True Nature

by Neely Powell

  “Is the boy dark haired and blue eyed?”

  I nodded as the boy kicked Hunter.

  “I think he wants to kill Hunter.”

  “I’m sure he does. That’s Michael Killin’s youngest son, Garth. No doubt he’s pumped with hatred and rage to keep the family’s quest going.”

  I winced as Hunter jerked from the pummeling by the boy.

  Evan kept stroking the tops of my fingers with his thumb. “Slowly back away from Hunter. I know it’s hard, but we need to find where he is.”

  Hunter groaned as the boy kicked him in the groin. I raised my eyes to the area above Hunter and saw a huge ceiling lined with ducts and machinery.

  “It must be a manufacturing plant.” Anxiety made my voice rise and my body tense.

  “We’re on the right track. Don’t worry. Describe what you’re seeing.”

  Hunter pressed against the big pole, anger was slowly replacing pain. As his thoughts cleared, I saw more of his surroundings.

  Fluorescent lights hung from a tall, open ceiling. Two men watched the scene with Hunter and the boy. They both held guns.

  “Two men guarding with rifles.”

  “That’s good. Keep looking.”

  “Another putting things from a black case on a table.”

  Though Evan’s touch on my hand never wavered, I sensed his fear. “No problems, Zoe. Just keep telling me what you see. You’re doing great.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut to lock onto Hunter as my vision moved outside the building. I was flying above the industrial park and I could see our vehicle below.

  “Stop! He’s over there.” I pointed to a dark hulk of a building not too far away.

  The walls were solid concrete. No light showed through windows. A row of empty cargo bays faced us. There was no way to discern any activity inside, but I knew Hunter was there. “Cut the lights.”

  He did and was immediately back on his cell, giving coordinates for others to meet us. I felt like I’d awoken from a deep sleep. I got out of the car while Evan removed extra ammunition and body armor. I wasn’t surprised when two men in full cammo gear walked out of the darkness.

  “There’s a single door on the back side in the middle of the cargo bays,” the taller man said, his accent Scottish. “That should be our point of entry.”

  “Zoe, meet Paul and David. They’re going to help us get Hunter. You can trust them like you can trust me.”

  Evan reached inside the SUV again and pulled out a savage-looking crossbow. He checked it, slung a tube of arrows over his shoulder, and shut the door.

  Seeing my face, he said, “Arrows make less noise and do more damage.”

  Paul and David had their own bows in hand, and rifles slung over their shoulders.

  The snow was thicker, providing a buffer for our footsteps as we moved across the parking lot into the cargo bay and up concrete steps to a door. David worked on the lock for what seemed a long time, then he and Paul entered the building. They came back shortly.

  Paul signaled to go left so David went right, meaning Evan headed in at the center of the building through the machinery. He signaled for me to go between the machines to the left.

  The machinery was covered with grime and dust, and the floor was filthy. In the dim light Black grease was all around the green machines. Motor oil and the lingering stench of something I couldn’t identify filled the air.

  I stayed close to the equipment so I could scurry into an opening if someone came. The light increased inside the building. I slowed my pace. All it would take for discovery was one unexpected noise. I squatted beside a conveyor belt.

  My adrenalin kicked in when I saw one of the guards. I took measured breaths to calm down. We were in the right place. Hunter was nearby.

  The guy with the gun leaned against a metal desk and stared across the room. I hoped he was looking at Hunter.

  I needed to get out of the shadows. My goal was to free Hunter.

  Using another huge machine as a shield, I went to my right and saw the pole where Hunter was bound.

  I glimpsed Evan to the side. With a motion filled with grace and speed, he loaded his bow and fired. I jumped at the thump and watched the guy at the desk fall forward. There was a shout and a scuffle of feet. Seeing no obvious threat, I headed for the area near Hunter.

  A shot was fired to my left, but I didn’t stop. I came up against huge stacks of bales of soft white material. Moving slowly, with my gun in front of me, I leaned around the edge of a bale in front of Hunter.

  He looked unconscious, his head down, his body completely still. To my left, Evan and his men had overpowered the other guards and were disarming them. One of them opened his mouth to shout and got a pistol to the side of his head. That meant there were others nearby. I hurried, crouching, to Hunter.

  He opened his eyes and managed a weak grin. The heavy, thick rope was wrapped many times around his body, all the way to his knees.

  “Anybody got a knife?” I muttered.

  Paul pulled a hunting knife out of his pack and slid it across the floor. He and David were putting plastic ties on the wrists and ankles of their captives. The third guard lay in front the desk, his blood pooling.

  “Are you okay?” I asked Hunter.

  “My body feels like it’s been slammed with a truck. They drugged me. I can’t shift. My hands and feet are tingling, but that’s probably because the rope is so tight.”

  “We’re going to fix that.” I sawed through the rope around his feet.

  The knife was extremely sharp, but it was slow going. My hands shook from the effort. I freed his knees and was moving to his waist when a yell came out of the darkness. Something slammed me onto the concrete, and the knife skidded across the floor.

  Before I could get my breath and turn over, blows rained down on my back. I struggled to breathe but couldn’t get in any air. I pushed with all my strength to get to my knees and shake off my attacker.

  In the next instant he was gone, and I was gasping for breath. I turned to find Evan holding a wriggling boy—Killin’s son. “Let me go,” he said through gritted teeth. “My father will kill you if you hurt me.”

  Evan clamped his arms tightly around the boy until he was still. “I’m not going to hurt you, but I’m not going to let you hurt Zoe either.”

  I was still prone but pulling in huge gasps of air.

  Paul and David were fighting with more guards.

  “Zoe, get the knife!” Hunter yelled.

  I stumbled to my feet and finally found the knife in a pile of dust and grime. I rushed back to Hunter.

  I don’t know what Evan did, but the boy was out cold. Evan restrained him and was helping Paul and David take the other men.

  I worked on the rope again. The knife was cutting the rope, but I was tired. I thought I would pass out at any moment.

  “Slow down.” Evan brushed debris from my hair and put palm against my cheek. “Relax. Take slow, even breaths. You’re okay now. All you need to do is breathe normally.”

  I didn’t realize Evan was there until he touched my face. He took the knife from me.

  We both jerked as a roar echoed through the building. It was like no sound I’d ever heard before. I thought of all the people I’d seen through the years, numb with shock as they said, “It sounded like a train was coming through our house,” to describe a tornado.

  Still, that was exactly what it sounded like—a huge train barreling through the building.

  But it wasn’t a train, it was a man…and it wasn’t a man. He stood beside the desk where the boy lay and changed.

  I had seen Hunter shift, and it was a fascinating, exciting experience. This change was extraordinary.

  Evan said Killin could shift in the twinkling of an eye. He didn’t exaggerate.

  When his metamorphosis was complete, Killin raised arms that were now huge lion’s paws with every claw extended. The shaggy mane covered his upper body. His face was pure enraged lion. Killin’s clothes were in shreds. His
thighs were twice their normal size, though his legs and ankles had remained human. He leaned into a pouncing stance, his body aimed at Hunter as he bared teeth that were long, yellow, and sharp. All this happened in seconds. No one moved.

  I wanted to run, but I was mesmerized by the sight of him.

  Evan frantically sawed at the rope. Hunter was moving, struggling to free his arms. I could tell from his red face and his heightened breathing he was beginning his own change. He sprang free of the ropes and let out a feral roar as he became a Bengal tiger.

  Evan dragged me away from the open area where Hunter and Killin faced each other. Paul and David were standing with their bows ready, but they made no move to help Hunter.

  I struggled to get free. “Why aren’t they shooting?”

  “There’s nothing we can do,” Evan said.

  “You can shoot Killin. I can.”

  I wrenched away, grabbing for my gun, but Evan was too fast and strong. He took my gun away and held me back. “This is to avenge Fraser. We can only watch.”

  I muttered, “Stupid machismo,” and struggled against arms like bands of steel.

  Lions and tigers are seldom in the same territory. So it’s almost geographically impossible for them to fight.

  What would happen here? The two beasts faced off like heavyweight champions. How much of their human tendencies remained when they were using their second nature. Did they think like humans or cats?

  Killin was sure of himself, waiting. Hunter fidgeted, moving from side to side with teeth bared, his growl rumbling low in his chest. Killin pounced first, and the two big cats grabbed each other around their necks. They hung on, claws digging, as they rolled around the floor. Then, as quickly as they had moved together, they separated and growled. Blood splattered the floor, and I groaned. Hunter was going to die and I had to watch.

  What could I do to stop two wild animals determined to kill each other?

  They circled one another. Crimson ran in streaks as their claws slashed and they pounced again and again. Cats were known for prolonging the kill. This went on for several minutes.

  Hunter walked away and Killin buried his claws into Hunter’s flank. Hunter howled and used all his strength to shake the other cat loose.

  Rising up on his back feet, Hunter roared and lunged, his entire body slamming Killin back. While Killin was sprawled, Hunter bit into his groin.

  Killin pushed and howled. Hunter didn’t let go. Killin’s human legs failed him. For the first time, I thought Hunter might survive.

  Another half-human flashed into view behind Hunter. I screamed a warning, but the new chimera latched onto Hunter’s back. I expected Killin to move in for an immediate kill, but instead, he abruptly turned and raced toward the door.

  I turned back to the fight in time to see Hunter pounce and throw the chimera to the floor. He clamped his teeth onto the cat’s neck. Blood gushed. There was another howl. And then silence.

  The chimera was dead.

  Hunter dropped the body, stepped up on it, and gave a roar that ricocheted off the walls like sonic boom.

  While I stood horrified, he pulled the carcass around, as if displaying a magnificent prize. Traditionally it’s believed the lion is the victor most often in these battles. Not today.

  I slumped to the floor. This animal was my best friend and I had just watched him fight to the death. There was nothing remotely human about him.

  How did we arrive at this special place in hell? I wondered.

  And where did we go from here?

  Chapter 27

  The blood tasted sweet.

  That was all Hunter could think as he roared his triumph toward Zoe and Evan. His heart pounded in his chest, and the exhilaration of victory flowed through him like a raging river. In all the years since he had learned what he was, he had never gotten used to killing. He had enjoyed hunting other animals and had killed by instinct, but he had never felt this sort of thrill.

  He had won.

  So why wouldn’t Zoe look at him?

  Slowly, he backed off from his kill. Weariness seeped around the edges of his excitement. The wounds on his flanks and the bruises on his ribs pulsed.

  With a low growl, he rested on his haunches. The sound brought Zoe’s head up. Hunter smelled her hesitation, her fear. The emotion startled him. In all these years, he had never frightened Zoe.

  He had to change now. He had never been so reluctant to become human again. But he had to become a man again—for Zoe.

  Through a veil of pain, he focused his gaze on her. Finally, she looked him in the eye. And he crossed over. A roar tore from his throat as his limbs melded into his first nature. He slumped to the floor, and the blood in his mouth turned bitter. His voice weakened to a moan. He could barely lift his head, but he forced himself to do so, to look once again at Zoe.

  Biting back a cry, she pulled away from Evan and ran to Hunter’s side. She dropped to the dirty, bloody floor and cradled his head in her lap. He could still sense her wariness, but above all, he felt her familiar, loving touch on his torn and throbbing flesh.

  “Oh, my God, Hunter. Oh my God,” she murmured.

  An odd sense of disappointment swept over him. Didn’t she realize he had won?

  After that, the pain almost knocked him out. Aside from his wounds, he was hungry. Starving. Vaguely, he heard Evan snapping orders. There were shouts and a sense of movement. The world turned black, and then became a swirling vision of white as he was carried into the night. Hunter was mostly aware of Zoe’s soothing voice and the empty, aching void in his gut.

  Maybe he passed out. He didn’t know where he was when hands pushed meat at him. He ate like a man who had never seen food before. He gulped water. Then he ate again.

  Gradually, the agony melted away. The gashes on his flanks stung as they began to tighten and heal. The pain that had knifed through his midsection ebbed.

  Wrapped in a blanket, he was able to able to hold himself upright as Evan and another man hustled him unnoticed from a car to the freight elevator in the parking garage of his apartment.

  Zoe was beside him as he was lowered to a bed. His bed. She brought warm, damp cloths to wash the worst of the blood and gore away. He slept.

  But in the deepest part of the night, Hunter awakened and knew Zoe wasn’t there. She had left his side. Most importantly, she was absent from his mind in a way that he could never remember before. She had not been so far from him since before that day back in middle school when they had outsmarted the bullies and had become partners. Even when he was taken away to the mountains to change for the first time, she had not felt so lost to him as she did now.

  He winced, raising a hand to his throbbing forehead. “But I won,” he muttered.

  A now familiar voice answered him. “You have to give her time.” Evan stepped up to his bedside and snapped on a lamp.

  Hunter blinked in the sudden light. He didn’t bother to pretend that Evan hadn’t read his mind.

  “Time for what?”

  “You killed a man in front of her,” Evan said.

  The truth of the matter rushed in. The memories were fresh. Hunter could feel how his teeth had cut through flesh. He smelled the stink of the chimera’s blood on his body. He sat up, and the room spun for a moment. But he couldn’t stop the surge of satisfaction that pushed aside his momentary horror at what he had done just hours ago.

  He looked at Evan. “I killed a monster.”

  “But some will say you are the same,” Evan replied. “What is your path? That’s the question your kind has always had to answer, each in his own time.”

  “My grandfather was not a monster.”

  “Aye.” Evan nodded. “But what will you be, Hunter MacRae? Especially if you have to do it without her?”

  Do without Zoe? The question shocked Hunter into silence.

  Chapter 28

  I rolled over again and flipped my pillow to the cool side for probably the fiftieth time. I couldn’t sleep because every
time I closed my eyes the scene of Hunter laying the bloody body in front of me came to mind. That was followed closely by the thought of Mandy’s gaping throat as she fell over like a rag doll in a careless heap. Blood, every time I closed my eyes all I saw was blood. I was afraid I might never sleep again.

  The clock said it was three in the morning, five minutes later than the last time I’d looked at it. I got out of bed and padded through the silent apartment to the living room. I wore one of Hunter’s T-shirts and a pair of huge sweat pants tied at the waist. I still felt chilled and grabbed a throw off the couch to wrap around my shoulders.

  The blinds had been left open. The magnificent lights of the Manhattan skyline lit the room. Another time I might have enjoyed it. Tonight it did nothing to ease my misery. There were no “normal” days anymore. I had been constantly tense and afraid ever since the night we had found the body behind the office.

  Rubbing my face, I heaved a great sigh. I looked at the familiar surroundings and wondered how everything could be the same and still be different. I went to the kitchen and gazed in the refrigerator for a few seconds but found nothing to rouse my interest. In the cabinet, I discovered Hunter’s stash of Nutter Butter cookies, a weakness we both shared. Pouring myself a glass of milk, I took the cookies to the living room and sat in Hunter’s chair, staring out at the night.

  But my misery wasn’t going anywhere. I was at a crossroads. I needed to decide which way to go but I’d left my directions at home. Depression settled back on my shoulders and the cookie lost its flavor.

  I slipped to floor and took the lotus position in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows. The rug was soft against my feet. Probably worth as much as my house, I thought as I worked my muscles to hold my pose. I had never really been very good at yoga. So I relaxed and sat, Indian style, thinking.

  Hunter was an animal, capable of horrific acts I couldn’t fathom. I had always known that. But from now on, violence could be a part of his life at any time. Killing his enemy was his ultimate goal. Could I share that?