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Chapter 15

The luggage was collected and Demont was put in charge of getting it safely to the plane. He sat off in a car with it. The others got in the limousine and went to Reynard Labs. When they arrived Cynthia and Philippe started out of the vehicle.

"I'm coming with you," Mick announced.

"Me too," Beth chimed in. She didn't want Mick alone with Philippe and Cynthia.

"In case anyone cares, I'm staying here," Josef smiled. "Don't worry about me. Hurry back."

The four left the car and went to the building. Cynthia let them in and led the way to the lab where she had worked. Without glancing around she headed directly to one side of the room where her personal computer was. The building was eerie this late at night. Even the janitorial staff had finished their rounds and had left.

Beth looked around the spacious lab and noted all the usual items. There was much she had no idea what it was used for. She looked back at the others and saw Mick hovering over Cynthia's shoulder. The blonde vampire was busy down loading information on a flash drive. Philippe was keeping an eye on Mick.

Cynthia finished loading the drive and was preparing to copy a second one. A noise in the hallway had both Mick and Philippe looking up. They exchanged looks and moved towards the door. They made it halfway across the large room when the doors flew open and Lance was there. Two other vampires stood behind him. Lance looked around, taking in the group. He smiled coldly as he saw Cynthia at the computer. His two companions remained blocking the doors while he advanced on Cynthia.

Beth pressed against the lab table she was next to, trying to be invisible. Mick stepped between Beth and Lance while Philippe moved to block Lance's path to Cynthia.

"Well little brother. When were you going to tell me you had found Cynthia?" Lance asked as he stopped in front of Philippe.

"I just found her. Once we got back to LA I would have called," Philippe said. "You know that Cynthia only follows Coraline's lead. She has the research that they have done. It has led them nowhere. Let it go."

"Are you telling me what to do?" Lance asked icily.

"I'm saying that there is no need to punish Cynthia for things our sister started. We'll give you all the data, do with it as you please," Philippe told him.

Lance looked over at Cynthia.

"Where is this data? Still in the computer?"

Cynthia held up the flash drive.

"Fine. Wipe the hard drive," Lance commanded.

"No," Mick exclaimed. He knew the second copy wasn't finished. Lance turned towards him.

"Mick," he said in a condescending tone. "Were you hoping to acquire the research and continue it? That cannot be allowed. There is no cure and the compound cannot be duplicated." He looked over at Cynthia. "I said wipe the hard drive. Delete all the information and give me the flash drives, both of them."

Cynthia glanced at Philippe. He nodded slightly. She turned back to the computer and deleted everything. Mick let out a groan of protest. Lance looked back at him. His one good eye moved past Mick and focused on Beth. He smile was cruel.

"You brought your little human pet with you Mick," he said bitingly. "This is the reason you rejected our sister? You really are a useless vampire."

Mick growled, his eyes changing.

"Lance, this isn't worth an argument," Philippe said trying to head off a fight. Cynthia came up behind him. She had the flash drives in one hand and placed the other on Philippe's arm.

"Lance, there is no way this data would help Mick. You can have it all. You know Coraline, I only did this to keep her happy," Cynthia said trying to placate him.

"You will explain that to Darius," Lance threatened. "He will decide if this is enough to forgive your actions."

"No one will harm Cynthia," Philippe stated firmly.

Lance raised the eyebrow over his good eye.

"Has my little brother grown a back bone?" he taunted. "Since when do you make the rules?"

"Since you threatened Cynthia," Philippe said putting his arm around her. "You will not hurt her."

"Big talk," Lance snorted. "I cannot wait to see you explain that to Darius."

"I will," his younger brother promised. He drew Cynthia closer. "And he will listen. You have the compound back. The research is ended. There is no further need for punishments. It's over."

Lance laughed cruelly. Cynthia slipped the flash drives into her pocket.

"It's over when I say it is. It is over when Darius is sure that no one opposes him," he said angrily. "We will go back. Darius is waiting in Paris."

"No. We will go back but not with you."

"You've made a big mistake brother," Lance snarled. He slapped Philippe.

With fangs flashing, Philippe leapt at Lance. The two by the doors joined in. Mick took on one, throwing him back at the door. Cynthia jumped the other one. He threw her back in the direction of Beth. As she picked herself up from the floor, the vamp grabbed her by the arms. Beth took a lab stool and swung it at the man's head. It knocked him sideways. Cynthia met Beth's eyes. She pulled Beth down and shoved her under the metal table.

"Stay under there," she hissed to Beth. "Protect yourself." She pushed the stool to Beth and turned back to the attacking vamp.

Mick found himself evenly matched with the vamp he was fighting. They traded blows and punches as they moved across the room. When he was flung against the wall, he slid to the floor. His hand came in contact with a broom. Mick closed his hand around the wooden handle and got to his feet. Swinging the broom he connected with the vamp's face. The guy went down hard. Mick snapped the broom in half. Taking the top portion he hauled the vamp to his knees and drove the stake deep into his chest. The vampire collapsed on his back. Mick swung around to see what was happening to the others.

Philippe and Lance were throwing each other around with neither having an advantage at the moment. Cynthia was pushed back against a table, the other vampire snarling as he rushed her. She grabbed a bottle from the table and threw the contents into his face. He howled and struck out blindly at her. He made contact but didn't see her turn on a gas jet and snap a lighter to the Bunsen burner that was attached. He fell into the burner and his clothes ignited. Screaming, he staggered backward trying to pound out the flames with his hands. Cynthia turned off the gas and grabbed another bottle. She threw the alcohol onto him causing the flames to spread faster.

Lance used the distraction to lift Philippe and heave him into Mick, sending them both crashing to the floor. As the two untangled and jumped to their feet, Lance grabbed Beth and pulled her from under the table. She shrieked in pain as he twisted her left arm behind her and held her in front of him. Lance took hold of her neck in his right hand and tightened. Beth ceased struggling as her airway was blocked.

"Let her go," Mick demanded taking a step forward. In the background the screams halted as the burning vampire became ash. Philippe grabbed Mick's arm, holding him back. Mick snarled at him.

"Wait, he'll snap her neck," Philippe cautioned.

"Who has the upper hand now?" Lance gloated. He loosened his grip enough to let Beth breathe. He moved along the table, moving toward the doors. They were at his back as he stopped.

Cynthia joined Philippe and Mick. The three faced Lance, trying to gage if they could free Beth before he killed her.

Mick was desperate to attack but felt he would never be fast enough. Beth was so frightened; he could hear her frantic heartbeat. It was pounding in his ears.

"Don't even think it," Lance warned him. "Ms Turner will die in an instant if you take one more step forward."

Mick growled in frustration. He looked to Philippe.

"Lance, let the human go. We'll go back with you and face Darius," Philippe told him.

"I don't think so little brother. I think Darius will enjoy meeting this human," Lance taunted. "You know how he enjoys spicy food. She looks delicious. Her blood has a heady fragrance."

Mick was about to lunge forward, but Philippe grabbed him from behind. Mick struggled in the older vampire's grasp. He couldn't break free. He couldn't stand how frightened Beth looked.

Tears slid down Beth's cheeks. She was terrified of Lance and also feared that Mick would die trying to save her.

End chapter.

There, I've set up the finish. Reviews, I really want to hear your reactions. This was more action than I ever write. You know the drill. Thumbs up or thumbs down?