CHAPTER TWENTY: Group Hug – Well Sorta
Subway TunnelsAlex was waiting for him at the bottom of the ladder; Lucian noticed she wouldn't look him in the eye. She was embarrassed it would seem.
He pulled out the Beretta 9 mm he had kept tucked into his pants at the small of his back. He wasn't planning on taking any chances. They needed to defend themselves, should the humans or vampires find them.
"Are you ready", he asked Alex.
She threw a look over her shoulder and just nodded. So, she had taken a momentary vow of silence. He would enjoy it while it lasted.
"Fine then. We'll need to make our way through the chambers and into the very back of the tunnels", he said as he walked through the doorway and into the next room.
Alex followed him; staying close enough that she could keep up with him but not too close. She needed a little distance from the unnerving man. She held her gun loosely in her hand, happy to have it back in her possession. But having it back, made her remember the original reason she and the other agents had come to this godforsaken country.
She knew Lucian would have the answers to any and all questions she might ask. But, she wasn't sure he would be so willing to share those answers with her, right now. He had questions of his own, she knew; and she wasn't sure how much she information she should share. This was the only reason she hadn't pushed him on the current situation.
She mulled over her predicament as they made their way through the tunnels. She noticed that most of the lycan bodies had been removed. That meant there had been recent activity down here by either the lycans or vampires. But so far, they hadn't encountered either species on this little venture.
She watched Lucian move through each chamber, surveying the damage but never slowing down. She could now understand how this man had lead hundreds of lycans to revolt against the vampires. He was intelligent, charismatic, and seemed to have both a physical and mental strength that was uncommon amongst the lycans she had encountered throughout her career.
Was it possible that the lycans weren't the monsters she had been led to believe? No, she had seen first hand the destruction these creatures could wreak. Maybe she had only seen the ruthless side to this species; maybe there was more to the lycans than what she had witnessed. After all, there were both good and bad people in all races, perhaps that held true for the lycans and vampires as well. It was a theory that bore some consideration on her part.
Right now she needed to concentrate on the sounds she was picking up. She lifted her eyes from Lucian's back and saw that he was tilting his head, listening. She wasn't the only one hearing the voices.
She could make out a female and two males, but they were speaking in very low tones, so she couldn't understand what they were saying. But it soon became obvious that Lucian could either hear better than her, or he recognized one of the voices. He took off running in the direction the sounds were coming from. Since he hadn't raised his weapon, she assumed they were allies, not the enemy. But she had no friends on any side. She was alone and didn't count anyone an ally. She kept her weapon ready at her side ready to defend herself or even Lucian should the need arise. She sped up herself and caught up with Lucian as he entered the largest chamber in the lair.
It was the one that held the lower and upper floors as well as a large pool of water. This was where she had initially found the Elder vampire's body, but it too had been removed. Now, all she saw was the source of the voices she had picked up.
She immediately noticed an immensely tall, black man that began to howl when he caught sight of Lucian. She raised her weapon, ready to shoot the lycan, when she heard Lucian exclaim, "It is truly good to see you old friend." The two men grabbed the other's arm just below the elbow and hit each other on the other arm. Obviously they knew each other.
She lowered her gun and looked over at the two remaining strangers. Her initial reaction to Michael Corvin was relief. He was alive. The female brought a stronger reaction, she was vampire, and not very friendly by the look of her. She would reserve judgment until after she came to know them. But first impressions were important, and the woman was dangerous while the lycan was scary. Michael Corvin, appeared to be nothing more than human, but her other senses advised her otherwise. She couldn't pinpoint what he was, but he smelled like Lucian so she assumed he was some sort of lycan; though he didn't carry the same scent as the bigger man.
By now, Lucian had made his way over to Michael. He looked him over and then held his hand out in greeting. "I'm glad to see you managed to escape unharmed", he said shaking the younger man's hand.
"It was touch and go there for a while", Michael started, "But Selene managed to save my butt and get me out of here", he said motioning to the woman standing behind him. But you, you were dead", Michael said after a moment of hesitation.
"I saw you lying there, silver snaking through your veins", Raze said incredulously. "In fact, we had come here looking for your body in order to bury it."
Alex was listening closely and storing away as much information as possible. This was a strange group to be sure. What in the world were two lycans doing hanging out with a vampire, and when did vampires start saving the lives of lycans?
"Yes well, I was saved by my own angel of mercy", Lucian explained extending his arm to encompass Alex.
"Raze, Michael, and Selene, please allow me to introduce the newest member of our little breed", Lucian said grabbing Alex's hand and pulling her forward. "This is Alexandra Douglas. Alexandra, these are the three most important people you will meet within our community."
Alex nodded at all three, hoping Lucian remembered they were going to have even more company soon. Raze gave a harrumph of acknowledgement, Michael actually said hello, and Selene just stared at her.
"She's one of you?" Raze asked.
Alex thought his voice sounded as if he regularly chewed on gravel. She kinda liked it, and what did he mean by "one of you"?
"I believe she will be", Lucian replied.
"So you did drink Amelia's blood?" Raze queried.
"Yes, my friend, thank you. I managed to get enough down, that when Alexandra happened upon me, I was able to bring myself to drink from her in order to heal", Lucian explained.
"Happened upon you my ass!" Alex muttered under her breath. Lucian laughed and Michael snorted trying to hide his amusement. She had forgotten she was in the presence of super beings.
"Well, I am happy to see you all made it through that debacle the vampires caused, but we cannot stay here", Lucian cautioned. "Come, we need to head into the secret tunnels. We will have company soon", he advised.
"Death dealers", Selene asked. It was the first words she had spoken since they had entered the room. She had an English accent, Alex noted.
"No, humans", Lucian replied. "But humans with silver nitrate and ultraviolet ammunition."
"The Council", Raze asked dumbfounded.
Alex wanted so badly to look over at the lycan, but she schooled her features trying not to give away her surprise. They knew of ICOSA.
Lucian watched Alex's reaction; disappointed that she didn't give away a thing; but secretly pleased that she was able to hide her emotions so well. "I believe so", he said answering Raze's question.
"Then let's go", Raze said taking the lead.
Michael followed him, with Selene at his side. Alex saw she still had her gun at her side as well. She wasn't as comfortable with the situation as the men were. Interesting.
"Are you coming Princess", Lucian asked Alex.
Alex started to reply, when she heard someone walking through the tunnels. She lifted her hand and walked over the open door to peer out. Daniel O'Reilly was making his way over to them. He wasn't aware of them of yet, but he was looking. Alex wondered why Daniel was alone, where was Sterling?
"Alex", she heard him softly calling her name.
Lucian had come up beside her, and watched the human male. He was calling out for Alex. Why did that suddenly make him angry?
"I need to speak with him", Alex said in a whisper. She had leaned in and was speaking into his ear, and Lucian closed his eyes when her warm breath brushed his hair.
"What could you possibly have to say to the man", he said quietly.
Alex looked out at Daniel and judged she had a few moments before he was upon them. She new the lycans were aware of the Council, so what she was about to say shouldn't raise too many questions. She sighed then said, "Look, we came here looking for confirmation of Michael Corvin's safety, that and to find out how it was the lycans came to be using the ammunition made only by and for the Council. Now that I have seen Michael with my own two eyes, I know he's safe. No longer human, but safe. And if you agree to help me find out who supplied the lycans with the ammo, maybe I can keep the Council from hunting me and putting me down.
She wasn't real sure when living had become a priority to her, but she knew she wasn't ready to die yet. Yeah, she wasn't human anymore, but other than physical changes, Alex didn't feel any different. She was suddenly hoping it would be possible to live with the monsters without becoming one.
Lucian wasn't too happy with the idea of leaving Alex alone with the human. There was too much that could go wrong. But Alex was right; they had enough problems without having the Council on their trail.
"Okay", I'll stay here while you meet up with your friend there in the adjoining chamber", he said compromising on letting her meet with the man on her own. "But I suggest you make this quick, if he has made it down here, the others should be close behind", Lucian said.
Realizing this was the best she was gonna get right now, Alex quickly made her way into the outer chamber and called out to Daniel.
"Hey Irish, over here", she said waving at the redheaded man. She held her gun out to the side so he could see she was armed, but that she wasn't ready to use it.
Daniel nearly jumped out of his skin, when he heard Alex's whiskey laced voice. He looked up and saw her waving him over. She was armed, but so was he. All he wanted to do was talk. He ran over to her and grabbed her up in a huge bear hug.
Alex laughed, happy that he wasn't afraid of her, and hugged the man she had called friend for over five years.
Daniel released her when he heard a growl coming from somewhere in the room behind them. He looked hesitantly at Alex, hoping against hope she wasn't changing.
Alex smiled sheepishly at him, and shrugged her shoulders. Not wanting to explain the ferocious sounding noise that could only have come from Lucian.
"Daniel, I have much to tell you, and very little time to do it", Alex said beginning to explain.
"They're after you", Daniel said interrupting her, "Malcolm has issued an order to shoot you and put you out of your misery as soon as a clean shot is available", he said sadly.
"I figured as much", Alex said with a sigh. "Then why haven't you taken a shot Daniel?" she asked.
"I can't believe you went from being one of the good guys to a flesh eating creature just like that", Daniel said offering up his explanation.
"I haven't", Alex commented. "I'm not saying I wasn't infected, because I was Daniel. And even thought I feel different physically, my thoughts and emotions are still the same. I haven't once felt the urge to rip into innocent people and go at them like an all you can eat buffet. I swear", she said smiling. She was trying to alleviate some of his guilt at having disobeyed a direct order.
He looked at her in disbelief and then chuckled when he realized she was joking with him. This was still Alex, just a physically modified version of Alex. Which could be scary since the original Alex was pretty daunting to begin with.
"I've seen Michael Corvin", she said bringing him back to the issue at hand. "He's alive and seems very healthy to me. And I have a huge advantage being one of them. Now I have the inside track on finding out who the traitor is within the Council. But I can't do that if I'm dead Daniel", she finished. She was pushing him, but she didn't have a lot of time.
"Thomas is here", he said looking her directly in the eye.
She visibly flinched.
"So is Sir William", Daniel went on. "Malcolm and Jorge were picking them up at the airport when we spotted you and the lycan. Sterling was watching for them topside while I was supposed to be watching the tunnels for you", he said with a grin.
"What are you going to do Daniel", Alex asked softly. She had gripped her gun tightly in her hand, waiting for his response. She wasn't going to shoot him, but she wasn't going to allow him to capture her either. She would pistol whip him if need be, giving her and Lucian enough time to get away.
"What do you want me to do, Alex?" he asked.
"Listen, give me a couple of days to see what I can find out. I'll meet you here Saturday right about this time. Hopefully I'll have a name by then", she said hoping Daniel would allow her the chance.
"All your asking for is a couple of days", he asked.
"For now, yes", Alex responded. "We need to know who betrayed the Council; and, I'm in the best position to find that out."
Alex watched Daniel war with the decision he had to make. But he needed to hurry; she could now hear the others coming down the ladder.
"Daniel, please", she pleaded.
Daniel looked at her and took a deep breath. "Go", he whispered. I'm going to shoot at the wall once you leave the room, that way they'll think I'm after you. But I will miss Alex, this I promise, and you know I never miss", he said with a grin.
She kissed his check before she turned and exited the room. "Three days Alex, that's all I can give you", he said to her retreating form.
Lucian was waiting impatiently in the other room. He had watched and heard the entire conversation. He felt a quick stab of anger when she had hugged the human, but when she had placed a kiss upon his cheek, Lucian felt as if someone had punched him. Maybe he wasn't fully recovered yet, he thought dismissing the uneasy feelings he had experienced.
Alex rushed over to him and grabbed his hand. "Let's go, the others have made their way into the tunnels."
"Do you think he will betray us?" Lucian asked as they hurried through the chambers.
He heard a gun go off behind them; and, then the sound of shouting and running accompanied could be heard as well. They needed to hurry.
"No, Daniel is an excellent shot. I've never known him to miss. If he wanted me dead, I would be", she explained to Lucian. "I've been given a short reprieve."
"What will happen in three days, Alexandra", Lucian said as they neared the last room.
"I'll cross that bridge when I come to it", she replied with a smile. She trusted Daniel and she wanted to live. Maybe things would work out, then again, maybe not.
They had entered a narrow room, more the size of a closet. Lucian motioned for her to follow as he made his way to the back. The room was longer than she had originally thought, and narrowed down even more. They eventually had to turn sideways in order to continue through the dark passageway. Finally coming to a wall, Lucian stopped and before she knew what was happening, he jumped straight up, easily clearing four feet.
Alex moved over to occupy the space Lucian had just vacated. Looking up she could discern Lucian's face leaning over the side. "And just what the hell am I supposed to do", she asked agitated at his sudden disappearance.
"Jump", Lucian said as he moved away from the opening.
"Remind me to kick your ass when I get up there", she retorted. She heard his laughter as she pushed away from the ground and into the air.