The Crucivire

Chapter Twenty Nine: A Prison of the Mind

Director Farrow sat in his office faced with the shadowy figures of the Night Hunter Council on his computer screen.

"We've cleared the facility of all remaining vampires," said Farrow. "And I already have technicians working to restore the security system. In the meantime, I've set up more primitive defenses around the mansion with barricades and holy water hoses."

"Have we identified who compromised the security system in the first place?" asked one of the council members.

"It's hard to believe," said Farrow. "But a review of the security footage showed agent Thompson inserting something into the servers. We recovered a flash drive, no doubt loaded with a virus programmed by a vampire's thrall."

"Agent Thompson is a traitor?"

"That's the strange thing. Agent Thompson insists he doesn't remember inserting the device, or even being in the server room. Furthermore, he fought in the recruit quarters and killed vampires along with everyone else. If he really betrayed us, he had to have known we'd discover should we succeed, yet he did nothing to avoid capture. We haven't had a chance to arrange for a dhampir to inspect his mind, so right now I have no theories on what cause Agent's Thompson and Swann to act the way they did."

The council remained silent for a moment.

"How are Captain Wagner and Agent Brand doing?" asked one.

"Both are recovering," said Farrow. "Agent Brand is a dhampir, so his injuries will heal and his legs will grow back before too long. I was worried about Captain Wagner as he's never been injured like this before. However, it seems even his metal skeleton is regenerating. Before long, he'll be good as new."

"How is that possible?"

"You're guess is as good as mine," said Farrow. "We still don't understand the technology that went into creating him. I can only be thankful that Doctor Alsman was dealt with when he was."

One of the council members sighed, "As grateful as I am at getting some good news, we have to face facts. This whole ordeal is a complete and total disaster. The Council will deliberate on our next move. We still don't know what the vampires want with Agent Phoenix, but his capture may now necessitate drastic action. Be ready."

Farrow nodded, and then the feed cut off. Farrow then sighed as he turned his thoughts to Alice Hayes and her brother. He prayed silently that they could survive whatever those vampires were doing with them.

###

The vampires had run like the wind, carrying Alice and Phoenix through the dark forest. Before long, they entered tunnels that went underground. Through long tunnels covered in Aztec carvings, they eventually reached a set of stairs that went up. Up the stairs, they came out into a ballroom.

They were greeted with cheers from the vampires waiting there. Hundreds of vampires within the ballroom, and even standing outside looking in, applauded enthusiastically. Even the other elders Fara, Harold and Archibald clapped politely. As Alice looked around, it looked like a beautiful ballroom lite by a bright chandelier. If she focused, however, she could see through Victor's illusion, showing a dark, decaying room with vines creeping through cracks in the walls. Now that he'd drunk her blood, Victor could cover her eyes with false visions, and Alice knew she'd have to be ever vigilant to see through them.

Before long, Phoenix and Alice were split up. Alice was brought to a room in the mansion where Victor placed her on the floor before standing and turning to leave.