Free The Damned by Nancy Holder, Debbie Viguié Page B

gazed out the window. Streetlights, bushes, other cars. That was all there was to see.
    S ALAMANCA, S PAIN
F ATHER J UAN, J ENN, AND A NTONIO
    Let this be the right course , Juan prayed once more, as Jenn and Antonio walked into his office. He had cast the runes and entreated heaven to make his decision crystal clear. But as often happened when matters of life and death were involved, he was called upon to exercise his free will, and to ask those in his care to do the same.
    Beyond his door the academy students bustled en route to their activities—training, studies, chores—and their lively young voices reminded him of the duties that lay across his shoulders. He had a sure hand in the future of humanity. He might not know everything, but he was certain of that.
    Jenn and Antonio kept their distance from each other as they stood before his desk. He gestured for them to sit. They complied. He could remember a time when Jenn would take Antonio’s hand, or Antonio would smile reassuringly at her. Those days had become a memory. The conversion of Heather had harmed their relationship. That was bad. They were fighting partners.
    Perhaps what I am going to do signals a more permanent change , he thought.
    “We have been asked to help two teams in Russia,” he told them.
    “Two?” Antonio said.
    “It’s a combined effort by an Israeli and an Arab team,” Father Juan explained. “Numerous special-forces veterans were ranked among them, and they were expected to gain a significant victory for our side. Unfortunately, it’s gone badly. Out of twenty members two hunters have survived, possibly three. Jenn, you will take the team to Russia and meet up with them, and together you will stop the vampire named Dantalion.”
    “Okay,” she said.
    Father Juan leaned forward on his elbows.
    “We’ve had some intelligence since the teams went in. Dantalion has been overseeing genetic manipulation experiments. He’s been splicing werewolf, human, and vampire genes to make supersoldiers. Others combine human and Cursed One DNA in hopes of creating the perfect vampire.”
    “Perfect vampire?” Jenn repeated.
    “One who is not affected by sunlight,” he replied.
    Jenn paled. “Cursed Ones who could walk around by day?” She glanced at Antonio, and Father Juan saw the longing there. He guessed she was imagining what kind of life they could have together if he were not forced to hide from the sunlight.
    But then she looked away again, as if to remind herself that she and Antonio would never have a life together. The vampire bore the strangest expression.
    “Has he succeeded yet?” Antonio asked.
    “Not as far as we can tell. Although what he has created is far more frightening.” He fell silent.
    “Father?” Jenn pressed.
    “ Bueno. A few of Dantalion’s experiments have either escaped or been set loose. They have been slaughtering everything they come across. It’s only a matter of time before he creates enough of these creatures to take out the entire city of Moscow.”
    Both Jenn and Antonio seemed stunned by the concept. “That’s millions of people,” Antonio said, finding his voice first. “How can he do that? He’s only one vampire.”
    “Antonio, you were in the war when the Germans unleashed the panzers, the armored tanks. And the U-boats. You saw the blitzkrieg for yourself—thousands of bombs fell from the sky. The Allies thought the world was ending.”
    Antonio looked thoughtful. “That’s true. And in this war there is also new technology.”
    “Vale,” Father Juan said. “And just as the Nazis sought to conquer the world with their master race, so do the Cursed Ones.”
    “When do we leave?” Antonio asked.
    Father Juan took a deep breath. “I’ve told the others to return. Eriko and Jamie have booked a flight. Holgar and Skye are already on the road. Barring any problems, the team will leave tomorrow morning.” He hesitated. “With one exception. Antonio, I need you to stay