Annie Nicholas: Hunting Colby

He swallowed visibly. “I’ve never seen one.”

“You have one who lives in the city.” Mutt kept to himself since I’d arrived in New York, busy with his training. Most of his clan did; ruling from the shadow added fear at the mention of their name. Even at Cesio’s club, the crowds had parted at his presence. I gave the guard a flat smile. “Be respectful and keep your comments to yourself. You’ll survive the experience.” Adding to the fear wasn’t part of my job but a perk.

They should be terrified of the Nosferatu. With a little effort, Master Tane could alter every human’s memory in this city by himself. Not Mutt. He was still learning how to do it to one person without scrambling his brains, but the guards didn’t need to know that.

The other guard gave me the go-ahead signal.

I touched my own ear piece and gave the all-clear to Colby.

The slayers piled out of the van, surrounding a very confident-appearing Mutt. I stayed ahead of the group, Mutt in the middle with the human slayers, and Colby trailed behind. I struggled not to glance over my shoulder, wishing I knew how Colby planned to slip away.

Mutt paused by the main elevator, a stairwell exit glowing above his head. He loomed over the security; his dark eyes took on a soulless quality. “Exactly how many levels in this building?”

It took all my self-control not to grin at this show of attitude. Good boy.

“Thir-thirty five, sir.”

“Including the basements?”

The guard nodded.

Between the shuffle of bodies when the elevator arrived, I noted Colby wasn’t among us anymore. Such skill was the best aphrodisiac I could ask for. I took a deep, easy breath and let some of the tension building between my shoulder blades ease.

We stopped on the fifth floor, which surprised me. I’d have thought an egotistical jerk like Cesio would have his receiving room in the penthouse.

He greeted us at the door, a huge smile fading from his face. “You?”

Mutt nodded. “Me.”

Shooting a glare in my direction, he gestured toward the room behind him. Doubt flowed over his face as his gaze traveled over the slayer guards dressed in suits, similar to what my teams in Rio wore. I didn’t blame him. The Nosferatu had no idea we were here, but Cesio didn’t know that. If he proved to be innocent, I was prepared to take the fall if our masters were upset by this ruse.

Mutt took a seat at the table closest to the door like I’d instructed him, not waiting for Cesio. A small slight in vampire etiquette. Mutt might not be acquainted with the custom of letting the host sit first, but I doubted it.

The overlord’s expression darkened and he took a seat across from Mutt. “Why am I given the honor of your presence?” His words dripped with scorn.

“I’m searching for a slayer.”

Giving us a secret smile, Cesio leaned back in his chair. “I thought the Nosferatu were the slayers.”

“We are.” He steepled his fingers in front of his face and mirrored Cesio’s smile. “I’m glad you remember.”

I wanted to high-five my young ward. Instead, I bit the inside of my mouth so I wouldn’t laugh out loud.

“What is so important about this human?”

“He was investigating vampire breeding within the city. His disappearance concerns me and my brothers.”

“Then why aren’t they here?”

“They are. Through me.”

Yes! I’d been so concerned with how Mutt would perform in this meeting. He needed to gain Cesio’s respect and in turn those in this room witnessing their conversation. I moved from behind the young Nosferatu to lean against the wall, where I had a better view of both their faces and the door.

The hilt of my handgun, at the small of my back, dug into my skin. It reassured more than bothered.

“Creating new unauthorized vampires is quite a crime,” said Cesio.

“Punishable by death.”

“All our laws are punished by death.” Cesio shot back. “I don’t know why you keep asking me about this slayer. I haven’t any idea of his whereabouts or baby vamps.” He rose, as if dismissing us.

We’d been in the room for a few minutes. Had that given enough time for Colby to find and free Red? I could only guess, and made my way toward the door as if to leave.

Mutt remained in his chair, resting his foot on his knee. “Do you truly think I can’t detect when you’re lying?”

My eyes bulged from their sockets. What had he said?

From the way Cesio went still, I wasn’t the only one asking that question. “Are you accusing me of something?”

“I think you killed the slayer when he got too close to the truth.”

I hurried to Mutt’s side and set my hand on his shoulder. “I think it’s time to go.” We were here to distract, not start pointing fingers. There wasn’t much we could do with our small task force.

Cesio nodded and leaned forward. “No, no, please stay.” He gestured to his guard, who moved to block our exit. “Check the prisoner as well. I don’t trust this one.” He nodded toward me.

I clenched my hand into a fist but refrained from crashing it into Mutt’s head. He’d blown the lid on the whole mission, and for what? Our gazes met, but I didn’t see fear in his eyes, only determination. This wasn’t the time for him to take a stand.

The sounds of struggle in the hall caught my attention. I twisted, my hand reaching over my shoulder for the wooden stake. Several plans for escape raced through my mind, but all of them included leaving Colby in this nest of traitors.

The slayers didn’t leave their members behind. Neither would I. Sliding the stake free from its place along my spine, I took a step toward the exit. The guards at the door parted so others could toss a beaten Colby and Red at Cesio’s feet.

I fell to my knees at Colby’s side, gripping the stake as I searched his injuries. We’d been over-confident, thinking we could raid an Overlord’s nest so simply. I should have listened to my instincts and called my master. Instead, my heart had swayed me, knowing Colby would never accept his help.

Colby rolled, clutching his side, where blood seeped from a deep gash. With my help, he got to his knees. “I found Red.”

The other slayer lay on his back, his black eyes almost swollen shut. Multiple bite marks scarred his exposed flesh. “Hey, Gwen.” His voice sounded like broken glass.

Neither appeared fight-worthy. With an acid-raging gut, I glanced at a gloating Cesio, but he wasn’t paying me any heed. All of his attention was focused on Mutt. “You were right. I was lying.”

The Nosferatu no longer lounged in his chair. He sat on the edge, perched on his toes, ready to spring.

“Why create new vampires? They’re just more mouths to feed.” I rose to my feet, making sure to keep the slayers between me and the guards at the door.

The contempt in Cesio’s glance washed over me, leaving a bad aftertaste. “How will I explain your death to your master?”

“He’s your master as well.”

“Not for long, Gwen. Not once I rid this city of you, these slayers, and Nosferatu influence. It will be mine alone.”

“It’s an army,” Mutt said.

“Ah, the dog can think. How remarkable. Is this why your clan passed me over for you?”

“That’s why you’re doing this?” Mutt jumped to his feet.

Cesio’s guards grabbed him, pulling him away before he reached their lord. The three of them could barely contain him.

“You can have it,” Mutt continued to shout. “You want to look like a freak? Have midday visits from creeps who try to train you by tearing your mind apart? Or have the raging hunger constantly eating at your gut?” The last sentence held an edge of hysteria.