Van Helsing Rising - Helen Scott Page 0,54

another. Even just being brothers wouldn't have them looking so similar. If Dragon didn't perpetually look like he was smirking then I’m sure it would have been obvious even earlier.

Those hazel eyes of his are just staring down at me, as serious as I've ever seen him. "You need to pick whose power you want and stay close to them. I'd suggest either myself or Striker since we have the most offensive powers. Crash and Phoenix will keep you safe but their powers aren't as actionable and could leave you vulnerable."

"No offense, but I don't exactly want those monsters wanting to fuck me," I said.

"I don't just do lust. I do all emotions. You make them feel enough fear and they will piss themselves before they think about attacking you," Dragon replies, his cocky smirk back in place. "People always want to have mind control as their power, but in reality, people, and creatures, follow their emotions more than their thoughts. You control their emotions, you control them."

"Have you been controlling me?" The question pops out, bypassing the filter in my brain and leaving me wondering why I just asked that.

Dragon's face goes serious again. "No, never. Influencing, maybe, but only because you were freaking out. The only thing I ever try and control is those monsters, but they are difficult. Their aggression is so high, their fear of their captors or controllers or whatever they are can override whatever emotion I'm trying to push on them. My power will at least give you some distance though. Striker's is obviously the most aggressive power, but you'll have to get up close and personal with these assholes for it to work."

"It's good if you want to work out some aggression," Striker says ominously from somewhere behind Dragon.

As though hearing his friend's voice reminded him that we weren't alone, Dragon steps back and I can see the four of them once more. For the first time that evening, I really look at them. They'd added some stuff while Phoenix and Dragon were talking to me. They now have black tactical vests that look like they are bulletproof, or at least attempting to be, to their outfits and for the first time since I've met them, they aren't wearing their cuts. There are also black choker looking things around their throats, and guns have appeared from somewhere.

Suddenly I’m not standing in front of some members of an MC, but mercenaries, or maybe avenging angels, because I’m fairly sure no one is paying them to do this shit. I gulp as I watch Dragon pull his vest and matching black choker from the saddlebags of his bike and slip both of them on. The choker is first, sliding around his throat before plugging in to something on his belt, then the vest slips over top, securing the wires and protecting him all at the same time.

When I’m able to look away, I see Crash holding out a vest and choker to me as well. "What is this?" I ask, taking the choker from his hand.

"A throat mic. It picks up the vibrations of your vocal cords so you can just whisper and we will hear you. Hook this piece into your ear and this bit around your throat, then this clips to your pants the cable plugs into it." He hands me the different parts as he speaks and I do as he asks, though my hands are shaking the whole time.

"Bulletproof vest. It'll protect you, but only so much, and if you get shot it'll still hurt like hell, but it won't kill you." Crash hands me the vest and helps me slide it over my t-shirt.

"Do I get a gun?" I ask, feeling odd being weaponless.

"Do you know how to fire one?" Striker asks, his eyes watching me like a hawk.

I hesitate for the briefest of moments but it’s enough.

"How about a couple knives instead?" Crash asks before turning back to his saddlebags and withdrawing two blades that wink in the moonlight. They are both almost as long as my forearm and have a diamond shape to the blade.

"I'll take them," I say, feeling better now I’m armed.

"Crash goes first with Phoenix and Dragon following. You'll stay with me toward the back, unless you'd prefer to be with Dragon. We break in, kill the bad guys, clear out. Understood?"

I nod and steel myself for what is to come. I know death follows these men around. I've been able to sense it since