by Leia Shaw
His brows shot up then a smile tugged at his lips. “Well, if you were one of my men, I’d sentence you to hard labor. If you were my lover,” – he raked his heated gaze over her body – “I’d restrain you with my whip then torture you slowly until you begged me to let you come. But I’d make you wait, aching and whimpering, until I felt you’d learned your lesson.”
Now why did that sound deliciously exciting? She swallowed hard and hoped her eyes didn’t betray her lustful thoughts.
Then he whispered, “But, puiule, when I finally brought you to climax, you’d feel it for days.”
A flood of heat rushed between her legs. Damn it. There was no way he wouldn’t notice that. Or the sound of her heart thudding wildly in her chest.
He chuckled, an arrogant, chaffing sound. She flipped on the radio to drown him out. AD/DC’s Highway to Hell blasted from the speakers.
Funny, this journey was quickly becoming her very own highway to hell.
***
The scent of her arousal hit Cristian hard as he struggled not to pull the car over, strip her, and force her to come. Just the thought of tying her up and using her body any which way he wanted made him so hard he thought he might pop the button on his jeans. And now he knew it appealed to her too. He hid his smirk. The day will come, my Natalia, when I have you naked and coming at my command.
The news reporter’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “…There’s been a breakthrough in the case of the missing girl from Rider’s Landing. Abigail Freeman, a six-year-old girl, has been missing for a week. Officials now say there is evidence the child is alive and they have a good lead on where to find her. Her parents are pleading…”
Tires screeched as he swerved to the side of the road and slammed on the breaks. Natalia braced herself with hands on the dashboard. “What the hell?”
Abigail Freeman. Blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and missing teeth – the picture from the news reports popped into his head. It’d been a week since she’d been reported missing. Survival wasn’t likely after a few days. Most people had given up hope, except for her family. But now the police had evidence she was alive. Could she really be saved?
He looked at Natalia and took a deep breath. “I have an informant with the police force. I can get the details on the missing child case and find out what the lead is.” Natalia’s expression remained stoic. “We have a choice. Follow the Slayer and stand a good chance of catching him before the border…or risk losing him to look for the child.”
She turned to look out the window without a word.
He placed a hand on her knee. “But if we stop our hunt, we could save a life.”
The implications of the decision went beyond finding a child or losing the Slayer’s trail. Natalia’s answer would reveal her values. She was an assassin with every fiber of her being. Would killing always take first priority? Or was there more to this Huntress?
He squeezed her thigh. “Talia, this is your hunt. I’ll leave the decision up to you.” It would crush him if she chose the hunt, but it wouldn’t surprise him. Thirteen months was a long time to hunt a werewolf. The pressure was on. Not only because of his crimes but the witches were hounding her too. She would be justified in choosing the Slayer.
He couldn’t justify that decision for himself though. Much as he didn’t want to, they would have to part ways if she chose the Slayer.
Finally, she looked at him, her lips tight and her blue eyes swimming with absolution. “The child.”
His stomach flipped and a slow smile spread across his face. That’s my girl.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Nick, a sergeant in the Wyoming state trooper force. Ever since Cristian’s pack had helped him hunt down a deranged bear responsible for several car break-ins and one attack on a human, they’d been friends. And Nick continued to ask him for help with tough cases. No one knew the wild Wyoming terrain better than Cristian.
“Sergeant Daniels,” Nick answered.
“Nick, it’s Cristian.”
“Oh, hey, Ranger.” Nick was in fine spirits considering the circumstances. Maybe it would work in his favor. “What can I do for you?”
“The missing girl.” He held Natalia’s gaze. “I can help.”
It was silent for a moment. “I can’t give out detailed information. You know that.”
“And you know these woods are mine. I know every inch of them. If anyone is going to find that child, it’s me.”
He sighed. “I would’ve called you had it been in Wyoming. But they think she’s in Idaho. Targhee National Forest. That’s all I can tell you.”
“That’s all I need.” He gave a thumbs up to Natalia. “Thank you, Nick.”
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t mention it.” He paused. “No, really. Don’t mention it.”
Cristian chuckled. “I know. As soon as I get back I’ll buy you a cup of coffee.”
“Even better than that,” – his voice dropped – “find that little girl.”
Cristian pursed his lips. “I’ll do my best.”
“Good luck.”
He hung up the phone and slipped it back in his pocket. Natalia looked at the clock. “How far away are we?”
“About an hour. Less if you don’t mind me breaking most driving laws.” She arched a brow and he laughed. “Didn’t think so. But we’ll have to backtrack.” He studied her face. Would she change her mind?
“Then we better hurry.”
His heart nearly burst with pride. “All right.” Unable to resist, he grabbed her hand and kissed it. “Let’s go find that little girl.”
Chapter 15
“Tire tracks,” Natalia stared at the ground, toeing leaves out of the way.
“Tire tracks?” Cristian studied the marks, confused. “There’s no way a car could make it out here.” They stood in the heart of the Targhee National Forest on the border of northern Wyoming and Idaho. They were miles from the road, searching the forest using their heightened senses and praying for a bit of luck. It wasn’t much to go on. He hoped fate was on their side – on Abigail Freeman’s side.
Natalia walked a few feet away. “There’s only one tire track. It’s not a car. A motorcycle.”
“More likely a dirt bike.” The terrain would be hard to navigate with a street bike.
She sighed and turned in a circle, inhaling the frigid air. She faced him with a somber gaze. “We’re looking for a body, Cristian. There’s nowhere to keep a child alive out here.”
This part of the state was wild and, for the most part, unmanned. The only ranger station was at least fifteen miles south. There weren’t even many hiking trails. It was like the world forgot this place existed.
He shook his head, refusing to acknowledge the sinking feeling in his stomach. “I’m not ready to give up.”
She looked at him for a long moment. Always practical, his Natalia, he thought she might argue. But she nodded. “If she’s alive, she’d need shelter. A building of some sort. An abandoned cabin or –”
“A cave.” Of course. Why didn’t he think of it before? “There’s an extensive cave system just north of here on the edge of the forest border. It’s the only shelter I can think of.” He shook his head and paced. “It doesn’t make sense though. Leaving a child alive – even if she’s not alive – and stashing her in a cave where no one would find her isn’t his MO.”
She shrugged. “I agree it doesn’t sound right. But it’s the only lead we have.”
He ran a hand through his hair and stared at the tire marks on the ground. “You’re right. Let’s go check it out.”
They ran for miles, pushing their way through thick brambles then sprinting when the trees thinned. After a slight incline, they reached the opening of the caves.
Natalia froze outside the mouth and her eyes widened.
“I smell it too,” he told her. Human. A faint trail of…baby powder.
She ran headlong into the cave, swerving through the narrow passages. He struggled to keep up. Damn she was fast. The cave
s were pitch black, and even with his keen eyesight, he tripped over rocks. Mumbling curses, his elbows scraped against the sides of the cave. But Natalia moved with effortless fluidity.
He inhaled the stale air and sneezed. God he hated enclosed spaces. “Ow,” he grunted when his head banged the top of the cave ceiling.
The sound of rock crumbling up ahead made him cringe. The tunnel grew thinner.
“Suck it in, werewolf.” Natalia’s voice sounded far ahead.
He turned sideways and shoved his body through one particularly narrow part, sucking in his stomach. Gotta lay off the Chinese food.
Her footsteps stopped. The tunnel opened to a wide circle. Silence surrounded him.
“Cristian!”
He moved quickly but clumsily toward the sound of Natalia’s panicked voice. A faint glow up ahead made his heart quicken. Fire. Or the dying embers of one.
He could barely make out Natalia’s shape huddled over something next to the small pit of mostly ash. A head of blonde hair stood out in the darkness. His heart leapt in his throat. It couldn’t have been more than forty-five degrees in the cave, even with the dying fire.
“Is she…” His voice came out husky and he coughed.
“She’s alive.” Natalia scooped the child into her arms. “Barely. Call the police.”
“Slava Domnului,” he muttered. Thank God. He pulled out his phone. It lit up just enough to see the child’s pale face and her body hanging limp in Natalia’s arms. “No signal. We have to get out in the open. Is she bleeding? Does she have any injuries?” He didn’t smell blood but he wanted to make sure.
Natalia shook her head. “I didn’t see broken skin but she’s probably hypothermic.” She adjusted her hold then strode confidently ahead. “Let’s go. She doesn’t have much time.”
“Hang on.” Cristian stooped down and held his phone toward the ground. “Footprints.” Big prints. A man. Something shiny a few feet away caught his eye. “A food wrapper. Someone was taking care of the child.” He took a whiff of the wrapper. “Human. Not werewolf.”
“Cristian. We can come back to look at the clues.” Her voice broke then she forced it to sound stern. “The child needs an ambulance.”
He stood and spun toward the tunnel they’d come through. “You’re right.”
She was already gone.
Natalia made it out first, even with the cumbersome child. Though still dark, the crescent moon shed enough light through the leafless trees to see Natalia clearly. She gripped Abigail tightly, creating a protective cocoon around her. She stared down at her, whispering soothing words in the child’s ear. The little girl was unconscious but that didn’t stop Natalia from rocking her side to side as if calming an infant.
Emotion lodged in the back of his throat and his heart burst with pride. A tingly warmth spread through his body as his lips curled up into a faint smile. He didn’t just admire and respect her. And he didn’t just like her.
He loved her.
The world seemed to tilt on end. Did he truly love this Huntress – an assassin who hunted down his kind and murdered them? This fearless vampire with focused intelligence. This nurturing woman who cradled a child protectively. This trusting human who made love in the shower. This survivor who’d always fight for life.
Natalia shifted her gaze from the child to Cristian. She gave him a long look before nodding in silent acknowledgment. “We did it,” her eyes said.
Yes, he loved every bit of her.
He took off his coat and wrapped it around the child. Then he dialed 911 and told them they’d make their way to the nearest road and to have an ambulance ready.
Natalia kept the girl cuddled in her arms. “Why do you think he left her alive? This has been the only victim he hasn’t killed.”
He’d been wondering the same thing. A thought struck him. “Occum’s razor.” Her brows furrowed and he shrugged. “If it doesn’t make sense that the Slayer took her, he probably didn’t.”
She nodded and looked down at the little girl. “The person who did this –”
“The police will find him. I’ll give them directions to the cave.” And if they didn’t, he’d be back to hunt the bastard down. “Do you want me to take her? I won’t tire as quickly.” He reached for her and Natalia snarled. He bit his cheek to keep from laughing. A protective mother indeed.
“I’ll be fine,” she snapped.
They walked five miles to the road then called the local precinct that dispatched him to the cell phone of the officer in charge. Ten minutes later, sirens filled the night air a short distance away.
Natalia turned to him. “Take her. I’m going to disappear.”
He looked from the child to Natalia. “You deserve the recognition.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be stupid. You’re a ranger. I don’t exist.” Cristian hesitated and she shoved the child at him. “Take her!”
He took the child in his arms. Down the road, flashing lights rounded the corner. By the time the ambulance and three squad cars stopped in front of him, Natalia was gone.
An hour later, after he’d given his statement and spoke to news reporters, long after the ambulance left with the little girl, he turned back to the woods to find his brave Natalia.
“Is she going to be okay?” She stepped out of the tree line just as soon as they were alone.
He nodded then held her gaze. “You saved a child’s life, Natalia.” He wondered if it was the first time she focused on something good instead of gruesome violence.
She shrugged but he didn’t miss her shaking hands. “Back to the Slayer.”
He opened his arms. “Come here.”
Her eyes narrowed and she didn’t move.
He sighed and said more sternly, “Come here, Natalia.”
After a brief hesitation she walked to him. “That’s my girl.” He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest. She was stiff, but when he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, she sagged against him. The world felt right – Natalia in his arms, her sweet smelling hair under his nose. He was keeping her. Sorin, the pack, the world could go to hell if they didn’t like it. Natalia was his.
She wasn’t ready to hear it yet. But he held her, without speaking or moving, just kept her in his arms until he felt they were ready to move on.
When he released her, she stepped back, her eyes a little wide. He smiled. “Back to the Slayer.”
Chapter 16
Natalia’s fists clenched and her lips curled into a snarl. She looked down at the chalet, nestled between two peaks, one of which they’d just crossed. It was the second chalet they’d hiked to and still no sign of the Slayer. After rescuing Abigail, they’d headed straight toward their initial destination, Glacier National Park. She thought they’d be too far behind to hunt the Slayer down before the Canadian border. So it surprised her when his trail appeared in the middle of Logan’s Pass – the main road that weaved through the park. They’d ditched the vehicle and followed it on foot. Anticipation had pumped adrenaline through her veins as she sprinted ahead of Cristian.
Then it’d abruptly ended. Instead of wasting time hiking back to the jeep, they’d made their way to the first, then second, chalet on foot.
The higher the altitude, the more snow they trudged through. Natalia had the advantage because she was lighter and the ice-topped snow held her weight. As for Cristian, he fared differently. Every once in a while, she heard a grunt and turned around to find him thigh deep in a pile of snow. If she hadn’t been so frustrated hunting the Slayer, Cristian might have finally seen her laugh.
A plop then a sigh sounded from behind her. She spun around. “Again?”
Cristian rolled his eyes and looked down at both legs surrounded by at least two feet of snow. “I gotta lay off the Chinese food.” He reached his hands toward her. “Help me out.”
Her lips twitched. “What’s the matter? Big, bad alpha stuck in a little snow?” She grasped his hands and started to pull, but when he narrowed
his eyes and tightened his grip, she realized her mistake. “Don’t you –”
Her warning was cut off when, with a few swift movements, he flipped her into the snow and stood grinning down at her.
“What’s the matter?” he taunted. “Big, bad assassin stuck in a little snow?”
She glowered at him. “Very funny. We don’t have time for this.” He extended a hand toward her but she ignored it. Instead she grabbed her thigh and tugged. When it wouldn’t budge, she tried the other.
Cristian sighed. “Prideful woman.” He stepped behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist and yanked her out.
Brushing the snow off her legs, she mumbled, “I didn’t need your – hey!” She spun around when a large palm slapped against her backside.
“Snow,” he gestured behind her as his lips twitched, “on your ass.”
She scowled. He grinned.
Without another word she started down the hill toward the chalet. Cristian kept pace beside her. “You need to lighten up. Have you looked around? We’re in the heart of Glacier National Park, one of the most beautiful places in the country.”
She spared a moment to take in the scenery. It wasn’t as if she didn’t appreciate the beauty life had to offer, but she’d been around a long time. And she’d seen almost everything there was to see. It was just another ragged line of snowy peaks in the horizon, scaled by the small windy river below. The moon was only a sliver, which cast shadows over the plunging valley, but the sky full of stars made the snowy ground shimmer.
“The new moon is tomorrow,” he said, looking up to the sky. “It calls to me.”
Great. He was going to get all wolfy. “Is that why you’re so…” She struggled to find the right word.
“Playful?”
Not the word she would’ve chosen, but she nodded.
“Yes, and would it kill you to play along?”
“Possibly.” She took off, jogging down the last little bit of the hill.