Dominik
“Stop here,” I growl at Attila, and he brings the SUV to a halt.
The moon hangs like a sliver of silver in the sky. It yields little light in this forested area, and as I open the door, the sounds of the night creatures fill the cabin.
I don’t know why I was compelled to stop here, but all I know is it’s important. As I get out of the vehicle, it hits me like a train.
Her scent. Lucy. She was here, right on the spot where we are.
I lift my head to suck in more of her. Werewolves think they have the monopoly on scenting, but they’re nowhere near as sensitive as a vampire.
Not only was she here, but there were three other humans and a large vehicle which has some gearbox problems, and it has left a trail of fluid.
I pull open the driver’s door.
“Get out. I’m driving,” I growl at Attila.
He instantly obeys me as Viktor lands with a thump off to one side.
“Gearbox oil?” he says. I nod in agreement.
“I’ll see you there,” he says, opening his wings again. “With the Hadúr.”
I throw my head back with a groan which can surely be heard back in Budapest. This is not going to end well if the Hadúr are involved.
If I wasn’t so damn desperate to get Lucy back, I’d have told Viktor where to shove his offer of assistance. I roll down the window enough so I get the scent of the gearbox oil in my nostrils once more and press down hard on the gas.
The sooner we get to where they took her, the sooner I can start tearing out throats.
It doesn’t take long before it’s clear the destination is, as I felt in my bones, Wurzburg.
The Bavarian landscape rushes past as I continue to defy what speed limits there are in my desire to get to the final destination before they consider leaving.
Which, if they act like most humans, will be in the morning.
It gives us about five hours of darkness left. And I need the darkness because those who thought it was a good idea to stake me and take my mate…they’re going to discover exactly why it was not.
The signposts count down the kilometers to the small cathedral city, and as we drive into the silent streets, I’m doing my level best to differentiate the scent of the oil I picked up in the forest from everything else in this city, but it’s there and it’s faint.
“Do we have any approximate location for the Van Helsing stronghold?”
“It’s near the cathedral, boss, but that’s all we know.” Attila looks up from his phone. “I’m attempting to gain access to the CCTV in this area, to see if there’s any…”
I spot the figure outlined against the moon briefly before Viktor disappears.
“Don’t worry about that. We’ve got a gargoyle, and if anyone knows what’s been going on here, the stone watchers will.”
I pull the car to the curb, and the rest of the convoy pulls up behind me. Fortunately the Hadúr stay put because I have enough to deal with, not including wrangling Nandor.
“Get ready,” I rasp at my team. “But wait.” I exit the car and lean against it, looking up at the cathedral, a place the humans built to worship a story, and yet they thought we were mere tales rather than beings.
We wait. I’m used to waiting. All vampires are used to it, but this time it seems to go on for as long as I am alive. My fangs ache, my head pounds, and my chest is sticky from the blood spilt in the staking. All I want is to have Lucy back.
My need for vengeance gnaws at my insides. A desperation I have never felt before crawls up my spine. Viktor thumps down next to the vehicle.
“I’m told there’s been some recent movements in a building on the other side of the cathedral. It’s been empty for some time and is now occupied again by humans who speak English.”
“Sounds like it’s the Van Helsing stronghold.” I tap on the car window, and Attila rolls it down. “Anything on their whereabouts? The gargoyles have said on the other side of the cathedral.”
My second nods. “I’ve traced a number of purchases by their shell companies in the city, and there is a residential building on the far side.” He nods. “It’s fortified, if the schematics are correct.”
“Sounds like we have our stronghold.” I rub at my chin.
“Do you have a plan, or are you intending getting staked again?” Viktor rumbles.
I glare at the great stone gargoyle. “Go on then. Give me your plan, given I’m getting it for free.”
He narrows his eyes. “Don’t make me regret my decision to help you.”
“Oh, you’re going to regret it by the time this night is over, believe me,” I reply.
Viktor rocks gently, as if he’s been pushed slightly off balance, his eyes glowing in the dark.
“I am a vampire, Viktor. They took my mate. They are going to pay. If you don’t have the stomach for it, then you need to leave. Now.”
One by one, my guards exit my vehicle and the ones behind me.
“I am with you, but I will take no part in dealing with the humans,” Viktor says. “Only the rescue of your mate.”
“Then what use are you?” I snarl, gesturing to my guards who swirl away in mist. “I need action, and the Van Helsings will not go down without a fight.”
“Not everything is dealt with by fang and claw,” Viktor intones.
“Just because you’ve outlived all your enemies doesn’t make you the oracle on when violence is needed,” I growl.
“The Van Helsings have had every chance to give up their ridiculous persecution of vampires. Even though the whole world embraces what and who we are, they still persist. I will not grant them any more grace.”
“Then so be it.” Viktor opens his huge wings and with a heavy downstroke, he is in the air. Almost unnoticed, the Hadúr take off and follow on behind.
“So much for their assistance,” Attila growls.
“As always, we’ll need to get the job done on our own.” I grin at him. “And personally, I fancy our odds. Because Van Helsing took what’s mine, and he doesn’t get to make the same mistake twice.”