Blood Ties

From the Journal of Robert Frohmeyer:

 

“Are you proud of the man he has become?”

Such a simple question Irene had posed but as I thought on it I realized how powerful that question was. It made me realize that I looked at my son and saw the smiling toddler he was and not the adult he is.

It also made me look at my son and see not what he had become but who he had become. I could not look at him and simply see a bloodsucking creature, that is not who Josh is. Josh is strong, he has survived what has broken so many through the centuries. I need look no farther than my own brother, Joseph is completely Pendragon's creature. Josh was owned by more than one vampire and none of them were able to break him.

Josh is also compassionate. There was no obligation on him when Eric showed up seeking shelter. Josh didn't know Eric from a hole in the ground and yet he had opened his home, his life and his heart to the brother he never knew he had. And Joseph, poor Joseph. Josh had Drake called in a psychiatrist to try to help Joseph, even though Joseph was fully prepared to turn Josh over to Pendragon.

How can I see who he is and still believe that he is evil incarnate?

*****

Drake and Blade stood in the hallway outside of Joseph's cell. The door opened allowing Ingrid out.

She looked at the two and shook her head. “He's not going to tell me anything...but I think he will tell his nephew. Josh is with him. He seems to open up a bit more to his nephew.

He talks to Josh about Pendragon, he's determined to convince Josh that Pendragon will take care of him and that Josh will be happy with Pendragon. I decided to use that.”

“Use it how?” Blade asked.

“Josh is going to let him think he has been convinced.” She said. “Hopefully Joseph will give him the location of Pendragon.”

No more than 15 minutes passed when Josh came out of the door. He looked at Ingrid and shook his head. “He won't tell me where Pendragon is. He insists on taking me there himself. I don't think he is going to change his mind he's determined to get me safely to Pendragon and then serving me up on a silver platter.”

“By the time we get a location out of him this way, Pendragon will be long gone.” Blade said.

“B, come on. He's a whack job but he is my uncle.” Scud said. “It's not like I have family to spare you know?”

“Scud I know he is your family.” Drake said. “But you have to consider the fact that he doesn't have any of the familial obligation you're feeling right now. I don't like the idea of harming him but we can't wait around for Pendragon to come after you.”

“Drake you're wrong. He does feel some sort of obligation.” Scud said. “He's in La La Land but I think he's sincere about wanting me safe and happy, and for him safe and happy is Pendragon.”

Ingrid stood up straight as she had a thought. “Safe...I think that's the key. He may be more concerned with Josh's safety than his own.”

*****

Robert made his way to the lobby of the Talos Building. He was deep in thought his head down as he passed the reception desk. There was a couple talking to one of the security men there. Nothing strange about that he thought when once again a glint of something caught his attention.

The woman's bracelet. That is what had caught his attention. It was in the shape of a dragon wrapped around her wrist. But not a dragon as most people in the west were used to picturing them but a more Eastern style. Kind of like the dragons you saw in Chinese art. When Pendragon had held him all of the familiars and vamps loyal to Pendragon had worn jewelry bearing that particular dragon symbol.

Robert slipped behind a huge potted palm and peered around it wondering what they were doing here. After all this was a public building, people came and went all the time on legitimate business. This couple could be here on legitimate business after all the two lower floors of the building housed several businesses from doctor's offices to attorneys, even a restaurant and a credit union.

Or, Robert thought, they had found Josh and were here to take him away. Robert breathed a sigh of relief when the couple turned and walked out of the revolving door. What was interesting was hearing one of the guards berating the other.

“I know you're a temp but it's inexcusable to give out information on any employees of Talos Industries. Don't let it happen again.” The guard whose name tag read Minns said.

Robert noticed the second guard's watch. No digital time piece for this one. No This watch had a face with hands and the face of the watch bore an image. A curled Eastern style dragon. This was not good.

*****

Scud stood at the side of Drake's desk. It didn't escape Robert that his son was sending him a clear message, Josh and Drake were presenting a united front.

“You hate me.” Josh said flatly.

“No son, I don't hate you.” Robert said quietly. “I hate what you have become, but you are still my son. That will never change. And had I been there maybe things would be different. I let you down once.”

Drake glanced at the two. “Josh, your father is trying to protect you.” He turned to Robert. “You're sure he's Pendragon's man?”

“Positive. I saw that damned dragon enough to recognize it when I see it. And the woman also had a dragon bracelet.” Robert said.

Drake picked up the phone and dialed the reception desk. “Minns, I know it's not protocal but I want you to send that temp with you to the loading dock. Tell him that I want him to escort a delivery man to my office. I'll call the security desk and let them know I ordered it”

“Have you lost your mind?” Robert said when Drake had hung up the phone. “I tell you about on of Pendragon's familiars and you're just going to let him waltz right into this office?”

“Yes,” Josh said. “We are. It's a special delivery.”

“A special delivery?” Robert asked sarcastically.

Drake ended his second phone conversation and looked at Robert. “Yes, That delivery man is going to lead him directly to Blade. I'm sure that he will be willing to tell us what we want to know, unlike your brother.”

*****

“Master we have word from one of your servants.” The vamp said entering the study and dropping to his knees. “They have made some headway. Getting to your Joshua will not be that easy. Talos has an extremely sophisticated security system. However they were able to get a man inside posing as a guard. They were hoping that he would be able to let them through but the attempt failed.”

“And how is this headway?” Pendragon asked. “They failed!”

“Yes Master but they do still have a man inside.” The vamp said. “He has access to the building.”

Pendragon thought about that. “That is progress. Now leave me.” He agreed.

Pendragon opened what seemed to be a closet door. However instead of a storage space the door opened onto a staircase. Pendragon descended the stairs into a large room lined with large cages. Most of the cages were empty but a few still held occupants. Humans that had been lured to Pendragons home by promises of food or money.

Pendragon surveyed the few cages occupied and thought to himself. What am I in the mood for, hooker or wino? After a few moments he simply moved to the first occupied cage and pulled out a woman. Baring his fangs he plunged them into her neck tearing out the blood vessels and allowing her blood to spurt into his mouth.