two decades had passed between the infiltrations. He also had some serious backup this time: He, Xhex, and John had suited up with weapons and Kevlar that the couple had brought with them to her cabin in an SUV. And then they’d dematerialized, one by one, out of Caldwell, to this remote site in Ithaca.
Entry through the rooftop vents of the sprawling facility. Just like before. Interception of a security guard. Just like before.
It was then that he began deviating from the past. This time, he compelled the guard to take them down to the top secret part of the facility, a tour guide who had no will of his own.
So many unadorned corridors. So many unmarked doors in walls made of frosted glass.
So many security cameras.
Murhder had a handgun down by his side as he stayed behind the zombie guard. John was right beside him. Xhex was in the rear and walking backward, making sure no one came up on them. The research complex seemed vacant of clinicians and staff, a benefit to Sunday nights in the human world. There were people on-site, however—their scents were distant and dimmed by all the fake air being pumped in through the HVAC system, but Murhder’s vampire nose detected them.
As they came up to a branching of halls, the guard didn’t skip a beat. He went straight on, striding like an automaton.
Murhder glanced over at John. The male was totally focused, moving with sure footing, gun down at his thigh as well.
Eerie. Even though they’d just met, Murhder could have sworn that they had done this kind of thing together countless times.
John glanced over. Nodded—
And all hell broke loose.
From over on the left, a frosted glass door opened into the hall, and a human male in a suit with an open collared shirt stepped out. He appeared to be in his mid-sixties, with a full head of salt-and-pepper gray hair, a trim build, and eyes that had the dead sheen of sea glass.
The guard in the trance stopped, his training overriding even Murhder’s mind control.
“What’s going on here?” the man in the suit demanded.
With the kind of authority that suggested he owned the place.
Xhex was on it, jumping forward and shoving the muzzle of her gun into his throat as she twisted his arm around behind his back and cranked him into a hold.
“Stay quiet and I won’t shoot you,” she said in a quiet voice. “Dr. Kraiten.”
The man looked back at her and seemed to pale. “You.”
“Surprise. Didn’t think you’d see me again? Well, I’m back to finish what I started with your partner. Who knew I’d be this lucky and find you so soon.”
As Xhex spoke, her mate bared his fangs, John’s upper lip curling back like a wolf’s—and Murhder was tempted to let the pair of them do whatever they wanted to the guy. Clearly, Xhex was familiar with the human from her previous imprisonment, and it was hard not to argue with her right to ahvenge herself. But there was no time for that kind of delay.
“Walk on,” Murhder commanded the guard.
“You’re not going to get away with this,” the man in the suit—Dr. Kraiten?—said. “I will lock down this facility right now and—”
“Walk on,” Murhder snapped at the guard as he pointed his gun at the man in the uniform.
The guard winced like his temples were singing with pain. And then he turned away from his boss and continued onward. As they started forward once more, Dr. Kraiten’s words were cut off, no doubt from Xhex pushing that muzzle directly into his voice box.
They’d gone about ten yards when alarms started to sound.
“Sonofabitch,” Xhex muttered. “Fucking Apple. Give me that goddamn watch.”
Clearly, the man had triggered something at his wrist, and Murhder looked over his shoulder as a struggle started. John ended up grabbing the back of the man’s head and shoving him face-first into the expanse of frosted glass, those features mashing up under the pressure, blood smudging as the nose started to bleed.
The man was stripped of whatever had been on his wrist, and then John cuffed him and shoved a bandana into his mouth as Xhex provided cover.
Once more with feeling, Murhder thought as they resumed their trek for a second time. Dr. Kraiten continued fighting against the hold on him, but there was no doubt Xhex would handle it.
Some distance further, the guard stopped in front of a door and took out a pass card. One swipe and they were inside some kind