It was time for her to be reunited with her best friend, and Carter with his sister.
Ryder clapped her hands. “Let’s get the advisors locked in here, then get down to Level Six and free our friends!” Everyone followed her orders, even the advisors, although they were upset about being moved into a room with a Mad.
Ryder gave them a sharp look. “You can get in there with one restrained Mad, or you can go ahead of us and fight your way through the Mad below this level.”
Advisor Robert wouldn’t get up off the floor, so Carter dragged him in. Once the advisors were secured in the lab, Clint placed a chair in front of the door to stop them from getting out. All the advisors stood as far away from Knuckles as possible.
The plan had changed now for the better. Since all the cameras were out, they could make their way down to Level Six without Afana learning their location. Ryder considered their best move now, based on the new information. The plan had been for Massimo and Leandro to take on Afana, but since he wasn’t there, they couldn’t do it. Where was Afana? He wasn’t a tiny animal hiding in a forest. He was a giant vampire with a thirst for killing. The blood smears on the floors made it impossible for Ryder and the others to see where he was, but soon they would find out.
“Keep your eyes out for Afana,” said Ryder as they exited the lab.
“What does he look like?” Vicky asked. “Is he all good-looking like our Massimo?”
Ryder made a face as she tried to describe the mutant vampire to the others. “Fuck, no! Think of a giant cockroach, minus all the extra legs and things sticking out of his head. He has glowing red eyes like the Mad, and fangs like a vampire.”
“Well, he sounds pretty, doesn’t he?” said Graham, smiling at Carter.
“So, you’ve dumped me for a vampire insect now?” Carter responded somberly.
Graham snickered. “You dumped me for a vampire first. I thought you were happy with Massimo.”
Ryder grinned at the two of them. “Another lovers’ tiff? Graham’s right. You dumped him for the upgraded Massimo.”
Massimo looked at the two men. “I’m flattered, Carter. I really am. But you’re just not my type.”
Ryder had learned just what Massimo’s type was from the magazine she had found when they were walking back to his home, and she couldn’t wait to introduce him to Mama Lou in all her fineness. Those two would either be a match made in heaven, or they would fight like cats and dogs. The thought made Ryder laugh a little. Either way, it would be perfect when those two meet.
Carter shook his head and clutched his chest dramatically. “I’ve had my heart broken twice in one day. I don’t know what I’m going to do now.” He looked down through the glass floor and grinned wickedly. “I need something to do to distract myself. Any ideas?”
Clint had an idea. “How about looking down there at the vampire we’re going to kill?” He pointed down at Afana.
“He does look like a giant cockroach.” Carter snickered. He could just make Afana out through the layers of blood-smeared glass.
Clint turned to Ryder. “I don’t think he looks like a cockroach unless that’s what cockroaches look like in this place.” He grimaced at the thought and scanned the floor for cockroaches.
Vicky came over to stand with them. “I have to agree with Clint. He looks more like a giant rock man.”
Ryder hadn’t dared hope that Afana would be gone from the bunker when they’d made the plan to rescue Terrier and the others. She knew Afana was trapped in the bunker when it was light outside, and anyway, there was no way she would leave him alive to work his evil all over again.
Ryder had two emotions when it came to Afana: fear and anger. Anger was the stronger, and she was going to use that to win today. “I’d say he looks like a giant stinking shit, with steam drifting up from his head.”
Carter joined in. “Nah.” He squeezed his fingers together so it looked like Afana was between his fingers. “He looks like a tiny ant that’s going to get squashed.” Carter pushed his fingers together.
The other men started commenting on what he looked like as Ryder went to speak with Massimo. Leandro joined them. “It looks like Afana is down on Level Four. Now that the plan has changed, are you and Leandro still good taking on Afana while the rest of us go after the generals?”
Massimo nodded. “Yes. That plan works for me. And remember to ask for us if you need us. Be careful, Ryder.” Massimo patted her arm. “We have gotten used to your company, and I would hate to lose it so soon.”
Ryder choked back the emotion Massimo’s words caused. “You too, Massimo. You’re a good friend and a good vampire.”
Leandro pushed his head under Ryder’s hand. His fur tickled her palm. He looked up at Ryder, his warm eyes connecting with hers. Her heart broke a little when she saw Leandro trapped inside Fluffy’s body.
Ryder knelt and wrapped her arms around Leandro’s neck. She whispered in his ear while she held him, “If we don’t make it out of here, I… Thank you, Leandro. For being my friend and for helping me. Just be careful, and don’t let Massimo get up to any mischief.” She kissed Leandro on the snout. “Don’t tell Carter. He shouldn’t have to suffer three broken hearts in one day. You know he has a thing for big hunky men.” Ryder smiled as she let go of Leandro.
With Ryder leading, the gang made their way down to Level Two, where the advisors and their families lived.
Carter stepped in front of Ryder as they got closer to the door. “I’ll go first. We
