Unnaturals

by Dean J. Anderson

  `Hurry up, Syrus. I'm running out of freeway!'

  Signs flashed past, warning Mason that they would soon be in city limits.

  `It's done.'

  Flames erupted from under the bonnet of the green wagon. Its front tyres shredded, rims biting into asphalt, forcing the wagon to a shuddering halt.

  `Effective. Messy, but effective,' Mason said as the sense of danger eased.

  `Not exactly what I imagined,' Renee said, slowing down as they joined normal traffic. `And the freeway is a mess. What did you do to all those cars?'

  `I think I fried their electrical system. I meant to just hit the green wagon.'

  `At least there were minimal casualties.' Mason bit his tongue in annoyance. He had sounded cold and callous.

  `Yes, Sire. No one was killed.' Syrus sounded pleased. `But we have to take action. The police are seeking a vehicle matching our description. There were many witnesses.'

  `Number plate change, please Syrus. And do the colour too.'

  `It is done.'

  Mason watched as the black bonnet of the ute swirled into a deep green. `Not the first time you've done this, I see.'

  `Sire, it is a regular event.'

  Mason chuckled. The excitement of the chase and Renee's look of irritation at Syrus's comment fed his good mood. `So. What is it you do that requires such camouflage so regularly?'

  `Speeding,' Syrus said before Renee could speak. `Among other things.'

  `Syrus, enough.'

  Mason noted the warning and tucked away for later the idea of fleecing more information out of Syrus.

  Renee hadn't finished. `And how come you call him Sire?'

  Mason straightened. Sire? He hadn't noticed. Why?

  `He wields dark energy in one of its purest forms, and more than my Magi, your sister, may.' Syrus went quiet for a second. `Sire is his birthright.'

  `I'm not so sure about that,' Mason said, uncomfortable with the title and the serious undertones of what he suspected came with it.

  `Uh-huh,' Renee muttered, slowing for an exit ramp. `Things are way too complicated already, Syrus. Let's not over-think everything.'

  `Good idea.' Mason began to relax as they slowed in the traffic. He could see blue splashes of the ocean appearing between buildings. `I'm kind of looking forward to spending the day with you.'

  Her coy smile and flash of white teeth replied. `Even though we're going to deal with Ralph?'

  He let his excitement show. `We're going to the beach. It's nice, considering.' A lump formed in his throat. `And it's only been a few days since we met, and those days have been chaotic and far too intense. It's nice to, you know, get to see you away from the others.'

  `He appears to be nervous, Mistress. His heart rate is erratic.'

  `Thanks, Syrus. Is this a date then?'

  Mason rubbed at his nose, ignoring the butterflies in his stomach. What was it about Renee? He took a breath. `When we're together as Hunter and Huntress it's different. We're not us. I mean, we're connected in a way that is almost primeval. But now, today, this is us.'

  `So, it is a date then?' She fidgeted with the steering wheel. `I mean, after we see Ralph, you want to go and have lunch together?'

  `Lunch? Yes. In a restaurant. Together.' Mason put his hand back on her thigh. `I would like that very much.'

  `I know a place.' She stopped at a set of traffic lights and he felt the temperature spike beginning. `Leave it there,' Renee said when he moved his hand. `I want to feel you on me. The more we touch the better we'll be able to control the reaction. Besides, I need to feel your touch.'

  `No argument there,' he said, enjoying her touch while the heat remained bearable. `Maybe it's only when we are—'

  `Aroused.' Renee turned into a narrow street. `I've been trying to concentrate on other things when you touch me. It seems to work.'

  `It does?' He looked up from her leg and thought of the ocean and what it felt like. Temperatures cooled but remained warm, though within human range. `So it does.'

  `Hold my hand.'

  He let her long fingers intertwine with his, not speaking as she took them down the narrow street, savouring the sensation of normal contact with the young woman who had become part of his life in such a short time.

  He held her hand, without having to be a monster.

  Could he love her? Could he make a life with her and still be true to Ruth? What if he tried and failed?

  The questions made his skin tighten into goosebumps. Renee's thumb caressed the back of his hand. He pushed the questions away. Answers would come in time.

  `We're here,' she said, stopping in an alley.

  `Where?' He looked at the red brick walls lining the alley, the ocean hidden by buildings.

  `My place.' Renee clicked a remote on the dash. `This is where I live away from the Darkells.' A section of brick wall slid open and Renee drove into the concealed garage.

  `This I did not expect,' he said as the solid brick door, its plate-steel lining and frame not lost on him, slid shut behind them.

  `I come here a lot. The mansion's not for me.' A weapons locker hung on the wall across from them and motorbikes crowded the space.

  `Security system disarmed, Mistress.'

  `Thanks, Syrus,' she said, opening her door. `Keep an eye out for unwelcome visitors. The Bloodells are here in the city.

  `Understood, Mistress.'

  `You built this place?' Mason said, admiring the steel beams and serious concrete reinforcements.

  `Yep. Wouldn't be much of a secret if I got the local blabbermouths to build it.' She walked to the weapons locker. Steps beside it led upwards.

  `That's blast-proof glass?' He nodded at the locker.

  `Everything here is designed to withstand impact from the outside. And inside.' Lights came on and Mason could see how some of the steel beams had been bent to shape. Finger imprints showed clearly; evidence of Renee's handiwork.

  Incorporated with the garage was a lounge, big screen television and stainless steel kitchen. `What else is there?'

  `Bedroom.' She turned and grabbed his hands. `Want to see it?'

  He knew by the look in her eyes that she wasn't joking.

  `You want to, I can see it in your face,' she said, letting his hands go. `But you're right. We don't know if even here it would be safe. This is bullshit, not being able to even kiss.'

  `Maybe.' He pulled her in to him. `We can try.'

  She pressed a wall panel. A steel door slid open revealing a reinforced room. `It's a holding cell for Bloodells, not that I've had one here.'

  `Fire suppression as well?' He spotted the sprinklers on the ceiling.

  The door closed behind them and she turned. `Try to control the thing that makes us burn. I want to kiss you so much.'

  `Working on it.' He held a hand up between them. `Let's try no body contact, just a kiss.'

  `Yeah,' she said, stopping just in front of him. `Just kissing.'

  He tilted her face up as he leant in, wanting to taste her so much. Colour flooded her lips as he paused, her eyes alive.

  `Just a kiss,' she whispered, holding his head with her hands. Mason couldn't hold back any longer and pressed his mouth onto hers. Heat flashed as Renee explored him with her tongue.

  He pulled back, picturing the ocean, swimming in it. Renee pulled him back to her lips and he didn't hold back from enjoying her exquisite taste. He buried any trace of Hunter, holding onto his humanity. She broke away, cool air rushing across his lips.

  `It's working,' she whispered and he felt her body inch closer. `More.'

  He didn't refuse, kissing her without fear. Cool ocean waves crashed down in his mind as he held her. Warmth spread across his chest as Renee pressed into him, the firmness of her breasts hard on him as her fingers dug into his back.

  Images of cool waves faded. Renee, naked on the bed in the lake house, flared to life; her desire for him laid bare.

  `Whoa,' he said, breaking off the kiss.

  She held him tight
ly against her. `I want you so much I ache,' she whispered. `We can stay here. Water gushed around them.

  `Steam?' He looked up. The sprinklers had been activated but the water formed into steam.

  `Damn it.' Renee moved away as the steam filled the room.

  `We're doing that?'

  `Unfortunately.' Renee pressed her palm on a sensor pad and the door slid open. `Come on. We need to cool off.' Her disappointment was clear as he followed her out into the air-conditioning.

  `I'm sorry,' he said, surprised at how he felt. `I lost control.'

  `No. I slipped up, thinking about last night.'

  `You weren't alone.' He shrugged, smiling at her surprise. `It was a night to remember.'

  `Well, at least we can kiss.' She grinned. `If we keep our minds out of the bedroom. Come on. Let's go find Ralph.' She eyed him up and down, turned and stepped through yet another doorway Mason hadn't noticed.

  He reached it just as she unbolted a solid steel door, daylight seeping in as it swung heavily open.

  `Jeez, you love your plate-steel doors.' He helped her pull it open, then held it for her to step through.

  `I haven't used it for a while. Needs—'

  Renee spasmed. Blood sprayed across his face — hers. Red hair swirled as she fell towards him.

  Movement filled the alleyway behind her.

  `Poisoned,' she managed to gasp, blood filling her mouth.

  She moved her hand and he saw the wicked sharp barbs of a huge metal arrowhead protruding from her chest.

  Hunter screamed to be set free, rage almost drowning out her whisper.

  `Don't let me go.'

  Ralph ran. His Wolf writhed within, howling to be set free.

  He didn't care who saw. Long wolf claws dug into the footpath as he raced towards the scent. Blood. Renee's.

  Behind him followed the sound of pack brothers letting their Wolf seep through.

  `This is insane!' Ricco yelled. `It can't be them!'

  `Bloodells. Here.' Ralph leapt over cars in his path. `At Renee's. I can taste them. Blood has been spilt.'

  `War!' Ricco's words sharpened with his Wolf growing stronger. `The treaty is no more.'

  `We hunt!' Ralph let Wolf out, bounding into the alleyway, blood thickening in his senses.

  He would prove himself.

  He was her Wolf.

  Her alpha.

  Pete slammed the brakes on, patrol car screeching to a halt.

  Every hair on his skin stood up. `Shit!' He remembered where he was and gunned the vehicle into a parking space.

  Cold sweat formed on his face. His gut churned. But his eyes locked onto the figures that had leapt over his car. Disappearing down an alleyway.

  `Jesus Christ. Ralph.' He fumbled for the door handle. `No way.'

  He sucked in a deep breath, steadying himself as he stood beside his patrol car. What he had seen wasn't possible, but he had seen it. He had seen the shimmer of something other as Ralph and his mates had bolted past.

  He had seen faces changed, but still recognisable. Hard and with skin darkening. Just like his brother's face so many years ago.

  Cool metal filled his palm. Somehow his pistol was heavy in his hand.

  He ran, following four men he thought he had known and understood.

  Until today.

  CHAPTER 24

  `So, how does it feel, Butcher?'

  Mason tore his eyes away from Renee's pale, bloody face. She clung to his arms, her hands losing strength.

  The biggest of six Bloodells men stood ready, crossbow aimed at him. `How does it feel? To be hunted.' He spat on the ground. The men behind him raised their weapons.

  Renee spasmed. He heard her heartbeat falter. The poison of Unnatural origins tainted her blood. Its stink fouled his senses.

  Hunter writhed, but Renee's need tempered Mason's control. He wouldn't leave Renee alone, he couldn't. Mason tightened his grip on her.

  `She will die,' the big Bloodells said. `You will watch your Darkells whore die. There is nothing you can do about it. Butcher.'

  `He's wrong. They don't know what I am. They don't know what you are.' She managed a smile and her grip tightened. Her heartbeat stopped for what seemed an eternity, then shuddered into life again. `You can heal me.' Mason stared at the Bloodells soldiers. `They will help you. Bring me his heart.'

  `I'm not your Butcher,' Mason said, pushing down the fear he had for Renee, letting tendrils of Hunter seep through him. Controlling the rage. `She is not a whore.'

  The Bloodells tensed, all crossbows on him. He pulled Renee up, kissing her bloody lips, tasting the poison. Tasting her.

  `He's lost it,' a Bloodells said, sounding confused. Mason lingered, kissing Renee lightly.

  `Who cares?' their leader snapped. `Just as long as they both die, slowly.'

  `Ralph's here.'

  Mason heard Ralph just as shocked yells erupted at the sound of wolf claws raking the alleyway. The Bloodells closest to him broke eye contact for a split second.

  It was time.

  Scales formed. Wings folded out of his back. Renee remained cradled in his arms as Hunter's form rippled across him.

  Silent, unseen, Mason thrust his long wing spikes through the chest of the larger Bloodells, making sure to miss the heart.

  `Surprise,' he whispered. Wing claws unsheathed to slam into a second Bloodells.

  Ralph's Wolf crashed into the rear of the group of Bloodells. Mason hauled in the two he had impaled, savouring the rich scent of blood so close to him. Screams filled the alleyway as three more Wolves tore into the fight.

  The Bloodells' leader managed to raise and fire his crossbow. Mason caught the bolt one-handed, snapping it, before dropping the steel shaft to the floor. He smelt fear exploding from the man as he was hauled closer. He wanted so much to taste him.

  `How's it feel?' Mason growled when the big man was close enough to lash out, fists shattering against his scaled armour. `To be prey? To know your blood will feed another?'

  The man writhed, held clear of the floor by Hunter's wing spikes. `Not possible,' he groaned.

  `Yess,' Huntress hissed. Mason glanced at Renee. Weakened but excited, she focused on the blood oozing from the man's chest. `My first taste of Bloodells.' She struck, slicing through the rib cage, deep into the chest cavity.

  Mason shuddered. The scent of fresh, hot blood washed over him.

  The Bloodells writhed, still alive, eyes wide as Huntress twisted her hand. Life passed as Huntress ripped the heart free. Mason stared, aroused, trembling with the urge to feed.

  `Good,' Huntress whispered, biting into the blood-filled heart and spraying dark, richly scented blood.

  Mason maintained his hold, letting his hardness press against her. Rumbling came from deep inside him as desire flared.

  As the heart drained of blood, dropped like a rotten apple onto the footpath, Huntress faded. Renee stood up unsteadily with his help. Death filled the alleyway. Wolf and blood painted the scene around him.

  `Pull the arrow free,' she said. `Through me. From the front.'

  He supported her body, wrapping his arms around her until the protruding arrow shaft was lodged steadily against his chest, then pushed, and pulled, the arrow free. She moaned and staggered, her head falling back onto his shoulder. He dropped the arrow and held her against him, feeling her body begin to warm.

  `Here,' she said, moving his hand over the wound in her chest. `Finish it. Heal me. You have the gift.'

  `How?' he whispered, afraid to break a moment that felt so intimate.

  `You heal yourself. Feel for that.' She leant against him and her free hand slipped behind her back, reaching for him, feeling him through his clothes.

  Her touch fed his desire but the torn flesh under his hand did not heal. Light filled his mind and energy surged down his arm to his hand. Torn flesh melded under his touch, making her moan. Renee's sound sent a bolt of excitement through him. He had done that. He could heal her.

  `That's it,' sh
e whispered. `You can feel it now.' She pushed her hand down into his shorts, gripping his shaft. `Kill the other one.'

  Mason looked at the remaining Bloodells.

  Young, muscled and still alive. And still impaled on his wings.

  He tore the Bloodells in half, sending gore and blood flying. He felt no guilt, just satisfaction and lust.

  Lust for blood and for Renee.

  Her hand moved on his shaft as she guided him down towards her sex.

  `Jesus Christ, you two are disgusting,' Ralph snapped, blood-spattered and naked before them. `What, you're going fuck here in this gore?' Mason could see Ralph's eyes hot on her.

  `Maybe.' Renee squeezed Mason, then let go. `Good to see you, too.'

  `What?' Ralph stopped.

  She reached out to him. `You did well, Ralph.' She touched his face with a blood-stained hand. Ralph's anger flickered. Then his eyes softened.

  Mason shrugged, cooling his desire. He felt no jealousy. Other Wolves moved behind Ralph, their forms shifting and blurring uncertainly. Another scent came to him with the tang of blood.

  Movement. At the end of the alley. They were no longer alone.

  Pete struggled to breathe.

  Blood filled the alleyway, its metallic scent thick around him. He fought off his gag reflex, aware no one had seen him.

  Ralph stood, covered in blood, beside three huge wolves, the only wolves he had seen since his brother.

  Darkness seemed to creep up the walls from a black-scaled creature vaguely shaped like a man. A woman's brilliant red hair lay shockingly against the darkness holding her.

  He drew in a sharp breath. He knew the woman. Ralph's friend. Renee?

  His thought processes wandered a little, and then the nightmare snapped back — images of body parts and gore, the stench of death — and was made real. He let his breath out slowly, tightened his grip on the pistol.

  The nightmare moved.

  Green eyes flashed and a cold shiver ran through him. They had seen him.

  A sensible man would have run. Instead, instinct took over.