He stood and gestured to Simon. "If you want to know what Georgina has planned, then fight me."
"Don't mind if I do!" Dolf yelled as he rushed past us.
Simon stretched out his hand, but missed catching our wolfy friend. "Wait!"
Dolf leapt off the short cement porch just outside the doorway. He transformed mid-leap and aimed his landing at the man atop the door.
A shadow flew from the side and knocked Dolf off course. The shadow and Dolf tumbled to the ground and stopped on their feet in a hunched position. Dolf curled his lips back and growled. The shadow did the same, and I realized it was a werewolf.
I heard doors open and bang against the walls behind us. I spun around and my eyes widened as I watched a small army of werewolves burst from the side rooms. They stampeded down the hall on all fours with their teeth gnashing and their claws clacking against the hard floor.
"Out!" Simon yelled as he grabbed my arm and dragged me into the alley.
Certus was behind us, and he took a defensive position in the open doorway. The first werewolf met his hard fist, as did the second, but the others behind them slammed into him, knocking him into us. I was knocked loose from Simon's hold and stumbled into the middle of the narrow alley. More shadows with yellow eyes dropped from the roofs above. Their long faces filled with sharp teeth snapped at us.
One of the werewolves dashed towards me and scooped me into its furry arms. I swung a hard punch that connected with the side of its face. It yelped and dropped me rear-first onto the ground. I climbed to my feet only to be picked up by another werewolf and slung over their shoulder. The position gave me a great view of the fighting.
Simon was held down to the ground by a pack of six while Certus and Dolf had their hands full with the other half dozen. Simon's eyes fell on me and I saw them blaze with a strong red light.
"Faith!" he screamed.
I stretched out my arm to him as the werewolf ran away with me. "Simon!"
My werewolf captor rounded the corner and ran to the curb where a long gray limo awaited us. The rear passenger door opened, and I was unceremoniously tossed inside. I tumbled to the other door and slammed my head on the handle. The door slammed shut behind me and the car sped forward.
I righted myself and rubbed my head. "God damn werewolves. . ."
"But they are so very reliable."
I sat up and whipped my head around. My eyes fell on a shadow seated opposite me. I felt my heart skip a beat when I recognized the hideous hat atop their head.
Georgina switched on the overhead light and leaned forward. A sly smile covered her lips as she studied me. "Good evening, Miss Luvena. I hope your journey through the sewers was not as unpleasant as its smell on you." I lung for the door on my left. Locked. I froze as Georgina chuckled behind me. "You can try the other one, as well, but you'll meet with the same results."
Thoughts flew through my mind as I tried to recall high school history and what Simon had told me about gorgons. A light bulb clicked on. I slammed my eyes shut and turned to face her. "W-what do you want with me?"
She sighed. "I'm hurt. You trust me so little."
I frowned. "That doesn't answer my question."
I stiffened when I felt her move from her seat to the one on my right. She set her hand on my arm and leaned close to my ear. Her hot, whispered breath brushed against my skin and sent shivers through me. "What I want is for you to open your eyes and see the world as it truly is."
I snorted. "What you want is for me to turn into a statue."
Her hand stroked my left cheek. I jerked away from her touch. "What I want is for you to understand that I only wish to help you navigate this strange world Simon has thrown you into. He is your enemy, not I."
I rolled my eyes behind my eyelids. "What a bunch of bullshit."
She chuckled and pulled away from me. "Is it? Am I the one who's watching you die and doing nothing to stop it?"
I frowned and turned my face to her. "What the hell does that mean?"
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all," she replied as she removed herself back to her seat. I cracked open one eye. "I was just trying to tell you there was another way out." Her eyes studied me. "Another way to free you from this so-called 'inevitable death.'"
I narrowed my eyes. "How?"
She leaned back in her seat and shrugged. "It's really quite easy. I don't know why Simon didn't tell you before." She paused. Her mouth dropped open and her eyes widened. Her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my. I think-" Her face took on a sly look as she turned back to me. "I think it's because you have to destroy him."
I started back. "Wait. Killing him will free me?"
She laughed and shook her head. "No. Vampires can't be killed. They can only be destroyed." She leaned towards me and set one elbow on her crossed legs. Her whispered voice floated towards me. Its tone was tense, excited. "You see, the secret is a human bitten by a vampire must destroy their creator to free them from the curse of the undead. That is the only way to save your soul from undeath."
I leaned back and frowned. "Why are you telling me this?"
She straightened and shrugged. "I thought I was doing you a favor, but it appears you still don't trust me."
"You tried to kill me with your Phantoms," I reminded her.
She laughed and waved her hand at me. "They weren't trying to kill you, Miss Luvena. I summoned them to destroy Simon. You were merely present during the attack." The car slowed to a stop. Georgina glanced out the window. Her eyes lit up. "Ah! We're here. It seems our conversation has made the time fly by. Now the fun truly begins."
CHAPTER 9
The door to my right opened and Georgina stepped out. I leaned forward and caught a glimpse of a large, bank-like building situated twenty feet from the curb. The glass front on the ground level revealed a large, lit lobby.
Georgina leaned in and smiled at me. "Coming? Or do you wish to wait for your kind master in the car?"
I pursed my lips, but stepped out. Two other short black sedans were pulled up to the curb in front and in back of the limo. They were like clown cars as men-in-black stepped out and inspected the area. I didn't have to guess what kind of paranormal troopers they were.
Georgina set her hand on my back and guided me to the sliding glass doors. The entourage followed us. We stepped inside and I saw there was a long line of teller booths at the back of the lobby. A teller stood behind the single open window.
He smiled at us and bowed his head. "Good evening. How can I be of service?"
Georgina led me over to the window. She drew a card from her pocket and slid it over the counter to the man. "I wish to have this box brought to me."
He read the card and pursed his lips. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but this box can only be opened without the manager present, and he's not here at the moment."
Georgina frowned. "When is he expected to return?"
"I'm not sure. He was called away quite suddenly."
"But I want my box now," she persisted.
He shook his head and slid her card back to her. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but because the box you chose is the most secure type we offer I must wait for the manager. Only he has the keys."
Georgina leaned one elbow on the counter and smiled sweetly at him. "Is the vault werewolf-proof?"
The man smiled and nodded his head. "Yes, ma'am."
Her eyes flickered to me. "And what about human-proof?"
The man blinked at her. "I'm not really sure I know what you mean, ma'am."
Georgina raised one hand and snapped her fingers. "Oh, you will."
The werewolves behind us rushed the window. They leapt over the divide and dragged the teller out of sight beneath the counter. The men reemerged, but not the teller.
Georgina looped her arm through one of mine and guided me around the counter to a large, barred wrought-iron gate. Beyond the gate was a long hallway. She grabbed her hat and smiled at me. "You might want to shut your eyes."
My eyes widened before I slammed them shut. I heard hissing noises and a light sound of crackling like ice breaking on a lake.
"All right. It's safe."
I opened my eyes and beheld the gate changed into stone from floor to ceiling. Some of the wall around it was also gray.
Georgina pulled us aside and looked to her werewolves. She jerked her head towards the gate. "Break it."
Two of the werewolves transformed into their hulking selves and rushed the gate with their shoulders. The stone shattered beneath their force and clattered to the floor. We stepped over the pile of stone and walked down the hallway to the last door. There was a simple number keypad with a keyhole beneath the buttons.
Georgina turned to me and smiled. "Now it's your turn."
I blinked at her and shook my head. "I don't know the code."
She chuckled. "No, but I do. Unfortunately, if anyone of paranormal persuasion was to touch the pad they would be consumed by flames." She studied me from head to foot. "You, however, are not quite there yet."
I nodded at the pad. "But we don't have the key."
She pulled me forward so I stood in front of the pad. "Just follow my instructions and that won't be a problem." She leaned forward so her chin nearly rested on my shoulder. Her soft words brushed against my ear. "But if you don't, I can't guarantee your safety. You see, my werewolves are always very hungry and-well-" She chuckled. "You see what I mean." I swallowed hard and nodded. "Now follow my lead. One. Four."