The castle
"Devyanosto shest', devyanosto sem', devyanosto vosem', devyanosto devyat', sto," Zarya grunted rhythmically as she finished the first half of her morning workout regimen. She sat up, putting her arms on her knees in a resting position, looking out into the trees. She always exercised outside on the terrace that extended out near her room on the fourth floor, as the morning air made it easier to cool off.
"Come! Put ice cream down and sit on my back," she called out to the woman watching her exercise. "I do not know how you can eat that first thing in the morning," she shook her head.
"You just wouldn't understand, Aleks." Mei didn't really understand, either. But she didn't fight it! She skipped over to her and did as instructed, sitting on her back. She knew the drill, one hundred push-ups and sit-ups first thing every morning. "Duō yǒuqù!"
"Odin, dva, tri, chetyre, pyat'," Zarya counted, ignoring the fact that she wasn't feeling her strongest. That only meant she'd need to bear an unpleasant visit for an unpredicted amount of time since they liked to linger.
"You feeling alright?" Mei noticed the… less lively way Aleks was moving under her. What would usually be a fast, upbeat pace, was now casual and almost lazy. She waited a bit to see if she would pick it up, but it seemed consistent. "You're moving slower today."
"If I push through it, the feeling will pass," Zarya knew that wasn't the truth, but a certain someone was a worrywart, and she didn't want to cause unnecessary concern.
"Aleks~" Mei frowned.
"Alright, alright," Zarya huffed, now about halfway through her set. She wasn't sure why she even bothered trying to hide it. "You see right through me."
"Just go ask Mako," Mei sighed, the probability of him sharing was low, but it wouldn't hurt to ask!
"No luck, princess," Zarya shot down the idea. Asking him was out of the question! She didn't much care for how he went about doing things, so she tried to limit communication with him. "V sim'ye ni bez uroda."
"Snowball, translate!" Mei said to her small omnic puppy who started yipping playfully. 'There's a black sheep in every flock.' She knew immediately she was referring to Mako and could only agree with that thought. But still!
"We will just power through visit that awaits us," Zarya had a feeling snezhinka was going to do things her own way like she always did, though she never complained because she knew she had her best interests at heart.
"Ugh! The doctor?" Mei groaned, not looking forward to being bombarded with insane requests. She'd rather just bargain with Mako!
"It will be brief," Zarya finished her set, lifting her body into a handstand and flipping onto her feet—something Mei took a particular liking to a while ago, so it turned into a habit. She took a swig from her water bottle, noticing the pale color of her skin. "It cannot be avoided," she said with a sigh.
Mei stood in front of her, rocking on her feet as she smiled happily at her companion. She'd been wanting to do something nice for her since they'd both been cooped up in that castle. "Maybe we can take a trip after she visits?"
"A trip?" Zarya threw a small white towel over her shoulder before heading back inside to shower. "What did you have in mind?"
"You're always going on about visiting home," Mei followed behind her, closing the door after them as they entered their room.
"You want to take trip to Siberia?" Zarya stopped and faced her, why the sudden interest in her homeland? "You have never mentioned before."
"It's true I haven't shown much interest, but the way you keep talking about it makes me curious," Mei enjoyed the show that was being put on for her, an attractive Aleks undressing and wrapping herself in a towel. "And we've been here for a while, so I think it'd be nice to have a change of scenery."
"Sweet snezhinka," Zarya brushed a lock of jet-black hair from a cute face. "Always thinking of me." She walked over to the bathroom, stopping in the doorway. "Want to join me?"
"I'd be crazy if I ever said no to that!"
"I'm tellin' ya, mate! We can be kings of the outback!"
Mako sat silently in the common area of the castle, listening to his insane associate ramble on and on about going back home to the desert. Why should they? He was quite comfortable where he was, and the area was well-populated, so there was virtually no reason to leave.
"We plan a couple of heists here, a couple of heists there, and we'll be set for life! Hey! Are you hearing me?!"
Mako just breathed heavily, enjoying the fumes in his custom-made mask. Heists didn't sound like a bad idea, to be honest. However, it'd been a long time since they caused a ruckus, and he was feeling a little listless.
"Think about it," he hobbled over to his large friend, painting a visual for him. "We hit a few banks here in the city and stock up on juice so we can fly out in style! Whaddya say?"
Mako liked the idea, but where in Australia would they even go? Eh, maybe he was just looking for an excuse to actually get up and do something. He was pretty comfortable where they were. "Idiot," he rumbled.
"I think it's a brilliant idea! Get a couple of bombs and we're home free!"
"Bombs…" Mako murmured, channel-surfing on the tiny television stationed on the table in front of him. "We need supplies."
"Way ahead of you, mate!" That moment, Mei descended the stairs with her robot puppy, and he hobbled over to say hi. "Good morning!" He bent down, cheesing at Snowball, who wagged its tail happily.
"Zǎoshànghǎo, Jamie," Mei offered an awkward smile; she never really knew what to say to these two, and it sounded like they were in the middle of planning a job. "Sorry to bother you guys," she began hesitantly.
Mako grunted, giving her a once over and quickly putting two and two together. "Looking pale."
Mei looked at her arms, not even noticing she too was beginning to feel weak.
"Here to beg for blood?" Mako growled out, having no intention of sharing. He'd gotten lucky and sniffed out a couple of campers nearby a few days ago and collected enough to last him a couple of weeks, given the little rat didn't get his hands on some of it. "Beat it."
"It-It's not for me!" Mei stuttered, wondering why she was even trying to defend herself. It wasn't like he was going to change his answer.
Mako guffawed heavily. The Russian wasn't getting any, either. "You think that's gonna make me change my mind?"
"Aww, c'mon, Hog! Be nice!" Jamison nudged him.
"Tell Mother Russia to fill up on protein shakes." Mako resounded. What were they bothering him for, anyway? It wasn't like they had to wait long to resupply.
"It was worth a shot," Mei's shoulders fell in defeat. Looked like Aleks was right. "Jiāyóu, Snowball!"
"Sayonara!" Jameson called out without a care in the world. Hog shared with him, so what did he care? "So, bombs!" He laughed wildly, getting back to the matter at hand.
Mei blew hair out of her face in a huff as she went back upstairs, for some reason weirdly looking forward to hearing Aleks say 'I told you so', or something along those lines. She entered their room, met with a knowing look.
"He said nyet, didn't he?" Zarya asked, arms crossed over her chest. And when her snezhinka looked glum, she had her answer. "Come," she reached out, taking her in an embrace. "I told you he was bad apple." She left light kisses all over her face, running fingers through her hair.
Oh, this is what she was looking forward to. "I just hoped he would have a change of heart," she said as Aleks held her face and gazed at her lovingly.
"Gorbatovo mogila ispravit. Remember that." Zarya leaned in, connecting their lips sweetly.
"S-Snowball…" Mei tried to translate her words but was unable to do so when she was instantly left breathless. She gasped when she was suddenly picked up, instinctively wrapping her arms and legs around her. It was electrifying how effortlessly she lifted her.
"Yes, a leopard cannot change his spots," a voice sounded from behind them. "A sentiment I agree with wholeheartedly."
Mei shrieked and Zarya put her down, annoyed at the interruption. Turning around to face the culprit, she crossed her arms again. "Why don't you come through front door, like normal person? Instead, you upset snezhinka."
"Complaining when I come bearing gifts for my finest experiments?"
What timing! Mei poked her head out from behind Aleks, always a little nervous when Moira came around. She wasn't too terrible of a being, seeing how she was responsible for the tech that kept their castle shrouded from hunters. Thanks to her brilliance, there was no way of knowing this place was home to a handful of vamps, unless someone was stupid enough to be followed.
"You did show up at good time," Zarya said, putting an arm around Mei. "I was feeling a little… eh, not myself."
"A sip for the parched," Moira said, manifesting a large bag of dark red liquid in a black smoke and handing it to her. "And the particle energy within you?"
"Smooth, like butter!" Zarya was pleased that her enhancements did nothing but help her in her training. She suspected the blood she brought over once a month contained supplements specific for her and Mei, but she learned a long time ago not to ask a question she truly didn't want the answer to.
"And you, Mei-Ling? Any troubles with your endothermic energy?" Moira asked, manifesting another bag of similar fluids and passing it off.
"Everything is okay on my end, too," Mei nodded in thanks as she took the bag and took a long drink. Delicious, as usual. Much better than plain blood! A few times in the past, they unfortunately had to get their fix from someone unsuspecting a handful of times out of desperation, and it was safe to say they definitely preferred whatever the doctor brought them.
"That's good to hear," Moira said, very satisfied. "Have you given any thought to further research?"
"Oh…" Mei knew this was coming! She let her perform one experiment on her body decades ago only because she didn't want Aleks to be the only one taking such a large risk. Though she was extremely grateful her body didn't reject the changes, she didn't want to wager on it again. "I-I'm okay. Thanks though."
"Bhíothas ag súil leis. Perhaps next time you'll be convinced," Moira knew this one wouldn't bite, which was a shame since she reacted the best to her added energy. "I created a new element that I think you'd be the best fit for, but if you're feeling shy," she directed her attention to Zarya. "What about you, Aleksandra? Feeling adventurous?"
"You create new element? Impressive," Zarya wouldn't deny this doctor was very smart, especially for a human. She just didn't approve of most of her methods. The less she knew, the better.
"Interested?"
"Nyet," Zarya held her hand up, politely declining. Several years ago, she had a less-than-pleasant encounter with a hunter that left her in critical condition, and as luck would have it, she was saved by none other than the doctor. Being kept alive by the particle energy within her, she was very hesitant to make any more artificial changes to her body. "I am grateful to you, but I have enough to work with."
"I understand." Moira had her sights set on another, so it didn't really matter if these two declined. They still stood out as her best work to date either way. "Have you been well-maintaining your particle cannon?"
"Of course! What do you take me for?" Zarya boasted, walking over to the large armoire and opening the doors to reveal her golden cannon, hanging in the center of it. "I polish once a week!"
"Good. Well, if you excuse me, there are a couple of rodents I need to see. You know where to find me if you change your mind," Moira said before fading into black smoke and disappearing. She landed in the common area, as she knew that's where the troublemakers would likely be.
"Moira, Moira!" Jamison rushed over to the doctor as she manifested in their space, full of energy as usual. "Supplies! We need supplies!"
"Let me guess," Moira smirked. Never a dull moment with this one. "The rats are making bombs."
"You betcha!" Jamison said, leaning in and covering his mouth. "Although he's technically a hog," he giggled manically.
"Amadáin," Moira sighed. "I suppose I could provide supplies, for a price." She looked over at the one sitting on the couch flipping through channels. "How's that diesel treating you, Mako?"
"Running low," he grunted in response, taking a deep inhale.
"I can certainly replenish your resources if you come to me," Moira had a surplus of the gas he was inhaling, however, she couldn't carry it with her; it needed to be refilled directly from the source. "Judging by the… robust way you look, I'd say you've found some blood."
"Heh," he snorted. "As nice as ever."
"But of course," Moira picked up the half-empty canister that sat on the table, investigating the contents. Putrid. She could understand why this sample didn't make it to her. "Nothing but the best for my little helpers. When shall I be receiving my next batch?"
"When I get more diesel," Mako grumbled. Once every few weeks or so, he and his associate would go out and collect blood to take back to the doctor in exchange for gas and supplies, and he couldn't have cared any less what she used it for. Any contaminated blood they got to keep for themselves, which was a bonus.
"Then I expect you'll come prepared."
"I'm telling you, Satya," Niran fell backward onto his closest and only friend's bed, kicking his feet and staring up at the painted ceiling. "He was the most handsome man I've ever seen in my entire life!"
"Tell me more," Satya replied sarcastically, frowning at the way he was making himself comfortable in her personal space. He'd been giddy since he came back with the dragon fruit she sent him out for yesterday, and it was getting bothersome.
He knew she truly wasn't trying to hear his ramblings about some random guy, but he couldn't help it! "Well," he began, sitting up excitedly. "He had the most enticing accent and the most perfect chocolate skin. It was very clear he wasn't from this area. Maybe from the Caribbean?"
The more he talked about him, the more it intrigued Satya. Curious, she sat on the bed next to him. "Hmm, how interesting it is to see you so smitten," she said. "Especially since not a single being has gotten your attention like this in such a long time. What was it about him, mera dost?"
"That's the thing, I don't know!" Niran's hands flew up to his face, somewhat ashamed of the way he was fawning over some stranger. "I was off in my own little world when I bumped into him, and it felt like the entire world around us stopped." He recalled the incredible moment time halted and they stared into each other's eyes. It might sound cheesy, but it felt like that was all it took for them to know one another! That very short moment left him craving more, and he wasn't really sure how to feel about that!
"I can see you're troubled by this," Satya noticed his conflictions. They were understandable, and she figured he needed to talk through them.
"Quite a bit, actually," he replied sheepishly. "I may have accidentally used my charm on him."
"What? Why?" Satya was appalled; Niran rarely used his powers!
"I don't know, I panicked!" He shot up, pacing back and forth. "It was a defense mechanism! He grabbed my arms and he smelled so good, and I just… I don't know!"
"He grabbed you?" Satya was alarmed.
"It wasn't like what you're thinking," Niran's voice got a little softer, safety was their main concern and they always had to stay on their toes. "There was no malicious intent behind those kind eyes, charmed or not."
"I'll trust you since you haven't gotten into any trouble yet," Satya walked over to her window, letting the cool breeze blow through dark hair.
"He was so cute, Satya!" Niran swooned. "It was just a small encounter and he looked like he was checking me for injuries! What a gentleman." If only all men were as charming as he was.
"Well, you'll have to get over it, dost. You'll never see him again." Satya hated to be the one to burst his bubble, but he needed to be brought back to reality.
"I know," he fell dramatically into one of the accent chairs with a sigh. It was clear he was just a tourist, and for some reason, that sucked! "I should have at least gotten his name."
"I'm sure there's a reason for this happening," she turned and leaned against the windowsill, amused at how horribly he was taking this. He was so bent out of shape over someone he ran into for all of thirty seconds! "Try to remember, we're not the type that can get close to people."
"You're right." How sad was it that he lived such a lonely life? Satya was all he had, and up until earlier, he was perfectly fine with that. He didn't understand, but that guy… whoever he may have been… he awakened something deep within him that he'd kept repressed for longer than he could remember.
"Don't beat yourself up," Satya knew all too well the emotions he was cycling through, and it would be a lie if she said it wasn't hard to deal with. But by now, she would have thought they'd be nonexistent! "By tomorrow, you'll have forgotten all about him."
"Heh, tomorrow?" Niran got up and walked over to her, leaning against her and resting his head on her shoulder. "You give me too much credit. It'll take weeks of research for me to forget a face like that."
"I envy you," Satya couldn't remember the last time she felt something. "To have encountered someone capable of bringing forth such emotions must be exhilarating."
"And foreign." Niran would admit it was quite the adrenaline rush, but it was so overwhelming, he couldn't comprehend it! "Can I sleep here tonight?"
"Ugh, bahut jarooratamand," she complained. "And keep me up with your snoring?"
"I really need the company," Niran whined, knowing if he asked a few times, she'd say yes.
"Only if you promise not to talk about that strange man."
"He wasn't strange!" Niran didn't know why he was defending him. "You know I'm a good judge of character!"
"I don't care," she said coldly, almost immediately afterward graced with the doctor's presence. She rolled her eyes. Yet another attempt to convince him to donate some of his energy.
"If it isn't the most evasive," Moira appeared before the one she had her sights on, hoping this time he'd bite.
"Doctor," Niran greeted her, welcoming this distraction for once. "A pleasure to see you again."
"Is it truly a pleasure? Or are you just trying to spare feelings?" She knew he was putting on a front, but she didn't care. He'd always been very interesting to her, and she wanted nothing but to run experiments on him with the energy he harvested from the earth. The possibilities were endless! All he had to do was say yes.
"No, I could use the distraction," he said, picking up an embroidered folding fan and fanning himself lightly.
"Does that mean what I think it does?" Moira asked hopefully. She wanted him to come to her of his own volition; she didn't care too much for taking things by force. All lifeforms that walked the earth had something they wanted, and she was an expert at bargaining. However, this one? He was a tough nut to crack, and it was becoming frustrating.
"Apologies, no." Niran shook his head, heading over to the teapot he had plugged in off to the side of the room. He spent so much time in Satya's room, he had an entire section of it to himself! Of course, she complained every chance she got, but to him, it was just white noise. Dumping a few sugar cubes into a small porcelain cup, he poured himself some tea. "Care for a cup?"
"No, thank you," Moira walked over to Satya, reaching for the ends of her hair and smirking when she backed away. Though the natural energy that flowed through this one wasn't nearly as strong, she supposed she could yield the same results, but she really wanted it from the source. "May I ask if you've even given it some thought?"
"Have I given any thought to offering you my blood?" Niran repeated her question back to her, hoping it sounded just as crazy to her as it did to him.
"It doesn't necessarily have to be your blood," Moira walked over to him, repeating her actions and reaching for his hair. Yes, his energy grew stronger each time she saw him. She thought about cutting and stealing a lock, but previous tests concluded hair didn't work nearly as well as blood. "You could volunteer yourself."
"That sounds even worse," Niran blew on his tea before taking a sip. There was no way in hell he was letting her get ahold of anything on or in his body. He scrunched away from her slowly, not liking her feeling up his hair like she was. Who knew what she could do with just a single strand? "My body is a temple. I work too hard on it to surrender it."
"Who's to say I won't work just as hard to keep it up to your standards?" Moira circled him slowly, like a vulture looking for fresh meat.
"I don't doubt your skills," Niran got a little nervous. Why was she treating him like he was prey? If he were up for it, he could drain all of her blood, right then and there! …oh, who was he kidding? Everyone in that castle knew he was a lover, not a fighter.
"Then why not just trust me once?" Moira had big plans when it came to this one's energy. If it worked how she suspected it did, once she got her hands on it, she'd become invincible, the world's most brilliant necromancer. And it wasn't like he had to die to contribute to her vision. In fact, they could be quite the pair if he'd cooperate!
"If it's my energy you want, just go outside," Niran gestured to the window. "Everything I take in comes from nature itself."
Unfortunately, she wasn't as skilled in harvesting energy from the earth as he was, which was why she had her sights set on him. She sighed wearily. "Then perhaps you, Satya, would like to help achieve a life of power?"
"No." Satya said plainly, exiting the room. She wanted no part in that woman's schemes.
"No matter," Moira smiled at Niran. Her interest in Satya was probably the lowest in the castle. "Soon you'll understand that I am the only one who can help you achieve your true potential."
"What if I'm already at my true potential?" Niran liked to think he was completely in tune with the earth around him.
"You can always be better," Moira was trying her hardest to coax him into even just a visit! "Just come to my lair. You know where it is. Once you see all of the spectacular things I've accomplished, you'll understand."
"I'm honored, but I have reservations about your work that I just can't look past." Niran brushed past her, having had enough of her pestering him! "What about Aleksandra or Mei? Didn't you have business with them at one point?"
He wasn't understanding. She pinched her brow in frustration, following him around the room. "I've already gotten what I need from them. Which should be even more confirmation that you'll end up in good hands."
Niran took Satya's place and leaned against the windowsill, sipping his tea and gazing out into the trees. She had a point. Those two were thriving and getting stronger each day. It would be a lie if he said he hadn't thought about what enhancements she could do to his body, but they were just that: fantasies.
"I can see you pondering over there," Moira felt him teetering over the edge. Why was he putting up such a fight? What did he have to lose?
"If I tell you I'll think about it, will you…" Niran trailed off, were his senses deceiving him? No, they couldn't be. He was never wrong, but it didn't make any sense! His hand trembled, the cup slipping from his grasp and shattering on the floor.
"What is it now?" Moira asked, her question soon being answered by a loud noise coming from the other side of the castle, like an explosion. Curious.
"How ya feelin', buddy?" Mauga asked from the vantage point they found that overlooked the castle. It was still early in the day, so they had a while to scare off whatever was in there and hunt them down when they fled. They had it all planned out.
There were doors to a cellar on the side of the structure, overgrown with weeds and shrubs confirming its low usage. As much as Mauga wanted to run in and gun everything down, he knew it might not work out that easily. The most rational idea was for Baptiste to go in through the cellar and make his presence known.
"I've never felt more alive," Baptiste replied, getting his gear together. He knew there was a good chance he'd have a run-in with a vamp or two not too willing to give up their home, and the adrenaline that coursed through him acted as fuel. There was something exciting about not knowing what was within those walls.
"I figured as much," Mauga was a little jealous he wouldn't be getting in on any of the action, but he knew the hunt to follow would be worth the wait. "So, while I stay out here and track down the runners, you'll be inside having all the fun."
"You'll just ruin the whole operation," Baptiste said, looking at the castle through binoculars. "Too big and too loud."
"Can't argue with that!" Mauga laughed, dropping a hand on his shoulder. This is why they were good together. "What do you think's in there?"
"Well, we know there's at least one S-class vamp, and I assume a handful of underlings," Baptiste was more amazed they were able to stay under the radar long enough to have taken measures to shroud it. Tech of this caliber wasn't common. "Whatever's in there, they have connections."
"Not for long," Mauga smirked, ready to kill. He was so amped up after laying low for so long, he was just itching for some fun. "You sure you don't want backup?"
"I'll be fine," Baptiste was ready to take on whatever was thrown his way. He dug through his bag and pulled out a syringe, letting out a breath before stabbing himself in the thigh with it. "Just in case."
"A suppressant?" Mauga asked with a raised brow. Most vamps were equipped with a defense mechanism hunters liked to call hypnosis, and that syringe was chock-full of an agent that worked to prevent succumbing to their will. But with all the extensive cognitive training they've gone through, he shouldn't need that.
"The stronger the vamp, the stronger the charm," Baptiste stood up and slipped into his thin, high-tech armor. The medicine was already beginning to kick in, and it was a temporary effect, only lasting for about thirty minutes, so he needed to get in there quickly. "I don't want to take any chances."
"Afraid you'll get swayed?" Mauga snickered. He hadn't used the stuff in years, so it was funny seeing Baptiste being extra cautious.
"I know, it's been ages since I've touched the stuff," he said as he adjusted the tiny speaker in his ear. "Test, test." He clicked the small button on the side of it, making sure everything worked properly. When Mauga gave him the thumbs up, he was all set. "But we also haven't run a raid in ages."
"Yeah, yeah. I hear you." Mauga checked him out, both for business and pleasure. He wanted to make sure all of his gear was perfect while also getting a look at that hot bod. He always took a liking to the way he looked when he was dressed for war. He held him by the arms, looking him up and down.
"How do I look?" Baptiste asked, easily falling back into their routine.
"Like a million bucks," Mauga licked his lips; he just couldn't help himself!
"Ugh, koupe li soti ou ta!" Baptiste shrugged him away, picking up his binoculars for one last glance at the castle before he went down there.
"Ready?" Mauga pulled out a flask, taking a quick swig while he wasn't looking.
"Yeah—oh, what the hell!" Baptiste turned to see him drinking on the job, which he definitely shouldn't have been doing! "Seriously?!"
"In my defense," Mauga said, exhaling sharply. "I didn't think I'd get caught."
"Now I'm glad I'm the only one going in there!" Baptiste complained. Hopefully, that was all he brought.
"Please, like I don't perform better when I'm buzzed," Mauga scoffed. "You should be the first one to know that!"
Baptiste couldn't do anything but look at him with a straight face. Why did things always have to take a dirty turn with him? "I'm going now," he said, walking off into the bushes.
"Make sure you use your comms and let me know exactly what's going on," Mauga called after him.
"Calm down, this isn't my first rodeo," Baptiste said, happy to be on his own for once. He cut through the brush, enjoying the temporary peace while he could. It wasn't like he hated being around him, he could just be a bit much sometimes, and he missed the peace and quiet.
He made his way through the woods, wondering what lie ahead. How many vamps were in there? How strong were they? Would they be hostile? Of course, they're going to be hostile! A human, a hunter, was breaking in trying to spook them! Why wouldn't they be? But Baptiste was ready for anything! He'd been through more brawls with vamps than he could count. What was a few more?
He approached the cellar doors, using a small laser to cut the lock open. Lifting the doors open, he waved the old dust from his face with a cough. "Should have worn a mask," he muttered to himself, stepping inside and quietly shutting the doors behind him. He pressed the button on his earpiece. "I'm in."
"What does it look like in there?" Mauga asked from the other side.
"It's dark," Baptiste adjusted his goggles, trying to turn the night vision on and failing. He assumed it was due to the same tech that kept the castle hidden and sighed. "I can't see. My goggles won't work."
"Makes sense. Need help?"
"No, I'm not going to let a little darkness ruin this mission." As his eyes slowly adjusted, he noticed two staircases on either side of the cellar. "There are two stairwells. Which one should I take?"
"The one to the left. Always the left."
"Copy." Whenever there was a fork in the road, he usually turned to Mauga for answers since his instincts were a little sharper in certain situations. This time, it probably didn't matter which route he took, but he wanted to be sure all the same.
He went over to the staircase to the left and peered up, the darkness enough to freak a normal human being out, but he was no normal human. He started his journey up the stairs, what would he see when he reached the first door? How was he even supposed to make his presence known? Should he just pick them off one by one?
Just as quickly as he was able to get inside and choose a staircase, he just as quickly fell into a trap. He held a hand to his mouth, biting back the incredible surge of pain in his leg. Fumbling around for his small flashlight, he finally got ahold of it and clicked it on, pointing it at his leg. "Son of a…!" He steadied his breathing as the pain washed over him in waves. It appeared these vamps were prepared inside and out, as he'd stepped into what looked like a huge, rusty bear trap!
"What is it? Talk to me, buddy!"
"Ah…" Baptiste winced, trying to pry the trap open. He saw a tetanus shot in the near future. "I got caught in a trap."
"Shit," Mauga muttered. "I'm comin', Baptiste!"
"Wait!" Baptiste said, his eyes zeroing in on a small flashing red light next to his injured leg. "Oh, no—"
Mauga watched the side of the castle be blown to bits, a large plume of white smoke gathering in the air. He pressed the button on his earpiece, trying to reach Baptiste, but the connection died in the explosion. "Don't panic," he told himself, gathering his things to go and try and dig him out of the rubble. There was no way he wasn't going to beat himself up over getting him hurt like this. "He's fine. He's fine. Everything's fine."
Baptiste, on the other hand, lie in the debris groaning in pain, staring up at the immortality field he barely had the time to throw down. "Mon dieu…" Well, he made his presence known! And the force from the explosion blew the trap off his leg, so there was that, he guessed. The only two questions that remained: were the vamps going to come investigate before he got himself up and dusted off? Was Mauga going to come running to help him? He couldn't use his earpiece anymore, so it was a possibility.
He sat up, powering through the intense pain in his entire body, brushing the dirt off his gear and looking around. The staircase he was on was destroyed, so the only option was for him to go up the other side. He limped up the steps, stopping to lean against the wall and catch his breath. Could he do this? They always planned things out with room for mistakes, but nowhere near of this caliber!
He swung his bag to the front of his body, looking for his illegal pain pills. They may have been banned in several countries, but it sure hit the spot in an instant! Commonly used by hunters, they paid a hefty price for it and had to use it wisely, as it wasn't easy to obtain. He popped one into his mouth, swallowing it dry, and as the pain in his body began to get numb, he continued his journey up the steps, carefully checking for more bombs along the way.
"Aleks! Don't you want to stay and fight?!" Mei asked as Zarya packed up her wardrobe in a hurry.
"Why stay and fight?" Zarya carefully disassembled her cannon, putting it in its designated case before walking over to a panicked Mei. She rubbed her arms soothingly. "Thanks to rat man, whatever got inside is now dead. What is point?"
"This is our home," Mei shook with anger. Why was she so calm about this? "If they're dead, then why leave?"
"Do you really think whatever that is down there is alone?" Zarya had enough encounters with hunters to know most of them liked to work in pairs, and she honestly didn't feel like fighting. Not to mention their castle had now been discovered. It was only a matter of time before more hunters showed up. "Hunters come in pairs. Do you really want to fight?"
"It's better than running away!" Mei couldn't stop the tears from running down her face. "We've been here for decades! It's not fair we have to leave! Who even gave us away?"
Zarya wiped her tears away, feeling sympathetic. It was true they'd been there for several years, but it was time for a change. "Not so much snezhinka, more like angry shchenok, eh?"
Mei glared at her, she didn't speak Russian, but she knew a few words here and there!
"I kid, I kid!" Zarya chuckled, turning around to finish packing their things. Thankfully, vampires weren't materialistic creatures, so they didn't have much to take. "But is time for change of scenery, no? Perfect time to visit Siberia! While we're there, we can take time to find new place to live."
Mei just pouted, not accepting any of this at all! One of those jerks was followed and got them caught! And the worst part about it was that she couldn't even go down to confront whoever it was! She watched hopelessly as her things were thrown into a small duffle bag. "You don't want to live in Siberia?"
"I have spent a lot of my life there," Zarya said, slipping a bag onto her arm. "There are too many places to see to stay cooped up in one place."
"We were here for years!"
Zarya just offered a sad smile. She didn't want to say she was only in China for her. They were hiking one day and stumbled upon this magnificent castle, and Mei was raving about the land and the people, and she just wanted her to be happy. So, they decided to settle down there, letting other vampires come and go as they pleased as long as they didn't give away their position.
It wasn't going to last forever.
"Come," Zarya held out her hand, pulling her toward the door. "We have eternity to find new home."
They walked through the castle, heading toward one of the alternate exits. No need to risk going through the front doors to confront whatever may have been waiting for them. It looked like they were back to getting blood the classic way for the time being.
"Aleks…?" Mei asked, her voice quiet as they walked through the trees to an unknown destination.
"Yes, samyy dorogoy?" Zarya was on high alert, her senses picking up on movement not too far from them. She'd bet anything it was the second hunter. Pulling Mei closer to her, she picked up her speed going in the opposite direction. She was probably too sad to even notice.
"Will we have to hurt people to survive, now?" Mei didn't like causing any harm. She believed they could coexist with humans if everyone tried hard enough. Aleks was different. She'd fight if she had to, which was why it was so surprising that she didn't this time!
"If it comes to it," Zarya knew her sweet snezhinka didn't want to hurt a fly, and as long as she was around, she'd never have to. "Don't worry. I will take care of things. You won't go without."
"Looks like my trap worked!" Jamison ran up to Mako with a crazed laugh. "It's been down for so long, I almost forgot about it!"
How annoying. Mako growled through his mask, this could have been avoided if he hadn't done that sloppy work on those two campers. He'd been careful, covered his tracks—for over two decades!—just to get lazy one time and get them caught. But he'd be damned if he admit it out loud! "They dead?"
"Well, I would assume so, mate!" Jamison said gleefully. "To set that bomb off, they had to get stuck in my trap~! If not dead, then gravely injured!"
Mako grunted. They were looking for a reason to leave, anyway. And it wasn't like they could stay peacefully; once one hunter knew their location, all hunters knew their location.
"What say you and me go teach that bloke a lesson or two for trying to break into our castle!" Jamison tried to pull Mako off the couch.
"He's probably dead," Mako breathed. No need to waste the energy they were going to need to get out of that country.
"You thinkin' about heading to the great Outback?" Jamison plopped down next to him on the couch. "We were just talking about it!"
"Thinking of leaving?" Moira appeared in front of them, completely indifferent to the drama occurring around them.
"Don't worry, Moira!" Jamison bounced up, wobbling over to her. "We'll still come find ya for supplies!"
"And gas," Mako rumbled.
"Of course," Moira didn't expect something as silly as a failed raid to make them cancel the unspoken contract they had. "I'll be sure to be generous when you stop by, before you leave, I presume?"
"Yeah," Mako snorted. "Running low."
"As descriptive as ever," Moira liked that the most about this one. The rat did enough talking for the entire continent. "I'll be waiting."
"C'mon, mate!" Jamison said, getting Mako off the couch. "We've got a heist to plan!"
And as the two rodents left the castle, Moira had her own agenda. She decided to stay in the common area and wait to see the hunters who had the balls to break in.
"Niran! You cannot be serious!" Satya couldn't believe he was so out of it! As soon as she heard the explosion, she remembered something about there being a trap set up in the cellar years ago. She never thought it would be triggered, and it sent her into panic mode.
She rushed back to her room and found him standing at the window as if he'd seen a ghost! She walked up to him and held him by the shoulders, trying to shake some sense into him. "This is a matter of life or death! You must snap out of it!"
Niran was frozen, his senses flooded with the same warm, earthy scent that came from the mysterious stranger he bumped into yesterday. Only the explosion coming from the cellar left him with the harrowing realization that he might not be so mysterious after all! "Maybe it's just a coincidence…" he mumbled.
"What are you saying?" Satya rushed over to her closet, digging out her getaway bag and throwing clothes into it. "Only a hunter would have set that bomb off."
"It just can't be…" Due to the nature of his abilities, he had heightened senses. He picked up on things before everyone else did. He smelled him before the explosion, and he thought he smelled the tempting scent of blood, but that thought was quickly cut off.
It didn't make sense! He didn't feel evil intent when he saw him! Why was he breaking into their castle? What were the others doing? Did… he make it out alive? Why did he care?! Satya was right, only a hunter would break in! But… he had such sweet eyes! There was no way!
"Niran!" Satya threw her bag across her back and walked up to him. Something was seriously bothering him, but he could work through it later! "There is no time to be going through the motions right now!"
"I'm sorry…" Niran truly was apologetic, he was so out of sorts, it was unlike him! He needed to get it together and gather his things and head to his next destination in life. "I'll pack my bag."
"Good," Satya looked at him long and hard before hopping onto the windowsill. They made a plan long ago to meet at a certain set of coordinates if they ever had to run. It may take a few days to get there, but it was safe. "I love you, mera dost. Please be safe."
"Yes…" Niran was sad to be separating like this, but he knew it would happen eventually. That's why he had everything planned out to the last detail. "We'll meet soon."
"Niran," Satya said, a serious tone to her voice. "Don't let your feelings get you in trouble." With that, she leapt out of the window and disappeared into the forest.
She was right. He was letting himself get all worked up for no reason. His safety mattered most, and he needed to remember that… no matter how strange this all was. He hurried to his room and packed everything he considered important, when again, his nose was bombarded with that glorious scent.
He survived. And he was getting closer.
He started to panic, running over to his window and undoing the latch that kept it shut. Was he really that bold to scope out the place after an attack like that? He hated to say that the thought intrigued him. He pushed it open and stepped onto the frame, stopped by the sound of his bedroom door opening.
As Baptiste made his way through that undeniably intricate castle, he was surprised at how empty it was. He'd gone through at least a dozen rooms, and they were all abandoned. Why go through the trouble of shrouding it with tech if there were only one or two vamps that lived there?
He walked down another corridor, hopes low as he opened the door to the first room. He paused, the open window and the broken dish, the messy bed and the dresser drawers left open, this room was lived in. He ventured inside, checking the closet to make sure it was empty. Times like these, he wished his earpiece wasn't broken so he could tell Mauga to be on the lookout for a runner.
He left the room and went to the one across the hall, hesitant when he put his hand on the knob. There was a good chance this one was lived in, maybe even occupied, so he needed to be ready for anything.
But nothing could have prepared him for what he saw when he opened the door.
He stood there frozen, mouth hanging ajar as he saw the breathtaking being he bumped into the previous day, currently trying to escape through the window. He… was a vamp.
They locked eyes for what felt like an eternity, Niran could barely wrap his head around what was happening! His hunches were right, that handsome, stunning man was a hunter. And to make things more confusing, he looked absolutely delectable in all that gear. Aside from being assaulted by the sweet smell of blood coming from his obviously injured leg, he was drowning in the scent of his musk! He was going to go crazy.
Baptiste's heart suddenly sank. This creature of perfection was being uprooted from his home and it was all because of him. But why was he feeling these strange emotions for a vamp? He took the medicine and on top of that, he should be numb to any charm. This was so confusing! He couldn't break their gaze!
Niran faltered. Just as he suspected, there was no malicious intent coming from him at all. And for some reason, he hated the fact that he was injured. He turned the corner of his lip up in a tiny, but sad smile.
Baptiste knew he was about to jump, and it took everything in him to not run up to him and grab him! …why? God, this was insane! He couldn't explain what was going on even if he tried! And when he gave him that cute little smile? It nearly ended him. "Ou bèl…" he uttered just before he seemingly vanished into the wind.
What the hell.
It took him a few minutes to compose himself, and he could have used a few more, but he couldn't linger. There were probably others. But to be honest… his heart wasn't in it anymore. That guy, he did something to him, and he could never breathe a word about it to Mauga, or he'd never hear the end of it.
Speaking of the devil, he heard his voice coming from downstairs. He was so loud, he was hard to miss. Who was he even talking to? With the pain medication beginning to wear off, he limped down the hall and followed the conversation down the steps and around the corner. "Mauga?"
"Buddy! I knew you were alive!" Mauga exclaimed in relief, walking up to him to check him out. He was a little worried when he couldn't find him in that cellar, so seeing him alive and almost well was a huge weight off. "Damn, you're pretty beat up!" He leaned in, keeping his voice low. "I'll be sure to take it easy on you tonight."
Baptiste couldn't even fight him off, he was so out of it. He looked at the slender woman standing off to the side. There was something… off about her. Was she a vamp? "Who is this?"
"Doctor Moira O'Deorain, at your service," she said, walking up to him and extending a hand. "I'm sure you hunters have heard my name."
Ah, the doctor. She wasn't very well-liked amongst the hunter community, given her reputation for creating S-class vamps. While some wanted her dead, others tolerated her. But what was she doing there?
"And guess what?" Mauga cheesed, throwing an arm around him. "She's got a job for us!"