Reluctant Guardian

by Elisha Bugg

  Thane needed vengeance, needed to kill them all. How dare they take something that was his.

  He waited, crouching down ready to pounce on the man as he rounded the corner.

  Claws slashing out, Thane grabbed him by his throat, snapping his teeth shut just inches from the guys face.

  "Where is she?" he demanded.

  "I don't know what you're talking about," the man pleaded, scratching at his own neck to loosen Thane's restricting hold.

  "Liar," Thane roared, squeezing his fingers tighter.

  "Shh, the others will hear you," Oleander commented close to his ear, like a whisper on the breeze. There one minute, gone the next.

  "I didn't see, just knew we were here to find someone, maybe get our first kill."

  Thane recognized the man from the arena. Another new recruit who had fought against him. Perhaps he was telling the truth.

  "Then you're no use to me," Thane shrugged, clenching his hand even tighter and flexing his claws on his other hand ready to slash down.

  "Wait," the man choked, coughing and spluttering as Thane loosened his vice like grip, "I might be able to get you inside, to find out more information."

  "I don't need you to get in."

  "Richard's gone on lock down. Everybody is to report in and out at the gate. You'll never get past them alone."

  "That's where you're wrong."

  Thane was finished talking to the man.

  He may have proved helpful by letting him in on the tightened security, but that meant little to him. Richard wasn't suspicious of him yet, and he would walk in right under their noses.

  With the first man disposed of, Thane spotted Oleander on the roof with the second, drinking from his neck until he sagged in his arms.

  Two down, two to go.

  Thane stalked the men, watching as they grew more and more restless.

  All of them were new recruits. This couldn't be the work of Richard. He would never send rookies to do such an important task. This had the boy written all over it, but why?

  Thane knew the boy had feelings for Anya, knew he wanted her to himself, but to kidnap her? What was he thinking?

  He growled low, infuriated for not seeing this coming.

  One of the men heard him, flinching and aiming a gun his way. He elbowed his friend in the side and pointed for him to flank around the area Thane stood. Thane laughed. It would do them no good with only two of them left.

  Thane rested his back against the stone wall behind him, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting.

  "What are you doing here?" one of them asked as he stepped around the corner.

  "Didn't know Hugh asked you to join this exercise?" the other commented.

  "He didn't," Thane smiled, his fangs glistening in the sun and his claws protruding from his fingers.

  As quickly as they noticed, their necks were sliced, blood pooling at their feet before they fell in a heap on the floor.

  "Nice work, Thane. I'm impressed."

  "I'm not done yet."

  "You'll need help getting her out of there if that's where he's taken her."

  "I work better alone."

  "Don't be so stubborn. You might get past security but you won't get out with her. Let me help you."

  "Why? What's in it for you? "

  "I want revenge just like you do, but for different reasons."

  Thane knew little about Oleander's past, only that his bride and child had been killed by hunters, but he thought those responsible had all been killed.

  Perhaps he’d found out something new. A command from a higher member. Whatever the reason, Thane was grateful for the assistance. He was going to need it.

  Thane and Oleander sat outside the hunter’s headquarters watching as men and women came and left.

  The man earlier hadn't lied. Richard had put extra men on security.

  It was going to be difficult to sneak in, and impossible to get her out if she was inside.

  Maybe Richard was involved after all.

  Tightening his hold over his emotions, Thane straightened his back and headed toward the gate, leaving Oleander to sneak over the fence whilst the guards were distracted.

  "Halt," the man on watch commanded, stepping in front of Thane, blanching of colour as he looked hesitantly up. "W-what's your name?"

  "Thane. Richard will be expecting me."

  "Ok. Your name’s here. Go on through."

  Thane nodded, pushing his way past before the man had a chance to move out of his way. He was pissed, and god help anyone who got in his way.

  Once inside the gates, Thane met with Oleander by a concealed door around the side of the main building. He'd spotted it on an earlier visit making note to keep it in mind for later.

  Thane was surprised how fast and stealthy the man moved. He'd heard that Oleander was a good fighter, faster than most shifters, but he'd never seen him in action before.

  Impressed, Thane slipped through the door first, motioning for him to follow once he knew the coast was clear.

  Nobody was in sight. A complete contrast to the teeming numbers of people patrolling the perimeter.

  It was just too easy to make their way through the halls, making Thane suspicious.

  "It's no good, Thane," Oleander whispered, following his gaze as they passed the newly glowing door that concealed Lucas.

  "We can't risk freeing him with so many hunters around. It'll be hard enough to free the girl."

  "She could be down there with him. Why else would they have so many men here and nowhere else inside?"

  "A trap perhaps? Or maybe Hugh set this all up so that nobody would notice he and Anya were missing?"

  Thane hated to admit it, but Oleander had a point. This was all too easy and stunk of a trap. He couldn't risk falling for it in order to free Lucas earlier than planned. He had to stick to the task at hand.

  Anya's safety came first. Lucas wasn't in any immediate danger. She was.

  Thane scrubbed a hand over his face and sighed, the stubble across his jaw scratching his palm. He needed to find her and tell her how much she meant to him. What she was to him.

  "We need to find Richard," Thane insisted, clenching his fists tight.

  "What good will that do?"

  "I don't think the order came from him. The work is too sloppy. He'll be furious if anybody has interfered with his plans and might just slip up and tell us where we can find Hugh."

  "It's worth a shot. He doesn't seem too fond of his son anyway."

  Thane nodded, explaining to him that he had gained Richard's trust whilst here, hoping to get close enough to Lucas so he could find a way to free him.

  Now his deceit had another purpose.

  Stomping down the corridor toward the main hall, the same overwhelming sensation Thane had felt earlier washed over him. He knew it was her then, that she was in trouble. He had to make this quick.

  "Richard?" he practically growled as he burst through the heavy doors.

  "Thane?" Richard flinched, jumping out of his chair, "I wasn't expecting to see you today. What's wrong?"

  "Where is Hugh?"

  "I'd like to know that myself," he grumbled, slouching back into his chair, spinning the pen he held between his two index fingers.

  "He informed me of an attack so I doubled my men and pulled back several on hunts. Yet nothing has come of it."

  Thane wanted to punch something. Anything.

  He knew Hugh was responsible for this, but to fool his own dad. The boy had guts.

  Now Thane and Oleander were in the middle of a feud between two hunters. Stuck in a place surrounded by people who would kill both of them if they found out what they were.

  Thane turned, expecting to see Oleander just behind him, but the damned vampire wasn't there. Thane hoped he was waiting outside so Richard wouldn't see him. If he wasn't, he would be stuck here, alone.

  "What do you want with Hugh?" Richard asked, regaining Thane's attention.

  "He's taken something that
belongs to me and I want it back."

  "That was indeed foolish of him. He always was a stupid boy. Weak, just like his mother. Not a fighter or a leader like ourselves."

  Thane wasn't so sure he agreed. The boy had to be brave to stand against his father, the notorious hunter. Richard had never lost his mark, until now, and it was his own son that was responsible. If Thane hadn't been so furious, he might have been impressed.

  Richard watched him, scratching his face, and tracing a finger over his scar.

  "Send the boy back to me in one piece once you've retrieved your possession, won't you?"

  "I make no promises."

  "This is why I like you, Thane. Your honesty," Richard laughed, resting his hands behind his neck.

  Thane smiled to himself as he left the room. What a fool Richard was.

  Nobody would have guessed that he could be won over so easily.

  Perhaps he wasn't the big bad hunter everyone believed him to be after all.

  Thane stomped down the halls, clenching his fists tight.

  He was still no closer to finding her. This whole trip had been a waste of time.

  When he found the boy, he would make him pay.

  If he'd so much as laid a finger on her, Thane would make sure he suffered before he killed him.

  All this time he'd been watching Richard, never expecting Hugh would be the one to pose a threat.

  "Why didn't I see this coming?" he grumbled to himself, feeling like a fool. Now it was too late.

  The only times he'd seen Hugh was at the pub and here. He had no idea where to start looking.

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Anya awoke half in a daze. Slowly she opened her eyes and glanced around the room she lay in.

  "W-where am I?" she asked, rubbing at her eyes as she took in the small, dark space, wondering how she’d got there.

  "Somewhere safe," a quiet voice replied.

  Anya searched the room for that voice, trying to focus on the sounds of rustling she could hear as they moved in the distance, but there was no mistaking who that voice belonged to.

  "What did you do to me?"

  "You'll be fine once the effects wear off. It was just a mild tranquillizer to make you a little more compliant."

  She couldn't believe it. Hugh had injected her and taken her somewhere. No doubt he planned to kill her.

  How did he know where she would be? How did he find out?

  Anya sat up, rubbing her aching arms and legs, feeling battered and bruised. Had she put up a fight? Or was it the effects of the drug?

  Oh god. Tynan. Had they killed him?

  Her heart clenched as tears filled her eyes, but she squeezed them shut. She couldn't let him think she was afraid.

  "How long have you known what you are?" Hugh asked her.

  Anya remained silent, unable to talk past the lump forming in her throat.

  She searched the room for any means of escape, hoping that as soon as her body stopped feeling sluggish, she could make a run for it.

  She may be a novice and not know how to control her abilities yet, but she knew if she pushed herself hard enough and focused, she would be faster than him.

  Hugh walked out of the shadows and gripped her chin between his fingers, holding it firm.

  "How long?" he demanded, his face too close to her own, his eyes hard and steady.

  "Just over a month," she spat, rubbing at her sore jaw when he finally released her.

  "After you found out about us? That doesn't make sense."

  She nodded, confused by what he was saying.

  "Why would they wait so long to tell you? Did they not know either?"

  Anya wrapped her arms around her middle as Hugh continued to ramble on to himself.

  "How did you find out?" she finally asked, unable to remain silent.

  "I've known for a while. It doesn't matter how I found out," he sighed, moving closer to her.

  "Richard's been following you since he found out you were back in town. He's been suspicious of you from the get-go."

  Hugh kicked a small wooden table in the corner, causing it to collapse and make a loud bang on the floor.

  "I told him he was a fool, but I guess that was me in the end."

  "I'm still the same person now as I was when you met me. It's just now I know what I was all along," she whispered, trying to reason with him.

  "I know that. It doesn't matter."

  "But-"

  "Shh," he snapped, staring behind him for a few minutes.

  Her heart was racing in anticipation as Hugh began to fiddle around in his jacket pocket.

  "What are you doing?" she squealed, retreating as far back as she could. But instead of the knife or gun she'd been expecting, he pulled out his phone and told someone they could come in.

  She prayed it wouldn't be Richard. Hoping that she still had a chance to win Hugh over.

  She was completely defenceless and could barely move, but she could still speak and would try her best to make him see sense.

  Yes she was half shifter but that didn't mean she was a monster.

  Slowly, she pushed to her feet, determined to prove she was strong. That she wasn't afraid of him, even though inside she trembled.

  Her body felt heavy and her vision blurred, making her eyes water and burn, but still she pushed herself, leaning against the wooden wall when her legs wobbled below her.

  Hugh turned to her and raised a brow, but smiled, his eyes glinting in the flickering light above them.

  "Impressive. That tranq should have kept you out for a few more hours."

  Anya just stared at him, frowning.

  "There was always something different about you. Something unique," he continued, cocking his head to one side as he watched her trying to stand by herself.

  "I guess I was right after all."

  Thane told her that he believed she was a healer, not that she really understood what that entailed, but apparently it made her more approachable. Maybe Hugh had mistaken his attraction to her as that of a comfortable feeling.

  "Do you plan on killing me?"

  "No. I'm supposed to tell Richard if I find out anything," Hugh groaned, rubbing at his temples.

  "I'm not meant to interfere, but I don't think I can stand by anymore."

  "What do you mean?"

  Before Hugh had a chance to answer, Keri burst into the room wrapping her arms around Anya.

  "He hasn't touched you has he?"

  "No I haven't," he bit, heading toward the door, "just watch her till I get back."

  "Yeah, yeah," she groaned, waving her hand in dismissal.

  Anya smiled, grateful for Keri's concern. Perhaps she hadn't changed too much after all. Maybe she wouldn't want to harm her for being different like she'd feared.

  A loud bang sounded as Hugh exited the small building, shortly followed by the sound of a car engine.

  Keri stood and peered through the small window, smiling wide when she turned back to face Anya.

  "Can you walk yet?"

  "I-I don't know."

  "Come," Keri commanded, linking her arms with Anya's and pulling her toward the exit.

  "What if he comes back?"

  "Don't worry. Richard is furious with him. He won't be back for hours yet," Keri replied, peeking around the doorway.

  "Quick. Hugh has a couple of thugs on patrol so we need to move before they circle back."

  Nodding, Anya followed Keri out of the house and into the darkening woods.

  Still, she didn’t recognize where she was, but she could smell something familiar as a strong unnerving feeling crept along her skin.

  “Where are we?” Anya asked, needing to know so she could tell the Guards its whereabouts if they asked her.

  “The last place any shifter would look. Right under their noses.”

  “What was that?”

  Anya ducked and dodged thorns and low branches before colliding into the back of Keri. She hadn’t even notice her come to a stop in front
of her.

  Anya fell to the floor, scratching her arms and legs as she landed.

  Keri turned back to look at her, her eyes wide and glassy, flashing crimson in the setting sun.

  No. That can't be right. Why would her eyes change like that? She must be seeing things. A side effect of the drugs Hugh had given her.

  Shaking her head, Anya pushed to her feet and wiped the debris off her clothes. Blood trickling down her arm, dripping onto the ground by her feet.

  “Let me see,” Keri asked in a taut voice, snatching her arm and pulling it close to her face for a better look.

  “Just surface scratches,” she commented, still holding onto her arm in a vice like grip.

  “Keri?” Anya asked, watching as she continued to study her cuts, licking her lips and tightening her grip.

  Something wasn’t right.

  Keri inched her face closer to the cut on Anya’s arm, her eyes definitely glowing a sickening scarlet.

  Anya froze as a wave of fear washed over her for what was about to happen. But Keri paused, squeezing onto her arm tight, making her squirm under the pressure.

  “Why did you have to cut yourself,” she groaned, trying to speak around canines that had grown several inches longer, “this makes my job so much more difficult.”

  “Y-you're a vampire?”

  “Way to point out the obvious,” Keri drawled, rolling her eyes.

  “Since when?”

  “Now let's see,” she replied in a snarky tone, tapping a finger on her chin, “I was attacked by a shifter, just like you, who left me for dead. Lucky for me, I guess, that some vampire happened to pass and decided it would be a waste not to turn me.”

  What could she possibly say to something like that?

  It made sense that Keri would hate her kind if that was how they'd treated her, but they were supposed to be friends. They weren't so different after all.

  “Your blood smells so sweet. So tempting. I've never tasted a shifter before.”

  “You can fight it, Keri. We're friends.”

  “I don't want to fight it,” she roared, slamming Anya's back against a tree, the vibrations travelling down her spine taking her breath away and making her vision waiver.

  “You act like you're completely innocent, but you must have known. Ever since you've returned you've been distant and wary around me. Don't make out that you still care.”