Coalition of the Damned - 03 Read Online Free Page B

operator standing in front of him. He nodded slightly then asked, “Have you discussed this with Apollo?”
    “Before I came here, sir. He gave me the green light. Said that now that the full moon is over, things are usually quiet for a while.”
    Matt nodded again. “He’s right about that.” Mitchell glanced at the calendar. “You can have a few days. I can’t spare any more than that though. There’s just too much going on and the clock is ticking.”
    Mueller lit up with a grin. “More than I need, sir.”
    “That includes travel as well. I’ve got First Squad going to Labrador and Northern Canada, I’m going to be in D.C. and…well, hell, we’re all going to be scattered. With you out, Second Squad will be a man short…sorry, son. I don’t mean to discount Dominic.”
    “I understand what you mean, sir. Gus is filling in for him. I just need to do this. And Third Squad will be here, just in case.”
    Mitchell nodded. “Haul ass, soldier. You’re burning leave time.”
    Mueller saluted Mitchell, “Thank you, sir!” all but running from his office.
     
    *****
     
    Rufus Thorn stayed in the shadows while his friend and S econd, Viktor repacked for Vatican City. He held an uneasy feeling about this mission and was hesitant about sending him. “I am uncertain of this, mon ami . I think we should rethink this decision.”
    Viktor continued to pack and spoke softly. He knew that Rufus could hear him if he whispered. “We both know what is at stake here. We also know where Tasha and Nadia are going and the odds of them succeeding.” He finally stood straight and squared his broad shoulders, stretching his neck. When he turned, Rufus saw only sorrow in his eyes. “I like it no better than you, but we both know that this would be far easier if I do it alone.”
    “If I were to go with you, I think we could convince this Secretariat of State what exactly is at stake,” Thorn stated. “And I could make good my threat to turn him if he didn’t cooperate.” He grinned slyly.
    Viktor sighed and placed his bag on the edge of the bed. “The man won’t be swayed by threats, Rufus,” he informed him softly. “Even threats that you would surely carry out. I don’t i ntend to relieve them of all of their artifacts, but if I can get some of them…” He explained, “One of the pieces of silver, one of the cross pieces, one of the bloody rags, or…any combination.” He averted his eyes, not wanting to disappoint his friend and master.
    Rufus placed a hand on Viktor’s shoulder and squeezed ge ntly. “I trust you will do your best, mon ami . You have never let me down before,” he said. “I just wish that I could be there for you as you have been there for me.”
    Viktor nodded, still feeling that he had failed Rufus. He had searched for years for a cure to the vampirism that Thorn had been infected with to no avail. He had spent untold millions of Thorn’s money gaining access to the most secretive of vaults where information had been hidden away for centuries, spent years digging through archives all to come up empty.
    He feared what Thorn feared: the only ‘cure’ was the true death.
    Theologians who were in the know on vampirism had a rgued for centuries that there could be no cure for the condition. Those who were afflicted had to die to become the undead, and once they did, their soul left the body. If the body were one day ‘cured’ of the disease of vampirism, the soul was long gone, and the body would still be dead, therefore, only true death could be the result. Yet Viktor had vowed that as long as he were able, he would continue to search for a way to free Rufus of the curse that afflicted him. “I do have a plan. I will be making a stop before going to Vatican City,” Viktor announced. “It should not take me very long and will aid in our efforts.”
    Rufus only nodded. He knew better than to question Viktor. If he felt that Rufus needed to know all of the intricacies of his plan, he