Dragon Down (16 page)

Corbin returned at some point while I was interrogating Drom. As usual I didn’t hear him return, so I jumped when he spoke.

“I know where it is. It is time to leave before we are discovered. Follow me.”

I stunned Drom and he slumped to the ground. He wouldn’t be alerting anyone about our presence. Turning, I followed Corbin down the nearest tunnel. We headed steadily downhill until I could detect a slight breeze against my face. Tokem was somewhere ahead of Corbin looking for a way out and vampires.

Corbin slowed and turned to face me. “We can rest for a few minutes. We can
’t light a fire but there is some dried jerky and water in my pack. We will need to travel fast to get out of here undetected.”

“Can you get us to Lanzer
? Do you know where the prison is?”

“Yes,
and yes, and it won’t be easy. They have to know that we’ve been to every other court by now. You know that if they catch us they will kill us both. There is a price on your head and I’ve been exiled. If I return and am caught I’ll be killed for disgracing my family.”

“Corbin I can
’t ask you to do that. If you can get me to the right place, you are free to go. I already owe you my life.”

“
I will not leave you there to fend for yourself. You are forgetting that you saved my life. I will see this through. But, we will need to take a new approach. They will be watching the port city waiting for us.”

“What do you suggest?”

The faintest hint of a smile played at Corbin’s lips and I just knew I wasn’t going to like this.

Chapter Seventeen

The nurse found the doctor treating another patient. “The man is awake. Come quick
ly.”

When t
hey returned to the man’s room he was trying to sit up and the guard was restraining him.

“Let him up, he is too weak to go anywhere.” The doctor ordered
and he watched as the man tried to sit-up.

The stranger struggled to sit but he wasn
’t strong enough and he fell back against his pillows. The doctor motioned for the nurse to help the man sit up. She moved over to the man and put her arms around his shoulders and guided him to a sitting position. Before he could fall back she pulled his pillows up behind him. He was propped up for the time being. She turned to leave but, the man took her arm. Stunned, she jumped when he touched her. When she whirled around the man was motioning for something.

“Get him some water,” the doctor ordered.

The nurse poured some water into a cup and held it to the man’s lips. He hesitantly sipped some water, choking on a mouthful, before he drained the cup. The simple act of drinking the water tired him and he fell back onto his pillows. Soon the man’s eyes fluttered and closed.

“He is still very weak
. I never thought he would make it this far. Let me know when he wakes up again and we will see if we can keep him awake long enough to question him.”

Without further comment the doctor turned and left the man
’s room. The nurse returned to her duties while keeping an eye on the man. Where had he come from? They had plucked him from the ocean when he lost consciousness and his body drifted toward the bottom. If the hunters hadn’t been out searching for a school of tuna he would have drowned, making him just another man whose body was claimed by the sea. When the nurse returned to check in on the man he was gone.

She hurried to the front desk to check with the guard. “Have you seen the stranger? He isn
’t in his room?”

“No, I was away from my desk getting something to eat. I didn
’t think he was strong enough to sit up let alone walk.”

“Well he is missing and we better find him before the doctor finds out he is missing. He isn
’t going to like a stranger wondering around unsupervised. You check the floors above us and I’ll check the floor below and the launch area. Don’t just sit there get moving,” she ordered.

The man just stared at her a moment, before he got up and started for the second floor.
Who does that bitch thinks she’s talking to anyway. I don’t take orders from her.

The nurse checked
all the rooms on the floor before heading down the stairs to the bottom floor and the docks. When she got to the first floor she started searching the rooms. The missing stranger was not in any of the patient rooms. So, she headed for the docks and that’s when she saw him. He was standing in front of the floor to ceiling glass windows looking out on the ocean. He appeared to be in awe of the scene unfolding around him.

“How did you get down here?” She asked.

“What is this? Where am I?” He asked as he turned to face her.

“You are in
Nereid, crown city of the Nargon.”

“How did I get here? And who are the Nargon?”

“You’ve been unconscious for over a week. You were found unconscious and near death. We weren’t certain you would live and if you did whether or not you would have suffered brain damage from a lack of oxygen. Do you know your name?

Be
fore he could answer the guard and the doctor hurried toward them.

“Nurse, what is this man doing down here? He was to be watched at all times.”

“I was checking on my other patients and when I got back to his room he was gone.”

“I meant no harm. I haven
’t been out of my bed and I wanted to stretch my legs.”

“The nurse will escort you back to your room. I
’ll finish my rounds and come see you when I’m done.”

“If you
’ll follow me I’ll take you back to your room.” The nurse turned and started down the hall.

The man stared after her retreating form. Then he turned and followed her back to his room. When he
returned to his room the nurse was waiting for him. She turned back his bed and helped him get settled.

“You said you found me unconscious.
But, we appear to be surrounded by water. Was I found in the ocean?”

“I
’ve already said too much. The doctor will be here shortly and you can ask him. If you’ll excuse me, I have other patients to take care of.”

The man waited for the doctor and tried to remember who he was, how he had gotten there. But, it was a blank. He simply had no idea how he had gotten to this place or who he was. One thing
he knew for sure was he glimpsed something large in the water. Or had he, it could have been a shadow. Still, he didn’t think so. Before he could ponder it further the door to his room opened and the doctor walked in.

“Let
’s check you out and see how you are doing.” The doctor did a thorough evaluation before he spoke again. “Your vitals are good and you do not appear to be suffering any ill effects from your ordeal. Do you remember anything?”

“
No, it is all a blank to me. I’ve never seen anything like this underwater world. We are underwater aren’t we? I mean all I could see was water.”

“Yes, we are at the bottom off the ocean. This is a sealed community
.”

Chapter Eighteen

“Damn it Corbin, what is so funny?”

“Yeah, what is so funny?” Tokem sputtered. “Out with it or the Red Cross won’t be able to help you, vamp boy.”

“Tokem, do you really think badgering me is a good idea?” Corbin asked.

“I think he has a point and Tokem don’t worry. If he pisses me off I have an infinite capacity to get even.”

Corbin looked between Tokem and me and just smiled. Something told me he was going to enjoy whatever he had planned and we would not.

“I have already said we could not rely on walking into the Red Court because they would be watching the causeway. However, they won’t be watching the underground entrances because vampires don’t like water. Tokem and I can fly in and you Lauren will have to find the sewer tunnels. There are tunnels off the end of the causeway that come out under the city. All you have to do is find the entrance and swim until you pop up in the underground caverns that run beneath the city. We will fly in and start searching. So, just stay put until we find you. It shouldn’t take us too long.” Finished, he looked up to gauge my response.

“I
’ll be damned,” Tokem said. “I think she is speechless. Quick, take out your cell phone, snap her picture and put it on Instagram.”

Okay, Tokem
’s comment snapped me out of my self-imposed silence. I had momentarily gone to my happy place, on Rodeo Drive. Traygen, my love, you owe me. First of all, the only water I like to soak in is in my tub. The thought of the sewers made me shudder and I just couldn’t let my mind go there. I was more afraid I would poop out in poop than from exertion.

“
You can’t be serious. There has to be another way.”

“Lauren, we just can
’t risk being captured before we even get inside the city. They would kill us all and ask questions later. Or more accurately we will wish they had,” Corbin replied.

“All right, I
’ll do it. What do I have to see to?” I asked, trying not to whine.

“Just like we have done in the other courts you will walk out onto the causeway.
However, this time when you feel it shimmer you will dive down and swim alongside it. You will find the tunnel openings about five hundred feet out. And Lauren, if it is any consolation vampires don’t have a lot of use for sewers. Blood doesn’t have as much waste as food. So, there isn’t as much...”

“Stop, I get it and thanks for the pep talk. I get it.”

“Well we better get going or it will be dark in the tunnels before we find you.”

That was all the encouragement I needed to start walking. I faintly heard the pop that told me Corbin and Tokem were already dryly on the other side. I walked until I felt the familiar shimmer and then I dove. Thankfully the water was pretty clear and I could follow the causeway
’s outline pretty effortlessly. I was beginning to think I’d missed the tunnel entrance when I saw a school of fish swim out of it. I kicked and glided into the tunnel where I lost most of the light. I was literally swimming blind. Great, it was bad enough I was swimming in a sewage tunnel, under a city of vampires but, now I couldn’t see
. Hot damn, all this and heaven too.

My lungs were beginning to scream at me and
I would be damned if I gulped anything down here. If I bumped into one more unseen thing I knew I would lose it. I was beginning to give up hope when the tunnel seemed to be getting lighter. That was all the incentive I needed to sprint. Janet Evans has nothing on me. I broke the surface with a loud splash. I didn’t care if the vampires heard me. My lungs were on fire. I pulled myself out of the water and gasped for air.

When I caught my breath I looked around me until I found a tunnel leading away from
the water. There were several, but one appeared to be going slightly uphill. I scampered up and onto it. Sewer or not I couldn’t have been happier to be on dry land. Okay, I drew the line at kissing the ground. Thankfully for once Corbin hadn’t been kidding. It didn’t look like the sewers got much use. A blessing I guess but, a limited one if I really thought about it. I walked steadily upward until the tunnel started to widen. Remembering what Corbin said I decide I had better stop and wait. So, I walked a little ways back the way I came to wait for Corbin and Tokem. I was thirsty and hungry but, there was nothing I could do about it down here.

Luck was smiling on me. I didn
’t have too long to wait. A flapping of wings overhead alerted me to Corbin and Tokem’s arrival.

“
If it isn’t Bat Boy and Tokem.”

“Funny. I see your swim didn
’t improve your sense of humor,” spat Tokem.

“Lauren, don
’t listen to him. I thought it was funny but, we better get moving. It will be dark in a couple of hours and we don’t want to be anywhere near the city after dark. We will get out of the city and well on our way inland to the prison where they would have taken Traygen.”

“Lead the way. I
’m right behind you. You don’t need to ask me twice to get out of this place.” I shuddered and fell in behind Corbin.

We walked underground for what felt like miles. When we finally left the tunnels it was late afternoon. The
thoroughfares were mostly deserted and we kept to the back streets. We were out of the city and traveling as fast as we could, to put as much distance between the city and us before it got dark. The further we moved from the coast the hillier it got. We were soon in a dense forest and the going was tough since we were not using any trails. When Corbin finally motioned for us to stop I was exhausted. Unfortunately, the slave driver didn’t give us much of a rest. He scouted the area and found a small overhang a mile or so further into the brush. By the time we got a nest made for me and some nourishment I was asleep on my feet. They must have taken pity on me because no one woke me to stand watch. Alas, my joy was short lived. They hustled me up and on my way before sunrise.

We walked for much of the next day. Resting periodically and keeping to the dense undergrowth. We weren
’t making good time but, we didn’t meet anyone either. I was fine with taking a little longer and ensuring everyone’s safety. Corbin told me earlier it would take us two days to reach the prison. I was so tired the days ran together and before I realized it we were nearing the city.

“Lauren, it is only an hour or so until dark. I
’m going to get you hidden and then I’ll check out the prison. We can see if Traygen is there or not. Tokem, you scout out the area and make sure nothing happens to Lauren.”

“Got it.”

“You know I can take care of myself.” I growled. It wasn’t my style to sit idly by and let the boys take care of me.

“Don
’t get your knickers in a twist.” Tokem chided.

“Lauren, I
’m sorry. I just meant Tokem can fly and cover a wider area in this terrain. He can also find me if you need me. No offense was intended.”

I glared at Corbin anyway but, I knew he was right. I nodded my agreement and sat down to wait. He was gone in an instant and Tokem was
scouting out the area. So, I was left with only my own thoughts for company. We had been on the move for so many days I hadn’t had a chance to check my connection with Traygen. I sent my energy out into the universe and listened. It took me a while to get centered and to slow my breathing. Just when I was afraid I wouldn’t find any hint of Traygen I felt a very faint echo. It sounded like he was either very weak or very far away. Neither gave me much comfort. Before I could shed too many tears Corbin and Tokem returned. I wiped my tears away before they could be seen.

“Lauren, I found the prison
and it is heavily guarded. I think we should wait until almost dawn to check it out. The guards will be less active and it will take us nearly that long to get there.”

“I didn
’t see any activity in the immediate area.” Tokem added.

“How do you plan to get me into the prison?”

“Lauren most people try to stay out of them. So, the entrances aren’t as heavily guarded. But, they will be on alert looking for us. My guess is they will have the underground tunnels well patrolled. I think we should go in through the front gates.”

“Have you lost your mind or are you just trying to get Lauren killed.” Tokem spat.

“Neither. We will have her safely hidden in the food cart. They bring in food for the human blood donors. They want their snacks to stay fat, happy, and healthy.”

“Gee, how thoughtful of them. Do they also provide retirement benefits?”

“Lauren, they do get sick days and...”

“Corbin, stop that was a rhetorical question. How do you propose we obtain a cart and how do we know the real cart won
’t beat us to the door.”

“No worries. I know where they stock the cart. We will relieve the usual workers from their cart and duties. A few coins should do it. You do have money to bribe them
with don’t you?”

“Sure no
problem as long as you have an ATM handy. If not we will just have to knock them out and tie them up.”

“Okay, have it your way. At least
with that tactic the vampires won’t kill them out right. Come on we have a lot of ground to cover.”

I fe
ll in behind Corbin and Tokem took to the air. We walked until nearly dawn before I spotted the outline of buildings ahead of us. Keeping to back streets and well back in the shadows we did not meet anyone. I was beginning to think we might have to wait another day when Corbin motioned for us to stop. He signaled for me to go left and he moved to his right. I could see a man and a woman filling a small wagon. The next thing I saw was Corbin stumbling down the street and right into the man. I ran to the woman and clamped my hand over her mouth. We had them tied up and out of sight in minutes. We had exchanged our clothes for theirs. The woman’s bonnet and the man’s cap helped hide our faces.

Corbin and I jumped onto the wagon and
he headed us down the street. I had no idea how far the prison was but, as it turns out not far. We rolled up to the gate and the tired guards motioned us through. Corbin nodded and moved us through without comment. He headed directly for the back entrance and we jumped out and started unloading the wagon. I followed Corbin into the prison past the guards who didn’t give us a second look. Thankfully, since I am sure my knees were knocking and my heart was threatening to jump out of my chest.

Once we got inside Corbin motioned for me to leave the food and we headed down a side tunnel. I gripped Corbin
’s arm for him to stop while I tried to find Traygen anywhere within the walls of the prison. I slumped and would have fallen if Corbin had not caught me. Traygen was not here. Before I could pull myself together we heard shouts. Corbin yanked me to my feet and headed down a side tunnel. He broke into a run with me right behind him. My grief temporarily forced down. We hadn’t gone far when we heard voices coming from another direction. Again we changed course and again we were forced to move in still another direction.

Corbin motioned for me to stop. He started to say something but he was cut off by a voice right behind
us. I jumped and turned to see that we had company, lots and lots of vampires. I stopped, waited and prepared to take out as many as I could. Corbin moved up against my back and we moved in a tight circle. We were totally surrounded. Before I could decide how to respond, the nearest vampires stepped back and Erol stepped into view.

“Lauren and Corbin. I would say it is a pleasure to see you both. But, you will not find it pleasurable when I am through with you.”

I started to give him a smart ass reply but Corbin beat me to it.

“How are things in the minor courts Prince Erol?”

I could see the anger wash over Erol. But, he quickly recovered.

“Corbin we will see if
your father and uncle are as amused to see you.”

“
Boys, there is no need to bicker. I mean size does matter. Did I just say that out loud? I meant color. We both know that Black trumps Red every time.” Corbin chuckled softly beside me.

“
Gag and manacle them both,” Erol spat and then be disappeared with a small puff.

Damn. I hate it when vamps disappeared like that. Who knew where they might pop up next. Before I could contemplate the horror further
, we were dragged down underground. Definitely, not the place to be at night in a city of pissed off vampires. I could only hope Tokem could track us. The vamps searched us with a little bit too much enthusiasm to suit me. We were shackled and put into separate cells. Where the hell was Tokem?

I had no way of knowing how long we had been the guests of the Red Court
delegation but, they were not getting a four star rating from me. They were reflecting poorly on the Black Court and I’m sure they didn’t give a rat’s ass. No water, no food and I was getting cranky. Just when I was ready to offer the nearest vamp a one finger salute I heard a whirring noise. Tokem?

“
Tokem, what took you so long?”

“Lauren, I am glad to see you too. I see that absence
had made your heart grow fonder. It is so heartwarming.”

“I am going to warm more than your heart when I get out of here. Have you seen
Corbin?”