Something about the way she spoke sounded like a challenge or a warning. I glanced at Kat, then Edgar, seeing calm faces, but getting agitated vibes from them both. I turned to Nick, and he shook his head. Peering around at our guards, I saw tense bodies and ticking jaws. This is going to be a long night…
Chapter 9
“Where do you think she got Thing One and Thing Two from, a crack house?” I whispered to Kat low enough so only her vampire hearing would pick it up.
“I don’t know,” she whispered back, eyeing Cassandra’s witch, Hershel, across the long distance in the back of the limousine.
He sat squished between two overgrown men with his eyes closed and his face slack. I had my doubts about the presence of any shielding. Nick had planted himself so close, he practically crushed my knee with his. It took everything I had to not smile like a madwoman. I just wasn’t used to this kind of attention from a man.
We’d ‘purchased’ several different brands of burner phones and spent a good portion of the next few hours activating them. Each number had to be programmed into each phone, in case we had to dump one or more. Time-consuming and tedious, the task at least filled the time and provided a distraction from the suspicious men occupying the car with us.
With a phone tucked into each pocket and extras stowed away in our duffel bags, we settled in for the remainder of the drive. I’d been designated V-5, Kat V-3, Nick W-3, and Elena W-4. We didn’t share our numbers with Cassandra’s people, and they didn’t ask.
The last hour of the drive should’ve been done in ATVs, or SUVs at the very least. I had no idea how the limousines made it through the muddy, rocky, narrow mountain roads. It’s a good thing my new body was more durable because I think I bashed my head a hundred times bouncing around those roads. I accidentally-on-purpose landed on Nick or in his lap a few times, and he grinned each time.
With Kat so close, I definitely didn’t have much more than a physical attraction to him, no metaphysical connection. I hoped to live long enough to feel what he felt. Honestly, I’d be happy to get more than the faint, constant electrical pulse that flowed between her and I. I needed to learn how to block her out, ASAP.
“We’re here,” one of the gruff guards said as we bounced to a stop.
They pulled the witch out of the car. He hung limply between the two pissed-off looking guards.
“Stay here while I check it out.” Nick held his hand up and gestured for Elena to crouch in the middle of the car.
Kat searched out her window. I assumed she worried for Edgar’s safety. My eyes followed Nick as he and Chima spoke to George and Bull. After lots of serious stares and nods, Nick returned.
“It’s safe,” he said, poking his head inside. “Bull’s had his men fixing up the main hall for our group and the witches to have a central location. We’ll occupy the two upper floors while the witches remain on the first floor.” He scowled at that.
“Is that a problem?” I glanced at the three of them, confused.
“It doesn’t make for the best escape if we have to fight our way out from an upper floor.” Elena frowned at me, worry etched in her beautiful brown eyes.
“If I have to blow my way out, I will,” I said, then blushed as my mind fell into the gutter with what I’d said. “I mean, uh, you know. With my power, I’ll clear the way for us to get out.”
Kat smirked at me as she moved to exit the car. Elena let her pass, laughing under her breath as she peered at me over her shoulder. I shook my head and pushed my way out of the limousine, brushing up against Nick where he held the door open.
“There isn’t much for privacy here,” he murmured as I stood mere inches away, “but maybe we can get away for a little while.”
“I… I’d like that,” I whispered, staring into those pale blue orbs.
A throat clearing startled me. I jumped and stepped out of Elena’s way, smooshing right into Nick’s firm body. My hand landed on his hard abs, and I gulped, hard.
It took me a moment to realize that I was sandwiched between my personal guards. Elena had stopped as well, standing maybe an inch away from my back, her breath tickling my ear. Nick’s eyes grabbed mine again, and I struggled to fill my lungs with air.
An uncontrollable urge made me lean my upper back against the woman behind me while keeping the rest of my body pressed against the man in front of me. Elena’s heavy breathing ruffled the hair behind my ear, and her hand grazed my hip as Nick pressed his groin gently against mine. The moment lasted an eternity, and I didn’t want it to ever end.
“Mercy!” Kat’s sharp tone ripped right through me. I spun to face her as Nick and Elena stepped away, giving me breathing room.
“What?” I snapped, my patience worn too thin.
She cocked an eyebrow, her narrowed eyes taking in the three of us. “Edgar’s waiting.” With that, she spun on her heel and stalked away.
“Uh, yeah. We should go.” I shuffled after her, too embarrassed to look behind me. Maybe not the best idea to get involved with both my personal guards.
Chapter 10
Walking through the camp, I kept my head down, letting the angry pull of our blood bond lead me to my sire. Men and women stared as I passed, the silence deafening. First impressions. Gotta love ‘em. Not!
As I approached the stairs to what appeared to be an over-sized log cabin, I stopped to take a deep, steadying breath. Who knew what I’d be walking into, especially with Kat’s unpredictable mood swings that tended to knock me on my ass.
Gritting my teeth and gathering all my strength, I stomped up the short stairs to the full porch, gazing wistfully at the swinging bench. The smell of pine and earth bolstered me as the sounds of construction filled my ears.
Nick rushed forward to open the door for me. What a gentleman. I held back a swoon, smiled, and entered unknown territory.
As usual, Benjamin watched me with a crooked grin and laughing eyes. The clan waited around an expansive, hand-crafted wooden table. Someone had cleaned and polished it until it shined. A few dusty, tattered chairs were stacked against a wall near an open door that led to a kitchen. Chima stood behind Edgar, and Isabel blocked a door opposite the one we’d entered.
Nick stationed himself at the entrance while Elena veered off to stand by a set of stairs on the other side of a sparse sitting area.
“Thank you for joining us, Mercy,” Edgar said, the ire in his voice rolling down the blood bond we share with Kat.
“Instead of eye-fucking your guards, how about you turn your attention to what’s important? Your clan.” Kat tapped a pointed toe, arms crossed under her breasts with her hands gripping her arms so tight her knuckles turned white.
I stopped halfway to the table and balked at her. Danielle let out a little gasp, and Julius mewed his disapproval. Edgar did a slow blink, looking down at the table, and Benjamin frowned, the tips of his fingers faintly glowing.
With my jaw clenched achingly tight, I traversed the remaining gap, halting a foot away from the table out of Kat’s reach. “I was not eye— You know what, never mind. I’m here.” I glared at my sire, our eyes locked on each other’s, biting anger snapping along our wide-open connection.
Edgar cleared his throat. “Chima. Would you please…?”
“Yes, sir.” The ebony guard took two precise steps forward, flanking our clan leader. “Bull has cleared out the upper floors for us. I’ve called in more of my pack to supplement our team here. Unfortunately, the witches will also be occupying this building, since it is central to the camp and the best place for them to feed power to the wards and shielding.”
“Why do you say ‘unfortunately’?” Danielle asked, her brow stitched in confusion.
“Most of the witches are from Cassandra’s coven. I assume you’ve all felt the same unease as I have.” He glanced around at our nodding heads. “Something’s not right with those two she picked up during our shopping trip. I can’t say for sure what her intentions are beyond protecting us, but I’d rather be prepared
.”
“Julius and I know many of the Bellingham witches,” Danielle said. “We’ll contact them and ask them to assist. That way we have better odds with the witches.”
“What about Bull and his pack?” Benjamin asked.
“Bull has been quite gracious,” Edgar said, interjecting. “While Cassandra’s intentions are questionable, I believe the werewolf leader is sincere in his. They are an unlikely pair, but as they say, ‘Beggars can’t be choosers.’ We’re all trying to protect ourselves and our families from Rowena and her men. I will be joining Cassandra in rounding up more Kin over the next few days. We need to look out for the supernatural community as well as bring up our numbers here, in case the hunters find us.”
“I’ll be taking a team to scout the town at the bottom of the mountain,” Kat said, her voice still edgy with irritation. “Obviously, Mercy will be with me. We’ll take some of the shifters with us.”
“Julius,” Chima said, “we could use your cat skills in watching the activities around the camp. Look out for anything that appears shady, especially with the witches. Get an idea of who’s staying in which cabins, stuff like that.”
“Absolutely.” Julius nodded once.
“Danielle, would you mind reading the energies throughout the day,” Chima asked, “and let me or Isabel know if you encounter anything unusual?”
“Sure,” she replied, “where should I be? I’d rather not be alone if Julius is going to be out prowling.”
“Benjamin and I will keep you company, my dear.” Edgar smiled warmly. “We’ll get our rooms ready after we get you comfortable on the top floor. You should get better reception up there, yes?”
“Yes. I should have a bit better range higher up.”
“As I was saying about the witches,” Chima said, “they’ll be occupying this bottom floor, and they’ll have their guards as well, which is why I want more of my team to mix among theirs. Nick and Elena will be with Mercy and Kat while Isabel and I stay with the clan here. One of us will be stationed on the first landing of the stairs at all times, until my reinforcements arrive. Julius, you’re on your own out there among the wolves and witches.”
“Not a problem, I assure you.” Julius grinned, taking Danielle’s hand when she made a little worried sound. “I am quite adept at climbing trees, and we are in a forest.”
“That won’t protect you if the witches start throwing energy balls.” Danielle stared up at him with a trembling lip.
Julius took her face in his hand, caressing her cheek with his thumb. “No need to worry, my love. I’m just a curious cat, and they won’t think anything more if they see me at all.”
She leaned into him, snuggling under his protective arm. I sighed deeply, envious of the obvious depth of love these two shared. My eyes strayed over my shoulder, taking in the strong features, watchful blue eyes, and lean, muscular body of my new suitor. Do people say that anymore? Suitor? Gah, I feel old, well, maybe not so old in this group. I bet they all say ‘suitor’ and ‘courting’ and stuff like that.
With a wistful sigh and a little smile, I turned back to my clan to find Kat glaring at me and Benjamin grinning like a mad man. My eyelids sunk and I resigned myself to walking the razor-sharp edge of my sire’s mood swings.
Chapter 11
Edgar walked me and Kat out while Benjamin and Julius took Danielle upstairs. A childish part of me hoped I didn’t get stuck with the worst room in the house, or some sort of bunkbed deal. Ugh!
Bull bounded up the stairs and met us on the porch. “You all getting settled in okay?” He shook Edgar’s proffered hand.
“We are. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. What can we do to return the favor? Do you need more hands on the repairs?”
“Oh, naw.” Bull waved away the offer with his tattooed hand. “My men got this. You all just make yourselves at home. Cassie and her witches are setting the wards now. She says the full shield should be up by this evening.”
“Wonderful.” Edgar clapped a hand on Bull’s shoulder. “Please let us know if you need any help. I believe Kat was just on her way to find you.”
Bull turned his full attention to her, a genial smile on his open face.
Kat crossed her arms but kept a pleasant smile on her face. “I would like to take a team down the mountain to scout for hunters, supplies, and possible donors.”
“Well, we got the supplies and donors handled,” Bull said. “My second-in-command will be arriving soon with all the donors from the bar, plus a few more volunteers we vetted from our website. No worries there.”
“Great,” Kat said, not sounding all that happy. “We still need to scout the town for hunters.”
“No problem,” he said. “I’ll pull a couple guys for you. Once the rest of my pack is here, we can leave a few bodies to keep an eye on the town.”
“That would be good. Send me your fastest runners, if you can, please. There isn’t much night left, and we can’t drive down the mountain.”
Bull gave her a sharp salute and took off down the stairs, disappearing in the rows of cabins. Kat gave Edgar a peck on the cheek and a stiff gesture to my guards. We tromped down the stairs, along a stone path to the road, and waited at the edge of the tree-line.
None of us spoke. The only sounds that reached us at the entrance to the camp were the echoing thuds of hammering and the noise of the woods behind us. I studiously avoided looking at either Nick or Elena, fearing Kat might blow her top if she thought I wasn’t giving her mission my full attention.
Three guys, all in band T-shirts, frayed jeans, biker boots, and matching patch-covered leather vests, ran up to us at full speed. Instinctively, I leaned back, ready to jump out of their collision course, but they all stopped on a dime three feet in front of us.
The taller middle guy stepped up to Kat with a lazy grin and layer of fine sawdust coating his skin. She cocked an eyebrow and pinched her lips, watching him like the prey he wasn’t.
“I’m Joseph.” He tapped his chest, then pointed at the men behind him. “This is Speedy and Gonzales—”
I nearly choked on my own tongue laughing so hard, doubled over at the waist. “You… you’ve got to be fucking kidding me!” Nick delivered a hard thump to my back. I stood, gasping and chuckling. One glance at Kat shut me up, though.
Joseph watched us with a wide grin and a twinkle in his brown eyes. “They’re our fastest runners, besides me. His names Juan Gonzales, and Steven here earned his nickname in a pack race.”
“You don’t look like sombrero-wearing mice.” My cheeks hurt from my big smile and trying not to laugh.
“Ándale,” Kat said tersely, no traces of amusement on her face, and took off running through the woods. Did she just quote a cartoon mouse?
“Oh, shit!” Joseph dodged after her, Speedy and Gonzales on his heels.
Nick and Elena watched me, their bodies stiff and their muscles jumping in anticipation.
“You heard her,” I said, dashing for the trees.
My two guards kept pace with me as I wove through the thick forest, following the blood bond. Kat slowed enough for me to catch up to her, but shot forward before I could reach her side. The werewolves were spread out ahead of her in an arrow formation.
Reveling in the exhilaration of pushing my new body to do something my old body had been so incapable of doing, I pushed myself to run faster, my hair cascading behind me. We ran quiet, bounding over logs, and dodging trees. The men ahead of us spoke to each other, but they did it at normal volume, their garbled words whispering in my ears.
“Hey,” Kat said in a slightly raised voice.
The men dropped back to her side, Joseph less than a foot ahead of her.
“Spread out,” she said. “Let’s come at the town from every side. We’ll meet in the middle but stay out of sight. Once we’ve cleared the town, disperse, and reconvene in the woods on the other side of the road. If we miss a hunter, I don’t want them to see which direction the camp is.”
“D
on’t worry,” Joseph said. “They won’t see a thing.” He winked at her, nodded to his men, and disappeared into the dark night.
“Kat, we can’t leave you or Mercy,” Nick said. “Our orders—”
“Fine,” she barked, “you come with me. Elena can go with her. Stay together, but keep your eyes on the town. Got it?”
Nick scowled but gave her a quick nod. Elena muttered her agreement
“What about the bond?” I asked, shifting from foot to foot. “Don’t we need to stay close to each other?”
Kat narrowed her eyes, chewing on her bottom lip. “Nick and I can spread out a bit, so I don’t get too far away from you.” She paused a moment, her eyes looking off in the distance. I felt a hint of concern and curiosity along our bond. With a sigh, she wrapped her fingers around Nick’s arm, and they faded into the dark.
Without a word between us, Elena and I ran as fast as I could go, pacing each other like two joggers in the park. For a moment, I considered trying to gain speed by using my air power to propel me but nixed the idea. If I used up all my energy, then needed it in town, Kat would never let me hear the end of it.
As we veered to one side of the town, Elena motioned for me to stop at the tree-line. We crouched on the edge, looking down at the little town at the base of the mountain. Streetlights, a couple all-night gas stations, and a few houses glowed in the distance.
It still surprised me how well I could see with my enhanced vision. The houses on the town border were just as clear as if I were standing within a few feet of them. I pondered Elena’s werewolf vision, but before I could ask, she tapped my arm and jerked her head to the side.
I nodded as she pulled me up and forward, running inside the shadows of the forest. The moon hung low over the town, a bright half-circle spotlight. Its beam filtered between the trees, stealing our cover all too soon.
Elena ducked down behind a tree. I followed her lead, leaning against rough bark, and watching her watch the sky. The skin of my upper arm stuck to gooey tree sap. Ew!
Moving Day (Vamp Tales Book 3) Page 4