Chapter 32: According to Plan

Ryan grabbed the water bottle and quickly moved to Candice's side. "She's….going…after…Kayla…"

"Shhh, there's nothing we can do about that right now. I'm going to try and wash as much of this silver off of you as possible."

Candice's whole body was trembling and she had to fight the urge to pass out. "It…burns."

"I know," he unscrewed the bottle cap and poured some of the water onto her forearms rubbing them clean burning his own hands in the process but he didn't care. She was much worse off. He did the best he could do with what little water he had.

It took him a few minutes to realize that she had passed out. Nudging her with his clean hand he tried to wake her up. "Candice, come on. Candice wake up I need you to stay with me."

Her eyes opened slowly and she groaned, "Burns."

"I know I'm so sorry but you have to stay awake. You need to stay with me okay. I need you to stay alive. You heard Coraline they'll be here soon. David will be here soon. You have to stay strong for him." He urged her to stay awake the best way he could think.

She tried to nod but fighting the blackness was hard.

The teams circled the building following their plan. Everyone was waiting on the word, David at the front of the pack to enter and look for Candice. He was ready to go but holding back to make sure like Josef had said that Coraline doesn't sneak her out a side door. Ashton placed a hand on his shoulder giving it a squeeze, "We'll find her."

Ashton had arrived just before they left. Wasting no time he loaded up with them telling them on the way that the reason he was delayed was new information coming to light about the break in. The men David had hired had discovered the truth, that a woman matching Coraline's description was seen near the building at the time.

Everyone seemed to agree that it had been a diversion to divide them up. David believed that Ryan had devised that part of the plan so that he would be apart from Candice so he could move in and take her. Mick still wasn't convinced but kept his mouth shut. They'd soon figure this out.

"All teams move in," Devon commanded over the com units.

David moved forward quickly armed and ready to kill anyone who stood in his way. He was going to move directly to where they thought Candice might be held.

As they moved into the building they soon came under fire. Ashton at his back giving cover fire David made it up the hall to a doorway. He burst through and found it empty then used it for cover taking out one of the men shooting at them as Ashton made his way towards him.

"David, Ashton I'm coming with you guys. I'm bringing up the back." Mick spoke quickly as he made his way in the door after taking care of one of the men on the second floor who was shooting at them. Mick was vamped and with them in moments.

"There's still two more shooters around the corner," David informed him.

Mick looked down the hall and saw there was no more places to use as cover and they'd already figured out they were using silver bullets. Looking back around the room they were in he saw the door laying on the floor from where David had kicked it off its hinges.

Lifting it up Mick was satisfied with it's weight. Leaning it up against the wall he thrust his foot against the top of it breaking it in half. "I'll draw their fire. You two take them out."

David nodded as he and Ashton positioned themselves at the frame ready to open fire when their target came in sight. "I'll cover the left," Ashton focused his attention on the left side of the hall while David focused on the right.

Mick holstered his gun and hefted the door half up with both hands and moved into the hallway. He started down the hall slowly. As soon as he saw movement he crouched down behind his shield and pulled his gun to fire. Shots rang out in all directions before David and Ashton joined Mick, "We should be clear."

Standing Mick kept hold of the shield in case there was another surprise around the corner. Ashton checked the men that were down kicking their guns aside and driving a stake through their hearts just to be sure.

David picked up the scent of Candice and pushed past Mick racing down the hall. Mick and Ashton took off after him Mick dropping the door that was slowing him down. David followed the hall, following his nose and found two more men. He shot the first in the head but was out of ammo. The second fired off a shot and got him in the gut before he was on him. David snapped the mans neck in an instant and used the butt of his empty gun to break the lock on the door.

Throwing the door open David's heart seized in his chest. His Candice.

Ryan looked up at the feral vampire standing in the door and looked to Candice. "She's been hit with liquid silver. She needs blood fast. This was a—"

David moves to her quickly and pulls her from Ryan's arms staking him in the same movement. He cradles her limp body to his chest feeling the burn of silver. He growls over at Ryan but Candice whimpers and his attention is back to her.

Mick and Ashton come in just behind him. "Grab him," David growls.

"I have Candice. She's hurt bad." He speaks to the com unit.

Allie's voice comes over the com unit. "Bring her out, I'll meet you."

Mick lifts his head and scents the air. Too much had happened and he couldn't get an accurate read but he was could see Ryan crouching over Candice trying to help her. Yelling at Coraline begging her not to let Candice die. Beth had been right, this was Coraline's game. He and Ashton lifted Ryan up and carried him out following the way they came in behind David.

Mick sent up a prayer that Candice would be okay. "Has anyone got eyes on Coraline?" He asked into the com.

To Be Continued…

Evilous