Page 79 of Damian’s Conquest

“Hunter’s Point?” Sebastian asked.

The moment Sebastian said the words, something clicked inside of Grayson’s mind. “The garage.” He exchanged a look with his fellow hybrid. “If it went out of business, it’s probably empty.”

Sebastian nodded in agreement. “Let me check with Eddie.” He pulled out his cell and called HQ. “Hey, Eddie. Cynthia Lassiter is heading toward Hunter’s Point. We suspect she’s going to the garage where her brother worked. Can you see if the business was sold?”

There was silence, and Grayson continued navigating the van through traffic, staying close to his target.

“Thanks, Eddie, appreciate it.” Sebastian disconnected the call. “The place is empty. Nobody bought it.”

“Makes a good hiding place, I bet,” Grayson commented. “Perhaps Lassiter even kept a key. They could be keeping Mick and Tracy captive there.”

“Good place for that. But don’t you find it odd that she’s the one driving there alone, without her brother?”

He’d been wondering the same ever since he’d suspected that she was driving to the garage. “Something isn’t right. I can feel it.”

“Maybe she’s the one doing his dirty work?” Sebastian guessed. “And he’s the brains behind it?”

Grayson shrugged. “Possible.”

Cynthia’s car slowed, until she finally pulled into one of the parking spots in front of the defunct garage. Not wanting to attract attention, Grayson drove past it, then turned right at the next corner and stopped.

“As soon as she’s inside, we’re following her.”

Sebastian nodded, and kept looking out the passenger side window. “Okay, she’s inside.”

Grayson jumped out of the van and shut the door quietly. Sebastian did the same. They approached the rickety building, and looked around, making sure nobody was watching them. This wasn’t a residential area, but consisted mostly of industrial buildings, many of them abandoned and ready for redevelopment. Many for lease and for sale signs lined the street. This was the perfect area to hide somebody away without having to worry that anybody would discover them. The garage itself had few windows, and all of them were either boarded up or painted black, making it virtually vampire-proof inside. Yes, if he needed to lock somebody up, he would have chosen this place too.

“Follow my lead,” Grayson advised. “She might be armed. Let’s do this as quietly as possible, so she won’t have a chance to harm the hostages.”

Sebastian nodded. “Shouldn’t we call for backup?”

“Two hybrids against one human? Please!” Grayson shook his head. “We’ve got this.”

“Okay then.”

They walked to the door. The glass insert had been covered up with plywood. Grayson tested the doorknob. It turned in his hand. He looked over his shoulder, giving Sebastian a sign, then pulled on the door, opening it a couple of inches so he could peer into the interior. As expected, it was dark inside, and musty. The smell of blood was in the air. Not just human blood. Vampire blood too. He’d come to the right place.

Grayson allowed his eyes to adjust to the dark interior. The workshop wasn’t entirely empty. The owner had left behind tools, tires, and various auto parts. In one corner of the large two-story high garage was the only room, an office. The walls of the large office weren’t simply plywood like Grayson had expected, but made of brick and mortar, perhaps because the previous owner wanted a more secure location to store valuable parts and money. Even the door was reinforced with bars, so thieves would have a harder time raiding the place.

On the outside of the office door was a heavy iron rod, and at its end, Grayson noticed a large padlock. It was open.

He looked over his shoulder to Sebastian. “Large office in the left far corner,” he whispered.

Sebastian nodded, understanding, his gun ready.

Grayson opened the door wider and snuck inside, looking left and right, before stalking toward the office, his senses on high alert. When he reached the door, he noticed that it was ajar. There was light inside, but a filing cabinet blocked his view. However, he could clearly smell vampire blood, as well as the fragrant perfume of a woman.

He kicked the door open and charged inside. Sitting on the floor, chained to a radiator, was Mick Solvang, while Cynthia crouched before him. Mick’s eyes instantly shot toward Grayson, and Sebastian, who was rushing in as well. But Cynthia didn’t immediately turn her head—as if she hadn’t heard the door open.

It took him only a second to realize why: she was wearing headphones that covered her ears completely, while she held Mick’s bleeding wrist over a plastic container to collect the blood. With one swift move, Grayson snatched her from behind and tossed her on her back. A surprised shriek burst from her lips. That’s when he noticed something else: she was wearing sunglasses.

“Mick, you okay?” he asked, and cast a quick look at the chained vampire. “Sebastian, untie him!”

Mick sagged back against the radiator. “Thank God, you found me.” He looked drained, but relieved. “Tracy, is she safe?”

“Let go of me!” Cynthia yelled, but Grayson pinned her down without much effort.

The human’s strength was no match for his. He pulled the earphones off her head and separated her from her sunglasses.