Now came the most dangerous part.
I pulled my coat over my head and tugged down the sleeves so they covered my hands. Direct sunlight on my skin would cause it to blacken, rupture and eventually burst into flame, but I could buy myself time if it was covered.
Still, I was not looking forward to this.
All my vampire instincts were screaming at me to stop when I stepped out from under the branches, feeling the weak rays of dawn beating down on me. Not daring to look up, I hurried across the grounds, moving from tree to tree and darting into shade whenever I could. The stretch closest to the fence was the most dangerous, with no trees, no cover, nothing but short grass and the sun heating the back of my coat. I clenched my teeth, hunched my shoulders and kept moving.
As I approached the black iron barrier, I scooped up a scrap of metal and hurled it out in front of me. It arced through the air and struck the bars with a faint clatter before dropping to the ground. No sparks, no flash of light, no smoke. I didnt know much about electric fences, but I took that as a good sign.
Lets hope that fence really is off.
I leaped toward the top, feeling a brief stab of fear as my fingers curled around the bars. Thankfully, they remained cold and dead beneath my hands, and I scrambled over the fence in half a second and landed on the other side in a crouch.
In the brief moment it took me to leap over the iron barrier, my coat slipped off my head. My relief at being inside the fence without cooking myself was short-lived as blinding pain seared my face and hands. I gasped, frantically tugging my coat back up while scrambling under the nearest tree. Crouching down, I examined my hands and winced. They were red and aching from just a few seconds in the sunlight.
Ive got to get inside.
Keeping close to the ground, I hurried across the tangled, snowy lawn, feeling horribly exposed as I drew closer to the building. If someone pushed aside those heavy curtains in front of the huge windows, they would most definitely spot me. But the windows and grounds remained dark and empty as I reached the curving wall and darted beneath an archway, relieved to be out of the light.
Okay. Now what?
The faint tug, that subtle hint of knowing, was stronger than ever as I crept up the stairs and peeked through a curtained window. The strange, circular room beyond was surprisingly intact. A table stood in the center with several chairs around it, all thankfully deserted. Beyond that room was an empty hallway, and even more rooms beyond that.
I stifled a groan. Finding one comatose vampire in such a huge house was going to be a challenge. But I couldnt give up.
The glass on the windows was shockingly unbroken, and the window itself was unlocked. I slid through the frame and dropped silently onto the hardwood floor, glancing warily about. Humans lived here, I realized, a lot of them. I could smell them on the air, the lingering scent of warm bodies and blood. I wondered why the scent didnt knock me down the second I came into the room. If Sarren was here, hed likely paint the walls in their blood.
But I didnt run into any humans, alive or dead, as I made my way through the gigantic house, and that worried me. Especially since it was obvious this place was well taken care of. Nothing appeared broken. The walls and floor were clean and uncluttered, the furniture, though old, was sturdy and carefully arranged. The Prince who lived here either had a lot of servants to keep this place up and running, or he was incredibly dedicated to cleaning.
I continued to scan the shadows and the dozens of empty rooms, wary and alert, searching for movement. But the house remained dark and lifeless as I crept up a long flight of steps, down an equally long corridor, and stopped outside the thick wooden door at the end.
This is it.
Carefully, I grasped my sword and eased it out, being sure the metal didnt scrape against the sheath. Getting here had been way too easy. Whoever was on the other side of that door knew I was coming. If Sarren was expecting me, Id be ready, too. If Kanin was in there, I wasnt leaving until I got him out safe.
Firmly grasping the door handle, I wrenched it to the side and flung the door open.
A figure stood at the back wall, waiting, as Id feared. He wore a black leather duster, and his arms, crossed lazily over his chest, were empty of weapons. Thick, dark hair tumbled to his shoulders, and a pale, handsome face met mine over the room, lips curled into an evil smile.
Hello, sister, Jackal greeted, his gold eyes shining in the dim light. Its about time you showed up.
CHAPTER 3
Jackal, I whispered, as the tall, lean vampire sauntered toward me. I remembered when Id seen him last, the self-declared Prince of a flooded raider city, its residents as dangerous and ruthless as himself. He had gone through a lot of trouble to capture the humans Id traveled with, three years of searching the roads, of having his men comb the countryside. And once Jackal had found them, he hadnt been above sacrificing them, one by one, to get what he wanted. Zeke and I had managed to rescue our group from Jackals demented clutches, but several had died in the process, and the pain of that failure to save them still haunted me.
Why was Jackal here now? The last Id seen of him, he had been shoved out of a thirty-story windowafter, I remembered quite clearly, hed jammed a wooden stake into my stomach. I didnt have fond memories of the raider king, and I knew Jackal wasnt terribly happy with me, either.
Then the implication hit me like a brick in the chest, and I stared at him in horror. Kanin was our sire, having Turned the both of us. The raider king was my blood brother, and blood called to blood. No wonder there had been two pulls. If Jackal was here, then he was the presence Id been following. Not Kanin. Not Sarren. Id chosen to track the wrong lead.
I gripped my sword so hard the hilt bit into my palm, and I wouldve snarled in frustration had Jackal not been twenty feet away. Who knew how far Sarren had extended his lead now? Months of searching, of trying to close the gap and find my sire, all for nothing! The psychotic vampire still had him and could be on the other side of the world for all I knew.
And here I was, trapped in this house with my brother, who probably wanted to kill me.
Ive been waiting for you, sister. Jackal smiled as he approached, fangs gleaming. His duster billowed behind him, and I caught a glint of metal beneath. You took your sweet time, didnt you? And after the Prince of Old D.C. told all the guards and house staff to hide in the basement to let you through, just in case you were Hungry, you still had to skulk through the house like a common burglar. Didnt it seem a bit odd, not running into anyone?
Now I did snarl at him, baring my fangs. What are you doing here, Jackal?
Visiting the Prince, Jackal said mildly, and shrugged. Waiting for you. He continued to grin at me, smug and dangerous. Oh, whats the matter, sister? Did you not expect me? Were you hoping to run into someone else?
I was, actually, I shot back, and took a step forward, raising my sword. But Ill take care of you before I go looking for him again. Lets get on with it.
Lets not, said a low voice, and a new presence entered the room, closing the door behind her. A tall, statuesque woman gazed down at me with large black eyes. Full red lips stood out sharply against her dusky skin, and her hair floated around her face like a dark cloud. If you and Jackal are going to fight, she said in a throaty voice, then wait until tonight and do it outside. Id rather not have you throwing each other around and breaking furniture.
I was, actually, I shot back, and took a step forward, raising my sword. But Ill take care of you before I go looking for him again. Lets get on with it.
Lets not, said a low voice, and a new presence entered the room, closing the door behind her. A tall, statuesque woman gazed down at me with large black eyes. Full red lips stood out sharply against her dusky skin, and her hair floated around her face like a dark cloud. If you and Jackal are going to fight, she said in a throaty voice, then wait until tonight and do it outside. Id rather not have you throwing each other around and breaking furniture.
Azura. Jackal smiled, waving a hand at me. This is my lovely little sister.
I gathered that, the vampiress said, not returning the smile. To me, she said, Please put your weapon away. If you are going to remain in my house, you will do so on civil terms. I would hate to have you thrown out to face the sun.
I felt trapped, staring them down. Two vampires, one of whom was still a Prince and probably a Master. I was all too happy to fight Jackal again, but I doubted I could take them both. The female had that same calm, cool air of another vampire I knew, another Master, and I could feel the power in that deceitfully slender form.
I sheathed my blade cautiously, still keeping a wary eye on Jackal, who looked far too pleased with this whole situation. Whats going on?
Azura is an old acquaintance of mine, Jackal said, shooting the vampire woman a sultry look. Other than a raised eyebrow, she did not respond. I thought, since I was passing through, I would her pay a visit. Of course, once I sensed you coming, I thought Id stick around and wait for you.
If youre looking for a fight, Ill be glad to give you one.
Trust me, sister. Nothing would make me happier. Jackal bared his fangs in an evil grin, and I tensed, ready to draw my sword again. I would love to tear the head from your neck and stick it on the wall outside, but I promised Azura I would behave. He jerked his head at the vampire woman, who continued to watch us both with detached amusement. Besides, Jackal continued, I thought you might be interested to know what I discovered about Kanin and Sarren.
That threw me. I narrowed my eyes, staring him down. How do you know about that?
Oh, come on. Jackal crossed his arms. Youre not the only one looking for our dear sire. Kanin and I need to have a little talk, but that freak Sarren is making it difficult. Did you actually come here looking for them? He shook his head, either in admiration or disgust. What would you have done if it had been Sarren you stumbled onto, and not me? You think youre a match for him, little sister? He would have turned you inside out.
So what are you doing? I challenged. Hiding out here, hoping Sarren gets bored or tired of tormenting Kanin? Dont want to take on Sarren yourself?
Damn straight, Jackal returned with a flash of fangs. Im not going after that psycho unless I have to. You think Im bad? He snorted and shook his head. You havent seen anything until youve met crazy Sarren. And you sure as hell wont be able to take him on alone. Not even Kanin wanted to cross paths with him. Hell completely destroy you.
I blinked, startled at the underlying fear in Jackals voice. It sounded like he had run into Sarren before, as well, or maybe Kanin had simply warned him about Psycho Vamp and his eternal vendetta. Whatever the reason, hearing Jackals warning made me even more reluctant to face Sarren and more desperate to get Kanin away from him.
Listen to your brother, Azura broke in, startling me. He is correct. We all have heard of Sarren and his cruelty, his ruthlessness, his brilliance even through his madness. When I heard that he was in the city, I ordered my humans to not leave the house even during the day, and ran the fence continuously until I was certain he was gone.
Damn. Even the Master vampire, the Prince of this city, was scared of Sarren. How strong was he, really? Or was he just an unpredictable nut job that no one wanted around, spouting creepy poetry and making everyone nervous?
Somehow, I doubted it. Sarren was cunning and dangerous enough to capture Kanin, the strongest vampire I knew. True, Psycho Vamp had been after him for a very, very long time, and it was partially my fault that he had found us, but still. If Kanin had succumbed to Sarrens cruel insanity, what would he do to me?
So, why are you still here? I demanded, glaring at Jackal. You said you were waiting for mehere I am. What do you want?
I have a proposition for you.
Instantly suspicious, I stiffened, and Jackal sighed. Oh, dont give me that look, sister. Im a reasonable guy. He smiled dangerously. You invaded my city, set it on fire, killed my men, and destroyed over ten years of careful planning, but that doesnt mean we cant reach an agreement.
I have nothing to say to you, I growled. Theres nothing you can offer that will keep me here. Im leaving. If you want a fight, try me again when the sun goes down.
Well, thats a shame, Jackal replied, seeming unconcerned as I turned away. Because I know what Sarren was looking for.
I paused a few feet from the hall. I could feel Jackals smug, knowing grin at my back and, hating myself, turned slowly back around. What are you talking about?
Like I said, Sarren came to Old D.C. looking for something. Showed up a few days before I did, then took off again with Kanin. I didnt follow, because Im not stupid enough to take him on myself, and because I could feel you coming. So I thought Id wait for you.
You still havent answered my question. Or given me any reason to stick around. I narrowed my eyes. In fact, you have about five seconds to make your case before I walk out that door.
Oh, trust me. Youll want to hear this. The former raider king crossed his arms, unconcerned. You know how the rabids were created, dont you? he asked. That it was our dear sire, the noble Kanin himself, who sacrificed our own kind to seek a cure to the plague, only to have the humans screw everything up when they changed those vampires into rabids?
He told me.
Good. Saves me the time of explaining everything. Jackal leaned against a bookcase. Well, they didnt have just the one lab. The government had a few of them, scattered about the country, all frantically working to end the plague. And one of them is somewhere in this city. He grinned at my startled expression. Yeah, Kanin once mentioned there was a hidden lab in the old capital, and when Sarren came sniffing around, I figured thats what he was looking for.
Where is this lab?
No idea. Jackal shrugged. Figured Id talk to Azura, see if she knew anything about it. She thinks that its underneath the city somewhere, down in the old tunnel systems that run belowground. Problem is, those tunnels are crawling with rabids, making it difficult to search for it. Thats when I got the brilliant idea to wait until you showed up. I figured wed cover more ground if we looked for it together.
It was my turn to snort. And Im going to agree to help you why?
Because if you help me find the lab, Jackal returned, Ill help you save Kanin.
I dont need your help