Bound
Pt 2
The clock on the wall chimed midnight as Dale signed off on her last sheet of the night and punched out. Heaving a sigh as she rubbed her neck to ease the stiffness, she ran fingers through her hair to loosen it. The place was quiet as she walked through the deserted corridors of the Country Club. Night shadows crossed at odd angles over her feet and at her back. She was exhausted and kept yawning despite her best efforts to stop. Pushing through the main doors that lead to the parking lot, she checked the lock and headed out. Her feet paused without her mind telling them to and she was suddenly looking around. Her eyes searched the dark shadows that hugged the building. Her ears picked up the rush of traffic from the city that was across the highway.
Something had made her stop.
Dale felt her shoulders tighten as she stood there, her eyes flicked back and forth as her heart pumped faster and faster. Her arms began to itch and a tingle went through her spine. She dove suddenly for the nearby bushes as a shot cracked through the night and around bit into the cement where she had stood moments before. Poking her head out she searched the shadows again and knew it was useless. They weren't designed for seeing in the dark. Drawing in a breath she looked around for a better hiding place and found one in the guise of a stone bench. She drew in a breath and ran, shots snapped after her, narrowly missing her as she dove against for the bench. The stone cracked and popped as bullets followed her. Pain registered only after she had stopped. Reaching for the source of pain she looked at the blood on her hand and knew she had been shot. There was more pain, albeit lesser in intensity at her knees and arms. They were scraped badly from the diving actions.
Her ears pricked suddenly at the arrival of a new sound. A car. Brandon! She craned her head to look around the bench and was met with more shots. But she had seen him, his sleek black Corvette was heading her way. She licked her lips and made a snap decision. Launching herself to her feet she ran for the parking lot. She ran out in front of his car and heard the screech of brakes. Shots rained down on her and more pain blossomed. Brandon spun his car around and raced up behind her.
"Dale! Dale!"
She turned her head.
"The car is bullet proof, get in!"
Brandon came up beside her with the door open. She threw herself into the leather interior and Brandon tore out of the lot.
"Dale! Talk to me! Are you hit? Say something damn it!" Brandon reached over and helped her sit up as they rocketed down the freeway.
"I am hit." She could feel the burning holes of pain her body and hoped nothing was fatal.
"Oh shit" Brandon glanced at her and then made a sudden swerve onto a too close exit. "Hang on I know someone who can help." He drove them through dark streets like there was hell on their tail.
Dale felt herself shivering as the pain reached her head and burst into a silent drumming of solid agony. "Hurry Brandon." Her vision was starting to blur as colored objects were swirling around her head. Black covered her and she felt nothing.
Jarring to awareness brought with it stiffness and pain which made Dale moan as she felt something crack. Hands grabbed her and she recognized them as Brandon.
"Easy there D, you were hit real good." His face swam into view and he looked worried and beautiful at the same time.
"No shit." She choked out of a dry throat and coughed a few times.
"Here." Brandon handed her water and watched as she gingerly sipped it. "Now just lay back and keep from moving too much."
"Don't boss me around." She snapped and forced herself to sit on her own. "Was it silver?"
He looked startled for a moment. "Yes. How'd you know?"
Dale felt her blood warm as anger raged through her. "Call it a hunch."
"We found other injuries that suggest this isn't a first time." Brandon was talking with complete call as he watched her closely. "Have you been shot before Dale?"
She was silent and stared too hard at the floor. "This has nothing to do with you so just drop it."
"On the contrary Miss Frost, I believe it has a lot to do with him."
She jumped and jerked her head up at the familiar voice. "Paul?"
Paul stepped out in a golden suit that matched his complexion and brought out his ebony black hair. He was a stunning man to look at and knew it. A smile curled his full mouth which revealed fangs and ruined some of the beauty.
"What are you doing here?" She asked in total disbelief.
"Searching for you actually." He sounded jovial and Dale knew it was a lie.
"Why?"
"We need the information you have about the translation of the Red Stone." Paul glanced at Brandon. "We'll call if we need you."
Brandon moved to go Dale grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "I don't think so. Listen Paul I know that you want that stone to work for you. But I quit the project when my family was slaughtered."
Paul sighed as if disappointed. "That again."
Brandon stayed where he was holding the water glass and said nothing.
"Look suck head, I realize that the death of a dozen humans won't faze your ass. But for me, considering they were my family, it means something to me. Now look, I still think you had something to do with that and until I have proof otherwise, I am not going to help you one fucking bit."
Paul stared at her a long time. "God you are stubborn. But then again, you are his descendant so what else can I expect?"
"What are you talking about?"
Paul spread his hands wide as he tossed her a file folder. "Take a look at your proof Ms. Frost. That should satisfy you."
Dale flipped open the folder and looked at the photos of her dead family. She skipped over those and went to the notes. She read them twice before looking at him. "Explain this."
"That says that we have found out why your family was hunted down. I am sure you have heard of Blade and his...adventures."
"Everyone has."
"Well then you must have heard of Deacon Frost." Paul stared at her with perfect calm.
"I can't say as I have." Dale shrugged. "But so what?"
"We traced Deacon's human roots and discovered he had a son the name of Edward."
Dale felt her hands go cold. "And?"
"I believe you have a three times great grandfather by that name do you not?"
"I think so. I am not too sure. I mean he was murdered before anyone really got anything down." She frowned at him. "Why are you asking?"
Paul made a frustrated sound. "I'll make this simple. Your great grandfather is Deacon Frost."
Beside her came a choked sound as Brandon coughed behind his hand. He wouldn't meet her eyes and was staring too hard at the floor.
'This being a big deal because....?" Dale glanced at both of them.
"We need your translations to help Deacon solve a particular riddle. Have you ever heard of La Magra?"
"The Blood God?" Brandon spoke up and sounded awed. "I heard that he was trying to go after the legend."
Paul gave him a long look before shifting his attention to Dale. "As you can see this is very important to us."
"What does this have to do with my family being murdered?"
"The hunters must have found the connection and are trying to get rid of you. Deacon is one of their biggest foes." He sounded very happy about that little fact. "The hunters would see his kin, no matter how distant, as a threat and therefore they would hunt you down."
Dale sat there staring at her hands for a long moment; she flexed them once, then twice. Feeling the muscles work and the bones bend in her skin and realizing what Paul had just said.
"I want to meet him." Dale announced after several long minutes of silence.
Paul frowned and shook his head. "No."
"Yes." She slid off the table and wavered a moment. Brandon made a move to help she waved him off. "You said this guy was my ancestor, I want to meet him."
"No." Paul said more forcefully. "Out of the question."
"Then forget about your translations." Dale drew in a breath. It hurt all the way down and right through her toes. But she stood up right and met his eyes. "I meet Deacon Frost and then I give you the translations."
Paul opened his mouth to argue and then closed it while a smile crossed his features. "Alright." He waved to Brandon. "Set it up and see to it she is escorted."
"Sir." Brandon bowed his head and Paul was gone when he straightened. He turned his eyes on Dale and wasn't happy. "Are you absolutely stark raving mad?"
"Why do you say it that way?" Dale asked turning to face him.
She became aware of the fact that she had very little clothing on and the fact that Brandon was totally male. She hid her blush by rubbing her face.
"Deacon Frost? The guy is a freaking psycho even my our standards. I mean by vampire standards."
"I thought you liked vampires Brandon or am I not correct in assuming you work for them?" There was an edge to her tone that Dale wasn't expecting.
"I do like vampires, I admire them even. But not Deacon Frost."
"Fine, give me his address and I'll go my self." Dale turned her back on him looking around the room. "Now how do I get out of here?"
Brandon was quiet for a moment before he let out a heavy sigh and brushed by her. He punched in a code and the door slid back, he waved her through.
"I have a question for you." Brandon said lightly as they walked down an ornate hallway. "How did you ever translate the Red Stone, that's almost as old as the Book of Erebus?"
"I have a knack for computers and was able to scan the whole thing in before writing a program that would decode the stone tracings." Dale paused as they passed by a painting. "That is lovely."
Brandon back tracked and came up beside her. "I have seen it." Taking her elbow he walked her along the hall. Pausing once they came to a set of stairs that led up. He punched in a different code and the doors parted. Harsh white light painted the new scene. Which turned out to be a huge walk in freezer that was part of a large prep kitchen.
"Did we just walk out of a freezer?" Dale turned and stared at the gleaming surface of the door. "Does that seem strange to you?"
"No."
Dale rolled her eyes. "Of course not. What was I thinking?" She mocked hitting her forehead with her hand. "I mean you work for vampires so walking out of a freezer is normal for you."
Brandon was walking faster now, pulling her along with him. "We need to talk somewhere less open." He snapped and pushed his way out of the kitchen and into a pumping night club.
He dragged her through the crowd which was thumping and grinding to a blend of music. Above them lights swirled, crashed and twisted into a rainbow of light against the dark. The crowd would surge every so often and push the two of them deeper into the center of it all. One particular surge broke Brandon's hold on her arm and sent Dale spinning off into the masses. She staggered her way to a table and leaned against the corner of it.
"Do you mind?" A voice snarled at her back.
Dale half turned and gazed into glowing blue eyes and sharp white fangs. The woman had white hair slicked back from her forehead and was wearing a white bra and leather pants.
"No I don't mind actually." Dale spoke with ice and the woman narrowed her eyes at her.
"That's too bad for you."
Dale felt it before the woman moved and snatched her self just out of the woman's reach. The vampire blinked several times as if confused, she looked at her hand and snarled at Dale.
"Oh boo hoo for you, I moved." Dale took another step back as the woman jumped on the table and snarled at her. Their fangs glinted in the colored lights as she gnashed them together a few times before she threw herself at Dale.
Dale dove to the side and felt her injuries reopen in the same action. Moist wetness slid down her skin as she backed up. Trying to stay clear of the masses who as of yet unaware of the trouble, while keeping a good distance between her and the vampire.
"Don't run, I hate the taste of adrenaline." The woman snarled.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Dale searched around for something resembling a weapon or a defensive tool. Humans, humans and vampires. Nothing useful. Dale bumped into someone and paused as a jolt ran through her back and into her head. The person turned as if they too felt it as Dale lifted her chin to stare into pale green eyes. From this distance Dale could see the wild fire that burned in those depths. The beast that laughed at death while dancing with corpses. The man looked over at the woman and the vampire stopped in her tracks.
"Mercury what are you doing?" His tone resonated from inside Dale's body and she felt a shiver go through her.
"This human bitch needed a lesson." The woman snapped as she waved to Dale.
He looked back at her and Dale put space between them. She gazed into his face and was amazed at their similarities. Same hair, eyes and there was a ghost of resemblance in the face.
"Not too night Mercury." The man said loosely. "We have bigger things to do." He stepped around Dale and pulled the woman with him as he went. His arm tight around her waist as he kissed her hair as his flickered over Dale one last time.
"There you are!" Brandon shoved his way out of the crowd and stared at her the departing couple. "Holy shit."
"You can say that again." Dale was shivering and couldn't help it. "Who was that?"
"Oh no one just Deacon Frost." Brandon stared at her and shook his head, grabbing her arm he hauled her none too gently out of the club.
He didn't say a single word until they were locked in his apartment and standing in his kitchen with the refrigerator open. Brandon stood there staring into the golden light and didn't move to grab anything.
"Brandon say something. Why are you upset with me?" Dale still had her arms hugged around her body while she stood there watching him. "Tell me why your angry."
"It's not anger Dale." He whispered and reached aimlessly for something. He took it out and closed the doors. Sinking into a chair and staring at what he had pulled out.
"Then what is it?" Dale didn't move from where she stood.
"I have wanted to meet Deacon Frost for as long as I can remember. The guys a legend almost as big as Blade but he's more a hero then a problem. I mean the guy is a rebel in a time when rebellion is a forgotten way of life."
Dale arched a brow at him. "Not making any sense over here."
He looked at her. "For years our world as been ruled by the Pure Bloods, the born vampires, but when Deacon came along he decided to change things. He is going to return the power to where it belongs, to those who are the majority, the made vampires. He started a war with the Pure Bloods when he announced his plans to translate the Bible. They think is just being a fool but Deacon can do it. I mean he's real smart like and he's ruthless." Brandon looked up. "Kind of like you. I mean people listen when he talks just like they do to you. Things are done when he says so, just like with you."
"So we have a few things in common. No big deal." Dale shrugged and flinched as her shoulder protested. She reached up and felt around it, the skin was hot and sore.
"It is a big deal. Consider things like this Dale, your related to him and both of you are involved with solving the legend of La Magra. You have the first piece and Deacon has the second. If you combine them they will make the puzzle whole."
Brandon stood up and came toward her, Dale backed up until she hit the wall. Brandon smiled gently and reached for her. His fingers traced her jaw and wrapped around behind her head. He pulled her closer and bent his head.
"No Brandon." Dale pressed her hand to his chest.
"Why not?" He whispered against her mouth. "I know you want to."
"Because there is someone else here." Dale kept her eyes on the figure that had appeared in the kitchen.
Brandon spun around as a shot rang out and he jerked as his legs crumpled. Dale ducked the next shot and used Brandon as a shield as she crouched on the floor.
"It's time to end this silly little game." The hunter raised his shot gun to Dale's face.
"I couldn't have said it better my self."
Dale jumped at the sudden voice at her back and was startled to see Paul standing there. His golden suit shone and he looked incredible as always.
"Paul Oaken what a surprise." The man laughed as he glanced from the vampire to the humans. "Looks like I have you at a cross-roads."
"I doubt it." Paul's tone was empty as snow and just as cold. "Put down the gun hunter and I might take only one arm."
"No deal."
Dale realized that Paul was distracting the man and she moved carefully from behind Brandon. She was fortunate that Brandon had landed against the wall with cooking utensils. She reached in gingerly and drew out the first thing she touched. A skillet. She frowned at it but kept it. Moving slowly against the wall as Paul and the hunter bickered she came up behind him. Raising the pan over her head she brought it down with all the strength she had. The man cried out and fell as the pan smacked into his head. Dale felt the shock march up her arms and across her shoulders. She wavered but remained standing. The man had dropped his gun and she snatched it up. Firing into his head before he could regain his focus and attack her, her eyes blinked away the worst of the splatter that covered her.
Throwing the gun down, she ran to Brandon and rolled him over. "Brandon?"
"He's gone Dale." Paul didn't sound the least bit remorseful over it. "Come on we have to go." He pulled her away and she wanted to fight but didn't have the strength.
"Now listen to me." Paul shook as they rode down in the elevator. "Listen to me Dale. Deacon wants to meet you, now, tonight. I don't know he knows about you, but he called me and told me to bring you to him."
She nodded because that was what he wanted. Her mind was lost in an endless circle that revolved around a single image. Brandon's body as he crumpled to the floor. Her skin remembered the warmth of his breath against her lips as he leaned to kiss her. If only she had let him, if only she had been more aware of that man sooner. If only....If only didn't do any good now.
"There isn't time to take you home so you can change and there are going to be a lot of questions about what happened."
She nodded again.
Paul looked at her and frowned darkly. "Snap out of it Dale. You've seen people die before."
"Yeah but never in my arms like that."
Paul snorted. "Don't get hung up on it. Just focus on what Deacon is going to ask you. He'll want the translation tonight, have you got it?"
She nodded. "I do at my apartment."
"That will make things more complicated." Paul ended the conversation with that and not another word was spoken.
After parking his car in the back Paul lead he around to the front and nodded to the door man. He stared after Dale but didn't stop them as they entered. More heads turned as Dale was hauled along behind Paul until they reached the main elevators. He turned her to face him and wiped her face with a cloth. His scrubbed at her hands and made a face at her clothes.
"White and blood don't mix."
Dale looked down at her clothes and realized she was still wearing her uniform from work. Her white shirt was now red in the front with a sprinkling of dots out from there. Her skirt too was darker then it should be. Her shoes were speckled with blood as she flexed her feet up and down.
Paul gave up as the doors opened and he pushed her in. Reaching into his suit he pulled out a card which he inserted into a slot and pressed the upper most button. The ride was quick and silent and opened up to a loud party atmosphere. Dozens of people mostly human, milled around while whispering back and forth. Music played from somewhere and added to the party feeling. But under the party there was another feeling, a darker one. Dale was snapped out of her state by this feeling. She stopped in her tracks as her skin tingled and her head buzzed. She lifted her head and looked around. Intermingling with the humans were vampires who were prowling like hungry sharks. Paul had disappeared into the crowd and she didn't bother to look for him.
"We meet again human." A voice slithered from her left.
Dale turned to see the blonde woman, Mercury, stalk up and glare at her. She eyed Dale like she was candy coated and looked yummy.
"You killed a human." She remarked with somewhat awed surprise. "Why did you do that little girl?"
"He shot a friend of mine." Dale wasn't scared of her like she had been last time. If anything, Dale wanted the woman to beat the life out of her.
"Hmm." Mercury laughed as she reached out and Dale didn't move. Her finger closed around Dale's throat and squeezed. "You didn't move."
Dale grinned, returning the same smile she was getting. Her hands came around and smacked against the woman's ears. She shrieked and covered her ears and thus releasing Dale. Dale found her balance and rammed her fist into Mercury's middle bringing the vampire to her knees which lined her up nicely for a kick to the face which sent her to the floor.
Dale stood over her a moment before she was picked up off the floor and hurled through the air across the room. She crashed down in a pool of water that was at least five feet deep. Breaking the surface Dale tossed her head back and looked around. She was now outside with an incredible view of downtown and the skyline. Hands grabbed her and she was heaved from the water and shaken like a doll. Her head spun around and she felt her stomach twist.
"Quinn, put her down." Deacon's tone was level and totally relaxed as he made his way over to where Dale was being choked.
The man released her and she crashed back into the pool. Once she surfaced she half pulled herself onto the solid surface around her. Deacon crouched down and watched her with a bemused smile.
"Paul says you translated the Red Stone."
Dale lifted her head. "And you believe him?"
Deacon grinned and glanced over his shoulder. "Under normal circumstances I wouldn't, but from what I hear, you aren't normal."
"Oh so it's like that then." Dale pushed her hair off her face. "What say you get me out of this and I'll show you the translations?"
Deacon watched her a long time before grinning and standing up. "Get out yourself and Paul will show the computer to use."
Dale lingered in the water and felt the burning pain of her entire body as she breathed in and out. Finally she forced herself to haul her body out of the water and stand upright. Paul threw a towel at her and glared at her while Dale quickly dried herself off. The party was still going strong and no one seemed the least bit interested in what had just happened. Paul lead her to a private room where the noise of the party was blocked out and a state of the art computer sat waiting for her. There was a black desk sitting across from the work station and leather set of furniture in another corner. The office was dark and not made to promote relaxation or peace. It was just a dark space with just enough to allow for work.
"Use this computer to download the translations." Paul waved to the work station.
Dale sat down and rolled up the sleeve of her shirt, turning her left arm face up she ran her fingers along her forearm. After a few inches she could feel the edge of a circular object. Only problem, she wasn't about to cut her arm open around a vampire.
"Paul would you be a sport and wait outside?" Dale shot him a smile.
"Why?"
"If you want the disk, you'll wait outside."
Paul glared at her a moment but left anyway.
Dale let out a sigh and rubbed her arm.
"Need a hand with that?"
She spun around and found Deacon lingering just across the room. He crossed the floor and sat down next to her.
"You expect me to do this in front of you?" Dale arched a brow.
"Well it is my disc and you have no other choice."
"Why is that?"
"I could kill you and take it out that way, or I could rip your arm off and leave you to the masses or you could just give me the disc and we'll call it even." Deacon held out a hand, a single nail growing out about an inch and half.
"Aren't you just accommodating," Dale watched his eyes and saw her own eyes.
"No I am not. I am just goal orientated"
Dale watched Deacon and wasn't sure what to do about him.
Pt 2
The clock on the wall chimed midnight as Dale signed off on her last sheet of the night and punched out. Heaving a sigh as she rubbed her neck to ease the stiffness, she ran fingers through her hair to loosen it. The place was quiet as she walked through the deserted corridors of the Country Club. Night shadows crossed at odd angles over her feet and at her back. She was exhausted and kept yawning despite her best efforts to stop. Pushing through the main doors that lead to the parking lot, she checked the lock and headed out. Her feet paused without her mind telling them to and she was suddenly looking around. Her eyes searched the dark shadows that hugged the building. Her ears picked up the rush of traffic from the city that was across the highway.
Something had made her stop.
Dale felt her shoulders tighten as she stood there, her eyes flicked back and forth as her heart pumped faster and faster. Her arms began to itch and a tingle went through her spine. She dove suddenly for the nearby bushes as a shot cracked through the night and around bit into the cement where she had stood moments before. Poking her head out she searched the shadows again and knew it was useless. They weren't designed for seeing in the dark. Drawing in a breath she looked around for a better hiding place and found one in the guise of a stone bench. She drew in a breath and ran, shots snapped after her, narrowly missing her as she dove against for the bench. The stone cracked and popped as bullets followed her. Pain registered only after she had stopped. Reaching for the source of pain she looked at the blood on her hand and knew she had been shot. There was more pain, albeit lesser in intensity at her knees and arms. They were scraped badly from the diving actions.
Her ears pricked suddenly at the arrival of a new sound. A car. Brandon! She craned her head to look around the bench and was met with more shots. But she had seen him, his sleek black Corvette was heading her way. She licked her lips and made a snap decision. Launching herself to her feet she ran for the parking lot. She ran out in front of his car and heard the screech of brakes. Shots rained down on her and more pain blossomed. Brandon spun his car around and raced up behind her.
"Dale! Dale!"
She turned her head.
"The car is bullet proof, get in!"
Brandon came up beside her with the door open. She threw herself into the leather interior and Brandon tore out of the lot.
"Dale! Talk to me! Are you hit? Say something damn it!" Brandon reached over and helped her sit up as they rocketed down the freeway.
"I am hit." She could feel the burning holes of pain her body and hoped nothing was fatal.
"Oh shit" Brandon glanced at her and then made a sudden swerve onto a too close exit. "Hang on I know someone who can help." He drove them through dark streets like there was hell on their tail.
Dale felt herself shivering as the pain reached her head and burst into a silent drumming of solid agony. "Hurry Brandon." Her vision was starting to blur as colored objects were swirling around her head. Black covered her and she felt nothing.
Jarring to awareness brought with it stiffness and pain which made Dale moan as she felt something crack. Hands grabbed her and she recognized them as Brandon.
"Easy there D, you were hit real good." His face swam into view and he looked worried and beautiful at the same time.
"No shit." She choked out of a dry throat and coughed a few times.
"Here." Brandon handed her water and watched as she gingerly sipped it. "Now just lay back and keep from moving too much."
"Don't boss me around." She snapped and forced herself to sit on her own. "Was it silver?"
He looked startled for a moment. "Yes. How'd you know?"
Dale felt her blood warm as anger raged through her. "Call it a hunch."
"We found other injuries that suggest this isn't a first time." Brandon was talking with complete call as he watched her closely. "Have you been shot before Dale?"
She was silent and stared too hard at the floor. "This has nothing to do with you so just drop it."
"On the contrary Miss Frost, I believe it has a lot to do with him."
She jumped and jerked her head up at the familiar voice. "Paul?"
Paul stepped out in a golden suit that matched his complexion and brought out his ebony black hair. He was a stunning man to look at and knew it. A smile curled his full mouth which revealed fangs and ruined some of the beauty.
"What are you doing here?" She asked in total disbelief.
"Searching for you actually." He sounded jovial and Dale knew it was a lie.
"Why?"
"We need the information you have about the translation of the Red Stone." Paul glanced at Brandon. "We'll call if we need you."
Brandon moved to go Dale grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "I don't think so. Listen Paul I know that you want that stone to work for you. But I quit the project when my family was slaughtered."
Paul sighed as if disappointed. "That again."
Brandon stayed where he was holding the water glass and said nothing.
"Look suck head, I realize that the death of a dozen humans won't faze your ass. But for me, considering they were my family, it means something to me. Now look, I still think you had something to do with that and until I have proof otherwise, I am not going to help you one fucking bit."
Paul stared at her a long time. "God you are stubborn. But then again, you are his descendant so what else can I expect?"
"What are you talking about?"
Paul spread his hands wide as he tossed her a file folder. "Take a look at your proof Ms. Frost. That should satisfy you."
Dale flipped open the folder and looked at the photos of her dead family. She skipped over those and went to the notes. She read them twice before looking at him. "Explain this."
"That says that we have found out why your family was hunted down. I am sure you have heard of Blade and his...adventures."
"Everyone has."
"Well then you must have heard of Deacon Frost." Paul stared at her with perfect calm.
"I can't say as I have." Dale shrugged. "But so what?"
"We traced Deacon's human roots and discovered he had a son the name of Edward."
Dale felt her hands go cold. "And?"
"I believe you have a three times great grandfather by that name do you not?"
"I think so. I am not too sure. I mean he was murdered before anyone really got anything down." She frowned at him. "Why are you asking?"
Paul made a frustrated sound. "I'll make this simple. Your great grandfather is Deacon Frost."
Beside her came a choked sound as Brandon coughed behind his hand. He wouldn't meet her eyes and was staring too hard at the floor.
'This being a big deal because....?" Dale glanced at both of them.
"We need your translations to help Deacon solve a particular riddle. Have you ever heard of La Magra?"
"The Blood God?" Brandon spoke up and sounded awed. "I heard that he was trying to go after the legend."
Paul gave him a long look before shifting his attention to Dale. "As you can see this is very important to us."
"What does this have to do with my family being murdered?"
"The hunters must have found the connection and are trying to get rid of you. Deacon is one of their biggest foes." He sounded very happy about that little fact. "The hunters would see his kin, no matter how distant, as a threat and therefore they would hunt you down."
Dale sat there staring at her hands for a long moment; she flexed them once, then twice. Feeling the muscles work and the bones bend in her skin and realizing what Paul had just said.
"I want to meet him." Dale announced after several long minutes of silence.
Paul frowned and shook his head. "No."
"Yes." She slid off the table and wavered a moment. Brandon made a move to help she waved him off. "You said this guy was my ancestor, I want to meet him."
"No." Paul said more forcefully. "Out of the question."
"Then forget about your translations." Dale drew in a breath. It hurt all the way down and right through her toes. But she stood up right and met his eyes. "I meet Deacon Frost and then I give you the translations."
Paul opened his mouth to argue and then closed it while a smile crossed his features. "Alright." He waved to Brandon. "Set it up and see to it she is escorted."
"Sir." Brandon bowed his head and Paul was gone when he straightened. He turned his eyes on Dale and wasn't happy. "Are you absolutely stark raving mad?"
"Why do you say it that way?" Dale asked turning to face him.
She became aware of the fact that she had very little clothing on and the fact that Brandon was totally male. She hid her blush by rubbing her face.
"Deacon Frost? The guy is a freaking psycho even my our standards. I mean by vampire standards."
"I thought you liked vampires Brandon or am I not correct in assuming you work for them?" There was an edge to her tone that Dale wasn't expecting.
"I do like vampires, I admire them even. But not Deacon Frost."
"Fine, give me his address and I'll go my self." Dale turned her back on him looking around the room. "Now how do I get out of here?"
Brandon was quiet for a moment before he let out a heavy sigh and brushed by her. He punched in a code and the door slid back, he waved her through.
"I have a question for you." Brandon said lightly as they walked down an ornate hallway. "How did you ever translate the Red Stone, that's almost as old as the Book of Erebus?"
"I have a knack for computers and was able to scan the whole thing in before writing a program that would decode the stone tracings." Dale paused as they passed by a painting. "That is lovely."
Brandon back tracked and came up beside her. "I have seen it." Taking her elbow he walked her along the hall. Pausing once they came to a set of stairs that led up. He punched in a different code and the doors parted. Harsh white light painted the new scene. Which turned out to be a huge walk in freezer that was part of a large prep kitchen.
"Did we just walk out of a freezer?" Dale turned and stared at the gleaming surface of the door. "Does that seem strange to you?"
"No."
Dale rolled her eyes. "Of course not. What was I thinking?" She mocked hitting her forehead with her hand. "I mean you work for vampires so walking out of a freezer is normal for you."
Brandon was walking faster now, pulling her along with him. "We need to talk somewhere less open." He snapped and pushed his way out of the kitchen and into a pumping night club.
He dragged her through the crowd which was thumping and grinding to a blend of music. Above them lights swirled, crashed and twisted into a rainbow of light against the dark. The crowd would surge every so often and push the two of them deeper into the center of it all. One particular surge broke Brandon's hold on her arm and sent Dale spinning off into the masses. She staggered her way to a table and leaned against the corner of it.
"Do you mind?" A voice snarled at her back.
Dale half turned and gazed into glowing blue eyes and sharp white fangs. The woman had white hair slicked back from her forehead and was wearing a white bra and leather pants.
"No I don't mind actually." Dale spoke with ice and the woman narrowed her eyes at her.
"That's too bad for you."
Dale felt it before the woman moved and snatched her self just out of the woman's reach. The vampire blinked several times as if confused, she looked at her hand and snarled at Dale.
"Oh boo hoo for you, I moved." Dale took another step back as the woman jumped on the table and snarled at her. Their fangs glinted in the colored lights as she gnashed them together a few times before she threw herself at Dale.
Dale dove to the side and felt her injuries reopen in the same action. Moist wetness slid down her skin as she backed up. Trying to stay clear of the masses who as of yet unaware of the trouble, while keeping a good distance between her and the vampire.
"Don't run, I hate the taste of adrenaline." The woman snarled.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Dale searched around for something resembling a weapon or a defensive tool. Humans, humans and vampires. Nothing useful. Dale bumped into someone and paused as a jolt ran through her back and into her head. The person turned as if they too felt it as Dale lifted her chin to stare into pale green eyes. From this distance Dale could see the wild fire that burned in those depths. The beast that laughed at death while dancing with corpses. The man looked over at the woman and the vampire stopped in her tracks.
"Mercury what are you doing?" His tone resonated from inside Dale's body and she felt a shiver go through her.
"This human bitch needed a lesson." The woman snapped as she waved to Dale.
He looked back at her and Dale put space between them. She gazed into his face and was amazed at their similarities. Same hair, eyes and there was a ghost of resemblance in the face.
"Not too night Mercury." The man said loosely. "We have bigger things to do." He stepped around Dale and pulled the woman with him as he went. His arm tight around her waist as he kissed her hair as his flickered over Dale one last time.
"There you are!" Brandon shoved his way out of the crowd and stared at her the departing couple. "Holy shit."
"You can say that again." Dale was shivering and couldn't help it. "Who was that?"
"Oh no one just Deacon Frost." Brandon stared at her and shook his head, grabbing her arm he hauled her none too gently out of the club.
He didn't say a single word until they were locked in his apartment and standing in his kitchen with the refrigerator open. Brandon stood there staring into the golden light and didn't move to grab anything.
"Brandon say something. Why are you upset with me?" Dale still had her arms hugged around her body while she stood there watching him. "Tell me why your angry."
"It's not anger Dale." He whispered and reached aimlessly for something. He took it out and closed the doors. Sinking into a chair and staring at what he had pulled out.
"Then what is it?" Dale didn't move from where she stood.
"I have wanted to meet Deacon Frost for as long as I can remember. The guys a legend almost as big as Blade but he's more a hero then a problem. I mean the guy is a rebel in a time when rebellion is a forgotten way of life."
Dale arched a brow at him. "Not making any sense over here."
He looked at her. "For years our world as been ruled by the Pure Bloods, the born vampires, but when Deacon came along he decided to change things. He is going to return the power to where it belongs, to those who are the majority, the made vampires. He started a war with the Pure Bloods when he announced his plans to translate the Bible. They think is just being a fool but Deacon can do it. I mean he's real smart like and he's ruthless." Brandon looked up. "Kind of like you. I mean people listen when he talks just like they do to you. Things are done when he says so, just like with you."
"So we have a few things in common. No big deal." Dale shrugged and flinched as her shoulder protested. She reached up and felt around it, the skin was hot and sore.
"It is a big deal. Consider things like this Dale, your related to him and both of you are involved with solving the legend of La Magra. You have the first piece and Deacon has the second. If you combine them they will make the puzzle whole."
Brandon stood up and came toward her, Dale backed up until she hit the wall. Brandon smiled gently and reached for her. His fingers traced her jaw and wrapped around behind her head. He pulled her closer and bent his head.
"No Brandon." Dale pressed her hand to his chest.
"Why not?" He whispered against her mouth. "I know you want to."
"Because there is someone else here." Dale kept her eyes on the figure that had appeared in the kitchen.
Brandon spun around as a shot rang out and he jerked as his legs crumpled. Dale ducked the next shot and used Brandon as a shield as she crouched on the floor.
"It's time to end this silly little game." The hunter raised his shot gun to Dale's face.
"I couldn't have said it better my self."
Dale jumped at the sudden voice at her back and was startled to see Paul standing there. His golden suit shone and he looked incredible as always.
"Paul Oaken what a surprise." The man laughed as he glanced from the vampire to the humans. "Looks like I have you at a cross-roads."
"I doubt it." Paul's tone was empty as snow and just as cold. "Put down the gun hunter and I might take only one arm."
"No deal."
Dale realized that Paul was distracting the man and she moved carefully from behind Brandon. She was fortunate that Brandon had landed against the wall with cooking utensils. She reached in gingerly and drew out the first thing she touched. A skillet. She frowned at it but kept it. Moving slowly against the wall as Paul and the hunter bickered she came up behind him. Raising the pan over her head she brought it down with all the strength she had. The man cried out and fell as the pan smacked into his head. Dale felt the shock march up her arms and across her shoulders. She wavered but remained standing. The man had dropped his gun and she snatched it up. Firing into his head before he could regain his focus and attack her, her eyes blinked away the worst of the splatter that covered her.
Throwing the gun down, she ran to Brandon and rolled him over. "Brandon?"
"He's gone Dale." Paul didn't sound the least bit remorseful over it. "Come on we have to go." He pulled her away and she wanted to fight but didn't have the strength.
"Now listen to me." Paul shook as they rode down in the elevator. "Listen to me Dale. Deacon wants to meet you, now, tonight. I don't know he knows about you, but he called me and told me to bring you to him."
She nodded because that was what he wanted. Her mind was lost in an endless circle that revolved around a single image. Brandon's body as he crumpled to the floor. Her skin remembered the warmth of his breath against her lips as he leaned to kiss her. If only she had let him, if only she had been more aware of that man sooner. If only....If only didn't do any good now.
"There isn't time to take you home so you can change and there are going to be a lot of questions about what happened."
She nodded again.
Paul looked at her and frowned darkly. "Snap out of it Dale. You've seen people die before."
"Yeah but never in my arms like that."
Paul snorted. "Don't get hung up on it. Just focus on what Deacon is going to ask you. He'll want the translation tonight, have you got it?"
She nodded. "I do at my apartment."
"That will make things more complicated." Paul ended the conversation with that and not another word was spoken.
After parking his car in the back Paul lead he around to the front and nodded to the door man. He stared after Dale but didn't stop them as they entered. More heads turned as Dale was hauled along behind Paul until they reached the main elevators. He turned her to face him and wiped her face with a cloth. His scrubbed at her hands and made a face at her clothes.
"White and blood don't mix."
Dale looked down at her clothes and realized she was still wearing her uniform from work. Her white shirt was now red in the front with a sprinkling of dots out from there. Her skirt too was darker then it should be. Her shoes were speckled with blood as she flexed her feet up and down.
Paul gave up as the doors opened and he pushed her in. Reaching into his suit he pulled out a card which he inserted into a slot and pressed the upper most button. The ride was quick and silent and opened up to a loud party atmosphere. Dozens of people mostly human, milled around while whispering back and forth. Music played from somewhere and added to the party feeling. But under the party there was another feeling, a darker one. Dale was snapped out of her state by this feeling. She stopped in her tracks as her skin tingled and her head buzzed. She lifted her head and looked around. Intermingling with the humans were vampires who were prowling like hungry sharks. Paul had disappeared into the crowd and she didn't bother to look for him.
"We meet again human." A voice slithered from her left.
Dale turned to see the blonde woman, Mercury, stalk up and glare at her. She eyed Dale like she was candy coated and looked yummy.
"You killed a human." She remarked with somewhat awed surprise. "Why did you do that little girl?"
"He shot a friend of mine." Dale wasn't scared of her like she had been last time. If anything, Dale wanted the woman to beat the life out of her.
"Hmm." Mercury laughed as she reached out and Dale didn't move. Her finger closed around Dale's throat and squeezed. "You didn't move."
Dale grinned, returning the same smile she was getting. Her hands came around and smacked against the woman's ears. She shrieked and covered her ears and thus releasing Dale. Dale found her balance and rammed her fist into Mercury's middle bringing the vampire to her knees which lined her up nicely for a kick to the face which sent her to the floor.
Dale stood over her a moment before she was picked up off the floor and hurled through the air across the room. She crashed down in a pool of water that was at least five feet deep. Breaking the surface Dale tossed her head back and looked around. She was now outside with an incredible view of downtown and the skyline. Hands grabbed her and she was heaved from the water and shaken like a doll. Her head spun around and she felt her stomach twist.
"Quinn, put her down." Deacon's tone was level and totally relaxed as he made his way over to where Dale was being choked.
The man released her and she crashed back into the pool. Once she surfaced she half pulled herself onto the solid surface around her. Deacon crouched down and watched her with a bemused smile.
"Paul says you translated the Red Stone."
Dale lifted her head. "And you believe him?"
Deacon grinned and glanced over his shoulder. "Under normal circumstances I wouldn't, but from what I hear, you aren't normal."
"Oh so it's like that then." Dale pushed her hair off her face. "What say you get me out of this and I'll show you the translations?"
Deacon watched her a long time before grinning and standing up. "Get out yourself and Paul will show the computer to use."
Dale lingered in the water and felt the burning pain of her entire body as she breathed in and out. Finally she forced herself to haul her body out of the water and stand upright. Paul threw a towel at her and glared at her while Dale quickly dried herself off. The party was still going strong and no one seemed the least bit interested in what had just happened. Paul lead her to a private room where the noise of the party was blocked out and a state of the art computer sat waiting for her. There was a black desk sitting across from the work station and leather set of furniture in another corner. The office was dark and not made to promote relaxation or peace. It was just a dark space with just enough to allow for work.
"Use this computer to download the translations." Paul waved to the work station.
Dale sat down and rolled up the sleeve of her shirt, turning her left arm face up she ran her fingers along her forearm. After a few inches she could feel the edge of a circular object. Only problem, she wasn't about to cut her arm open around a vampire.
"Paul would you be a sport and wait outside?" Dale shot him a smile.
"Why?"
"If you want the disk, you'll wait outside."
Paul glared at her a moment but left anyway.
Dale let out a sigh and rubbed her arm.
"Need a hand with that?"
She spun around and found Deacon lingering just across the room. He crossed the floor and sat down next to her.
"You expect me to do this in front of you?" Dale arched a brow.
"Well it is my disc and you have no other choice."
"Why is that?"
"I could kill you and take it out that way, or I could rip your arm off and leave you to the masses or you could just give me the disc and we'll call it even." Deacon held out a hand, a single nail growing out about an inch and half.
"Aren't you just accommodating," Dale watched his eyes and saw her own eyes.
"No I am not. I am just goal orientated"
Dale watched Deacon and wasn't sure what to do about him.
