CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Picking Up A Few Things

Lucian & Alex

Lucian followed her down the stairs and out into the street. She had turned and was headed east, in the direction of the tunnels.

He had been anxious as to what effects the sunlight might have on them. His eyes seemed to be sensitive to the bright light, and he felt a little weak; but, other than that, it appeared he could walk about during the daytime without any problems.

He watched Alexandra to see if she was suffering any ill effects. If she was, he couldn't tell. She was moving quickly, glancing around as if checking the perimeter for danger. He too kept a watchful eye out, but he was looking for lycans. He knew she was hoping to catch a glimpse of her team members. Whether to avoid them or confront them, he wasn't sure; but, whatever the case may be, he wouldn't let them interfere with his plans.

Alexandra was no longer a part of the human race. She was now a member of a very small and elite super species. He needed her help in order to stop the war between the lycans and vampires. That was still his goal, maybe even more so now than ever.

He noticed she had slowed down. She glanced down an alley before crossing the side street and making her way over to a building that housed several businesses. She motioned for him to follow her.

"Okay, it's daylight, so I'm going to assume my team is out looking for me", she explained in hushed tones. "Here's what I suggest", she began, "I'll go up and grab my bags. I never had a chance to unpack anything so I shouldn't be too long. I need you to stay down here and be my watch. If you seen anyone coming in, try to distract them long enough for me to get out", she said.

"That works in theory, Alexandra", Lucian stated. "But there are a couple of things wrong with your plan. First of all, I'm not aware of what any of your team members look like, whereas they will know who I am at a glance. And, if they see me, they are going to assume you are nearby.

Pausing for a moment, he looked around to make sure they were alone. "Secondly, and maybe most importantly, I don't trust you. I don't know who you are or what you do. What I do know is that you admittedly hunt and kill my kind as well as vampires. Obviously you are successful at what you do, because you have survived, and you were leading that expedition in the tunnels. I don't put it past you to either (A) try and escape, (B) try to kill me, or (C) all of the above. So, that means we are stuck together like glue. Wherever you go, I go and vice versa. Do we understand each other?" he asked.

She knew he wouldn't go for it, but it was worth a try. She was used to being the one giving orders and having others follow; it was hard to relinquish control. But until she was able to follow through with her plan, she was gonna have to roll with the punches.

"Fine, have it your way", she replied. She looked around once more before she walked through the main entrance to the building. Lucian quickly caught up to her and grabbed her hand. "Like glue", he reminded her.

"Whatever you say...Elmer", she said without breaking stride.

They walked over to the stairs and without consulting the other; they knew it was the safest choice. They walked up three flights before Alex stopped at the third floor door.

"I'm gonna have a quick look see there in the hall", she said before she opened the door. "If everything looks good, we'll take a left and go down to the last door on the right. That's where we're staying while we are here. My stuff is inside. It shouldn't take more than 2-3 minutes for me to grab my bags and then we can head over to your super secret hidey spot. Okay?"

He grinned at her mention of a hidey spot. She did have a strange way of expressing herself. "That's fine, just be sure to make it fast. We don't want to be cornered here by your industrious teammates."

Alex opened the door and quickly looked around. The hall was clear. "It's good, let's go", she whispered, and then stepped out into the hallway.

"Who's Elmer?" he asked as an afterthought, following her out of the stairway.

"Shhh", Alex cautioned, trying not to laugh. He didn't get her Elmer Glue reference, good! No wait a minute, not good. Why did she let that man reduce her to childish thoughts and reactions? Well, no matter how much he goaded her, she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of showing how much he affected her.

She came to a stop outside the very last door. She waited for him to make his way to her side, then she put her fingers to her lips, motioning for silence. She leaned into the door, and listened for any sound that may be coming from inside. Waiting a few seconds, she determined the guys were out. She reached into her pocket and pulled out her key. When she had the door unlocked, she quickly stepped inside, pulling Lucian with her.

Once inside, she re-locked the door and quickly looked around. It was a small space, with the only other room being a bathroom. She walked over and jerked open the lavatory door. No one was utilizing the facilities.

"Well, it looks as if we're alone", she told Lucian. She made her way over to the other side of the room, towards several duffel bags. She browsed through the bags and picked up two of the five sitting there.

'Okay, I'm ready, let's get out of here", she said moving towards the door.

"Hold up there Princess", Lucian ordered. "I'd like to see what you have there.

"I told you, I have clothing and other necessities", she reiterated. Of course, she didn't tell him about the bag of weapons she picked up. She was hoping he would be so concerned with getting out of there, he wouldn't want to look at the contents of the bags until it was too late. No such luck.

"Well, then let's have a quick look see", he said stepping closer to her. He reached out and took the bag containing her clothes. He pulled on the zipper and looked down into the bag. He saw several articles of clothing, a bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, some rubber bands, tampons and deodorant. He reached into the bag and felt around, but found nothing other than a hairbrush inside.

Moving over to the other bag, he took it from her and unzipped it. She was persistent, he had to give her that. Inside, the bag contained several rounds of silver nitrate and ultraviolet ammunition; a couple of handguns; some hand grenades and about four knifes. Impressive. He glanced up at her. Her face was a blank canvas.

"Hey a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do", she said with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Actually, we could probably use these", Lucian stated, surprising her. "But, I'll be the one to carry them, if you don't mind", he said with a grin.

Damn, she was really beginning to hate that lopsided grin. He used it like a weapon, and it made her stomach flutter whenever he flashed it. But at least he was bringing the weapons with them. She knew her chances of getting out of there, in possession of the bag, were slim. But, at least he hadn't looked through her clothing bag too closely. She knew there was a stiletto of pure silver hidden within the folds of a shirt, and a small snub nose revolver, loaded with silver nitrate, inside the tampon box. She hadn't expected him to bring along the second bag, once he discovered what was in there; but who was she to argue if he decided he wanted them. She would just try to gain access to them later.

"Fine by me", she said. She walked over to the window and glanced down at the street. Still seeing no sign of Malcolm or the other guys, she knew it was time to leave.

"Grab the bag pops and let's go", she advised making for the door.

Grimacing at the name, Lucian picked up the bag and replied, "You know, I really don't like being called pops."

"Well, I don't like a lot of things", Alex said locking the door. I tell you what. You let me carry the weapons and I'll stop calling you pops."

"Pops it is....Alexandra", Lucian said smiling.

She really hated that grin!