by Joey W. Hill
However, some distance from it, he stilled, lifting his nose to scent the wind. Someone else was there, and whoever it was incited a deep uneasiness in him. As Rand fell into track and hunt mode, he kept his mind shifted enough to grasp all his human faculties. He also maintained his hold on his wolf's instincts and tracking abilities, so he had that plus the type of complicated reasoning that most animals didn't need in their daily lives.
It took several decades of maturity to handle that mental straddle without strain. He had that, but it still took more effort than usual. The skill was rusty, since he hadn't needed to use it much until recently, first with the hunter and then with Cai.
He'd drawn close enough to the campsite to realize what had set off his alarm bells. Vampires. Three of them. Great. With three humans. He surmised they were servants because there was a different quality to their human smell that carried their blood link with the vampires. He bore some of that scent himself with Cai's two marks, but these servants had stronger scents. Maybe because of the third mark.
As he closed in on the group with stealth and started picking up snippets of conversation, he realized two key things. They were looking for Cai. And they didn't sound like they were friends. Maybe that was why there was no sign of Cai.
Cai, you awake? You have visitors.
Rand didn't know if vampires were like humans. Some bouncing right out of their coffins perky and alert; others definitely not "morning" people, dragging their asses out way past full dark. If he had to guess, he'd say Cai was the latter.
Without any evidence of where the vampire had gone, it was possible Cai had left and was miles away. Rand could clear out of here himself, shrugging off the whole thing. But Rand wasn't certain. If Cai was somewhere nearby, holed up and vulnerable...
He thought of earlier today, the vampire's voice whispering in his mind's ear. Whether Rand had wanted to live or not, the vampire had saved his life. He had a code, which had more to do with his respect for karma than a desire to protect Cai. The guy was an asshole, but if Rand left him at the mercy of enemies when he could help, well, fate would figure out a way to zap him in the ass.
But exactly what could fate do worse to him? He had no one left but himself.
Just shut up, he told himself.
"He's close. I can sense it."
"You said that earlier, and we ended up going another bloody ten miles." A male voice sighed. "There's something here, though. Some...vibration of energy. The sorcerer said the amulet would help, and it's as red as it's been thus far."
Rand, on his belly in the leaves and well-concealed by foliage, saw one of the vampires hold up a red-stone pendant on a black cord. He was tall, with long golden hair plaited back to show a sharp-featured face, his slate eyes in concentrated slits. The other male had short, choppy dark hair and a Goth fashion sense, an absurd choice for hiking, though his thick tread silver-buckled boots looked decent enough for the terrain. If he hadn't been a vampire, he would have lacked any menace, a skinny male who looked barely out of college. But physical age was an unreliable measure with vampires. Cai looked about thirty, though he was over two hundred.
Scent always told Rand more about someone than they'd ever want to reveal. Gold Hair smelled older, way older than Cai. Maybe around four centuries. The Goth was about three hundred. The final member of their group fell somewhere in between.
She was a dark-haired woman wearing jeans, T-shirt and hiking shoes, the only vampire properly dressed for the environment. Her expression was steady, set. Determined. She was the hunter, probably the biggest threat of the three.
In comparison, Gold Hair was wearing freaking Armani and a Rolex. But he also appeared to be in charge and not unsettled by his surroundings. Not by so much as an out-of-place hair, and he looked coldly intent upon their goal.
The servants with them were one female and two males, properly deferential and quiet, unremarkable except they were dressed in adequate hiking gear and looked capable of handling any physical threat launched by a mere mortal.
Twilight grew deeper, darkness taking full hold. Rand wondered where the vampires had stayed out of the sun, this deep in the woods, then surmised they or their servants had scouted out one of the narrow caves that creatures of stealth and good observation skills could find throughout the mountains. Still, their being up and about this close to dusk probably reinforced their greater age, since Rand did know that older vampires had more tolerance for the approaching dawn, or being out sooner after sunset, than their younger counterparts.
Cai was outgunned, if they meant him harm. But why come to harm him? Who have you pissed off, vampire? Other than me?
Can't keep all this charm exclusive to you.
Rand let out a held breath. He was awake.
Stay hidden, Cai advised. If they haul me off somewhere, you don't need to worry about it. It's been a pleasure, wolf. Maybe our paths will cross again sometime.
What? But why would they--
When Cai had told him he would go to ground during daylight hours, Rand had taken it as an expression. He couldn't imagine anyone, even a vampire, willingly burying himself in the earth. Apparently, Cai was just such a vampire.
He emerged from beneath a covering of soil and dead leaves less than forty feet away from the cluster of vampires and their servants, startling them as well as flushing a covey of birds. The depth he'd chosen explained why his scent had ended at the edge of the campsite. Rand had to assume he used his magic to smooth the earth, rake the debris over him so that the living grave didn't stand out from the rest of the forest floor.
He wore a long-sleeved shirt and an old faded pair of jeans. His version of pajamas, Rand supposed, preserving his other clothes from soil stains. Though he looked remarkably clean as he brushed earth off himself and gazed at the assembled vampires with cool eyes.
"I hear you're looking for me."
The golden-haired vampire recovered his aplomb first, giving him a sneer. "Burying yourself like the grub you are, Trad? No self-respecting vampire would do such a thing, except as a desperate measure."
Trad? Rand frowned. The term was unfamiliar, but Cai's reaction to it was telling. A flash went through his eyes, deep and sharp as a killing rage. While it was gone in a blink, it sent a dangerous ripple of energy through the clearing. The servants exchanged uneasy glances.
"Maybe you just haven't learned to appreciate a good dirt nap. Or the irony of the undead taking one." Cai's gaze glinted. "Who are you, and what do you want? I assume you didn't come traipsing up here in your city shoes to trade insults. I'm no Trad."
"Save it. We're here to take you to Lord Greenwald and a Council delegation."
"I don't know Lord Greenwald and could give less than two fucks about the Vampire Council. None of their business is mine."
"We'll take you by force if necessary. We brought the means to do it." The woman stepped forward, unlooping a chain over her hands. Cai scoffed at her.
"If you think that will--"
Cai. Rand barked it in his head as the Goth male moved. Before Cai could whip around, he'd tossed a handful of what looked like innocuous pebbles at the vampire.
Cai's expression was appropriately baffled, just a flash. Energy shimmered and the pebbles erupted into something very different. The rocks became the sharp points on a coil of barbed wire that whipped around Cai as if he were a magnet, holding him from shoulders to knees. When he fought the binding, it constricted around his calves, toppling him to the ground. As he struggled, the lines cut into flesh, causing blood.
Stay back, Rand. Don't...let them see you.
Rand crouched in the forest undergrowth, lip curled back, animal body trembling with anger and nerves. Indecision. These weren't his people. His fight. But the vampire was obviously in pain, and yet he was taking the time to warn Rand to stay out of sight.
"Amazing how often a woman can cause a man's attention to wander at just the right moment," the female said. "Nicely done, Chavez. And the pain element is a bo
nus. Did the sorcerer throw that in for free?"
"Hell no." The Goth scoffed, as if he didn't think much of what the sorcerer had offered them. "That's a little gift from a blood source of mine who dabbles in the dark arts. She said it would save time, skip the negotiation step. Don't care what they told us; everyone knows a Trad's going to kill, not talk."
"It only hurts if you struggle, vampire. Which should make this an entertaining trip." Gold Hair aimed a kick at Cai that flipped him over and tightened the barbs as a result.
Pain...cruelty. Chavez's eyes glittered with a look Rand knew all too well.
Go, Rand. Leave. Goddamn it...
The barbs cut into Cai's throat and arms and made Chavez grin. The woman's gaze remained impassive, disinterested in the games.
"Lord Greenwald told us to make sure you arrive in a condition conducive to instant cooperation," Gold Hair added.
"Say...that...three times...fast," Cai spat, his eyes alive with hate despite the quip. "Still not getting shit out of me."
The Goth aimed another kick, and Rand sprang.
No!
Rand hit Chavez like a battering ram, the two of them rolling in a flailing, cursing tangle a few feet away from Cai. Chavez screamed as Rand clamped down on his shoulder, punching through skin and muscle to bone. The collar bone shattered under the power of his jaw.
Chavez managed to heave him off only because Rand saw the female moving in the corner of his eye. He sprang away from the Goth and back, landing in a hovering position over Cai's body. His hackles were raised, increasing his already formidable size, and a menacing sound came from deep in his chest, a message loud and clear.
"What the fuck... Shoot it." Gold Hair had pulled Chavez back out of range and three sets of wide vampire eyes were now on them. Gold Hair's barked command was to the three servants. Two drew handguns from the shoulder holsters they wore.
Shift, Rand. Damn you, shift, or they'll kill you right there. You're outnumbered.
Trying to take out three vampires and their servants. Rand couldn't think of a better way to go.
You and your fucking death wish.
"Goddamn it, don't harm him," Cai snapped. "Or whatever the hell you want, the chance you have of getting it from me goes from slim to not-in-this-fucking lifetime."
The servants hesitated. Since their gazes didn't leave Rand, Rand expected that was because they'd received a message from their vampires to hold. The female studied Rand and tossed an amused look at Gold Hair. "Who would have thought a Trad would have a pet? They sneer on having human servants, but this one'll have a dog. Priceless."
I will rip out her throat. The urge to do it consumed Rand's gut, and translated to his saliva glands.
She'd gut you before you have a chance. I appreciate the thought, but I'm not worth it. You know I'm not. You were a fun fuck. Run along and maybe we'll hook up next time a hunter tries to shoot you.
If he didn't know the vampire was trying to get him gone for his own well-being, Rand would have torn a strip off him for the patronizing tone. Most everything the vampire said was true or meshed with Rand's own rational thinking. These were not his people, and he had no idea if Cai had done something to deserve whatever these vampires were doing to him. But Cai was outnumbered, which seemed unfair. And Rand couldn't forget those couple of instances over the past few days where the vampire could have been consistently selfish and unkind...and instead he'd behaved the way a friend would.
The deciding vote came from a whole different line of thinking, though. The wolf said they weren't going anywhere, and Rand was never disregarding that instinct-driven side of his soul again. His wolf had said they hadn't seen the last of Grey; that Rand should have gotten Dylef and Sheba settled with an established pack, and then hunted Grey down to avenge Sylvan's death. He hadn't listened.
So it was the wolf who answered Cai. Rand adjusted so his back feet were against Cai's bound side. He laid down, ears still flat and his warning growing in volume and ferocity, while all gleaming sharp teeth were on full display. He wasn't going anywhere.
The female vampire drew her own gun and fired.
The three vampires had been considering their options, and Cai had been sure none of them would be good. The only thing working in their favor right now was a few minutes of time. The vampires were more than a match for one wolf, but no one liked getting dog-bit. Anyone who watched reality cop shows, where badass criminals reacted to K-9 units like scared babies, knew that.
Then the female vampire used her weapon.
No, goddamn it. Fucking hell.
Rand's mind dissolved into gibberish, and his heavy furred body sank down on Cai. Adding weight to the barbed wire, not that Cai could even feel the pain. Adrenaline and horror rushed in together. She'd killed the wolf. Just killed him.
"Good timing, Tyra," Gold Hair said.
She sniffed and leveled a look at Chavez. He was sitting on the ground but feeding off the wrist of one of the servants, which would provide a swift patch to the wound Rand had inflicted upon him. Unless the wolf's saliva contained some kind of flesh-eating parasite. Too fucking much to hope for.
"You weren't the only one to bring reinforcements," Tyra told the Goth. "Lord Brian said these tranquilizers would slow a vampire down, but not kill him. I figure it should work on a big-ass wolf."
Okay, so there was a chance he was okay. Cai calmed enough to register that yes, Rand was breathing. He was alive, and wasn't giving off the signals Cai would be receiving, both through direct contact and the second mark, if he was badly injured.
Had Rand been trapped in some crazy loop of dog-loyalty thing? It was the only thing that made sense, because Cai hadn't done anything to deserve the male's championing like this.
Seeing how pale Chavez was felt good, though. The Goth hadn't expected a wolf to be such a match for him. Even now he was probably convincing himself Rand wasn't as strong as he'd seemed. Whereas Cai had no doubt, when Rand took the male down, he could have killed him. He wished he had. Only his defensive move to put himself between Tyra and Cai had likely stopped it.
Not the biggest and baddest things in the universe, are you, shitheads?
But much as he would have liked to see Chavez turned into wolf food, it was probably good Rand hadn't done it. If he'd killed the vampire, that would have suggested he was something other than just a supersized wolf. Hopefully, though these three didn't seem shy about using magical tools, they had no actual aptitude or sensitivity to the type of energy Cai could feel around Rand full time, suggesting he was something more than "just a wolf."
Chavez had struggled to his feet, weak but obviously determined to appear strong in front of his two companions. Not surprising, since Cai's experience was that vampires were more into cutthroat competition with one another than into becoming beer buddies.
Chavez approached and gave Rand a kick. It was his still healing side, and Rand made a whimpering noise, even while only partially conscious. Cai was going to rip the Goth's fucking nose rings out, puncture his anus with them, and watch him bleed out. "Good, he's out. We can leave him behind, Voltaire."
"No," Voltaire said. He was apparently Gold Hair. Cai had picked up on Rand's mental nickname for him. "He's more cooperative with him, so the beast may provide us leverage."
Voltaire dropped to his heels by Cai. "But leverage or not, Greenwald will get everything he wants out of you, Trad. Or you will suffer ten times what you'll suffer on the trip to him. We know what you and your people have done. There's no mercy for your kind. Not today, tomorrow or any other day. Pray your information wins you a quick death. That's your best hope now."
"I don't pray to gods," Cai managed. "Gods are just another set of pretentious bastards like you who think it's okay to fuck with other people's lives."
That earned him a kick. Then they were dragging Rand off of him, binding the wolf in a bunch of ropes. He and the shifter were put on separate, crudely put together litters that the servants dragged along through the fore
st until they reached one of those hiking trails wide enough for an ATV. Several of the vehicles were waiting. The litters were hooked to two of them, and they were pulled through the forest.
Every bump, every twitch of his body made the barbs gouge deeper into his wounds and fuck, it bloody hurt. Cai figured out they had a hold and release cycle. If he stayed still through the worst of the pain, the wires would ease up after about fifteen very long seconds.
He understood and could handle pain. So getting an occasional glimpse of Rand's inert body bouncing behind another ATV was the only distraction helping Cai keep his mind away from a different issue. But it was a fight he was starting to lose, against an enemy within.
Being restrained, being taken against his will somewhere, experiencing total loss of control, was a problem. He was helpless, and that feeling was what became a full-blown crisis, harder and harder to manage.
When they reached a deserted parking lot cloaked in full darkness and containing two vehicles, including a van, he reached overload. All that was holding him to the litter were ropes. They were letting the barbed wire do all the work. Voltaire's back was to him as he opened the van side door.
Okay. I'm fine. Okay. Not okay. So totally not okay. Not going to make me do anything, treat me like this. No one. No fucking one, never again. Okay, you want to die, let's die together, Rand. I'm cool with that. Ready, set, go.
He let out an abrupt roar and rolled, splitting the ropes with a snap. Bouncing off the litter, he landed against Voltaire. The golden-haired bastard fell, and Cai had the satisfaction of tearing his pretty Armani shirt with the barbed wire.
Then Chavez hit him with what felt like a hot stick, sending electrical current through the metal barbed wire bindings. Everything seized up; brain cells, vision. Voltaire snarled, since Chavez hadn't waited until he thrust Cai off of him to do it. It would make Cai snicker, when he could figure out how to align his top and bottom row of electrified teeth again.