“Pipe down, Private, Smitty hissed from the front.” He focused his eyes on the murky water searching for their next landmark. “Men to bow, cease rowing. Men to port row faster. Easy, that’s it. Now back to bow. Row, men, row.” He lifted his hat, wiping the sweat beading along his forehead. “Damn, I can’t see a thing. Mr. Clemens, get up here. See if you can find the bend in the river, which marks our turn. Won’t do us any good if we ram ashore in the fool darkness.”
“Smitty…if I may - can I help?” Sonja whispered. “Remember your wolf eyes!”
“What?” Smitty growled. “Uh, right, our wolf eyes.”
She heard him grumble something about being so new, the shine was still on his wolf hide. “Never mind, we don’t have time - here, watch the lieutenant. Let me know what you’re looking for. I’ll find the marker.”
“The bend at McArthur’s bluff is coming up. Hold the boat steady, lads. We can’t meet our maker on the rocks. It wouldn’t be fittin’.” He raised a stout finger. “Do ya see anything, Mrs. Brooks?”
Sonja strained to focus her superior vision in the direction he pointed. “There’s something dark up ahead. We have to turn right or we’ll hit it. Now, Smitty, turn now!” With her voice rising to anxious levels, she concentrated on the dark wall. Unable to tell whether it was rock or trees, she gripped the side of the boat tight, praying they’d veer out of the way of whatever the dark mass was.
“The current’s swift. It’s taking us right into the rocks. We can’t stop!” Smitty’s anxious words rang out in the darkness. With little more than their skin about them, the wolf pack worked hard to avoid the danger. They weren’t going to hold off the inevitable. Sonja rushed back to Ty’s side, holding him close. With the first water rushing over them, the wolves were in trouble. The boat fell back with the wave as it rolled back from the shoreline and within seconds was hurdling toward the rocky shore again. Since the boat was small, the wolves had little chance to man a defense against the churning water. Given the pressure the river exerted on the bend in the rocky bluff, the boat wouldn’t survive. Soon men dove from the boat as the wooden hull gave under the strong current mixed with the pounding treacheries of Mother Nature.
As the boat separated, Sonja clutched tight to Ty. His body like dead weight would take them both under. Perhaps the water would rouse him. “Oh, wake up, Ty! You have to wake up.”
The water was cold. She hadn’t expected the low river temperature. Her breath caught with the jolt. Yet, there was still no reaction from Ty. With the assault, her body reacted by starting to shift. “No, oh no!” She held on to the lieutenant. “I will not change!” she screamed into the night. All around her, men were shifting with the river’s threat of drowning. Smitty, half-turned, swam to her. His hairy jowls full of water as he reached for Ty. His paws already formed, slid off the lieutenant like he was coated in oil. “Tis no good, this time, Miss, The wolf is upon me.” He slid from their grasp and dog paddled to a board floating in the current.
Watching Smitty, an idea formed. Sonja snagged a board as it floated by. “Here, use this.” She shoved the board at him. “Use your weight. Go down! Get under him from below! I’ll steer him onto the plank. Pray to God, we can keep him from drowning.”
Smitty, along with Clemens did as told, so within minutes, they had the lieutenant balancing on the flotation device. He threw a rope tied to the board around Ty before the change took him completely.
Sonja growled into the darkness when even with her superior strength, she wasn’t able to prevent the lieutenant from slipping her grasp. Watching him slowly drift away from her, she moaned low and feral. Soon the night awoke with strangled howls.
The change proceeded swiftly. Before long, Sonja, the she-wolf of the Western Werewolf pack swam to the nearest bank. Some were doing the same, while others of her pack drifted further downstream. Her sense of smell caught on a disgusting aura of sorts. The vampires were near. She leapt to her feet, ready for a fight. They swarmed in from all directions, clutching, picking and clawing at the werewolves on the ground. With one swipe of her long talons, she managed to tear one attacker to pieces. Still, others surrounded them. As one of the pack screamed out in pain, others set to growling a warning aimed at their enemy. They’d be dead like fish in a barrel if she didn’t do something quick. Her telepathic voice reached the pack members. Instructing them to attack individuals, rather than wait for one to come after them, she managed to formulate a plan. Racing to aid several wolves battling a vampire, she soon vanquished the lecherous scoundrel, before hurling his lifeless body into the water. “Smitty – behind you!” With a fierce growl, Sonja lunged at the captain’s attacker. “The bullets in the gun would have been a plus,” She moaned aloud. “So would hands.”
“Ah, my dear, you fight well.”
Sonja’s skin crawled.
Draco appeared out of the thin fog blanketing the ground. “Your skills are improving with each passing day.” The curl of his lip coupled with his perusal told her he coveted her for more than her fighting abilities.
“You’ll rue the day you brought this plague upon us, Draco. I warn you. You’ve not seen the last of my kind. Even if you do manage to trap my pack with your powers, me and my kind will hunt you down to the ends of the earth and back again. On that you can depend!” She leapt upon the warlock, clawing and slicing his hide readily. Yet, he simply laughed as the blood gushed from his wounds.
“Your powers don’t frighten me, Draco. I’ll have my day.” With that, Sonja sprang into action, tearing through the rest of the vampires like they were nothing more than stick figures.
Without an army to fight his battle, Draco began to dissipate into the fog. “I’ll be seeing you and the babe soon, my dear. Don’t worry your pretty head about that.” The grim reminder of his knowledge she was with child, gripped Sonja’s wolf with a force equal to her strength. Laboring under a keen awareness he would carry out his plan swiftly, she wheeled. Retreat, this time, was the better part of bravery.
With Smitty and the others by her side, she retraced her steps to the spot they’d lost sight of Ty. Unable to swallow the panic rising in her throat, Sonja refused to shift. Instead, she raced down the bank in her wolf hide hoping to get a glimpse of Ty’s body still tethered to the board. Not being able to discern where exactly he was, they relayed in position, always leaving a scout behind in case Ty was behind them instead of in front.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Brooks, we’ll find him.” Smitty’s voice was full of determination.
“I know we will, Smitty.” Sonja scanned the fog. “No sign of the lieutenant. I can’t even smell him. We’d better keep going. How is your night vision coming, Smitty?”
The captain reined in his concern for the lieutenant, giving Sonja his full attention. “Clear as daylight.” Giving his chest a light thump, he sent her a shrewd squint. “Being a werewolf has its good points, eh?”
“Yeah, I guess so.” She’d been so caught up with being the target of a kidnapping, she’d little time to consider any “good” points. “Have you practiced swimming when you’re in the wolf?”
“Yeah, I have a great deal of respect for dogs as swimmers now. Still, I do all right. Why, we takin’ a dip?” His ruddy eyebrows swooped up while a wry grin played out on his mug.
“Yes, Smitty. If we haven’t found the lieutenant within thirty minutes, we’re going diving.”
His throaty chuckle of approval rang out in the dark. “Splendid!”
Time dragged by on leaden feet. The whereabouts of the lieutenant remained a mystery. Surely, he’d appear, dragging himself to safety soon!
“All right, men. We’ll split up and scour the banks before diving. No one goes down alone. Understand?” Determined not to lose the only man she’d ever truly loved or the father of her baby, Sonja went first. Thank the gods, the sight of the wolf provided her with enough vision to see shadows in the murky depths of the mighty river. Determining what those shadows were, proved a test in patience, not to me
ntion diligence. The candor of the men when the wolf was upon them, made her marvel at the similar traits in all those new werewolves. Pride swelled in her chest even as the lieutenant’s men grumbled about the lack of clarity in the water or the fact the demons stalked them still. They bantered Draco’s name about as one after the other vowed revenge on the warlock. It didn’t matter he was centuries, perhaps millenniums older, they promised each other of the dire things they’d do once they found the bastard.
“At the rate we’re going, the lieutenant is half way to New Orleans by now,” one weary Connors said as he rubbed the back of his dripping neck. We’ve covered every inch of this bloody body of water. Haven’t seen hide nor hair of the lieutenant.”
Others nodded, grumbling as Sonja fought to gain a sound of Ty on the wind. Nothing came to her. Her heart constricted. “Don’t worry, we’ll locate him. It’s just a matter of time – that’s all,” she shot back. Her nerves wore thin with the constant bombardment of questions, opinions and innuendos the men dished out when one after another, they surfaced empty-handed.
Smitty came to her. Waiting for her to come back from the deep concern she couldn’t allow to play out on her face, he shook her gently. “Mrs. Brooks, Ty used to tell me you could communicate with your mind. Can you try to contact him, or at least get a handle on where he is?”
Blinking, Sonja wanted to swear under her breath. Why hadn’t she considered that? Despite the need to do his bidding immediately, she told Smitty a little white lie about how she’d been trying for several minutes. Bearing down, she closed her eyes, concentrating while the air around her clawed at her mind. Signals from her mate came in tiny snatches - mere glimmers. She flinched as an image of the one with Tyler materialized. “Can’t get through – he may be underwater or too far away.”
“What about Hortence, she can find him, can’t she?”
Again, Sonja stood in bemused puzzlement. Did she conjure up the trouble the witch brought with her or not?’ The woman materialized with the mention of her name.
“You called, my pet?”
“Yes, Hortence. Smitty has an important question. Can you look into your crystal ball? Is the lieutenant at least where we can find him?”
“A simple task to perform, to be sure.”
When she stood staring at Sonja without making a move to comply with their suggestion, Sonja fretted the old woman may be talking in riddles again. “What do you see?”
“See? Nothing.” The vision is blocked. Someone holds a dark power over my magic. Her face grew grave, while tension laced her words. “The evil permeates the air. You must leave this place now!” She waved her hands frantically.
“I’m not leaving without Ty!” Sonja stepped toward the old witch. “What evil do you mean – Draco – is Draco blocking you?” She snatched up a handful of the woman’s sleeve. “Where is the bastard?” she snarled.
“It will do no good to wonder where he might be. His power is stronger than mine – I can’t stop him! You must leave now!”
The wolf came on Sonja so fast she had no time to consider. Snarling, she shoved the witch aside. With eyes glowing feral, Sonja growled for the others to follow, bounding ahead into the undergrowth. The old witch called after her.
“Take heed, Sonja, take heed! Guard the babe against him!”
Chapter 9 - Wolfen Defense
“Are you looking for someone, my dear?” Draco’s voice grew in volume. He held Ty by the throat, his body wet and dripping from the river.
“Let him go, you bastard!” Sonja shifted back, screaming the words in one fluid motion.
“Ahhh, you want your lover back, eh?” Draco ran a razor sharp nail down Ty’s neck drawing blood with the effort. “See how he bleeds for you my pet? You’ve obviously cast your spell over his poor soul.” His laugh shook the trees. “Come and get him!” he shouted in challenge. The hot white light of his eyes blazed in the dense darkness.
The men bolted forward, hoping to reduce the warlock to rubble before he had a chance to snap Ty’s neck. Sonja shifted, plunging into the melee.
No sooner than Draco had issued the challenge, the whole pack attacked with gnashing teeth and foaming mouths.
“Where do you think you’re going with the lieutenant, you bastard?” Smitty’s words rang out through the woods. “You’re barking up the wrong tree if you think you will get away with this.”
“You amuse me, Captain. I’ll get away, while you’ll be dead. How’s that for successful hunting?” Another booming laugh ran out. Draco tossed Ty’s unconscious body from side to side, the whole time laughing as if he were playing with a doll.
“What the hell do you want, Draco?” Sonja’s low growl had the others pausing.
“Want?” Draco chuckled lightly. “Well I want what everyone wants, dear girl – your blood. Give me your blood and I’ll hand him over.” He grinned as his hands rose in the air in a sort of submissive surrender.
Sonja didn’t believe a word of the warlock’s ploy. “Turn him over, Draco. I’ll go with you.”
Ty woke. “No!” His weak words echoed in the stillness.
“Mrs. Brooks, you can’t do this!” Smitty shot out a hand in restraint. “The lieutenant will have my hide if anything happens to you.”
“Name your price, Draco. I’ll be your slave. Just let Ty go, all right?”
Draco smirked wickedly as his eyes fanned from Sonja to Ty. “Very well, your life and the whelp’s for the lieutenant’s life.”
“No!” Ty struggled with the hold Draco had on his neck. Hanging from the arm of the warlock, he jerked before starting a change. Draco merely flicked a finger in his direction. Fire shot from his fingertip. Pain sizzled up Ty’s body. He jerked violently.
“God damn it, Draco. I said I’d go with you. Let him go!”
His laughter sickened her, caustic, like the evil that oozed from his pores. “Step this way, my dear and I will release the lieutenant.”
Sonja swallowed before taking a step toward the warlock. His long nails ran along Ty’s neck, leaving a red trail of bloody scratches in their wake. “Closer, my dear. I have to know you speak the truth.” The smile on his face was nauseating. His gaze followed her like a lusty demon.
Smitty along with the men, burst through the Draco’s barrier, falling into the middle of his play where they all became pawns. Drawn to his side, each shifted immediately. In turn, they lashed out, snarling and snapping at Ty’s body.
The tactic Draco intended to utilize had her rushing forward in hopes of stopping the pack’s attack on their master. The talisman she wore about her neck shot a flash of blue light at the pack, which retreated immediately. Grateful, she turned to Draco. “Doubt me again, warlock. I’ll see you burn in hell. I’m here, let him go. When he didn’t respond, Sonja shouted. “Let them all go! You have what you want, me!”
Draco, sardonic and theatrical, bent low over his arm in a courtly bow. “My queen, I bid thee enter your new kingdom.” His robe-covered arm swept wide to display a grand entry hall filled with candles and gilded tapestries.
Sonja inhaled at the sight of the long, opulent corridor. The hall held all manner of artwork, some from artists of the renaissance if she wasn’t mistaken. Quiet harp music played. An exotic bird flew low before disappearing down yet another passage. “This is a figment of your imagination, Draco, nothing more.”
Thunder roared as lighting hit the ground at her feet. Sonja’s teeth rattled as static filled the air. Something burned with a scorched smell. “Was that a figment? Never underestimate my powers, my love. You’ll only regret your ignorance. Who do you think has been a part of your dreams so many nights of late?” His dark eyes smoldered in their sockets. “Come!” He held out a hand.
Jolted by his admittance, Sonja stepped forward woodenly, reaching out and touching his flesh. With the contact, his arm jerked and sizzled. “What is this?” Grabbing his arm with the other, he stepped away from her touch. Surprise registered momentarily on his face. “Are you pla
ying tricks with me, my dear?”
She’d no idea what happened. One moment she was reaching out to take his hand and the next the talisman was growing hot. Suddenly, a bolt of blue light hit him hard in the heart. Draco jerked uncontrollably, falling backward. His head hit the draining table, cracking with a loud thud. Blood oozed from the gash along the back of his skull.
Sonja gasped with the blood that flowed profusely from the warlock. Scrambling up, she ran backward. Never had she seen such a sight. The body of Draco shriveled to a prune like wet leather left in the sun. Soon, nothing remained left except ash. In the mist of the decomposition, Hortence’s face appeared.
“Guard the babe. Be gone from here, Sonja!”
Yanking Ty by the arm, she struggled to drag the lieutenant with her until his legs caught up to her speed. The force field dissipated with the death of the warlock. Though able to escape, the vampires waited patiently for those who’d managed to get out.
“Why didn’t you kill him?” Ty’s fuzzy voice rang in her ear.
“Take it easy, Lieutenant, I did the next best thing. I evaporated his nasty ass with your talisman!” Her grin became infectious. Ty started to laugh uncontrollably. Then taking her head he pulled her in for a lusty kiss. The words weren’t out of her mouth before the vampires swarmed the pack.
Smitty charged through the now free air, shooting as many as he could with the wooden bullets they’d made for the occasion. Clemens positioned his sling so the short, wooden stakes he’d fashioned, penetrated flesh, igniting the vamps instantly. Screams of agony pierced the air as vampire after vampire caught flame.
Ty caught the gun Smitty tossed him, aiming at the first vamp. Bullet after bullet found its mark as the pack fought to eradicate the vampires’ one by bloody one.
Sonja kicked out, striking one bloodsucker in the throat. The stake Smitty had thrown her did the trick. Another leach was toast.
Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) Page 15