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Lexicon
Rutane-rogue vampire
Sharer- council member
Aquitaine- Council Leader of City
Chapter Six
April 23
Gabriel left for New York several weeks ago. He has instructed me to remain in the city and to work with Vincent as cause arises. Since he left I have been spending time with Markus, investigating what we think is a mole. Someone has been leaking vital information to the Baden's.
It seems there are more and more dead bodies surfacing around the city. Since the flood of 1994 there are plenty of empty homes for a rutane or two to make new packs. Normally this would not cause alarm but most of them are Baden's. With Gabe in New York I am concerned it may be an attempt on the city. I sent word to Alek that I would like a meeting. But he hasn't responded yet.
Vincent has asked me to stay at his place for the time being and I agreed. The streets are no longer safe for any of us. I figure since 'they' cannot travel by day and I can, I can actually get work done. I told Vincent I was heading to Panama City for a week or longer to follow up on a lead. He thinks it's a bad idea, but he won't stop me.
May 3
I hate to admit it, but Vincent was right. Panama City was a waste of time. I did not find what I was looking for, although I did see an old friend there. I didn't approach him, I just kind of watched from afar.
His name is Noah, and seeing him brought back the pain of my former life. Noah and I were close and if I hadn't ended up with Gabe, I would now probably have a life. I realize this sounds petty, but I have never wanted anything before. Gabriel has always given me everything I have needed. Or at least I thought so. Tonight I ached for what should have been.
October 12
Gabriel has been gone nearly six months now. I have spent my days on the streets and I actually have a semi-balance of a normal life. I met a man. He is a surfer and his name is Johnny. We have gotten pretty close to each other. Hell, I have even stopped carrying a gun when I am with him. I know it's not wise, but how do I explain to a mortal human why I carry guns? He seems fun, and I find myself interested. But I also know he isn't Noah or Marcus.
January 3
Gabriel has sent for me. I leave for New York in the morning. I'm excited about seeing him again. It has been too long. I didn't realize how much I missed him until he called me. He has also asked Vincent to come with me. It seems there are some major changes coming for House Michelson. Georgia is seeing the biggest as well as Maryland.
I have it on good word that Vincent is taking over the SouthEast United States as the Regional Junta. It is a huge position and responsibility. I think he can handle it though. I think I will miss him. He grows on you in time and I have a lot of time with him.
March 13
I returned to Albany, Georgia after receiving word the Aquitane was missing and most of the sharers as well. There is a meeting of the Houses taking place tonight at Alexis' home. What happened after the meeting has changed me forever. I wasn't prepared for what we found when we went to Leesburg, Georgia.
A strange cold front had moved over the area as Yada drove to meet Markus and the rest of the representatives from the Houses. It had been three days since anyone heard from the Council or any of its members. The phone lines to the Hall were disconnected and there was no visible power to the building.
She reached over the back of the seat for her leather jacket and nearly swerved off the road. After recovering from the near miss, she called and left a message for Gabriel that the mood was worse than she had expected, and she would be in touch just as soon as she left the Hall. Turning into a full parking lot, she had a sudden chill move across her neck. The parking lot should have been empty. She recognized several of the cars belonging to the sharers. It didn't make any sense.
She approached Markus, slowly. "What's going on?" she asked quietly.
"I'm not sure yet. I just got here. But it seems we are waiting on Anthony and Erin. Anthony called a few minutes ago and said don't go in until he was here. Elizabeth noticed the front doors have been bolted from the outside."
Nodding she answered, "It makes sense, since he is the second in command of House Arcane, and this is an Arcadian building." Yada removed her cigarettes and lit one. She noticed a man standing just inside a shadow. "Markus, if you will excuse me, I see someone I need to speak to."
He nodded and watched the front door of the building. He had been here many times over the last twenty years and this was the first time he had ever known the doors to be locked from the outside.
Yada walked to the edge of the building and spoke to what seemed to be no one. "Alek, interesting you would be here."
"Still perceptive I see," he said, stepping to her right side. "I expected you to be here." He nodded. Alek had been tracking her since she got off the plane. He had an interest in her. She piqued his curiosity.
"So what has happened?" Yada tried to get him to give her anything. She knew Gabriel relied on his Intel.
"I don't know. But when we go inside, you will stay near me." It was not a request. "Whatever we find in there may not bring about the reaction you are used to."
"Fine," she grumbled under her breath. Looking back to the crowd gathered she spotted Anthony and Erin. "Looks like the gangs all here," she mumbled.
"Yada, remember whatever happens, stay by my side." Alek reminded her. He had been to many slayings and knew some of the lesser vampires may not be able to control their blood lust. He wanted Yada close just in case.
She nodded as they walked to the doors. Anthony took a pair of bolt cutters and removed the lock. The moment the door opened, the stench of death and decay overwhelmed the group. Yada fought the urge to empty her stomach. She stepped closer to Alek and tugged his sleeve as her knuckle rested under her nose.
"I want everyone to go in two-by-two. Touch as little as possible until the trackers can get a scent." Anthony said in a stern tone. He looked over the men and women. Spotting Alek, he waved him forward with Yada in tow. "I want you to go in first."
"Of course Anthony," Alek said. He looked over his shoulder to Yada. "Stay one step behind me, do you understand?"
Yada nodded, but didn't say a word. They went inside. Yada held the colt in her right hand and a PT/24.9 mm in the left, over top of the colt. The stench of rot became thicker and the air thinner. Yada placed a finger under her nose again in an attempt to block out the smell. Alek led them through the main hall before unsheathing his katana. The floor and walls were covered in blood and matter. He brought his finger to his lips before opening the first office door.
His hand moved to the light switch but the light was out. In the pale light seeping in the room from a flashlight in the hallway, he could see a figure slumped over the desk. He moved forward gradually. Someone from the hall turned a light in.
Yada was not ready for what she saw. Kevin Harden of House Baden was flayed, his chest ripped open and his insides splayed on the desk. His hands were hung to the walls with wire. His tongue had been pulled through his neck and nailed to the desk. Alek turned to Yada. She buried her face in his chest. She fought the urge to release the contents of her stomach. Alek quickly led her out of the room and outside.
Once away from the doors he looked at her. She was pale and green. Yada could not hold it any longer. She rushed to the side of the building and puked several times. Alek kneeled besides her rubbing her back. When she had nothing else to left, she wiped her mouth. He held her to his chest until she could talk.
"What the hell," she gasped. Until now she thought she had seen just about everything. But seeing Kevin like that was too much to handle.
"Hell is the right word," Alek agreed. "It's going to be like that all through the building. You don't have to go back inside. I want you to stay right here. Don't move until I get back. Do you understand?"
She nodded. With a shaky hand, she reached for a cigarette. Leaning against the side of the building she watched as fourteen people filed from the building one by one. Each had the same expression of remorse or regret. Alek was one of the last to come out. Anthony pulled him to the side and talked briefly. When Alek returned he quickly took Yada to her car.
"Send word to Gabriel that we are under siege and get to the coven as quickly as you can. We are going to clean the mess here. I'll meet you later tonight."
"I'll meet you at the apartment," she whispered.
She called Gabe, but he was most likely with Michael. She left an urgent message with Cindy to find Gabe and have him call her back. Yada drove back to the riverfront and not to the apartment but to Johnny's house. After seeing the death and destruction, she knew she could never have a life outside of the House. Yada recalled Noah and the life denied, and she knew she would have to stop seeing Johnny. But she needed to see him one last time. Standing outside his apartment and watching through the window, he was there playing his guitar. She did not have the nerve to knock so just watched. An hour passed and she knew she could never see him again. Slowly she walked away.
About a block from the car, she heard someone behind her. As she spun around to see who it was, she felt the first sting to her cheek. She fell back against the wall. A moment later, she felt her body being lifted several inches off the ground and then the intense pain as a silver stake was jammed threw her shoulder.
She screamed in pain as a heavy hand covered her mouth. It was only then did training take over. With her right foot, she kicked the man's knee from the side. Hearing a popping sound and his attack slowed. She reached for a weapon, but he punched her again, and she lost track of what she was doing. Finally, she reached forward and gripped him by the hair. With all the strength she had, she forced his head toward the stake. Impaling him she watched as his body jerked and finally stilled.
Panting she rested her head on the wall. Biting down on the collar of her shirt, using her knees she pushed the body. It fell with a heavy thud. Looking at the spike in her shoulder, she placed her feet on the wall and pushed her body forward. She tried to muffle her scream as she fell towards the ground. Laying for several minutes in shock, she wanted to die. She wanted the pain to end. She gathered her thoughts. She had to go; she had to get as far from the scene as possible. Staggering down the street, she felt a hand catch her. Reaching for the small of her back, she tried to free the colt.
"Yada," a familiar voice invaded her thoughts. Looking up she saw Alek. He was the last thing she saw before her cheek hit the pavement.
