“I liked Gargoyles, damn it.”
He glanced at her. She looked perplexed, staring at her hands in her lap. “What does that mean?”
“They were cute, you know? Part of old buildings that gave it character and charm. Now I know they’re real and dangerous. Is that clear enough?”
He tried to put himself in her place. She’d learned a lot within the past few hours and hadn’t broken down yet. It showed her strength. “We’re not usually under threat from them. I’ve liked some of the ones I’ve met. You’re doing great, Bat. I’m proud of you.”
“Great.”
He smiled. “Look on the bright side.”
She turned her head, staring at him. “Is this going to make me want to smack you?”
“Probably but I’m driving.” He jerked his head to the road they traveled. “You don’t want me to wreck.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. What smartass thing did you want to say?”
“You know I’m not crazy now.”
“I wish you were. Then I’d be sane. Now I’m the nutcase.”
He felt empathy. “You’re not. It’s just that life has gotten more complicated since you discovered the truth.”
“No shit. My grandfather is a conniving lunatic monster and apparently I need to buy a diamond collar to put around my throat since I’m part dog.”
“Lycan. There’s a difference.”
“I’m dying to hear this.”
He grinned. “I’ve never licked my balls or chased my tail.”
She dropped her head and sighed.
“Don’t forget the Vampire bloodline. I bet some of your clients have called you a bloodsucker when they received the bill for your services. Now you can smile over that because it’s not an insult anymore. You ancestors on your great-grandfather’s side did that to survive.”
She lifted her chin, stared at him, and actually smiled. “Stop. I’m trying to dislike you.”
“You like me, my little hellion.” He met her gaze. “You’re going to like me even more tonight after we find a safe place to rest.”
Her features sobered. “That’s not happening. We can’t do that again.”
“Right.”
“No, I mean it.”
He wasn’t about to argue with her. She was his mate, even if she didn’t know it yet. The attraction between them couldn’t be denied. She was his weakness but it meant he was hers as well.
“Did you hear me, Kraven? I’m serious. We’re not going to have sex again.”
“I heard you.”
“You have this smug look on your face that I don’t like.”
“I’m just relieved we got out of there without any trouble.”
“You think having two monster mutant dogs chasing us wasn’t troublesome?”
“They didn’t catch us, did they?”
“No.”
“See? We’re golden.”
She stayed silent for a bit. “What are you worried about right now?”
“Who says I am?”
“You keep chewing on your bottom lip. It’s a tell, Kraven. What’s on your mind?”
“I’m just plotting our next move. They usually have planes fueled and ready to fly someone somewhere during the day. We’re going to have to hijack one.”
“You’re joking, right? I don’t want to go to prison for the rest of my life.”
“We won’t be arrested. You’re forgetting that I can take control of human minds. I’ll make any passengers for that flight decide to take a later one. The pilot will be paid to fly us. The airport only has a few employees. They’ll be easy to handle. I’m just hoping your grandfather doesn’t have anyone posted there already. I’ll drive the car directly to the hangar where they store the planes.”
“Aren’t these small airports only for short flights?”
“There are a few jets that fly in and out of this one. Big-game hunting is lucrative. A few pilots cater to the rich assholes who want to experience Alaska up close and personal. I’ll get us on one of them.”
“You make it sound easy.”
“It is for me. I tell them what I want them to believe.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“So you can just walk up to any human and say you’re the president of the United States and they’d buy it?”
“I haven’t done that, but it’s possible. I could convince them of almost anything.”
“That’s so wrong.”
“Why? Because you can’t do it? It’s nature’s way of helping us stay alive in your world, Bat. Every predator has a set of skills. That’s just one of ours.”
“You had to say that, right?”
He chuckled. “I won’t lie. I’m not exactly harmless if the circumstances are right.” He didn’t want her to be afraid of him. “I’m no danger to you.”
She grew silent and he regretted mentioning that he wasn’t as normal as she probably wished. “Your mother was like me. Remember that.”
“I keep racking my brain trying to remember anything out of the ordinary about her. I should have seen something.”
“Can I be honest?”
“Sure.”
“She would have made you forget anything that gave her away. You have a susceptible mind to our kind, Bat. You could have seen her shift and all she had to do was tell you it was a dream you should forget.”
“What do you mean I have a susceptible mind? Did you make me want to sleep with you?”
“No! I’ve never influenced a woman to have sex with me by mind control. That’s fucked up and pathetic.” He felt insulted that she’d even accuse him of that, but then remembered this was all new to her. He reluctantly admitted it was reasonable to be suspicious. “I told you to sleep when I carried you from the crash site. You went right out like a baby and stayed that way for hours. That’s what I meant.”
“What else have you done to mess with my head?”
“Nothing. I give you my word.”
She remained quiet for long seconds. “Okay. I believe you. Your ego is huge.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“You wouldn’t have a problem getting women into bed. That’s all. You know it.”
He let it go, deciding to take that as a compliment.
“My mom should have told me the truth. I can see why she’d keep it from Dusti. My sister is horrible at keeping secrets.”
“I agree that Antina should have told at least one of you. She must have had her reasons though, and I’m sure she figured you’d be safer in the human world not knowing.”
“I brought my sister here. I wouldn’t have done that if I’d known why our grandfather really wanted to see me. Mom and Dad always made me promise to look out for Dusti if anything ever happened to them. How was I supposed to keep her safe if I didn’t know the danger? It makes me furious.” She paused. “Looking back—it’s almost as if they thought something might happen to them, like they feared dying and leaving us alone. It makes me wonder if my dad knew the truth about my mom.”
“Were they close?”
“Very. It used to embarrass me when I was a kid. They were always kissing and hugging in public. They held hands all the time. I’d catch them making out on the couch if I got out of bed to get something from the kitchen after my bedtime. When I got older, I wanted that kind of relationship. I guess I always assumed any couple in love would be like them. But I learned later on that what they had was one in a billion.”
It made him wonder about her past with men. Had someone hurt her deeply? He fisted the steering wheel and resisted asking. It wasn’t the time.
“I was almost glad they died together. It was the only good thing that came out of their accident. I don’t think one of them could have survived without the other for very long. They were that in love. It sucked for us, but I think it’s how they would have wanted to go. Together.”
“Did your father age?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t really notice. Girls tend to
focus more on their mothers’ looks since it’s a way to kind of guess how we’ll age as we get older.”
He checked the mirrors, his gaze drifting to their surroundings. He didn’t see anything to alarm him but he maintained a fast speed, just not too far over the limit. They would reach the airport soon.
“Was there anyone in your life who was close to your mother?”
“Not really. We moved a few times. My dad’s parents were alcoholics. He lost his dad in high school and his mom two years later, so they were both gone by the time I was born. He said they’d burned their bridges with any family so he wasn’t close to anyone on either side growing up. He always said we were the only family we needed.”
“Think, Bat. Was there anyone who was around your mother for years?”
She seemed to consider it. “Dr. Morton Brent. He’s been our doctor for as long as I can remember. He and my mom were on friendly terms. She was paranoid about doctors… Damn it!”
“What?” He glanced away from the road. She looked angry.
“She was always riding our butts about never trusting anyone but Dr. Brent. He must know the truth. It all makes sense now! She made us promise to never go to emergency rooms or see other doctors. She called them all hacks who would get us killed via malpractice. She even made a point of endlessly pointing out news stories about doctors misdiagnosing their patients and doing them harm, or worse.” She paused. “Could a regular doctor or hospital tell that our blood is wonky if they ran tests on us?”
Bat was smart. He nodded. “Definitely.”
“He treated Dusti for free after our parents died and we didn’t have medical insurance. I thought he was just a sweetheart who felt sorry for us. Instead, he was helping to hide the truth. God! What I wouldn’t give to talk to him right now. Too bad you broke my phone or I’d be calling him to get some answers.”
“He’s in California?”
“Yes.”
“You need clothes. We could make a trip there to speak to him and pack you a bag. I’d like to have a conversation with this guy too. We’ll fly to Washington first but we can catch another flight straight there. I told you we’ll have about ten hours’ head start. We’ll have to get in and out of California fast, but it’s doable.”
“Good.”
He saw the sign for the airport ahead. “You need to do everything I say, Bat. Don’t argue with me until we’re in the air.”
She sighed. “Fine.”
He was pleasantly surprised. “Thank you.”
“It’s better for Dusti if I get far away from here. I’m the bait. That’s not something one forgets.”
Chapter Eleven
Bat watched Kraven literally control someone’s mind. At the moment, the pilot stared at him silently, a blank look on his face while Kraven told him what he wanted.
“I can get us out of here in thirty minutes.”
“Make it ten.”
The pilot hesitated. “We have to wait on other planes taking off and landing.”
“I’ll deal with traffic control. We’re wheels-up in ten. You’re going to let the lady on the plane now. We’re very important clients. Go. Make it happen.”
The pilot spun away, rushing inside the hangar. Kraven’s eyes were still glowing bright blue when he turned his head and met her stare. They faded to a lighter color as she watched.
“That’s freaky.”
He shrugged. “Grab my bag and get on whatever plane he’s at. He’s supposed to have the nicest aircraft here right now. I’m going to have to go inside for a few minutes. Stay out of sight.”
“You can really control people and mess with their minds!”
“Not now, Bat.”
An airport worker came around the side of the building and Kraven’s eyes began to glow again. “You. Come here.”
The man paused, but once he looked at Kraven, he walked right to him.
“See the car? I want you to park it somewhere safe and out of sight. You protect it like it belongs to the person you love most. A friend of mine will come get it at some point. Give them the keys and show them where it’s at so they can take it. He or she will say ‘Kraven sent them’. You don’t talk about that car to anyone. Do you understand?”
The man nodded mutely.
“What’s your full name?”
“Mike Marlin.”
Kraven glanced at Bat. “Get the bag out.”
She moved, unsure if she was doing it because his eyes were still glowing or if she had her own free will. She pulled the bag out, gripping it tight. Kraven looked back at the worker. “Move the car now and forgot you saw us. Just remember my instructions.”
The stranger walked away from Kraven, opened the driver’s door, and climbed inside. He started the engine and drove behind a few hangars.
Kraven’s eyes dulled to light blue again as he pointed at her. “Go after the pilot and get in the plane, Bat. We don’t have time to waste. I’ll be right back.”
“You’re going to pull that mumbo-jumbo on the people inside?”
He nodded. “Yes. Move! Decker’s enforcers aren’t far behind us. Ask questions later.” He strode off.
She sighed and walked inside the hangar. The pilot was talking to another guy. Bat approached them, half expecting trouble, but it didn’t happen. The pilot rushed to her side to take the bag and carried it onto his plane. She followed him up the steps inside.
“Make yourself comfortable,” the pilot encouraged. “There’s a fridge near the front with cold drinks and various sealed sandwiches if you get hungry. There’s also a container next to it with chips and snacks. Have whatever you want.” He flashed a smile.
“Thank you.”
It was a decent-size plane for being a private one. She counted eight seats to accommodate passengers and some empty space near the front for possible storage. It was far bigger than what she and Kraven needed but she wasn’t going to complain.
Bat slipped into a seat and watched the pilot leave the plane. She sighed, trying to relax. Her mind kept fixating on what Kraven could do. A little jealousy surfaced. It would be amazing to be able to control people. She could order clients she hated into confessing that they were pure scum. Then there were the occasional ones who were actually innocent. She could have a little glowing chat with the prosecutor and convince them they had the wrong person.
A list started to form of people she’d love to mess with. Her bosses were at the top. She’d order the three partners to be nicer to their employees and not stare at her ass. She’d become partner in a snap, too. That caused her to grin. She’d make Jacob leave the firm and go anywhere else. He was a conceited asshole who was one of the partners, and he’d stood in her way too many times to count. He didn’t view anyone with a set of tits as bright enough to be his equal.
Maybe Kraven can do me a few favors while we’re in Los Angeles. She chuckled over that.
The pilot entered the plane and stopped in the aisle, smiling at her.
“So is this business or pleasure?”
She hesitated. “Business.”
He glanced at her and his expression clouded with confusion. “You don’t have shoes on.”
Shit. “I took them off. It’s been a long day. I hope you don’t mind. High heels are a bitch.” She silently hoped Kraven would return soon.
Kraven seemed to almost read her mind, as he boarded the plane seconds later. He had to crouch a bit not to hit his head on the top of the cabin. “We’re ready to go. The tower is waiting for you to contact them, Norman. Are we fueled?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s get on with it.” Kraven took the seat opposite her.
Bat waited for the pilot to go into the back to close up the door and then enter the cockpit before she spoke. “I’m glad you’re here. He was starting to ask questions.”
“Like what?”
“Business or pleasure trip? Where are your shoes? I was afraid he was going to demand my driver’s license or something next.”
“Not a problem. I would have handled it.”
She bit her lip as the pilot started the engines. Fear of flying was new but the crash was still foremost in her thoughts. “Are you sure we can’t just drive?”
Kraven surprised her by shifting his ass a little, stretching his long legs out as much as possible. He opened his arms. “Come here. I’ll hold you.”
She hesitated.
“I won’t let anything happen to you, Bat. I already protected you once when we crashed. I’d do it again. What are the chances of that happening twice in one week? Not very likely. Let me hold you.”
She was grateful there were no witnesses or she would have flat-out refused. It was a matter of pride for her to never show fear, but Kraven had already seen her at her worst. There was no denying she had her moments. The crash was one of them. It helped her make the decision as she fumbled for her seat belt and released it.
The plane started to move as the pilot drove it out of the hangar and toward the runway. She stood and crossed the space that separated them. Kraven helped her settle across his lap sideways. He wrapped his arms around her and she tucked her head against his shoulder.
“Thank you.”
He surprised her again by brushing a kiss over her forehead. “Just breathe. In and out. You’re safe with me.”
She closed her eyes and shifted her head a little, picking up his steady heartbeat. It helped her relax and feel less afraid.
“I’m not a big fan of flying either. I always say I would have been born a GarLycan if I were meant to soar in the sky.”
His chatter helped distract Bat when the plane paused, probably preparing for takeoff. She could hear the pilot talking to someone, most likely the control tower. The words were muffled by the engines. She cuddled firmly into Kraven and he held her a little tighter.
“Tell me about Gargoyles. Do they really turn into stone statues and hang out on tops of buildings?”
He laughed. “I hope not.” He stroked her back. “Although it would be funny if Aveoth did that. Did I tell you that we used to be friends when we were kids?”
“No.”
“We were. We’d meet him in the woods between his territory and ours. He could stone-out but I wouldn’t want him hanging out on my roof. It’s kind of cool though. His skin turns gray and we call it ‘shelling’. He can harden his body. He took me flying once.”
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