by Jane Jamison
Stars twinkled above her as the moon hung low in the sky. Although it wasn’t a full moon, it gave enough light to let her see. She continued to follow the tracks until they led her to the pasture next to the group of trees that surrounded the pond.
She’s down by the water where she jumped in.
She picked up her pace, no longer needing anything to lead her. But the voices she heard weren’t those of the young girl.
“Let’s get on with it, man.”
“Take it easy. I want to enjoy this.”
An evil laughter sliced into Milly’s gut. Was that Kurt?
“Yeah, fine. But I want to draw first blood.”
The sound of Riley’s crying shot fear into Milly. She crept forward until she could peer through the brush.
Three young vampires stood over a kneeling Riley. They’d bound her hands behind her, and her T-shirt was torn to expose her bra. Sobs racked her body.
“Why don’t we fuck her first?” The tallest vampire had red hair and was as thin as a skeleton.
“Shit, no. I’m not fucking any dirty werewolf, Beck. I don’t know how Kurt could kiss the thing.” The second vampire had long, stringy dark hair that slashed across his face, covering one eye. He wore his jeans low on his hips and a dirty shirt that was too big for his small frame.
Kurt held a long knife that gleamed in the light of the fire. “It wasn’t easy, Henderson. I wanted to hurl every time she came near me. Damn werewolves stink.”
Henderson laughed and tugged on Riley’s hair, yanking her head back. Her cry turned into whimpers. “What do we do first? Slit her throat or tear her apart with our fangs? I vote for the fangs.”
Beck squatted in front of Riley. “Yeah. I’m tired of killing calves. I’m ready to spill some werewolf blood. Let’s do this thing.”
Milly had to kneel lower to keep from being seen. She closed her eyes, willing her wolf into submission. She had to think before she acted. Once she had her wolf under control, she opened her eyes again.
“We need to get her to shift first. That’s when she’s the strongest. We kill her then and take her power.”
Riley shook her head and lifted her dirt-stained face to him. “I can’t. I haven’t gone through the transformation yet.”
Anger flared in Kurt’s face. “Don’t lie to me, bitch. You told me you’d already done it.” He held the knife in front of her. “You’re full of it. Werewolves can change when they’re really young. Everyone knows that.”
“Not me.” She broke down, crying harder.
“You lie.”
“No, I lied before when I told you I’d already done it. But I haven’t. Not all the way. My eyes change and I can bring out my fangs a little, but I can’t do it all the way yet.” She let out a shriek as he held the knife to her throat.
“What? Are you slow or something?”
“It hasn’t happened for me yet because…” Her sobs made the rest of her words unintelligible.
“Speak up, bitch.”
“It hasn’t happened because I’m only half werewolf.”
Beck and Henderson exploded, jeering at Kurt. Henderson grabbed his stomach as he doubled up with laughter. “Oh, fuck, dude. She’s not even a whole wolf. That means her power isn’t worth shit.”
Kurt’s eyes blazed as he stalked away from her. He whirled back toward Riley and brandished the knife. “Damn you, you lying cunt. You’re messing up my plans.”
He paced in front her, muttering too low for Milly to hear. When he stopped, he yanked Riley’s hair and put his face close to hers. Milly strained to hear, shifting enough to do so.
“It doesn’t matter. We’ll practice on you then get a real werewolf for the next time.”
“Aw, dude.” Henderson’s humor was gone. “We’ve practiced enough. It’s time we do this thing for real.”
“Then you go and find me another werewolf and we’ll do just that.” Kurt released Riley and pushed his chest against Henderson, asserting his dominance.
The young vampires weren’t like their adult counterparts. Adult vampires kept their emotions controlled. Intimidation was never a factor. Each adult was aware of what the other could do without demonstrations of power.
How am I going to get her out of this mess?
If she fully shifted, she might be able to take down one, possibly two of them. But not before the other might hurt Riley.
She crouched, knowing she had two choices. She could get far enough away to call the Hudson brothers, but she didn’t know how fast they could get to them. Or she could do the only thing that had a remote chance of working.
Milly couldn’t stand by and let anything happen to Riley. Not only would the men never forgive her, she’d never forgive herself. She gathered her resolve and stood up.
“Hey, kids. What’s going on?” She plastered on a big smile, stumbled down the slope, and stepped into the small clearing. She held up her phone for all to see.
The young vampires reacted just as she’d thought they would. They cursed and moved toward her, but when she moved her hand, diverting their attention to the phone, they stopped and gawked at her.
“Here’s what we’re going to do, guys.” Her gaze slipped to Riley then up to Kurt. “I’m going to make you an offer you’d be a real idiot to turn down. Are you an idiot, Kurt?”
Chapter Nine
Milly hoped they couldn’t hear how fast her heart was pounding. Most vampires could see the quickening of a pulse in the jugular or they could tell by touching. But she wasn’t sure how much the young vampires had been taught. If the vampire who’d made them had gone and left them on their own, then they wouldn’t know a lot.
Kurt’s fangs glistened with saliva. “What are you doing here?”
“I came looking for Riley, of course.” She played it cool and hoped she was a better actress than she thought she was.
“Let’s take her, Kurt.”
Beck took a step forward, and she lifted her cell phone higher. “Stop right there. I push one button and half of Forever will be here. They’re already out looking for Riley. If you’re half as smart as you think you are, you’re going to want to hear me out.”
“Hold up,” Kurt ordered, then gave her a wicked sneer. “This should be good. Go on, dog. Talk to me.”
“Don’t call a werewolf a dog. We’re not the same thing at all, and it’s a rude thing to say.” She brought her other hand to her phone and poised her finger over the touch pad. “Here’s my offer. I know what you’re trying to do.”
“Is that right?” Kurt’s tone echoed his sneer.
“Sure. You want to sacrifice a werewolf and gain her power. Have I got it right?”
He narrowed his eyes but didn’t say anything.
Score one.
“You were nice to Riley, winning her over, because she didn’t realize until it was too late that you’re a scumbag.”
His jaw clenched, but he still remained silent. Henderson and Beck glanced at him, waiting for him to show them how to react. When he stayed quiet, they did as well.
“Like I said, I could push speed dial and have her uncles and their friends on the phone in a flash. But I think you’re going to like what I have in mind instead.”
“And what’s that?”
“I suggest an exchange.” She jutted her chin at Riley. “You turn her loose.”
Kurt’s laughter sounded more like a witch’s evil cackle. “Oh, sure. But only if you say ‘pretty please’ first. Fuck off, cunt. What’s to stop us from sacrificing both of you?”
He was right, but she’d be damned if she’d let him know it. “Because, my sweet little boy, I’m a full-grown werewolf and fast as hell. I can hit the speed dial, shift, and tear you in half before you can blink.”
It was a lie, but she was hoping they wouldn’t realize it.
Please let him believe me.
“Come on, Kurt. It’s the three of us against her. We can take her.”
She tilted her head at Kurt. “Are you will
ing to bet Henderson’s right? Are you willing to risk your precious eternal life on it? Because, trust me, I may not be able to take all of you before you tear out my throat, but I can damn sure kill one of you before I fall.” She shot him her own wicked grin. “And guess which one I’m taking down with me?”
Score two.
Kurt believed her, and why shouldn’t he when it was true? If she couldn’t save Riley or herself, she’d make sure he went to hell before she died.
“Shut up, Henderson.” He shifted back and forth on his feet, weighing what she’d said. “So you’re willing to give yourself to us if we let her go?”
“I am.” He’d take her offer and turn Riley loose, but she didn’t believe for one second that he’d let Riley get away. Still, if it gave the girl a chance, then it was worth it.
“Deal.”
Kurt, his expression smug, stepped closer and held out his hand. “Give me your cell phone, cunt.”
She let her fangs slide over her lower lip. “Don’t call me cunt, junior. You’re not getting this until Riley’s untied, on her feet, and through those trees. Then I’ll give you the phone and me.”
Kurt took a moment to decide. “Beck, turn the bitch loose.”
Beck grumbled, but he did as Kurt told him to. Riley, albeit a bit shaky, got to her feet and hurried to Milly’s side.
“Milly, I can’t leave you here.” She tugged on Milly’s arm. “Please, let’s run.”
Does she really think we can outrun three vampires? The poor girl has no clue how fast they can be.
Instead of saying that, Milly gave her a soft smile. “I made an agreement, and I’m keeping my end of it. Go on now. Run back to the house.” She sought out the girl’s frightened eyes. “Do me a favor, okay? Tell your uncles how much I loved them.”
Kurt let loose with a wild cackle. “Aw, ain’t that sweet? Puppy love. Tell me, cunt. Do you do it doggy style?”
Milly ignored him as Riley started crying harder. “No. I can’t leave you. I won’t.”
“You can and you will.” When Riley still didn’t move, she told her again, putting more force behind her words. “Run, Riley! Now!”
Riley let out another sob and turned and ran. Milly heard her crashing through the underbrush and sent her a prayer that would keep her going as fast as she could.
Kurt proved that she’d pegged him right. He snatched the phone from her hand then widened his grin. “Beck, when you catch Riley, be sure to fuck her from behind for me.”
A shiver raced down Milly’s spine as his grin faded. “We can’t have any witnesses. Fuck her then kill her.”
* * * *
Matthew rode his horse over to Dan. “I didn’t find a thing. This is crazy. Where could she go?”
Dan sat rigid in his saddle as he gazed down at his phone. “Something’s not right.”
“What now?”
He wanted to believe it was nothing, but his gut told him otherwise. “I can’t get hold of Milly. She’s not answering her phone.”
At that moment, Dan would’ve paid good money to hear his brother make a joke. If his brother was joking, then what was happening couldn’t be that bad. Yet he’d never seen his brother look so serious.
“That doesn’t mean anything.”
Dan met his brother’s gaze. “You don’t buy what you’re saying any more than I do.”
“Naw. I don’t. But where’d she go?”
He searched the area around them. Together they’d covered a lot of land, but the Jackson property was large. No way could they cover it all. “Jackson has some men covering the lower half. Let’s head over to the pond and hope we pick up a trail there.”
They hadn’t found any tracks yet and he could’ve kicked himself for not following the ones Riley had left under her window. If they were closer to the house, he’d double back and start over. But his gut told him that would take too much time. He was just about to call Jackson again to suggest he send a man out to do that when he saw a dark figure running across the field.
“Is that Riley?”
Matthew pulled his horse around to face in that direction. “It is. But she’s not alone.”
Someone chased after her and was almost close enough to grab her. “Come on.”
Dan kicked his horse and was in full gallop in seconds with Matthew right behind him. As they grew closer to Riley, they could see the terror on her face. The young vampire running after her had his focus locked onto her back and his mouth open, ready to dig his fangs into her.
The vampire never saw what hit him as Dan threw his body off the horse and hurled it against him. They hit the ground together with Dan landing on top. His own fangs burst free.
The hunger on the young vampire’s face gave way to fear as he struggled to get away. But he was no match for the older, stronger werewolf.
Dan lifted the boy’s upper body off the ground by his collar and shook him. “You lousy fucker. If you’ve hurt one hair on her head, I’m going to tear your dead, cold heart out with my bare hands.”
Riley’s sobs brought his gaze up to find Matthew holding her against him. She clutched her uncle, and although her hair was tangled, her shirt torn, and she was covered in grime and dirt, she didn’t appear to be injured.
Matthew made her look at him. “Riley, I can’t understand what you’re saying through all your tears. Talk slower, clearer. What did you say about Milly?”
Dan yanked the boy to his feet and dragged him toward Matthew. “What’s happened to Milly?”
Riley dragged in short gasps of air and pointed in the direction she’d come from. “She’s at the pond…where I jumped in. They have her.”
Her eyes filled with tears, but that couldn’t hide the horror in them. “They’re going to sacrifice her.”
Dan closed his eyes and tried to keep from ripping the boy apart. They’d taken his niece, and now they planned on killing his mate.
“How many are there, Riley?”
“Two more. Kurt and Henderson.”
Dan lifted the vampire up so that his feet no longer touched the ground. The boy squealed like a stuck pig, but Dan had no sympathy for him. Jerking him once, he put his back to Matthew, knowing that his brother would catch on. Matthew grabbed a piece of cord out of the pack on the horse, tugged the boy’s arms behind him, and then wrapped the piggin’ strip around his wrist. Then, at Dan’s nod, he tied the other end around one of his horse’s stirrups.
“You watch over this slime ball, honey. And here. Take my phone. Call Jackson Carr and tell him where we are.”
“You want me to stay alone? With him?”
Matthew skimmed his hand over her shoulder to comfort her then turned her to face the horses and the vampire. “Don’t worry about him. He can’t get free, and if the horse decides to bolt, then it’s just too damn bad.”
“You’ll be okay. If you think he’s trying anything, whack him upside the head with this.” Dan picked up a nearby rock and handed it to her. “Just keep your back to us, honey. We wouldn’t want you to see anything you shouldn’t.”
“Don’t be afraid to put all your strength behind it when you swing that rock.”
“Matthew, let’s go show those young vampires the real power of a werewolf.”
Matthew gave him a quick nod. “Sure. But don’t get in the way of my superior power. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
Dan returned Matthew’s vicious grin. There’s the bro I know.
* * * *
Another blow to the head sent Milly falling to her side. She hit hard since they’d tied her hands behind her back.
“Shift, damn you, bitch!”
She shook her head, determined to die before she’d let them have what they wanted.
“Should we untie her? Can she shift with her hands behind her back?”
“Sure she can.” Kurt grabbed a bunch of her hair and yanked her onto her knees. “The cunt can shift anytime she wants. She’s refusing to do it.”
Milly spat out a wad of blood
. “I never was the cooperative type. You can ask my teachers from school.”
She tried to smile, but the stun of another strike from Kurt tore that from her face. Her vision blurred and she felt the power of the transformation start.
No! I will not change!
Her inner wolf howled then clawed at her to get out. She wanted to taste their blood on her tongue, to feel their undead life source slide down her chin. But Milly wouldn’t let her werewolf take over. If she did, they’d kill her. As long as she stayed in her human form, she earned a few more minutes that might give Dan and Matthew time to find her.
If nothing else, she prayed that Riley had gotten away from Beck.
Kurt yanked her again, this time pulling her onto her back. He held the knife to her throat as he bent over her, putting his face inches from hers.
“Look, bitch, you’re going to die one way or another. If you shift, I promise you that your death will be quicker.”
“Who made you? Where is your maker?”
He frowned, thrown by her questions. “That doesn’t matter. He’s gone.”
“Did he turn all three of you? More?” The thought of more young vampires on their own made her ill.
“My maker changed me then took off.” Kurt hurled a wad of spit onto the ground beside her head. “Then I turned them. They’re mine, and once I get your power, I’m going to make more of them. I’ll have an entire army. When I do, I’m going to wipe you vermin off the face of the earth and feed on as many humans as I like.”
“Or make them our slaves. Right, Kurt?”
“That’s right, Henderson.” Kurt lifted his gaze toward him. “Get the cups ready. Once she changes, I’ll slit her throat. Then we’ll drink her blood and become more powerful than ever.”