Page 28 of Sergi (Of Blood & Dreams #7)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Sergi grabbed Gheata by the scruff of his shirt and yanked him off Alex. The powerful force, fueled by rage, was enough to slam Gheata into the counter. The male hadn’t been expecting it, and he shook his head before glancing up. He sneered at Sergi, but he didn’t have time to react.

Sergi glimpsed Alex, slowly rising to her feet. She pressed a hand to her head and teetered but managed to stand. Thankful she was alright, his focus returned to Gheata, who had risen to his knees. Sergi grabbed his shirt in one hand, his belt in the other, and threw the interrogator across the room, where he crashed into the desk.

Gheata didn’t stay down and quickly settled into a defensive posture. His face was red, his eyes narrowed into slits, but he was enjoying this. “I should have known it was you.”

Sergi shrugged. “Up to now, it hasn’t been a fair fight.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.” Gheata flew at Sergi, his fists coming fast, and Sergi blocked most of them while getting in a few punches of his own.

They broke apart and circled each other. Sergi caught a glimpse of Alex behind Gheata. She’d backed into the far corner of the lab and gripped some type of weapon. When he turned his attention back to Gheata, the male grinned.

“Your little wolf slut somehow managed to set you free. I told the director he was too lenient with the slaves. Was giving them too much responsibility. They should have been manacled with just enough chains to accomplish their tasks like the good little doggies they are. But he didn’t want to upset the scientists. There’s nothing I hate more than weak vampires.” His laugh was filled with vitriol. “Except for shifters.”

“You talk too much.” Sergi dove at him, and though Gheata’s punches connected, Sergi barely felt them. The beast shook them off, and it was growing tired of the game. Concerned guards might show up, Sergi pulled a dagger and sliced across Gheata’s belly. A streak of crimson followed in its path.

Gheata never looked down. “Now’s who’s cheating.”

“I simply thought it was time for my own interrogation.” Sergi advanced and blocked Gheata’s fist but misjudged him when Gheata stepped back and landed a solid kick to Sergi’s midsection.

He flew backward and slammed into the table, knocking over chairs, but miraculously stayed on his feet. The distance between them gave him an edge as Gheata charged. Sergi spun and delivered a high kick that connected with Gheata’s jaw.

Before Gheata could react, he stepped in and swung out with a dagger, slicing Gheata’s bicep. In a flash, he pulled out his second dagger and sliced upward, catching flesh as Gheata pushed away from Sergi.

Sergi twirled his daggers as the two vampires circled each other. The pain radiating from his chest didn’t bother him. It fed the beast, stoking its anger and cries for revenge. And for the first time, there was a flicker of uncertainty in Gheata’s eyes.

And Sergi struck.

I pushed against the darkness, my wolf whining, forcing me back to consciousness. The danger still existed. I opened my eyes, focusing on a chair leg, then the chair, until my eyesight cleared. And the previous minutes returned in a rush. A guard had pulled Gheata off me.

A body flew by, and it took me another few seconds before the guard came into view. But it wasn’t a guard.

Sergi.

Mixed feelings roiled in my head and gut. The first was irritation that Sergi hadn’t left to get help. Then gratitude as a strange warmth filtered through me. If he had left, I’d be dead—or worse.

Not that this outcome was assured, but the red glow in Sergi’s gaze didn’t scare me. It gave me hope. I scrambled to my feet, not wanting to be a casualty in their battle, but I teetered when I stood, my equilibrium off balance, and grabbed the bookshelf I’d been slammed against for support.

Punches and kicks were flying at incredible speeds, and I forced my limbs to work as I edged around the room, moving toward the safety of the lab area. I kept my eye on the battle as I searched the drawers and cabinets for a weapon. Anything I could use for defense. The third drawer revealed a pair of scissors, and I grabbed them. I inched my way to a corner behind the island and watched the battle escalate.

I considered releasing my wolf, but I didn’t want to take off the lab coat with its pockets filled with the evidence Sergi had most likely come searching for. Worry gripped me when I realized the vials could be broken. I’d wrapped them well, but I hadn’t planned on being tossed around the room. I checked both pockets, and nothing felt wet. My fingers scraped the USB drive, and relief grounded me.

Sergi kicked Gheata in the stomach, and as the interrogator doubled over, Sergi raced in and stabbed him in the kidney.

Gheata roared but didn’t go down, and when he turned to grab Sergi, he was waiting for it. He spun and delivered a roundhouse kick that clocked Gheata on the chin and, unfortunately, sent him flying in my direction.

When he slammed into me, I pushed him with one hand, then remembered the scissors in the other, and I jammed them into his gut. When he stepped away, glancing down at his wound, I ducked in and stabbed again. I’d aimed for the kidney, but the scissors hit bone.

He stepped back and was lifting his fist to me when he was yanked back. Sergi stabbed him again and again. Gheata bent over to block the blows, giving Sergi an opening. He kneed Gheata in the chin, and Gheata flew backward.

The big male wasn’t finished, but his fighting style changed from attack to survival mode. His beast was no match for the beast in Sergi. A slight physical change had enveloped Sergi’s brows and forehead. The red glow of his gaze was intense, and my wolf yipped with excitement at the sight of this predator.

Gheata stood, but when he took a step back, he slipped in a puddle of his own blood. The next move came so quickly I wasn’t sure Gheata saw it coming.

Sergi planted a dagger in Gheata’s right eye, and he convulsed, his body temporarily out of his control. Sergi didn’t waste a moment as he stabbed a second dagger into his neck.

Sergi stood over Gheata, whose head lolled back, his rage evident in his one good eye.

Blood spurted from Gheata’s mouth when he asked, “Who are you?”

Sergi stared down at him, his eyes still glowing, but his facial structure was back to normal. His grin was menacing as he considered the question. Or maybe he waited for Gheata to focus on him since his head continued to roll from side to side.

The blade in Gheata’s eye must have severed something in his brain that controlled motor function. His hands twitched, and one leg spasmed. With enough time, he would heal, but I doubted he’d get the time he needed. And Gheata knew it.

“I’m Sergi. Cadre to House Trelane. I’ll be sure to let your Master know you died well.”

Gheata’s single eye widened at the words, obviously surprised, but then he nodded and grinned, his teeth and the tips of his fangs smeared red with blood.

“I suspected Trelane had something to do with this. I should have known you were cadre.”

“Yes. You should have.”

Then Sergi pulled his dagger out of Gheata’s eye with a sickening wet sound and sliced it across Gheata’s neck. He swung his other hand down, the dagger cutting deep. One swipe from the right and then one from the left. He did it again and again until Gheata’s body went limp.

I wanted to turn away, but my wolf refused. The scent of blood invigorated her. Hell, she wanted to shove Sergi aside so she could get a mouthful of flesh. I could almost taste the blood pouring onto the ground.

This was Sergi’s kill. He’d endured the pain. The torture. And he didn’t stop until Gheata’s head rolled away.

Sergi stepped back, his breathing ragged as he stared down at Gheata’s body while he settled his beast. Satisfied with the outcome, he wiped his daggers on Gheata’s clothing before sliding them into the shoulder harness.

He turned and searched for Alex. She was in the corner, the bloody scissors still raised in her fist. He couldn’t decipher her expression, but she didn’t appear frightened. Perhaps unbelieving or maybe in shock, and he wondered if she was aware that her gaze glowed red with her wolf.

Her breaths were erratic until she sucked in a long, deep one and met his eyes. Then she grinned. “I guess he had that coming.”

Sergi laughed. It was a deep guffaw as if he hadn’t expressed his humor that grandly in decades. In some regard, finding joy had been spotty at best. House Trelane had many dark moments during those years. The weight of House Leader had been heavy, and Sergi had remained a stoic friend—helping Devon through addiction, the censure of his Council seat, and taking the responsibility of caring for Lyra, who’d attached herself to him as a loyal companion. He would do anything to make his friend’s life easier. And during that time, he hadn’t once thought of his own comforts, happy enough to ensure the House remained secure.

Somehow, this mission, even through the torture, had made him feel more alive than he had since before the tragic murder of Devon’s parents. When he wiped his eyes, he noticed Alex had also been laughing, but then she straightened, reality settling in.

“There could be guards coming.” She didn’t move. No fear, but something else was in her gaze, and it required more strength than he imagined to glance away.

He scanned the office, finally seeing the lab and remembering why he’d come here. “I need to find evidence of what’s been happening here.”

He caught the slight change in her expression, unsure if it was sadness or disappointment. Had she hoped he’d come for her?

She shook herself as if settling the wolf that had shown in her eyes. “I think I have what you need.” She pulled out a rag from both pockets along with a USB drive. “I have several vials of human blood and three vials each of what should be Magic Poppy, Blood Poppy X, and one of the shifter serums. Assuming, of course, they didn’t break while Gheata tossed me around.”

“Let me see.”

While she unwrapped the rag, he asked, “What’s on the drive?”

“There’s a folder named SMP that has something to do with shifters, and I found another folder labeled BPX, which was the name on the last Blood Poppy vial you took.”

That vial, which they both assumed was some variation of Blood Poppy still coursed through him. His reflexes were faster than normal, even after the torture, and his senses heightened. Right now, Sergi felt as if he could take on several guards and never break a sweat.

“That’s good. Did you find anything on Magic Poppy?”

“I didn’t have time. I was transferring the last folder when Gheata came in. I barely had time to grab it before he noticed.”

Alex opened the rag and tapped the vials of human blood. Sergi took them and immediately began swallowing them.

“Do you need all of them now? You seem to be doing well enough.”

When he drank the last vial, he tossed it on the counter. “Human blood has different nutrients than Blood Poppy. I have more energy and strength for the moment, but I haven’t eaten in some time, and the Blood Poppy masks my body’s true weakness.”

“Should we grab more before leaving this level?”

“No. That was enough for what I have left to do. Let’s go.”

Sergi led the way down the hall, but rather than going directly to the vent he’d used to drop down, he opened doors, searching for easier access to the ventilation system.

“What are you looking for?”

When he opened the next door, he ushered her in. “This.” He pointed up.

“All the rooms have one.”

“Yes, but not all of them have one right over the counter.”

She nodded, climbed onto the counter, and studied the vent. “I need something to use like a Phillips-head screwdriver.”

Sergi shook his head. “I was going to take care of that.”

She snapped her fingers at him. “But I got here first. Do you have something or not? Maybe there’s something in one of the drawers.”

He reached into his pocket and handed her the Swiss Army Knife.

She grinned. “Don’t tell me. They send vampires to Boy Scout camps.” She opened the knife to the right tool and began removing screws.

“We’re on a time crunch here.”

“Females are excellent at multitasking.”

“I don’t remember you being so obstinate before.”

“I’m not. I just don’t have to play the submissive anymore.”

He considered her as she expertly removed the screws and then the vent cover. “Did you tell me you were sent here to find the lab?”

“Yeah. A four-member team sent by The Wolf.”

“And you were darted.”

“Yep. Do you want me to go first or just follow?” She folded the knife and handed it back to him. She gave him a mischievous grin. “You do remember the way back, right?”

He returned her smile without answering and leaped onto the counter. “Are you claustrophobic?”

“No.”

He studied her face which was now serious. “The shaft is easy enough to traverse, but we’ll have to go down a level. You’ll need to be able to control your downward movement.”

“No problem. Let’s go.” When he continued to study her, she clucked her tongue. “Today, vampire. This wasn’t my first mission.” Her voice lowered. “No matter how it turned out.”

He didn’t have a response to that, but he understood the emotions boiling in her. Had any of her team survived? He shook it off and pulled himself into the vent then moved forward to wait. Once Alex was inside, he led her back to the shaft, where he positioned himself to move downward. He lowered himself to leave her just enough room to fit in above him. He wanted to stay close in case she fell.

He shouldn’t have bothered and was impressed by how quickly she’d positioned herself to use her legs and back to control her downward movement. She’d either trained for these conditions, or her missions were more creative than he would have expected. What other types of missions were shifters sent on? He’d have to ask Remus once they were back. And he had no doubt they’d survive—they’d come too far.

The move into the second level shaft went smooth and soon they were back to where he started. The vent was still open, and as was expected, there was a welcoming party waiting for them.

“Call out before you drop down.” Sergi didn’t recognize the voice. “And know that we’ll start shooting if you drop anything other than yourself.”

“It’s Sergi. I have Alex, Shifter S-473, with me.”

“Is that so? How do we know that?”

“While I admit, the vampire has a nice ass, I’d just as soon get the hell out of here.”

There were several snickers and then, “Come on down. Slowly.”

Sergi moved beyond the vent so Alex could go first. She didn’t question it and was quick to jump down. Once she was out, he backed up.

She had that mischievous spark in her gaze as she stared up at him. “Come on. It’s safe.”

When he dropped to the floor, he quickly looked around at the ten shifters. Half were in their wolf form, while the others held various weapons. A male with an automatic pointed it to the floor and held his hand out to Sergi.

“Thank you for bringing her back.”

“Where’s Cadfael and Carlos?”

The shifter looked grim. “They’re holding off an incursion at the staircase near the elevator.”

“I don’t know if anyone will realize we used the vents before help arrives. I wasn’t able to salvage the covers.”

The shifter nodded. “Our concern is that they might stop airflow to the lower levels.”

“It’s a possibility. I need to leave so I can call for an infiltration team, but I want to see Cadfael first.”

“Jason will take you.” He nodded to one of the wolves.

The wolf trotted to the door and waited.

He and Alex ran behind the wolf, who didn’t slow as he traversed the corridors until they came to a blockade where a dozen shifters waited.

Cadfael, now dressed, turned on their approach. His shoulders relaxed, and his expression brightened when he spotted Alex. “Thank the heavens.” The two embraced.

“I assume you’re Cadfael,” Alex said as she brushed at her eye.

He nodded. “And it’s a pleasure to be able to say that again.”

“They’ve already tried breaking through?”

Cadfael nodded. “Yes, but they didn’t stay long when they realized the gas they dropped dissipated before reaching us. When the first three guards were shot, and the wolves finished them, they discovered they required a better plan.” He turned to Sergi. “You need to go now.”

Sergi nodded. “I’m on my way, but I didn’t want to go before checking in. If it becomes too dangerous to hold this level, get everyone down to the third level. In fact, it probably wouldn’t hurt to move some of your supplies down there, just in case. If they turn off the air, the back door will be your only source. And if necessary, you can leave that way. I know some of the shifters don’t have the stamina for the journey, but it might be necessary.”

Cadfael laid a hand on his shoulder. “A military man through and through. I appreciate your support.”

Sergi copied the gesture by placing a hand on the Alpha’s shoulder. “Stay alive. It’s time for everyone to go home.”

Cadfael glanced at Alex. “I only have one request. Take Alex with you.”

Sergi shook his head. “It’s too dangerous with the wild shifters.”

“Which is exactly why you need me.”

He turned, surprised by her siding with Cadfael. His dealings with Cressa and Ginger should have prepared him for this. He wanted to argue and had a few sentiments he was wise enough not to share. It didn’t have anything to do with her being female. He wouldn’t have questioned the request had it been Simone or Bella, but he knew their abilities. They trained together and knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Alex might have appeared weak, hiding behind the submissive female persona. but she’d risked everything to help him. He’d be a fool not to consider someone Remus was willing to send on a dangerous mission. And while he understood shifter behaviors, it might come in handy to have a wolf by his side.

He turned to Carlos, who’d been silently watching. “What about you?”

Carlos shook his head. “They need all the help they can get. I’ll wait for backup.”

He nodded and shook both his and Cadfael’s hands before turning to Alex. “You need a change of clothes before we go unless you plan on remaining in your wolf form.”

She nodded then hugged Carlos and Cadfael. “You better both be alive when we return.” Then, not waiting for Sergi, she raced down the hall toward the guards’ quarters.

With a quick nod to the shifters, Sergi ran after her, but she surprised him when she slowed at the stairs that went down to the third level. She stopped long enough to see he followed then disappeared down them.

She was going to the guards’ quarters on the third level. It made sense since they would be leaving that way. He jogged behind her until she ducked into a supply room.

“There should be extra uniforms, maybe a jacket or two.” She laid the lab coat aside and immediately got naked before pulling on a guard’s uniform.

He should have looked away, but it was impossible not to take note of her lean, muscular frame. A year as a prisoner, and she’d been able to retain some of her muscle tone. Most likely a perk from her wolf. She rolled up the bottom of the pants and used a belt to cinch the waistline. She put on two shirts and grabbed a coat that wouldn’t provide any protection against the cold but was at least waterproof.

She tried on several boots until she found a pair that appeared to fit once she’d pulled on two pairs of thick socks. She stomped around the room, getting comfortable in the boots and clothing. “This will do.”

While she’d been dressing, Sergi found a backpack and stuffed it with supplies. A couple cans of food, nutrition bars, a can opener, two flashlights, and an emergency survival kit. One of several on the shelf. The last items to be stored were four bottles of water.

“Ready?” he asked.

She nodded and followed him out the door and down the hall to the mechanical room. The shelving was where he’d left it, pushed aside several feet from the hidden door. He didn’t stop as he pulled it open, the cold air blasting his face. He didn’t look back, sensing Alex was only two steps behind him as they followed the bends of the tunnel, the bright sunlight urging them on the farther they progressed.

When he reached the end of the tunnel, he slowed as he stepped up to peer out at the forested landscape. A few patches of snow remained at the base of trees where the sun couldn’t reach it.

Alex stepped up next to him, and she lifted her head and sniffed the air.

“Anything out there?” he asked.

“Not for the moment.”

Sergi scanned the perimeter one last time then stepped outside with Alex behind him. It didn’t take long to find a deer trail heading down the mountain, and he increased his speed to a jog. After a few minutes, he stopped to check on Alex, and though she was right behind him, tears ran down her face.

“Are you alright?” he asked.

She nodded and gave him a small smile. “It’s just been a long time since I’ve seen the sky.”