by W. J. May
I hated my father. He made my life miserable. He was never around, but he made sure everything in my life was impossible. He was testing me. If he wanted me dead, I’d already be gone. Now I had to feign failure. “I won’t,” I mumbled.
“What did you say?” Albert pressed loudly. He was a vampire, he heard me loud and clear.
“It won’t happen again.” I punched each word out like a bullet, loud and sharp.
“Fine.” He stacked his papers together against the antique wooden desk. “You’ll be given your new marks. Come forward.”
My head came up with a snap. Marks? I looked at Malcolm and we both made our way to the large desk. Hamish and Eddie stayed back, both obviously did not want to get close.
“You’ll be given separate assignments. If you both take care of your next marks, then you can join back in the circle. If not, you’ll be asked to leave.”
We both knew what that meant. Exile. Forced to be turned into a renegade. We would become that which we hunted now. An enemy to the coven.
Nodding, we accepted the large brown envelopes handed to each of us.
Without another word I turned and strode out of the room. Malcolm would be sent to go after Blair. I was positive of that. Stomping down the halls, I headed back to my apartment room, slamming the door behind me and leaving Eddie, who had followed me, standing in the hall.
I dumped the contents of the package out and spread it on the bed. Everything I needed would be here. Whatever the coven knew about the mark – or everything they wanted me to know.
Everything down to the wire. The mark’s natural being, their name, any information the government had on them, their criminal, medical, political history. Everything.
“Trent Alexander, what have you done to gain the dislike of the coven?” I sat down on the bed and stared at the information in the file, my eyes resting on the photos. One lay upside down. Picking it up, I turned it over and brought it closer to examine. Trent was a cutie with light brown hair and dark blue eyes. He looked out at the camera with a large smile.
“What is he?” Eddie asked from the other side of the door. He must’ve heard me mumble a moment ago.
“Werewolf.” I rolled my eyes, not wanting to admit I was glad he had waited. “Come in.”
Eddie came in and looked over my shoulder.
“He hasn’t turned yet,” I mentioned.
“You can tell?”
“Look at his eyes. You can tell he definitely hasn’t.”
“Really?” Eddie reached awkwardly for the photo, not completely sure what to do with human hands.
“That and the date in the bottom corner.”
“What?” Eddie’s eyebrows came up.
“File says he turned not long ago. That pic’s from two years back.”
I dropped my head down so my hair could cover my face and hide the smile sneaking through. Eddie scoffed but said nothing. I sorted through the rest of the photos, enjoying the handsome face, pushing it to memory. I went through the information one by one and read them to Eddie. Memorizing them to brain, we sat there for a couple hours making sure to get it all right.
Eddie whined and coughed to try and cover it.
“It’s fine, Eddie.” Other vamps hated Eddie, but they didn’t understand his ability and loyalty. His size, his teeth and his poison terrified the others. Especially if they threatened me. He could kill a vampire if he had to. He just never did.
Confident we knew everything we needed, I stuffed the files and extra clothes into an overnight bag before heading down the hall to fill another bag with weapons.
Eddie disappeared to shift and meet me outside.
I wanted to get this mark out of the way fast so there would be no older coven pain in the arses breathing down my neck.
As I put knives, weapons, and guns into the large duffle bag, I thought about the mark. Trent Alexander lived in a small town called Luray, in the mountains of Virginia. It probably wouldn’t be easy to find him. Having him already turned, he could easily slip into the mountains. Which would be hell trying to find him.
Outside, the cool spring air warned me of possible rain. Eddie stood waiting in the bed of my black truck. I unlocked the door and slipped inside. Trent was states away from me. It would take some time to get there as the coven was in the hidden mountains of Tennessee. These mountains I knew like the back of my hand, but the ones where I was going? Not so much. I could only hope I would be able to catch him without a run through the hills. If he turned out to be a brother, I would freakin’ find my father and kill him myself.
I carried my mother’s thin dagger sword. It was forged from ancient metal and blood. Always sharp, and deadly. That through his heart would stop his condescending nature toward his daughter – or should I say daughters now. Who knows how many others were out there?
* * *
Chapter 4
Hours later, just before sunrise, I parked at some off-name run-down motel. Checking in, I paid cash and ignored the gawking looks the owner gave me. It wouldn’t bother me to add a few more spaces between his already missing teeth. He closed the office door quickly when Eddie poked his large wolf head through the door and walked with me to the last room on the right.
Inside the dimly lit room I pulled the papers out of the envelope one more time and studied them. When I was done I slipped into the small bathroom and pulled out my sterling, antique lighter. I watched as one by one the papers went up into flames. Sighing, I turned back and left the bathroom trash can smoldering. I closed the thick wool curtain to the tiny room and settled into a chair, my feet on the seventies style table beside it. I let Eddie rest on the bed as I played with the lighter, flicking it on and blowing it out as I waited for sundown.
I went over all the information now stored in my head. Trent became more and more a target, not a person. Eddie growled in his sleep, his paws running after someone or something. I watched him and wondered how many fights he and I had been through, and how many more there would be.
I checked my watch. Not much longer. First, I needed to find out where Trent was. Probably work. When the sun set, Eddie and I left the crap-motel and made our way to the grill in town that the files mentioned he worked at.
“Stay,” I warned Eddie. He whined but hopped into the back bed of the truck and sat on his haunches. No one would come near the truck. He was a wolf, but could pass as one mean-looking dog. I glanced down at my clothes. Leather pants, black top, and the long leather jacket that looked like a cape from the back. Even in the heat, the clothes didn’t bother me. The jacket hid the weapons strapped to my back. I probably wouldn’t need them, but you never could be sure when it came to marks.
Sure enough, Trent was there busy bussing tables.
A waiter made his way to the booth beside mine and glanced my way. He stopped wiping the table and abruptly turned and walked away.
“What can I get you?”
Tearing my gaze from Trent, now behind the bar and glancing at me furiously, I looked up into a deep blue pair of eyes. They were remarkably dark, like sapphires. I had ocean blue eyes, what kind of creature could have eyes so blue? What in the hell was wrong with me? I didn’t gaze into someone’s eyes like that. I hunted. “Uh, beer... please.” Trent still stood behind the bar, now playing bartender.
“Tap or bottle?”
“Whatever.” I cleared my throat. “Tap... please.”
He stood there smiling, and then must have realized he was staring as he visibly shook himself. “Kilkenny?”
I nodded, not caring what it was.
He finally turned to go get the drink. Trent stood behind the bar but didn’t go near my waiter as he filled the pint glass. He came back carrying the frosted mug and set it in front of me. “Anything to eat?”
I could have eaten him at the moment. He smelled delicious. I ran my tongue over my lips. When was the last time I had fed directly off a human?
He stood waiting for me to answer.
The staring began
to irritate the hell out of me. I was here on business, not pleasure. I shook my head more emphatically than I had meant to. “Nothing.”
He nodded and walked away.
I couldn’t help but admire the way his derriere filled out his jeans. If I had more time I might have thought about sticking around a few hours, or an extra day, to have some fun. Shrugging it off, I redirected my attention in the direction of the back door now swinging. Crap! I silently cursed at myself. I had been made and now the mark was skittish and scared as hell. He was going to run. Trent popped his head into view and looked straight at me.
I laid money on the table with the half empty mug and calmly made my way back outside. My cutie of a waiter was nowhere to be found. I moved to the rear exit and slipped outside. With vampire speed I pressed my back flat against the brick building. The sun’s rays had left the bricks warm. Noise and whispered talking came from behind the end of the building. I crept soundlessly along the edge. A quick look, fast and observant, I peered around before settling back against the wall.
Trent stood there, but not on his own. Beside him was my sexy waiter. I crept as close to the edge without being detected. As I pulled a Glock from the holster on my hip, I realized I hadn’t checked for weapons. Too distracted by the damn hottie. I shook my head, annoyed at myself.
“Three days, Evan,” Trent whispered urgently. “You’ve got three days to find somewhere to go and hide. Where you won’t hurt anyone like I did.” He paused, probably looking around. “It’s not safe here, buddy. You have to go. I told you not to get involved. I told you.”
“What in the hell was I supposed to do?” Mr. Hottie didn’t bother trying to keep his voice down. “Let them kill you, Trent? You’re my damn brother.”
Ah, hell. Now I knew why he looked so familiar. The hot waiter was the mark’s brother. Great. Now I had two to deal with. By the way things were going, it wasn’t going good for either brother. I shrugged. Not my fault. I’m just doing my job.
“Yes,” Trent hissed. “We’ve known a long time what we were. When they killed mom and dad we understood we’d get the same fate if we triggered the damn curse. I’m your brother.”
“I know you are!” Evan spat back.
The conversation always ended up the same. One mark would try to be the tough guy, the other played the smart one. It never ended well for either of them
“Evan, I promised to take care of you, not get you to trigger the damn curse! Now get out of here before the vamp finds us.”
Evan obviously didn’t know who I was. “Why? Why do you think I don’t want to be a wolf? You’ve never asked. You think because I was fortunate enough to go to college, I deserve to run instead of you? Or is it because I’m younger and you think it’s still your responsibility to take care of me?” Evan spat on the ground. “Well, it’s not, Trent. I’m a grown ass man, and I’ll do what we need to do to survive. You and I.”
“You’re just a kid.”
Evan scoffed. “And you’re not? You’re just a pup.”
What would their reaction be if I sent Eddie in? I knew I was eavesdropping instead of just killing, but I couldn’t help myself. Their loyalty fascinated me.
“You need to go. Now.” Evan sighed. “If that hot woman is a hunter like you think she is, she’s on to us and you’re screwed.”
“I’ve got you to distract her.” Trent made a sound that kept me from jumping out right then and attacking.
Evan must have glanced behind him to where I stood hidden behind the building. “She’ll be here in a minute, maybe two. She didn’t recognize me. She apparently doesn’t know I killed that other hunter.”
“Actually, I’m here now.” I stepped from the side of the building as I spoke, guns pointed.
Both men looked up at me.
“Go! Now, Trent.” Evan kept his voice low but I had no problem hearing it. They were crazy not to immediately try to run. They stood there, with my guns pointed at them, like sitting ducks.
“Yes, Trent. Try to run,” I taunted.
A blur of action happened behind them that they didn’t even notice. Almost didn’t notice. Trent turned to glance behind him, but in the wrong direction. His head not moving fast enough for the vampire behind him.
A hunter. Jason. I knew him from meetings at the compound. Not a good sign. This hunter wasn’t like the original ones, nor had he been trained the way I had. He was mean. I heard about the way he tortured beings before killing them. The council did not like him, but he was an asset. They needed him to do things others couldn’t. The see no evil, hear no evil kind.
Jason’s mouth pulled back in a sneer as he waited for Trent to make a move.
I had a feeling I’d been set up. Suddenly, I wanted the stupid werewolf to live.
Trent had nowhere to go. He wouldn’t make it out of this alone.
I felt Eddie at my side. “Let it go, Jason. He’s my mark.” I angled the gun on Trent to Jason. There was a small gun hanging on my hip that carried ultraviolet bullets. I just couldn’t grab it before Jason killed the mark, or he came after me. This was my kill. I needed it to get back in the good graces with the council.
“He’s mine too, darlin’,” Jason scoffed, giving me a blatant once over. “What did you think? The council wasn’t going to send backup after your last epic failure? The great Victoria failed.” He grinned maliciously, his canines pointed and ready. “I’ve grown so tired of hearing your damn name. When the job came up, I couldn’t help but volunteer to take you down. What will your precious daddy say then?” His laugh echoed cruel and evil against the brick around us.
I glanced over at the two wolf brothers and realized they knew exactly who I was as well. Fear showed clearly in the older brother’s eyes. He knew he wasn’t making it out of this alive. Evan had a blank stare. Although younger, he obviously hid his emotions a lot better than his brother.
“Go home, Jason. I’m warning you. You don’t want to make this between us.”
Jason hissed. “I’m not going anywhere. Vlad, the ever-imposing daddy, always praising his precious daughter. The one who was a proper hunter.”
I blinked in surprise. This was news to me. My father praising me? I highly doubted it. Another thought crossed my mind. Did all the hunters think of me this way? I pushed the thought aside. It didn’t matter. Right now I needed to deal with the problem standing in front of me.
Jason clapped his hands. “It looks like I’m getting a bonus. Two weres and a vampire? And that stupid pet of yours. That always annoyed me as well. Why keep one of the shits we hunt?” He licked his lips. “I’ll have to train that dog before I put it down.”
My hand absently went to the top of Eddie’s head as he growled at Jason. I knew exactly what Jason meant, so did Eddie.
––––––––
* * *
Chapter 5
Jason moved as quick as lightning running my way, but I was just as fast. As he lunged for the biggest foe first, I countered and shoved the guns in their holsters. They wouldn’t do any good against Jason, plus, I couldn’t take a shot because the wolves stood like idiots in front of him. Jason lashed out with his fist but knowing his move, I ducked and swerved right. He fist swung wild, spinning his body still in the air.
The wolves ran to the wall where Eddie kept them pressed against the brick and watched my every move in case I needed him.
Jason and I circled each other giving blow for blow. I had speed on my side, but he was stronger and a better boxer fighter. I needed to use my wits to get around him. He swung and connected to my jaw, sending me crashing into the wall beside the boys. They jumped out of the way as I dropped to the dirt.
Jason was instantly on top of me as I lay with my face to the ground. I didn’t have a chance to stand, even with my speed. His hand circled my neck as he lifted me into the air. The grip cut off my breathing, and although I knew it wouldn’t kill me, it hurt like hell. I fought to free my neck, my feet kicking helplessly in the air.
A lo
w growl grew to a ferocious bark. I reached for my boot with one hand and continued to fight Jason with the other. Eddie’s bark was followed by a sharp whimper as something happened to him. Jason’s grip loosened just enough for me to twist and bury the knife from my boot into his stomach. It was laced with poison.
He released me instantly and I fell to the ground, gasping for air. I heaved and heaved as I tried to stand. Scuffling and dull thuds, followed by cracking, forced me to focus. Someone was fighting.
Finally righting myself, I turned in time to see Jason coming at me with a sword. I knew his intention. He was going for my head. I pulled the ultraviolet loaded gun and brought it around. Eddie lay to one side and I gasped at the sight of blood on his fur. He was still alive. Werewolves turned back to human at their death. It caused too much trouble for their body to stay transformed.
I aimed the ultraviolet gun and fired. The bloody thing locked. It wouldn’t shoot. I threw the damn thing to the ground and reached for another, anything to slow the idiot down. I looked up at Jason again, ready to duck or dive.
Suddenly he stopped still. My gaze dropped down from his ugly face. A stake now protruded from his large chest. His eyes grew wide in shock as he crumpled to the ground. It would take a few minutes before he turned to ash. As he fell, I saw Evan standing behind him. He looked at me, his face unreadable.
The stupid wolf had just saved me. He pointed to my stomach. “You just going to stand there?” He shook his head as he moved over to Eddie and bent down to check him. “You still have that truck parked around front?”
I nodded and cringed as a ridiculously sharp pain shot through me. I glanced down to see Jason’s sword protruding from my stomach. He hadn’t been aiming for my head, but my heart. He planned to make me suffer. Wood was the only thing that could kill me through the heart, but the sword would hurt and slow me down. The sword impaled just below my heart. I gasped as the pain grew excruciating.
I felt the searing burn and closed my eyes tightly for the death blow from Evan. There was no way I could fight right now. I was useless with this huge ass sword in my belly. There was no way I was going to face death with my eyes closed. I opened them and glared at Evan as he walked toward me.