A Hunger for Darkness (10 page)

Chapter
Nineteen

“We have a lot to talk about,” Kenzi said. There had been no time to speak. The sun was moments from coming up when they returned to the apartment, and they’d both been too exhausted to fight the death-like sleep that stalked them.

Connor’s face was haggard, as though sleep had given no respite. He stared back at Kenzi without response, but with a certain acceptance for what was coming.

“You turned me,” Kenzi said in a flat tone, without accusation. It was a statement, and she hadn’t yet resolved how she felt.

“Yes,” Connor answered.

“Why?” Kenzi asked. She sat in the chair Connor usually occupied while he leaned back on one arm of the sofa.

“I was pursuing Gabriel as well. I saw him take you. I recognized you as a part of Center, and it all reminded me of my own experience. I chose to save you in the hope you would be like me, and an ally.” Connor spoke in clipped sentences.

Kenzi looked away and ran a hand through her long hair. She had worked hard to get the stench of smoke off of her, but could still detect a lingering scent. She sat silently for a few minutes. Connor’s gaze never left her.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Kenzi finally asked, her voice softly breaking the silence.

“When I saw how you reacted to having been turned, and how blaming Gabriel seemed to motivate you, I thought it expedient not to tell you.” Gabriel kept his face and tone neutral.

“I have only recently realized how Center manipulated us. They carefully fanned our hatred to make us expert hunters and killers. You did the same thing.” Kenzi let the full weight of her stare find Connor’s eyes. He did not flinch, or answer.

Kenzi turned the subject. “Have you been holding me back?”

Connor’s eyes widened, and he allowed a small smile. “Are you angry I turned you, or that I haven’t made you a stronger vampire?”

“Do not toy with me!” Kenzi’s demeanor shattered, and rage blazed from her like a torch. “You have tried to turn me into your instrument! You wanted a hunting and killing machine, but you’ve left me nearly defenseless. What I am I; bait?”

Connor’s face softened. “No, never that. I haven’t held you back, I just haven’t accelerated your progress. It is true, I could have let you feed from me and it would have made you stronger, but the risk is too great.”

“Risk? Now you worry about risk?” Kenzi’s tone was bitter.

“To increase your powers by introducing more of the virus into your body would also increase your hunger. I wanted you to learn how to master it, I feared pushing you any more would break your ability to control yourself.” Connor’s hands had opened toward her, as though pleading.

“You’ve had a lot of fun watching me, haven’t you? The huntress from Center practically begging you to fuck her; you the very monster that created her.” Angry tears welled in Kenzi’s eyes.

“Kenzi,” Connor said softly. “I am still a man, and I have fought my own urges in order to be a mentor to you. I wanted to teach you how to survive this life, and I couldn’t do that if I was emotionally compromised. I can’t be as hard on you, or push you as I need to, if I allow my feelings for you to distract me.”

Kenzi glanced at his sharply, and Connor leaned back, as though shocked by what he admitted.

“Don’t worry, there will be no distractions now,” Kenzi said. “My purpose is the same, to destroy vampires. We’ll work together to find and kill Gabriel, and then we can go our separate ways. I’ve learned all I care to from you.”

The faint sound of a person moving down the hallway outside the apartment interrupted them. They sat motionless as they listened. The person was attempting to creep silently, but the vampires’ acute hearing made it impossible. The feet stopped outside the door, and a slip of paper whispered against the polished concrete as it slid under the door. As though the messenger’s nerve began to fail, the steps away were much faster, and seemed less concerned with stealth.

Connor picked up the paper and unfolded it, quickly scanning the contents. Kenzi could see his features tighten. Without comment he handed it to Kenzi, who had moved beside him.

There is an abandoned subway station deep underneath the Commodore Hotel. Gabriel is there.
The note had no signature, but Kenzi recognized the flowing script as Director Whitechapel’s. Kenzi identified it for Connor.

Connor stood silently before releasing a soft sigh and looking around the apartment. “That’s too bad, I liked this place but now it’s been blown. Why would the director tell us where to find Gabriel?”

“So we can do the work for her. I’m sure his new lair is easy to defend and hard to break.” Kenzi rolled her shoulders as though preparing for a fight.

“It is, but I remember when the place was still operating for VIPs arriving in the city during the Depression. I remember the layout, and I know a couple of ways in. We need to prepare our weapons and do a little recon, then we go in.” Connor said.

“Tonight?” Kenzi’s eyebrows shot up.

“He’s had no more time prepare then we have. It won’t get any easier if we wait.” Connor headed for the storage locker at the end of the room. They began sorting various tools for killing, all trace of the earlier conversation abandoned with their new purpose.

Chapter
Twenty

“It’s bigger than I thought it would be” Kenzi said as she stared into the cavernous space. Unlike a modern subway tunnel, this was an underground train station. There was no platform, only a siding where a forgotten and rusting passenger train car sat, lit from within as well as outside by portable lanterns creating a circle of illumination. At each end, dark tunnel openings led to where the line would join the rest of the subway network. Connor and Kenzi crouched just inside one of these tunnel arches while they studied the layout.

“In its day, it could handle several trains at once. Once the trains were no longer the way the rich and famous travelled, it wasn’t needed and the hotel sealed it off.” Connor spoke quietly as he scanned the darkness.

They had trekked up from the closest subway stop, moving quickly to avoid detection and traffic on the line. Their weapons were chosen for ease of movement, and would not slow their progress. Connor carried a number of serrated knives, once plunged into flesh and twisted, they would be difficult to remove. Once lodged in a vampire heart the damage would be fatal. Kenzi carried similar knives, but also a very large caliber pistol, with soft, hollow-point ammunition. It wouldn’t kill a vampire, but it could slow one down enough to allow an advantage in closer combat.

Connor led the way deeper into the darkness. The moved silently, slipping behind one of the pillars that allowed a better view of the old train car. It looked like a salon car made for luxury travel at the end of the era of the old robber barons.

“Four humans,” Conner observed.

Kenzi had detected them as well, not only had her vision improved in the darkness, but she found she could see a faint glow around them as they stood silently, guarding the train car. She realized the infra-red vision Connor had spoken of was developing. Their scent drifted to her, increasing her sense of being a predator stalking prey.

“They’re just to lure us out, our targets are waiting for us to move in,” Kenzi whispered.

Connor nodded beside her. Together they surveyed the scene. It was well-chosen to make the final approach difficult. No matter which direction they came from, the last twenty yards would be exposed, and relatively well-lit.

A chill slipped its icy fingers in her chest as Kenzi caught the faint scent of something warm and living from the tunnel behind them.

“It’s a trap,” Kenzi grabbed Connor’s arm.

Connor paused and shifted his head, smelling and listening. “Behind us. I guess we were expected.”

“It’s not Gabriel, it’s Center.” Kenzi spoke with resigned acceptance.

“How do you know? I thought they were going to let us kill Gabriel for them,” Connor looked behind them for confirmation.

“The Director wouldn’t let us just fight it out down here. She’d send a team in after us to wait for the result and kill the survivors.” Kenzi closed her eyes. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of it sooner.”

Connor sat in silence for a moment before speaking again. “I’d rather go down fighting than wait to be executed. If all I can do is destroy Gabriel before I go, I’ll take it.”

“I’m in, what’s the plan?” Kenzi found she was craving the clarity of purpose she always found in combat.

“We’ll get as close as we can moving from pillar to pillar. Stay with me until I signal, then sprint away and make a little noise, not much, just enough to catch their attention. As soon as I hit them, double back and take out whoever is left.” Connor sounded so confident, it took Kenzi a moment to consider his words.

“That’s your plan, just rush them?” Her tone carried a dose of skepticism.

“You got a better idea?” Connor asked.

Kenzi thought for a moment. “No.”

“Then we go,” Connor was off, sprinting silently through the darkness along the line of concrete columns.

Kenzi matched his speed but remained half a step back, exhilarated even as she felt a pang of fear. The feeling of racing to battle sent adrenaline surging through her.

Connor pointed to his right as they approached the last pillar, still moving silently. Kenzi raced away, allowing her feet to slap the cement floor slightly, and scuffing a heel with barely audible hiss. Her sensitive hearing picked up the guards moving, and an excited murmur passing between them.

Almost at the same moment she heard the sharp explosion of a shot, and the twang of a ricochet spinning away behind her. She spun and began racing back to the circle of light in time to see one guard flying toward the rail car, limp and leaving a red smear as he landed.

The guards were large and well-armed. Each looked to be wearing a Kevlar vest and carrying automatic weapons. The one nearest Kenzi as she approached had turned slightly to see his associate fall, and that was all the opening she needed. She twisted his head until she heard a snap and leapt over him as he fell.

The next guard was waiting for her. He had time to raise his gun as Kenzi reached him. The muzzle spat a tongue of flame and she felt the impact and searing heat low on her left side. Before he could fire again, Kenzi was on him. She gripped the hot barrel and pushed back while the guard attempted to hold onto the weapon. He fell backwards with Kenzi on top of him, a knife in her grip. She struck at his throat, and a fountain of blood spurted up at her.

Kenzi forced back the hunger before it could claim her, and pushed away to see the last guard fall away from Connor. Their eyes met, blazing with the savage joy of combat. Connor never noticed the small shadow peel away from the pillar behind him and strike.

Kenzi’s scream came too late to be a warning, and instead began a protest of rage and anguish. Connor fell forward, his face a mask of confusion. A steel dagger glowed in the light of the lanterns, embedded in his spine. Standing over him was Katerina, grinning with feral excitement.

Even as she started to move, Kenzi realized if Katerina was behind Connor……

Kenzi dropped and spun, one leg extended in a sweep. The pain of her own wound was forgotten as she sought the enemy she knew must be waiting. Her leg connected with another, and a figure dropped heavily. A dagger was in each hand as Kenzi jumped to her feet and fell on the man before her. As she plunged both knives into his chest, she recognized his face; Maksim.

Without time to properly lodge her weapons in his heart, she had to twist away, sure that another threat was close. Kenzi turned to see Katerina almost upon her, and lashed out in a frantic kick. The awkward kick was enough to send Katerina reeling while Kenzi turned back to her first foe.

Maksim stood, blood streaming from the two wounds. He grinned, and while he was too young for fangs, Kenzi recognized the wild bloodlust in his eyes. He was a vampire.

“I see Gabriel finally turned you,” Kenzi said.

Maksim said nothing, panting from exertion and his injuries. Kenzi saw him shift and prepare to charge again, just as she knew Katerina would be gathering herself as well. She was outnumbered and Connor was down. Maksim began his charge.

Behind Kenzi a blast of light and sound exploded, echoing throughout the vast space, impossibly loud. In front of her, Maksim’s head was thrown backwards as a red blossom appeared on his forehead. Kenzi spun to see Connor raised on an elbow, holding his pistol out stretched before him. She could also see Katerina darting behind columns, heading for the shadows beyond the reach of the light.

Kenzi stopped to drive one of the serrated daggers deep into Maksim’s heart and left it there before she ran to Connor’s side.

“I was a little too slow,” Connor tried to joke, even as his pain drained his face of color.

“Shut up, and tell me what to do. Do I pull it out?” Kenzi rested her hand gently on the knife still lodged in Connor’s spine.

“Give it a quick pull, straight out,” Connor closed his eyes and tightened his fists.

The knife came free as Connor gasped. Kenzi gently rolled Connor to his back. “How long are you going to lie here?” Kenzi kept her tone light, but kept scanning the shadows around them for attack.

“It’s going to take a while for this one to heal. Have you seen Gabriel?” Connor asked.

“Not yet,” Kenzi answered, her gaze falling back on Connor.

“Prop me up and get moving, I think it’s time you retreated to fight another day.” Connor pushed himself to a sitting position, and scowled into the darkness.

“Not a chance, we’re not done here yet.” Kenzi began to pull him back to a guard’s body, propping him as best she could so that he faced the shadows. Making sure he still had the pistol, she began to search the space around them for any movement.

Connor gripped her arm. “You’re outnumbered, and as you said, Center’s probably waiting to finish off survivors. Get out of here.”

“Sure thing, I’m on my way out of here, I just have one thing left to do.” With that, Kenzi sped away, a new surge of energy racing through her.

Katerina had been wearing dark-grey clothing, better than black for hiding in this gloom. Kenzi knew she could spot the white flash of her pale skin if she was lucky enough to get the right angle, so she tried to cover as much ground as possible, always being careful to keep Connor in sight.

The soft soles of her boots made less than a whisper against the concrete floor as she ran out in the open, hoping to lure Katerina it out. In front of her, a figure stepped from behind a pillar and threw something.

Kenzi threw herself to her back, sliding a few feet as some kind of knife hissed overhead. She leapt back on her feet and charged the figure, who attempted to spin and run back into the black void around them. Kenzi made a flying tackle, rolling away as she sent Katerina tumbling. Kenzi was up and running before the other vampire stopped moving. As Katerina tried to rise, Kenzi was there with a kick hard enough to break ribs.

Katerina fell to her back and clutched her side.

“Why can’t you play nice?” Katerina said with a grimace.

“Stay down,” Kenzi ordered.

“Or what?” Katerina mocked. “How is this going to end? One of us has to die here.”

Kenzi stood silently, a knife in her fist. Even now, she hesitated. Katerina’s blue eyes brought back the memories of the lifetime they’d spent together, and Kenzi already felt remorse for what she was about to do. Katerina lay broken at her feet, waiting.

“Excuse me,” a new voice echoed.

Kenzi spun to see Gabriel standing at the edge of the circle of light, far behind Connor, who was trying to turn to face the threat. Gabriel carried a long spear.

“Connor, please lower the pistol. I can run you through before you get in position to get a shot.” Gabriel began moving up behind Connor, who lowered his gun to his lap, and stared at Kenzi.

Kenzi walked away from Katerina, who rolled to her feet with a groan.

“Not too much closer.” Gabriel rested the tip of his spear against Connor’s back. He prodded Connor a few times. “What’s the matter, a little nerve damage there?”

Connor continued to hold eye contact with Kenzi, and she knew he was trying to send her message. She ignored it.

Kenzi stopped a few feet in front of Connor. “Now what? Do we just stand her and stare at each other?”

Gabriel smiled. He wore a loose, flowing shirt of the type he seemed to favor, although it too was in a darker color to match the environment. Kenzi wondered if he had been silently in the darkness the whole time, waiting patiently to spring the trap.

“That was an impressive charge, but I expected no less. I’m not sure how you intended to win, but it really was well done.” Gabriel kept his tone light, his smile still in place.

“We were motivated to find you,” Kenzi replied, her grip on the knife almost painfully tight. Every muscle in her body longed to throw itself at the monster before her.