And you... you've gone too far this time
You have neither reason nor rhyme
With which to take this soul that is so rightfully...
...mine.
-Lyrics to 'Roll Away Your Stone' performed by Mumford and Sons
Crimson Bonds Part 61
"What?" was all that Anna could breathe as she came as close to the dividing glass between her cell and Solo's before her protruding belly could touch it. Blue-and-gold eyes wide with disbelief, she shook her head to further express that she must have heard wrong.
Nodding, the blonde Hybrid insisted quietly, "You said before that blood takes on different tastes and smells based on the being that it belongs to. I've turned enough Companions in my time to know the difference in their blood from any other creature."
He held up the small bulb with hardly a speck of crimson remaining and declared, "Emma is a Companion. I don't have a single doubt about it."
Celeste and Duo had both come out of their resting states in hearing the conversation. Moving for their main walls while being ever conscious of the cameras on them, the lovely Hispanic whispered, "My God. She could be the break that we need to get out of here." To her lover, she beamed, "All you would have to do is turn her to give her some gift that will get her away and-"
"Quiet!" Maxwell cut her off sharply at the same time that the entrance doors slid open. Quickly falling silent, Celeste took a step back and watched with her family to see who was paying them a visit.
Stepping into the holding area, Broderick was joined by a couple of armed guards. "I still think you're making a mistake," the female of the two escorts warned under her breath. "The Boss isn't going to like this one bit, I'm sure of it."
Dawson huffed at her over his shoulder, "Trust me. I've taken everything into consideration and will talk to Septum as soon as he's available to explain why I'm doing this. No need to worry when I'm the one taking full responsibility here."
His fellow Hunters eyed each other and shrugged as the young woman muttered a 'Suit yourself,' before they came to stop at the braided Hybrid's cell.
With a deep frown, Duo watched as a door was opened to him at the command of the male guard. Brandishing the weapon at his side, the living stepped aside and ordered coldly, "Get out." Rather than acknowledge the rude command, the half-breed placed his trust in his friend and stepped out into the walkway while the woman accessed entrance into Anna's cell.
To the violet-and-silver eyes than blinked widely at him, Dawson informed, "You'll have a little while with your sister."
For the sake of his company, he glared at the prisoner and warned, "Don't make me regret this by trying anything. You're being watched closely. The second any sign of either of your fangs growing in to bite and you'll be restrained at the flick of a switch and swarmed by Hunters."
Only partially registering what was being offered to them, the Vampire and the Hybrid gasped as their stunned gazes locked. When Maxwell didn't move, Broderick shoved a hand against his back with an impatient, "Well, get moving."
It was all the motivation needed to bring the half-breed back to the world. Feet moving slowly at first, then gaining certainty and speed, he entered Anna's cell.
No sooner was he beyond the entrance was he pulled into a fierce embrace as his sister buried her head in his shoulder and sobbed at their first physical contact since they had been captured.
Almost coming undone at finally having her arms around him again, Duo allowed his own tears to fall as he clung on as tightly as he could without crushing her. Everything from her smell to the feeling of her body pressed against him came with such a wave of comfort that it was all he could do to stay on his feet.
Closing off his charge's cell, Broderick led the escorts out of the room as he stated, "I'll be in my quarters by the time you find Septum to tell him what I've done, so he'll know where to find me..." Whatever more he was about to say had been silenced by the closing of the main doors behind them.
"God I've needed this," Maxwell managed under his breath, voice thick with his overwhelming emotions and mumbled by his sister's hair that he had nestled his head into. Anna nodded as she pulled back enough to take hold of her brother's right hand and pressed it firmly against her protruding belly.
A series of pokes and kicks pressed against the Hybrid, his head snapping up with a look of wonder on his face. Finally having the chance to feel those signs of life from his babies, his eyes shimmered anew while he hurried to rest his free hand over the other side of his sister's abdomen to drink in every little shift.
Wiping her face dry, Celeste giggled as she watched the touching reunion with her hands folding at her chest. A glimpse over at her lover betrayed the slight shine in his own eyes that he tried to conceal when he felt her gaze on him. Try as he did to look undignified when he looked over at her, Solo resigned to giving her a small smirk.
Duo finally raised his hands away from the squirming bump to cup Anna's face as he leaned in to press and hold their lips together for a breath. Hugging her close again, he whispered by her ear, "I can't thank you enough for how you've taken care of them, sis."
"No thanks needed, little brother," the Irish Infected insisted, keeping her mouth hidden from the cameras when she returned the embrace. "They've been a joy to look after, even in this situation."
More than ever, Duo wished that Heero was there to experience the incredible sensations of their little ones kicking. That was the first time in a very long while that he allowed himself to think of his Vampire. As expected, it came with a great sense of loss and pain... but there was a glimmer of hope that they might be back together again someday.
The revelation of Emma's being a Companion was a most welcomed spark in the darkness.
If they could capitalize on the opportunity, it could very well be the break that they needed to connect with the world beyond their prison.
Gently pulling her brother towards her bed, Anna commented, "I don't know how much time we'll have here, but I intend to enjoy every second of it while it lasts." That said, she sat down on the mattress and patted the open space beside her. Chuckling, Maxwell climbed in beside her as they curled up together and pulled the thin blanket their laps.
Simply having his sister's presence and contact was better than any medicine or blood that could have helped him heal from his brutal treatments. Pulling her up against his side, he wove his hand around far enough to keep it on her belly so that he could continue to feel his babies move.
And so a comfortable silence fell over the holding area save for the quiet discussions between the pair.
* * * * * *
Humming a cheerful tune to herself as she eyed through her half of the walk-in closet that she and Septum now shared, Lucie went over her many options of fine clothing to decide what she would wear for the day's big event.
Many of the form-fitting, high-quality dresses and two-piece ensembles were new additions as of the last couple of weeks. Her lover was a very generous man now that she was keeping him happy.
While much of her displays of affection and animalistic drive in the bedroom were put on, Aisley was more than content to keep the act up when it was literally paying off to her benefit. Why she hadn't given up on Broderick sooner so that she could set her attentions where they would have been properly rewarded was beyond her.
As far as Dawson, Lucie couldn't care less about him now. Let him go on never knowing what he was missing out on so that he could spend his days buried in his work of looking after that Vampire.
"Darling," she called towards the opened door leading into the bedroom, "what would you suggest I wear for our honored guest? Slacks and a blouse? Something more formal?"
Septum entered to appraise his bath-robed Hunter as he chuckled deeply, "You know that you'll impress, no matter what you're wearing." Batting her eyes and rewarding him with a winning smile, Aisley giggled shyly even though she knew that he was right.
Casually walking up beside her, the researcher draped an arm around the terrycloth that covered her waist while he glanced over her wardrobe.
Tilting his head, he said, "Though, I might make a suggestion of a change of outfits. Something a little more casual for the initial introductions and something a little more memorable for our night on the town."
Lucie grinned widely, nodding, "Excellent idea. I know just the things to pull off both looks." Turning towards her partner, she kissed his cheek and praised, "You're even brilliant in fashion advice." She rubbed her hands together and focused back on her linens to remove the pieces for her first outfit as she asked, "And when is our friend due to arrive?"
Checking his watch, Millers answered, "Within the hour. I should go visit the lab before he gets here to make sure everything's in order." With a quick kiss to his lover's cheek, he smirked, "Have fun getting ready, Lucie."
"Oh, I will," the blonde laughed as she began laying her clothes out. "No need to worry there. I'll be sure to make an impression that won't soon be forgotten."
That was something Septum had no doubt of. Snickering to himself, he stepped from the closet and adjusted the collar of his deep blue blazer and the white dress shirt beneath it.
He didn't bother with a tie for the initial face-to-face to give him something to add on for a more formal look that evening. Not that he needed to bother with such matters of appearance for this particular visitor. It was more of a show of respect for their partnership than anything.
Making his way onto the catwalks beyond his private quarters, the researcher was met by the sight of two of his most trusted guards running up towards him. Just by the concerned looks on their faces, Millers paused in his own steps and prepared for whatever news was about to be presented.
As the Hunters stopped before him, he pressed, "Out with it."
* * * * * *
The last of the Christmas cards was hung on the display that wrapped around the living room doorway and Lady Une stepped back to take in her work.
Well-wishes from all around the globe of Vampires and livings alike adorned the entrance in a colorful display that added a personal touch to the fully decorated residence. From fellow Council members to Preventers agents to fans and long-time friends, every sender was appreciated and would be represented for the duration of the holiday season.
Entering the room, Treize slowly raked his eyes along the overlapping cards with a warm smile. "Lovely, my darling," he complimented.
Carefully walking around the edge of their Christmas tree, he wrapped his arms around his wife's waist from behind and pulled her back against his chest to kiss the nape of her neck. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he sighed, "It's a very humbling thing to have so much love and support like this through the years."
Lady Une hummed and grinned, "Yes, it is. Considering how we had our starts into our existences as Vampires, it's pretty remarkable how much has changed in a few dozen decades."
Much as he hated to change the pleasant mood of their conversation, Khushrenada looked back to the cards as he asked, "Any noticeably absent greetings from our Congressional friends?"
"No," his Chosen frowned deeply, shifting her head so that their gold-ringed eyes could lock. "I checked, hoping for a slip as well. Everyone that we would expect a card from sent one."
The head of the Vampire Council shrugged, "I didn't exactly get my hopes up for such an easy tipoff, but it couldn't hurt to look at everything. Our mole is going to have to slip up at some point here."
At that acknowledgement, it was time to move onto more... pleasant things. Treize moved around his wife and gently tugged on her arm as he urged, "Come along, my dear. We have the house to ourselves and should make the best of it." Only too happy to comply, his co-Commander of the Preventers following him up the stairs to their master bedroom.
Mixed in along with the overlapping cards along the top rafter of the doorway, one bore an animated image of native animals wearing Santa hats as they gathered around a Christmas surrounded by sand and sun. Along the top of the offering was the message, "Warm greetings From Australia."
* * * * * *
Broderick stared in stunned disbelief at the newspaper clipping he had blown up to fill his monitor.
Across the top of the page, the bold, black text read, "ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 24 KILLS CYCLIST. CAUSE OF CRASH UNKNOWN.'
Cropped off to the side of the article to follow was the picture of a handsome man in his late twenties. Brady Gloud. Beloved son, brother, husband... Hunter, though there would be no record of that last title for the media to report.
He was also one of Dawson's closest friends over the time that they had worked together for Septum. And now he was gone. Along with eight others like him, all mysterious and tragic deaths of circumstance over the course of a few days between them.
But there wouldn't be a connection for outside authorities to make between the world-wide incidents. The first person who cared, who knew to search for those individuals, also knew that their ends were no coincidence. There was no point in going through the other names that he had yet to search. They were all dead. Picked off after they had placed their trust in the man that they had dropped everything for.
His vision clouding over by a thick veil of red, Broderick's hands balled into fists at either side of his computer. Just when he had thought he had a grasp the depths that Boss was willing to drag his own soul... he was once again proven to only had tapped into a ledge overlooking a bottomless abyss.
A firm, pounding trip of knocks on his door brought the Hunter out of his dark thoughts. Quickly closing the pages of his research and closing his laptop, he rose to his feet and stood before the entrance to his quarters.
When the door slid open, his eyes grew at the glaring man standing on the other side. It was none other than Millers. And it was mental labor for Dawson to not lunge forward to strangle him.
"Broderick," the researcher greeted in a low growl that he was struggling to control. "You had better have a good explanation to why you allowed that Hybrid and the Vampire together. You know fully well that one drink from him and she can be mutated in any way she wishes."
Keeping himself in check, Broderick trained his face to be as neutral as possible and shrugged nonchalantly, "She wouldn't be able to do that without first undoing her ability to have children first. Even you had said that only one mutation and side effect can occur at a time. That Vampire would never risk terminating her pregnancy."
All of the ire on Septum's face melted away into a chagrined look of shock as his bottom jaw fell away. "I... W-well.... yes, that's true, but what good would come out of reuniting the two?" he stammered, managing to regain some of his frustration by the time he spat out the last of his argument.
Impressing himself with how calm he was able to remain, Dawson replied flatly, "Morale, more than anything. You need them at their best for today's visitor. It wouldn't do a lot of good for him to see your prizes coming apart and hardly surviving when there are prospective buyers about to descend on this place to decide their prices on the merchandise."
Septum, once again, found himself with no immediate retort since what Broderick was arguing made sense. "You have an answer for everything, don't you?" he muttered in a challenge, taking a step towards his taller friend.
"Doesn't anyone who has nothing to hide?" the Hunter replied, an eyebrow raising to make it known that he was more than willing to push back with a test of his own.
Another dangerous dance of words between the once close allies. Neither was so much as hinting any real distrust or reason for the other to question them. But there was a definite line in the sand that was just waiting to be crossed.
The time of day still in the back of his mind, Millers withdrew from the little spar, reluctantly admitting that he had nothing to hang Broderick with at that moment.
"Of course," he grinned, head bowing firmly as he stepped back. "Forgive me for assuming you hadn't thought things through. You made a good call." At the same time his gaze lifted, so he raised a finger and stated, "But I want those two separated by the time I give the tour through the lab."
Dawson nodded, "I'll see to that personally." Folding his hands behind his back, the researcher nodded gratefully and turned on his heels to take his leave.
Until he disappeared around the corner, the other living watched him with a heated glare.
* * * * * *
An hour later...
It had been a long time coming, this visit.
After wreaking havoc in the World Senate, all of the risk and hard work was about to pay off in the form of a first-hand look at the Hybrid that he helped track down. Already impressed with Australia's beautiful landscape, he made a mental note to schedule more vacations to the exotic country when there were no matters of business to be handled.
Finishing in readjusting his business suit tie as the elevator that he had been led into opened up, the guest of honor was greeted by none other than his partner in crime. "Ah, Senator Eric Dobson," Septum smiled as he spread his arms out wide at his sides. "This has been a most anticipated meeting."
The men exchanged a firm handshake and smug grins as the hefty Representative set foot into the base. "Yes, it has been," he concurred in a deep voice no longer masked by the robotic mask of his secured line. His eyes growing, he scanned over the underground city stretched out before him.
Millers slapped his associate on the back, smirking, "Oh, this is only the start, my friend. Your generous donations to the cause were put to good use, as I'll be sure to show you. But first, allow me to introduce our lovely guide for the day."
Spinning towards the sound of footsteps approaching, Eric couldn't help the slacking of his jaw when he drank in the beautiful blonde smiling at him as she neared.
Dressed in black heels, tan slacks that fit her waist and legs like a second skin and a deep red, sleeveless turtle-necked shirt that may as well have been painted on, she said kindly, "This is a treat, Senator. I'm Lucie Aisley, one of the Hunters enlisted early on in the search for the Hybrid that is now in our possession."
The thick, gold bracelets and chandelier earrings she wore sparkled in the artificial lights as she stretched a hand out.
"A-ah," Dobson stammered, his wide grin returning with a hint of nervousness. Shaking her hand, he complimented sincerely, "I admit that I never would have thought such a striking woman would take up the dangerous task of killing Vampires."
Laughing her best laugh for his ears, Aisley shrugged, "You flatter me. I realize that it's not exactly a glamorous hobby, but it is a necessary one." Bowing her head, she added, "And you helped to make our work much easier on my kind with the changes to the Human-Vampire Treaty, something we are all appreciative of."
When she righted herself, she waved at the air and giggled, "But we'll have more time to discuss that later. Let's just get straight to the point of your being here by taking you to the lab. I'm sure that you're anxious to get a look at the elusive Hybrid that we were all after."
The Senator nodded, "Yes... Yes, I am."
TBC...
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