Cory felt helpless, as he was tied tightly to the column, and it allowed him no movement. He’d been calling out to his dad telepathically, but he knew it was daylight still, and he wondered if they’d ever get out alive. His dad couldn’t respond to him in the day, and no one else had any idea where in the hell they were, including him.
He calmed himself as much as possible, trying not to scare Madison any more than she already was. Cory knew this vampire was a warrior. He’d been around enough warriors to recognize that much, at least, but he had no idea who this was, or why they’d want him or Maddie. But he knew one thing, this was about the Medici. "Stay still, Maddie, just do whatever he tells you."
Cory's eyes signaled to her to try to relax. He could barely breathe, himself, but he’d give up his life for her. He just had to figure out how to stall this vampire long enough to give his father time to get here. Use your head, Cory! He knew he could telepathically send his father whatever information he could gather. Maybe he could find out who this was, and what he wanted.
"Who are you and what do you want with us? We’ve done nothing to you."
Max smirked at the half-breed, his laugh an evil taunt. "Well, you’re right about one thing, half-breed. You’ve done nothing to me. You and your mortal toy mean nothing to me. Unfortunately, the same can't be said of your father. He has destroyed me, taken everything, and left me humiliated among my kind. The Battle of Bel Rosso was my undoing. It’s a dangerous thing, to leave a vampire alive who has nothing left to lose. I escaped with my life, only to find it was a life not worth living, and every day, I’m aware of his joy and good fortune. I may not be able to touch the Medici, but I can destroy something precious to him. Something he’ll never be able to replace, something that will leave him feeling pain and guilt for all eternity, for not being able to save you in time. So, please…" Max stroked Madison's long hair and pulled it back from her neck as he licked the vein, pulsing hard and fast with her fear. "I beg your forgiveness in advance. You’ve done nothing to me. You are but pawns on my chessboard, and you serve the purpose of taking a king to his knees."
Cory knew instantly this was Max, and the more he talked, the more Cory knew he was looking at his own death. Max would never let them get out alive. His only hope was if his father could find a way to get to them. Cory looked around the abandoned warehouse and transmitted that image to his father. He closed his eyes and focused all his senses. He picked up the scent of the salty water and could hear some sea gulls in the distance. San Francisco was surrounded by water, so that didn’t help a lot, but at least he knew he wasn’t in the middle of the city. He let Shade know they were on the waterfront, in an industrial area, surrounded by the smell of machine oil, and his captor was Max.
Max continued to toy with Madison, teasing her, as Cory struggled to release the bonds that bound him to the column. His own beast emerged, as his fangs punched through.
"Let her go. Take me, do whatever you want to me, but let her go. I’m the Medici's son, I’m the one you want, not her. You can kill me, but your fate is sealed. My dad will slaughter you."
Cory saw the anger rise in the vampire, and it was just what he wanted, anything to draw the vampire’s attention away from Madison, and it worked. The last thing he saw was Madison dropped to the floor as Max backhanded him across the face and Cory lost consciousness.
***
Shade closed his eyes, and took a long deep breath, clearing his mind of everything, so he could focus on his son. "Quiet!"
The noise around him was a distraction, and he needed to focus hard. The room went silent, as Kate and Luca stood waiting. Shade saw images of a dark warehouse, but they were from the inside, so that didn’t help him with location. He heard his son telling him they were near the waterfront, and he heard the name that sent a chill down his spine…Max.
Shade knew this attack was pure revenge, and a cowardly one, at that. He looked at Kate as he quietly told her what he knew. It was time to end this once and for all. "It is Max. He has Cory and Madison. I don’t know where."
He turned to Luca. "All Medici go on red alert, right now. I want this house locked down, no one comes or goes. I will go alone. No one fucks with my familia. This is personal, and I have a score to settle. Move now!"
Luca took off to deliver the message to the camp, as Shade began to dress in his leathers. He wasn’t in a panic. He’d prepared for battle many times. This was revenge, and he’d slay Max the second he was able to leave this house. He only hoped it was soon enough to save his son.
Kate had watched in silence as he pulled on the leathers, crafted for him by Cory. She had no doubt about the outcome for Max. Today, tomorrow, or some day in the future, Shade would make him pay for this with his life. But they still didn’t know where Cory was, or if they could get to him in time.
He kissed her softly as he walked from the room. "I am going to see Lorenzo and my princess, and then I am getting my weapons. I am going to save my son. I will return when this is over. I won’t be back until Max’s head is detached."
He stepped with purpose into the hallway, and headed to the children’s rooms. His mind was clear, and he had but one purpose. Maximus had tried once to stop him and lost. It had been a mistake to let him retreat. It wasn’t a mistake Shade would repeat. He sent a message to his son, ”I’m coming for you.”
97
Kate followed him as he walked to Sophia’s room. "Find Raven. I’ve sent Poe to him and asked him to track Cory. Follow Poe and he’ll lead you and Raven to Cory."
He kissed Sophia, and then headed to the classroom where Lorenzo was being held by Marcello, with Enzo in attendance. Shade knelt down as his son ran into his arms, giving him a hug. "I am counting on you, little warrior, to make sure your mommy and sister are safe."
Lorenzo kissed his father and squeezed him tight. "I will, Daddy."
He kissed his son then took Kate in his arms. She fought the impulse to tell him to be careful, knowing it only annoyed him. She’d keep her worries to herself. "Go now, bring our son and Madison home, and bring Rachael. I'll manage things here."
He kissed her as if it might be the last time he ever kissed her, and Kate fought back any tears.
***
Raven and Poe took off for the Haight District. Raven had no idea if the bird could pick up Cory’s scent. It seemed like a long shot. The sun had gone down, so if he could find anything for them to follow, he knew he’d be able to lead Shade to his son.
The bird seemed to search randomly, landing on rooftops, and occasionally landing on the sidewalk, pecking and creating a raucous that drew the attention of the people passing by. The bird didn’t seem to be reacting to anything, but Raven followed close behind, keeping an eye on him. Poe took off, and Raven picked up the pace, trying to follow him as he rounded the corner and saw Poe in front of a small Victorian style house. Raven rushed to the sidewalk in front of the house, and noticed two shopping bags that had been blown into the yard. As he stood in front of the house, even he could pick up Cory’s scent. It was very faint, and Raven was about to enter the house when the bird flew skyward again, cawing loudly. As he watched the bird fly toward the bay, he received a telepathic message from Shade. It was Max, and Cory was being held inside a vacant warehouse near the waterfront. His master would soon be on the way. Raven took to the sky himself, teleporting ahead of the bird, but allowing Poe to navigate.