She pounded on the steel door. "Marcus! Marcus!"
She reached for her belt but both her cell phone and her walkie-talkie were gone. She inhaled again and began to choke; the smoke was quickly filling the room. She leaned against the door and slumped down.
"Declan, where are you?"
*****
Declan was racing around with Adriel, making sure that those who were injured had received treatment and that the frightened families were settled. Everyone was concerned. Old wounds had been ripped open by the prejudices shown by the Founding Families. Surprisingly, his brother was at his side every step of the way. He took his cue from Declan and cajoled and joked with not only the wolves but also the other vampires.
He watched as the people around him slowly begin to relax and accept his brother. He had probably made more progress in the past thirty minutes with him than he had the past thirty years on his own. They made their way back over to where Magnus and Adriel stood comparing notes.
The fair began to kick off once again, mostly to keep the children calm and to lighten the atmosphere. The music resumed, and the games handlers were calling out about prizes once again.
"Well?" Magnus asked.
Adriel sighed, looking exhausted "Tarragon and Emeric are working on a wolf. It looks like he was gouged, just like Declan was. Might have been Andre. The wolf did not see who did it. I am not sure we have enough evidence to track the assailant down."
Declan nodded, then turned to Adriel.
"Emeric?" he asked.
"Yes," Adriel replied looking confused at Declan's urgent tone. Behind them, Law began cursing.
"Who's with Kari?" Declan asked.
Magnus paled.
"Where is Kari?" Declan demanded.
Everyone began to look around.
"Kari!" Declan yelled.
"Fire," Meryn said simply, her eyes slightly unfocused.
Everyone was still calling out for his mate and speaking at once, but Declan had locked in on Meryn. No one was paying her any attention except for him and Ryuu. Ryuu stood behind Meryn, his eyes concerned.
"Denka?" he asked.
"Fire," she repeated.
This time, Grant and Etain spun and looked at Declan. Adriel turned slowly, a look of horror on his face. His unit brothers knew what his nightmare had showed him.
"Kari," he whispered. "Where is she?" he asked
"Broderick's lab," Meryn answered, still looking dazed.
Law grabbed him by the arm, and they ran together. Using his magic, Law got them down to Level One, and they raced down the hallway.
At the end of the hall, they reached the door, only to see tendrils of smoke escaping tiny cracks. The lab had been made impenetrable and sealed. He tried the door, but the handle wouldn't even turn.
"I need somebody with access!" he screamed.
"Right behind you," Magnus put his hand on the biometric lock, and still it wouldn't turn.
"Hold on," Law ordered.
He closed his eyes and his hand began to glow. After a few seconds, Declan heard the tumblers turn and the door was unlocked. He tried the door again, but nothing happened.