Page 53 of Grayson’s Challenge

Monique felt Grayson’s hand on her arm. “The bicyclist is trapped.”

“Can we help?” Grayson asked the EMTs.

Both shook their heads. “We need the jaws of life. Fire engine is on its way.”

Monique exchanged a pleading look with Grayson, the moans of pain from the trapped victim drifting to her. “He needs our help.”

Grayson nodded. “Guys,” he said and looked into the EMTs’ eyes, pinning them. “You’ll let us lift the front of the cable car, and then you’ll pull out the bicyclist.”

His soothing tone indicated that he was using mind-control on the two humans.

“Here we go.” Grayson gave her a sign, and together they gripped the front of the cable car, and used their combined vampire strength to lift the vehicle just a few inches, sufficient for the EMTs to be able to safely pull the bicyclist out from underneath the cable car.

“Got him,” one of the EMTs said.

Monique looked at the bicyclist and reassured herself that he was breathing, before she looked at the two EMTs. “You managed to pull him out yourselves. We were never here,” she murmured, before she and Grayson turned around and walked back to the car.

The fire engine arrived a moment later, and blocked the street, forcing them to make a detour.

“Thanks for doing that,” Monique said, looking at Grayson and taking his hand.

He smiled at her, looking contented. “We should be there soon.”

It took another half hour until they finally turned onto the street where, according to Thomas, Abel’s accomplice Rufus lived.

“Fuck!” Grayson cursed and stopped the car. He pointed to a building.

“That can’t be!” she said, shaking her head. “Don’t tell me that’s Rufus’s flat.”

“Shit!” Grayson cursed.

Thick smoke and flames shot out of the building, the blaze spreading from floor to floor of the old Edwardian apartment complex.

“That can’t be a coincidence,” Monique uttered. “They knew we were coming.”

Grayson nodded. “Abel is smarter than I expected. He’s having us watched. He knew we were coming, so he destroyed the only lead we had so far.”

Shock coursed through Monique. “Grayson! We have to warn my brothers and the others. What if Abel already knows that they survived and are on their way to the palace?”

Turning the car around, Grayson ordered, “Call them! Now!”

Monique dialed John’s number. The call went straight to voicemail. “John’s not answering.” She tried first Zach’s number then David’s. None of them replied. Her heart clenched in fear. “They’re not answering, Grayson. What if they ran right into a trap?”

“Try them again. Keep trying. I’ll try to reach Cooper and Virginia.”

Panic froze the blood in her veins, her fear of losing her brothers rising with every second.

24

Outside of New Orleans – one hour earlier

The underground tunnels leading from the woods outside the palace grounds into the palace were only known to a select few: the king and his family, and the leader of the King’s guard. They stemmed from the time when the palace had been a plantation, and slaves had worked on the fields.

Zach was familiar with the hidden entries and exits, and together with his brother, David, he led the small contingent through the dark and musty labyrinth. The trip through the Stealth Guardian portal had been disorienting, and he appreciated having firm ground under his feet again.

“Brings back memories. Nothing’s changed here,” John said as he walked next to Zach.

“Dad, David, and I reinforced the tunnels a bit where it was absolutely necessary, so they won’t cave in,” Zach said, “but we can’t exactly do a major renovation. It would mean exposing the existence and location to outsiders.”