Chapter Twenty
Rogue. Was that the best name they could come up with? The world had no idea what this rogue was capable of. There was a time when creatus were gods, superheroes, idols.
They’d been on the earth almost as long as humans and still they had to slither in the shadows, not allowing anyone to see their strength and power.
Creatus weren’t anomalies; they were superior in every way. Even the fact that they’d landed on this planet some four thousand years ago proved their superiority. Too bad their ancestors had destroyed all evidence of their supremacy.
The only way to become great again would be to start a war, to hint to the humans of their existence. Once the humans knew that creatus existed, they’d have to protect themselves, which would start a battle between their species. And when the creatus banded together—around the world, in every nation, in every government office—the world would once again worship and fear them, as they should.
Derrick was just one of many leaders who didn’t understand this. And since New England was one of the largest and most powerful sects, and Derrick was one of the strongest creatus, he had to be dealt with first.
Until then, the name rogue would have to suffice. Tonight, a calling card on the woman would elicit a notable name from the media anyway. The wax seal wouldn’t prompt the correct name, but it would hint at an ancient myth. Even if humans didn’t believe the fairy tales and horror stories, they’d know something was different about these killings. They’d never figure out why every victim suffered a different death, but was found in the same condition, as that wasn’t standard serial killer MO. Their textbook investigations will fail, and then the media will scream for justice.
Every superhero had a name, and so did the superhero’s archenemy. The press could make up any name they wanted. But they’d probably come up with something ridiculous like ‘Count’. Maybe leaking ‘creatus’ to the press would be the way to go. Creatus would know with certainty after this attack, and they’d be angry. The seal meant unity, but also anonymity, and now humans would once again question the existence of beings who were smarter and stronger, and they’d be afraid, as they should be.
After tonight, Rogue would work well within the family, as it was the one crime the family wouldn’t tolerate. The name was starting to sound tolerable. A mischievously playful person, one who lives apart from the rest of the group—naughty. The depiction was sounding better all the time. Uncontrolled, though… never!
The human woman walked down to the river a while ago and had been just looking out as if in a daze. Her hair was fair, as was her skin. Weak, pathetic, hardly even worth the effort, but it was fun when they knew a predator was stalking them. Like watching a rabbit attempt to evade a cougar, only a rabbit had more skills than a human did.
Just when the prey thought they might escape was the time for the real attack. The lightning strike they didn’t see coming, when their breath whooshed out of their body at the suddenness. How they tried to comprehend that their feet were on the ground and now they were on the rooftop, the predator staring down at them.
That was the best part.
Even better, the attack would enrage Derrick.
Chapter Twenty-one
Kris stares at the calm water of the harbor. It is so peaceful that she wonders how she can feel fear. But she does, wondering why Derrick left her, who he went to see. She remembers the detective’s eyes, cold and dark, lifeless, staring up at her. Death is always near, taunting her. The rogue is coming, she knows. His breaths are louder as he approaches. To finish what the thief attempted when she was eight. She screams Derrick’s name, but he doesn’t answer. Why? she wonders. He said he’d protect her, but now she’s running for her life. Not knowing who or what is chasing her, wondering if she can trust anyone, she tries to find her assailant. She hears a crack and whips her head around, seeing nothing.
Arms latch around her, restraining her. She screams as her feet leave the grassy knoll below, knowing he has her, but she can’t see him.
“It’s okay. I have you. It’s Derrick.” His words broke through her nightmare.
“The rogue…” Her voice sounded ragged even to her. “He… he… had me. He pulled me off the ground… He—”
“I won’t let anyone touch you, Kristina,” he promised, pulling her closer. He ran his fingers over her forehead attempting to soothe her.
Kris let out another breath and rested her head on Derrick’s chest. It felt so good, but the dream had been so real. She’d felt the attack, saw the solid earth disappear from beneath her as her body had been ripped from the ground.
Derrick’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. He turned to it and looked at the number. “It’s Michael. If he’s calling at two a.m., there has to be a reason. Maybe he caught the rogue.”
Kris nodded at the hopeful look in his eyes. She’d never been so scared. Even after her mother’s attack and the nightly bad dreams, a part of her assumed it wouldn’t happen twice, but this thing was marking her for death. As a payback for something Derrick had done as overseer, he’d explained when they came home after the police station. He’d wanted to move away, but she had refused. They couldn’t leave permanently, and if the rogue wanted her, he’d track them down, she was certain. And who knows how many innocent people he’d kill while they hid somewhere. How could Derrick expect her to sit around while innocent people were slaughtered? No, she’d told him. She agreed with Michael; she’d become bait.
Derrick answered the phone and then sat up quickly. “Where?” He listened for a second and then hung up. Derrick turned to her, his eyes grave.
Kris shook her head, knowing it was something awful. News that would hurt her again based on his expression. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
He picked up her hands and held them. “Beth is in the hospital.”
She gasped, throwing her hand over her mouth, tears seeping down her cheeks as if someone had turned on a spigot. “The rogue?” Kris pushed out the words, praying they weren’t true. But if Beth had been hurt any other way, they wouldn’t be receiving the news from Derrick’s brother. If Beth had been in a car accident, her mother would have called her—eventually. Beth’s mother had never liked Kris, so she wouldn’t be first on the list, she knew.
Derrick nodded, pulling her into his embrace. “Michael thinks so. The police aren’t releasing any information, but his source gave him enough to go on.”
“But… she’s alive?” she mumbled against his chest.
“Yes, but she’s in ICU. I doubt they’ll let you see her. But as a doctor, I can get to her. Her parents won’t know I’m not just another doctor checking on her. The nursing staff won’t question me; I’ve visited patients there.” Derrick peered down at her. “Do you want to come with me? Or, I could get my parents to come and stay with you.”
Kris’ eyes darted up at him in response. “Of course! Even if they won’t let me see Beth, I want to be there.”
He pulled her off the bed and to her feet. “I’m sorry—”
“Stop it!” she shrieked. “This has nothing to do with us.” She shook her head as she walked into his walk-in closet to grab clothes. “This is… that rogue, as you call that thing. That animal.” Kris pulled her hands to her head and released more sobs. “Beth’s so little. So sweet.” Derrick wrapped his arms around her without a word, comforting her with just his touch. She leaned against him. “How could anyone hurt Beth?”