Tuesday Teaser 12/16/2025

12/16/2025

My teaser this week is from Endosymbiont, book 3 of The Vampire Guard.

Kai nodded to the floor and a second trap door.

“Who the hell designed this place?” Lucas knelt and grabbed a small ring handle.

“That section below our feet is the informational hub, the black box. However, it’s not meant to be recovered in the event of catastrophe. If it disconnects it’ll decompress and be crushed, sinking to the bottom.” Kai pointed down for effect. “Which will, of course cause this room to flood and be crushed, maybe even creating a chain reaction to take down the whole facility. That part wasn’t particularly clear in our intel.”

Lucas froze, then looked up. “You’re kidding, right?” When Kai simply shook his head, Lucas sighed dramatically. He cracked open the door and called down, “Anyone down there? Do you need medical attention? For the love of all things holy don’t hit the panic button and crush us all.”

A male voice asked, “Who are you?”

“We’re part of a team sent here answering a distress call,” Lucas answered.

“Team from where?”

The three of them looked at each other before Lucas shrugged and said, “It’s an international team.”

“Thank God, the U.N. got the message. There isn’t a lot of room down here. I’m Warrant Officer Charlie Madison. Are you armed?”

“Tasers.” Lucas opened the door completely, took his holster off and set it to the side then held both hands up for a minute. “Unarmed now.”

A man looked up at Lucas. His head was bald but there was a slight stubble of light brown hair. He clearly hadn’t shaved for a few days since there was the start of a beard, also light brown.

“Who’s we?”

Blair sat on the edge of the entrance and took his Taser off as well. “I’m Blair Turner, tech specialist.” He aimed a thumb at Lucas. “This is Lucas Coate.” He twisted so it was clear he was looking at a third person. “And Kai Richter.”

“What about you?” The man pointed at Lucas.

“Forensic pathologist.”

“What the hell? They send an IT guy and a coroner to rescue us?” Another man appeared.

“I married the guy who will run through a hail of gun fire to get into the burning building. I’m tougher than I look,” Blair muttered.

“I’m Jagdkommando,” Kai said simply and hoped neither Blair nor Lucas asked.

Madison visibly relaxed. “Thank God.” He turned to the other man. “Austrian Special Forces.”

“Technically Austrian Armed Forces, Special Operations. Lieutenant Colonel Kai Richter,” Kai corrected. When Madison saluted Kai grinned and returned the gesture.

“I’m coming up,” the unnamed man said. A minute later he climbed through the opening. Blair had to scoot back to let him through.

“I’m Warrant Officer Gus Kincade.” He looked the three of them over before smartly saluting, and then extended his hand to Kai and gave him a hearty shake. Then he shook hands with Blair and Lucas. His hair was short cropped, curly, and almost black; his eyes and skin were deep brown.

Setting the duffle bag down beside him, Blair pulled out the two folded bags. “I need to get the storage drives.”

“Come on down.” Madison waved Blair down the rungs. “Two of us can move around down here, three is pushing it.”

Forge spoke in a low voice through their earbuds. “Blair, be careful and do not try to take either of them on, even if they are only human. They’ll beat the crap out of you.”

Kai patted Blair’s shoulder once and nodded. “That’s what I’m here for,” Kai said in an equally low voice. “To be sure no one will beat the crap out of you.”