits. "We need to strike while he's weak. Get to that blood trail as fast as you can. Once he gets the bullet out, there'll be no more scent to follow.
"Let's move!"
