Darkness Rises(122)

Roland took out his phone and called for a cleanup, then started after the vampire.
Krysta caught his pant leg as he passed, clutching it with a hand that shook. “P-Please.”
He knelt beside her, brushed her hair back with gentle fingers.
“H-help him,” she begged, looking at Michael, too weak to point. “S-save him.”
Roland shook his head, his strong face full of compassion. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “One of them tried to turn him. If he lives, he will become a monster like them. Dying is far more merciful.”
Darkness threatened.
David withdrew his touch.
Krysta stared at Roland through eyes full of moisture. “You were there.”
He nodded. “I arrived too late to save him. He had been infected on too large a scale and, as a human, would have turned vampire. Had he lived, he would have long since lost his sanity by now.”
She blinked, knowing he spoke the truth. Tears trailed down her cheeks.
Beside her, Étienne released her hand and wrapped a comforting arm around her.
“Thank you for saving me,” she said.
He dipped his head in acknowledgment and looked from her to Étienne. “I am doubly glad now that I was able to do so.”
The front door opened and Chris entered, the strap of a bulging soft leather briefcase looped over one shoulder. Securing the door behind him, he headed for the table and took one of the two unclaimed chairs, leaving the chair at the opposite end of the table from David empty.
Greetings flowed around the room as Darnell took out his phone and dialed, but the call went to Seth’s voice mail.
He met David’s gaze as he put away the phone.
David turned his head to one side, as though listening, and closed his eyes. “Seth.”
Everyone exchanged glances.
“Yes.” David opened his eyes and faced them. “He shall be here shortly.”
Sheldon stared. “Where is he?”
“Anchorage.”
“Alaska?”
“Yes.”
“And he could hear you?”
“Yes.”
Lisette met Étienne and Richart’s gazes. “That’s amazing. I have to at least be in the same state to hear my brothers.”
Krysta looked up at Étienne as he nodded.
David shrugged. “I’m older. It requires a great deal of power.”
“That’s awesome,” Sheldon said. “Can you contact any immortal that way?”
“Yes.”
“Would you tell Oscar in California that I want the hundred bucks he owes me? He isn’t answering his phone.”
David stared at him.
Sheldon swallowed. “You aren’t telling him, are you?”
“No.”
Krysta’s tears dried as amusement sifted through her.
Seth appeared just inside the front door, katanas in hand, his face and clothing blood-splattered. “One moment,” he told them, then vanished.
Krysta heard a faucet turn on down in the basement. Rustling. The water shut off.
Seth reappeared, face and hands clean, fresh clothing adorning his tall form, weapons sheathed. He took his seat. “Sean,” he said, “I understand you wish to be transformed.”
Every eye turned to Sean. “Yes, sir.”
“You have my permission. Étienne may transform you at any time of your choosing after tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“Tonight I would like you to remain here and offer what aid you can in the infirmary in case any of the wounded come here instead of going to the network. A staff is already on hand, ready to be of service, and have been informed of your ability.”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help.”
“Do not push yourself too far healing or you may not live long enough to be transformed.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Chris?”
Chris rose and, opening his briefcase, began to hand out file folders. “Seth and David inspected the compound this afternoon. These are the schematics they drew. Since the tracking devices could be discovered at any moment, we need to strike tonight.”
Étienne took the folder offered to him. “How do you know they haven’t already been discovered?”
“My men have been surveilling the place all day. There has been no increase in activity. Although we do believe the commander arrived just before sunset with two other men. The mercenaries all saluted him and treated him with deference and respect.”
Krysta took a folder, feeling a sense of pride that she was now one of them and treated as such. Even Sean was given a folder.
Chris handed David one and rounded the table.
Marcus took a folder. “Do you know who the commander is yet?”
“No. My men had to keep their distance to avoid compromising their mission and couldn’t get a good look at his face.”
Krysta studied the map. A large main building. Two hangars that shielded who knew what. Helicopters.