Chapter 4

Pain.

Tyrell had never felt such agonizing pain. He had just landed in the forest near the small town where he'd encountered the young vampire. Skeptical of what the vampire revealed, Tyrell didn't think he would find anything.

What he found was the same pain he'd experienced just a short time ago. Holding his head, Tyrell reasoned he could endure it, especially as he'd just fed from a human male he found on the outskirts of town. Unable to shift into any other form due to his lack of concentration, he slowly walked to the edge of the forest. But he found distance from the center of the woods was not helping.

He finally dropped to his knees. What was this? Had Morrison found a new way to paralyze any vampire or Carpathian that came near this place? Perhaps it was a way to divert attention from the hidden lab. He wasn't sure how long he remained motionless, as he was too weak to go any further. But some time later, the pain finally lessened. He could still feel a light throbbing in his head as he struggled to his feet. Searching the area, Tyrell grew frustrated when he was unable to find any sign of a hidden door or something which may be out of place to signal any type of secret lab.

And then he was shocked as he felt a bolt of terror pass through him. His heart was racing, and Tyrell had the sudden urge to desperately find wherever this lab was hidden. There was something very wrong and he had no explanation for this strange emotion. As he continued to search, Tyrell reasoned the feeling could be something strange which just lingered from the minerals he'd been exposed to so long ago. Yet for the past several months, he'd never experienced any emotion so strong as this.

A faint cry from a female voice had Tyrell turning his head. He swiftly moved toward where the sound came from, and at he found what appeared to be rotting logs, covered in moss. They were too neatly organized, as if appearing to have fallen there years ago. Tyrell walked around them, noting a pattern of branches sticking out from the logs. Two appeared as if levers, to open something…

Arianna had been thrown in the cell with the vampire the scientists had been holding captive. His arms and legs were shackled to the wall. As those glowing red eyes watched her struggle to her feet, she had no doubt if the vampire hadn't been drugged, those bonds would never hold him. She backed away, until she hit the cell door. With dread, she heard Derrick talking with the other scientists in the next room as a camera monitored her every move.

"Female subject X now present in Vampire subject B's cell. Hold now for observation."

The vampire narrowed his eyes at the camera, then looked back at Arianna. Come. Free my bonds and I will take you from here.

Arianna shook her head. Your only intent is to keep me as your prisoner.

"Female subject X now appears to be communicating with Vampire subject B. Signs of non-verbals being shared."

The vampire gave a low laugh. Prisoner to me or prisoner to them. They will eventually kill you where as I will take you far from here.

You cannot break free of them.

"No further progress being made with female subject X. Now freeing vampire B's bonds."

Before Arianna could register what Derrick just said, the vampire's shackles came loose. He stepped forward, but did not attack her. Instead, his eyes roamed the cell, as if calculating a way to escape.

"Vampire B appears to be analyzing his cell."

He hissed at the camera. "I can hear every word you say. Test me further and I will kill you all."

"Vampire B is now making verbal threats. Holding to see what action he takes."

The vampire roared and in one quick swipe, brought down the camera. He then charged at Arianna who screamed, and darted away. But instead of coming after her, he slammed into the cell door. He attempted to break through, but the door only showed a few minor dents from the attack. Frustrated, the vampire tried to focus, working on transforming to mist. His body began to shake as he found his mind unable to use his normal powers.

"Second camera activated in hidden area. Vampire B has now attempted physical force to break free and failed. It appears he is attempting to transform, but the serum appears to be holding."

"Shut up!" the vampire screamed. His anger spilled out into an all out physical attack on every wall of the cell, hoping to find some type of weakness. When he'd exhausted all efforts, he screamed again in frustration, the sound so horrible it made Arianna cover her ears.

Breathing heavily, the vampire finally looked at her. She knew exactly what he was thinking. If he took her blood, he may regain enough strength to escape. Even though she knew he wouldn't listen, Arianna tried again. It won't work. The serum is too powerful.

He bared his fangs and reached for her. Arianna scrambled away, running to the other side of the cell, but the vampire was too fast. Catching her arm, he yanked her to him. His grip was like iron, and Arianna cried out as he wrapped both arms around her. Lowering his head, he viciously bit her neck. She struggled, finding her efforts completely useless. The vampire was drinking deep and she began to feel lightheaded.

"As expected, Vampire subject B now feeding from female subject X. Hold for further observation."

Hold? Arianna released a strangled cry as she knew the vampire was taking too much of her blood. Then again, this might be finally it. Maybe she could finally have death and be at peace.

Then she shuddered as the vampire released his fangs and licked the wound shut. Weak, she fell to the floor once his arms loosened. He stepped over her and once again, began to physically attack the cell walls again. When nothing worked, including more attempts to transform into mist, the vampire screamed with rage.

Arianna crawled to the corner, hoping she would die soon. However, the vampire had other ideas and grabbed her again. He easily pulled her toward him. "I see what they want from me now," the vampire hissed. "And why not indulge them? If I cannot escape, the least I can do is take some pleasure in making you mine."

She cried out as he ripped open her blouse and pinned her hips with his to the floor. His breath was foul and she could feel the hardness pressing against her between her legs. He reached down to wrench off her pants.

"Vampire subject B is attempting to mate. Hold for observation."

The vampire smiled at her, revealing yellow teeth. "I cannot disappoint them now. I think in fact it's time for you to feed from me. My blood in you will speed up the process."

Process? What did he mean? Here eyes widened in horror as he opened his shirt and extended one of his nails to point at the white, pasty skin on his chest. One quick slash and blood began to drip, one drop landing just below her throat. She cried out again as it burned her throat and he laughed.

"Wait until you feel like when its inside of you."

Arianna closed her eyes tightly. What would this do to her? Would she become like him? She wanted to cry, but she held back. She felt him bring his chest closer to her mouth and Arianna trembled with dread.

And then suddenly, his weight was gone.

Arianna opened her eyes in confusion and gasped. Another vampire, the tallest she'd seen yet, was holding her attacker by his throat. There were shouts coming from the scientists as this was obviously an intruder who broke into the lab. She yanked her blouse shut and sat up, scooting herself backwards against the wall.

The new vampire lifted the smaller one up off his feet. Choking, her attacker attempted to claw at the tall vampire's face, but his arm wasn't long enough to reach. In one swift movement, the new vampire hurled her attacker against the wall. Arianna thought for sure it was dead, but the new vampire wasn't finished yet. She froze in fear as he bent down and hit right through the other vampire's chest. Her attacker screamed horribly before the new vampire extracted its heart and threw it on the floor.

As the organ began to burn the floor, the remaining vampire stood and looked up at the lights which began to flicker. Sparks flew, and then electricity shot down, striking the heart. It was instantly incinerated. Then the same happened to its body.

Arianna cringed. Surely she would be next. His head turned and he looked down at her.

Then time felt like it completely stopped.

This was the vampire she'd sensed who was different. She didn't know why or how, but he wasn't the same as the others they'd encountered. In fact, most vampires were hideous, their faces yellow or white with hair that was coarse and disheveled.

He had beautiful skin, although she did note there was definitely something still dark in his facial expression. He had a cruel jaw, with handsome, yet rugged features. Long, smooth black hair was tied behind his neck. Dressed completely in black, he looked more dangerous than any of the other vampires she'd encountered. But as those dark eyes looked at her, it wasn't the thought of him coming after her which made her fearful. She had a strange, sudden urge to warn him, to make sure he escaped while there was still time.

His eyes seemed to widen with surprise at the sight of her. His mouth formed a deep frown and she saw his hands curl into fists. Arianna reached out with her psychic power. She desperately wanted to show him her mind, but knew it was useless with the injections she'd been receiving. They are coming! You need to leave. Now!

To her astonishment, his reaction was one of agonizing pain. He backed away from her while she felt waves from his throbbing head. She suddenly found herself reaching out to him, feeling like she'd do anything to try and stop his pain.

He shrank back and hissed loudly at her, baring his fangs. "Do not touch me!"

Tyrell could not believe what he was seeing in this cell. When he found the lab was actually underground, he immediately turned into mist and streamed downwards until he found cracks in concrete walls he was able to penetrate. Turning into human form, he heard another scream and immediately tracked the sound to what appeared to be a long hallway of prison cells. He'd see other labs have something similar to this, but this was the largest facility he'd ever seen. Tyrell dissolved once more into mist and streamed under the cell door he'd heard the female scream.

Once back into human form, Tyrell didn't waste any time reaching down to pick up the vampire who was holding down the female. For all he knew, she could be a scientist that the vampire was attacking. But he sensed only evil from the vampire, and had no reason to believe it had been exposed to the minerals. After extracting its heart and destroying the remains, Tyrell heard shouts from the distance and knew a number of scientists were probably on their way. He quickly turned his attention to the female, thinking he'd look into her mind…

He completely froze.

Two deep blue eyes were looking at him. Ever since Tyrell had been exposed to the minerals and experienced emotion, color had somewhat returned, but in dull shades. Her eyes were vibrant, especially as she had dark, long hair.

They are coming! You need to leave. Now!

The pain to his head was like a knife slicing it open. He stumbled back, unsure of what was happening. All he knew was the pain had to stop. When she tried to reach out to him, Tyrell let out a hiss and told her not to even think about touching him.

Please! You have to leave right now!

He was so distracted by the pain, Tyrell didn't sense the scientists who suddenly opened the door and shot him with some type of dart gun. When he turned around to look down at them, their expressions went from excitement to pure terror. Tyrell moved so quickly, the first scientist had no warning as his neck was quickly broken. The rest tried to run, but not before he managed to kill two more of them.

Then to his surprise, one scientist was walking calmly toward him. He was about to strike when the man smiled and spoke. "You are absolutely the most perfect specimen I have ever seen." Like the others, he wore a lab coat, but had an air of confidence.

Tyrell's head was still pounding, but he summoned all his strength and gave a low laugh. "I will be the last specimen you will ever see while you are alive."

The man raised his eyebrows. "Really? Well, that's too bad. But I think I can get a lifetime of research from you alone so it probably doesn't matter."

The room dimmed and Tyrell blinked. It was the serum from the dart. Impossible. No known formula had been able to hold one of them. He hadn't even been bothered thinking that it would be a risk. The minerals were his only concern, knowing that if the scientists figured out how to use them again, he risked being captured again. But this…

As he fell to the floor, he heard the female behind him cry out.

And then there was nothing but blackness.