CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN: No Turning Back
Above the Subway
Sir William kept towards the back of the group, watching the vampires closely. He didn't trust any of them; but he had had no choice in the matter. He was in too deep, and now these monsters were his last hope. Once the lycans were taken care of, he would fill the vampires in on his full identity, and then bargain with them for his life.
He was pretty sure they would be interested in the same deal he had had with the lycans. He would offer them the chance to purchase first class weapons, and in doing so, he would ensure the Council would steer clear of any territories they inhabited. It had worked well before, until the lycans had gotten too cocky. Who knew they would have opened fire on the vampires in public. Idiots!
"Stop worrying William", he said to himself. "You have an excellent chance of getting out of this virtually unscathed. The vampires will take care of the lycans, and you can kill that bitch Alexandra Douglas. Then there will be no one left alive to answer the Council's questions. Everything will turn out just fine", he reassured himself.
His little pep talk was interrupted when the vampires came to an abrupt halt. He looked up and saw them pulling out weapons and checking their ammunition. He pulled out his own gun and made sure the clip was in tight and the safety was off. Hollow point bullets filled with silver nitrate; he would enjoy seeing the look on Agent Douglas' face when he pumped her full of the poisonous metal.
His attention was drawn to the front of the small group when he saw Kraven speaking with one of his men and then looking over in his direction. He also noticed that Kraven hadn't bothered carrying a weapon of his own. So, he had no intentions of fighting this battle himself. He must be fairly high up in the vampire hierarchy if these men followed him into battle, knowing he wasn't fighting alongside them. He wasn't one to argue the fairness of the situation; given the same opportunity he too would sit on the sidelines and watch the hired hands do the fighting.
But he couldn't dwell on it, they were at the subway entrance and Kraven was making his way towards him. Time was up, he knew the vampire would have him killed as soon as they took out the lycans. He was going to have to gain his advantage now, or loose the chance forever.
He resolved not to cower in the presence of the arrogant, intimidating vampire. Steeling himself for a confrontation, he waited for the vampire to come to him.
"Come with me", Kraven said, ordering William to follow him.
"Where are we going?" William asked, demanding an answer.
Kraven sneered at the human before he answered the man's question. "Well, since you are responsible for our little welcoming party, I assumed you would want to lead our expedition."
"No that's quite all right", William replied nervously, "I'll be quite content in the middle of the pack, or even bringing up the rear."
"It wasn't a request. This was your idea, remember. I'm providing the muscle, but I see no sense in putting one of my men up front when this could well be a setup", Kraven informed him.
"Yes, I see how concerned you are for your men's safety. Where is your weapon, Kraven?" William asked, in a haughty tone.
Kraven backhanded the human, throwing him several feet. Then he walked over and spat into the man's face. "You would do well to speak to me with a little more respect", he warned William.
William's face hurt unbelievably. He had thought the man more of a talker and less of a fighter. He had underestimated him. "So sorry", he mumbled.
"Fine, keep your apologies. Just quit sniveling and get up. You will lead my men through the tunnels and into the lycans hideout", Kraven said in disgust.
"But how am I supposed to get through the entrance, it's at least 15 feet straight up", William asked incredulously as he scrambled to his feet.
"Don't worry little man. Theo will make sure you clear the distance", he said laughing, as he pointed to the vampire William had seen him speaking with earlier.
Worried, William walked nervously to the front of the group. There had been no chance to bargain with Kraven. His chances of survival had just slipped tremendously; and there wasn't any time left to consider an alternate plan.
They were moving down the stairs and into the subway itself; him in the lead. The vampires walked silently behind him. His one remaining chance was to find Alexandra as soon as possible, kill her, and then hide until the vampires finished the lycans and left.
He prayed it would be as easy as it sounded.