The Dead War Series (Book 2): Desperate Times (8 page)

“You ask me if you'd be safer inside a location such as the CDC?” Cassian posed the question.

Vincent nodded. “It has state of the art technology and access to an array of specimens and biological antibodies and antigens that would be at my disposal. Bringing us here has limited my resources drastically. You say you want to save us all, how can you by kidnapping us and forcing me to come up with a cure under these unstable and insufficient conditions?”

“You're a fool if you think the CDC facility would protect you from what's coming,” Cassian said, stubbornly ending any further conversation on the matter.

“Maybe you're just realizing you made a mistake,” Vincent shot back.

Cassian's laugh started low in his chest, until his lips parted; smiling and then it became more boisterous as if Vincent has just said the most hilarious joke.

“Did I say something funny?” Vincent asked, frowning as his agitation began to build.

“Apparently, you did, hence my reaction to your seemingly never-ending stupidity.” Cassian sighed and shook his head.

“Regardless of what you think of me, what I say is true,” Vincent protested.

“What part? That I made a mistake I'm not willing to admit, or that you think the CDC facility is a safer location?” Cassian cocked an eyebrow.

“Both,” Vincent boldly stated. He swallowed hard, Adam's apple visibly bobbing as the stern stare from Cassian began to unnerve him even more than he already was.
Maybe arguing with a vampire wasn't the best idea.

Felicity's gaze shifted between the two men, seeing the tension mounting between them. She couldn't shake the fear that was building inside of her. The uncertainly of their future. Just what did this vampire want from them besides making a cure? “I'd like to really have an answer to his question,” she said.

Diverting his attention from the arrogant and foolish human male before him, Cassian turned towards the female scientist who seemed to be the smartest of the group. “I'm sure you would. I would like to be sleeping in my nice warm bed in my beautiful, luxurious high-rise condo, but sadly, that's been destroyed. Your quest to be gods, have resulted in the downfall of many.”

Vincent frowned. “I--”

“I have no concern for your motives or whatever scientific triumphs you sought to attain,” Cassian interjected. “What is done is done. I will not answer any more of these questions you
think
you're entitled to.” He turned back to Vincent. “You will see for yourselves why the CDC was not the better option.”

“We're here and I don't think we're going anywhere any time soon. Let's just do what we can to save the human race,” Dr. Powers said to the others to prevent them from further angering the vampire; a being he still couldn't believe existed. 

“Finally, one among you speaks with some level of intelligence,” Cassian remarked. “This is what is going to happen: You three will work with other scientists we've managed to gather to use what research you have to create a cure. We have a location set up that will serve as your lab. Make it work. If you need something that's not there, we will do our best to get it for you.”

“Do you know how to kill these things?” Dr. Powers inquired.

“You will speak only when spoken to or with permission. I'll not have you bombarding me or my people with your questions. Understand your place here. We are not your saviors. We are not your partners. We are not your friends. You are here because we have a mutual interest in preserving human life. You will do what is necessary and once a cure is created, we will use it to save as many infected humans as possible. What happens after that is yet to be seen.”

Cassian turned, walking back to the desk in the room and leaning against it with arms crossed over his broad chest. “So far, we've only deduced that those things can be killed by decapitation. It will not be easy to dispatch them when they hunt by the hordes.”

“So, to clarify, the humans you have here are livestock for you,” Maj. Garrett stated.

“Exactly,” Cassian said, not feeling any need to sugarcoat the truth.

Then with lightening quick speed, before Maj. Garrett could even scoff at the notion, Cassian was across the little room, with his hand around the human's throat, lifting him several inches from the floor. The man struggled furtively in the powerful grasp of the extremely pissed off vampire. His feet dangled wildly as he fought for air, sputtering and gasping as his eyes bulged from their sockets.

“Oh shit!” Vincent gasped as he jumped a couple feet backward, putting as much distance between him and the other two men as possible in the cramped office. He had never seen anyone or anything for that matter, move that fast. Both Felicia and Dr. Powers fell back against the large metal file cabinet in their combined horror. If there was any doubt that Cassian was exactly what he said he would, it had been erased in that instant.

Cassian moved in close, so close that their faces were only a few inches apart. “I can drain you dry and leave you an empty husk with less concern than you have swatting a fly. Do not test me.” He shoved Maj. Garrett back, sending the man crashing into the door before he fell to his knees, coughing and gasping for breath. “As for your place here,” Cassian continued. “You'll stay with the other humans and if we need your military expertise, you will provide it. That is the extent of
your
necessity to us.”

“My concern is the survival of the human race,” Maj. Garrett sputtered as he slowly rose to his feet. “We all want to live to see this epidemic end.” He gently massaged the newly forming bruises on his neck left by Cassian's powerful and merciless fingers.

Cassian sneered at him. “I don't know if it's because you're stubborn, stupid or incredibly brave.  On any other given day, I would have killed you already for speaking out of term. You're quite fortunate that your life holds some measure of value to me. But understand, you are beneath me, you are sustenance, entertainment for my kind and nothing more. Continue to press me and I'll make an example out of you,” Cassian growled.

Maj. Garrett bit his tongue, holding in the insult he wanted to release. Dying now, in that little office wouldn't help him fulfill his duty to his men or his country. So he remained silent.

Vincent's heart was still thumping rapidly inside his chest as he witnessed Cassian's display of power. He began to really wonder if he'd be safe, even after he came up with a cure, God willing.

Felicia went to Maj. Garrett's aid, asking him if he was all right.

“Yeah, I'll be fine.” he said, giving the vampire a menacing glare.

Cassian ignored the human's heated stare and turned his attention to Vincent.

“Dr. Masterson, you are the sole surviving scientist who developed this virus. That makes you entirely indispensable. Therefore, you've just been given a promotion of the highest order. You, Ms. Anderson and your co-worker, Dr. Bale, your intimate knowledge of science and the medical field makes you both valued assets, that goes for you as well, Dr. Powers,” Cassian said. “We can't risk any of you becoming infected by this virus, therefore, the next stage in my plan will take place tonight.”

“Wait, what are you talking about?” Felicity asked as she gave Cassian a suspicious look. She took several steps backward until she met the wall.

“I'm sure you're already aware of what I speak. That is why you seek to put distance between us as if it would help.” Cassian waved his hand dismissively. “Had I but had a choice in the matter, I would have nothing to do with the likes of you. But our survival depends on what must be done.”

Vincent and Dr. Powers soon joined her, their eyes wide as saucers as they peered in terror and uncertainty at the vampire before them.
Is he really implying that he was going to turn them? Was he really going to make them monsters, like him? Could they stop him?
All of these thoughts ran through their minds as they looked around the room and at each other.

“M-may I speak?” Vincent asked, raising his hand as if he was in school. The thought crossed his mind, but he didn't have time to feel foolish about it. The last thing he wanted to do was test this vampire.

“What?” Cassian cocked a brow in his direction.

“Why?” Vincent asked. 

“This virus affects us as well, the difference is we can recover from it. As humans, once infected, you'll be useless to us,” Cassian replied.

“But isn't that the reason you brought us here?” Vincent asked as he took one bold step toward Cassian. “To protect us while we work on the cure. You don't need to do this?”

Cassian scoffed. “It
will
be done. You should be grateful. Do you think I bestow this gift on any human? Do you know how many people would kill their first born to be in your position? It has happened throughout history. Do you have any idea what you will receive? You couldn't possibly fathom. Life everlasting, power obviously beyond your mortal comprehension. You have no idea what is being granted to you, but you will. Once the sun sets, the conversion will begin.”

Cassian walked past them, opening the door. He leaned out and gestured for someone to come in. He stepped back into the room followed by three tall male vampires. One was blonde, six-feet-six and very muscular.

“Yes sir,” said the blonde with the brightest blue eyes. He gave Cassian a slight bow.

“Take these three to the room where we're keeping the ones to be converted.” Then Cassian made a dismissive wave towards Maj. Garrett. “This one can join the human stock.”

The blonde nodded and gestured for the other two men to assist him.

“No! I don't want to be what you are!” Vincent yelled as the blonde man took hold of his arm. Vincent struggled in the man's grasp, but to no avail. The grip that was on his arm was unrelenting and now because of his struggles, that same powerful grip was on his other arm completely immobilizing him.

Felicity struggled vainly in the embrace of a dark haired man twice her size. Finally fed up with her, he hoisted her roughly over his shoulders and she groaned at the sudden pressure against her abdomen. Vincent and Felicia were taken from the room to their designated area leaving Dr. Power and Maj. Garrett staring back at one of the most menacing looking men either of them had ever encountered.

The behemoth vampire looked down at the two men. “Do I really need to throw you over my shoulder and carry you kicking and screaming like some bitches from this office?” he asked. “I will if I have to, but if you make me go that far, I'll make you pay.”

“Will it do us any good to try and fight you?” Dr. Power asked. He'd been feeling the weight of their circumstance even more pressing since meeting Cassian.

“No,” the vampire said. “So what's it going to be?”

Maj. Garrett turned to Cassian. “You're sending me to the 'human stock'. Killing me would be a mistake. Killing any of the humans you have here would only bring on that war you were trying to avoid.”

“You know nothing,” Cassian said with a wicked smirk. “We have no intention of killing you...yet.”

“What's to stop me from going out there and telling every human what you really are? What you plan to do?” Maj. Garrett challenged.

Cassian looked at the other vampire. “Jack, take the doctor and put him with the others. Leave this one.”

“Yes Master,” Jack said and motioned for Dr. Powers to follow him.

Dr. Powers took another look at Cassian and saw no room for negotiation or mercy in his expression. The vampire was resolved in his decision to convert them. He decided he'd save his breath and efforts and try again later. He followed the large vampire now known as “Jack” out of the office to where they wanted him to go.

Cassian stepped up to Maj. Garrett, so close they were only a few inches apart. He began to stare into the soldier's eyes capturing his attention. “Tell me everything you know about military protocols. I want to know where we can find weapons in this area, passcodes, and anything else you feel is pertinent information.”

Under the vampire's powerful compulsion, information flowed from Maj. Garrett like a river and Cassian absorbed it all.

“I take it, this one has worn out his welcome?” Ovidius speculated, stepping into the open doorway.

Cassian nodded as Maj. Garrett was still giving him information he knew about that was classified. Both vampires listened to the human until he had no more information to give.

Cassian smiled and released his mental hold over Maj. Garrett.

The soldier stumbled back, blinking as he became aware of his surroundings. “You made me tell you government secrets!”

“Yes, I did. Try as I may, Major, I see no reason to suffer you any longer. Our new converts will need to feed at First Rising, that is your purpose now,” Cassian said. “For now, I'll put you in the room with the other humans who share your fate.”

“So, I'm just supposed to sit there like some quite little lamb awaiting my turn to be taken to the slaughter?” Maj. Garrett grimaced at Cassian.

“Exactly,” Ovidius said, turning his back on him and walking towards the desk.

Maj. Garrett looked at the vampire Master as he turned and settled his rear end on the edge of the desk. “I'm not afraid to die,” he growled. His gaze shifted from one Master to the other. Cassian's expression remained unreadable as he stared at the human.