The Wrath of Pan (The Inglewood Chronicles Book 2)

by Jeremy Croston

  Chapter 14

  John picked the place to put on the ambush. It was a night club that was frequented by a lot of tourists with a pretty trashy reputation. It seemed the perfect place for our feral wolf to try. When Jonathan left Rosette to get into position, he reported that she was already a bit intoxicated.

  “Anything yet?” Liz wasn’t known for her patience.

  The air was filled with trash, vomit, alcohol, and human stench, but no wolf. “The night is young darling; give the guy a chance to build up his nerves.”

  We were on the roof adjacent to the night club. I’d brought a pair of binoculars but Liz snatched them and told me to use my nose. “If you were this wolf, where would you make your move at?”

  I took a look around. There was a side exit that had a dim light near the door, but led into darkness. “Probably right there, but the real question is how does he get his victims to go where he wants them to?”

  “Would there be another helping?”

  I thought back to the other scenes. “If there was, they must’ve been a vampire. Besides the wolf, the only other smells were of humans and filth.”

  She clicked the radio, “Gregory, position yourself for a better look at the side exit on the west side of the building. Vic thinks that may be the spot.”

  “Okay, give me a minute and I will be ready.”

  It still killed me that my boy Gregory was a sniper. I would’ve never guessed that. That was even more shocking than Reno’s gun skills. “Hopefully he gets a clean shot off and ends this as quietly as possible.”

  Liz went to reply but I held my hand up. A scent began to find its way to me. I closed my eyes and let myself get lost to my senses. I followed the path of the scent until I could pinpoint its location.

  “Our wolf is on the move. He’ll be coming in the front door. Relay to John to keep watch.”

  Liz grabbed the walkie-talkie, “Our target is approaching the front; do you see anything out of the ordinary?”

  It took him a moment to respond. “Bloody hell, no I do not. There are so many humans around that I cannot get a clean look at anyone.”

  “Damnit! Jonathan, stay there. Keep your eyes out for Rosette.”

  “Of course sister.”

  She tossed the walkie-talkie down into her bag in frustration. “I guess we will see if our bait inside does her job.”

  The tension was high. The wolf was here and Rosette was inside, wasted and alone. I took Roscoe out and checked the bullets.

  “You know you have six silver bullets in there.”

  I forced a smile at Liz. “This helps keep me calm. I know this is my plan, but right now I feel like I made a huge mistake.”

  “I do not care for the witch, but something tells me she can handle herself and do this job properly. As you stress to me, be patient.”

  It was quite ironic that I was being lectured about patience by this one, but I let it slide. “Alright, eyes on the door.”

  We sat there and after thirty minutes I started to get anxious again. I guess maybe the wolf inside knew and finally made his arrival. His smell lingered near the door. “Our guy is close. Get Gregory ready.”

  She relayed the message to him. Off in the distance I heard the audible click of a gun being loaded. I lined up Roscoe too, just in case a second shot was needed.

  Next came the squeak of a door that’s hardly ever used opening. The first person to exit was our drunk witch. Right behind her was the wolf, dressed in a black hoodie and jeans. As Rosette came clear of the door, the rifle fired off. The shot was true, but the wolf was ready and ducked out of the way.

  I wasted no time. I lined up a few shots of my own, avoiding Rosette in the process, but the wolf was fast. A lot faster than any wolf I’d seen in a good long time.

  “Bullets are not working; we need to get down there!” Liz hopped off the roof and I followed. When she landed, she took off in his direction.

  He was sprinting fast down the alley but came to a sudden stop. Gregory had cut him off. “Going somewhere on this fine evening?”

  The wolf turned around and looked at us. He pointed directly at me. “Victor Inglewood! He said I’d get my revenge!”

  It all came together, the sound of his voice, the smell. “Kano?”

  He lowered his hood and yeah it was him. His features had gone feral, teeth permanently razor sharp and the yellowing of his eyes. “Do you see what I’ve become after you disgraced me? My actions are on you Victor!”

  “What the hell are you doing here?” I cocked the gun at him. “You’re family, but I will kill you.”

  He howled at the moon. “No, you won’t. Pan has released the real me. I’m no longer the Omega you left me to be; I am the Alpha of a new breed!”

  With a quick movement, he grabbed the gun out of Gregory’s hand and snapped it in two. I fired off two quick shots, but his movements were too quick.

  “As much as I’d like to play with the three of you, I’ve got to report to Pan you idiots brought him his witch!” He jumped, high, and landed on the roof beside us. His scent moved fast, there was no way we’d catch up.

  Jonathan had Rosette and they made their way to us. “Did you catch him?”

  I kicked the ground is disgust. “No, the bastard got away! Pan must’ve done something to him.”

  “The wolf is Victor’s cousin, Kano.” Liz came over to me. “There is no reason to get down on yourself.”

  “Yeah there is. He should’ve never left here alive tonight. I failed; I tried to talk to him instead of act.”

  Gregory was picking up the pieces of the sniper rifle. “Whatever happened to that wolf, he is going to be trouble. Plus, Pan will soon know that Rosette is here.”

  There wasn’t much left to do here. “Let’s just get home. I’m sure Rod’s going to be pissed at all of us tomorrow.”

  As if the night couldn’t get any worse, Rosette picked that moment to lean over and throw up all over my shoes. It was all I could do not to scream every profane word I knew at the moon.

  Chapter 15

  **Warren Tucker**

  The werewolf had returned from another one of his hunting trips. This time, he seemed more excited than normal. “Where is Pan? I bring good news!”

  “Judas old chap! You’re not covered in blood which is an improvement!” Pan walked out of the shadows along the wall.

  His boyish charm gave way to the most sadistic creature I’d ever met. He made Fortuna seem tame. “I assume you’ve discovered something valuable, or else you’d be out gorging yourself on humans.”

  The werewolf broke into a hideous grin. “I can confirm the witch is in London. She was under guard by three elder vampires and the freak wolf from my old pack.”

  “Well done Judas, well done! Our master will be most excited to hear this. You deserve a puppy snack.” Even with his blatant disrespect of the werewolf, Pan reached into his pocket and tossed him a vial of blood. “Wash down your scraps with that, courtesy of our master.”

  He turned to the other boys lounging in the room. “You all know what this means? It’s time to go out and play in the city!”

  The Lost Boys started cheering at his announcement. The largest, Mark, even slammed his large mallet into the ground.

  Pan turned his attention to me. “Ahh Warren, how goes the translation? I take it a man of your skill has almost cracked it?”

  “I am almost there sire; another night or two and I will have it deciphered.” I frowned a bit. “I’m still unsure of my usefulness though? Surely our master could read this, no?”

  Tossing his knife into the air and catching it, “Don’t know, and don’t care. He gave me that task to pass on to you.”

  I lowered my eyes back to the parchment. “Very well, I will continue my work then.”

  “Nonsense!” He slammed him knife into the table I was at. “Tonight we celebrate Judas’s discovery! Come Warren, let loose a little bit! Tonight we all drink!”

  I got up knowing full well that ton
ight quite a few unfortunate humans were going to die. It was too late for me, but that did not mean I enjoyed what I had to do. As I followed Pan out, I asked the Lord for forgiveness and to bring this nightmare to an end.

  **Vic**

  “Ten humans dead! Ten! I cannot keep the human police blind forever!” Rod was all worked up. “And then I find out you used the witch as bait to try and catch a werewolf?”

  Not helping our matters was the witch who was either still drunk or massively hung over. At some point during the night, her fingers started sparking and none of us knew how to handle that.

  “Roderick, I understand your upset, but a werewolf eating humans cannot be allowed to live!”

  His face turned red, “Do not tell me what I can and cannot allow in my city Elizabeth! And you, Jonathan, how dare you go along with this!” His eyes almost bugged out of his head looking at Liz’s brother.

  Rod walked around the table, his steps heavy with anger. I knew Liz said he was a close friend and an important part of her life, but I thought he was an asshole. “The plan worked. The wolf is named Kano; he’s from my pack in New Mexico. How he got in with Pan is beyond me.”

  “Then by all means inspector, go take care of your problem. The rest of you will deal with the actual problems I brought you here for.” With that, he stormed out of the room and left all of us feeling pretty crappy.

  John got up and walked to the head of the table. “I am deeply sorry for what has occurred. This is my fault and I take full responsibility.”

  “Jonathan, we need to talk, alone.” Liz stood up and walked out the room. Jonathan followed, unsure what his sister wanted.

  “Welcome to London, huh Gregory?”

  “I have known Roderick a long time. Something definitely has him spooked or worse. Whatever that could be is affecting his actions.”

  I looked at the heavy wooden door Liz and John just exited through. “You think that’s what they’re talking about?”

  “Most assured it is. With everything else happening, we do not need questions or doubts coming from the top.”

  Rosette was still in her stupor, not even listening to us. “I don’t like that she’s here. We’re playing right into our enemies’ hand.”

  “Your fellow wolf sure seemed very excited about seeing her. Unfortunately it just leads to more questions. How did he know who she was? Is someone passing along inside information?”

  It was too early for a beer, but I would’ve taken one if I had the chance. “I think we can go ahead and chalk up a traitor in the midst. Unlike last time, I think this one is one of ours.”

  Gregory was there for the whole Baron Forte fiasco. He was just as surprised as anyone to see a long dead vampire walking with the living. “You are thinking Roderick is the leak, do you not?”

  “He sure seems as likely as they come. It was his idea to bring the witch and his attitude doesn’t help alleviate that feeling.”

  “You must trust me on this one Victor, Roderick would never sell us out. Something is wrong with him, that much I will agree. Traitor though? I cannot imagine.”

  I wish I had Gregory’s faith in the old vampire, but I didn’t. “If it’s all good with you, the only people I’m going to trust are you and Liz.”

  “Thank you for your trust in me. We will get to the bottom of this; after all we have dealt with worse.”

  The door opened back up and Liz and John came back in. “Sorry, my brother and I had some business to discuss.” She looked at me, “Do not ask right now, but we shall have a chance to talk as well.”

  “What are we going to do with her?” With my thumb I gestured in Rosette’s direction.

  “I shall put her in one of the guest rooms in the house. Roderick will be back at some point to question her, so until he does she will not leave the premises. As for the rest of you, I am sure you are hungry. There is food in the kitchen as well as blood for you, sister, and Gregory.”

  John walked over and lifted Rosette up. It was like she weighed nothing, the way he carried her in one arm. With one final look of ‘I’m sorry,’ he left.

  “I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m starving.”

  Liz gave me a funny look. “Yes, let us head to the kitchen. I am sure you will find something to eat.”

  Liz led the way and the three of us walked down in silence. Something was off again, a common theme in London apparently. When we entered the kitchen, Liz checked to make sure we were alone and then closed the door.

  “I am sorry Vic, Gregory, but the walls have ears in this place. We need to use the utmost in discretion.”

  Wasn’t this her brother’s place? “You think Jonathan is spying on us?”

  “I do not know if it is my brother, but also remember Roderick has had access to this residence for hundreds of years.”

  I looked over at Gregory, triumphantly. “You think he’s up to something too, don’t you?”

  “I do not want to speculate until we can get more answers. Until further notice, the kitchen will be are meeting area for our new assignment.”

  Gregory gave the kitchen the once over. “Are you sure we are safe to talk openly here?”

  “Until Victor came along, the only use the kitchen had been for the few humans who worked for Jonathan. As you can see, even they are no longer here. No, I think we are safe here.”

  It was most definitely curious how an operation this large had a small staff. It made sense for us in Phoenix; the American Southwest wasn’t exactly a hotbed of action. We definitely had our fill, but we also were close enough to a number of different territories to call in help. Here in London, we seemed pretty much stranded with what we had.

  It was time to get down to business. “What’s this new assignment Liz?”

  “We need to dig deep and find out what has been going on over here. Once we figure out how the threads are connected, we can see who they lead back to.”

  I liked the sounds of that. “How do you reckon we go about that?”

  “It will not be easy, but we start with the leads we have and go from there. I will do my best to get into Jonathan’s library and see if there are any secrets there.”

  “I don’t know if it’ll help, but that girl I ran into at the one crime scene was suspicious of supernatural involvement.” I gave Gregory a pat on the shoulder, “Let me take this one, I think they’d get along famously.”

  “Wait, Victor, what are you getting me involved in?” To think, a thousand year old vampire was scared.

  Call me crazy, but I thought my girl Rissa would enjoy the sight of my pal Gregory. Few people could pull of the look he did as well as he did and make it look genuine.

  “Don’t you worry about a thing. We just need to get her to open up about why she even thinks our kind is involved.”

  Liz had a wry smile on her face. “Are you sure about this? You are not doing this for some sort of amusement are you?”

  “Me? Never. The thought never crossed my mind. If you got a better lead for us to follow, I’m all ears though.”

  She didn’t. “Unfortunately as weak of this is, right now there is nothing better to follow up on.”

  “Before we go, let’s all eat a bit. I don’t know about you two models, but this guy needs some food in him.”

  While the two vampires popped open the fridge and got some blood out, I went to the freezer and found bacon. Someone had been informed about what I liked. Grabbing a few eggs and some bread, I went about getting myself a sandwich made.

  I tell ya, I don’t even know how vampires live. I’ve seen Liz eat a few things here and there, but never anything good. If I couldn’t have cooked meat and all its goodness, I’d just give up on the spot. I’m pretty sure they were questioning my choices as they looked on as I downed the sandwich.

  Swallowing the last bite, “So who’s ready for an adventure?”

  Poor Gregory looked so defeated. “I guess I am.”

  “Great! So Liz, where’re the cars kept? I need myself a
fancy ride today.”

  Gregory looked on in horror. “You cannot give him a car! He will get us killed!”

  I was the most carful driver in the group. Did he forget just how terrible a driver Liz was? Maybe he never had that life experience. Or maybe he was making point of everything over here was ass backwards.

  “Lighten up pops. I’ve seen enough of this town to know what side of the road to drive on.”

  Liz pointed to a door at the back of the kitchen. “Do try to be careful. Jonathan may actually harm you if you wreck one of his cars.”

  “Careful is my middle name.”

  Chapter 16

  We pulled up to the night club where Rissa worked. The place was closed due to the time of day, but I had a hunch she’d be here. “Come on Gregory, no time like the present.”

  “You still have not told me who we are meeting.”

  “Of course I did; a potential lead and someone who I think we can trust.”

  Exiting the vintage Aston Martin that I borrowed from John, we made our way over to the entrance of the club. Inside was dark, but I saw a figure moving around over by the bar. I gave it a good knock and waited.

  “Victor, are you sure your informant is even here?”

  I was appalled. “The nose never lies.”

  The door opened and it was Rissa. Today she wasn’t quite of Goth-like as she was the first time I met her, but she still would stand out anywhere. Her eyes opened in surprise when she saw me and she pulled me into a hug. “Victor! You’re back!”

  “Course I am. I told you I’d stay on this case as long as it’s needed. Emily will see justice.”

  Once she let go, her eyes went to Gregory. “I didn’t know you had friends helping.” She quickly broke eye contact and started to blush.

  Am I good or what? Unfortunately my boy Gregory also seemed love struck. When I looked over at him, the idiot was looking at his feet like they were going to do a trick. “This is a friend of mine from America, Gregory. He specializes in certain cases and this one falls into that category. Gregory, this is Rissa.”