Page 129 of The Vampire's Thirst
“Yes. Go on.”
“I trust these guys, General. What we have here is another realm, populated with what we’ve labeled otherworlders. Strange, though, they were born and bred on Earth like us. Technically not otherworlders. They call themselves Aeternals. They say they are another species created before we were.”
Matty heard whispers on General Lipton’s side. “On to the bad guys. A fellow named Cerberus organized Arisen Dawn, the assholes who are making sorties onto Earth with an eye to the kill. The Firebrands don’t know this guy’s identity or how to find him yet, but they believe his goal is to open all portals so they can invadeen masse.Maybe we can defeat them with our technology or numbers, but a fifty-fifty chance for a win is dodgy. They have superior strength, speed, and astounding powers. Unfortunately, large numbers of Aeternals are joining this rebel group.”
“So, who are these Firebrands?”
“Sorry, let me introduce the men in the room with me. High Commander Cadmon, Commander Kole, Firebrands Rein and a guy you might remember from our visit to Dante, Ram. Dax, who was in prison with me, is also present.”
Lipton grunted an acknowledgment.
“As I said, the good guys. Though they’re trying to stop the insurgents, sadly, they may be on the short end of the stick. Their government isn’t being helpful.”
“What do these Firebrands want?”
Leaning toward the microphone, Cadmon identified himself. “We want an alliance with you, General. For the good of both our realms. We fight Arisen Dawn on Scath. You battle them on your side. We’ll cross over to help when needed. I speak for all three of my strongholds. We’d like to meet with you to discuss actions against our common enemy.”
“What do you propose?”
Kole scrubbed a fist along his jaw. “A contingent of Firebrands will meet with you on Earth after we complete an important task here. Because of new intel and a powerful warlock’s unmasking spell, we know where your colonel and our Dax were held. We’re going immediately after this convo to destroy the Arisen Dawn garrison. With any luck, we will not only decimate their numbers but also capture Cerberus. If our raid nets good results, our meet and greet may not be necessary.”
“Who’s talking?” asked General Lipton.
“Sorry, Commander Kole.”
Lip cleared his throat. “We set the meeting place and rules.”
“Understood,” said Matty after a nod from Cadmon.
“When can I expect you back, Colonel?” asked the general.
“I’d like to lend a hand on their mission. Later today, I expect the Firebrands will shuttle me home through a portal. So don’t shoot me.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Leadingthe infiltration team, Dax stomped over the fallen steel gate which led into the Arisen Dawn garrison. Only the sound of their own boots greeted the Firebrands as they trod into the site where he and Matty had been imprisoned. The base was abandoned.
With a disappointed snarl, he nodded at the warlock beside him, the male who had cast the spell to unmask the garrison. The mage had done it by tapping into Matty and Dax’s memories.
As team leader for the mission, he signaled the rest of the Firebrands who waited at a distance, ready to spring into action.All clear. The fortress is empty. They must have moved on rather than rebuild.
Dax needed his head in the game. Instead, his thoughts meandered to Chiara. He had destroyed any chance of a relationship. But how else could he protect her? Matty’s voice drifted to him as if it were a far-off echo. How long had the guy been talking to him?
Yep.Head. In. Game.
“Vampire, what the hell’s wrong with you?” Matty propped a boot on top of concrete rubble, staring at the silent and morose Dax.
Kole, Ram, Galena, Rein, and Chay joined them at the site of the demolition derby.
“Each of us will recon a sector. Look for clues as to where they might have gone.” Kole ground his molars, his jaw like stone.
“Matty and I will take that building.” Dax pointed toward a still standing facility. “Stick close to me, Colonel. We don’t want any surprises.”
“You do love me.”
Dax snorted.
As the two males entered through an open metal door, Dax raised a jungle bolo, expecting trouble. In his estimation, shit always happened when he least expected it.
