Dawn's Darkest Hour

Marcus opened the bag and fingered the trademark pink granules. "By whom?" He balanced the baggie in his palm and brought it up to his nose.

"Bianca. She was the only one that knew I was going to be here. I was on assignment for the Guardians. Following up on a lead. I shouldn't have told her till afterwards." He couldn't smell the pink for the scent of his own blood, drying on his skin.

With a nod, Michael motioned for his warriors to ease up on the bad ass crap and let the vampire speak. The vampire, a Guardian, deserved the chance to defend himself before they carried out their version of justice, swift, lethal, and very final. "Why would she betray one of her own?" The vampire smelled strongly of humans. Not his dinner, or so Michael hoped. Otherwise, no amount of talking would save the dumb son of a bitch.

David jerked his arms free from the hands that held them captive and met the menacing glares from the warriors with indignation and defiance. "I don't know. She must be working for someone else."

Marcus rested a few flakes on the tip of his tongue, expecting to feel a rush of power from the blood. He frowned and spit. "This isn't vampire blood." He dropped the bag back into the Styrofoam container with all the others. "I'm starting to believe that he might be onto something." The vampire only confirmed what Marcus already suspected. Bianca was a Rogue. More dangerous than any feral beast he'd meet on the street. She held a powerful position. One that she would not give up willingly and all they really had were suspicions and accusations by means to convince her to resign. No proof. "We should take this discussion to someplace more private."

"What about the boy? He doesn't know anything. Let him go," David said dismissively as if Cole were as unimportant as a wad of used gum on the bottom of his shoe. If he could get them to let Cole go free, Cole could go back to the hotel and collect Rachael and see her home safely.

"He comes with us," Michael answered, cutting off any further discussion. He did not like to involve humans in vampire affairs. Generally, they were more trouble than what little knowledge they held inside their tiny skulls. But, this one had seen their secrets first hand. He trafficked pink and had valuable contacts. He was too important to turn loose. "Maybe if he cooperates." Michael flashed his fangs at the wide-eyed boy. "We'll let him live. If not," Michael shrugged. "I'm sure he'll make a nice snack." He was bullshitting, but the kid didn't know that. Smart assed teenager could use a good dose of fear and from the looks and smell of him he was certainly afraid, very afraid.

"I won't tell anybody what I saw," Cole murmured in a meek whisper. The only thing he wanted to do was to forget. No doubt about that. "Promise." A squeak crept out of his throat as rough hands pushed against his back, herding him toward the exit of the alleyway.

"Zip it kid," Marcus said, shoving him out of the alley. About twenty years ago, he was this wise assed kid. The fear of God could do amazing things and this dip shit was about to be scared straight as a choirboy.

Chapter 69

Rachael sped up her pace, ignoring the coolness and the hard pound of the concrete against her bare feet. The vampire was rounding a corner. So far, he hadn't looked over his shoulder. He didn't know she was following him. She could lose sight of him around the blind corner. She needed to get the shot. NOW!

Daniel shifted his weight from foot to foot eager to get a piece of the action chattering over his earpiece. Damn. He was missing out on everything. Stuck here, babysitting an empty store instead of sharing in the glory sucked. His pulse quickened as a dark shape, moving just a little to quickly to be an ordinary human turned the corner. ROGUE! He smelled it on the air. Maybe he was going to get a little taste of some action after all.

O'Sullivan could hear the girl's pounding heart behind him. Her tiny feet pitter-pattered against the sidewalk as she ran. Shame he wasn't hungrier. A dead human was such a waste if not made into a good meal first. Too. Bad. For. Her. The last thing he needed was some nosy human, an eyewitness, poking around in his business.

Tonight was supposed to be one of the greatest nights of his life. He'd pinned his drug ring on someone else, leaving him in the clear. He'd lured his werewolf out of hiding. Carter was almost at the pinnacle of his fall from grace. Carter had betrayed one of his own. A Guardian was taking the fall for his weakness. Tonight would have been perfect, if not for the girl. He had to get rid of her fast. O'Sullivan slid around the corner and poised, ready to strike.

The strike of her feet against the rough concrete stung. Rachael dug in her heels and panted through the pain. The gun weighed heavily in her trembling grasp. She'd always thought she was prepared to take a life in exchange for the one that had been taken from her. If she hesitated, she was as good as dead. Determined that she could pull the trigger at the opportune moment she rounded the corner.

Pain jolted through her. Powerful hands pressed her body into the rough surface of a brick building. She gasped to steal back the air that was being crushed from her lungs. The scream trapped between her parted lips, died before a whisper of sound could escape. Her blood, so much blood, poured from the deep gauge in her throat. She hadn't expected to die like this, not here, not so quickly. But, she was bleeding her life out onto the pavement.

The concrete was so cold beneath her. Somehow, a distant part of herself found the whole thing rather amusing. All that crap about the pearly gates and going toward the light, was WRONG, so wrong. She was freezing cold, dying on the sidewalk alone, in the dark. The sound of boot steps scuffled against the pavement, yards way from her. She was still alive though. If she could just manage one shot. Pry her eyes open and shoot. Find the strength to do it from someplace deep inside of her. Her arm wavered as she hoisted the gun up. The black world whirled around her in circles. She could see him, his back to her, as if killing her in cold blood meant absolutely nothing. The trigger was amazingly smooth as she squeezed. The gun recoiled in her hand. But, she'd gotten off the shot. Where it went, hopefully in the middle of the bastard's skull, she didn't know. She knew only that she'd done her best before death carried her away.

Daniel was running faster than he ever had. That son of a bitch had just ripped a girl's throat out and left her for dead without so much as batting an eye! Already, Daniel could feel the ripples of power tearing through his body. His wolf charged through his soul and took over the limbs, bone, and sinew they shared. One moment of searing pain, the tearing of clothing, reformation of tissues, and out came the wolf.

The wolf bolted across the deserted street. The concrete hard against his paws and slick beneath his razor sharp claws, unyielding and unfamiliar. The sensation enraged him more. He barred his teeth at the vampire. No warning growls were issued. His fur bristled at the scent of human blood heavy in the air. Death. Prey. Things the wolf, well understood. He launched his powerful body into the air at the vampire.

O'Sullivan fired the first dart. The red fuzzy tip hung from the wolf's neck. He leapt, grabbing for a rusty fire escape, his feet dangling out of the wolf's reach and fired a second dart that hit its intended mark as well as the first one had. The wolf howled in fury. Snapping huge jaws at Eric's feet in outrage. The wolf stumbled on his hind legs clumsily as the drugs surged through his system. The fight was no longer about acquisition, but about survival. O'Sullivan grappled for a better hold on the battered rungs, waiting for the wolf to drop.

The wolf howled in agony. The dart stung, sending hot surges of fire through his body. The world spun dizzily out of control, in and out of focus. Sleep. Rest. Fight! Danger! The wolf grappled to maintain his hold on his shared body. Defense! Protect! Desperately he lunged at the vampire dangling safely out of his reach. Die! NOW! Panting the wolf stumbled and fell, toppling over. Struggling. So peaceful here. Quiet. The wolf panted, his tongue lolling onto the dirty sidewalk, and his eyelids slid shut.

O'Sullivan cautiously dropped from the fire escape. Sidestepping out of the wolf's reach, just in case. The sight of the wolf's fur yielding to the smooth tanned skin of a male amazed him. He plucked the darts free from the pink flesh and tossed them over the curb.

The girl clung to life desperately. Sputtering and choking, her cheeks damp with tears and blood. She wouldn't be around to tell anybody about him, not for much longer. He locked onto the male's waist, hefting the weight over his shoulder with ease.

He wouldn't get very far carrying a naked human over his shoulder, not even in this part of town were such things easily ignored. No matter. He always covered his bases. There was always, always a back up plan, just a phone call away. Right on cue, a car sped, careening around the corner. He dropped the male's sedated body into the backseat and slid into the seat beside him. The car pulled away, leaving a thick trail of rubber, burning on the pavement in its wake.

Hunter swore his heart stopped beating the minute he heard the wolf's forlorn call. "DANIEL!" He was off, running in the direction of the mournful howl. The howl was a bone chilling cry that meant only one thing. Pain.

Chapter 70

David was forced to a stop. Vampires scattered to take up offensive positions. Something was going down. Damned if he knew what. Wolves in the city? What else could make a sound like that but a wolf? He'd heard of them in the country, hours from here, had even listened in on their song, but never here in the heart of downtown where no wolf should ever be. The wind shifted direction as a bitter wind blew in from the north announcing the first gusts of winter on its chilly breath. He scented the wind. Blood. Not old blood. Fresh blood. Spilled blood. Human blood. Nearby. He drew in another lungful, catching the essence of flowers blended with the coppery scent. "Rachael!" Twisting free of his captors, he ran, following the scent.

Cole twisted and bucked, trying to get a better view of what in the hell was going on. He couldn't fight his way out of the vampire's grip. Roughly, he was shoved into an SUV, and firmly locked in by inescapable childproof locks. He'd been in the back of a squad car before. He knew if a cop didn't want you out, you weren't getting out. So, here he was again. Trapped with no hope of escape. Fear sized him as David shouted Rachael's name and tore off into the night like a bat out of hell.

Rachael was in trouble and he could do nothing but sit here? He rolled onto his back in the seat and drew his knees up under his chin. With all his might he kicked against the passenger side window. The glass moaned in protest, but didn't shatter. He kicked over and over again, till it splintered from the strain and finally gave way. Cole didn't bother with the sting from the cuts on his hands and the fragmented bits of glass that dug through his jeans as he wiggled free and fell to the pavement beneath him. Rachael needed help! He ran going in the direction that he'd seen David bolt.

Hunter scanned the empty roads. His son was gone. In his human form, he couldn't get a clear lock on a scent trail. In his wolf form, he could track his son. Tracking was what he was born to do. The longer he waited the colder and more difficult to isolate any trail would be. Hunter felt helpless. Inept. The human girl was moments away from dying. He pressed his crumpled shirt against her neck trying to staunch the bleeding. Her blood coated his hands in a thick, tacky film. His son was missing, the girl dying, and he could do nothing to save either of them.

The vampires knelt over the girl. Softly discussing her fate amongst themselves. They could save her, yes. But, with all the blood she'd already lost. The risks were great. In a few weak heartbeats she'd be bled out to the point of death. As close as she was, any attempt at saving her might turn her. Others were out searching for the trail. Hoping to find something. Darts landed at Hunter's feet. Darts, the kind used to take down wild animals. He refused to yield to the despondency of hopelessness. At least, for the moment, his son was still alive.

He should be out finding him. He ground his molars in frustration. Despite the need to search for his son, greater was the need for him to hold this girl and comfort her as she breathed her last and slipped away into the world of spirits. Unless the vampires stopped her death, that was where she was quickly heading.

David skidded to a halt and elbowed his way through the circle of vampires. A man, someone he'd never met, held Rachael in his arms. He knew it before he knelt beside her. The bleak look on the man's face confirmed his worst fears. His heart sank. Rachael was dying. He could do something to prevent her death. The ability surged through his veins. He brought his wrist to his lips. Prepared to do it. And then, before he sank his fangs into his own wrist, he remembered the promise. His promise. The one he'd agreed to and he would have chosen for himself, if he'd had the choice. Helplessly, he lowered his wrist and held Rachael's cold fingers in his hand. He had no choice, but to let her go, just as he'd promised he would.

Cole pushed and wiggled against the wall of vampires. He wasn't strong enough to break through and get to the center of all the commotion. "DAVID!" he cried. The smell of blood gripped at the muscles of his throat and made his stomach quiver. How much blood had to be spilled if he, an ordinary guy, could smell it? The only answer was too much. "RACHAEL!"

"Let him through," David said, his voice laden with regret. One simple task, keep one human girl alive and he'd failed to do it. Cole burst through the wall of black leather and scrambled to his knees at Rachael's side.

"David, help her!" Cole shouted. There was so much blood. Spilling from a cloth at her neck. A man was holding pressure to her throat, but he was losing the battle to save her life.

"I can't," David answered.

"Yes, yes you can!" Cole stammered. Rachael's skin was waxy and cold beneath his fingertips, pale as a winter's snow. "I take it back. We take it back. Don't let her die!" He stroked her face gently with the tips of his fingers. "Please, please, please Rachael, don't die!" He grabbed David's shirt with a bloodied hand. Her eyes had already glossed over and had that far away look as if she could see things nobody else saw and came back to talk about. Her pulse was weak. "There's still time. You have to."

"If I try, she could turn. Cole, we had a pact. I can't break that promise." Tears rolled down David's cheeks and dripped off his chin and onto Rachael's face. She wasn't going to make it. Not without his intervention. "I'm sorry."

"You also promised you'd keep her safe! You lied to us! You can break that promise but not this one? Do it, you have to! I'm begging you. Don't let her die when she has just begun to live." Cole fell onto Rachael's chest, covering her with his body. Maybe if he could warm her frozen skin, she'd wake up and be ok. She had to be.

David's wrist hovered near his mouth. Rachael was weakening. Her heart, once loud as a drum, barely stirred. Soft as a whisper, it beat. How far did a person take a promise before it could be taken too far? Did he have the right to try? Could he sit here impassively and watch her die when he could stop it? He could snatch her out of the hands of God and the angels and bring her back. But, would heaven give her up so easily?

He bit, his whole body numb, not registering the sting of his fangs in his flesh. There was no justification for what he was about to do. No answer he could give that would be good enough to ever absolve the guilt of breaking his covenant with her. Except for one, he cared too much about her to let her go.

As a vampire, she'd still live. She could still have a life, albeit a different one from what she would have chosen as a human. But, she could have a chance for the happiness that had eluded him for so long. If he did nothing, she had no future at all. He pressed his bleeding wrist to her lips and coaxed the first drops between them. "Rachael, I'm sorry." David's voice was gravely with regret. "I guess I'm not very good at keeping my promises after all."

Cole stroked Rachael's blood soaked hair off her forehead with his trembling fingers. "Please, Rachael, Please." He'd always considered himself the most important person in his life. As critical seconds rushed by, he realized how wrong he was. His own life mattered very little. Hers was the one that mattered. How stupid of them, to force David into the pact in the first place. After getting an up close and personal look at death, the alternative was far better.

Why wasn't she drinking? The blood David was trying to feed her rolled out of the corner of her mouth and dripped onto the concrete. "What's happening? David, tell me what's happening?" Cole begged. "Why isn't she better?" His fingers wrapped around David's wrist and forced it between her pale lips. "Please...," his breath hitched in sobs, "do this...Please."

Hunter eased Rachael's head down onto the concrete. Gently, he pulled the blood soaked rags away from the gaping, raw wound on her neck. The girl had passed on. No magic, no matter how strong was going to pull her back from the goddess's arms now. "It is done." He pressed a hand to David's shoulder. "I am sorry."

David's thoughts thundered in a desperate rampage. Maybe the blood needed more time to work. Maybe she needed more than he'd given her. Maybe...if he tried again, this time it would work and her life would be restored. He brought his wrist to his lips and barred his fangs ready to release more of his blood into her mouth form when his fist was captured in a firm grip.

"Don't," Michael said. God he hated that a young girl had gotten caught up in their mess and was dead as a consequence. She was dead, too far gone for the magic of vampire blood to pull her back. There were consequences though, far worse than death. Reanimates. Soulless wanderers, trapped between life and death, eternally hungering for human blood till someone put them to their rest. Her last heartbeat had passed. To attempt reviving her now could create such a thing.

"We've lost her." David's shoulders quaked with the heavy weight of sobs filled with regret. He'd waited too long. Already the wound on his wrist had healed. Unlike Rachael's savaged neck, he was whole. Gently, he stroked the cheek, cold with death and slid her lashes down over her lifeless eyes. "I failed her." He couldn't face the hurt on Cole's face. No, he hadn't failed just Rachael, he'd failed them both.

"You're wrong!" Cole shouted. "She's just asleep or in shock or something!" He shook Rachael by the shoulders. "You have to wake up. Breathe!" He rattled her limp body harder. "Breathe!" He stared up at the circle of men, silently beseeching just one of them to agree. They averted their eyes and looked away. The concrete bit into his palms, cold, hard, and unforgiving as he fell against them. His trembling fingers still gripped the collar of the hoodie he'd bought her earlier that day. An early birthday present, a birthday that would never come. He was supposed to die not her. He expected to die today. "It was supposed to be me," he croaked.

David lifted his body onto its feet and stood, looking down at the girl he'd promised to give his life to protect. Surrounded by the warriors towering over her, she looked so small and helpless, pale as the concrete bed on which she lay. His tears ceased to fall and his mind disconnected from the trauma of seeing her dead. A cold serenity took the place of his grief and all the wrongs that he could never make right. He stretched his hand down to Cole, amazed at its steadiness.