The Dead War Series (Book 2): Desperate Times (4 page)

“Shit!” she hissed.

“Regarding Cassian, where is he at now, did he say?” Sajan asked, one eyebrow arched.

She nodded. “He was in Springfield, but he told me he's on his way here.”

Sajan smirked. “I suppose he wasn't concerned about the vampire Master there... what's his name, William?” His words were seasoned with a definite hint of sarcasm.

Chloe snorted. “That child?” She laughed, unable to contain it. “Oh please, he wouldn't dare challenge Cassian. Not if he wanted to live to see another second.”

“I agree, not if he was smart. Well, if he's on his way here, that means he found the scientists and intercepted them before they could get to Atlanta.”

“There was no way Cassian would risk Ade getting to this guy first.”

“Oh indeed.” Sajan gave her a knowing nod.

“Cassian's going to want this scientist under his protection,” Chloe stated.

“His
Control
,” Sajan corrected.

“Tomato-tomahto,” she shot back.

“I take it Cassian's planning on bringing the scientist here to work on a cure. That would be the reason why he's been procuring all of these doctors and other scientist, I would presume,” Ovidius speculated, interrupting the conversing vampires as he approached.

Both bowed, showing him respect as a Master vampire.

“You're correct.” Chloe answered.

“Fortunately, I planned ahead.” Ovidius smiled.

“A hospital?”

“Of sorts. A laboratory to be exact. The Target pharmacy is the perfect place for them to work on finding a cure. It's also a better location to house our vampires if they happen to contract this ... what did that teen call it?  'Zombification virus' ...” Ovidius huffed, his eyes closing. “I can't believe I just repeated that ridiculous word.” With a shake of his head, he continued. “Our vampires can go there for treatment, away from our human stock. I've ordered my vampires to seal off a section strong enough to contain several powerful vampires while the area where the scientists will be working remains unencumbered.”

“Well, as they say these days, 'sounds like a plan',” Chloe said.

“It's the best one we've got considering our precarious situation. It's only useful for moderately powerful vampires. For example, if you...” He pointed to Chloe. “...Or Logan should ever become infected, the containment unit wouldn't be able to hold you until we could control your blood lust, so be mindful not to get infected.

Chloe nodded. “And God forbid if Cassian should become infected.” A chill ran down her spine causing her to shiver slightly at the grisly prospect. “I don't want to think about it.”

“Neither do I, but we should be prepared, nonetheless. The same goes for me as well.”

Chloe nodded. “Just know we'd try to save you first.” she offered him a sincere smile.

Ovidius returned it. “I know.” He sighed. “Furthermore, if our blood can't save an infected human before they turn into one of those things out there, I wouldn't waste time or resources putting them in the units waiting for a cure, save maybe one or two for testing.” 

“Then it's a really good idea the lab is not on this location.” Chloe nodded.

“If I may add to our strategic planning, we need a location to put vampires who've been bitten,” Sajan said.

“That's what the lab is for,” Chloe stated.

“Perhaps I should rephrase, since my meaning has escaped you,” Sajan remarked.

Ovidius frowned. “Strategic planning isn't your strongest suit, is it, Chloe?”

“I hardly think that was fair.... sir,” she gritted out. “Cassian chose me as one of his lieutenants, to question my intelligence would be to question his. I don't think he'd take too kindly to the insult.”

Ovidius' lip quirked. “Is that so?”

Her jaw tightened, but Chloe maintained her temper in spite of the rage that was coursing through her that was pointedly directed at both males. “I've proven myself more than worthy on the battlefield. I'm more than capable of creating a defense against our own kind and any human retaliation. I'm sure even you have to admit this situation is uncharted waters for us all. Prepare as we may, we still don't know what we're in for.” She turned her gaze onto Sajan. “Perhaps you should be clearer towards your meaning.

Ovidius' expression remained stoic, concealing his admiration for the pretty blonde lieutenant. “I'm sure you are. I wouldn't imagine Cassian appointing someone unworthy into his inner circle,” he offered.

“If you don't mind me asking, then, why the remark, sir?” Chloe questioned.

“You're his youngest, I was testing you.” Ovidius flashed her an approving smile. 

Chloe glared at Ovidius long enough to get a smirk from the Master vampire, but not long enough to piss him off. She turned her gaze onto Sajan. “Please clarify.”

“I believe he was referring to those vampires who were infected, but then regain themselves. Am I correct in my assumption?” Ovidius asked Sajan.

Sajan nodded. “We don't know if they can still infect another being. We don't know if when they attempt to feed, their bite will transfer the virus to either human or vampire.” He turned to Chloe, smirking slightly as if to say, 'see, he got it'.

Chloe rolled her eyes, but remained silent. Her feelings toward the first lieutenant were thinly veiled to say the least. But as a fourth rank lieutenant, she had to bite back her insults and swallow and heavy dose of her pride.

Ovidius caught the unspoken dialogue between the two lieutenants and he lowered his head to hide his smile. He remembered all too well, the competition within the ranks. Once his smile faded, he raised his head to address the two younger vampires. “You make a valid point. I'll set aside a section here to house those vampires until they can be tested,” he said. “Now, I believe you have orders to carry out.”

Both Chloe and Sajan nodded and walked off to fulfill their duty.

“Master, I couldn't help but here a bit of your conversation and I have to ask, what
do
we do about the vampires who become infected?” Madison asked, coming up behind him. She pinned her dark brown, crinkly hair back from her eyes using several bobby pins she found in the beauty aisle. “You know, if there are too many?”

Ovidius turned. “If we can't contain them until we cure them, we kill them.”

“What about rank or age?” Madison asked.

Ovidius pursed his lips. “Of course, every effort will be made to save one of our own who holds a substantial position among our kind. However, if in the event of trying to save one jeopardizes the others, we do what we must.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. “So basically the containment units are only reserved for vampires worth the risk. Does that answer your question?”

“Yes. May I make a suggestion?”

Ovidius shifted from one foot to the other. “And that is?”

“That we use blood bags to feed vampires who've been infected. I think tossing humans inside the cages for them to feed on would be a drain on our resources if they feed, kill and then the fucking things rise up and bite the vampire and start the whole cycle all over again. Do you agree?” Madison's eyes scanned her Master searching for his approval. She so wanted to please him and was hoping her strategic suggestions were earning her points.

Ovidius pursed his lips. “Good point. Blood bags it is.”

Madison allowed herself a moment of internal gloating and celebration before another thought squashed her pride under foot. She frowned. “Oh, but what if an infected vampire needs fresh blood straight from the vein in order to restore themselves?”

“Fucking hell, Madison!” Ovidius grimaced, his frustration getting the better of him.

“Am I raining on your parade too much?”

“Try torrential downpour.”

“I'm sorry, you know how I am. I like to look at all of the angles,” Madison said in her defense.

Ovidius offered a warm smile. He caressed her cheek lovingly. “I know. That's why I turned you. You're also very good at presenting those angles.” He sighed heavily, unable to hide his annoyance at their situation. It was hard to prepare for something when you didn't even know what the hell to prepare for. Fighting a territory war, that was easy. He excelled at that. The vampire who owned St. Louis before he took over gave it his best effort, but he was no match. Give him a vampire territory war over this shit any day and he'd happily oblige.

He signed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “We'll have to find out which one works when the times comes. Let us hope it doesn't.”

Madison nodded. “In the meantime, I have arranged for a few of the extra cargo trailers to be sleeping quarters for all of the vampires coming to live with us. Oh, I took the liberty of getting a couple of nice trailers for us royalty to call our own for now.”

“Did you think of this yourself?” Ovidius inquired.

“It was a collective thought process between Cassy and myself.”

“Are these the mobile home sort with all of the finery?” Ovidius asked, one eyebrow cocked.

“But of course.”

He gave her one quick nod. “Very good. Make sure they are reinforced from the outside. I don't want to be caught unawares because my door was too easy to open.”

“Yes, Master.”

“I want you to continue to bring in more trailers, as many as we can find. I want this barrier wall to be higher, three trailers stack ought to do it. Also, make sure we have plenty of fuel for the generators.” Ovidius rubbed a finger over his eyebrow. It was a habit he did when he was a bit stressed which was rare. However it would be his fourth time doing it since he woke up that morning.

“Yes, Master,” Madison said, then she turned, walking away.

“Oh Madison,” Ovidius called.

She faced him again. “Yes sir?”

“We'll have to speed up our efforts. Those things have breached my city.”

Madison nodded. “I'm on it.” She started to walk away, but stopped, turning slightly.  “So, the notice goes out that vampires must not get bitten, or risk death if captured.”

“It is what it is,” Ovidius said.

“Very well.” Madison left, heading back to supervise the reinforcing of their location.

Ovidius looked around their Costco sanctuary. What few entries they had were already being sealed with titanium slates on the inside and all of the shutters had been lowered and sealed in place on the outside with an extra layer of titanium shielding creating a triple defense. Only one entrance door was being utilized and the other was barricaded by a large steel slate. The perimeter, not including the gas station, was still being rounded off with trailers being stacked on top of each other, now by the threes after receiving the new orders. They had stolen several bulldozers, tractors and other construction machinery in order to get the job done as fast as possible. Their biggest tool however, was their own strength and speed. Even at limited power, vampires were an extreme force to be reckoned with. And time was ever of the essence. They knew that St. Louis would be overrun by the zombies within the hour. With the combination of Cassian's vampires, who were still arriving and his own, things were moving as swiftly as they could. He didn't know how bad it was going to get, but he was going to do the best he could to prepare. Ovidius walked out into the parking lot and took to the skies to check on the other location, the Target pharmacy.

~***~

Ovidius landed at his destination. He took a walk around the entire building, checking on the progress. All of the windows and doors had been sealed off with thick steel plates. The only way in or out of the building would be through its rooftop entrance. As inconvenient as it might be, it was imperative. He had wanted more safe house locations, but that was out of the question at this point. The two locations would have to do for now. He leapt atop the roof, landing lightly on his feet and was greeted by one of his lieutenants.

“Sire, progress is running smoothly,” Donovan, the tall and ruggedly handsome blue eyed, chestnut brown haired vampire updated. “As you can see from the exterior, all access points have been sealed off. With the technology that we have, sodding the metal has been a breeze.” 

The two men entered the building and began taking a tour of the interior.

“Very good.” Ovidius looked around, taking in the busy vampires using blow torches to seal the steel bars for the containment units in place. There were others atop of the new steel gate applying extremely dangerous razor wire for added protection. Five cells were being constructed far away from the area where thick metal gates were being built to separate the containment units from the lab. All of the steel barriers were their first defense. The vampires themselves would be their second. “You've done well here.”

“Thank you, Master,” Donovan nodded appreciatively.

“Well, with the extra fuel tankers we have... it will ensure our generators will have some longevity. When the powerful finally goes down.”

“It helps that we're outside the blast radius of the nearest nuclear power plant, too.” Donovan pointed out.

“If it becomes too much of a risk, I'll have our engineers disable the nearest plant so it won't be a problem.” Ovidius turned towards Donovan. “Who do we have that can do that?”