by Sarra Cannon
“What would you have me do, Strife?” He rushed forward, holding her gaze. “Is Veritas to align with the PCD or am I to continue this charade?”
She tapped his shoulder over the trench coat as if consoling a petulant child. “My poor dear.” Her hand brushed through her hair. “You are too old to be naive. Do you really think the PCD would welcome our aid? Did you not see the way their agent regarded me?”
“You abducted the key witness in a case. What did you expect?”
“Perhaps, gratitude. Would that be too much to ask?”
“And she calls me naive,” Drake muttered under his breath. Sighing, he squeezed his eyes shut and rubbed the closed lids. “Let me put this in a manner you’ll understand. PCD sees facts, and the facts are you—the leader of a highly suspicious vigilante group—stole the victim. Whether or not these phage bastards attacked is irrelevant. Under their laws, you committed a crime and you are the bad guy.”
“And you mean to tell me it matters not we were trying to save her, to protect her from the true evil?”
He bit back a retort about her complete cluelessness of modern law, and said instead, “I understand why. But they won’t.”
“Then, they are fools and unworthy of our help.”
He snorted. “The phage are out in the open, Strife. They’re not hiding in the shadows or sneaking into little girls’ bedrooms anymore.” His voice vibrated from unchecked emotion. A past he was determined to keep buried. “They’re petitioning Congress. They’re asking for classification. They’re in the public eye. They’re playing the role of victim, martyrs for their cause. And all the while they’re murdering humans in their sleep.” He paced, the violent energy craving an outlet. “We can’t afford to make more enemies. We need allies. Our numbers are too small.”
“I was wrong. You have grown, Drake.” Her lips curled upward, but an edge of remorse clouded her eyes. “I am glad of it. I hope you have given some thought to my question. The honor is yours. You have but to grasp it.”
He exhaled on long breath. “I’m not right for the job. I don’t belong to Veritas anymore, and I certainly don’t want to lead it.”
“Not a soldier for Veritas, not an agent for the PCD. Half in, half out. When will you ever become whole again?”
“When every phage bastard on the planet has taken their last breath.”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I share the sentiment well. But it is too late for me. I will never live free. Will you?” The edge of rain returned to her voice. “I believe you will be perfect to lead Veritas when I am gone, but I will not place that upon you, if you do not desire it.”
The ease with which she released him from such a burden struck him deep. “Why did you call me, Strife?”
“You are my child, made from my blood. If I cannot call on you, then who?”
“You have those far more capable in Veritas. You could have arranged for one of them to meet you here.”
“No. I failed to protect the girl and lost one of our own in the process. PCD deserves the right to try now.” She waved it off, but the look of guilt on her face told the true story. Failure never sat easy with a vampire, especially not one as proud as Strife. “Besides, they need to know we are not the enemy. You must warn them of the phage threat. Of these creatures’ true nature. I fear the phage grow more powerful than ever.”
“Why not tell them yourself? Combine forces.”
“We will see, Drake. But now is not the time. Veritas must remain underground. It is there we can learn the most about the phage’s movements.” Her nose twitched as if smelling something unpleasant. “Reyna is tricky. She’s eluded us for centuries. But, if the phage queen has chosen this time to come into the open, she must have a plan.”
“And a bloody good reason.” He scratched his chin, mulling over what that reason could be.
“Yes. We must uncover her motives.” Strife’s eyes showed signs of strain. “In the mean time, we’ve others to contend with.”
A car’s headlights illuminated the scene before whisking away toward a side street. “Our time’s ending.” Strife eyed the area, then leaned in a mere hand’s span away. “Watch out for this Adriana Farrington. She’s the phage’s poster girl with her claws into all kinds of politics, but I suspect she’s really one of the queen’s generals.”
“A general?” Drake breathed in her ear. “Well, that presents a problem.”
Strife pulled back, scrunching her face in blatant disgust. The police sirens rang closer. “It’s time for us to part. Continue your liaison with the PCD and prepare them.” Inclining her chin, she offered a nod. “Until we meet again, be well my child.”
He murmured a goodbye when she shrank into the shadows. As if on cue with her departure, emergency teams swarmed the area. Drake knew they’d comb a five-mile radius from the accident and didn’t try to avoid them. It’d be far easier to face the local cops, then explain Strife’s disappearance to the PCD team when they arrived. He considered knocking himself out to avoid the hassle. As his earlier showdown with Slick played over in his head, unconsciousness tempted him even more.
He slunk down to the ground, his long legs resting in front of him and his hands crossed behind his head. He shut his eyes, catching a few minutes peace as he awaited his fate.
— —
“I believe I’ve answered that question already. But, as I said, we have no further leads at this time.” Jame ground her teeth together and grasped the sides of the podium. The microphone stood in front of her in mocking salute, making the string of curses she wanted to release impossible. A vibrating at her hip caught her notice and helped ease her from the edge. Flipping her cell over, she attempted to read her incoming text on the sly. A growl escaped her as she took in the crowd of reporters.
“Everything okay, Agent Bradshaw? Is that news from your team?” A man with round glasses and a two-dollar haircut asked from the middle row.
She glared at him. No way he could have identified the incoming text message that easily, at least not if he was human.
“My dentist.” Jame smiled and held up her cell phone. “Seems I’m missing my appointment.”
The crowd laughed, except for the jerk who had asked the question. He edged closer and spoke again. “Sorry to hear. Why don’t you tell us the truth about the case, so you can see your dentist in time?”
Her insides boiled, a low buzz of energy building. “And miss staying here with all of you folks. Nah.”
“So you admit you’re hiding information about the murders in Buckhorn.” Gray eyes peered at her through those coke bottle rims. His press pass flipped forward as he pushed a hand mike toward the podium.
Her body stiffened, every muscle begging for a shift. “I’ve told you, the case is under investigation. We believe a group of radical vampires or a sect of unregistered SUBs is behind the attack. We cannot reveal more than this without additional evidence.”
“And the witness, Ms. Sera Benenati? What of her? Is she under suspicion?”
“She’s safe and not being charged at this time.” Her instincts flared, a warning. Time to cut and run. “That’s all I can say on the matter. No more questions.”
A stream of voices erupted as Jame stepped away from the podium and behind a curtain. The cool empty office at the end of the hallway beckoned her. The press conference was held at the Phoenix Mayor’s headquarters, but the man in charge hadn’t stuck around. The building lay at her disposal.
Dancing devils, that was close. She rested her head against the wooden door, thankful for the privacy of four walls and a lock. The pressure of the conference over the last half hour weighed on her. The annoying polyester skirt suit chafed her skin. Knots formed at the base of her neck. The face of the steely-eyed reporter swam in front of her eyes. “Damn vultures.”
Her phone vibrated—another text. Be there in five, partner. Gotsta finish shakin’ down this here pretty boy, Sergeant Warren. Looks like he’s our leak. Shouldn’t take long. Meet ya at the scene. – Bu
ll.
She scanned the note again, thinking she’d misread it. “What scene?” Jame said aloud, willing the walls to talk. Recalling the earlier unchecked messages, she rifled through the phone’s memory and pulled up the original text from Slick. Talon sent out emergency all call. Check your messages. Sending coordinates again. Get there fast. Gasping, she gripped her cell harder. “An all call, shit!”
The anger swelled inside her like a geyser waiting to explode. “If these scumbag reporters—” She yanked the white silk blouse over her head. “Dumb asses!” The high heels flew into the far wall as she kicked them off, pulled on her fatigues, and buckled her boots. “I’m an agent not Spokesperson Barbie.” Free of the monkey suit, she ripped open the door, flew down the hall, and burst through an emergency exit. The dark Suburban didn’t know what hit it when she started the engine and drove it like a Formula 1 racecar.
Chapter 11
HALF MILE FROM VAN WRECKAGE, PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Sera’s heart rattled around her rib cage like a drunken hillbilly doing the two-step. A huge black dog with deep blue eyes leapt toward her. She had a split second to pull back her power before she cooked him into four-legged barbeque. The light whipped into her body with enough force to slam her backward into the chain link fence. Her teeth rattled on impact. She cursed as Guy’s shriek of laughter muddled with the beast’s piercing howl.
Staggering to her feet, she approached the brute as if it were a puppy. “Ohmygosh. Are you alright? Did I burn you? Did I hurt you?”
The monster dog shook its head, allaying her fears. It stared back at her with a quizzical look in its eyes.
Sera huffed, recognizing the expression. “Yeah, yeah. I know.” She raised an eyebrow. “I’m crazy, right? Like I haven’t heard that one before. What are you doing here?” Taking a step forward, she grinned at the beast. His fearsome jaw sat level with her chest. She reached out a hand to scratch behind his ears. The dog rewarded her with a catlike purr. “Aren’t you the big softie.” She cursed inwardly. “Great. Now, I’m talking to an animal. I’m seriously going to end up in the nut house.”
The dog withdrew his head from her hands. His gaze dropped to the floor.
Sera’s brows shot skyward in surprise. She’d never seen an animal look guilty before, but this one sure did. “What’s up?”
Bounding down the alley, the dog glanced over its massive shoulder and let out a bark.
“You want me to follow you?” She watched in disbelief as the animal shook its head in the affirmative and continued down the street. Her feet felt made of lead as she struggled to keep up with him.
Why Little Red, are you on your way to Grandma’s house? Guy started at it again. She bit her lip, too tired from the recent fight, and now the weirdness with this dog, to bother with a retort or the heavy metal music. When the silence dragged on, Guy spoke again. You did well today. They’ll be pleased.
The compliment brought her to a standstill. The cryptic they called on her journalistic instincts. “What the...What did you say?” Guy didn’t respond and the dog halted its trot to howl at her.
“I’m coming,” she said, trying to push the shock aside and concentrate on keeping her feet in motion. “Probably a good idea to keep your guard up around a...” She paused, her senses returning to normal. “Jesus that thing’s got to be at least two hundred pounds.” The alarm bells went off in her head. Having grown up in the mountains of northwestern N.U.A., formerly the Canadian Rockies, wolves weren’t exactly a foreign species to her. Though she never expected to see one in Arizona.
“Wolf?” she whispered, taking a step back. The creature looked over its shoulder at her again.
Staring at the creature with fresh eyes, she knew no dog, not even a wolf, could weigh that much, and certainly not one in Downtown Phoenix.
The beast ceased its movements and doubled back, coming within a yard of her.
“You’re not a dog or a wolf, are you?” Her heart kicked into high gear as she examined his long snout and twitching whiskers. Something about his eyes, those cerulean blue eyes. She gasped. “Talon?”
The brute let out a low moan. Its wet nose nudged her arm. His muzzle tensed. The sigh that escaped his throat sounded too human. Spinning around, he raced down the street and around a corner.
She took two steps in reverse and glared at the empty spot before bolting forward. “Hey! Wait up.” Her lungs burned when she reached the next block. A dark mass of fur sat crumpled by a dumpster. A flickering streetlight illuminated the gigantic creature. She kept to the shadows, uncertainty slowing her steps.
A roar blasted through the air, a sound so piercing it shook the ground. Black hairs receded inward, disappearing into the wolf’s body. Thick hind legs, hips, and backside elongated and straightened. The massive chest and front paws rose, stretching. A crackle of snapping bones had Sera covering her mouth. She staggered at the sight of the wolf buckling and transforming into a man.
When the process ended, the scent of burning wood floated in the air. Sera leaned toward the aroma, closing her eyes and breathing it in. Heavy footfalls announced his approach. Her lids flew open. Agent Talon Rede stood ten feet from her wearing a scowl and nothing else. Her tongue wagged as fire rose in her cheeks. She couldn’t peel her gaze away. His long powerful legs anchored his body like a cement block holding up a Roman god’s stone effigy. Smooth olive skin drew taut over the solid wall of his chest. His arms held caged strength. Her insides warmed as she imagined them encircling her in a ferocious embrace. As her thoughts grew bolder and her senses tingled, she lowered her eyes. But as they landed on his thickening manhood, she snapped them up to his face. The evidence of his arousal echoed in his fierce expression and stole the breath from her lungs.
He wanted her. The revelation made her breath hitch. She wanted nothing more than to have him soothe her body’s aching needs. It had been this way from the very first “Hello”. The hunger gnawed at her. Yet, it couldn’t be. Memories haunted her and doused all of her hopes like ice water. Allowing her desire for him to grow would prove devastating for them both. She couldn’t take that chance again, not after last time, not after Matt. She bit her lip to keep it from trembling. Better to squash this now. She rose to her full height and cleared her throat.
“Agent Rede, I think you better get dressed now and explain yourself.” She raised her chin, proud she kept her words even, and prayed the trembling in her limbs didn’t reveal her true feelings.
His mouth twitched in response to her challenge along with other parts of his anatomy. She struggled to keep the blush from her cheeks, but knew she failed.
“Of course,” he said, crossing his arms. “Wouldn’t want any distractions.” He whirled around, providing an all too tempting view of his delicious backside. He threw a devilish grin over his shoulder, then disappeared behind the dumpster.
She exhaled, thankful for the momentary reprieve. Gee Zeus. That man is hot. Resting a hand against a building, she used the other to fan her face.
You’re trampling along dangerous ground, pet. Guy’s rebuke took on a far more serious tone than usual. You don’t have enough control. Hot for you, could be boiling for him. Get my meaning?
The cold steel in his words set her off balance. Who the hell are you and what’ve you done with Guy?
No jokes, pet. Not this time. You’re too close.
“Too close to what?” she cried.
Talon reappeared fully clothed as Guy’s presence faded into the background. “Everything okay?” Dressed in a casual gray t-shirt and black jeans, he looked downright combustible.
“Yea. No.” Her senses went into overdrive as he strode toward her. The earthy scent of pine needles and a woodsy fire wafted from him. She shook her head to keep her thoughts on track. “Wh-why are you here?”
“It seems you’ve a talent for getting into trouble.” He took another step forward. His movements felt calculated, like a predator stalking its prey. “I’m betting it’s not a coincidence you’v
e been attacked—and survived—twice.”
Her hackles went up. “What’re you implying agent?”
“Sera, someone’s after you.” His words softened as he closed the distance between them. Even at her height, he towered over her, his body dwarfing hers. “I don’t know who or why. But you’re in danger. I won’t...” A muscle ticked in his jaw. His eyes flashed with unspoken need, before he regained composure. “I mean, the PCD won’t let anything happen to you. We’ll find out what’s going on and who’s responsible for this, I swear it.”
“Thanks.” She resisted the urge to wrap her arms around his neck and pull him close. It’d been a long time, an excruciating long time, since anyone cared about her that way. “And I...” She bit her bottom lip, unsure how much to reveal. The emotion in his face swayed her to take a chance. “I may be able to help you with the case.”
His hand rose as if to run through her hair, but he masked the action by rubbing the scruff at his chin. “What do you mean?”
“Well, for one thing, I was kidnapped by a vampire.” She bit the inside of her cheek trying to recall the details of her conversation with the crazy vamp. “In her own way, I think she might have been trying to help me, to protect me. At least she claimed that was the reason.”
“Strife.” He spit the word like a curse. “I’ve spoken to her. She’s the leader of a vigilante group. They think it’s their responsibility to police the world regardless of the law.” The night breeze blew a strand of hair across his neck, caressing it like a lover. “My team is bringing her in for more questioning.”
She gulped, distracted by the temptation to touch him. “Um, that’s good.”
“Yeah, but I suspect they’re not the real threat.” He sniffed the air. Eyeing the corner, he waved a hand at Sera. “I need to examine the alley where I found you. Come with me.”