The Blood Order (Fanghunters Book Two) Read online

  "Laying low, huh?" Sammy echoed with a contemptuous nod. "So, where is he?"

  Dom frowned. "Where's who?"

  "Eddie."

  Dom flinched as if that name had just slapped him. "Eddie?" he echoed.

  "Yeah. You know, that little brother of yours. Where is he?"

  Dom's mouth began moving, but no words were spilling out.

  "What's up with you, Dom? You don't understand what I'm saying?" Sammy asked. "Your brother. The one who stole from me. Where is he?"

  There was a menacing glare in the vamp's eyes that Dom was hearing loud and clear. The other vamps were all glaring at him too. He could sense something was about to go down. His chest tightened. Fear started to swarm all over his body. He then realized to his horror that the only escape route was the door he entered through. And right then it was blocked by Seth's bulky frame.

  Dom focused his attention back on Sammy. Somehow Eddie had pissed him off. Dom needed to know how and why. "Why do you want Eddie?" Dom then asked, his legs trembling beneath his trousers.

  The vamp's eyes then brightened. He let out a hearty laugh. "Are you kidding me, Dom? Why do I want Eddie? What's wrong, you been getting high on your own supply?"

  Dom frowned, his eyes darting left and right. Own supply? What the hell was this creature talking about?

  Dom remained silent. He didn't know what to say.

  Sammy's face then turned dark. "Okay, Dom, I'm tired of this shit. You either tell me where Eddie is or hand over the sample. Now!"

  Sample?

  "I don't have the sample. And I don't know where Eddie is."

  Sammy put his hands out to the sides. "Well, isn't that a shame? Looks like you've outlived your purpose, Dominic."

  Sammy then flicked on his eyes. They whirled and swirled like tornadoes, freezing Dom in place before he had time to react, to run, to put up a fight. Anything. His grip on his Bud loosened; it dropped to the floor, spilling beer across the carpet.

  Sammy lunged, his fangs bared.

  Dom's cement feet tried to turn, but it was useless. He was rooted; a statue. He watched on with terrified eyes, helpless, the booming drums and basses from the dance floor now exploding in his mind. In a flash, Sammy was on him. Dom's body juddered as claws grabbed his shoulders, and pulled him in. He tried to fight, tried to resist, but it was futile.

  He watched Sammy's open jaws thrust in toward his throat with bulging eyes.

  A sudden crash split the flow of beats.

  The door to the booth flew open; it smashed into Seth's back. He hit the floor like a felled tree. Heads snapped toward the open doorway. The noise severed Sammy's attention to Dom's neck; he stopped just short of it and instead flicked his head toward the door.

  Everyone watched on in silence as a small canister rolled through the open doorway and across the carpet. It stopped for a second, everyone in the room watching it in confusion, wondering what it was. Without warning, it began spewing thick white smoke in all directions. Within moments, the small room was swarmed. The room erupted into coughing fits, screams, and panic.

  Dom zoned back in from his icing. Before he could react, harsh fumes shot into the back of his throat. Hot coughs burst from his chest, his eyes watering, his tongue lolled from his mouth. Somewhere in the smoky chaos there was a brief scuffle; the smack of boots and fists on flesh broke the sound of screams and chokes. Bodies hit the carpet with loud thuds.

  Dom turned in the white, misty madness, his arms outstretched like a scarecrow, his head a spinning top. He turned left and right, his senses totally lost.

  There were some more whacks around him, followed by groans. Bodies continued to drop in rapid succession, the sound of them hitting the deck, accompanied with screams.

  I better get outta here, before I get a smack too!

  He burst into life. He went to spin away when a strong force shoved him from the back. His eyes popped. He groaned in pain as it shot through him. Before he had a chance to fight back, he was pushed through the smoke. The outline of the entrance jumped into view. He flew through it, back out into the corridor beyond where the air was smoke-free. He snapped his head up and sucked in the clean air as if his life depended on it.

  Now the air was clear, he took the opportunity to see who it was pushing him along. He spun his groggy head around to lay his eyes on a head covered with a gas mask. He flinched in surprise.

  "Move!" burst a muffled voice from behind the mask.

  Dom went to speak, but the masked intruder shoved him along the corridor. Dom went with the flow, staggering along the corridor, just glad to be away from the vamps and the VIP booth. He'd leave the questions till when they were safe.

  From the end of the corridor, two bouncers came running their way. Dom spotted them at the last moment. He went to throw a punch when he was pushed to the side. He hit the carpet. He rolled over to watch one of the bouncers walk straight into Mask's heeled boot. The bouncer's head snapped back with a nasty crack. Dom winced. The other bouncer lunged. Mask spun away from the attack in an elegant pirouette. The bouncer's momentum forced him into the tinted glass wall. Mask kicked him hard in the butt. His head smashed into the glass with a dang! The glass vibrated under the pressure. He slid down it, falling in a crumpled heap. The original bouncer had shaken off the blow Mask already served him; he threw a punch, aiming at the back of Mask's head.

  "Look out!" Dom blurted.

  Mask ducked. The flying fist cut through the air where her head had just been; it smashed into the glass. It obliterated, fragments of glass showering the area. The bouncer recoiled, shaking his hurt and bleeding hand on the air. Mask rushed up to him with quick, tiny steps, boots crunching on glass shards. While the bouncer nursed his cut hand, Mask thrust a strong boot into his midriff. Mask's roar cut through the music. The blow sent the bouncer reeling. He staggered back, before smashing into the carpet in an agonized heap.

  Dom watched on with woozy eyes, unable to believe what he was witnessing.

  Mask jumped over to his side. "Come on!" ordered that muffled voice once more.

  Dom then found himself dragged to his feet and pushed toward the stairs. He soldiered on, his senses zoning back in.

  A sound from behind made them both turn. Vamps were stumbling out of the VIP booth, coughing and choking. "There they are!" one of them shouted, pointing their way.

  "Quick!" Mask urged, pulling Dom down the stairs. He staggered down them, falling down the last few. He rolled, then hit the floor, landing on his back with a groan.

  "Oh man..." he moaned, his stare fixed on the ceiling. Mask then came into his field of vision. She reached down, grabbed his shirt, and yanked him up. He got gingerly back to his feet.

  "I can't take much more of this," he told Mask.

  Mask showed no sympathy. "Just move!" came the reply.

  Mask grabbed him by the waist and pushed him along. Dom placed his arm around Mask's shoulder, who was guiding him along, checking behind them both every couple of seconds. They pushed through the double doors leading to the dance floor. Heavy dance beats hit them. Dom looked up and around. He spotted a couple of bouncers on radios, eager eyes searching the club.

  "Over here!" Mask said, edging him toward the dance floor where they could mingle into the sea of bodies. They entered the subterfuge of the strobe lights; the mist of sweat and tangle of arms and legs offering concealment. Revelers bumped and rubbed against them both the moment they became drowned in the multitude of limbs. Dom was worried he'd lose Mask. He held on tight while Mask led him through the tangle, the music beating against his mind like war drums. The joy and pleasure of the ravers was a complete contrast to his confused and panicked state of mind. It was all bangs, and flashing lights and panic. They edged their way through the bodies, the claustrophobia biting. It was like navigating a swamp.

  Make it through! he urged himself. Make it through!

  They bumped and bustled through more ravers before they finally made it to the other side of the dance floor. M
ask stopped and looked around. Dom caught a glimpse of the entrance. It was swarming with the bouncers that greeted him on the way in.

  No way out through there.

  "This way!" Mask then snapped, before pulling him out of the dance floor and toward the bathrooms. Dom staggered over, his legs barely holding on.

  Just hang in there, he told himself.

  They dived into the thin corridor leading to the bathrooms. Mask grabbed the door handle and swung it open, throwing Dom inside the corridor beyond. A couple of girls came out from the ladies and stopped in fright on seeing Mask. One of them shot a hand up to her mouth. The other screamed.

  Dom rolled his eyes. Could they just catch a break? Just one?

  Mask ignored them both, instead pulling Dom along the corridor, past the men's room and toward the emergency escape at the end. On reaching it, she pulled the lever down and kicked the door open. A blast of cool, night air hit Dom's sweaty face; it was like a sensuous kiss after a flurry of hateful slaps.

  Mask threw the door shut behind them and now the music was nothing but that low rumble in his chest.

  Relief shot up into Dom's mind in a cold rush. He bent over, grabbed his thighs and panted like a dog, the night air making his head spin. But, he wasn't allowed any respite.

  "We're not away yet," Mask declared, putting a hand under his arm and dragging him through the small alley they were in. Dom groaned. He just wanted to be left alone, not dragged around like a rag doll. Mask led him to the end of the alley, boots echoing off the concrete. The fresher air was giving Dom renewed strength in his legs. He managed to get upright. On seeing this, Mask let him go and ran up ahead to the end of the alley to check left and right before venturing out. Dom caught up and they both began walking fast along the street beyond, away from the club. Dom looked over his shoulder to see a now dwindling line outside.

  "Don't look back," Mask commanded. Dom did as he was told. He stood upright and fast walked alongside Mask like they were a couple of thieves making off with a bag full of swag. Soon, they were off the street the club was on; they cut through another alley and out onto a new street. Dom looked around, hoping Mask knew where they were going.

  Mask scanned the area. A solitary car was parked up across the street, its engine running, its windows tinted, just like the VIP booths. Dom laid eyes on it; apprehension gripped him.

  He didn't like the look of that car.

  Dark, tinted windows. Smells like vamps.

  Mask jerked his arm; he lurched into the street. "Go!"

  Dom began reluctantly walking. Mask marched across the street with a purposeful stride.

  On reaching the car, Mask threw open the back door. "Get in the car, fly boy!"

  Dom looked from the empty seat inside to the gas mask. What was this? From one bunch of crazies wanting his blood to another? Couldn't he just be left alone?

  "I said get in!" Mask repeated in no uncertain terms.

  A noise then made their heads whirl.

  The bouncers were across the street. One of them was pointing at them. "It's them!" he shouted.

  Mask met Dom's stare. "Get. In."

  Dom didn't need a second invitation. He dived into the back seat, Mask swiftly following, slamming the door shut. Mask then gave the driver's seat a firm pat. "Go!"

  The car shot off, picking up pace as the seconds ticked by. Dom swung his head around; out of the rear windshield he watched the bouncers and vamps in their fruitless foot chase. They became smaller and smaller and were finally history once the car rounded the corner. The driver slammed the gas, and then their escape was complete.

  Dom collapsed in his seat. He rubbed his face. "Man, that was intense," he said in a breathless voice.

  But, he wasn't out of danger yet. He still didn't know who it was who'd just rescued him from the vamps. The realization of his predicament set in; his chest tightened and he sat bolt upright in his seat. He turned to face the mystery person in the gas mask, who was now facing him, looking like some kind of early Halloween celebrator.

  "Who are you?" Dom asked, his voice laced with concern.

  The mystery figure responded by reaching up and pulling off the gas mask.

  Dom gasped. His eyes widened. He now found himself staring at the pair of eyes that had haunted him non-stop for the last week. A pair of green eyes.

  Emerald green eyes.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  At first Dom was speechless; the purr of the car's engine the only thing audible.

  "What were you doing there?" the owner of the green eyes then asked him in an agitated tone, puncturing that sound. There was a frown on her stern face.

  "It's you!" Dom exclaimed.

  "It sure is."

  "Who are you?"

  "From the looks of things, I'm your guardian angel. Except I don't do the angel thing too good..."

  Dom shook his head. "Whu--whu--whu--" he then stammered, barely knowing what to say or how to say it. There was too much confusion, too many unanswered questions about too many things for him to think or even speak with any coherence.

  "Listen to me, Jack," Green Eyes said, shutting off his rambling. "You don't ever come down here again, or anywhere near here, you got it?"

  Dom's brow furrowed. "Why not?"

  "Cause I say so. You wanna hunt vamps, fine. But, I'm here to tell you that these vamps are off limits."

  "Off... limits?" Dom echoed, his voice loaded with incredulity.

  "That's right. Off limits."

  Dom shook his head. "I don't understand."

  "I already figured that," Green Eyes said with an ironic grin. She huffed, then pointed out of the rear windshield. "Those vamps back there were Order. Order vamps are off limits unless you want to trigger off a full-scale war on the streets of Chicago."

  Dom's face pinched. "But they know me. And I wanna know how they know me."

  Green Eyes looked away. "Does it really matter?"

  Dom gave her a sharp nod of his head. "Hell yes it does. They know my brother. I need to find him so I can find my family."

  Green Eyes flipped her hand on the air. "I wouldn't bother if I were you."

  "Wouldn't bother?"

  "Yeah."

  "Why not?"

  Green Eyes sighed. "Cause you'll only end up disappointed by what you discover."

  Dom sat up in his seat. "Wait a minute. You know my brother?"

  Green Eyes jabbed a finger at him. "Hey, I don't know anyone! I just know how these things always turn out."

  Dom frowned. "Who exactly are you people?" He flicked his eyes to the side. He caught a glimpse of the driver's face in the rear view; his jaw went slack. He was just a kid; looked like he just started shaving last week.

  "Is he old enough to drive?" Dom asked Green Eyes, cocking a thumb toward the driver.

  "Is he driving?" Green Eyes replied, her voice tetchy. "Yes. So I'd say he's old enough."

  Dom growled. "Look. What do you want with me?" he asked them both. "What's this really all about?"

  Green Eyes gave him a straight stare. "Hey, I just saved your ass back there. If I was a danger to you, would I have even bothered?"

  "Okay. So where are you taking me?"

  "Home."

  "Home? Humboldt is back the other way."

  "Not that home. Your new home." She sat back and stared out of her window.

  Dom went to respond, but knew she wasn't listening anymore.

  He shook his head. My new home? This chick's crazy for real.

  He thought about making a jump for it. But, like she said, she saved his ass back there. For the second time. He was sure she didn't mean him harm.

  Maybe I should just wait and see how this plays out.

  He nodded. That probably would be the best idea. He didn't really wanna mess with her, or get her more upset than she already was.

  Instead, he turned and looked out of his window. They exited the city limits where they joined Route 94. That sense of familiarity began rearing its head again inside Do
m's mind as if he'd trodden this path before. This route was in his recent memory. A half hour later they were turning off onto Route 41 toward Highland Park.

  Dom began nodding. Yeah, he was just up here last week.

  Things were getting weirder by the minute. They got even more weird once they slowed to a crawl and turned into the drive of the one of the mansions, stopping outside the wrought iron gates.

  Dom sat up in his seat. "Hey, I know this place," he declared. "This is Vincent Beauchamp's estate."

  "Clever boy," said Green Eyes.

  "What's going on?"

  "Vincent wants to speak with you."

  Dom eyed Green Eyes with suspicion. "What about?"

  "Tonight. Among other things."

  Dom shook his head. "I don't understand."

  "Here we go again..." Green Eyes lamented with a wry smile.

  The iron gates then swung open and the kid driver rolled the car through into the Beauchamp estate. Dom watched on with bated breath, half-bemused and half-intrigued. What did Vincent know about what happened to him tonight? How was he connected to Green Eyes? Who the hell was Green Eyes anyway?

  Trepidation rose inside him. Things were unfolding that had a sense of planning about them. As if fate were guiding proceedings and no matter how hard he tried to avert things, he was powerless.

  The car rolled steady and slow along the graveled path leading up to the mansion. Dom looked up at it. It was just how he left it last week. Quiet. A couple of downstairs lights were switched on. He imagined old man Beauchamp sitting in the dining room, his taxidermy specimens watching the whole room. He shivered.

  The kid came to a stop outside the front door and killed the engine.

  "Home sweet home," said Green Eyes. "Thanks, Rufus," she then said to the driver. Rufus briefly turned his head to the side and nodded, not saying a word in reply.

  "Let's go," Green Eyes said to Dom before opening her door and stepping out of the car.

  Dom went to get out, then stopped. "Hey," he said to Rufus, the driver. Rufus turned back in his seat to face him. Dom now saw just how young he was and took back the remark about him starting to shave only last week. He most probably hadn't even begun shaving yet.