Page 141 of The Satyr's Guilt
The man examined it, the logo matching theHF on his uniform. He signaled for the men to make way. Dantefollowed the soldier into the building. Taking stock as he entered,he was greeted by Mars and two other men in Humans Firstuniforms.
“Where are they?” asked Dante. No greeting.All business.
“This way, sir.” Mars led the way, the othermen flanking the Englishman.
Mars escorted him outside to an exteriordoor which required a thumbprint for entrance. He stopped. “Go on,sir. Yours works.”
Dante pressed his thumb against the pad. Aclick sounded. Mars opened the door.
In full view, strapped to a table, was amale vampire. His hair was matted with blood. His eyes rolled fromside-to-side. He was naked and starved, if his elongated fangs wereany indication. He growled, tugging so hard on his restraints hisankles and wrists were raw, bloody.
Proof.
Dante nearly cried. Let the military callhim crazy now. With proof, they would rise to destroy the enemiesof all humans.
It was the other table that drew hisattention. On it lay the reason for his continued existence. Hisrevenge.
****
After a string of phonecalls, Dante paced, clenched his fists, took shallow, impatientbreaths as he waited beside the helipad.
He had verified the identity of theunconscious satyr. He had seen the vampires. He had slept, thoughnot peacefully.
Now, with armed men at his back, he awaiteda skeptical American general and colonel. With the proof he needed,Dante had called his contacts in the British government who vouchedfor him with the American army.
These two military officers were about tounderstand what humans faced. Armed with the knowledge, they couldmarshal forces against the otherworlders.
Whap. Whap. Whap.
As the helicopter dropped to the ground,wind beat up dust, but the Englishman stood firm, impervious to itschaos.
Two men walked down the airsteps, holdingonto their hats until they were out of range of the blades.
“General Lipton.” Dante offered hishand.
“Isaac, please.” The American militaryofficer stretched out to shake.
“Colonel.” Dante greeted the otherofficer.
“Mateo. We ought to be on a first-name basisgiven what we are about to do together.”
“Follow me, gentlemen. I think you are goingto be amazed. Astounded, actually. I’ve lived with this knowledgefor some time but wanted proof before I brought you into my world.I have it now.”
Dante led the way from the landing site,passing the shooting range and crossing the track. He paused at anoutside door for a thumbprint. When it clicked, his hand clutchedthe thick metal. “I have three otherworlders waiting for you inhere. One satyr and two vampires.”
The officers eyed each other, shaking theirheads, wary.
“I have to say, sir, when you firstcontacted us, I thought you were batty,” said General Lipton,standing behind Dante.
“I’m not an idiot. That’s why I offerproof.”
They entered the sterile lab, Dr. Messengerwaiting along with an assistant. Ten armed men, wearing HumansFirst uniforms, guarded the perimeter of the room.
The colonel’s eyes pinged around the room,his expression showing dislike for Dante’s private army ofmercenaries.
The satyr on one lab table shook the chainsand straps which had been required to restrain him despite anenormous amount of sedatives in his system.
On another exam slab, the female vampirestruggled against silver bindings, her wrists and ankles raw andbleeding. She growled as her body jerked from side to side.
