Page 87 of The Vampire's Thirst
“Fuck, Sabine,” said Rein, leaning back in his chair, his arms across his chest.
“Watch how you talk to her.” Nico shot to his feet again, his violent warlock eyes challenging Rein.
Cadmon, the normally calm ylve high commander, banged a fist on the table. “Take it down a notch. So, Kole, your Firebrands battled Arisen Dawn in this realm while American forces stood them off in a place called Bozeman, Montana. Is that correct?”
“Yes.” He shifted in his seat, extinguishing the blazing ball in his fist. “Dax and Thorn lent an assist Earthside. The shifter buzzed in afterwards to say it was a nightmare when Arisen Dawn broke through. The human soldiers scattered, and Aeternals ran wild through their ranks until they re-organized. We don’t have a body count, but it must be high.”
“What’s happening with your two warriors in Bozeman?” asked Jarek.
“They’re on their way home through another portal with two likely Blood Coven witches.”
Eyebrows arched around the room.
“We need a plant in the American forces.” Nace clawed the table, his beast close to the surface. The shifter’s pack occupied Central America fifteen hundred years ago when the Mayans saw the jaguars as gods. “Do we have any Aeternals currently serving?”
Cadmon jotted down a note. “I will check.”
Jarek said, “If we have anybody Earthside in the military, they could request a transfer to this Montana unit. That way we will have eyes on the human soldiers.”
With an unusual expression of weariness, Cadmon rested his chin in his knuckles. “In the meantime, Arisen Dawn numbers continue to multiply. I have requested to meet before a joint session of Temple justices and the lawgivers. It’s time to take drastic measures. I recommend we round up or kill-on-contact all confirmed Arisen Dawn members. Suspected members will meet similar swift punishment unless they prove their loyalty.”
Kole scrubbed a palm across his buzz-cut hair. He had no qualms about using deadly force to uphold order in a violent realm, but he usually killed only if he had a touch of proof. Suspected was a pretty loose standard.
“What about your informant?” Jarek looked no happier than Kole. The six-foot-eight djinn commander frowned as he pushed a war braid over his shoulder, his massive arms covered not only with his Scion Firebrand brand but with glyphs depicting his many battles. Like others of his breed, he survived by feeding on the energy of fighting.
“He does not know the location of the garrison. He gets in and out through portals but has no idea where he is. Even to its occupants, the fortress is cloaked. In the meantime, I have a list of all gateways on Scath. Each stronghold will check on those in their regions for any build-up of Arisen Dawn.” Cadmon passed papers to each commander.
Darius, Jarek’s second in command, ran the back of his hand along the scar on his cheek. “That’s thousands.”
Cadmon nodded. “I guess we’re lucky so many recruits have joined the Firebrands and that insomnia plagues our sleep.”
****
Roarkleaned a lazy shoulder against an old brick building far from the army headquarters on the outskirts of Bozeman, Lort at his side. “That was fun.”
The vampire general’s gaze fixed on an escaping Aeternal who raced through the streets, scattering, heading for parts unknown. “I have instructed them to do damage and return by another portal. Most are crazed on Gold Dust. I doubt they can handle the freedom. Once the Earth army reorganizes, it will round up and kill our people but not until they’ve gorged on humans. They are disposable.”
Roark cocked his head. “Disposable? That’s harsh.”
Crossing his arms, Lort closed his mouth around fangs which punched from his gums, likely from the smell of blood. “But they further our cause. Every soldier serves a purpose. These are our sacrificial lambs. We will see how long they last. Test the human response teams. Shifter, you impressed me today with your efficiency, coolness under fire. Next time, I want you to lead a unit, become one of my officers.”
Roark flicked a nail. “Thanks for the confidence. Only if I train them. I don’t lead anybody I haven’t personally trained.”
“That’s doable. What is your assessment of today’s incursion?”
“Arisen Dawn took the Earthers by surprise. This was their first skirmish against us. They won’t be so easy the next time. They’ll learn how to kill us permanently. What technology to use. Where to aim it. We can count this a win, but we weren’t pretty. We were an angry mob, not a professional army. The humans have numbers and advanced weaponry on their side. We can’t rely on brute strength and breed powers as long-term solutions.”
Lort pinched his chin between thumb and forefinger, stroking. “True.”
“When they meet us again, they will be primed. Better trained, more heavily armed, and less likely to break ranks and run.”
“I count on it, but we will be more prepared, too. Our army needed this taste of victory to draw more Aeternals to our side. Doesn’t matter we were sloppy. Nothing sells allegiance like a win.”
When Lort’s cellphone rang, he snagged it from his pocket, glanced at the screen, and answered. He listened, finally speaking. “The mission was a success. I’ll be there.” He jammed the device back into place.
Roark elbowed off the wall. “I thought I’d find a plump human female who likes a big dick. Settle in for the night. Return to Scath tomorrow. What’s on your list?”
“I have a meeting with Cerberus. Afterward, a celebration with a loved one on Scath.”
