"They Don't Just Come Out At Night"
Chapter Five: Ice Queens & The Hellish Day
"Nothing much happened. Some shit was said, some shit was did, but in the end, everyone just fell asleep."
Author's Note: The parts set in "Headquarters" will be written in 3rd person POV. The other parts are narrated by Alice as per usual.
~One Month Later --- Headquarters, 11 AM~
He was incomplete. Torn apart. His parts were scattered around the room, which resembled a sparingly-furnished playroom for his old copain, the Marquis de Sade. But things were going according to plan. If he was one thing, it was crafty, and he'd had nearly 300 years to hone his additional talent. Not until now though had it ever been so incredibly useful.
Now he just needed to concentrate.
His mind honed down, and his vision was cast dark as his eyes shut once more. Laurent could feel a throbbing pulse in several directions across the place, but he zoned in on one at a time. He tried first for his dominant arm, the right side. Concentrating, he thought hard on pulling the pulse towards him, slowly but surely as to not alarm anyone with the sight of a severed arm speeding across a mostly-empty room, seemingly all on its own.
The undulating grew more and more palpable as his arm got closer to the stump where it belonged. When it reached the desired location, the pulse faltered slightly as the arm turned into the proper position for reattachment. A smile curved onto Laurent's decapitated head as it pushed against his shoulder, latching on. There was a warm flash of heat as the arm reattached, the cut sealing itself instantly. There, an arm. A good start, but his torso would also require a head. It would be much easier if his neck and head were reunited.
Thus he went about putting himself together again, unlike the ill-fated egg called Humpty Dumpty. Laurent had never much cared for that child's tale. But never mind that. It had been a long month, but when you are immortal, you tend to have a higher store of patience than most mortals.
And now the real fun could begin!
~That Same Day --- The Land Rover Interior: Denali, Alaska~
"You have no idea what kind of fucked up stuff is out there. We know, but you..." I trailed off ominously, quite enjoying the wash of colour that disappeared from our newest recruit's usually peaches-and-cream complexion. He was such a babyfaced kid, and took things way too seriously. Gullible too. Hopefully he'd survive this next phase of our war on vampires, but there was no guarantee in that. Me and Edward might not even make it, suckily enough.
Then something happened to dawn on him, but the damage had been done. I was seconds away from giggling myself silly.
"Hey! But you've only gone once!" Mike pointed out.
"That still gives them more experience than you, Newton!" Emmett said sternly, and by the looks of it, scared the bejeezus out of poor Mike Newton, the new agent fresh out of the NPI's training centre. We only get one newbie like every... three to five years I think, unless we're short or if someone is especially promising, then it's more frequent.
Twenty minutes of driving later we were situated at the top of a large snow bank, looking onto our target. Said target was the vampires' lair itself, a large cedar-plank house with huge bay windows and a rustic-looking decor that we could see through the windows. I cringed. Rustic was not my thing at all.
The snow bank provided us with some cover as we layed on our stomachs, passing around a set of binoculars to assess the situation. We could see some females moving around in the house, and one of them, a strawberry blonde, was out on the porch, sunbathing --- though I wondered how she thought she'd get any sort of a tan out here or with her skin --- in a shiny silver two-piece, her hair put up in a messy bun. A pair of Gucci shades covered her eyes, and she looked at peace. They must not know we were here....
After only a few minutes of our visual reconnaissance, another woman, also blonde but more of a platinum shade joined her out on the porch, dressed in cargo pants and a vee-neck sweater. At least she looked like she'd be less freezing-her-fucking-ass-off-out-here. But Blondie #2 could probably still use a nice warm jacket. Not that I cared. The temperatures probably didn't even bother vampires, what with them already being incredibly cold themselves.
"They don't have red eyes though," Edward noted on his turn. He'd been eyeing Miss Platinum, who had not been wearing sunglasses. "Hers are blue, like humans."
Well that was different, I mused. Could we be wrong somehow?
Emmett then took his turn with the binoculars, and instead of the slight confusion us other three were experiencing, he came up in a confident mood, which reeked of the typical arrogance and bravado combo that was our Boss in the midst of action. He couldn't help himself, really.
"They've got contacts in, obviously. See their skin? Pale as the fucking snow around here. I say we go forward. Those harpie bitches can't pull one over on me!"
"Oh right, I'm sure knowing that, they won't even attempt it," Edward remarked sarcastically. "They'll really be distraught now that you're here, Emmett. Our job may be even too easy, with you exercising your" he coughed, it sounding rather like 'dubious', "authority on them. They'll let us tie them up and bring them into captivity willingly."
"Really mature, Masen. I'm so glad you just graduated from pre-school, really. I was afraid you weren't going to make it, but that maturity you're showing --- impressive."
"Okay, boys, cool it. We have important shit to do, or have you two already forgotten? I mean me and Mike can just go ahead if you want to duke this one out, but I don't think you'll be seeing us both alive again with out some back-up on your part," I chimed in, raising a scolding eyebrow at the men. Beside me, Mike looked hopefully at Boss and Edward, as if willing them to say they'd be right behind us. I for one knew that Mike and I, if going in alone, would be dinner for the vamps. So these two had better suck it up.
"Fine, we'll stop," Emmett decided. "For now," he added under his breath. "Anyways troops, let's move in." He got up on his knees, gun in hand, and prepared to lead us down to begin the assault. Mike looked rather green in the face, but followed.
We hadn't made it more than a few feet when a loud siren called out, letting the vamps know of our intrusion. The four of us swore in perfect synchronization, and started running towards the house, guns trained on the two women on the porch.
Strawberry sat upright abruptly, whipping off her sunglasses like a weapon. Oh fuck. I think we are gonna be dinner.
There was a growling noise coming closer, and three snowmobiles came hurtling over the nearest snowbank, landing smoothly where we were at, sending some loose snowpack up in air as the vehicle pulled up beside us. Two women and one man outfitted in white --- to blend in, my mind said --- parked just three feet from us, and were pointing pistols at us. Sensing that they were the ones with the upper hand, we reluctantly dropped our weapons like they were about to explode.
One of the women hopped off her snowmobile, ripped off her helmet, revealing a long mane of blonde hair and one of the most perfect faces I'd ever seen, except for the fact that she was glaring daggers at us. That part I was semi-worried about. Her stance told us that she was not one to fuck around with. She must be their leader. She was definitely scary enough for the part, however pretty of a face she had.
"Welcome to Alaska, bitches."
Oh fuck indeed.
It seemed that they weren't vampires, but that only made me feel a little bit better. They could still shoot us.
Currently we were in the Ice Queen's office, being interrogated in the guise of getting-to-know-you-bitches. The two women from the porch and the second woman from the snowmobiles were in the room with us and the leader, and the four of us were in seats across from her, hoping that we didn't mess this up. Unfortunately as our leader, Emmett was going to be doing most of the talking. God help us all....
The strawberry blonde was eyeing my partner rather hungrily, and I could only hope that he reciprocated said feeling, or there might be some trouble. She looked quite flirtatious, and he'd have to tread carefully. The bitch might get clingy. There was nothing worse than a clingy chick. They were constantly jealous of other people, no matter if they had no reason to be... they still were bound to be jealous anyway.
"So, what are all your names?" Strawberry inquired, as if she genuinely did want to get to know us all.
"This is Jemma," Emmett began, pointing to me, but Ice Queen nipped that one in the bud.
"There's no need to use codenames here. This is a safe house."
"Fine then," he said, mostly unperturbed, "we have Alice, Edward," Strawberry's lips curved into a dangerous smile, "and Mike. You ladies may call me Emmett."
"Or Teddy," I chimed in helpfully. Emmett didn't seem to agree with me, however.
"Teddy?" Ice Queen laughed. "That's a... nice name."
"Why don't you introduce yourselves?" Boss said, glaring at me. I mimed a 'what did I do' gesture. It was unappreciated.
"Tanya," Strawberry waved pointedly at Edward, "Kate," the platinum blonde was acknowledged, "and the others are around the house. You'll meet them sometime, and they can introduce themselves. I myself am called Rosalie. You may call me Rose, but that's it. No cutesy nicknames. Okay... Teddy?"
Emmett smiled, completely ignoring what she called him. That alerted me. So now it was okay for her to call him that? What the heck?
"Now I'm sure you're wondering we are a little... touchy about intruders. It's really quite simple. The last time we had them, it didn't go so well," Rosalie explained. "My brother Jasper was taken, abducted by the vamps. Their leader, this god-awful Hispanic bitch, took him on as her new plaything. I feel bad about it now, I do. I only let him join this organization as a field agent in the first place because he kept whining and bugging me about it. But look where that's gotten him now. God I'm such a fucking horrible sister."
"So he's a vampire now?"
"No, you dumbfuck. She wouldn't have bitten him. She's too fond of him; wants to keep him a 'weak' human so he can't escape. Duh."
"But what's the fun in having him around if she can't even do anything without like... killing him on accident?" Emmett pointed out.
"They can fuck humans. It just is a bit more complicated. Like for instance, a male vamp should never fuck a human woman. She'll incubate a demon spawn. Or so I've heard anyway. I for one am not about to test that theory out. No thank you, Mr. Dracula Long-Trousers. I like 'em warm and toasty!" Predictably enough, Emmett chuckled at that. His kind of humour.
"So he's basically her fuck puppet."
"I think that's what she's trying to get at, genius," I added in. I was a little concerned about him, he seemed to be getting way too into this conversation for my liking. My eyes were constantly darting back and forth between him and Rosalie, worried. Edward, sitting on my other side, just patted my hand and gave me a look which told me I needed to calm down. I was reading too much into things. Or was I? I couldn't help but feel like I was on the right track. She was a very attractive woman, and my boyfriend was sure to notice that. Besides, like me, I think he's always had a thing for blondes. Damn.
"You could call it that," Rosalie agreed, looking disgusted. "But as much as I love my brother, I'd rather not even think about him on the job, consenting or otherwise. Definitely not the image I need stuck in my head. Anyways, it's getting late. Why don't I have the girls show you to a bedroom?"
The four of us nodded, Emmett especially enthusiastic. My suspicions heightened. He liked her. I knew it. The bastard. I had to work hard to plaster a smile back on my face. Mike was the only other person in the room who looked truly happy. Irina was going to show him his room, and he was obviously carrying a flame for her. I was starting to think I was in a lair of succubi rather than women. They were all too attractive... and blonde. How was I supposed to compete with that?
We parted ways to head to our bedrooms; Tanya was showing Edward his, and Kate was taking Emmett and I to ours. Before we split up though, I managed to sidle up to Edward, who looked at me questioningly. I just smiled and stood on my toes to whisper to him.
"I really hope Strawberry!Tanya doesn't rape your innocence during the night. You might wanna sleep with one eye open."
His face turned cold. "Thank you for that, Alice. I appreciate it so much," he added tersely.
"You're welcome," I grinned wider and skipped the opposite way down the hall, after the retreating forms of Kate and Emmett. Looking reluctant, Edward turned to follow his impromptu host. I was somewhat sure that I'd got him thinking. He might actually take my suggestion, or at least barricade the door. I mean, that's what I would do if I were in his situation. But then again, maybe deep down inside the conundrum that is my dear friend Edward, he wants to be taken advantage of. I mean, a lot of people are submissive like that.
I felt like such a bad friend, not even knowing his sexual preferences. I made a mental note to have that particular heart-to-heart at some later time. It was important, after all. I mean, I'm pretty sure I've told him mine. It's just a question of how many drinks I had that night, really. But anyways, soon it would be his turn. For now though, it was time to seduce my boyfriend in this Alaskan hellhole. New destination, new check on the list of places we've been.
He'll want it too. This is his sort of fun, after all. I just am indulging in it myself tonight, is all.
The room we were given is thankfully not as rustic as the exterior of the house. It looks more normal with minimalist furnishings and the colour scheme is a darker tan, almost terracotta, which of course seems completely out of place here in Snow Central. However, its contrast only makes me love it more.
Boss and I are laying down in bed underneath the covers. It's toasty warm in here, which I also appreciate. It'll be easier to sleep naked then, which is how I prefer to sleep anyway. Clothes just feel uncomfortable when I'm trying to get in the right position to fall asleep. Of course Emmett's never minded that. I suspect that if he were less respectful of my feelings, he might even brag about it to friends. "Hey, my girlfriend sleeps nude!"
Some guys say stupid things like that. But whatever. I'm just focused on doing what I had decided on back in the Ice Queen's study.
It was time for the test. Depending on his answer, I was either right or wrong in thinking he had the hots for the Ice Queen. With this in mind, I snaked my hand under the covers and trailed it up his leg, brushing my fingers over his crotch quite unabashedly. He jumped immediately, a guilty sort of look on his face. I gaped.
"Don't you want to cuddle?" I asked incredulously.
"Um, kid, now's not the best time. I'm tired."
"Bullshit. And since when do you call me kid?!"
"Alice, I think it's time. I think maybe what would be best is for us to break up," he added, sounding so serious, so un-Emmett-like. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. I'd seen this coming, but up until right now I didn't think he actually would. But here we were.
"It's that blonde, isn't it?"
"Which blonde?" he asked sheepishly, almost smiling. I so wanted to slap him.
"You know which one, damnit!"
"Oh... Rosalie?"
"No, Cinderella, Emmett. Of course that's who I meant." I snorted derisively. "You want to sleep with her, don't you?"
"Alice...."
"Don't Alice me, Teddy. Get out the room, now!" I wasn't joking around, and thankfully that seemed to sink in for him. He sighed, but crawled out of the bed, put his clothes back on, and headed out the wooden door, shutting it behind him. Still in bed, I pulled the blankets back up around my chin and glared at the spot on the door where his head had been just a second ago. I was being childish, and I knew it. But he had broken up with me!
This day was just getting better and better....
~Headquarters, 1 PM~
Laurent was waiting in the examination room. He could hear many different bruits echoing throughout the building. There was even subtle changes in the sounds of people's footsteps. A man was stomping around above, probably pacing. There was lighter steps coming down the nearby hallway; that would be his first victim. She would not live, she wasn't useful enough. In the month he'd been "destroyed" Laurent had listened carefully, as his ears were still attached to his head and therefore his brain with the recievers that identified sounds. Over that time, he had determined the finer details in his plan, learned what the best time to attack was, and who would be useful to change and who could be done away with.
Laurent had always been a very calculating man. Smart. So it had been the natural choice for him to be sent to complete this task, both to eliminate the threat to his kind in this area, and to pick up new fledglings. James had sent him, trusting that even alone, he would succeed. Laurent would not fail. He was much too astute for failure.
He concentrated on the oncoming victim. A female medic they called Liz. It would be an understatement to say he was ready to feed. He was practically salivating with each step she came closer to the examination room where he waited. Soon, he consoled himself. It shall be not many moments longer.
The smell was delightful, akin to an English rose garden just after the rain. How Laurent missed England, and furthermore, his long-neglected mother land, France. He had not been back in such a time. He must go again soon, once he was no longer needed right at James and Victoria's side.
And here she was. The door opened, and then came the fun part. Her reaction. Laurent walked right up to her, noting the interesting faces she made. Humans could be so entertaining, he thought errantly to himself. Their terror is absolutely comical!
She stared at him, wide-eyed. He was not surprised. Of course it might be a little shock to see him all put back together again. She must think she's hallucinating, he thought happily to himself. Laurent was finding this all quite amusing, actually. But she was about to yell, he could see it in her expression. That was not a good idea on her end.
"No, cherie. You must not scream," he instructed silkily, running a skeletal finger against her jawline. "It'll give the game away. And that's no fun, is it now?"
Liz trembled violently on her feet, and only a quiet whimper came out from her chapped lips. Laurent smiled. How naive, thinking that would save her. It really was too bad. Most humans were rather têtu, stubborn upon the moment of death. Yet this one was compliant. It was like a momentary breath of fresh air.
"Now come here for a kiss. It'll only hurt for a second. I promise."
In a relatively short amount of time, Laurent had drained four victims, and was ready for the bigger task at hand, to change the two that were remaining in this building. They were in the same room together, and had been for all the time he had been fully awake. He had found out that they were lovers, and perhaps would mate even post-change, or at least Laurent thought so. It seemed the natural course of things. Plus, they would be useful in his coven.
And just think how the others would respond on their way home from Denali. That is, if the ones up there didn't kill them first. It is why Laurent had mentioned the Alaskans to these spies to begin with. Pitting two espionage groups against each other by fibbing and saying that one might just be comprised of Laurent's kind was sure to do the trick.
Even if they didn't kill each other, it had gotten them away for a while so Laurent could move in and change the useful ones. When the spies got back, that would be their fate too. Changed and added to James' forces. It was a foolproof plan.
But now, the doctor and nurse would have to be dealt with. The last stage of his plan in mind, Laurent opened the door to the office, ready to work his magic.
Two more vampire kisses to go....
Author's Note: Yep. I'm hosting a contest with my cohort TheOnlyPancake. The info is on my profile, and our example one-shot is on TheOnlyPancake 's profile if you want to check that out as well. There's still plenty of time to enter. Top 3 win graphics and the 1st place winner earns a one-shot on any pairing/character they'd like, courtesy of me.
As always, tell me whatcha thought of this chapter. I adore feedback of any nature!