Page 80 of Vanessa’s Bravery

“That’s good to know. Oh, and now the second part of my demand.”

Cole watched as the vampires in the room exchanged surprised looks.

“Go on,” Samson demanded.

“When the money is in my account, I’ll send you a location. I want Amaury.”

“What do you want with him?”

“Isn’t that obvious? You said it yourself back then: Amaury staked Ilona. So, it’s only fair that I take his life for hers. Or would you rather I chose you?”

Samson exchanged a look with Amaury, who now lifted his hand to stop Samson from replying. Instead, Amaury raised his voice. “I can’t wait to do to you what I did to your sister.”

“Still the same bravado as always. You really haven’t changed, Amaury. You know, I never liked you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

“Whatever.” Then Milo’s voice changed. “Oh, and Thomas, if you’re trying to trace this call, good luck, but I’ve learned a thing or two since you and I were an item. Not even you will be able to follow the signal. Samson, you’ve got one hour.”

There was a click, and Milo was gone. Another ping sounded, and one of the screens showed the banking information Milo had promised. On the screen next to it, a clock started counting backwards.

Samson turned to the assembled vampires. “Everybody, down to the supply rooms. Let’s get suited up. Thomas, you know what to do here.”

Thomas shook his head and put his hand on Eddie’s arm. “Eddie will run things from here. I’m coming with you.”

Thomas rose from his chair.

“Thomas, you don’t need to—”

“Samson, I have to. It’s my fault. I’ll put it right. Milo will die today, even if it’s the last thing I’ll ever do.”

Cole watched as Thomas and Eddie exchanged a long look, but neither said another word. It was as if they understood each other without words. Or could they, too, communicate telepathically?

“What can I do?” Cole asked, his gaze ping-ponging between Samson and Gabriel.

“I suppose I won’t be able to convince you to stay here with Eddie?” Gabriel said, grimacing.

“No. Vanessa is with that madman. There’s no way I’ll stay here twiddling my thumbs.”

“Figured.” Gabriel waved him to follow, then looked at Samson. “Guess we’ll have to arm him.”

Samson nodded. “Just as well that Luther got us a large supply of guns from the prison.”

“Guns?” Cole asked. “But I thought vampires could only be killed with stakes?”

Gabriel put his hand on Cole’s shoulder. “I’ll explain on the way.”

39

Twenty-five minutes after Milo’s phone call, Cole sat in the back of one of the blackout vans. Gabriel, who sat next to him, shoved his cell phone back into his pocket.

“The police have blocked off the streets around the building, advising motorists and pedestrians that there’s a dangerous gas leak. No civilians are allowed in the area. Press helicopters are also banned.”

“But what if the vampires in the building notice that there’s suddenly no traffic going by?” Cole asked. “Won’t they get suspicious?”

“No, because there will be traffic. We’ve dispatched a couple dozen of our Vuber drivers to drive back and forth on these streets instead. And I’ve arranged for a little distraction,” Gabriel promised.

Cole was surprised at how quickly Scanguards had gotten ready to come to the hybrids’ aid. Two dozen vampires, women and men, had put on full-body Kevlar suits that covered every inch of their body, then added a large helmet that made sure their head wouldn’t be exposed to the rays of the sun. In their gloved hands, the vampires carried guns. When Cole had seen them the first time, he’d assumed they were toy guns, because they looked like they were made of black plastic. But according to Gabriel they were deadly to a vampire.