BXBX NOVEL Chapter 199 - The Third Objective
[ Third Objective: Kill Silas, check for any prisoners ]
Chiara finished taking down another hunter; she was still in her human form, only using her claws and canines to rip apart their flesh. She sprinted back towards the main building, bumping into Vinnie along the way. It was strange working with vampires, but as much as she hated to admit it, they made her job easier tonight.
Gabriel, Luther and Vinnie were much quicker and stronger than the Gamma was, and in the end, Chiara was only needed to take out two of the hunters. She couldn't complain; it meant helping the others out much faster. Their objective now was to check the basement or anywhere else in the building for any creatures being kept there.
Chiara stepped through the door's entrance, scanning the area. The lights were off? Was this normal? Her eyes narrowed as the heel of her boots clicked on the floors shiny surface. She was not worried about making noise now. Kane already mind-linked her to tell her they were on the floor above. Although she still lightened her step, the eery silence made her back go cold, and so she stayed alert.
Vinnie stepped ahead of her while her eyes took in every surface of the hallways. "The basement as at the end of the hall," Vinnie replied in a low voice. She nodded her head in return before she sensed someone behind her, spinning on the spot, her nails grew back into claws, and she swiped out. Stilling when she saw it was Ajax, blinking back, she frowned at his nakedness.
"What are you doing!?" She whisper shouted. It was not in their plan for him to come with them. They wanted Ajax away from the labs and cells to prevent him from possibly having a meltdown.
Ajax read straight through her, and his usually relaxed and smiling face hardened. "I am not coming down with you, but I will stay on guard. I want to help any survivors that are down there," He replied earnestly.
Chiara pursed her lips. "You're meant to be keeping a lookout from the skies," She replied sternly. He parted his lips to argue, but Chiara turned her back on him and continued talking as she headed in the direction of where Vinnie stood waiting, looking impatient. "Ajax, you can't go off on your own trying to play the hero. You have orders. Now stick to them. If something happens outside, we won't know about it."
"Gabriel and Luther are outside," Ajax instantly replied.
"Yes, but they can't see from above," Chiara snapped back at him. She turned her head to look at him, he already spun around, but the look on his face showed he was not happy.
"Shapeshifters.." Vinnie murmured, not even flinching when Chiara glared at him. He reached out for the metal door that seemed to be locked; pulling the handle back, he huffed and sighed. It didn't budge.
"My strength isn't enough.." Chiara looked at the vampire, confused. "Gabriel, the door won't budge."
Chiara turned her head just in time for the white-haired vampire to appear. How did he hear him? Even her senses weren't that heightened. But she did not stop to think further on it; he was the Vampire King, so that meant he was like 1000 years old? Gabriel quickly opened the door and smirked at Chiara before turning to leave.
"Aren't you going to help?" She asked as he sauntered off. It was then she caught the scent and sight of blood down his neck and parts of his shirt. He seemed to keep his kills clean, so..
Gabriel looked at her in amusement, "We still have many more to get rid of.."
"Many.. more.." Chiara frowned. There weren't others outside.
Gabriel continued to walk away from her and murmured, "There is still the barracks to take care of."
Chiara parted her lips to argue with him, but he suddenly disappeared. "There will be no point in trying to change his mind. If he wants to kill everyone, he will," Vinnie said casually as though this was the norm with the king.
"Maybe it is. He's a vampire, and they kept him locked away for however long.." Gia popped up in her mind. Chiara nodded back and pushed her thoughts aside about the angelic-looking vampire, and followed Vinnie down the stairs.
Vinnie made it to the bottom of the stairs and suddenly disappeared, Chiara jumped the remaining five steps and landed on the ground, looking to the side to see two hunters already lying dead on the ground and the third being held up by the throat. The Gamma straightened up with a grimace as she removed her gaze from the vampire, who now had his fangs deep into the girl's neck. It sounded painful from the screams she kept making until they died down.
Chiara approached the cells on the far end of the basement. She couldn't believe the state that these people were in. When the pack rescued Aila, Chiara led a different group of warriors to take out any hunters in the surrounding area. Though she helped strategize for her rescue, she did not enter the compound herself. Now, she was looking at children in coveralls, they did not appear to be hurt, but the fact they lay on the cold ground, their hair dirty, their eyes lifeless and not responding to the new arrivals in the room, made Chiara's temper flare.
"These bastards," She snapped and searched the bodies for the keys.
There were five children, two girls in one cell and three boys in the other. Chiara opened each of their cells and watched as they sunk further into the background as though the walls and floors would keep them hidden. Chiara squatted down and stayed at the open exit. "We won't hurt you. We are here to help," She said gently, her hand reached out, and she waited as they eyed her warily.
The first to make a move was the youngest girl with long dirty blonde hair; she looked to be about six. She clambered up away from the other girl's arms, who pleaded with her not to go to the stranger. The little girl reached her hand out and looked at Chiara with teary golden cat-like eyes, "You promise?" She sniffled.
Chiara felt her heart pinch, "I promise. We are rescuing you," She replied softly and blinked back in shock as the girl clung onto her into a hug.
"We need to get them out of here," Vinnie interrupted as he dropped the now dead hunter to the ground.
"Can you try not to act like that in front of the children?" Chiara said through gritted teeth as she stood up, picking the girl up and shielding her eyes with her body from the dead hunters on the ground. The little girl seemed to cling to her, her face hidden anyway. But that didn't mean the others could not see what was around them.
Vinnie held his hands up apologetically, "My apologies. I was not expecting to find children here."
"Neither was I," Chiara replied honestly and looked back at the remaining children, who slowly stood up. They kept their backs against the walls but peered at her curiously. It was always strange how most adults feared her, but children somehow loved her; that was why she taught all ages how to fight.
Her gaze landed on the other girl who stepped towards her, her hands fisted by her side; she appeared to be the oldest, possibly a young teenager of about thirteen. Her midnight black hair fell down past her shoulders, her caramel skin showing off her startling light blue eyes that were filled with an intelligence beyond her years but also seemed kind. "What is your name?" Chiara asked gently, directing her attention to the girl.
The girl was scanning her surroundings as she replied, "Mira."
"Okay, Mira. I need you to help me out here, hold hands with the others and follow my lead," She replied as her gaze landed on the three boys. They seemed to look at her like an older sister, or so she hoped. They could at least trust her.
Mira nodded her head, and after some coaxing, the boys left the cell. All four of them held hands, and Chiara held Mira's as she held the little blonde princess in her arms. Once they were out of the basement, they walked quickly through the hallway back to the entrance. Chiara kept glancing in the direction of the children who stumbled and looked like they needed feeding as well as some proper rest. Again, her chest tightened, and she gritted her teeth.
She was glad Gabriel was on a killing spree. These bastards didn't deserve to live.