I Kissed a Dog

chapter 33

Faster than I thought possible, I scanned the area for my supernatural stalkers. Seven showed up on my mental radar. Five were mutants. Two of them, I wasn’t certain which ones, caused my fear to escalate. The mutants made sense. I should have expected an attack. I’d gotten complacent with Zane always around. Tonight, I was on my own. But one thing was certain, I wasn’t going to roll over and die without a fight.

I hoped Zane had left behind his pistol.

He had wanted to equip me for the worst during our searches of the murder scenes. It sure wouldn’t hurt to have some old-fashioned fire power on hand despite my aversion to guns.

I remembered my stepdad’s gun collection with mixed feelings. Bob had made it a priority to show me gun safety basics, too bad he hadn’t thought teaching me to shoot was as important.

Frantic with fear, I dug through the glove compartment and was preparing to scramble into the back seat, to access the trunk, when I remembered my very effective, mind-bending barrage in Vegas. I could only hope my abilities had expanded yet again, because I was planning an attack on multiple levels. Reaching more than one mind at time wasn’t something I’d ever attempted.

Another shadowy form ducked behind the cabin. They were going to systematically attack me.

I had to act now.

Not sure how to start, I allowed my anger at Zane, Jazmine, and the mutants to soar to the surface like scorching lava rising in an erupting volcano. Until now, I hadn’t a clue to the extent of my bitterness.

A rush of crimson and black filled my mind like a whirling tornado. I was somehow controlling the swirling mass. I probed the minds around me.

Picturing a huge weapon, loaded with tormenting pain, I readied myself to fire.

“Three, two, one! Take that you freaks!” I screeched.

Something inside my head burst outward like a series of guided missiles launching from an aircraft carrier. My mental missiles hit their targets at once. I knew they’d made impact by the screams and roars that followed. Opening my eyes that I must have closed during the “launch” provided all the confirmation I needed.

Writhing on the ground, around my car, were the five mutants. They were all gripping their heads. One by one, they stopped moving.

Still wary, I opened my door and leaned out, surveying the scene. The mutant closest to me was staring with blank eyes at the starry night sky. His eyes locked in what I’d come to think of as the death gaze. Feeling bolder, I leapt from the car. The four other mutants were lifeless.

I’d killed them.

A little shiver trailed down my spine. My animal reading capabilities had turned from healing and helping to inflicting pain, even death. I wasn’t ready to accept myself as someone who killed. I doubted I’d ever be.

“You had no choice,” a familiar voice said from behind.

Not sure who or what I’d find, I forced myself to turn. I was facing two of the cloaked, ugly men. They were very similar in appearance, but I was able to recognize the one speaking as the same creature I’d met before. The other nodded his agreement.

I took a slow step backward — the car’s safety beckoning.

“Don’t be afraid. We’re here to help. We’ve been keeping an eye on the park’s property. The mutants have been congregating at this cabin,” the creature explained.

I realized then I was no longer afraid. There was something calming about these misfits. “Who are you? Can you tell me what you know?”

“My name is David,” the familiar one answered.

What was it with the ordinary names? I still expected every supernatural being to have some exotically foreign name. “David? Not what I expected.”

He chucked. “It wasn’t my first choice either.”

“The coins …” I started but was interrupted by a flash of light and the sudden appearance of none other than Alcuin.

It was about time.

My new friends didn’t have the same warm fuzzy response to the vampire. I didn’t have a clue what they thought, because they’d made a swift exit to nowhere — vanished, without warning, again. I fought the urge to scold my vampire accomplice. He was nowhere in sight when I’d needed him. Now he’d ruined my opportunity to find out more about anything.

Aware of his poor timing, he had the sense to look as disappointed as I was feeling. “I scared off your friends,” he said somewhat contrite. “It looks like you were able to handle things on your own.” He made a point of kicking one of the fallen mutants in the side.

Realizing I should have shared my parking location to begin with, I decided not to lecture him. “I could’ve used you sooner, or later,” I muttered, unable to resist one final jab.

“What’s done is done. Let’s get you to Portland, and then I’ll return to deal with this … mess.” Despite his scolding tone, I could tell he was impressed by my ingenuity.

I should have been the one sprawled on the ground, less an arm or leg or head. At least my mess was bloodless and the bodies were still intact.

“I don’t feel good about leaving my car. According to the bald guy, this is a haven for the bad mutants.” I hoped he’d have an acceptable solution. I’d already given up my home, at least temporarily, to the two M’s, and now that I was on the outs with Zane, I wasn’t sure about our living arrangement. The last thing I wanted was to lose my car.

“I will find someone to ward this entire property, and I have a feeling your cloaked crusaders will keep watch until I return.”

Reassured, I removed my small travel case from the trunk and made sure the car was locked. I’d have to trust that Alcuin would make good on his promise of protection. There weren’t any other options, unless I wanted to postpone my trip.

“I’m ready. Let’s go.”

I didn’t need to say it again. We vanished in a rush of wind, and moments later were standing in field behind one of several, windowless, storage buildings. The research facility loomed ahead of us. Lights around the property brightened up the area.

Alcuin glanced at my bag. “Let’s get you checked into a hotel. You can’t cart your bag around, and you need a home base. Also, I took the liberty of picking up a rental car.”

“Wow. Thanks. I didn’t even think about all that.” I decided right then that he was forgiven for interrupting my conversation back at the cabin.

Moments later, we teleported into a hotel room. I just had to ask. “You already …”

“Paid for the room, number 412,” He handed me the cardkey. “A black BMW is parked in a space with the corresponding number.” He grinned. “I wanted to make sure you had a place to unwind and a car to drive.”

I had to give Alcuin credit. For a vampire, he was pretty in tune to a woman’s needs.

“We’re on Cornell Road. The institution is out by the Hillsboro Airport. The state purchased a portion of their land to build it. I’ve also confirmed that the boy you seek is indeed a patient.”

I was again amazed by Alcuin’s resourcefulness, but now I had bigger things to think about — like how to make contact with a boy who didn’t speak. I trusted that Alcuin would get us inside, but facing Joshua Smart, and getting him to open up to a complete stranger didn’t seem likely. Why was I attempting the impossible?

Wanting to improve my odds, I reviewed the plan with Alcuin. He would teleport me to the facility. He’d already figured out a way around the guards. I didn’t ask how, because part of me was scared to know the answer. All I wanted was Alcuin to get me in and back out uninjured.

There were no hitches getting in. We landed in a long hallway; steel doors with barred windows lined both sides. Alcuin raised a finger to his lips and tilted his head to the left.

A young man in a security uniform sat behind a small desk at the hallway’s end. He was hunched over a laptop screen. With his typical boldness, Alcuin stepped into his line of vision. The security guard registered Alcuin’s presence and staggered to his feet. “Stop! Don’t move.”

His eyes darted between Alcuin and a nearby exit. Rather than flee, he scooted around the desk to face Alcuin, pulled out his weapon and raised it, his hand shaking. “What are you doing here?

“I’d like to visit one of your patients,” Alcuin said, as if similar requests happened every night in this fashion.

I almost laughed at the guard’s bewildered expression. He glanced at his watch.

In that second Alcuin gripped him around the neck. I couldn’t hear what he whispered, but it got the guy’s attention. He bobbed his head as Alcuin relaxed his hold and moved to face him. They stood eye to eye.

I couldn’t help feeling sorry for the kid; after all, that’s all he was. I guessed him to be about twenty-one, twenty two. This was probably his first job out of college. I’m sure he never expected to see a fanged-man on the psych ward. Though he’d more than likely met a few patients who believed they could sprout fangs.

Alcuin spoke loud enough for me to hear from my position in the shadows. “What’s your name, young man?

“Randy Miller, Sir.”

“Mr. Randy Miller, I need you to unlock Joshua Smart’s door. I understand he is on this ward. Is that correct?”

“Yes Sir, but he doesn’t talk.” Randy stared blankly at Alcuin. Vamp mind magic at its best. I decided hiding was no longer necessary and stepped into the corridor.

“Chloe, no!” he ordered, losing control of Randy, who jumped sideways. Alcuin snatched him back by the collar and once again stared into his widened eyes. “Randy, you will not do that again, will you?”

“No, Sir.”

“Good boy. You are unable to move or speak without my permission. No matter what happens you will remain at your post. You will do nothing.” Randy straightened his shoulders and walked like a robot to his desk.

Alcuin flashed to stand in front of me. “The cameras, I can keep myself from being videotaped, but you don’t have that luxury. Everything’s being operated by the laptop. I’ll need a minute to delete you from the tape and get the room information.”

I waited, trying to stay patient under the circumstances. With his vampire speed and abilities, he solved the problems and was rewarded by a door’s lock disengaging with a loud clank. “Are you ready?” His eyes met mine.

“How much time do we have?” Not knowing what Alcuin had arranged left me at a disadvantage. This would be my only opportunity to talk with a human eyewitness who’d actually seen the killers. I hoped I had enough time.

I couldn’t screw it up.