Chapter 5: "Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate." - Sun Tzu
Samantha, Mango, Kim, Punk and John drove back to the motor pool without incident. Sam was surprised by how energized she still was. She had been so tense waiting for something to happen that physically she felt like she was going to bust if she didn't get an outlet. And it was irritating that she couldn't find her wallet.
Mango silently took the car in while the others mingled with another group of young kindred outside. The sky was just starting to lighten up and cars were starting to come around. Sam found herself alone for a moment. She walked the fence looking through the chain links out at the city and its buildings. Colorado Springs, her home, where she had lived for over 10 years. She had never known how dangerous the streets had become…or more accurately how dangerous they always had been when the sun went down.
She shook her head. How had she been so blind?
"Thinking deep thoughts." A male voice said behind her. Sam turned around then went wide eyed. Prince Hadrian was standing there. She blinked not wanting to believe it was him. She had only seen him in business cloths and with bodyguards. Now he was wearing a dark blue T-shirt and kaki cargo pants with what looked like old black ARMY boots. He had an old shoulder harness that held two pistols under his arms close to his ribs too. There was something else Sam had never noticed about him before. He was ripped. Hadrian wasn't a very tall man but seeing him out of the suit and tie he was built like a pro wrestler. His pale exposed arms must have been 11 inches all around at least.
These physical aspects of the Prince weren't the only revelations. The next thing Carter saw was that the dark T-shirt had words on them. In Therapy I learned its all YOUR FAULT! Before she realized it Sam had was laughing "Ha ha –" she shut her mouth instantly. Shit, Sam, thought to herself, Shit.
The Prince looked down at himself then he opened his arms pushing out his impressive chest to make the shirt's message more easily read. "I think it sends a good message." He smiled relaxing. Sam stared dumbfounded. What should she do now; bow, curtsy, what? After what Liam had said this man had the power to keep her from ever going back home and she already pissed him off by refusing his plan for the SGC. What should she do?
Hadrian smiled amiably and kept talking. "You look so serious standing here by yourself. I thought I might come over." He continued his good natured smile but then looked a bit concerned. "I hope I didn't intrude on anything important."
"No, no…um, your Majesty," Sam said. Hadrian smiled showing white human teeth. "Relax, Colonel, no need to be so nerves. We are in the field. The rigid formal system can be laxed a bit."
"Oh, uh, sorry, Sir," Sam said not thinking of anything better to address him as. She wasn't going to call him by name. "May I ask what you are doing here, Sir?"
Hadrian walked up next to her looking out through the fence. "Checking in on the Militia. A General should walk among his troops from time to time. Share at a minor portion of their hardships. Its one of the few ways we maintain the right to lead. Besides these young kindred don't have it very easy."
On that point Sam would agree, vehemently. "No, they don't." She did not say and it is your fault.
"What my predecessor did was disgraceful but not unheard of. Back in 1999, when Buffalo was under attack they did much the same thing. But instead there was no support. The Camarilla lied to the fledglings and made promises that if they did what they were told they would be turned back. It was meant to provide a token defense to conceal that the city had been evacuated. It served its purpose though. Gave the Camarilla time to consolidate its power and give us a fighting chance for the East Coast of the U.S." He shook his head. "Still this is pretty bad."
"Then why can't you do anything about it?" Sam said before thinking. She remembered herself and braced for whatever would happen next. Surprising there was nothing. Hadrian didn't react. He just turned looking back on the group of young vampires going inside before the sun rose.
"Because the alternative is worse, Samantha."
Sam didn't understand. What could be worse? Why couldn't more effort be put into supporting these kids?
He explained, "Kindred are hard to control. Left to our own devices we spread discord, war, even plagues. These children are little more than caitiff. Let them loose or free to do as they wish and we'd have bodies filling the streets, mortal and Kindred alike."
And we'd run the risk of exposing vampires to the world, Sam thought. She admitted that at first she didn't like what Liam told her of the Masquerade; this ruse that vampires would use to stay hidden from the human population. Now, she had to admit, she wasn't so sure. After all she had been all in favor of keeping the Stargate Program hidden. If people couldn't handle knowing about aliens running around the galaxy what would they do about vampires in their own back yard?
"I guess you are right, Sir." Sam said. "It's not easy either way."
"No," Hadrian agreed, "It isn't." He turned back to the city, "It's scary to think that all this could be laid to waist in one night." He turned and smiled a bit sadly to Sam. "Thank you for the chat, Colonel. It's been a while since I talked with young family."
Sam nodded, she hadn't missed the part about 'family'. They started walking back before the sun rose. "I heard you saw action last night."
"Yeah," Sam said. She wasn't going to say more but she felt she should. No one had talked about Chris sense his death and she felt that someone had to. Why not tell the Prince, the one Chris died for in a way? "We lost a kid. His name was Chris."
"The Baston boy, yes I heard." Hadrian said. His head lowered as if remembering something. Sam was surprised. She had never known Chris' last name. "He was only one of us for 5 months, Clan Brujah if I recall correctly."
"Yes, Sir," Sam said surprised. "He was hit with a grenade from a M203. Point blank. I got to see him right before he died." Hadrian nodded but said nothing. "I never had to deal with a fight like that before. It was crazy. I've faced aliens with superior fire power before but their strength and speed…" Sam remembered the War Ghoul monster. "I've never seen things like that before."
"Most who do don't live to tell about them." The Prince said. "But now you see what our enemy is capable of. And what is even more scary is to think that we can do the same things as they."
That stopped Sam. The Sabbat was made up of vampires too. Maybe different clans, but the same kind of beings. Like her. Was she capable of something like that? She had been a part of it last night. And there was that close call when Cassie had first shown up. How close could that have come to disaster?
"Col. Carter, are you there?" Sam shook herself realizing that Hadrian was talking. He smiled a bit to himself. "Tonight is Friday, why don't you go home."
Sam frowned, "But, Sir, the…"
"Rest here at Haven for the day and go home tonight. Go spend it with your fellow kindred if you wish but I think you've had enough of the border war." He went up to the door and a young kindred that had stopped to light a cigarette dropped it recognizing him. The boy looked in shock and was frozen in his place. Hadrian ignored him and held the door open for Samantha to go through.
They both entered the dark office section of the building. Inside Sam recognized several of Hadrian's ghoul guards. They were standing by windows and doors and gave each of the young vampires dirty looks like they expected any one of them to suddenly go crazy or something. Hadrian left Sam with a nod of his head and headed towards one of the few lit offices.
Sam watched him go and then caught one of the ghouls' eye. He stared at her in hard and angry way that almost looked like he was daring her to try something.
"Hey," came a voice behind her. Sam turned and nodded to Mango.
"Hey I just saw the Prince." Sam stated bluntly.
Mango didn't say anything at first but looked around at all the guards. She nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. We better go down. They don't like us hanging around for no reason." Mango turned and headed for the stairs to the basement. Time to sleep for the day but Sam kept looking back to the office where Hadrian had gone.
Sam went down into the crowded basement and again felt a surge of pity for the kids that had to stay here for days on end. She hadn't seen the motel where Mango had said they were put up but she was guessing that was more of the down time thing. They slept here in this communal hole most of the time. Knowing this would be her last day she didn't bother trying to grab a cot and instead went for a spot on the wall near Mango who was already laying down to sleep. She was tucking her Desert Eagle under her, to make sure no one would try to steal it.
Sam didn't lay down but sat down and leaned against the wall. "Mango."
"Yah," The girl said curling up. Her K-Bar knife was in her hand and resting near her face ready to be grabbed at a moment's notice.
"I'm worried. I'm worried I'm not going to be able to do this." Sam leaned against the wall harder. Even if she left here. How could she just go back to work and pretend none of this was going on? She couldn't. Trying to pretend to be normal was hard enough but now that she had seen the enemy and seen the poor souls that had to go out night after night to fight those monsters she couldn't just turn her backs on them. And she couldn't keep up this lie that everything was right in the world to her friends. Daniel and Vala wouldn't be gone forever. Or Pete, her old boyfriend, who was part of Colorado PD. He could meet one of these monsters on the street any day now. They had a right to know what was out here at night.
She looked to her side and Mango turned over to face her and looked like she was in deep thought. "My granddad once told me something when I was worried about a how I would do in my first summer job. He asked if I'd ever failed in anything important before? Not test important but real life important. I said no. So he said if that was true than why think I was going to fail now?"
Sam let that run through her head. It made sense. Something her own dad might have said if they had had more moments like that. "Thanks, Mango. That means a lot to me."
The girl shrugged and closed her eyes. "I'm sorry you're here, Sam. I wish we'd protected you better."
Sam was surprised by the truthfulness in Mango's voice. She looked at the girl who had rolled back over but Sam could tell it wasn't to get comfortable. Mango was hiding her face. "Mango, I…" there wasn't anything to say. So she didn't say anything. Sam lay down back to back with the Brujah. At least for a while she could watch the kid's back at least till tonight. Then Sam was going home.
Sam said good bye to John, Kim, Mango and Punk. The Sun was just setting so she was ready to leave. "Thank you all for your help. I…I learned a lot."
"Well just don't forget about us when you start mingling with the high and mighty." John said. He smiled and offered his hand which Sam shook grateful. No she would not be forgetting any of them.
"No way. You'll be seeing me at the Devil's Den. I'll make sure to show up." She confirmed.
"Well it was nice meeting you, Sam." Kim said. "Keep safe wherever it is they send you."
Punk grunted and walked off. Mango smiled at Sam a bit. She was quiet while walking Sam out to her car. Sam opened the door but before getting in turned to Mango. "You know I thought about what you said. About fighting. I know you were trying to help me and I won't dismiss what you said. Being here with you guys, getting that look into what the Sabbat are like…"
Mango nodded. "Keep safe, Sam. Keep that number if you ever need to reach me."
"I will," Sam said. She got in but poked her head out again. "Mango, some time, I don't know when, lets hang out or something. You know, like normal people."
The girl smiled, a real open smile that Sam hadn't seen accept on Cassie. "We'll see. Maybe we can catch a movie."
"That would be good. Bye, Mango."
Mango got out of the way and waved Sam off. They both had places to be. Mango didn't even wait for Sam to drive out before she was walking back to the motor pool. But she did turn her head to look over at the departing vehicle. She didn't think much of the idea of some time going out and pretending to be 'normal'. Someday was just too far away to worry about right now. Tonight they were going back to the south side.
Sam pulled up into her drive way and climbed out of her car. She closed the car door and took a breath of air, just out of habit. She was finally home. There was a slight breeze to the summer night air. Suddenly something triggered in her brain. Something wasn't right. Carter stopped dead.
Turning around she looked in all directions. She felt fangs in her mouth but was able to retract them. The lights were on in the neighbor's house and the one after that and across the street. She turned around slowly. There was a smell a scent. Coppery – BLOOD. As she turned she finally saw what looked out of place. All the houses on the street had a light somewhere. But not hers. It was still early, where was Cassie?
Sam wished she had a weapon, she hadn't brought one when she left and hadn't taken any of the Kindred's. There was a 9mm under her bed that she kept as a back-up but never used. Slowly she walked up to her door and stretched her senses. Being undead did have some advantages. She didn't hear anything. Testing the door knob she found it unlocked…SHIT.
Sam opened the door wide and rushed in. In the dark house she was easily able to see. "Cassie!" Sam called trying to keep from sounding alarmed. "Cassandra, are you home?" She came through the living room and saw the couch had been overturned. Several pictures were on the floor, glass spread out over the carpet.
Oh no…Sam ran up stairs calling Cassie's name. She saw the door to Cassandra's room, it was wide open and a large dark smear of a stain was in the pale carpet. Sam rushed into to room afraid she was going to find Cassie's body. No one, nothing, the room was empty.
Somewhere between arriving and getting up the stairs Sam's heart started pounding. It felt unnatural and only brought a greater sense of urgency and panic. She couldn't help the fangs coming into place or her vision expanding. As she looked around the room she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror over the vanity…Pale skin, and glowing eyes. Nothing human.
There were sounds from downstairs. The floor boards creaked.
Sam raced from the room into hers. Under her bed was a lockbox. She pulled it out and didn't even bother with the combination. The mettle lid opened with a snap of resistance. Sam pulled her 9mm Berretta and loaded it.
Slowly and as quietly as Sam could she came down the stairs. She held her pistol out with both hands. She saw the shadow of someone illuminated from the light coming in through the open door. She didn't hear anyone else. Carter spun around the corner pointing her weapon at the intruder's back. "DON'T MOVE!"
The man spun around green eyes flashing. Kindred. BANG! Sam fired. There was an "Ugh". The man flinched but didn't drop. His pale green eyes flashed at Sam, "You Whelp!" he snarled through his fangs.
Suddenly a dark blur shoved Sam to one side hard. She went down on the ground. "WAIT." Another voice all but screamed. Sam recovered both reaffirming her grip on her weapon and looking up to see Liam standing over her and facing the other vampire.
"Hold on!" Liam said hold up one hand in front of the other Vampire.
"Your Fledgling shot me!" The other bellowed. He didn't look young, but he wasn't old either, closer to early thirties from the look of him…accept for his pale flesh and the illuminated eyes.
"Deputy," Liam said in a low tone. "That shot could have been heard. Protecting the Masquerade come first."
The other vampire, the Deputy, looked at Sam, scowling. Then nodding he turned and left. Sam climbed up. "Liam –"
"Not, one word!" Liam said sharply spinning on her. He stepped off and pulled out his cell phone. Dialing he starting talking into it. "This is Sage. A report of gun fire may be coming in shortly. Silence the report and hold off any local authority response…Yes, a deputy is already here. Alert the Prince that I am on site as well. Samantha Carter may have been the intended target." There were sounds on the other end but Sam couldn't make them out. Liam hung up the phone.
Sam wanted to demand an explanation. Deep down in her blood she was screaming to just hit Liam for making her stand like this. Cassandra was missing and she needed to do something. But the rational side of her kept her in place. Liam was here and that other vampire. Just guessing but she knew the Camarilla had a Sheriff for the city so a Deputy probably worked for him…of course she had never met the Sheriff so that was just another unknown to add to the ever growing pile of questions.
Liam looked around turning in a circle appearing to be thinking. Suddenly stopping he turned to her. "Why are you here?" he said evenly.
"It's my home. I live here?" Sam said keeping herself from snarling.
"Who dismissed you from the Haven?" Liam clarified with no apparent sign of emotion. "Why are you home early?"
"The Prince dismissed me. He was at the Motor Pool and did it personally." Sam said hoping to catch him off guard. It was petty, especially at a time like this and in truth it was not part of her personality but she felt such irrational rage deep down right then. "He sent me home. Is that a problem?"
Liam appeared to be studying her. His face was unreadable behind his sunglasses which only made Sam more angry. She needed to find Cassie not waste time with Liam. But she couldn't say anything. If she did who knew what would happen.
Sam's mind raced through possibilities at the same time trying to glare at Liam hiding her alarm. Could there have been a robbery…no she had a security system and if there had been the Camarilla would have probably known. But what if it was them? Could Liam have come here and discovered Cassie? Sam felt a new wave of rage fill her up at that thought. She took a step forward and had to stop herself from accusing him right then and there…No, no she needed to keep calm. That was the only way to find Cassandra and save her if she was in danger.
Liam pulled back his lips into a hiss and turned away looking back into the living room. "Why are you here?" Sam finally demanded. She felt better, calmer, now that Liam had backed down. It was irrationally satisfying.
Liam didn't turn back while answering. "One of the Nosferatu gave me a heads up that Sabbat were in the area. I came here to greet them if they were coming to your house." Liam's voice was distant like he was thinking of something else. "I got here about 20 minutes ago and called the Deputy."
"Why would they come for me?" Sam said fallowing Liam. "How would they even know where I live? I'm not listed because of my work at the SGC." Could, Liam, be right? Could the Sabbat have killed Cassandra, but where was the body? Sam was already reaching into her pocket for her cell phone to call the SGC. General Landry could get a small army down from the mountain and have the city locked down. But she didn't pull the phone out. If it was Sabbat, Sam, knew there was nothing she could do. Chris' face and the image of him dying in the street flashed before her eyes again.
Liam broke Sam from her thoughts. "Anything is possible." He turned to face her. "Including that your human may still be alive."
Sam was stunned. She was afraid Liam would find out about Cassie but to hear him actually say he knew was especially shocking. Her first instinct was to deny it. "I don't know –"
"I can smell her you idiot!" Liam cut her off. "This room is filled with the smell of a living person." He swung his palm wide, "The thermostat is set, the AC on. No vampire would have done those things. Kindred are not bothered by temperature. That is a tell tale sign of the living. And her perfume." Liam took a deep breath through is nose, "A young woman. In your house she stands out like a flashing neon light."
Liam stood right in front of Sam now. There was a moment of silence then Liam smiled showing all his straight white teeth. "Too bad you're not religious, Samantha. You could have prayed that all they do is have her for dinner." Sam pulled her fist back to strike him but suddenly was aware she couldn't move. Her body was stuck where it was held by something that gripped her and was keeping her fleet planted and arms at her side. Liam turned around and walked away to the door. Suddenly she was released.
Sam wanted to ask what that was but instead she asked a different question. "You said she might be still alive. Why wouldn't they have killed her…" Sam stopped answering her own question. Mango crouched over the War Ghoul she had just stabbed repeatedly in the neck. Its eyes. The Tzimisce use humans as raw material.
The look on her face must have said it all. Liam stopped smiling and looked sober; he must have known what she was thinking and nodded his head. "Yes, Samantha, there are worse fates than dying. And by the looks of that room she gave one of them a good reason to dislike her."
Sam didn't know what to say. She felt like she was chocking. She couldn't live with it. The idea of Cassandra, of Janet's daughter being turned into one of those monsters was too much. She couldn't live with herself if that happened. Sam physically had to hold her stomach because of the pain of the thoughts.
Sam dazed turned to Liam all the fight out of her. "Please," She said meekly, "please, Liam. I need your help. She's just a kid. She is innocent. Cassandra has done nothing to deserve this."
Liam just looked down at her. He wasn't smiling anymore. He just looked very stoic. "You really care about this girl don't you?"
Sam nodded. "Please, if she is alive I have to save her. It's because of me that they took her. It's my fault."
"A lot of things are your fault. This girl's fate is just one of them. What are you willing to do to get her back?"
"Anything. Please, she's just a kid."
"What if we find that it's too late? She could already be in Sabbat territory or dead in a ditch somewhere. What if we find her and she is a ghoul? What will you do?"
"I…" Sam didn't have an answer. She knew what she would have to do, but she couldn't. She couldn't be asked to kill Cassandra…even if it was out of mercy.
"Pathetic," Liam said. He turned his back to Sam. "Good riddance to the kid. You probably would have lost control and killed her yourself sooner or later."
Those cruel words snapped Samantha out of her despair like a splash of cold water. Carter jumped and lunged at Liam. He was condemning Cassandra and there was nothing she could do but kill him. If Cassie was going to die then Sage would pay for just letting it happen. She grabbed the back of his jacket and slammed her elbow down into his spine with all her strength. Liam didn't sink so much as plunge to the ground. On his hands and knees his back was facing her. Sam kicked aiming to strike his ribs and break them. Liam went up and over as she made contact landing on his back. Carter was going to finish him off with her gun but Liam was already moving.
He rolled toward her from his back getting up in the same motion then his hand caught her weapon and crushed it like it was tinfoil. The next thing Sam processed was hitting the ground hard and Liam pinning her down. He smiled manically at her. His lips pulled back and he bared his fangs. He chuckled while she struggled to throw him off. With an amused snarl and pressed harder. She tried pivoting to push her hips but Liam spread his legs out increasing his leverage. He was too strong, inhumanly strong. Like Mango, Potence, he had super strength. "Maybe there is hope for you yet."
Liam let go and got off of her. Sam didn't get a chance to get up before the barrel of a 44 revolver was pointed right into her face. Sam looked up the barrel of the large hand gun and up at Liam. He wasn't smiling anymore. His face was pale, smooth and void of any expression at all. Then with a flick of the wrist the gun flipped over and the grip faced her. "You're going to need this."
Liam spoke perfectly calmly and without emotion. "Take the gun." Sam reached up and took it. Looking at it she could see the round in one of the chambers. "We'll take my car."
Sam looked up at his face. Liam walked past her and out the door. She quickly followed.
The next few minutes were a blur. Sam ended up driving a dark green minivan heading nowhere specific. Liam had gone into the back where he pulled up a lap top and was busy typing.
Sam looked over her should into the back of the car. The van was made to hold three rows of seats but the back had been removed. Instead there were heavy plastic cases that Sam suspected were weapons cases. Kind of an odd thing to carry in a Soccer Mom's car. Liam was intent on the computer the screen's light reflected in his sunglasses.
Sam was worried and turned back to focus on driving. If only she knew where to go. "Liam," Samantha said having to say something. "What did you mean by they would have good reason to dislike Cassandra?"
Liam answered right away not stopping to look up. "That was kindred vitae on your carpet. Your girl must of have had a weapon or got very lucky."
Oh lord that made sense. Sam knew Cassie. She would have fought with everything she could. After all she had faced as a child Cassandra was not someone to just fall apart in a crisis. She even stood up to the Goa'uld Nirti, the same System Lord responsible for killing her whole village. Sam could only imagine what an angry vampire would do to her. Her foot went even heavier on the gas.
"You're going to get us pulled over if you don't slow down." Liam said. He climbed up to sit in the passenger seat. "Here," he started inputting an address into the GPS on the dashboard. "I think this is where they are."
Sam was already turning onto the next street. "How do you know?" She asked.
"I don't, know." Liam said. "I'm making an educated guess."
Sam wanted to argue but didn't. No point and this was the best shot she had. "Should we call for back up? The Prince, or that Deputy?"
Liam looked over at her, his face unreadable. "Do you want the Camarilla to know you had a human living with you and she has been abducted by Sabbat Vampires?"
No, Sam, didn't want the Camarilla knowing anything about Cassandra. But it wasn't about what she wanted. It was about what gave her the best chance of getting Cassandra back. Turning to look at Liam she had an idea. "Can you call, Mango?"
One of his eyebrows raised. Saying nothing he pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dile.
The minivan pulled to a quiet stop several blocks away from the location the GPS had pinpointed. They were in an old manufacturing district. There were old mettle buildings that looked like they were abandoned for years. Liam quietly got out and Sam followed. Going to the back he opened the rear and pulled several of the hard cases down. He opened one and turned it to her.
Sam's eyes went wide. A P90. Before she could ask where he got it she stopped. There were only two answers and she didn't want to know. Taking the weapon she loaded a magazine and pocketed the other two in the case. Liam then took down another case and pulled out a strange kind of retro body armor. She had never seen this type before. It wasn't Kevlar or an IBA.
"TurtleSkin," Liam said. "Latest to protect against small arms and knives but not impede speed and agility."
Sam took off her jacket and put on the vest. It fit really well. Looking at Liam she saw he wasn't putting on anything. "What about you?"
Liam pulled out a long case and opened it. He pulled out a long sword in a black scabbard. Suddenly, Sam thought of the blond woman back on the George Hammond. The moment ended when Liam took off his jacket and slid the scabbard over his shoulder placing the sword on his back. He dug out two more knives and fixed one to the inside of his wrist. The other he slid over his belt and hung by his hip. Then he pulled out a small automatic pistol. Loaded it and looked at Sam. "I'm not a very good shot. Spray and prey works best for me when it comes to firearms."
Sam wanted to ask then about the 44 that was still in her jacket but didn't. She needed to focus and Mango and the others should be arriving soon. Liam and Sam put their jackets back on. Sam's covered the vest easily. Convenient, Sam wasn't used to wearing concealable body armor. Liam's sword stuck out behind his head. Liam locked the car and put the keys by the wheal for her to see.
With a nod Liam started moving away from the car. Sam went behind him. They kept low. Sam was not a newbie to moving with stealth but with her tension so high every sound she made when her feet scuffed the ground seemed to be a bellow. Liam by comparison was absolutely silent. There wasn't a sound even as his feet touched the ground.
They got eyes on their objective. It was a old factory of some kind. Liam put his palm out in front of her. A universal sign for stay put. Then he ventured out closer to the building. Sam fallowed him with her eyes till it seemed he just was absorbed by the shadows.
Sam waited keeping her senses alert for what seemed like forever. Looking down at her watch she realized only fifteen minutes had passed. "Hey,"
Sam nearly fell over with a start. She spun around drawing the 44. Pointing it she saw the gray face and one cat-eye… "James?". The Nosferatu nodded. He held up his hands defensively. "Wait, wait," he said in a whisper. "I come in peace."
"What are you doing here?" She whispered back.
"I've been watching this place since we got a hint of Sabbat activity in the area," the disfigured creature said. "Got a ping when there was a search over the FreakNet and this place came up. Figured I come and check it out. Was that your minivan I passed back there?" He pointed back over his shoulder with one long taloned finger.
Sam nodded. "Yeah, we are looking for Sabbat that may have attacked my house." The Nosferatu grimaced…or Sam thought it was a grimace. Kind of hard to tell.
"You're not here alone are you?" James asked.
Sam looked around. No sign of anyone. "No, Liam Sage, is here with me. We also have back-up coming."
James nodded. "Well if you need a hand, I'm game."
Sam's first instinct was to say no but then she realized that she was short on allies and if James had been here a while he might have some valuable Intel. Looking around again she hoped to see Liam coming back but there was nothing but shadows and darkness. She made a decision and gestured for James to follow her.
They skirted the wall trying to keep out of any lines of sight while they made their way back to the van. Surprised Sam saw a blue Ford next to the van. Punk and Mango were standing by looking around pulling security. They saw Sam and James coming.
Sam trotted over to them. "Thanks for being here." She said.
"No problem," Punk grumbled. "What's with scar face there?"
Sam didn't get it till she saw he was looking at James. "He's a friend too."
Mango said nothing but eyed the scrawny Nosferatu. James glared right back and pulled back his lips from overly large fangs. Sam shook her head. They did not need this. She did not need this; not right now.
Sam got between them. "Hey, you are all here to help right. We're all on the same side. So whatever is eating you stow it."
The three kindred lowered their heads and took steps back. "Okay," Sam said. "Again thanks for coming." She turned to James. "You said you were watching the place. Anything you can tell us?"
The scrawny monster shrugged. "There was some activity earlier. I got here right when the pack was parking their cars. Looks like there's seven of them. Some major gear too. One of their trucks was a black and very official looking."
The two younger vampires looked at each other in silence. Punk made a gulp sound. "What?" Samantha demanded.
"They're afraid there is a an elder with the pack?" James answered. His voice held a touch of mirth. "The 'oh so tough' Brujah don't want to get their teeth kicked in old school style."
Sam got it. An Elder would be an older more experience Kindred, so probably a lot tougher. She had no idea by how much or how much that could matter but judging by Punk and Mango's reaction it could be bad. It didn't matter though, "Did you see anything that looked out of place?"
James shrugged, "Like what? They had some large caliber guns in one of the trucks."
Sam sighed and hung her head. She had to tell them. "Like a girl, a captive."
Everyone was quiet. The silence was defining. "They have someone you care about." Mango said finaly. "Your daughter, niece?"
Sam shook her head. "No, she is a friend. A very close friend. She was living with me…" Punk made a derisive sound. Mango shot daggers at him with her eyes. Sam nodded her head. "He's right. I shouldn't have let her stay with me. But they have her now and I have to go get her. Please I need your help."
There was more silence. Punk broke it by getting back into the car. "Come on, Fruitcake, let the Ventrue clean up her own mess. We don't need to die for no blood-bag."
Mango didn't move. James stepped up to Sam. "I saw them carry someone struggling. I figured she was just some poor vagrant they grabbed off the street. I'll help you. No one should have to do something like this alone."
Mango pulled her pistol, the one Liam gave her, and pulled out the mag checking the rounds. She clicked it back into place. Her determined face conveyed she was staying. Punk cursed and got out of the car getting his shotgun and a bag out of the back seat. "Fuck, damn, shit, mother fuck, crazy, GOD Damn…"
"Thank you," Sam said cutting off the stream of cursing. "Thank you all." The group of four exchanged a moment of solidarity. They were going to do this. And Carter was amazed by the feeling of belonging she had for just that instant.
Then there was a derisive hiss from only a few feet way. "Will you all shut-up!" a strained voice said speaking as loud as a whisper could be. Everyone turned drawing their weapons on Liam who stood against the wall glaring at them. "I could hear you a block away." He came in ignoring the guns pointed on him.
"Fall in on me." He said kneeling. He pulled out some black chalk and started drawing a rough sand table. "There is a full pack of seven kindred, one War Ghoul, two Szlachta and five ghouls with automatic weapons." Everyone was dead quiet. No one even breathed. "The human is the objective," Liam continued. "Our best bet is to do a raid. Get in get out fast. I'll deal with anything left over."
"Shouldn't we call this up," James asked. "That's a lot of firepower they got down there."
Punk nodded. "Yeah, I mean, with that kind of muscle what are we supposed to do, throw rocks at them or someth'n?"
Liam looked up at all of them. Sam knew enough about small unit tactics to get they were in trouble as far as weapons and numbers. Modern military strategy was to go face an enemy with three times their strength. In this they were less than half of their enemy. She didn't know what a Szlachta was but it didn't sound good either.
"Look," Liam said. "I know none of you have ever attempted anything like this." He looked at Sam, "I have and it is doable. And if we don't that kid is doomed and we all know it."
Liam drove the car Mango and Punk had come in. Sam sat in the passenger seat. They slowed down in front of the gate to the warehouse. She wished she still had her P90 and the body armor. Sam could see four figures converge on the gate entrance. Focusing she saw through the dark like it was mid day.
"Don't get out till I get you." Liam said. He got out of the vehicle. Walking confidently toward the gate Sam heard someone say STOP. Liam didn't for a few more steps then stood like he could care less what the other guy wanted. There were more words and demands but didn't respond. Finally one of the men came out slowly his weapon trained on Liam. He got close and Liam took off his sunglasses. The man looked him in the face and then backed away nodded. Liam put his glasses back on and came back to the car.
"What did you do?" Sam asked as they drove pass the gate and the armed guards.
"Didn't I say trust me?" Liam said. The car stopped and he got out this time coming around and getting her out. Her hands were tied behind her back. One of the men, now Sam could sense they were alive, ghouls, came up to them. He reached as if to search her. "Touch her you simpleton and it will be your last feel ever." Liam said coldly. He pushed Sam forward and she started walking toward the warehouse.
"But Sir," Liam ignored the man. For a second Sam was sure they would fire but no one did. She wanted to ask why but remembered that to vampires even whispers were easily heard. Whatever the reason this was working she could wait to ask. They went inside the steal building.
Inside Sam saw the space was sporadically lighted. A table had a whole bunch of guns and ammo on it. Sitting around were a bunch of men in black leather. Some where smoking and another was drinking from a bottle. Sam smelled blood. A figure, female came from the shadows to her left. The woman walked in front of her and looked at her. Sam saw the woman's eyes were solid black. Not like the other vampires Sam had seen. These eyes didn't give off anything. It was more like they swallowed light, she had to look away. The woman smiled when Sam shifted focus.
"Here is your Ventrue," Liam said pushing Sam forward.
"Much obliged to you, brother. We didn't expect this one to be delivered to us."
Brother, Sam turned to Liam. "Where is your leader?" Liam asked in a demanding tone. The woman's smile disappeared. She didn't seem to like being talked down to.
"He is in the back. Shall I call him for you, Sir?" Liam didn't respond just started walking towards the back leaving Sam alone. "Come on," the vampire grabbed Sam by the arm and started guiding her away.
Sam was taken to a corner and set in a folding chair. "You came to my house," Sam started talking.
"Yeah, it wasn't easy finding where you live." The woman said. She stepped back and looked her up and down. "What did you do to get so much attention?" The woman looked unimpressed.
"I didn't do anything?" Sam said honestly.
Sam was backfisted. Blood was in her mouth. Slowly turning back she licked the blood in her mouth and swallowed. "I don't like smart ass Ventrue."
Sam looked back up at the woman. "You know there was blood on my floor. Did my girl get one of you? Because that has to be embarrassing. A little human taking on a bunch of scarry vampires."
The woman raised her hand back to slap Sam again. But she stopped. There was a maon from somewhere else in the facility. It sounded like a goat in pain Sam thought. The woman looked around her solid black eyes staring at nothing or everything it was hard to tell. She turned back to Sam showing her fangs. "Rocko, watch her." The woman disappeared in a puff of black smoke. Sam couldn't see it but she sensed something was behind her…must be Rocko.
Sam wasn't sure who fired the first shot. Everything happened so fast. There was the sound of automatic fire and two blasts from shotguns. That was all the prompting Sam needed. Sam concentrated and blood flowed inside her. Her skin became hard and she felt her muscles tense. Then using all her vampire enhanced strength she pulled. The 550 cord Liam had used to tie her wrists had been cut in several places. They would have still stopped a human but Sam broke them easily.
"Hey!" Sam spun around and saw a big man with black eyes like the woman's. He lunged for her. Sam was ready. No one had searched her. She pulled Mango's K-Bar knife and as the Lasombra dived over her she scooted to the side slashing up and across. The vampire hit the cement floor and drizzled chocking on his own blood. Sam didn't fight her instincts or maybe it was the years of military training but she raised her foot up and stomped it down on the back of the vampire's neck snapping vertibra.
There were shouts from all around. And roars. Sam ignored them all as she ran for the back. Figuring that was where they hid Cassandra if she was still alive. Liam would already be back there and if they were lucky he would already have her and they could make a break for it. Sam ran unopposed into the office section.
Mango and Punk dived for cover from the ghouls shooting at them. They had gotten inside the perimeter before being caught. Bullets wised over their heads. Punk banked left and was gone. Mango summoned Celerity and the world fell away into a blur. She dogged left and right making across the full open area between the fence and building in seconds. The problem was that she couldn't shoot back and she had given Sam her knife. That was the largest drawback of super-speed, you couldn't aim and fire a weapon with any hope of hitting the target.
The ghouls must have also been professionals. No telling how long they had been battling vampires for their masters. Mango tried to come around and engage them up close depending on her strength to take them out but when she did a hail storm of bullets nailed her in the shoulder sending her skidding to the side. Rolling she stopped and got up just as bullets hit the cement where she had just been.
Mango tried to think of a way to change the fight around. If she couldn't shoot back all she was going to do was be target practice and sooner or later she was going to run out of blood to fuel her speed. Punk zoomed in at that moment screaming to run the other way. Mango skidded to a halt. A huge war-ghoul with six arms the size of telephone polls and a tinny head stuck between bulging shoulders came around the corner lumbering.
Mango didn't say it but in her mind she said CRAP!
Sam hit the door to one office section. Her senses were on high alert. Nothing accept more office space. Where was Cassandra? Sam saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Jumping away was what saved her from the Lasombra vampire that seamed to jump out of the shadows where nothing had been just a few seconds ago. It was the woman.
Sam fell back into a ready stance, the knife held across her forearm. The vampire hissed. "Bitch, how did you get…" the vampire didn't finish the sentence realizing that they had been dooped.
"Where is Cassandra?" Sam demanded. The other vampire looked confused a split second. Then comprehended. Smiling a sadistic smile she answered. "Your little pet was soo tasty…" Sam dived for the woman. Her knife went up for a swing but the woman jumped up, straight up and slammed Sam down into the floor with super human strength. Potence vs. Fortitude, Sam's durability must have won out because she hit the ground and rolled before the follow up.
Sam made several attempts to stab the vampire but each failed. The woman was too fast and even though her hits weren't breaking bones Sam felt she was hurting. It wasn't till a wall to the side exploded and James jumped through screaming like a bat out of hell. Sam saw the twisted gray creature. He was waiving her P90 in one arm and a lit Molotov cocktail from Punk's bag. The image was frightening on a deep animalistic level. The Lasombra saw it and instantly lost her nerve. She turned to run but James was faster. The bottle broke against the woman's back and she lit up like she was doused with gasoline.
Sam nodded her thanks to James. He tossed her the P90. "Great, go cover our retreat." She said and continued onward to the back while James disappeared again and presumably went out front.
Sam ran through another group of offices back into another working area, this more like a garage. She cleared the door and saw two vampires and one greenish creature that was so deformed she really couldn't describe it. A Szlachta she guessed. Without hesitation she took aim and put ten rounds in all three's heads. She never realized it but the natural strength and hand eye coordination had made that very, very easy.
Her moment of revelry was halted when she then saw what had distracted the trio. By a truck Liam stood over a decapitated body. His long sword was swinging downward cleaving off the head of another Szlachta. Then he sidestepped avoiding a shot that rang off the ground and charged another vampire. The vampire had black tentacles like things coming from his sides and they reached for Liam. But Liam pulled back jumping up over the tentacles then landing farther away from the vampire well out of reach. Sam was ready to fire but suddenly a new tentacle shot out the shadows from under the truck and the vampire's head fell away.
Sam stood open mouthed. What had just happened? Liam turned and yelled. Sam looked down just in time to see one of the vampires getting back up and drawing a knife. She emptied her weapon into it. But the other was then also getting up as well as the Szlachta. Sam was ready grabbing the knife again but then the lightning fast shadow shot forward and went through both entities separating them into two halves. Liam was at her side. "What are you standing around for." He said. "Check the truck."
Sam ran for the truck. Opening it she already knew what she was going to find. Cassandra was tied up curled into the fetal position. Her mouth was gagged and her eyes blindfolded. Sam jumped inside and grabbed for her friend. Cassandra didn't respond…oh no. Sam pulled off the blind fold and kept calling Cassie's name. There was no response till the fourth try when the girl's eyes focused and Sam was sure she saw recognition in the young woman's eyes.
"I'm getting you out of her." Sam said.
Sam pulled the stick and the truck moved forward. It was more of a large van than a truck. It rumbled forward and Sam turned it to head towards the gate she knew about. Up ahead she saw flashes of gunfire and then explosions as fire bombs exploded on the concrete. The fight was still going on outside and James must have moved out to help.
Sam didn't see the others till Punk flew across the hood of the moving van. Sam hit the breaks trying to avoid running the boy over. The van stopped and Sam got out. She ran up front to check on Punk. One side of his head was covered in blood and his legs look twisted. She then looked up at where he had been coming from. A giant monster with six arms was smashing down coming right at them. Sam was frozen and would have been its next victim if Mango hadn't jumped out in front and dived between the monster's short stumpy legs. The thing moved slowly requiring the moving Brujah as a target.
Sam let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and grabbed Punk. She dragged him to the side of the van, opened the doors and loaded him in. She came back around to the driver side just in time to see the monster roar while it slammed two meaty fists down on Mango. The girl literally bounced then rolled unmoving. The monster was then set of fire as another cocktail hit its wide shoulders. The men with guns were now shifting fire onto her and Sam had to duck before finding out where James was.
They had to get out of her or they were all going to die. Sam knew that. For a second Sam was going to get into the van and drive away but shame kept her from even trying it. A second Later the Nosferatue appeared out of nowhere right next to her. He didn't look so good. Sam then saw the blood on his shirt. James had been shot. "We need to do something." He said. "I'm out of bottles."
"I know," Sam said. She made a decision. "Take the van."
"What?" James looked at her.
"Take the van. I'll distract them. Swing down there and pick up Mango, then take this thing and run like hell." Sam ordered.
"But what about you?" James said looking shocked.
"Get them out of here. Go to my house." She said the address. Grabbing James' shoulder she shook him a bit. "You got that. Go there, make sure Cassandra is safe."
After a second the Nosferatu nodded his head. He bit his lip but got into the driver seat trying to avoid being shot by the gunfire coming in through the windows. Same summoned more strength trying to make herself as bulletproof as possible then ran around the back to try and save Mango.
The men with guns shifted fire mostly to her. One maintained on the van. Sam around a wide crescent her legs pumping and headed for the monster. She felt bullets it her in the side but they didn't stop her. The monster saw her coming, its little head turned almost completely around to see her. The body lumbered to do the same leaving Mango on the ground.
Sam ran right up to the monster and jumped higher than she ever could have before and kicked at it. The thing staggered more in surprise than pain but it was enough. Sam had its attention. She turned and ran the thing after her.
The flames were dying down now. Sam ran to avoid running through them and headed for the closest shooter. He turned and shoot his rifle straight into her. Sam hit the cement before getting even close to him.
I thought Fortitude was supposed to make me tougher Samantha thought to herself. She lifted her head and saw the van hit the fence and break through. Well that was something at least. Sam felt better knowing Cassie would get away. At least she hadn't condemned her friend with all this horror.
Sam rolled over onto her back and looked right up at the man shoving the barrel of his rifle into her face. He smiled. "Die Bitch." Sam didn't close her eyes expecting the shot to the face…the ghoul was suddenly struck by a black spear that shot from ahead ran right through him and lifted him clear away.
Samantha sat up grunting in pain. Liam charged past her his sword swinging. She followed just long enough to see him swing it into another ghoul, another shot at him but it didn't seem to matter. That one also was hacked and then the last two. Liam then turned swinging blood with his sword shifting his grip. His sunglasses were broken and wholes were smoking in several places on his body.
His eyes were void black like the rest of the vampires' had been. "Carter, get out of here." He yelled not looking at her. Sam heard a monish roar and turned to see the giant mutant coming at them. She turned reaching for a gun but Liam was already heading towards her. "Get out of her!" He yelled commanding her to leave. He smiled sadistically showing his fangs. "I got this."
Sam forgot the gun and just got up and ran again. Sure enough she could run still. Behind her she heard Liam yell out, "DON'T WORRY, ITS ONLY GOING TO HURT FOR A MOMENT!"
Sam ran all the way back to where the van was parked. Liam had left the keys under the wheal well. She turned the ignition and drove. Part of her wanted to turn back for Liam but at the same time she felt the command to go still ring through her head. She headed for home.
Sam pulled up behind the van out in front of her house. It was starting to get light outside. She ran to her door and burst in. To her relief Punk, James, Mango and Cassandra were all in the living room. Cassie was laid out on the couch which had been turned back up and Punk was sitting in a easy chair. Mango was on the floor by Cassandra her eyes half way open. James was also on the floor but he had a gun raised pointed at her the moment she came in. He lowered it.
Sam fell down by Cassie. "Is everyone alright?" She asked not realizing she was whispering.
James shrugged. "I think. The Brujah there looks like he is in pretty bad shape. The kid there…" He trailed off.
Sam looked at him but Mango was getting up to one knee and took her attention. "I'm…I'm sorry Sam." She said through labored breathing. "She came too in the van and we couldn't stop her screaming…" Subconsciously Mango licked her lower lip. Her eyes were still amber and her fangs just visible under her upper lip. Sam shoved her friend aside knocking the girl on her ass to get a better look at Cassandra's neck. There were multiple puncture marks, some half closed others not. She turned on Mango righteous anger filling her.
The Brujah didn't shrink away but she couldn't do anything else either. James was the one that stopped Sam from laying in on Mango. "She had to do something." He caught Sam and held her surprisingly strong for such a thing being. "She didn't drink much just enough to put the girl out and keep her calm." With a light shove he pushed Sam back down by the couch. Mango slowly rose and moved next to Punk leaning against the chair for support.
James looked around. "Uh, do you have any blood in this place?"
The Sun was rising about an hour later just as Liam came into the house. He slambed the door shut smoke rising from beneath his cloths. He leaned against the door breathing heavily. Almost nothing had changed since Sam had gotten in about an hour earlier. Only now everyone was now everyone was surrounded in empty bottles and blood bags.
Liam stepped into the room surveying it. He looked to make sure the curtains were drawn. Sam was exhausted and lulled by the foot of the couch protectively guarding Cassandra. At the sight of the dark menacing Liam she became alert but didn't stand up. Mango was also halfway between sleep and conscious and also didn't get up. James was the only one standing. He had grabbed trash-bag and was picking up all the bottles and bags.
Silently the Nosferatu stopped and put it all down. Liam nodded approval. Quietly he put a hand on Punk's shoulder, the good one. "Mango, take him downstairs into the basement." He turned to James. "Help them. I'll clean up here."
The two young vampires helped their comrade up and slowly got him to the stairs to the basement. That left Liam and Samantha alone. Now Sam did stand up but slowly. She was still dirty and covered in blood, hers and so many others. Liam by contrast was immaculate. He looked strong and clean accept for the torn cloths that still were showing bullet holes. A lot of bullet holes.
His human eyes looked her up and down. "How is your girl?"
Sam pressed her lips together. "I don't know. She hasn't woken up since I got her. Mango," Sam stopped herself she was still angry that Mango had fed on Cassie, "she had to get Cassandra quiet." Nothing more needed saying.
Liam looked at Cassie on the couch. "Go clean yourself up. When you're ready we will take her to her room."
Sam took a step to leave but stopped. "What are you going to do to her?" Sam said. She was greatful. None of this would have been possible without Liam's help but she couldn't just trust him. Not with Cassandra.
Liam turned to her. They looked like there was at least twenty years difference between their ages but Liam's glare held a lot more behind it than Sam's. He had given a order and it would be obeyed without question this time. Sam would have resisted but realized she needed to take something on faith. If she didn't than all they had just gone through would have been for nothing.
Sam got out of the shower, got changed and felt much better. She was also feeling really, really tired. Going back downstairs she was surprised to see that her living room was for the most part clean. The glass and trash had been picked up. Cassandra was tucked in on the couch, a heavy quilt pulled up around her shoulders. Sam came in quietly and sat lightly on the armrest. For just a moment she felt that Cassandra was safe, that she was normal, that there weren't monsters in the basement…
Liam came in from the kitchen. "I put the trash in the garage."
"Thank you," Sam said looking up to him. "Thank you for everything, Liam."
The young man looked impassive. He stared down at Cassandra. "She can't be allowed to tell what she saw. The Masquerade must be maintained no mater what."
Sam nodded understanding. "So what are you going to do?"
Liam looked surprised for once. "You're not going to assume I mean kill her and fight me?"
Sam hung her head. "What can I do?" She kept from breaking down. There was nothing she could do. Carter looked back up at Liam.
He turned back to Cassie. "We'll wake her up. Implant a new memory…make her forget it all. She will be better off for it."
"You can do that?" Sam asked. She hoped he could because she was sure she couldn't and she didn't want to bring in another vampire that could. Too much was going on in this house as it was. Too many monsters were getting close to Cassandra.
Liam nodded. "I'm not as gifted with Dominate as I am with my other abilities but this I can do." He kneeled by Cassandra and reaching out his hands he cradled her head. "Cassandra Fraiser, Cassandra Fraiser, listen to me." She opened her eyes but it was dreamy like she wasn't really awake. "Now listen to my voice. You are safe now, there were no monsters. You are sick, very sick. You are having a nightmare. It was all a horrible dream brought on by the fever. You understand this and will accept it as truth." Cassandra blinked twice. "You are feeling ill and are going to sleep the rest of the morning. When you feel better you will just remember the horrible parts of your dream but you will remember it was only a dream." Liam slowly set her head back down and moved away.
Sam came down next to him. He was massaging his temples. "Why did you tell her to remember the most horrible parts?" Sam kept accusation out of her voice…or she hoped she did. "I thought we needed her to forget all of it. What about the masquerade?"
Liam looked up blinked a few times. "Its easier to convince someone to reshape the truth rather than suppress it completely. If she remembers what happens she will natural alter the memory to fit what she knows of reality. To give her a completely new memory would only cause a paradox and she could find holes in it. This will keep her from breaking the masquerade and getting all of us killed. Humans lie to themselves every day. I'm just helping her along."
Sam didn't know what to say, or even if she agreed. But at least Cassandra was going to be safe. "I'll send her somewhere as soon as I can." Sam said. She won't be here for long. Just enough to recover."
Liam stood up. "Come with me up stairs. We need to talk." He headed up the stairs. Sam followed. He went into her bedroom and sat on her bed. Sam stood even though she was tired. Liam reached into his pocket and pulled out a wallet, her wallet. "This is how they found you." He handed it to her. Sam opened it and saw all her IDs and credit cards. There was no cash.
She formed the word 'but'. Liam continued talking. "My guess that first night you were out you lost it. One of the vampires must have gotten away and grabbed it. Called a few friends and then the higher ups in the Sabbat sent a experienced team to grab you."
Sam slumped against her door. It was all her fault. They found Cassandra because of her. Damn, Sam, his her fist against the wall. "I did this."
"No they were hunting you anyway. We will need to find out why." Liam said. "And you can't send Cassandra away."
Sam looked stricken. "What, why? She is in danger here. I can't have her – "
"She will be in danger anywhere. There is a good chance the pack sent up her name or better yet the Sabbat got all your information from those IDs. One way or another they know about her. Send her away she will be just another mortal trapped in a kindred war. Here at least you can look out for her."
Sam wanted to cry. Cassandra would be a target for as long as the Sabbat wanted to get her. And the Camarilla wouldn't care about a human. Liam was right, there was only one person that could protect her from these things, and that was herself. "I'm not sure I can," Samantha said. "I'm not pulling through this as it is."
Liam stared at her. For a few moments they were both quiet. "Samantha," He finally spoke. "I taught you just enough to make sure you were not caitiff. That's our word for the ignorant vampires that don't know where they are from or anything about what Cainite society expects from them. But right now you are little better off than Mango and Punk are. You are out on your own with the barest hint as to your powers and strengths."
"Those kindred we fought tonight. Those were the real deal, experienced vampires, who knew what they were doing. You didn't even meet an elder like we feared. That is what is coming after you."
Carter nodded. "I need help. I can't protect Cassandra alone and I can't survive this way without knowing more. I've been asking myself questions but I don't know how to find the answers." She stared at Liam and met is eyes. "I'm not human anymore. I've got to stop pretending I am. For Cassandra's sake."
Liam nodded once. "Good, because I'm here and I will help you." He stood up and headed for her door. She scooted over to let him buy. "We'll sleep downstairs for the day. Let Punk heal and be gone by dark. You will have to go back to work soon. Prepare yourself. I'll talk to the Prince and find out what he wants from you."
Liam was about to leave when Sam stopped him. "Liam," he stopped and turned to her. "Thank you again." He nodded and gave her a hint of a smile. "I'm sorry I left you."
"Don't be, I told you to." He said.
She nodded once. "All the same. We were out matched from the start and I left you alone in the end. I don't leave friends behind. I won't let that happen again."
Liam looked down thinking of something then back to her. "Get some rest Samantha." He closed the door and went down stairs.
Flashing Back - At the warehouse after Samantha had gotten away:
Liam dogged the six armed war ghoul with little effort. He smiled raised his left hand and summoned three shadow tentacles, each so thin that they were razor sharp. SWISK, SWISK, SWISK the spinning, circling darting blades impaled the creature, and severed limbs before dissipating into smoke. The giant ghoul fell and Liam closed in swinging his sword down on its small head.
He then ran back into the warehouse to hunt down the survivors. Each one he beheaded or dismembered. He stopped and bit into the bodies of the younger ones that were intact enough to still hold blood. He drank his fill. Kindred Vitae dripped from his mouth. Summoning more shadows he knocked over characin and gas cans then electric lights sending sparks till the caught. When enough carnage was around him another vampire made itself known.
Liam had known he was there the whole time. Too cowardly to make a move but now that its haven was going to burn down it was willing to risk its last moments of unlife. "You, you traitor!" It was the leader of the pack. The second vampire Sam had put almost 30 rounds into. The vampire staggered not healed yet. Liam smirked. The fool could have fed off its friends and been completely healed and away by now. But no it had chosen to hide and wasted its chance at escape.
"Why?" The vampire asked. Its eyes were black voids and shadows cast by the fire were flexing unnaturally around him. There was still some life in this monster. Liam was unfazed. "You told us where to go. You brought the target here. Why did you do this?"
Liam didn't answer. The Lasombra lost control and charged him. Its shadows reached out but Liam waived his hand casting them aside. The pack leader was struck dumb with disbelief. "But…but how…who are you?" He was now trembling as Liam drew near slowly. No point getting over confident. Liam looked for any surprises.
When he was close enough he let his sword sag. Liam smiled licking his lips.
Note: Sorry for the long wait. Hope you like it.