Brothers of the Fang

by Sharon Joss

  “As long as they come in beast form, they’ll be able to cross the Tor,” Gordon said. “They can carry whatever equipment they need on packs strapped to their backs. Vince doesn’t have any surveillance equipment in this part of the estate, so one will see them arrive.”

  “How can I get a signal to them? Cell phones won’t work down here or out on the Tor.

  I want to make sure they’re here before I make my move. I have to be sure these guys will be here when I need them.”

  They stopped in front of the jaguar’s stall. Cobb slapped the heavy wire mesh with his hand. “You stink Bane. You hear me?”

  “Don’t bother,” Gordon said. “That’s not Bane anymore. He’s just like the wolves now. Just another dumb beast.”

  Cobb wrinkled his nose and gave the cat a dismissive glance. “He’s just one of the reasons why Ambrose is no longer fit to run this place. If we’d brought in mercenaries in the first place, like I wanted, Vince and that sicko sonofabitch Ozzie would both be gone. We’d have a solid pack of seasoned wolves to present to the Globus at the summit. But Ambrose won’t see reason.” Cobb leaned closer to inspect the cat. “He looks dead.”

  “Don’t you believe it. That cat is Fae. It won’t starve like the wolves. You can’t kill it. Ozzie says that the jaguar is in control; Bane is just a parasite. Speaking of which, have you told him yet?”

  “Ozzie?” Cobb smirked. “You should have seen him. I thought he was going to have a heart attack. He couldn’t believe that Ambrose was planning to kill him. He’s on board.”

  “How can you be sure?”

  “I told him Ambrose was planning to feed him to that bad-ass scorpion thing back there. Blood almighty. Is that Sarah Powers? What the hell is she doing down here? What’s happened to her?”

  Gordon sighed. “I don’t know. There’s another one too.” He motioned to where Tom lay curled up on the floor of his stall.

  Cobb swore. “What was Felix thinking? Ambrose is getting soft in the head, putting humans down here.”

  “Now, now. It’s not that bad. With enough Glamour, we can pretty much eliminate their memories.”

  “Don’t give me that that same line of crap you use on Ambrose. Look at them. They’re a mess. What’s Ozzie been doing to her? No, don’t tell me. It’s pretty obvious.”

  Sarah began to cry. Neither man moved to help her.

  “Let’s go,” Cobb said. “I can’t stand to look at her. Things are going to change around here. I don’t like this place and I don’t want anyone else using that warded back entrance again. I’ll make sure my guys bring plenty of C4 plastique. As far as I’m concerned, the sooner we shut down this little corner of hell, the better. Come on. We’ve still got a lot to do, and there isn’t much time left. As soon as I’m in control of the estate, we’ll seal off this cavern permanently.”

  CHAPTER 35: XENOTCHI SPEAKS

  Mike kept trying to send mental pictures to the cat, trying to show him that they would be sealed up inside unless the cat let go of control. The big cat’s impassive patience overruled his hunger, his thirst, and his frustration. He’s an ambush hunter. That’s all he knows. He’s lived for centuries with the knowledge that sooner or later, someone will come and open the cage.

  Sarah’s voice was only a whisper now. “Go with the current. Embrace the change. Be at one with your beast. Love your wolf.”

  He could hear her even in his sleep. He was sick of it.

  Tom was nearly mute now. They could all feel the moon coming full, even below ground. Only Ozzie’s visits broke the blackness. The cat had found a way to bury its feelings so deep that it did not react to the stun baton any more, although Mike jumped and writhed invisibly with the phantom shock of each tap of the baton.

  Awake or asleep, he drifted numbly. Awake was pain and light; sleep was hunger, thirst, and Sarah’s soothing voice in the darkness.

  We are going to die here, Tehuantl. I’ve got thumbs. I could get us out of here.

  I cannot die, mortal. I have no physical body. Xenotchi cannot die. He is First Jaguar. Time means nothing to us. We are. We always will be. We do not need you in order to exist. You are but one of many who have shared this space.

  I don’t buy that any more. You’re the one inside of me, not the other way around. You must need me.

  He felt the shaman’s amusement. Who is inside who? Your physical form is but a temporary reality that will fade over time. We are eternal.

  The shaman’s arrogance infuriated him. The cat, on the other hand, had always seemed to regard him with an amused benevolence; affection even.

  Tell me, Tehuantl, is Xenotchi really the First Jaguar?

  Yes.

  And you’ve been with him from the beginning?

  I alone was chosen as sacrifice to the god as his priest.

  Could you talk to him? Please? Tell him I can get us out of here. Silver doesn’t bother me and I’ve got thumbs. All I need is a few minutes and we could all be out of here!

  You are not of the people. I serve only the people of the First Jaguar.

  A headache began to form at the base of his skull. He wondered if the cat or Tehuantl felt it. Probably not.

  I saw the Olmec statues when I was in Central America before. They’re your people, right? I read where the priests ate the village children. Is that true?

  Don’t be stupid. The people of the Jaguar brought their children to the priests to be blessed. We took their heads into our mouths and breathed the breath of the god into them. Cradled within the maw of the Nagual, the children of the fang become at one with First Jaguar. We are warriors. It is our way.

  Did the people of the First Jaguar pray to you or Xenotchi?

  First Jaguar is a God. Of course the people prayed to their God. But only those who know his name may appeal to the First Jaguar directly. All others brought their requests to me at the temple.

  Didn’t everyone know Xenotchi’s name?

  At first, Tehuantl didn’t answer. Only the enlightened ones who opened their hearts and accepted the First Jaguar as their god received his name directly. The rest made their prayers through the priests at the temple.

  Can I talk to Xenotchi?

  Tehuantl refused to answer. Mike could still feel his presence, but the shaman remained unresponsive. He waited until Farley showed up again. Once the dog had settled into his usual spot in front of the cage, Mike called on the jaguar by name, using the formal greeting he’d remembered from the Fae.

  I see you, Xenotchi. I see you First Jaguar.

  I see you, Mikebane. I see you, cub of the High Tor Fae.

  The voice of the First Jaguar reverberated though every bone in his body. It was a rich, resonant sound, with a whiskied edge like an old bluesman. It was a voice that carried a certain wry humor.

  He kicked himself, realizing his mistake in thinking that Tehuantl was in charge. I could have spoken to him years ago. He fumbled for the right words.

  I would speak with you, First Jaguar. Is it permitted?

  You may address me as Xenotchi. The cat slapped its tail against the floor, but Mike could feel the calming affect Farley had on the Jaguar.

  If you would let me out, I could free us easily. We could get out of this cage. I know you hate cages. I could release everyone else, too.

  With patience, opportunity always presents itself.

  We’re running out of time. They are going to blow up this cavern and seal is inside permanently. We will never escape.

  Perhaps your clansmen of the High Tor tribe will send someone after you. They seemed quite intent on punishing you.

  His heart leapt at the idea, but it wouldn’t work. They can’t cross the wards. They won’t be coming after us.

  The cat coughed in agreement. It does not matter. Your physical form has been without food and water for too long. If I were to release you now, you would perish.

  Oh crap. What about Tehuantl?

  My priest shares my intolerance for the silver metal and does not poss
ess the hardy constitution of those with Fae blood in their veins, such as yourself. Tehuantl takes in no nourishment other than blood sacrifice. He too, would perish if I were to relinquish myself to him. Only my form is eternal. It is far better that I wait for the opportunity to come to me. The cat kneaded the stone floor, extending and contracting his claws. Be patient.

  Xenotchi would not be moved. The cat’s stubborn reasoning convinced him more than anything Tehuantl had told him. Mike gathered his will and tried to force the cat out, but all he got for his trouble was a splitting headache that seemed to have no affect on either Xenotchi or Tehuantl. All I need is a frickin’ thumb and we’d all be out of here.

  CHAPTER 36: MERCS RISING

  Mike’s last hope of rescue turned to ashes when Vince and Cobb brought Silas down to the bestiary in handcuffs. He listened mutely was they held him down and Ozzie strapped him to the worktable. Vince demanded that Silas tell him what else he’d seen and who he’d told. Silas refused to talk, but it was clear to Mike that his friend had come looking for them.

  The stunning revelation of Vince’s betrayal burned like acid in Mike’s gut. He stormed in impotent fury at how badly he’d been duped by the Alpha. Hell, Vince had fooled the entire pack.

  How could Vince have stood by and done nothing, knowing where the missing wolves had been all along? And unlike Cobb’s disgust of the place, Vince seemed well-acquainted with it, going so far as to instruct Cobb to retrieve a spiked collar from one of the storage cupboards.

  Mike searched his memory for earlier signs of Vince’s treachery and found nothing. Everyone agreed Ozzie was strange, but no one thought it had anything to do with the missing wolves. He remembered Dixon telling him the family had known of Ozzie’s abuse of animals as a kid. Vince must have known about Ozzie even then.

  Even the lowest dealers on the street wouldn’t treat one of their own this way. Sarah had told him the pack oath was sacred to the weres; a physical acceptance into a greater social consciousness and belief system. Only blood went deeper than that. And Ozzie wasn’t blood kin to Vince. How could he allow this to happen to the members of his pack?

  Werewolves could not reproduce with human partners. Unlike Silas’s father, Vince’s self-control had kept Ozzie from being infected with ALVS as a child. Mike remembered Dixon telling him how much Vince and Merlene had doted on Ozzie. Was Vince really so willing to overlook Ozzie’s problems?

  He didn’t have to look any further than his own father. Farley Bane had given up his own humanity for his son. Mike glanced at Tom, huddled miserably in the corner of his cell. As difficult as it had been to believe, he had no doubt that Tom had been sincere when he said he didn’t blame him for the werewolf attack. His father had made the ultimate sacrifice for him out of love. He’d never doubted Tom’s love for him, either. Could it be that Vince’s love for his stepson was just as blind? Yeah. Maybe.

  Vince left without a word when Ozzie started in with the electrodes. Mike raged; the cat was a wall of indifference against him. How could Vince just walk away? How could he pretend not to see what going on? The answers eluded him. Some day Vince would answer for this, he swore. Someday, Vince would answer to all of them.

  Ozzie and Cobb spent an hour questioning Silas. Up and down the row, the wolves began to struggle and howl. Even Xenotchi slapped his tail against the pavement in agitation. Eventually, Silas lost his control and began to shift.

  As wolf pheromones flooded the cavern, Tom went into convulsions.

  “What the hell is wrong with him,” Cobb demanded.

  “It’s his first change,” Ozzie answered. “With the moon so close to full, Silas’s change pheromones affect him.”

  Another wolf began to howl.

  “They all feel it.”

  “Blood almighty. Get me out of here.”

  “Oh it’s no big deal. I’ve got enough ketamine in him now to knock out an elephant. I’ll put the collar on him in a minute. As long as he’s got silver against his skin, he won’t be able to shift back into human form. I can keep him like this as long as you want, but if you want him back on the job, I’ll have to start dosing him with Glamour. The wine works better than Ketamine for ensuring short-term memory loss.”

  “We don’t need him,” Cobb said. “We can’t afford to have him walking around topside. This guy’s too nosy for his own good.”

  “No problem. I’ll be glad to have him.”

  After Cobb left, Ozzie dragged Silas’s limp white wolf down the aisle. As they passed the jaguar’s stall, Mike could see Silas’s silver-white pelt and muzzle bloodied and singed. He listened as Ozzie chained the wolf to the bracket in the floor of a stall two doors down. The lights went out a few minutes later.

  The rage inside him burned futilely. Whatever was coming, it would have to come soon. They were running out of time.

  * * *

  The day arrived. Gordon brought several loads of boxes and crates into the bestiary. On his final trip, he walked to the back of the cavern and returned with a group of eight big wolves, each carrying heavy packs on their backs. They shifted quickly and dressed in the park uniforms Gordon provided. As they unpacked their equipment, Mike could tell by their practiced movements and silent efficiency that these guys weren’t just hired hands; they were a trained team of professionals. Hard men; mercenaries, probably. They’d come prepared for a fight. There were stun batons, tear gas canisters, blocks of C4 plastic explosives, blasting caps and plenty of guns and ammunition.

  “No guns,” Gordon told them. “We can’t risk attracting the attention of the locals. The wards aren’t going to be able to muffle gunshots effectively. This has to be a silent operation.”

  “No problem,” one of the big mercs said. He was every bit as big as Trick or even Vince. He handed a pistol to Gordon. “Take a look at this. I made ‘em myself. You won’t even have to worry about muzzle flash with these babies. I didn’t have enough time to make one for everybody, but I’ve got five of these lugers. Ammo is hollow-point lead.”

  Gordon sniffed dismissively. “That caliber is too small to bring down anything here at Mythica.”

  “It doesn’t have to. A body shot will hurt like hell, and anything in the head or legs will take ‘em down long enough for one the boys here to get silver on ‘em. More importantly, if you accidentally hit one of us, it won’t kill us.”

  “Not to worry,” Gordon told them. “We’ve got enough Kevlar here for all of you.”

  The big merc, who Gordon called Hale, leaned in to inspect the cage of the big wolf across from Mike. “What’s with the captives,” he asked.

  Mike’s heart skipped a beat. Maybe…

  “They went up against the same Alpha wolf we brought you in to take down. They failed. I trust you and your team will not.”

  Hale gave a curt nod. “You’ve got two humans down here,” he said. “I was told there would be no humans to worry about.”

  “Let’s not argue technicalities.” said Gordon. “We’re paying you extremely well to follow orders, not ask questions. I want to go over the plan again. We can’t afford to make any mistakes. What do you need from me?”

  Hale pressed his lips together as if pondering a response, but shook it off. “Have it your way. Just stay out of the way when the fighting starts. We’ll be the only ones on the estate with weapons.”

  “No problem. I’ve got to move those crates of chains from the restaurant down to the vault. Watch out for Felix. He’s been snooping around. I don’t think he believed me when I told him that the chains were for the farm. He’ll have some sort of backup plan to protect Ambrose.”

  “Let me worry about Felix. We’ll send a guy down to help you with those coffins just as soon as we finish topside. Listen up guys,” Hale addressed the room. “The park was open last night, so the blood stewards will all be in the main house, sleeping late. Vince is the only one we’re looking for. We take him out and the pack will be easier to deal with. He thinks he’s having lunch with Felix today at the
Bloody Fang. As soon as I see him go inside, I’ll unlock the gate between the estate and the park. My inside guys will be monitoring security, so don’t worry about the cameras. As soon as I neutralize the Alpha, you’ll get the signal to go.”

  “Those of you with assigned targets, keep your focus on neutralizing them first. Once they’re contained, move on through your assigned sector and make sure you search thoroughly for any civilians or anyone else we might have missed. The park is closed for the next three nights, so there shouldn’t be more than a few delivery people to worry about. Take it easy with the blood stewards or any other stray humans you find. Keep them in the main house. If somebody gets hurt, I want to know about it immediately. Even if it’s only a hangnail. Any questions?”

  “Will you and your men be able to maintain your control through the next three days?” Gordon asked. “It’s the full moon.”

  “Let me worry about that. Every warrior here has proven mastery over his beast. The moon beckons to us as much as it does any wolf. The difference is that we’ve trained under these conditions and learned how to work within our limits. Any other questions?”

  Nobody said anything. Hale and the rest of the mercs completed their preparations in silence, then followed Gordon upstairs.

  * * *

  I see you Xenotchi.

  I see you Mikebane.

  We are out of time. When those men finish their business, they will seal this cavern. We will be buried alive. I have an idea I would like to try.

  I am listening.

  When I shift into your form, and you shift into mine, there is a period when we are both present. Couldn’t we hold that form? I would have your strength and you would have my thumbs.

  Ah. It is a good suggestion. However, Tehuantl and I are already able to merge our forms.

  At this point, even letting Tehuantl out would be better than staying trapped inside the cave forever. Well, then why don’t you and Tehuantl merge? Tehuantl could get us out of here.