by C. Gockel
Face set in an implacable mask, Daniel stared at her for a long time before he opened his mouth to answer–
"We're almost there."
Rand's voice cut through her reverie, yanking Victoria back to reality.
Choking on painful emotions, she twisted to face the redhead. "Let's hope Jasper is back."
"Yeah." His reply carried a distinct note of doubt.
Striving to escape her dark musings, she slanted a look toward her companion. Humming along in off-key concert with a tune on the radio, Rand appeared unperturbed. Curiosity ate at her. She had questions about his attitude toward Jake Barrett and dying. She didn't know how to phrase them without insulting him.
"What's eating at you, kid?" Rand asked in a gruff voice. He never took his eyes off the road.
An automatic denial formed, but she hesitated to offer an outright lie. Lacking a tactful approach, she blurted out, "You didn't seem worried earlier."
"I'm not the worrying sort." He shot her a speculative sideways glance without bothering to disguise his curiosity. "What about?"
"Jake Barrett."
"Oh." He snorted. "Yeah, well. I worry for the rest of the pack, but not about Jake killin' me."
Her eyebrows knit. "You think he won't?"
"Nah, that's not it." Rand's chuckle reverberated in his chest like a rusty engine. "I don't worry about dying. All the dumb ass shit I've pulled. Never figured to live as long as I have."
Her alarm spiked. "You're not even fifty."
"Fifty is old." He flashed a teasing grin. "I want to die fighting. Hopefully while I still can."
Victoria scowled. "You think Barrett would be a worthy adversary and an honorable death?"
"Not think. Know. I've accompanied the man on countless hunts."
The pickup rolled to a halt at a red light. Tense silence endured while they waited for the signal to change. The whole time, Victoria bit her tongue against the desire to call Rand an idiot.
His attitude didn't surprise her. Her people followed the old ways. Enemies had driven Loki's wolf shifter children from their Old World homeland centuries before. They fled to North America. However, they worshipped the ancient gods and clung to their Viking heritage. The only good and honorable death came as a courageous end in glorious combat. The victims of murder, sickness, and accidents were all doomed to the gloomy underworld. Certain exceptions were made for women who were deemed worthy and a place was created for them in Freya's hall.
She not only accepted the doctrine, but embraced it. In addition to being Freya's priestess, she was a Valkyrie who transported the souls of the chosen to Odin's Valhalla. So she wondered if her reaction was entirely selfish. She depended on Rand's strength and his experience. Losing him would make the already difficult job of pack leader even harder.
The light turned green, and the truck lurched into motion again. The light drizzle continued to fall. Water beads danced on the side windows and then stretched into long streaks across the glass.
"Relax, kid. I'm not going anywhere," Rand said at last. "I don't intend to commit Hari Kari."
"Don't even think about it." She adopted a fierce glare and menaced him with her fist, playing it for laughs. She didn't want him to figure out how much the prospect of losing him scared her.
"I won't." Chuckling, Rand turned the pickup into the parking lot of the convenience store and pulled into a space. He shut off the engine.
A cool smattering of rain pelted Victoria when she climbed out of the cab. Inclement weather was unpleasant, but not a big deal. As wolves, they were capable of enduring much worse. The SUV was parked a few spaces over. Sophia appeared in the rolled up window of the vehicle. She rested her paws on the sills, pressed her nose to the glass, and peered out.
Side by side, Rand and Victoria walked around the rear of the truck to greet Sylvie. The older woman hurried toward them. Worry lines etched her face, and muddy swirls marred her tranquil aura.
"Thank the goddess you're back," Sylvie said. "Jasper's not answering his cell phone. I'm afraid something awful has happened."
"Don't panic. I haven't felt anything through the pack bond." Victoria adopted a soothing tone and projected confidence. Her gaze strayed past Sylvie to Morena. The teenager lurked next to the SUV's quarter panel, staring intently at a spot on the ground.
"How long's he been gone?" Rand scratched at his beard. His knowing gaze also settled on Morena.
Sylvie worried her lower lip. "He must've taken off right after the two of you left for the library. I was hoping he followed you."
"Without a car? Not a chance." Rand shook his head.
"Where's Paul?" Victoria asked, needing to know the locations of every member of her small pack. The bond wasn't the equivalent of mystical GPS. Unless Jasper experienced severe emotional distress or injury, she couldn't use it to track him.
"He's looking around the neighborhood for Jasper," Sylvie answered. "In case he just wandered off to blow off some steam."
Victoria stepped past Sylvie and approached Morena. The teenager slumped against the SUV's quarter panel. Her gaze fixated on the ground. At her Alpha's approach, the girl visibly shrank in upon herself, arms crossed in a self-hug. She stank of guilt and fear.
Victoria stopped in front of her. "Morie, did Jasper tell you where he was going? If you know, you need to tell us. It's too dangerous for him to be out there alone. No one's going to be angry with you. "
The teen produced an indecipherable whimper. She trembled from head to toe.
Victoria settled her hands on the teen's shoulders and steadied her. "Morena?"
Morie's head rolled to the side. Tears streaked her cheek. "I told him not to go. I told him it was stupid. But he said he needed to prove he's an adult or no one would ever take him seriously."
A cold rush of fear swept through Victoria. Swallowing panic, she caught the girl's eyes. "Where is he?"
With a snotty inhalation, Morena scrubbed at her eyes. "Lo siento. He made me promise not to tell."
"Tell me. Now." Biting back a growl, Victoria asserted her will through the pack bond and assumed command of Morena's wolf. The girl cowered before her.
The Omega sank to a crouch, conveying her submission to her Alpha. "Jasper had it all figured out. He said Jake Barrett was surprised when he saw you. If he was surprised, then it must mean he wasn't expecting to see you, which means he's in town for some other reason."
Sylvie and Rand both shifted restlessly.
Victoria sucked in a sharp breath. An awful suspicion filled her, so scary she prayed she was wrong. Striving to keep her voice steady, she asked, "What other reason?"
Morena sniffled and scrubbed at her face with her sleeve. "He said Freya sent you to that exact spot to talk to the ghost mom of the missing kid. Since the hunters were there too, they must be after whatever grabbed the boy."
"Hell." Victoria glanced up at Rand and Sylvie. Both of her pack mates looked gob smacked. From the oh-shit expression on their faces, they arrived at the same conclusion.
Sylvie said, "That's smart."
"Yeah, it is," Rand rumbled. "Makes sense."
"Why didn't we think of it?" Victoria released her hold on Morena's shoulders, relinquished her tight control over her wolf. She straightened to her full height.
The burly redhead scowled. "We're id–"
Victoria waved her hand. "Don't say it."
Rand flashed a toothy smile. "Sure thing, boss."
"Smart ass." Her wolf roiled beneath her skin, threatening to burst through at any moment. With an effort, Victoria unclenched her jaws.
Sylvie stepped closer to Morena and placed an arm around her shoulders. "You did the right thing by telling us, sweetie."
"I'm sorry. I should have said something sooner, but I didn't want to be the reason he gets in trouble," Morena whispered, clinging to Sylvie.
"He's not in trouble, sweetie."
Alarm threatened the foundations of her composure. Victoria backed up until she collided wi
th Rand. Biting her tongue, she addressed her anger to Freya. When I get hold of that stupid boy, I'm going to make him regret having been born.
Victoria, he is a child. You must be patient.
Rand's huge hand dropped onto her shoulder. His strong fingers dug into her skin hard enough to hurt, communicating the fear he refused to voice. "If he's shadowing hunters, we'd better find him before he gets his damn head blown off."
Victoria latched onto Rand's arm and dragged him to the edge of the parking lot. She didn't want Morena to overhear them. "I agree with you about finding Jasper. First, we need to find a new place to park the vehicles. We were only supposed to be here for an hour or so while I carried out Freya's mission. Sooner or later the police are going to notice we're loitering. Once there's radio chatter, the hunters will know exactly where we are."
Rand's eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a hushed voice. "You're right. We don't want to draw any unwanted attention to ourselves. Jake Barrett has all kinds of government contacts."
"We need to find Paul," she said. Damn it all to hell. Victoria hated the prospect of moving before they'd located Jasper. If the teen returned to the convenience store, he'd have no idea where they'd gone. As Alpha, she had to consider the greater good. She couldn't endanger everyone for the sake of one stubborn, reckless boy.
"He's here." Rand's head turned, his gaze fixated upon a point over her shoulder. "Looks like one thing's going our way today."
Victoria swiveled and breathed a sigh of relief upon sighting Paul’s approach. The older man's limp was more prominent than usual. He looked tired but none the worse for wear. She noticed he clutched a piece of crumpled yellow paper in his hand.
Rand got out in front of Victoria and beat her to Paul's side. Grinning, the redhead extended his arm. "Let me help you, old man."
"Get yer damn hands off me. What the hell is wrong with you?" Waving his fist, Paul menaced the Beta wolf. "What's going on?"
Chuckling, Rand fell back. In the space of a heartbeat, his grin vanished, replaced by a fierce scowl. "We think Jasper's trailing the hunters in hopes of finding out more about the missing boy."
Paul's brow shot up over wide eyes. "That's dumber than some of the shit you've pulled, Rand."
"Yeah, well. What can I say?" Rand spread his hands wide in a gesture of assumed innocence. "I set a high standard. The kid's really gotta aspire to follow in my footsteps."
"All right, both of you, that's enough." Victoria smothered a reluctant smile.
"Aye, boss." Despite his cavalier sense of humor, Rand had a solid head on his shoulders. His jocularity ceased, and he fell into sync with her.
"There's something you need to know." Paul waved the piece of paper he carried so it produced a stiff crackling.
Chapter Six
"There's more than one missing child." Arm extended, Paul proffered the flyer.
Victoria stared at the weathered paper and then reluctantly accepted it. She quickly scanned it. She recognized the girl's name from the newspaper article. Margaret Anne Wazzle, age 10. The missing child notice included the black and white photocopy of an adolescent girl and cited a few grim facts. The bodies of the parents were found in their bedroom. The murderer was suspected of having abducted the girl from her home.
As she read, an awful sinking sensation swept through her. She had no idea how to go about finding the abducted children or the child thief. The crisis associated with Jasper's disappearance had temporarily diverted her attention. Now the emergencies were closing in from all sides.
Composing her thoughts, she offered up a prayer. Goddess, if I'm to find these children, I need more to go on.
A hesitation ensued before Freya responded. I would tell you exactly where to find them if I knew. However, there is a shroud preventing me from knowing their location.
"Before you showed me the glimpse of a vision, but it was too brief," Victoria said, desperation edging her voice. "Can you show me again? Please? Maybe there's something I missed."
At her outburst, Rand and Paul exchanged a knowing glance. Neither man commented. Her pack mates were accustomed to her seemingly one-sided conversations with the goddess.
Freya hesitated. I held back. Some of it is horrific. I have shielded you on purpose.
Freya's obvious reluctance aroused Victoria's suspicions. Her already pessimistic expectations plummeted further, leaving her cold inside. Bracing for the worst, she asked, Goddess, is Margaret still alive?
Sorrow colored Freya's golden voice. I'm sorry, Victoria. The girl is already lost.
Victoria ground her teeth so hard her jaws hurt. Show me.
It is sordid.
Goddess, please. I have to know what sort of monster I'm up against.
It is what you want?
"It's what I want." Unsure what to expect, Victoria braced by stiffening her legs. Seconds later, a vision slammed her. Her five senses overloaded under the deluge of information. Overwhelmed, she dropped to her knees and pitched forward, reflexively extending her arms. Her palms smacked the rough pavement, and she gulped air. A cold drizzle pelted her head and back, and her soaked clothing hung heavily on her slender frame. She lost awareness of her own body.
The pillow beneath Margaret's cheek was wet from the tears she'd shed. Her heart ached for the shattered furry body they'd found in the gutter in front of the house. Her beloved cat, Carmen, hit by a driver who hadn't bothered to stop. She suffered the agony of grief. But the awful, suffocating guilt was even worse.
Her mother's voice played over and over in her mind. "It's your fault the damn cat's dead, Margaret. If I told you once, I told you a million times not to let that animal run past you. It serves you right she's dead! Maybe you'll finally learn."
Her mother was right, she was an awful person. She hated herself for being so irresponsible. If she'd been paying attention, then Carmen wouldn't have run past her into the street. The car wouldn't have hit Carmen and she'd still be alive. She hated herself.
It was all her fault.
Everything.
Torn apart by the force of her sobs, she cried herself into exhaustion and eventually fell asleep.
She woke to her mother's shriek and her father's deep shout. Their cries shattered the hush of the slumbering house. A terrible growl resounded, and then the screams ended abruptly. Adrenaline coursed through her body. Her throbbing heart pushed against her throat with every beat, threatening to choke her. Terrified, she pulled the thick down comforter over her head and shrank beneath the covers. Shivering, she curled into a fetal ball and closed her eyes, wishing herself invisible.
Heavy footsteps clomped in the hallway outside her bedroom. She shook so her teeth clattered, and she clenched her jaws to stop the betraying sound. A floorboard creaked in the hallway outside her bedroom door, and the intruder stopped moving.
She bit her lower lip so hard that salty blood flooded her mouth. Tears stinging her eyes, she held her breath and clutched the blanket in both hands. Please, please, please... Go away, go away, go away...
With the crack of shattering wood, the door to her room burst inward. Huffing, the monster thudded toward her bed. She screamed as the blankets were ripped away, her only protection stolen, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. Lying on her back, she stared up wide-eyed at the enormous beast standing over her. Darkness obfuscated its appearance except for a pair of malevolent glowing red eyes.
The monster seized her legs and dragged her from her bed. She kicked and screamed to no avail. A heavy, leathery hand clubbed her upside the head. Pain exploded throughout her skull, the world spun, and she sagged in its bruising grip.
The beast grabbed her, shoved the mouth of a large burlap sack over her head, and stuffed her into the bag. Her weight settled at an uncomfortable angle so she lay on her bent neck. She hurt from head to toe. The thick, scratchy material itched, and the hot interior stank of urine, vomit, and terror.
She struggled weakly for a while, but physical exertion made it harder to breathe. A
fter a time, she gave up and grew still. She lay in a limp heap listening to the ominous stomping of the monster's steps as it carried her down the stairs and from the house. Tears streamed from her eyes. Snot clogged her nose and throat. The humiliating wetness of her nightgown told her she'd peed herself.
In the distance, cars honked and engines revved. Another awful smell grew more potent, competing with the others. The burnt, tarry odor was familiar. She walked past the tire recycling facility every day on her way to school, and she despised the place. The black smoke always made her cough worse and left her short of breath. Her mother blamed her daughter's asthma on the factory.
Her abductor upended the sack by grasping the bottom. He shook it until she slithered out. Shrieking, she fell several feet to a concrete floor. The side of her skull slammed against a sharp surface and her mind swam with wavy lines of consciousness. Her whole body hurt. She lacked the strength to move.
The monster loomed above her, a dark and shadowy form.
"You must be punished for your sins." The lyrical voice dissolved into maniacal laughter. He carried her toward a steel drum filled to the brim with opaque fluid. He stood so much taller than her that her feet dangled far off the floor. She couldn't gain any traction.
"Mommy! Mommy! Please! Help me!" Shrieking, she flailed her limbs. His strength far eclipsed hers. She couldn't escape his grasp. The surface of the vat loomed before her face. The bitter scent of ink assailed her airways, and she choked on the stench. As her scream ended, he forced her face into the liquid. Darkness eclipsed her vision. Horrible pain burned in her eyes.
Reflexively, she inhaled. Fluid filled her mouth and throat, crushing her lungs. Terrified beyond reason, she sobbed and thrashed with all the strength in her frail body. Taunting, gleeful laughter filled her mind. The monster drank her sorrow and fed on her fear.