Chapter 12

Rex prowled the night streets of Minneapolis, a feeling of contentment suffusing him. The stable had finally been able to move into their permanent quarters today. Yes, it had been expensive, and it had felt as if it were taking forever for the work to be completed, but it seemed worth it now. The looks on his humans' faces when they'd first seen their finished rooms…

He froze as a… not a chill, but more of a creeping tingle… crawled up his spine. Slayers? Here, in his city? Rex pushed his senses, extending them outward, searching for the danger. The feeling came from several spots up ahead—and there was another vampire lurking in the shadows behind him, he realized with a snarl, another Master. That was the bigger threat to his city.

He leaped to one side and towards the Slayers—an unexpected move—as he caught the sound of a crossbow mechanism releasing a quarrel in his direction. He was far faster than they'd expected, it seemed. He had one of the girls—there were three, he noted with a twinge of pride—pinioned helplessly against his chest, her back to him, before they'd realized he'd moved. The stake she'd held was in his own hand now, its point pressing lightly up under her chin.

His human mask was still in place, much to the Slayers' confusion.

He couldn't quite keep from sneering at them. "You do me quite the compliment: three Slayers, all just for me? Your bigger problem would be the Master who was trying to slink up behind me. I do not know him; he did not do me the courtesy of announcing his presence when he came into my city. If you two young ladies wish, I will wait here with your friend while you deal with him. She will be quite safe with me until then."

"No one is safe with you around," the stranger vampire growled, finally coming out into the circle of light cast by a streetlamp.

"Au contraire, most of the humans here are far safer with me, than without. Who are you, who dare to invade my territory?" Rex growled at this intruder, finally vamping out.

"My name is Angel," the stranger growled, also through fangs.

Rex finally realized that the Slayers were totally ignoring this stranger, and the pieces clicked into place. "You are here with the Slayers," he muttered softly; then, louder, "Did the soldiers send you for me?"

"Soldiers?" Angel asked, stopping his slow advance in confusion. "What soldiers?"

Now Rex wasn't sure what to think himself. Were the Slayers unaware…? "The ones that are using vampires to hunt other demons down near St. Louis. Chipped vampires, as they did years ago in California. You are Angelus of Aurelius, yes? From Los Angeles?"

"It's Angel, but… yes. When did they start doing that?" the other vampire answered with a deep scowl. The two slayers that Rex could see looked at each other uncertainly.

"Two years ago. You did not know?"

"The new Watchers' Council sent word to avoid the area, that the baby Hellmouth there was being dealt with adequately, but not why or how," Angel muttered, almost to himself, then looked sharply at Rex. "You were there?"

"I was," Rex confirmed, refraining from snarling only by great force of will. "I escaped—was set free by my Pet actually"—Angel frowned at that term—"when the 'doctors' threatened to experiment on me. He is still in custody for that, but I have been promised by a lawyer that they will return him to me, and that the so-called doctors will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

"Lawyers," Angel spat. "Wolfram and Hart?" They were the only ones that he could think of who would pursue a verdict in favor of a vampire.

"No; a military JAG lawyer. Why would a civilian firm get involved with military matters?" Rex asked, confused now himself.

"Hey, wanna let me go?" the Slayer in Rex's grip squirmed once more, actually irritated at apparently being forgotten, or at least ignored.

"Be still, young one," Rex chuckled quietly in her ear. "I will get around to you and your sisters presently." He turned his attention back to the other vampire. "So, if the military did not send you after me, why are you hunting here, in such force?"

"A number of humans were slaughtered here several nights ago…"

"Ah! Yes, I suppose I should have realized that might draw Slayers," Rex said in disgust, loosening his hold a fraction, but not yet releasing the Slayer he held. "That was done in self-defense, although I did leave rather a mess behind. The newspapers were very one-sided about that one, although I will admit to not reacting as I usually do."

"I'm… not sure I understand what you mean," Angel said, easing to one side a bit to try to gain a better angle of attack.

"Angel, if you try to come any closer, I will snap this child's neck, and it will be your fault. You will notice that I have not harmed her, or even threatened to hurt her up until now, despite their attack on me," Rex warned casually. He noted that the other two Slayers froze at the threat, casting worried looks at the souled vampire. "What is to understand?" he resumed his earlier thread, acting as if he'd never interrupted their conversation. "This is my city; I protect my own. Since I have to feed on someone, I have chosen to please my Pet and only kill the worst sorts of criminals—but I normally use a knife, not my fangs."

"Those boys the other night—" Angel started to say, but Rex cut him off.

"—were gang members who saw nothing but an affluent-looking victim in a vulnerable position. I was not even hunting, just minding my own business. Eight of them attacked me without provocation; two attacked the minion I had with me. It matters not that they thought that I was human. They had weapons and meant to kill. And once they had finished with us, they would have killed the homeless man who had taken shelter there for the night. Who, I might add, I left alive, and gave my permission to talk to the police—whom I called to notify of the bodies.

"I have been taking down criminals all spring, ever since I arrived here."

"The Vampire Vigilante!" one of the Slayers laughed, pleased at drawing the connection. "Angel, Faith said that sounded like a real vamp, but our Watchers said it couldn't be, since there were never any fang-marks, and no one but criminals were ever killed."

Rex smirked slightly and gave a little mock-bow. "That was me, yes," he acknowledged. "My Pet should approve, especially since I have taken in a number of their intended victims."

"What victims?" the souled vampire demanded in frustration, feeling less and less in control the longer they talked.

"Runaway children, mostly," Rex said patiently, even though that was not how he felt. "Someday, when they are grown, they will be my Stable and provide the greater portion of my blood; for now, most are too young. They would have been raped and possibly killed, or made into drug addicts and forced into prostitution if I had not interfered. Now? I have provided them with shelter, food, clothing. They are protected and are being educated. Did you not keep a Stable, before you were souled?"

"No." The flat statement told Rex all he needed to know about the other vampire's former habits.

"Right; I forgot: the Scourge of Europe. You only killed. I, on the other hand, kept Pets occasionally, even before the military caught me."

"So, if you were chipped, how're you killing humans now?" one of the girls asked, puzzled by the fact that he was talking instead of just trying to kill them. He obviously didn't fear them.

"Taylor—my Pet—disabled my chip when he freed me," Rex answered her question with grave courtesy. "I was finally able to complete my claim of him then, which he willingly acknowledged. I believe he knew what that entailed; he had apparently found information about vampires and our habits on the computer, and knew much more about us than even his trainers did. He stayed behind, to give me a better chance of evading them. I have no intention of abandoning such a loyal Pet as he."

"He won't be coming back to you, because you won't be here," Angel snarled, trying to advance on Rex once more. He was clearly willing to sacrifice the girl in Rex's arms if that meant he got to dust the other Master.

But Rex dropped a kiss on the girl's head and shoved her into the other two Slayers, leaving the three of them in a heap on the ground, and him free of impediments, to deal with Angel. The move took the souled vampire by surprise; he'd forgotten about the stake that Rex had taken from the Slayer he'd grabbed. Unable to stop his rush, Angel let out a roar of pain as Rex drove the stake into his right shoulder, well away from his heart. He could easily have dusted the other vampire, and the girls knew it, even if Angel chose to ignore that fact. They'd gotten to their feet, expecting Rex to attack them, but he concentrated on the other Master instead. They waited to see the outcome of that fight, shifting position as needed to stay out of the way, chattering with excitement. The two Master Vampires were fairly well-matched in height, although Angel had the heavier build. But the telling difference was diet: Angel only drank limited quantities of animal blood; Rex drank only fresh human blood and did not stint himself.

The girls weren't sure quite how it happened; the two vampires had been moving so fast that it was hard to see any individual move. All they knew was that Rex finally got Angel in a firm hold, his head pulled to the side to expose his neck. With fangs brushing vulnerable skin, he hissed his message to the other: "Leave my territory and do not return unless invited, Angel. I gift you with your life, and those of the Slayers, this time; I will not be so forbearing again." He nipped Angel's neck lightly, right over the carotid artery's path, drawing a little bit of blood to make his point, then shoved the other vampire towards where the three Slayers stood in a cluster. This time they managed to get out of the way of the humanoid projectile, scattering to either side of the sidewalk. Angel measured his length on the grimy cement.

And then Rex was gone into the night, before the souled vampire could get to his feet once more.

Angel glared at the girls who had helped him up, but Chrissy already had her cell phone out, reporting back to Faith, the Head Slayer of their House, what they'd found.

"Better bring everyone back here, C," Faith said, chuckling as she pictured the fight as it had been described to her. "Make sure Angel comes, too; sounds like a situation we don't need t' be gettin' in the middle of, if the military's likely to be involved in any way."

"Will do, Faith. Be home soon," Chrissy said, nodding, then looking around at the others. "He's still here, somewhere, but Faith says we go home. I wonder if it has anything to do with those two vamps Spike brought through last year?"

"Could be," Verity replied, rubbing the slightly sore spot under her chin, where the point of her own stake had been pressed. "I know vamps are strong, and fast, but geez, I never even saw him move! Wonder what his name was?"

"We'll ask when we get back home. Come on, load up," Chrissy ordered, glaring at Angel until the souled vampire complied, however reluctantly.

Rex watched them leave from the nearby rooftops. He had his own questions to ask. Hopefully, that lawyer would have answers, when he arrived in two days. Until then, he decided, he would just wait and see, and pursue his business as usual.

~oOo~

The bus pulled into the station at exactly 11:02—three hours late. Collins shifted a bit uneasily, wondering if the military had had something to do with the delay. He waited, watching as several people got off. Most seemed to know where they were going, or at least who was waiting for them. One man, however…

He was of medium height, but very stocky. His dark brown hair, seen under the station's fluorescents, was cut severely short—what one might expect of a military lawyer, Collins decided. As instructed, the man was in casual civvies. "Williamson?" Collins asked, approaching him.

"That's right," he answered with a broad smile, his teeth very white against his tanned face. "You Rex?" he asked hopefully.

Collins just smiled back. "Nope; sorry, man. I'm just assigned to take you to him. Got your gear?"

"Yeah; just this one bag," Williamson answered, indicating the large gym-type bag he carried, not counting the smaller computer case. He was clearly disappointed.

"Okay. First stop, the men's room," Collins told him, remembering his instructions and adding a few precautions of his own.

"What?" Williamson responded, but he turned and hurried after his contact.

Collins waited until they were inside, then pulled out a large plastic zip-lock bag. "Okay," he said with a pleasant smile. "Please place your cell phone, watch, that large ring, and anything else that might be big enough to hide a tracer or a GPS tracker. This is gonna be put in a locker and left here in the station, along with any computers or jump-drives you may have brought with you. A cell phone and a laptop will be provided for your use, once you get where you're going."

Williamson stared at him in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding!" he protested, staring at the man who'd met him.

"Nope," Collins said once more. "You don't do this, you don't get any closer to the Master. He's already had to send some Slayers packing; we're not taking any chances with his safety."

"We didn't send them," Williamson immediately denied what he thought was an accusation.

"Glad to hear it, although I didn't say that you did," Collins told him, but his smile wasn't quite as wide now. "I'm serious; all electronics and potential threats get left here. You get to keep the locker key, by the way."

He wasn't happy, but Williamson put the listed items in the bag and watched as Collins set it to one side on top of the computer bag.

"Okay. Step two: I need to check you, to confirm that you aren't wearing a wire; then I go through your bag."

"Now see here!" Williams huffed in anger.

Collins looked at him for a moment, then turned back towards the door. "Have a nice trip back to DC, Captain," he said as he started through.

The JAG lawyer had seen many people use the I'm leaving ploy to get someone to do what they wanted, but this man, he realized, was dead serious, not using an act. "No, wait," he called in irritation. "I have to talk with Master Rex; don't you understand that?"

"I'm not trying to stop you," Collins pointed out, pausing in the open doorway. "I've told you what the conditions are; the rest is up to you. You will note, I hope, that you have not been directed to leave any weapons behind."

"Yeah, well, even I know that bullets only make vampires irritable," Williamson retorted, then sighed in defeat. "Okay, you win. The bag is there; I'm not wearing a wire." He opened his shirt to prove that, standing motionless as Collins bent to run his hands up the captain's legs, impersonal but very thorough. His bag was next checked carefully, but with an eye to not messing things up too badly.

"Okay, I guess you're clean," Collins finally admitted, standing and stretching muscles that had cramped as he crouched while going through the bag. "Come on; we'll get this stuff locked up. You pick the locker, Captain." He stood and watched as Williamson did so, and placed his laptop and a tablet inside. Collins added the bag and an electric razor, then shut the door and handed the lawyer the key. "Car's this way, sir," he announced, turning to lead the way out to the parking lot, carrying the lawyer's bag.

Williamson followed him to the farthest, darkest corner of the lot, climbing into the dark late-model sedan that was parked there.

"You're late; it's made a mess of plans," Collins grumbled as he drove them down dark streets and into the parking garage at a mall. He parked the car and got out. "Bring your bag," he said, and starting walking; Williamson followed him, having no other choice.

They took the stairs down to street level, then walked halfway around the outside of the mall. No one else was in sight until they came abreast of the Cineplex. Collins relaxed and smiled when he saw that a movie was just letting out; the two men merged with the crowd and headed out into another parking lot.

Finally Collins brought Williamson to a dark-colored van with deeply tinted windows. "Okay," he said cheerfully, "in we go." He climbed into the back with the lawyer, who looked at the driver.

"Master Rex?" he asked hopefully once more after seeing no reflection in the rear view mirror, but again he was disappointed.

"Unh-uh," the driver said, then turned his attention to Collins. "What happened? You were supposed to be here three hours ago, man. The Master's worried sick."

"Sorry, Nick; bus was 'way late," Collins said with a shrug. "I'll call and tell him we're on our way in a mo'." Then he turned back to Williamson. "Okay, last thing: I need you to wear this blindfold, and these earphones. You can pick the music you want to listen to, but that's all the choice you get."

"Let's just get this over with, all right?" Williamson said in disgust. It had been a long, miserable ride, made worse by the accident that had blocked the interstate; he just wanted to meet with this damned paranoid vampire so he could get some rest.

The lawyer's senses finally blocked to Collins' satisfaction, Nick started the van and began the drive out to the lair. He took the most circuitous route possible, but eventually they pulled through the gates of the old academy and drove down the ramp to the parking area.

Rex was waiting there for them as Williamson pulled off the blindfold. "Ah, Captain Williamson," he said with a smile, although he didn't offer his hand. "A pleasure. I am Master Rex; welcome to my lair."

~oOo~

Rex had shown the lawyer to a room near his own suite, saying, truthfully, that it was late, and the bus ride had to have been long, uncomfortable, and exhausting. Williamson had to agree. He showered in the en suite bathroom, then fell wearily into the bed, which had been turned down invitingly. His head hit the pillows, then he knew nothing more until late morning.

He rose, washed, and dressed, then was momentarily at an impasse. Was he supposed to stay in this room, or was he free to wander as he wished? A note propped up on a small table near his door answered that question.

Captain Williamson:

I will be up by mid-afternoon. Until then, be welcome to explore my lair and stable. You may speak to whomever you wish. Please do not leave this building. Collins will see to your needs for breakfast and lunch; dinner for all will be at 8 PM sharp. You do not need to dress for dinner. I will make myself available to you once I am up, for whatever discussion you wish.

Rex Magister

Williamson didn't know whether to laugh at the archaic missive or not. Who signed anything like that anymore—Magister? On second thought, he supposed it looked better on paper than "Master Rex" would have. But he wasn't going to argue. He had permission to leave his room, so he'd take advantage of the opportunity to see these "rescued" victims without the vampire around to intimidate them.

He hadn't gotten ten feet down the hallway before the man who'd met him the night before appeared on quiet feet.

"Morning, Captain," he said with a wide smile. "I'm Collins. You hungry? You name it; I'll fix it for you."

"Just some coffee, and maybe some cereal?" Williamson said, uncertain what this man's standing was around here. "I don't want to put you to any trouble…"

"It's no trouble; it's one of the things I do around here. Come on; kitchen's this way, if you don't mind eating down there." Collins turned to lead the way, looking back to make sure the lawyer was following. "I c'n show you the basic layout of the house; then I'll cut you loose if you want. Master wants you to feel able to ask anything you want to know."

"Okay; let's start with you, then," Williamson said as they walked down the hall, deciding to test how much leeway he actually had here.

"Me? Fine," Collins said with a shrug, still relaxed. "I'm Michael Collins, former corporal, Army Engineering Corps. I used to prefer Mick or Mickey to Mike or Michael, but that's too close to 'Nick'—Master's minion. So I'm just Collins.

"I keep order in the Stable, I guess you'd say. I do the cooking, meal planning, and grocery shopping for us human-types, since the others're all teens or pre-teens. I help 'em with their schoolwork, give 'em a shoulder to cry on when they need one, and play arbiter to resolve disputes. And referee for any team games outside.

"I like heavy metal music, motorcycles, and hiking; and Master Rex feeds from me every now and then. What else you want to know?"

"He lets you out unsupervised? You're here willingly?" It was hard to believe that anyone could let a vampire bite him, but Williamson was trying his best to understand this man's motives.

"I'm here willingly," Collins affirmed with a grin. "I was homeless, unemployed; had no family to go to when I got out of the service. I…had some issues when I was first discharged, and most employers didn't want to take a chance with me—that sort of thing happens to a lot of us. Master Rex took me on; I work hard every day to deserve his trust."

"So…you're a Pet?" Williamson cautiously asked, carefully watching the other man's reaction.

"No. I'm chief of his Stable. I'm a Stable member, just the oldest and the one in charge over the others. All of us in the Stable are a food source, Captain, although Master Rex says the kids are still too young for that. While Pets may be bitten and drunk from, they're not considered food, but companions. They're 'favored humans.' And Master Rex only has one Pet: Taylor."

"And you're okay with being food?" the JAG asked, stunned.

"Sure. Master Vamps treat their Stables well, Captain. We're more like a dairy herd, not slaughtered like beef cattle. That's why only Masters keep Stables; younger vamps don't always have the control needed to stop feeding before killing their donors.

"Here's the kitchen; make yourself comfortable," Collins said, blatantly changing the subject. "Coffee?" He lifted the pot from its heating element and waited to pour a cup for Master's guest.

"Collins!" The peace of the kitchen was shattered as a young girl ran into the room in tears. She threw herself into the man's arms, sobbing. "Collins, Eddie…He's saying all sorts of filthy, mean stuff again!"

"Hey, now, calm down, Brittany," Collins soothed, holding the girl close and rubbing her back. He looked over at Williamson with a frown, then sighed. "Eddie's our problem child," he explained reluctantly. "I don't know how much longer Master Rex'll tolerate him. He's petty, vindictive, a liar, a bully, and a thief. He's bad enough that he's kept on a tether chain so he don't get into the others' stuff. The other boys avoid him whenever possible; the girls usually stay away from his room, because of his foul mouth. He was probably about to join a gang when Master took him; he's the only unwilling one here. I have no idea what's gonna happen to him. It's not safe to let him go; he'd turn the others in without a second thought, just outta spite.

"But come on with me; you c'n see for yourself." Collins looked at the girl sniffling in his arms. "You c'n explain later what you were doin' near Eddie; right now, I think you got work to do. Hmmm?" Collins' voice was firm but gentle; the lawyer smiled as he saw the girl nod shyly.

"Okay, I'm goin'," she said, reluctantly drawing back, then looking straight at Williamson. "I hope Master Rex drains him; he says he's gonna get Sarah one of these days!" she said, anger making her eyes snap with fire. Then she turned and dashed out of the kitchen again.

"Sarah?" Williamson asked in concern.

"One of the girls," Collins replied, voice tight with outrage. "She's only nine, the youngest here. I've already stopped the little bastard from cornering her older sister once; he's lucky Rex didn't kill him for that. He may be slippery as an eel and crafty as a tomcat, but his nine lives are fast running out. The Master is dead serious about protecting these kids."

"So, you're gonna do… what?" the lawyer asked.

"Depends. If he lies to me, he'll get a paddling. If, as I think he will, he brags about what he said, and what he means to do, I'll beat the living crap out of his butt with a belt."

"Isn't that counterproductive?"

"No, 'cause if he lies, and I don't do anything more than that, he'll think that Brittany didn't tell me what he actually said out of fear of what he'll do to her when he gets loose next. Master Rex does let him off his chain occasionally, so he gets supervised exercise, but the vicious little punk does manage to evade scrutiny sometimes. 'S why I said he's like an eel."

They had reached a hallway lined with doors; Collins waved a hand down the length. "This is the boys' wing; girls are on another floor. Eddie's is down at the end of the occupied rooms."

Williamson looked into the vacant rooms they passed, curious. The rooms were clean, but a monotonous off-white… until they passed one that was clearly in use. Bright, bold colors predominated; electronics and books were scattered haphazardly across the desk and the floor near the sloppily-made bed.

Collins looked in and winced. "That's Eric's room—he's… not the neatest kid here," he explained.

"Where is he now?"

"He should be in the study room; he's something of a computer whiz and helps the others with their assignments. I usually check to make sure he doesn't do all their work for them," Collins admitted with a chuckle. "He's sixteen; next year he'll be old enough to be fed from lightly. He says he's looking forward to it."

Whatever Williamson was going to say in response went unuttered; from farther down the hall, a young male voice began to spew forth unbelievable obscenities. The lawyer was shocked.

"Hey, stuff a sock in it, man!" another boy could be heard protesting. "If Master Rex hears you said that shit with a guest in the house, he'll have Collins peel your back off with a belt!"

The reply was unrepeatable.

"Fine; don't say I didn't warn you, though." Footsteps sounded, then a young black teen turned into the hallway and froze at the sight of Collins and the lawyer. "Oh, shit!" he gulped, looking back over his shoulder at the still-cursing Eddie.

"Eric," Collins said, carefully controlling his voice, "why don't you take Captain Williamson, here, down to the study room, or wherever else he wants to go? You have permission to show him the girls' rooms if he wants to see them; just announce yourselves, right?"

"Sure, Collins," the boy said, then cast an angry look back towards Eddie's room. "Stupid jerkoff. He knows there's someone here; he's actin' out a-purpose."

"I know. Go on now. I'll see you later, Captain; I have a spoiled brat to beat, and you won't want to watch."

"How old is he?"

"Old enough to know better; dumb enough not to care," Collins growled. "He's sixteen and thinks that the world owes him anything and everything he wants."

Williamson nodded in understanding. "And I shouldn't be a party to what some might choose to call child abuse. I think I'll just go talk to some of the others, while you deal with this situation."

"I'll see you for lunch, then," Collins said, waiting until Eric and the JAG had passed out of sight before entering Eddie's room, a grim expression on his face.

~oOo~

"So, Captain Williamson, what do you think of my lair? Did you get to speak to my Stable?" Rex managed to keep a straight face as the JAG lawyer jumped nearly out of his skin. The man hadn't heard his host walk up; he'd been engrossed watching the young people helping each other with their schoolwork.

Williamson turned to face the vampire. "I'm impressed," he admitted truthfully. "Some might try to say that this is all for show, but those rooms are too clearly lived in."

Rex laughed. "And I only finally got them into them three days ago. I shudder to think what they will look like in three months. Did you get some of your questions answered?"

"Yes, actually." Williamson leaned casually against the nearby doorframe. "Collins kindly explained the difference between a Pet and a Stable for me, and between a Childe and a minion. The…Stable told me how you had acquired each of them, and about the renovations here. I'd like to talk with you about your experiences with the Hunter Group, if you would oblige me. Is there somewhere we can go? I see no need to bring up such a difficult and repugnant topic in front of impressionable ears."

"Meaning, we should go somewhere private, that I may freely express myself in whatever language I choose." Rex actually chuckled at the lawyer's tact. "That, Captain, is a very good idea; I tend to get somewhat heated, discussing those times. We can talk in my suite. Nick will bring us something to drink; it shouldn't spoil your dinner."

"All right," Williamson agreed, pushing himself away from the doorway to accompany his host.