S. Meyer owns twilight
CHAPTER 5
BPOV
In the early hours of morning we left Albuquerque and headed to Santa Fe. Dawn would rise in a few hours, but the isolation between the cities would mean we could travel fast without risking exposure. We ran parallel to our cars, Pete said it would be too early to encounter any other vehicles.
We were in the desert. I looked forward to the sunny day ahead, even though we'd have to hide in the shadows. It was quiet and a chill hung in the air. It was peaceful here. There were small mounds of shrubbery against the dark brown soil, it gave us little cover.
The outskirts of Santa Fe sprawled before us; small homes, trailers and the occasional strip of shops. The scent of vampire was strong, even here where there was a lot of open space. The first signs of human habitation were around us, but it was hard to find cover. Pete guided us closer to the city. Backstreets were the safest from human eyes, everyone was asleep. We headed further into the city and were relieved as the options for hiding increased.
We kept moving as the sun rose, slowing our pace as the humans bustled about. It was now safe to find a location for headquarters.
As we walked the streets a few people stopped and stared, but J sent them boredom and disinterest. We'd maintain pleasant conversation when in a crowd, making sure eavesdroppers heard us talk about a "movie we were promoting." A few people seemed interested while others shrugged it off. J reported feeling no suspicion.
Emmett found a hotel that rented by the hour, the perfect place for discretion. It was conveniently close to the airport. The receptionist barely batted an eyelid when he booked the room. We'd searched for door alarms and security cameras, but there weren't any. The windows at the back of the property overlooked an alley way. It was ideal. We waited as the sun began to set. Pete, Char, J and I stayed in the room with Kate, Garrett, Rose and Emmett. The others had gone to pick up Caius. Rose and Em had set up the communication station and coolers with blood.
Emmett listened in on the comms. "They're on their way back." He announced. Rose prepared the blood for our feed. We heard the light footsteps of several vampires, I could make out dad's gait amongst them. Rose opened the door and let them in. I zeroed in on Caius as soon as he walked into the room, his long white hair was a shock against the deep black cloak he wore. His red, titanium pendant practically glowed against his clothes. "Uncle" J bowed "welcome to the States." Caius' face lightened up a little "it's good to see you, War, now introduce me to your mate." He said cheerfully. I was standing behind J, mirroring Char's position behind Pete. J took my hand and guided me forward "this is Death."
Caius smiled at me, I bowed my head unsure of what to do. "Nice, to meet you Death. I'm glad my nephew has found his true mate at last." He said softly, I thanked him. He turned to the Rose "is the building secure?" He asked, she nodded and added "it'll be safe to remove the masks now." Thank fuck! J took his mask and cloak off, the rest of us followed suit. "I'd prefer it if we kept our names unmentioned, Uncle, there's a rather large army nearby." J said. Caius nodded "Jane told me, ninety soldiers. They must have been at it for a long time. We could smell them throughout the airport."
Pete reported what we'd learnt. "From what we were told by the prisoners; a few young ones grew bold and decided to restart the war in the east, their sire had been a soldier in the old armies. I'd say the one leading this army was a relic of the wars, most vampires wouldn't know how to maintain that many newborns."
"I agree" Caius nodded. "Given their location I doubt they've fought many battles."
"That's what we're hoping." Said J.
Caius addressed the rest of us. "Aro is due to call in a few hours with intel he gained from your prisoners. Let's discuss how to go about our confrontation with this mob. Are you still a fan on the three wave strike?" He asked my mate. J nodded and Caius continued, "it's an effective plan, War. I recommend we modify it a little; two waves of attack instead of three."
He gestured to a small woman with black hair. She'd accompanied him from Volterra. "This is Eliza, she can control weather. If we can disguise ourselves in one of Eliza's sand storms we should be able to end the battle quickly." I turned to Eliza. "Will the storm lift us off the ground if we move out of the eye of it?" I asked, I wasn't keen on visit Oz. She shook her head and smiled "we're solid enough to walk through it without any damage. I'll only be creating enough wind to lift the dust around us and create a lot of noise, but I'd advise against dismembering the bodies too close to the storm. Smaller limbs have gone missing in the past."
Caius turned to me. "Death, they tell me you're an offensive shield?" I nodded, J beamed at Caius and told him more about me. "She's amazing, she was swarmed by newborns at only a week old and took them all out. We trained her to fight and she mowed them down with skill and her gift." Caius spoke quietly to me "your father mentioned that you'd been trained to use your gift while turning into a vampire" I nodded and explained. "I have my own connection to the ancestors, they showed me how my power worked and what I could do with it. I haven't had much chance to try some of the things out, we've been short on time. War and I trained with it while he taught me to fight. There's a shield that can block gifts and a physical shield that produces flames. I can stretch both around people, but if the physical shield is up we can't fight through it, the only reason I can fight while using it is because it sticks to me."
"Does it cling to your skin?" He asked. I shook my head "no, a few inches away, otherwise my clothes would disintegrate every time I activated it."
"That's good to know, thank you." Caius finished.
Caius let us in on the plan he'd been working on "Eliza can create a tornado like dust storm, we'll move within the eye of it, the air will be free from dust. There are no humans residing within the mountain range so we won't need to worry about exposure. The wind will be loud enough to mask our movements, but we won't be able to dismember the bodies, only incapacitate. Death, if you're agreeable I'd like you to be in the attack group. Alec; if you could incapacitate those we come across Death can incinerate them." He turned to Pete "will your gift be able to identify the leader and their generals?" He nodded at Caius. "As for the rest of the group, half will stay with the healers and the other group will take out any escapees."
He turned to J "who do you recommend for each group?"
"Emmett and Rose have been with Charlie from the beginning, they are able to put together beneficial recipes to help heal and strengthen." J said. Caius turned to Dad "we've heard about your success, have you completed you training?"
"I have. I even started working on creating new formulas when War told me Death was changing." He said.
"Demitri told me you devised a way to mask their scent?" Caius asked. Dad explained, "yes, we were able to obtain some human blood and every second day they feed with my special recipe. I've kept the blood unpalatable because my daughter and son in law wish to remain animal drinkers. They only have enough human blood to keep their eyes red."
"That is brilliant, my brother Aro would love to meet you. His role in our group is to run research and development."
"I'd be happy to meet him. Em and Rose have been training with me, their medical degrees have been a big help. They've prepared the next meal, would you be interested in trying some?"
"Of course, I understand its animal blood and I can appreciate your reluctance in using human blood. Aro has been working hard over the last few centuries to find an alternate food source. Humans are getting too smart with their forensic knowledge and science, there will come a time where we'll have to stop hunting them to remain a secret."
"I was a police chief when I was human, there are those within the legal system that seem aware." Dad trailed off and Pete picked up where he left off; "there are nomads here with links to human legal contacts. The humans don't know who or what we are, but they think of us as contract killers, there are many cases where innocents are endangered and left vulnerable to human monsters. They get a call when a particularly nasty criminal gets off on a technicality or is unable to be brought to justice. They ensure the bodies are never found." Pete said. Caius nodded "we have resorted to that a few times ourselves. We know which people are corrupt and we tell them we want people for 'medical research.' They supply us with 'donors' who have wriggled out of the justice system. Our network covers all of western Europe."
Aro called a couple of hours later. Caius put the phone on speaker. "Hello Caius, I've finished interrogating the prisoners." Aro's voice was deep and emotionless. "Between Maria, Donovan and Michael I can confirm the armies have indeed started up again, this time in the south east states. I have looked over the conditions your nephew described as ideal hunting ground. I believe you'll have luck if you head to Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Travel through the middle of the states, there's a high mortality rate and its low socioeconomic area."
"Thank you Aro. Did any of the prisoners know of the army in New Mexico?"
"The army is run by an older vampire called Angelo-" Pete, Char and J let out a low growl. Caius looked at us in concern, Char briefed him and Aro quickly "he was the second in charge of another army, completely ruthless. He can suck the energy out of attackers. His Sire, Vera, was the second most powerful against Maria. Angelo nearly killed us, he's the reason we devised the three team attack." Caius patted her arm and turned to me "how long can you hold your power blocking shield?"
"It doesn't take much energy, I can probably keep it up for half a day before it completely drains me."
He looked behind me "Pestilence, how are you feeling about our upcoming battle?"
"Confident, they'll be sloppy and Angelo is rusty from years of leading without battle. With Eliza giving us the possibility of a surprise attack it'll be over quick." Pete said, he turned to me and asked; "Death, are you able to keep up both your shields?"
"It'll be difficult, but I'll manage if I don't have to fight." I said. It would take all my concentration. I was glad I would be fed before battle. Caius turned to Felix "will you be able to cover Death?" Felix agreed.
Dad walked over with mugs of blood for each of us. "Drink up everyone, there's enough for seconds if anyone needs it." Caius drank quickly and seemed surprised. "This is very impressive Charlie, you may turn me into an animal drinker after all. Which species is this?" Dad blushed, but I could see his pride. "Coyote. War and Emmett swear by the blood of carnivores."
Dad refilled our mugs and handed flasks of the foul smelling human blood concoction to the other Horsemen and I. We were very full. "That was very satisfying, Charlie." Caius commented. Dad told Caius about how he'd changed the composition of the blood "the ingredients I use enrich the blood, it'll keep you fuller for longer and increase your strength like human blood does, but without needing to drink as much."
"I can't wait for you to meet Aro, I believe you and he will have a lot to discuss." Caius said as he stood up "I suggest we head out. The hotel is secure so we can keep the room while we battle. Kate and Jane can stay here with Charlie, Emmett and Rose. Death, Alec, Felix and Pestilence will join Eliza in the storm. Garrett, Demitri, War and I will form a second wave of attack behind you." He turned to J "War, I'll need you to keep the generals and Angelo incapacitated until we can safely dismember them. Alec will be able to freeze them, but his gift will wear off when his attention in diverted."
"Yes, Uncle."
Pete, Char, J and I put on our masks, cloaks and ear pieces, the others followed suit. As soon as we hit the streets new scents hit us. J turned to his uncle. "Caius, what are your orders?"
"Demitri, where are they?" Caius asked. Demitri closed his eyes and concentrated "south east. There are fifteen spread out in alleys." His eyes opened. Pete spoke "they're hunting. There are too many humans around to fight openly."
"Any gifted ones?" Caius asked, "No, there are a mix of older guards, they're supervising the newborns as they feed." Pete advised. Caius turned to the rest of us "you will have to incapacitate them and move silently. Alec, Demitri and War; move to locate and incapacitate." He turned to me "Death, does your gift create a lot of sound?"
"No, but the fire could call attention to us. Either we'll have to set small, slow moving fires or gather all bodies to one area and set one large fire." I said. He smiled kindly "the second option sounds the fastest; one large fire." He turned to the team he'd singled out, Pete spoke quickly "start the search, there's a store nearby, I have an idea on how to take care of the bodies." He ran away from the group at human speed. "Now I know why he's called Pestilence." Alec grumbled.
We started our search; Demitri, J and Alec were running at human speed ahead of me. We got a few stares along the way; all four of us wore cloaks and J and I wore masks as well. We stuck out like a sore thumb, but there was little we could do about it. J was doing his best to send out boredom.
Demitri directed us to an alleyway. There were two newborns feeding and an older guard was supervising. Alec froze them just as Pete turned up with a large trolley and a few cans of white spray paint. "There's an art gallery at the end of this block with a dumpster out the back. It'll look like we're adding to an exhibit. We just spray paint the soldiers white. We're an odd enough looking group to pass as eccentric artists." He explained as he started spraying the larger 'vampire statue.' J shrugged and grabbed a spray can from the trolley. "I can't believe we're doing this." Alec groaned, picking up a can.
Demitri lead us to the next group of feeding vampires. Pete flounced ahead singing off key in a strange accent "this is my big break!" God knows what the humans thought; Pete was skipping down the street in a dark mask and robe accompanied by others in cloaks. He turned to Demitri who looked miffed "Tarquin, my dear man. Ensure the caterer has received my menu. The food must be minimalist to accentuate my life's work!" Demitri flipped him off. I was so embarrassed, but J was shaking with laughter. I could hear the others laughing through the comms.
"Michelle!" Pete squealed and turned to me "ensure those cases of champagne have arrived. Tonight must be perfect!" Demitri glared at Pete and gritted out "Wolfgang, the next studio is in the alley way ahead. There are another three statues to pick up." Pete grinned "Oh Tarquin, how did I ever manage without you!" He gushed at Dem.
J disappeared and brought back another two trolleys. Pete turned to him and smiled evilly "Butterbean! dearest, you're a gem!" J huffed in irritation, I sent him my amusement. Caius' voice came through the comms "where did you get the trolleys?" He asked in concern. "All three were abandoned in side streets near the supermarket, there were no cameras, Uncle." J whispered.
We reached the Art gallery half an hour later; the three trolleys were loaded with fifteen incapacitated vampires. Pete disabled the security camera with a well-aimed pebble. The guys loaded up the dumpster with the 'statues' doing their best to avoid the wet paint by using scraps of cardboard to shield their hands. They stood back as I brought the warmth from my mind to my shield. I barely touched the vampires, they caught fire quickly thanks to the paint.
"Any others, Demitri?" J asked. "None here, the rest are in the mountains." We met up with the others in the alley behind the hotel. Char rolled her eyes at Pete "I'm going to tell Aro you were impersonating him again." She said. Pete winked "he loves my impressions."
The mood grew somber as we headed out towards the mountains. The scents grew stronger and the land became rugged. Caius whispered "Eliza, go." Eliza started her power, gusts of wind whipped around us, growing steadily stronger. Soil crept up the funnel of air and we could barely see beyond two feet in front of us. "Death, first shield" I pushed my shield over us, blocking us from the army's powers. Caius, Garrett, J and Demitri backed into the dust. We hit the bottom of the mountains and walked up the northern side.
Pete said "incoming" Caius gave his second command "Death, ignite." I searched for the heat inside my mind and brought it forward to ignite the shield. Alec pushed out a wave of his power ahead of him, I thinned my shield so Alec's power could pass through towards the enemy. We came across nine vampiric statues. Pete dragged one of the smaller males out of the storm "one of the generals" he said as he disappeared into the dust. Felix and Alec brought the other frozen vampires towards me, slowly feeding the bodies into my flames.
Pete came back into the eye of the storm. "Fourteen to the north west" he announced. Eliza nodded and moved us forward "teleporter incoming" Pete yelled frantically. A small female covered in rags fell into view just outside my stretched power shield. Alec immediately let out a burst of power, hitting the girl and directing his power north west. My thinned my shield to let it through. Pete picked up the girl and fed her into the flames.
As we headed over a ridge, bodies stood frozen under Alec's power, there were fourteen just as Pete had said. They were quickly reduced to ash, I noticed my flames growing brighter and hotter "Pestilence, will my shield become dangerous?" I asked. "No Death, you won't harm us. Your shields grow stronger with the added venom." I nodded my thanks.
"Soldiers scattering to the north" Pete said urgently. Alec sent a wave north to immobilize them. "None are generals. Demitri, War; you're the closest, gather them and hand them through. We'll burn them." Pete said.
"Understood, Pestilence." We heard Demitri gasp over the comms "there are at least twenty" he started pushing their stiff bodies through the storm, J and Pete fed them into my flame "twenty three in this group, including five non newborns. Obviously they're the guards." Pete reported.
There was a pause, Pete announced; "we're coming up to the central fort. There are caves ahead with four exits leading each direction. Angelo's in there. There are eight guards along the tunnels, another gifted vampire is with Angelo and one non gifted vampire. The two with Angelo are Generals. Eliza's power won't work in such an enclosed space." Pete said. Caius and J spoke quickly, planning the attack.
Caius explained the plan once he and J had finished talking "we can't compromise Death's shield. War, try sending an emotion through the shield while it stays intact." I felt something move through my shield, I was shocked. I spoke up "I just realized something, Pestilence's gift has been working while my shield is up. It could act as a one way mirror, reflecting powers back at attackers while letting ours through."
"Its possible Death," Caius said, "we'll just try one more to confirm. Alec, send a short burst through Death's shield." I felt a wave crash against my shield and bounce back. Alec's eyes widened and he cut his power off, reabsorbing the energy of his attack. "It didn't work Master." He said. Pete sighed "I think it's dependent on the venom bond. War turned Death and I, we have a venom bond that may work with the shield."
"Very well, Pestilence." Caius groaned "Eliza turn off your power and join Kate; head to the western cave, Demitri and I will take the east. Famine and Pestilence, head to the northern cave. If anyone comes through dismember them, no one aside from Death and War are to enter, it'll give us the advantage since there'll be more room for us to move. Will you still be able to shield us, Death?" He asked. I nodded and manipulated the shield so it was elongated rather than circular "if Kate and Eliza move in an anticlockwise route and the others follow in order I can keep the shield flowing behind me without having to cover the whole area."
"Follow Death's lead. Move out." Caius ordered.
Once the others were in place I led J into the cave facing south. The air was slowly clearing from Eliza's gift. J walked behind me keeping within my shield and sending out waves of lethargy around my body. The guards tried to run, but moved slower, I moved at full speed and crashed into one of them, he caught fire and disintegrated. J took the other one and dismembered him, throwing him into my flames. "Turn the flames off, Death" J ordered softly. Of course, we needed to capture the generals alive. I focused on the feeling of heat around me and brought it into my mind along with the flames, I kept my physical shield in place.
We headed further into the cave, the scent of three vampires grew stronger with each step. They were ahead of us. The voice of a man rang through the cavern "Guards, we have a breach" the metallic screech of vampire skin being torn punctuated the air as the guards were dismembered by the others in our group. The generals and Angelo were now visible.
Angelo flashed a sinister grin and I felt something pull at my shield from his direction. The feeling of pressure crashed feebly against my shield to the left, neither gift breached it. Angelo frowned, pulling harder against my shield, it was futile. I attacked the general on the left, he had the skill to slow down vampires. J fought with Angelo, toying with him before ripping him limb from limb. I struggled against my opponent, but eventually tore his arm off. He moved quickly, becoming desperate and making mistakes. His body parts lay next to Angelo's, the other general had headed towards Pete and Char, we heard them tear the guy apart.
Caius's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Cavern teams report." Each team sounded out "secure, no injuries" one after the other. J reported for us "Angelo and generals captured, no injuries to Death and I."
"It's time to dismember the prisoners. Alec, Felix; prepare them for travel." Caius said. We gathered together in front of Caius as the prisoners we'd captured were torn apart and put into duffle bags.
He turned to Pete; "Pestilence, do you sense anymore?"
"No Master, the army in the southern mountain range are the only ones left."
"Excellent, Demitri what are your senses telling you?"
"There are thirty bodies in the mountain range, no other vampires aside from us. I can't sense any others in this state. There are small human settlements near the mountains we'll need to tread carefully."
"Eliza, we'll need a thunder storm for this. It should drown out some of the noise. Healers, report." Caius said. Dad's voice came through the ear piece, "no change, area secure. Kate and Jane are running patrols."
"Excellent. Those of us here will head south. Pestilence, do you sense any curveballs?"
"There are two generals, one north and one south. There are three with powers, all of them surveillance related. They are aware the main strong hold fell."
"What are their powers exactly?"
"Enhanced sight, hearing and mental communication."
"Telepathy?" J asked. "Not exactly, if someone thinks at him directly he can hear it, he can send messages as well." Pete explained. "Is the Telepath a general?" Caius asked. "Yes, the others are cannon fodder. The other general is older, but under the command of the generals we've captured. The Telepath is important, but I don't know why yet."
"This will be easy" said J. Caius made a sound in agreement "how about we let the four horsemen handle the south, we can handle the north?" I smiled behind my mask as J nodded, this would be fun.
Caius cleared his throat "Eliza, would you mind bringing on that thunderstorm?"
"Certainly." She said. Her black hair flew in the wind and her eyes darkened as she released her power. The wind picked up again, although not as severe as the dust storm. Clouds in the distance came closer and compressed until they were heavy and black. A roll of thunder echoed around us, followed by another much closer. Droplets of rain started to fall, we smiled and parted.
The four of us Horsemen walked casually in a line. The army was ready for us, silhouetted by a fire burning behind them, they thought they'd dispose of us. Pete let out a low chuckle. We heard the lowly commander say "go." The dark figures swarmed at us, we ran to meet them. They closed in and I brought the heat out from within me, igniting my shield. Pete ran, chasing the general as he tried to escape.
Char squinted, accessing her gift. A few of the newborns turned feral, lashing out at us and their fellow soldiers. J and I tore into them. There were arms, legs, torsos and heads lying around, twitching. We started a morbid version of catch, each of them throwing limbs to me and watching them ignite. The venom and ash mixed into the mud. Pete and Char carried the body parts of the general north, meeting Caius and Eliza near the human settlement. "All done?" Caius asked, we nodded. The others joined us, dumping the parts of the other general. Caius grabbed two bags and mixed the body parts between them. Felix carried another four bags of limbs from the first mountain range.