Dawn Revealed

"Keene? Is that you?" Through the thick steel door she heard muffled desperate shouts. Something heavy pounded on the door in a rapid series of desperate thumps. The metal, heavy and cold gray groaned in protests. Kayla jumped back as the sold steel panel bent and shimmied in its frame. "Angel?" Her eyes widened in shock. The brothers had secured Angel and Keen behind the door. Flecks of dust fell in her hair from the rough ceiling above. And the bare light bulb suspended from the rough-cut rock overhead swung in an unseen gust of cold wind. Kayla balled up her fist and tensed her muscles to respond to the incessant pounding as Robbie, dressed in leather warrior gear and armed to the teeth, dragged her back.

"Go away!" Robbie barked. The steel groaned and dented from the force of the incessant pounding. The magnetic lock sealing it shorted out with a spray of sparks and the thick scent of ozone and wisps of gray smoke. So far, the slide bar lock, as thick as her forearm, held in place barring the door. But, it wouldn't for much longer under the furious assault of a blood-crazed vampire. She immediately regretted sending Sam packing. It just seemed so silly to have the two of them guarding a supposedly escape proof cell when the brothers needed as many as possible in the field.

Warily, Robbie eyed the door and wondered how much longer it would hold. Her first and foremost job was to protect the compound. And the people who called it home. Angel was an unknown element amongst them. John Mark assured her that Angel wasn't going anywhere, that the cable binding her wrists and ankles would do their job. even if the cell were compromised. Robbie wasn't so sure about that. And Angel's agitation was beginning to wear down Keene and Lori's resistance. Lori would be a mild threat, easily contained. Angel might be dangerous if she managed to escape and slip the bindings. But Keene, if he got free, would be lethal.

There were damn few of them left below in the compound and none of them would be able to contain him. Kayla's presence down here only served to make matters worse. Dane should have sent her away, and Janine along with her. Stashed the two humans someplace safe. "Get out of here!" Robbie hissed, spinning Kayla on her heel as she shoved her away from the door.

"What's going on?" Kayla asked with an edge of fear in her voice. Her friends were locked up. Roark was on the loose. And the love of her life was in the middle of it all. She needed answers. And nobody seemed inclined to tell her anything. She dug in her heels and glowered in protest. As if she were any match for Robbie's strength. At least, not that it was any consolation. She had the answer to one question. She knew why Bryce had ordered her to keep away from the south corridor.

"They're not themselves right now, Kayla," Robbie said. Pushing back her temper, she gently as she took Kayla's slender bicep steered her toward the exit. Behind them, screws holding the bar in place shuddered and groaned in protest. "Please, just go."

Angel heard the soft tone of Kayla's voice. The smell of the promise of a good meal was driving her insane. She kicked at the door furiously. Across the room Keene struggled fruitlessly in his bindings. Lori huddled in the corner, shuddering with her hands pressed over her ears as she rocked back and forth. The skin on Angel's wrists was raw and bloodied. The feel of cold steel biting into her flesh took her back to places she didn't want to be. And she was desperate to get out. "Kayla! They're starving us! Please, you have to help us!"

Angel worked up desperate tears, hinging her voice with fear, preying on the haunted past she shared with Kayla. "They've bound my wrists and my ankles. I'm bleeding Kayla. And it hurts so badly. You remember how bad it hurts. Please, Kayla. I can't ...I just can't take it."

Kayla froze at the pleading tone in Angel's voice. Her hands balled into fists. Her fingernails bit into her palms. Her bottom lip quivered in doubt. She had no idea what was happening on the other side of that door. But, Angel sounded so desperate, so afraid. Why would the brothers starve her friends? Why would they bind Angel when they knew the torture Roark had put her through? It was cruel and thoughtless, and most of all, Angel wouldn't be able to withstand the torture of it much longer. She twisted in Robbie's grip and locked her knees. "What have you done to them?"

Robbie didn't have time to debate with Kayla. Angel had resumed her kicking at the door. And the steel buckled. "Kayla, if you want to help them stay away." Robbie tightened her grip on Kayla's shoulders and gave her a hard shake to get her attention. "They are under Roark's influence. There's nothing you can do."

"How?" Kayla gasped. Rage boiled to the surface as she put the pieces together. Roark, it always came down to Roark. He would never let them go until either he or they were dead. "How did it happen?"

"We don't know. But, it's best they stay where they are until we have an answer. It's not safe for them or anybody else. I know it seems cruel. But, Angel, Keene, and Lori are our friends too. You have to go. That door won't hold much longer. And I'll do whatever is necessary to protect you. Please, don't put me in this position. Don't make me kill them," Robbie begged.

"We can't starve them," Kayla protested.

"No, but we can't risk a donor either."

"There has to be a way." Kayla remembered something from high school. One of the few memories she hadn't managed to completely block from her mind. She'd done something good inadvertently. Donated in a blood to get out of homeroom. "What about blood from a blood bank?"

"It wouldn't work. Once blood leaves the body it starts to decay. We can't survive on dead blood." Robbie winced at her poor choice of words. But, Kayla had been around vampires long enough to realize a few simple truths about them. "The blood has to be fresh."

Kayla recalled the IV needle sliding into her arm and her blood rolling down a clear plastic tube into a collection bag. Maybe, it'd work. "Couldn't they drink blood from a tube? We could drill a hole in the door or something."

"No. We're predators. Biting is part of our nature." Robbie gave Kayla's shoulders a squeeze and turned her away from the door. If long-term confinement became necessary, they'd figure out a way to feed Angel and the others. Maybe bring down some livestock to at least make the hunger bearable until another solution could be found. Eventually, Keene, Lori and Angel would have to drink human blood. But, the brothers had time before something had to be done. "Look, I appreciate you trying to help, but..."

"I know, go back to my room," Kayla said. Resigned to her human limitations and her utter inability to help her friends. Her shoulders drooped in defeat.

"Yeah, sorry," Robbie said. She resumed her post as Kayla dejectedly shuffled down the hallway. As soon as Kayla rounded the corner, Robbie wiggled the lock and exhaled in relief that it was still holding.

Keene leaned heavily against the rough stone of the wall sighing in relief. Kayla's scent grew weaker lingering in faint traces in the air. He didn't know how much longer he could manage to keep it together. Angel had already damaged the door. He'd smelt the ozone as the circuitry controlling the magnetic lock shorted out. The thick steel wouldn't hold against the three of them. His last hope was the cabling still secure around his limbs. That and the promise all brothers took and upheld with their honor and their lives. If he got out of control and couldn't find his way back. The brothers, most likely Dane or the Great Father, would end him. And the same fate would befall Lori and Angel. For their sakes, Keene prayed that someone found a way to keep them from falling over the edge.

Kayla felt like a little kid that had been sent to her room. Tucked safely out of the way while the adults handled 'things'. She paced behind the closed door, flopped down on her bed, and then stood up to pace some more. There wasn't a damn thing she could do. Even if she turned herself over to Roark, it wouldn't change anything. She was helpless, hopeless, and every bit as restrained behind a locked door as Keene, Lori, and Angel.

Chapter 41

Dane picked his way through the random bands of rogues, searching out their leader. The rogues parted eagerly enough, giving him plenty of space. Watching his back, John Mark followed behind. It could have been that their reputation preceded them or perhaps it was just the threat of the brotherhood that cleared his path. It didn't matter what the reason as long as the rogues got out and kept out of his way.

John Mark shook his head in amazement. The makeshift campground was crawling with rogues from every walk of life. He guessed presently, there were about fifty or so, with more stragglers filtering in minute by minute. It was going to be damn hard to hide this mess from the humans for much longer.

Even though the rogues gave Dane and him a wide berth as they passed through. Hostility hung heavily in the air. The rogues bristled with agitation and could turn on each other in the blink of an eye. Vampires generally kept their numbers low and stayed to themselves or in small groups to avoid such a confrontation. That John Mark knew of the brotherhood was the largest group of vampires living under one roof. Too many vampires in one place made for a hotbed of tempers and violence. And this place was a powder keg about to blow.

Will casually kept his fighting arm free, ready to grab his weapon and cut his way through the rogues if need be. He hid in the brush just outside of the main gathering of rogues. Thick patches of dense green foliage camouflaged him from easy view. And the aroma of so many bodies packed together hid his scent nicely. He was in position. Just in case things got ugly between Roark and Dane.

Patrick prowled through the cornfields bordering the gathering. His feet were a whisper on the ground. His movements nothing more than a subtle exhale, brushing the dried stalks. Luckily, this particular field hadn't been harvested yet and it made perfect cover from which to observe the enemy. To him, the rogues were like roaches. Where there was one, there were a dozen. Their sickeningly sweet stench burned his fragile nostrils. He was alert and ready to pull Dane's ugly ass out of there at the first hint of trouble.

Marcus blended in with the rogues. He walked among them with surprising ease. They were a little too busy trying not to kill each other to notice him. He'd always hated his average looks, his average height, and his average build. But, sometimes being average had its advantages. He could slip in and slip out right under their noses.

From what Marcus had managed to gather, something had drawn the rogues together. Same story as Keene and Lori told. They couldn't resist the calling. And the rogues were pissed off. To him, the best thing to do would be to wait them out and let them tear each other apart. It would happen and maybe, they'd take Roark down with them.

Sam was in the woods, her focus on her adopted big brother, watching his back. She shouldn't have left Robbie alone at the compound to guard the cell. But, she'd wanted to be out here to keep an eye on Dane and on Marcus. One of these days, they were going to have to tell her brother the truth about their relationship. And Dane was just going to have to learn to accept it. She loved Marcus, heart and soul. And she was tired of hiding her feelings. From her vantage point high up in the trees, the mood down there was ugly and hostile. The Sons didn't believe in assassins. They were more up close and personal with their enemies. And that was a damn shame. Because she had a clear shot at the back of Roark's skull.

Chance and Will took turns looking inconspicuous as they patrolled Main Street. So far, none of the townspeople had clued in to the threat lurking in the woods. And the rogues had kept their distance. It sucked not being in the heart of the action. But, their job was no less important, and in a lot of ways, more important. It was just the two of them and a handful of trusted humans protecting the town. Twenty-two hundred citizens, give or take a half a dozen, didn't seem like that many people. But, one life was too much to lose.

Lance and Bryce stalked through the woods, obvious in their attempts to hide. The rogues expected the brotherhood to show up. Would have thought something was off and been on guard, if the Sons failed to live up to their reputation. Lance and Bryce weren't ones to disappoint and they put on a hell of a show.

Leaving spindly tree branches bent, leaves crushed underfoot, and making so much noise even a human could hear them coming, they announced their presence to the rogues standing guard at the edge of the clearing. It was just too easy to draw the guards' attention away from Roark. And Bryce began to question the loyalty of Roark's followers. Perhaps, they hated him as much as the brotherhood did. Nobody would probably mourn his death in the least. Bryce wondered if anyone would bother to stand in his way if he tried to kill him.

Too many of the brothers wanted the honor of killing Roark. Everyone had a reason to want him dead. Bryce's was Kayla. What chance would they have at a life together with the threat of him hanging over their heads? He wanted to give her Roark's head on a sliver platter as a token of his love. Make good on his promise that he would protect her. No matter his personal feelings. He had a job to do. And right now, that job involved making sure the rogues knew the Sons were watching.

Roark felt a collective shudder, like a ripple in a pond, around him. He grandstanded, maintaining the peace amongst his family with the threat of his presence. His children were restless. Their destructive power just itching for release. He'd kept them hungry on purpose. The lengths they'd gone through to be at his side were astounding. Crossing continents to ease the pain of the calling. He wouldn't have believed such a power was possible, if he hadn't seen it for himself.

Vampires backed out of his way as he moved through them toward his goal. Roark knew the brotherhood would seek him out. Though secretly, he was disappointed that the Great Father hadn't made a personal appearance. But, of course, the man was probably still mourning the loss of his brother. Samael had delivered. And although Roark dreaded the payment the immortal would require in return, it would be worth the cost to see the mighty Sons fall. He'd intended to destroy the brotherhood from the top down. But, from the bottom up worked just as well.

"Ah, more company," Roark said. Smiling congenially, he slid through the rogues and extended his hand to Dane. "My friends welcome." He grinned widely, guessing by the expression on their faces they weren't fooled by his friendly greeting. They knew he was bullshitting. "Come, let's talk, shall we." Roark wove through the crowd with Dane and John Mark on his heels.

Once they were a distance away, out of earshot of the vampires' sensitive hearing, Roark dropped his friendly façade. "I take it this isn't a social call. You must be wondering exactly what it is that I am up to." He'd always appreciated his enemy. Dane was a hard man to miss, standing over six-foot five, broad and muscular, a powerhouse of authority and restraint. Dressed for battle in the brotherhood's typical black leather gear, he wore the expression of a man who promised death and had the means to deliver on the promise.

"Something like that," Dane said. He couldn't hide the disgust in his voice and he didn't try to. Roark had created one hell of a mess. And they all stood to bear the brunt of the consequences. On the outside, Roark stood cool and composed. Dressed in a three- piece designer suit and polished shoes. His dark hair slicked back into a sleek ponytail secured in place with an ornate diamond and gold clip.

His mannerisms grandiose and his demeanor one of a magnanimous host, as he thought this whole thing was some kind of game. Dane crossed his arms and stared the man down. Roark was several inches shorter, lithe and narrow, built for speed and endurance. The cut of the expensive suit hid the raw power of his muscled stature. A man would do well not to underestimate Roark by appearances alone. Roark was one of the most dangerous vampires alive and one of the oldest. Dane didn't have Roark's patience for the game. He respected directness and got straight to the point. "What have you done?"

"I felt like having a family reunion." The lie rolled off Roark's tongue. "I've acquired quite a family over the centuries have I not?" He made a wide gesture with his hands. Grinning almost proudly at Dane to ensure the man got his point. The Sons were out numbered.

"What do you plan to feed them?" Dane asked lifting his eyebrows in questioning. Rogues showed no restraint when it came to killing their prey. This many vampires would deplete the wildlife in the area within a matter of days. Not to mention what they could do to the population of the surrounding farming communities.

"Well now, that is the question isn't it?" Roark grinned. "I don't suppose you'd like to offer up a few of your donors, would you?" The question had been plaguing him as well since he initiated the damned calling. He'd given up on trying to keep an accurate head count of his extended family. Every time he turned around another one crept out of the woods. The rogues wouldn't wait forever to be fed. And Roark could only hold them at bay so long with threats and promises of glory.

Roark hid his dread at the sheer numbers he'd called to him. So far, the farthest ones to reach him were flying on planes from the east and west coasts and parts of Canada. He had spent centuries in Europe. And he'd been particularly ruthless and careless in his earlier centuries. Ransacked entire villages. Preyed on the weak. And created legions of followers, for no other reason than because he could. The calling wouldn't be complete until he had every living vampire he'd ever created, by his blood or the blood of his offspring, in his presence.

Dane chuckled coolly. Seeing the glint of horror Roark hid behind his calm façade. Roark had no idea how many more were coming. And exactly what he was going to do with them once they arrived. "The donors not mine to offer. But, I think they'd rather not be on your menu." Roark had a real problem on his hands. One Dane wasn't sure the Sons would be able to contain. Eventually, these rogues had to be fed and their appetites would win out. They'd rip Roark to shreds. "I want to know how you plan to control them?"

The Rogue Master huffed and shrugged. "My family will either remain under my control or die."

"Really?" Dane leaned forward to whisper in Roark's ear as if he were sharing a secret. "I think they out number you." The truth both men knew was that Roark did stand a chance in hell of getting out of this alive. "It's only a matter of time, Roark. You can't possibly contain this many rogues for much longer, can you? You've opened Pandora's box and you have no idea of how to shut it. Do you? The Windigo are not a force to be played with. You should have left well enough alone."

Roark cleared his throat. Prepared to deliver another series of lies. But, what was the point in it? Dane knew exactly what he'd done. How he'd managed to gather so many vampires in one place. Roark could bullshit. Say he'd send his children home if Dane handed over Keene, Kayla, Angel, and perhaps, throw the Great Father in as a bonus. But, Dane had already figured out the truth. Roark had no idea of how to stay the wheel he'd set into motion.

"How many are there?" Dane asked. If he had a hope in hell of containing this mess, he needed to know what he was dealing with. The brotherhood couldn't afford to let this situation get out of hand. So far, the most recent headcount had held steady for the last hour at fifty-seven. Dane did not look forward to the brotherhood's hands stained with the blood of fifty-seven rogues. Every death took more and more out of a man, demanding a higher price be paid each time. The Sons might not survive such a whole scale war as the one unfolding before his eyes. If Roark could just send them back to the dark corners of hell from which he'd called them from, the whole thing might be avoided. But, Roark wasn't about to do that. Not when it was the only insurance policy he had.