When the dreamglide began to move, it was slow at first then whipped through the dream world like a battleship at full speed. He watched thousands of different images pass by the small living room. Yet as they neared the destination, the dreamglide began to change and the next thing he knew, he was standing on the cement floor of the prison, which was blurred around the edges.
The timing was very different. Women were being moved in and out of cells, but behind the blur of the dreamglide. We’re safe in this position, right?
Juliet moved to stand next to him. We are.
With a thought, he piloted the dreamglide forward to the end of the row. He heard one of the guards call Roche’s name. Brannick scrutinized the guard table, then turned to look in the other direction.
And there was Roche, kissing the neck of a blond who had teal flames on her cheeks and dull eyes. She wore one of the beige prison smocks.
Brannick watched Roche glance in the guards’ direction, then stand upright. He shoved the woman away. She fell against the wall and slid to the floor.
Roche started looking around. He drew his gun from a back-waist holster. His movements set all the guards on alert and they hustled into formation, blocking the exit to the hall.
But Brannick was inside the dreamglide, unlike last time when he’d been in real-time but hidden within his vampire cloak.
He didn’t move the dreamglide even an inch. Juliet, I’m getting the sense that if we so much as breathe, he’ll know what we’re up to.
Me, too. We’ll sit tight.
Brannick loved how calm she was under pressure.
Roche slowly moved in their direction. Brannick’s newly acquired fae sense told him that if they remained still, Roche wouldn’t be able to detect them, not even if he passed through their dreamglide in the same physical space.
“Is that you, Juliet? Did you come to see me? Ready to trade up from the vampire who dumped you? We could have some fun, you and me, and earn a whole lot of money.”
Roche drew close to the end of the dreamglide, the part where blur and rebar joined. Brannick held his breath.
Roche took another step, then another.
He heard the faintest intake of breath from Juliet.
Roche stepped forward and passed through what Brannick knew was a substantial cage in the dream-world. But in real-time, Roche kept moving and gave no evidence he knew what was happening.
He was so close that Brannick wished he could deliver a solid punch and knock his ever-present smirk from his lips. Despite the impulse, Brannick restrained himself.
Roche walked all the way to the guards’ table. Once there, he whipped around and retraced his steps, again passing through the dreamglide.
He stopped near the woman on the floor and took another look around. His shoulders lost their tension and he returned his weapon to its holster. He kicked the woman on the floor. “Back to your cell, you piece of shit.”
The woman struggled to her feet, then fell down again. He summoned a couple of guards who also hurried through the dreamglide.
Roche turned on his heel and headed the other direction, pushing the door open that led into his club.
Brannick turned to Juliet and smiled. With Roche gone, he felt free to talk aloud again. “Not half bad.”
Her lips curved as well. “Not half bad at all. So, how about we do some exploring. I’ve wanted to see his entire operation, including where he makes the dark flame. I’ve been told he keeps all of his business interests close to his home. In which case, we ought to head back out to the hall, then move south. We might just be in the middle of his nest.”
“Let’s go.”
Brannick turned, preparing to pilot back out into the hall, but Juliet caught his arm. “I know this might seem like an odd request, but how about I take the lead for the next few minutes? I’d like to see whether or not I can direct this dreamglide since it seems to be emanating from you.”
He narrowed his gaze at her, and took a moment to process her request. He was used to being in command, and didn’t give it up lightly. In the end, he acquiesced. “I think it’s a good idea. We should be equal partners, because who knows what’s around the next bend.”
~ ~ ~
Juliet used her mind to guide the dreamglide and within a few seconds they left the side hall and were flying down the central avenue, heading south. Each time an electric golf cart appeared, she rose up into the air, even though it wasn’t necessary. Just habit, to get out of the way when something bigger was coming toward her.
But Brannick encouraged her to stay level with the people and vehicles, to let the dreamglide pass through everything.
“We might need the skills.”
She couldn’t have agreed more. The first few times were unnerving. But after a couple of minutes, she got the hang of it. She then offered for him to take a turn.
“You bet. I need the practice, too.”
She relinquished the guidance process which seemed unnatural to her. Yet, she had a rapport with Brannick that was hard to deny, and he easily took over. The dreamglide barely slowed as he took the helm.
He laughed a few times as he, too, rose toward the ceiling when another person levitated toward them or a golf cart turned the corner.
Eventually, they each got used to the process of letting solid matter pass through their not-so-solid state. They traveled even faster because of it.
When Juliet held the reins again, she reached a prominent intersection which a number of fae traveled, most on foot and some levitating. Hundreds or maybe even a couple thousand people lived in this underground world. She paused, though high in the air this time, and let the traffic pass. She could have remained at street level, but all the movement was distracting, and she wanted to have a good look around.
Many who passed by were construction workers, and a billboard at the southwest corner had a picture of a new condo development in the works three miles west. She took a moment to process the distance and turned to Brannick, just as he turned to her.
He telepathed first. That has to be below the border to the human part of Phoenix.
She looked around. I’m smelling a new kind of drug-running racket. Their tunnels wouldn’t have to be very long, would they?
No, they wouldn’t. He frowned as he glanced west and down the avenue called oh-so-subtly ‘Roche Lane’, and then east.
Juliet did the same. She saw several hard-looking fae warriors, bulked up with muscle, levitate toward the intersection, then fly north in the direction of the massive food court. They’re probably on a barbecue run, she said.
Maybe. Or back to Roche’s sex shop.
Juliet glanced at him. What do you think is down there? Or are you thinking what I’m thinking?
Smell the air.
It always amazed Juliet that even in the dreamglide, she could catch odors and fragrances. In this case, the faint hint of dark flame floated all around them. It has to be the factory.
Let’s go find out.
Juliet didn’t wait for further encouragement. Instead, she piloted their dreamglide down the fairly broad avenue. More muscled types came at them, but she stayed steady and flew through them all.
Other, weaker types began to emerge looking hollow-eyed with teal flames on their cheeks. Many were emaciated and drifted down a variety of smaller streets.
I want to see what’s going on here.
Go for it.
She turned north down one of the narrow streets. She heard music and saw that several flashing lights indicated bars. There were also a number of apartment buildings into which some of the laborers disappeared. A couple of men were passed out on the street and ignored.
The passageway narrowed and a darker smell emerged, full of urine, feces and death.
Brannick’s voice hit her mind about the same time the odors did. What the fuck is that?
I think where fae workers go to die. She stayed put for a moment and became aware of a cloud of flies.
She turned the dr
eamglide around and sped back out, going a helluva lot faster than when she’d gone in. We’ve seen the dregs. I wonder if each street is like this in Roche-land.
Probably. Our friend doesn’t seem like the type who would care. Only if it affects his business.
She moved back to the main street and headed east once more. How many miles have we covered do you think?
Probably two.
So, we’re not quite below the Graveyard.
No, I don’t think so, but getting closer.
Juliet saw the double doors of a gun-metal-gray building and knew this was the factory. Her life and Brannick’s had been turned upside down because of what Roche and his kind manufactured in this place.
Three employees pushed the swinging doors wide, then walked out. Each was as thin as a rail with the usual flames on their necks and cheeks. The smell of the drug within the dreamglide had grown even stronger.
Once inside the factory, the first thing Juliet noticed was the shouting. Brutish fae males carried thin, reed-like sticks and whipped the legs of those working the numerous assembly lines.
The drugs were manufactured and packaged along at least thirty lines with ten times that number of laborers getting the dark flame ready for distribution.
She’d heard Roche was one of the main distributors for the entire U.S., but until she saw the size of the operation, she hadn’t understood his level of influence.
Jesus. Brannick’s reaction mirrored her own.
I want to tear this down, she said.
You and me both, sweetheart.
She smiled up at him. This would be worth doing, wouldn’t it?
His green eyes had a flinty look. Yes it would. You know what else, I’ll bet if we looked around, we’d find another outlet above ground.
You mean like the one at the sex shop?
Brannick dipped his chin. That’s exactly what I mean.
She took in a slow breath. Your turn, Brann. Lead the way.
~ ~ ~
Brannick moved through a building that represented everything he hated about his world. Dark flame had stolen his life and killed his family and Roche had made a fortune out of the misery of masses of people, both human and alter.
He got the gist of what Juliet had in mind. They both wanted this production facility destroyed. It might take a few months, but with a lot of strategic planning and the use of several trustworthy vampires, he knew it could be done.
First, though, they needed to find another way out.
He already knew they would have to follow the pattern of the initial mission. They could easily sneak in through one of the front doors of the Fae Cathedral. But they wouldn’t be able to leave the same way, not with the amount of security personnel Roche employed.
Another exit had to be found.
He flew toward the east end of the building and began drifting through door after door, each leading to the normal rooms found in a production facility; cafeteria, bathrooms, offices for management.
At the north end, close to the executive offices, Brannick found what they needed. A spacious elevator.
He took the dreamglide within the elevator and rose up and up. The doors opened onto a private space guarded by two powerful fae warriors, each wearing tight, black t-shirts, black leathers and bearing an assortment of tattoos.
He flew through them and entered what turned out to be Roche’s private mansion. He stopped his forward movement, but rose to hover halfway to a tall twenty foot ceiling.
The bastard’s living area looked like the hotel of a fancy Las Vegas lobby with marble pillars and massive plants. The lighting made it look like it was high noon.
Juliet took his hand. This is what seems so unfair about what men like Roche do. They build their fortunes on something that brings so much pain and suffering to tens of thousands of people, then build palaces. She shook her head.
I’m with you on that. Roche should live at the end of that alley with the corpses and flies. That’s where he belongs.
You got that right.
Brannick didn’t need to see the rest of the place. He flew the dreamglide toward the fairly long foyer and a set of heavy, wood-carved double doors.
Shall we go outside?
Juliet nodded. I’d really like to see where we are in Revel and in relation to the Graveyard. His home is probably in a fancy neighborhood.
As Brannick passed through the doors, the opposite of Juliet’s prediction was true.
Juliet glanced around. “Oh, my God. Well, if he wanted to disguise his location, this would do it.”
“This is unbelievable.”
The street onto which Roche’s house emptied used to be a strip-mall but now only showcased a long row of derelict storefronts. A Revel patrol SUV cruised by, then another.
Roche’s men? Juliet asked.
Undoubtedly. In order to live in an area that would usually be overrun by homeless addicts by now, he’d need his security force patrolling constantly.
Brann, look to the south. The street is blocked with a lot of barbed wire.
I see it. And to the north, not fifty yards away is the Graveyard.
Juliet turned around. You wouldn’t know this was his home.
Brannick dipped his chin. Not in a million years.
The abandoned row of storefronts had boarded up windows as though preparing for a hurricane. Colorful graffiti created an odd yet striking panorama across the entire face. Desert weeds and cactus had filled in the torn up asphalt of the parking lot.
Juliet shook her head. I have to give him credit. He chose his location well, because who would want to live this close to the Graveyard?
He glanced at her and saw that she’d wrinkled up her nose. That’s when he smelled it as well. Jesus, that has to be a decaying body. Well, Roche is nothing if not innovative. And I’ll bet he makes sure when his addicted workers die, he lets a few rot out here to keep everyone else away
Juliet pursed her lips. So, how do we do this? How do we tear down the factory without killing hundreds of innocent people?
Brannick thought for a moment. I’ve been thinking about it this whole time. We won’t be able to tear it down all at once. If we did, we’d have a war on our hands. But now that I’ve seen the layout, you and I and maybe some others could begin to strategize a long-term plan. If we do anything else, the cartels will get involved and that might do a helluva lot more harm than good.
Juliet’s large blue eyes glimmered with excitement. Then this is how we’ll start, you and me. If we take it slow and we’re clever, if Roche doesn’t find out what we’re up to, we can chip away at every vile establishment in Revel.
Brannick added, We can operate in the same way I’ve run my tunnels. We’ll choose our targets carefully, use the dreamglide to figure out how best to structure each mission, and eventually we can bring this organization down, one bad guy at a time. If we keep our identities a secret, there can be no retaliation.
Juliet smiled. So, we’re partners.
Yes, we are.
Then I suggest we return to the cottage and start putting a plan together.
He headed the dreamglide back to Agnes’s compound, and because the formation of a thought created the destination, within seconds, they were back in the cottage living room.
But he didn’t drop out of the dream state. Instead, he took Juliet in his arms. “Don’t leave the dreamglide yet. Be with me. Right here.”
“What? No, Brann, I already told you. I’m not doing that.”
He kissed her. He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he wanted to be with her. And he knew she had a weakness for him. Hell, he was pretty sure the woman was in love with him.
Brann, no.
Yes. He dragged his tongue over her lips.
I can’t do this.
She tried to pull away from him, but he held her fast. Being with her had ramped him up. He’d wanted to make love to her from the moment he’d entered the dreamglide, but her excitement about taking on Roche’s emp
ire had added gasoline to the fire.
Let me make love to you one last time.
It wouldn’t be a last time, and you know it.
He drew back, but held her gaze. “I want to make love to you. Do you remember what it was like last time, the wind, the movement, the thrill?”
“Of course I do. It was amazing. But you don’t want me in real-time.”
His eyelids grew heavy. “Oh, I want you something fierce, just like I do now. Please, Juliet. Please.” He didn’t mind begging.
His gaze dropped to her swollen lips. He kissed her again and this time, her lips parted for him.
Then he knew he had her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Juliet loved the feel of Brannick’s tongue in her mouth, pulsing as it always did. She loved his body, the way she could feel different muscles flex and release and how it took so little for his arousal to start pressing against her thigh or her abdomen.
She knew she shouldn’t do this, but the time spent with Brann hunting through Roche’s domain had excited her. They’d ended up with a solid commitment to build a secret resistance movement to the drug-related horrors that haunted all of Five Bridges. She could feel a powerful vampire electricity flowing from his body, and she wanted it, all of it, inside her, pushing hard.
Despite her good intentions, she was going to do this thing with Brann, though every cell in her body warned her against it.
She drew back and unbuttoned her vest. His eyes flared and he dipped quickly to kiss the mounds of her breasts. She was already breathing hard. This would be quick and amazing.
When he drew back and began to remove his shirt, that’s when things turned sizzling hot. Real-time and the dreamglide merged suddenly and in real-time, Brann pulled her up from the couch and mirrored what he was doing in the dreamglide. She couldn’t believe it.
She gave a cry and got herself out of her leathers as fast as she could before the real-time Brann changed his mind. Brannick lost the rest of his clothes as well.
As before, the wind-like element began to flow through the dreamglide as though the passion each of them felt whipped the space into a fury of movement.