Questions

As we drew closer, Elisabeth placed another call, warning the compound we were arriving. As we came to a stop in front of the lodge, I saw Karen and Angel guarding the front door. No one else was visible.

We all climbed from the car. Carissa gestured, and her vampires all moved closer.

“We will meet with the alphas,” Carissa said. “If the rest of you would remain here. Tensions are understandably high.”

Elisabeth led the way.

The lodge was a fortress. Well, it would have been if it weren’t for all the glass windows. But once inside, we found Lara and Michaela, surrounded by several more enforcers. I had no idea where the others were. Once four of us were fully inside, the alphas stepped forward.

“Carissa,” Lara said. “Thank you for coming. It might have been for nothing.”

“It is certainly not for nothing. We must reach the bottom of this, and you have difficult cleanup to perform.” She stepped forward, and I watched in surprise as she offered a hug to Lara. I was far less surprised at the warm, deep hug she shared with Michaela.

“And where is Deirdre?”

“I am here, Carissa,” Deirdre said from the hallway leading to the bedrooms. “And now you will tell me you had nothing to do with this.”

“Deirdre,” Carissa said in reproach. “You doubt me?”

“Say it,” Deirdre said forcefully.

“I had nothing to do with the events here tonight,” Carissa said. “The first I knew of it was when Anna called me. I have vowed friendship to the Madison pack. You know that.”

“This could be a scheme of yours to worm your way in tighter.”

“Do you believe that?”

“No, but I wouldn’t put it past you.”

“This is no scheme of mine,” Carissa said. “I know nothing more about it than the people standing here.”

Deirdre studied Carissa for a long moment then stepped forward, straight into her arms. The two whispered while they hugged, but when they separated, Deirdre stayed at the vampire’s side, Carissa’s arm around her.

“Alphas,” Carissa said, returning to formality. “We have received welcome from your head enforcer.”

“And now you receive welcome from us,” Lara replied. “Frankly, we don’t really know what’s going on.”

“Yes, well. I wish to introduce the people who arrived with me, if that isn’t too intimidating. Kristian is here, and others.”

“We’re pleased for their assistance,” Michaela said. “Elisabeth, will you invite them inside? Karen won’t let Lara or me out of the house.”

“Good,” Elisabeth said. She turned to the door, and fifteen seconds later, six more vampires filled the room. The tension in the air went up noticeably, but everyone pretended not to notice.

Carissa handled invitations. I knew Marcella and Raphael, but I hadn’t met Pearce or Jacqueline before.

“Kristian, I will want your perspective,” Carissa said. “The rest of you, please accept Elisabeth’s orders as if they were my own. Let us ensure the immediate vicinity is and remains safe.” She turned to Elisabeth. “We can wait.”

Elisabeth nodded and gestured with her head. She, along with five vampires, stepped back outside. With us watching, Elisabeth introduced everyone to Karen.

The enforcers were prepared. Karen had radio headsets waiting. She passed them out. I didn’t hear what was discussed, but a minute later, Carissa’s vampires were quickly moving away from the house, and then Elisabeth returned to us. Tension wore itself across her forehead, but I thought the vampires would make this easier, if she could relax with them.

“Very good,” Carissa said. “I would like to see these helicopters for myself and perhaps also take a peek at where you’re keeping the prisoners. We can go from there.”

“Lead the way, Elisabeth,” Lara said.

It was a large group that stepped outside. We had two vampires, one jaguar, one fae, one werefox, and a total of six werewolves, Monique and Nash among them. We crossed the athletic field to where we’d left the two helicopters. We came to a stop just outside the rotor distance from both of them, Carissa eying them carefully.

“Have you learned anything from them?” Kristian asked.

“Karen says they aren’t Black Hawks, but they are painted to look like them,” Lara reported. “She said they’re missing the hard points. Instead, they look like they might be former search and rescue.”

“I wanted to search them,” Michaela said. “But everyone is being entirely overprotective.”

“Michaela,” Lara said, “someone sent them here to kidnap you and the pups. Until we know who, I don’t believe it would be possible to be over protective. Now let it rest.” She practically growled the last four words.

“They weren’t sent here to kidnap anyone,” Michaela said. “They were sent here to die. I want to know who sent them and why, and the registration papers in those helicopters could answer that.”

“You don’t really believe you’re going to find the registration in a helicopter used on a mission like this.”

“Maybe not. The tail numbers are fake, but I bet somewhere there are serial numbers we can trace.”

“And when Greg’s people get here, they can pour through them.”

“We have to get them out of sight, Lara,” Michaela said. “Where are you going to do that? We’re not remotely equipped to do that. Are you just going to throw tarps over them and hope no one figures out what they are? And I just know you’re going to ditch them in the lake. I don’t want to know how much oil and gas that’s going to release into my lake.”

“Lara,” said Carissa. “You have hangars here, don’t you?”

“On Madeline Island,” Lara replied. “Carissa, there’s blood in both of them. If someone gets nosy...”

“One of my vampires will have to secure the hangar until we’re ready to move them again.” She turned to Michaela. “From hints, I believe you have flown one already.”

Michaela began to grin. “Not very long.”

“You managed to get it down safely. Could you take off again?”

“I think so, if I can even get it started. I don’t know the procedures.”

“I believe we can help you get it started,” Carissa said. “Let us see everything else, first.” She turned to the east. “Two hours until sunrise.” Her gaze turned back to Lara. “I do not wish to take over, Lara. But this seems like an easy solution.”

“You have a pilot for the second one? Or is Michaela flying them both?”

“I have a pilot,” Carissa said. “I propose we take them at first light. We can take a circular approach, leaving towards the south but then circle around and approach the island from the lake. We’ll send someone ahead to advise us if the airport is safe.”

“The ferry won’t be running.”

“Whoever we send can take one of your kayaks,” Carissa said. “Shall we see the prisoners?”

* * * *

The prisoners were spread between two storage sheds, with several enforcers watching over them. They were seated on the floor against the walls with their hands tied together and lifted over their heads, tied off in the rafters. I thought that was odd, but then I looked closer and saw they each had a noose attached to the wall behind them, and their legs were tightly duct tapped together.

They weren’t going anywhere.

They were each blindfolded and severely gagged. And in the back, spread between the two sheds, and wrapped in plastic, were the bodies of those who had died.

Without a word, Carissa examined each of them, removing blindfolds for a moment before replacing them. She came to the one whose foot I’d amputated, staring at the stump for a minute. That one was moaning from time to time, drenched in sweat, and I imagined he was in a great deal of pain.

Tough. Anyone who is willing to kidnap women and children deserves whatever evil comes to him.

Carissa finished her review then pointed to that one. “Did that happen during the fighting or later?”

“Later,” Elisabeth said. “He’s the one they call Sarge.”

“Ah. Which ones are the pilots?”

“Those four,” Elisabeth gestured. “We’re not entirely sure which one was in which seat.”

“Not to worry,” Carissa replied. “Alpha, do you know what you want to do with them?”

“No.”

“If I offer to take them off your hands?”

“We need answers.”

“Oh, I’ll get answers.” She smiled again, and this time her fangs were showing. “I’m feeling peckish. I am in your territory and wouldn’t dream of eating without permission.”

“Are you going to kill them?”

“Not yet,” she said. “May I?”

“Of course.”

“Kristian,” Carissa said. “Be a dear and bring me one of the pilots. And decide if there are any you fancy as a future pet.”

“Unless necessary, I would rather not, Carissa,” he said. He gestured. “These are not to my taste.”

“I didn’t think so, but I would not wish to neglect you.”

“Have no fear.”

Excepting Kristian, we all moved away. It was only a moment before Kristian was bringing one of the pilots to us. I was impressed; the man was quiet about it while being half carried. Kristian set him on his bound feet in front of Carissa, steadying him with hands on his shoulders.

“Alpha,” Carissa said. “We have danced around the question. If I promise what answers these men have, and that they will never bother anyone ever again, may I take them off your hands?”

“Yes,” Lara said. “I wasn’t sure what to do with them.”

“Very good. Thank you, Lara.” She stepped closer to the man that Kristian had selected, naked except for his bonds. He was bigger than Carissa, but not as big as the soldiers. Carissa reached up and gently removed the blindfold, stuffing it into her pocket. The man blinked for a moment and focused his attention on the vampire. Then he must have seen the fangs, as his eyes grew wide, and he would have pulled away if he could.

“Ah,” Carissa said. “I see my fangs are a clue to you. Let me introduce myself. My name is Carissa. As you have gathered, I am a vampire.” She patted his cheek. “You aren’t having a very good night. I cannot imagine you expected to meet the Queen of New Orleans, did you?” She gave his cheek one more pat. “I am going to remove your gag. You will remain silent unless I ask a direct question. I find whimpering and begging so wearying, and if you engage in either, I will be forced to punish you. Are you going to be a good boy?”

The man nodded frantically. A moment later, Carissa reached up and untied his gag. She held it out, and I took it from her.

“Better?” Carissa asked. The man didn’t respond. “That was a direct question. Better?”

“Yes,” the man said tightly. “Are you going to-“

He didn’t get to finish the question. Moving faster than any human could see, Carissa slapped him across the cheek. She must have pulled it, as his head snapped sideways, but it was still attached to his head afterwards.

“And here,” said Carissa, “I thought the rules were quite simple. You will remain silent except when answering a direct question. Do you understand the rules?”

The man nodded frantically. Carissa grabbed his chin and forced his face towards her. “You will answer ‘Yes, Your Majesty’ or ‘No, Your Majesty’. Are the rules clear?”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

She patted his cheek. “Very good. You were one of the helicopter pilots, yes?”

“Co-pilot, Your Majesty.”

“Are you rated as a pilot?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She glanced at Michaela. “That solves one potential problem.” Michaela nodded. And then Carissa turned her gaze back to the man. “You have a choice. I am going to ask a few more questions. You will answer. Lie if you want, although understand I will be displeased if you do. Was your mission to kidnap women and children?”

The man glanced around, his eyes settling on Michaela. Finally he said, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“My, my,” the said Carissa. “The answer I expected, and to discover it is a lie. Do you want to explain?”

“They’re not exactly women and children, are they?” the man said. “They’re monsters.” Then, after a pause, he added a hasty, “Your Majesty.”

I thought Carissa would hit him again, but she didn’t. Instead she said in a gentle tone, “They’re my friends, and if you had given them a chance, you might have found they are good people. But I suppose they are different from you, and that makes them monsters. What were you going to do with them once they were aboard your aircraft?”

The man didn’t answer. Carissa waited, giving him a chance to decide what he was going to do. When he kept his mouth shut, she sighed. I knew it was an affectation for her, so it was for his benefit. “I suppose you believe if you do not answer, I’ll hit you again. You’re wrong. If you don’t answer me, I’m not going to hit you. Do you know what I’m going to do?”

The man gulped. “Bite?”

Carissa smiled. “I haven’t had a thing to eat all day. I am positively famished. Did you know? There are studies. Humans share certain common phobias. Spiders and snakes, for instance. But there’s one thought that tends to strike fear into many, many people, although it’s nothing that tends to come up very often.” She leaned closer, standing on her toes to get closer. “People tend to be afraid of being eaten alive.” She set back down to the flats of her feet. “Imagine how it must feel. My fangs would sink into your neck, puncturing you deeply. I can make it very pleasant, if I want, but you can imagine I have little incentive to do so. And so it will be every bit as unpleasant as you can imagine. My fangs would pierce your skin and then your artery. Your life’s essence would begin to spill into my mouth. I will clamp my lips around your neck and suck deeply.” She patted his cheek again. “It hurts. Oh, it doesn’t hurt as much as if Anna here were to remove your foot for you, but perhaps we can consider that option later.”

“We were going to deliver them!” the man said. “Small women, young children, and any small dogs.”

“Ah, an answer,” Carissa said. “And an honest one. Deliver them where?”

“I don’t know, Your Majesty. I don’t! I don’t! Please don’t eat me! Please, I have a wife and a little girl of my own.”

Carissa hit him, barely looking at him. “You were here to kidnap someone’s wife. You were here to kidnap someone’s children. Do you think I care about yours?” She hissed the last words. “How were you to deliver them if you didn’t know where? Did someone else know where?”

“We would radio for coordinates, once we had the packages,” the man said quickly. “I swear. I don’t know where.”

“Do you believe him, Alpha?”

“No,” Lara said simply.

“I swear!” the man said.

Carissa hit him. “You don’t follow directions very well. I told you not to talk unless responding to a question.” She again sighed dramatically then stepped closer to the man, looking up at him. “I will give you a simple choice. Live? Or die?”

“Live, Your Majesty. Please, let me live.”

“Very well. Kristian, please take over from Elisabeth. I’ll need your help.”

Kristian didn’t say a word but simply moved into place, taking control of the man from the enforcer. After that, Carissa didn’t wait. Her fangs flashed and sank deep into the man. He grunted and then began to scream.

No one else said a word.

Carissa wrapped her arms around him, holding herself tightly to him. And then Kristian lowered the man to the ground, Carissa cradled over him. She fed from him, and he continued to scream.

I’d never seen anyone scream from one of her feedings.

Then Carissa held an arm out towards Kristian. He took it from her, bent his head, and then his own fangs lengthened, and he struck at her wrist. Instantly, Carissa shoved her wrist against the screaming man’s throat. Kristian helped, one hand on the back of the man’s head, one hand on Carissa’s wrist. Her wrist acted as a gag, muffling the screams. And then the screams grew still as Carissa’s blood flowed into his mouth.

“What is she doing?” Elisabeth asked.

Kristian’s eyes lifted to Michaela, and it was the fox that answered. “Blood thrall,” Michaela answered. “That seems almost like a reward.”

“It won’t be,” Kristian replied.

“He won’t be able to lie to her,” Michaela explained. “But I suspect she has other ways to achieve that.”

“She does,” Kristian agreed. Then he lifted Carissa’s wrist from the man’s mouth and opened it again before shoving it back into place. “But this also solves the problem of what to do with them.”

“Oh god. She’s going to do that to all of them,” Elisabeth said.

“Do you have objections?” Kristian asked.

She didn’t answer immediately, but then said, “No. We weren’t sure if we should kill them and dump them in the lake, or call the FBI.”

“This is better,” Kristian said.

“Yes,” Elisabeth agreed.

Just then, Carissa pulled away from the man, taking in a great gasping breath of air. She smiled broadly, but it was the sort of smile one might expect from a vampire, not at all Carissa’s usual style. Then she leaned back over the man. “Look at me,” she commanded, and there was something in her voice that made not just him, but all of us look at her.

The man opened his eyes, and then he stared.

“You are now mine,” Carissa said, her voice deep and haunting. “Sleep.”

The man immediately went limp.

Carissa stood, and again she smiled as she looked at us. “Is anyone going to ask for mercy for him?”

“No,” Michaela said, her voice tight.

“I have time for one more,” she said. “Then we should see to the helicopters before I finish. Kristian, would you help the head enforcer put this one back the way he was.”

“If he’s your blood thrall...”

“I need to enforce it,” she said. “For now, I want him secure.”

“Of course,” Elisabeth said.

“Bring me one more, perhaps not one of the pilots.”