Retribution Read online

  Kenjii moved across the distance between them at vampire speed and wrapped his arms around Akio from behind, their cheeks pressed together. “I’m so sorry. Had I not had my memories stolen, I would have found you, no matter what it took.”

  Akio stiffened, then hesitantly raised one hand as he watched in the mirror, placing it gently against Kenjii’s face. “I would have fought the compulsion I was under to find you had I known.”

  “Those bastards stole much from us, but by turning me, we now have the chance to be together again.” Kenjii raised his eyes to Akio’s in the mirror, a hopeful look on his face. “If you will have me.”

  Akio felt warmth spread through his chest like something was melting inside. He had not felt that way in over eighty years. He stared into the mirror, looking deep into Kenjii’s dark-brown eyes. It was like peering into his very soul, seeing hope and conflict as Kenjii struggled to find himself in the being who had been Miko for so long. “Hai. I would like that very much.”

  “Akio?” Abel called over the speakers inside his room.

  “Yes?”

  “There is a delivery approaching. It is the package Eve ordered for Kenjii.”

  “I’ll be there in a moment,” Akio answered as he pushed himself off his bed.

  Kenjii watched appreciatively as Akio made his way out the door. “Hurry back.”

  Akio looked over his shoulder, a glint of mirth in his eyes. “Only a minute.”

  Kenjii sighed and fell back on the pillow, content and peace flowing through him for the first time in longer than he could remember. As he lay there, a thought came unbidden.

  Don’t get too comfortable, fool. You don’t really know him anymore, and he is keeping secrets. This place and the amazing technology are only the tip of what he is hiding. Guard your mind.

  Kenjii shook his head, trying to dispel the paranoia that had been Miko’s sole existence. After being a lab rat for Heinz, he didn’t trust easily if at all. Though he was happy to see Akio, he realized he knew nothing about him now.

  The door slid open, and Akio returned with a medium-sized box.

  “Eve ordered four bags, with a standing order to deliver four more each day from here on.”

  He opened the box as he moved to the counter that contained his tea set and had a small refrigerator and microwave underneath.

  “Would you like me to warm it for you?”

  “Hai, if you don’t mind.”

  In a few minutes, Akio passed a heavy ceramic mug to him that held half of one of the blood bags. The scent hit his nose, and his eyes turned slightly red as his fangs extended.

  Kenjii drank the cup in no time and looked expectantly to Akio, who stood watching. “Will you be joining me?”

  “No, this is all for you.”

  Kenjii raised his eyebrows. “I can spare some for you. Surely you haven’t had time to feed yet.”

  “I’m good. You’re the one who has been running for the past few weeks. This,” he motioned with his arm, “is all for you. You need it to recover from your ordeal.”

  Kenjii studied Akio through hooded eyes. “I feel there is something you aren’t telling me.”

  Akio pursed his lips as he thought. He knew he would have to tell Kenjii everything, but his mind was still caught between his friend and the changes.

  “I have experienced more changes than just this.” He gestured down his body. “I no longer need to take blood to survive.”

  Kenjii’s eyes widened at this revelation. “What? How? Uh, what did they do to you?” he finally asked, suspicion in his voice.

  “Bethany Anne upgraded me.” He sighed, deciding to reveal the information about how the nanocytes created vampires.

  “Our condition is more complex than was known until Bethany Anne came along. They taught you that Michael was the first of our kind, and all of us originate from him?”

  Kenjii looked at him, shock registering on his face. “No, they taught me that Michael, or the Archangel, was a powerful and murderous vampire. He was the most powerful of us, who would swoop in and kill us if we revealed ourselves to the humans.”

  “He was that when he had to be, but he was also the first to encounter the being responsible for our existence.” Akio motioned for the empty cup Kenjii held in limp fingers. “Let me fill that for you, and I will explain what I can of it.”

  Chapter Six

  Serenity Temple, Dabie Mountains, China

  Peng Kun stalked across the raised dais in the training room, his long purple robes swirling each time he turned. It had been three days since he had issued the orders to call the soldiers of the Sacred Clan to arms. The small number who had arrived did not inspire confidence in the other leaders.

  “Brothers, I welcome you. I will reward those of you who heeded the call. Each of you will have the opportunity to prove your worth as leaders in the coming weeks. I will assign you a squad of your brothers as they arrive, and it will be your duty to prepare them for the battles we will face.”

  He paused and looked out across the room. Fifty seasoned warriors stared at him with rapt attention. “The battles ahead will define the place of the Sacred Clan in the world. No longer will we hide in the shadows as inferior beings try to govern us. Why should we? Was it not the humans who caused the world to be destroyed?” His lips curled in a disgusted grimace.

  Snarls and shouts of agreement came from the watching warriors.

  “Was it not the humans and their reliance on technology that led them to the defeated state they now find themselves in?”

  More shouts and nods greeted this.

  “Was it not the Forsaken and the strictures forced on us by Michael, the so-called Archangel, that have forced us to hide like frightened children, afraid that violating their rules gave them the authority to kill us?”

  Again, sounds of agreement echoed through the stone cavern.

  “I say now is the time for us to take our places as the rightful rulers of this world. The time has come, my brothers, The Clan shall rise!”

  Fifty voices shouted, “The Clan rises!” The sound reverberated throughout the complex carved deep into the granite mountains.

  Kun motioned to an acolyte standing to the side of the stage. “Gao here will give you your assignments. Whether you succeed or fail is on you. There is no room for failure. We will be victorious!”

  Kun stepped off the dais to the sound of snarls and warriors beating their fists on their chests. He allowed himself a hint of a smile as he made his way to his chambers, satisfied the warriors would do their best.

  “Master!” Cui called. He prostrated himself at Kun’s feet when he entered his rooms.

  “I see you finally dared to return after your failure,” Kun growled, his voice low and menacing.

  Cui remained silent, knowing it would not take much provocation for Kun to turn his anger into physical action.

  Kun watched him with a look of sheer disgust on his face as the Were pressed his forehead to the floor.

  “Get your ass up and report. I am eager to hear how you and your supposedly excellent team failed to take one fucking Forsaken.”

  Cui scrambled to his feet and faced Kun. “We pursued him as you ordered. The scouts determined his direction, and we knew the coast was his destination. We had him in sight when that damned Pod dropped from the sky. The person who came out of that craft went through our warriors like a scythe through wheat. They didn’t stand a chance between his speed and the weapons he carried.”

  “Tell me about the weapons,” Kun ordered, his face showing more interest than anger for the first time since he’d stepped into the room.

  “He used a handgun that did not sound like any I have ever heard. It was quiet when it fired, not like a normal firearm. When the projectile hit, the results were unreal. It was as if a bomb detonated when it struck. When I looked at the body later, the head was disintegrated by the shot.”

  Kun nodded. This information fit with intelligence that had come from clashes with T
QB fighters before they left Earth.

  “When he switched to his sword, he was truly terrifying. He moved faster than the eye could follow. One minute he was in one place, and the next second, he appeared several yards away. His eyes glowed bright red in the darkness, and our soldiers died before they knew he was there.

  “He killed all who were threatening the Forsaken we sought and then pulled him into the Pod and shot into the sky.”

  “Did you get a good look at this mysterious creature?”

  “As well as I could while running to engage him.”

  “Describe him to me.”

  “He was a vampire, based on the speed and his red eyes.”

  “Could you tell his race?”

  Cui thought for a moment, pulling the memory of that night to the forefront of his mind. “He was Asian, possibly Japanese.”

  Kun nodded and motioned for him to continue.

  “He wore black clothing. It was dark that night, but I could make out that it was some type of uniform. There was a patch on the right shoulder, a vampire skull on a red background.”

  Kun’s brows furrowed as he considered the information. “Are you certain? You do know what that patch means?”

  “A Queen’s Bitch,” Cui answered slowly.

  “Yes. If she had returned, I think we would know it. There are rumors about a lone vigilante who stalks the UnknownWorld as Michael did. We will deal with him.

  “I will recall all the scout units back to the Temple. I will also order each clan enclave to provide a contingent of fighters, rather than requesting. When they arrive, we will create a situation that will bring them both out of whatever hole they are hiding in and defeat them once and for all.”

  Cui bowed to his master, hiding the concerned look on his face. “It will be as you say. What role would you have me play in your plans?”

  Kun smiled at him, a smile that did not reach his eyes and sent chills down Cui’s back. “You will lead them. Do not fail me again. Return victorious or do not return at all.”

  Cui prostrated himself at Kun’s feet, recognizing the dismissal for what it was.

  “The Clan shall rise.”

  “The Clan rises. Now, get out of my sight and formulate a plan for this war that we face.”

  Cui rose quickly and exited before Kun could change his mind. He knew he would have to take the battle to the vampire he had seen and was not at all certain of the victory Kun thought was evident.

  Chapter Seven

  TQB Base, Tokyo, Japan

  “Akio, do you have a moment?” Yuko asked as she stepped into the training room.

  Akio and Kenjii had been sparring, Kenjii with his twin butterfly swords and the older vampire with a katana and a tanto. Both were flushed from the exertion, and Akio had a slight smile on his lips.

  “Certainly, Yuko. Give me a second to put these away.” He motioned with the blades. “Do you wish to meet in the command center?”

  “No, the news I have concerns Kenjii as well.”

  Akio raised one eyebrow as he racked his weapons and motioned for his partner to do the same.

  “What is it?” Kenjii asked after his weapons were stowed, concern showing in his body language.

  Yuko pursed her lips, noting the stiffness in Kenjii’s body and the look on his face.

  “I spoke with Inspector Yonai today, and he shared some information that concerns me. His people have heard that those who were after Kenjii are here in Japan searching for us.”

  Akio stiffened as she said this, his face taking on a scowl. “What did he find that led to that conclusion?”

  “A man met with one of the Yakuza leaders recently and was provided information about our general location. Yonai told me, and I put Abel and Takumi on alert. They’ve both deployed drones around the immediate area but have seen nothing that shows any threats.”

  “The information Yonai shared leads me to believe the man who was there is a member of the same group that was after Kenjii in China. Besides that,” she nodded at Akio, “they mentioned your name.”

  “Who is this Yakuza person?” Kenjii snarled. “I will gladly visit him and ensure he shares no further information—about anything, ever.”

  Yuko looked at him through hooded eyes as Akio placed a calming hand on his arm.

  “If that becomes necessary, we will go together. Let’s hear what else Yuko has to say.”

  Kenjii calmed a bit, but his face still showed that he was angry.

  “Inspector Yonai has provided me with the location and name of the criminal. He is the Oyabun, the boss over all the Yakuza that remain in Japan. I have asked Eve to get drones inside his house, and she assures me we will have real-time footage before the day is out. If the Yakuza are a threat, we will deal with them accordingly,” Yuko assured him. Her tone left no doubt that she was fully prepared to end the threat through violence if needed.

  “Let Horst and the girls know to be alert and not to venture out alone. I think it is also past time that I teach Koda and Asai to defend themselves,” Akio added.

  Yuko smiled when she heard this. Koda had been asking her regularly when Akio would have time to teach her since the night they met. Between helping Inspector Yonai and his search for Kenjii, he hadn’t been able to devote the time to train with the girl, but now it had become a priority.

  Eve’s voice came over the speakers in the room. “I have taken the liberty of starting a training regimen for both girls. I developed a sim that teaches them the basics of unarmed fighting using several proven styles, plus weapons training. They have taken the introductory course and have scheduled time each day to continue.”

  Yuko’s eyes widened at this news. She knew Eve had been working on a new sim but did not know it was for the girls.

  “Thank you, Eve,” Akio answered. “I owe Koda an apology for allowing myself to become so caught up in other things that I failed to discharge my promise to her.”

  “It’s not as if you’ve been busy or anything,” Eve snarked.

  Akio nodded, then, remembering that Eve was not present, answered, “Just the same, I appreciate you doing that. I would like to try the sim for myself. Perhaps I can make some suggestions?”

  “Whenever you would like,” Eve answered. “Maybe you should bring Kenjii along. I’m sure he would enjoy getting out for a bit.”

  Kenjii stiffened, surprised to be included. “I would like that very much, Eve. I haven’t been home in many decades and would like to get out and see what’s changed.”

  Yuko looked pensive for a moment and Akio nodded.

  “Akio, perhaps you should take an evening to show Kenjii around. I’m sure he would welcome the time alone with you as much as he would like to see the changes.”

  Kenjii gazed at her in confusion. He was not yet accustomed to being around people who took his feelings or desires into consideration. He looked Yuko in the eye as he replied, “I would like that very much. Uh, thank you for thinking of me. You too, Eve,” he added hastily.

  “No thanks are needed, but you are welcome,” Yuko answered.

  “Yeah, you’re one of us now. We look out for each other that way,” Eve added.

  Kenjii smiled, glad they considered him a member of the team. A voice in the back of his mind reminded him he didn’t know what exactly they did and reminded him not to blindly trust anything he was told. Only time would tell if he was wrong, but after the experiences and betrayals he’d had since Heinz turned him, he was not yet willing to leave anything to chance.

  Akio peered at Kenjii out of the corner of his eye as this thought, one of the few he had picked up clearly from Kenjii’s troubled mind, came in loud and clear. Though he was happy to have his friend back in his life, he had to constantly remind himself that this person, though he had many of the traits that had attracted him in the past, was not the Kenjii he knew but a conglomeration of him and the Miko persona.

  Whoever Kenjii would ultimately become, for now, the life he had shared with Isamu and Hein
z still influenced him heavily. Akio fervently prayed to his ancestors that Kenjii could come back from the decades he had lived as a Forsaken, but a small part of him wasn’t sure it would be enough.

  Chapter Eight

  Kume Island, Okinawa, Japan

  The Pod came down from the inky sky without a sound. It was just before dawn on Kume, and Horst wanted to arrive before it was light. He’d scheduled the ship that Eve had contracted to bring in the first group of workers and the materials needed to rebuild the docks to arrive just after sunrise.

  Horst wanted to meet the job foremen and make sure they had everything they needed to start the project. Eve had used one of the Pods to clear the wrecks out of the way, so all the crews had to do was start construction.

  The first phase of the plans called for the construction of a temporary retaining wall across the narrow mouth of the harbor. That would allow the workers to pump the harbor basin dry. Once they completed that, the crews could dredge the existing harbor to make it deeper. For the last stage, Horst planned to use explosive charges to open the narrow mouth enough to accommodate the ships Eve was having fitted.

  Yuko had used her contacts in the Japanese government and navy to obtain the use of an amphibious landing craft to move the equipment and supplies needed to complete the job. The navy was more than happy to lend a hand, with the promise of a space dedicated to their ships and space to construct a building to put a permanent naval presence in the completed harbor.

  Eve had pulled up the plans for the navy’s proposed building and laughed when she saw the visiting personnel accommodations. It would be equivalent to a four-star hotel. Mayor Yagi was shocked at first, but once Horst pointed out that Kume would again be a vacation location when they finished the building and refurbishing, he saw the opportunities it offered.

  A steady supply of vacationing sailors to shop and eat in the proposed stores and restaurants, plus the added protection of having the military there, sold him on the idea. He was already making plans with Asai and Koda for them to finance a restaurant building they could rent to some entrepreneur from one of the bigger islands. The location was on a slight rise overlooking a pristine white beach and the emerald green water beyond. Yagi had chosen it because at sunset, the water shone like many-faceted gemstones in the golden light. It was a beautiful and romantic spot, one that had been very popular with the tourists before the world ended.