"Our tracking program relies on the wireless network for communication, like a cell phone. The satellite will continue to trace the vehicle, but it will have no way to update our system, to inform us of the current location, until it regains wireless coverage. It should be only a short time, and in any event, I believe the destination is clear. He is following a direct line into New Mexico, aiming for Jabril's territory."
"That will not save him,” Raphael growled. Jabril clearly assumed Raphael would be reluctant to pursue him across the territorial bounds, which would involve the Vampire Council in the dispute. Jabril was a fool.
The private jet taxied to a halt and Raphael waited impatiently as one of his people opened the hatch. He would have exited the plane immediately, but Juro rose ahead of him and descended the short stairway alone while his brother effectively blocked the exit. Raphael scowled and was about to remove this obstacle to his departure when the bodyguard abruptly vacated the hatch, taking the stairs to the ground in a single leap.
There were three huge SUVs idling on the runway, their black finish and darkly tinted windows glinting in the plane's running lights. Six vampires from his Phoenix nest were waiting for him when he stepped onto the tarmac, including a driver who remained in each vehicle. A female vampire stepped forward, going to one knee.
"Master."
"Up, Winona,” he said to the nest's leader. “We've no time for this. Duncan has briefed you?"
Winona rose gracefully, spinning to stride side by side with Raphael toward the waiting vehicles. “He has, my lord, and we've maintained direct contact with your security base as well. I know the area where the vehicle is headed. There is perhaps a fifty mile blind spot in the wireless coverage, no more, but it skims the state border."
"I understand. Get me close enough and it will not matter.” Raphael was already feeling the faint hum in his blood that said Cyn was near. The closer he got the stronger it would be.
"As you say, my lord.” Winona signaled her waiting people and everyone piled into the vehicles. Juro edged Raphael toward the second of the three SUVs, then shoved his bulk into the front seat while Duncan maneuvered into the third row, leaving the middle seat to Raphael and Winona.
In moments, they were speeding out of the airport, the rotating lights on the truck roofs marking them as official vehicles and easing their way through the late night traffic. It was all quite legitimate; Jabril wasn't the only vampire who maintained cordial relations with the local authorities. But eventually, the running lights were no longer necessary as they left the city far behind and headed into the impenetrable blackness of the Arizona desert.
Chapter Fifty-two
Elizabeth had long since passed out from exhaustion, but Cyn continued to work doggedly on the tape binding her wrists together. Her arms were aching, her fingers numb and her wrists bleeding from numerous missed cuts as she struggled to slice through the tape using only the jagged edge of her boot heel. Even with her hands in front of her, it was difficult. The cargo compartment was crowded with both of them lying bound, and she had to be careful not to draw her captor's attention with too much movement. She paused to rest her trembling arm muscles and laid her head back on the carpet, wanting nothing more than to close her eyes and sleep, if only for a short time.
She jolted awake as a cell phone rang nearby. Her first thought was that it was her own phone, and she wondered where it was. Surely Luci or Raphael would have tried calling when they couldn't find her. The phone trilled again, but it wasn't hers. Jabril's PI swore, and then answered with a gruff, “Hello.” Cyn strained to listen to the one-sided conversation.
"Yes, sir. I have them both.
"I'm not happy about this. That big bastard's gotta be coming after me. The sun went down hours ago. Yeah? Well, you try loading two unconscious women onto an airplane without anyone asking questions. Besides, I figure taking the bitch's car bought me a few hours.
"No one's following that I can tell, not that I'd know if—Yes sir, still on the interstate, maybe sixty miles from the New Mexico border. Yes, sir, whatever you want. The sooner I turn these two over to you, the happier I'll be."
Cyn could hear faint beeping noises as he entered something on her in-dash navigation system. “I've got it. Are you sure—Yes, sir. As you say, it's your money. I'll be there in less—Fucking cell phone.” Cyn heard a thud as something hit the car seat, then, “Asshole vampire. If he was gonna meet me, why'd I have to drive way the hell out here in the first place?"
All thoughts of resting fled as Cyn realized her time had run out. She scrunched over as far as she could and started rubbing her bound hands against the tiny metal plate, bloodied fingers and wrists forgotten. She had less than sixty miles to get herself free or she'd be worrying about a lot more than a few shallow cuts.
Chapter Fifty-three
In the dim interior of the limo, Jabril gave Asim a questioning look.
"Windle will reach the border shortly before us, less than an hour now.” Asim shifted nervously. “My lord, I am uncomfortable with the idea of crossing the border. It is unnecessary and provocative. You could let your guards go to the meeting instead and bring the captives to you here in your own territory.” He gestured at the empty desert all around them.
"Who is it you fear, Asim? The human?” Jabril scoffed. “You are an old woman sometimes. Perhaps I should have brought Calixto instead of you, after all. He, at least, would not be fretting over unseen dangers. No, Asim. Soon, Raphael will be humiliated and Elizabeth will be mine. Permit me to enjoy the moment."
Having little choice in the matter, Asim acquiesced with a sharp nod. “Your will, my lord."
"Yes, Asim. Always."
Chapter Fifty-four
The Land Rover had pulled off the highway some time ago, leaving the road behind and bumping across the hard desert. Their movement finally stopped, and Cyn heard the PI muttering as he climbed from the driver's seat. She dared a quick peek out the window. They were parked in the middle of nowhere, the lights of a small town in the far distance. Her truck's halogen headlights illuminated a cool rectangle of light close to the ground, making it harder to see anything beyond their glow. The white-haired PI was standing by the side of the truck, rubbing his back. Apparently the long drive had taken a toll on him physically.
"Try it from back here, you f**k,” she snarled.
She ducked once again below the back of the seat. The tape on her hands and mouth was gone, but her feet were still bound, her fingers too slick with blood and clumsy with fatigue to get a grip on the multiple layers of tape. So the hell with her feet; she didn't need her feet to shoot a gun and Jabril could be here at any moment.
"Elizabeth,” she said softly, shaking the younger woman. “Wake up, hon. I need you to move."
Elizabeth woke with a start, her eyes going wide with confusion. “What? Huh?” She struggled to sit up, and Cyn saw the knowledge of where they were flash across her face before she fell back to the floor with a moan.