Tortured Embrace

by Julia Laque

  Well…there’s one way to kill a Nightwalker. Nice.

  Alex brought them down, quietly to the floor just as someone spoke from inside the ballroom.

  “Did you hear something?” someone asked.

  “I thought I heard a yelp,” another said.

  Jason felt Adam, who was at the north end of the ballroom at a door leading into the kitchen send them an affirmative. Ramo and Jason met Alex’s eyes for a brief second and they all nodded.

  Holding his Glock out in front of him, Jason stepped into the ballroom.

  ****

  Cyrus stood impatiently as Evangeline spoke to two Weres telepathically. Having discarded his coat outside, he rolled his shirtsleeves up to his elbows as they waited. The plan was to get the girl out with these two Weres covering them from behind.

  They hid behind an open door at the east entrance of the ballroom, watching through the crack for the signal to make their move.

  His eyes landed on the girl he’d been accused of kidnapping months ago and cringed. Werewolf or not, no one deserved such depravity, and Cyrus felt anger rush through him for what was about to come.

  Do you remember Leonardo Russo? Evangeline asked him in his head.

  Cyrus crinkled his brow. Why was she bringing up her ex-boyfriend at a time like this? Yes. The boy you first fornicated with. How can I forget?

  Letting out a frustrated breath she said, That’s him. In the leather jacket. She inclined her head toward the circle in the middle of the room.

  Cyrus angled his head over hers to peer into the room. A man in a dark leather jacket knelt with his hands behind his back, looking the worse for wear. We need to have a serious discussion on your taste in men, my sweet. Guess we know where he disappeared to…

  Just then, one of the witches said something about a noise. They too heard the soft yelp at the other end of the ballroom and wondered what was going on. Eager to move and get Evangeline the hell out of there, he held a hand out to Victor who stood behind him with a Remington 700 firmly in his grip. His man took out a Springfield and placed the pistol in his hand. Cyrus gave him a derisive look as he checked the measly 9-millimeter, then glanced at the massive weapon Victor held. We’re going to discuss who carries what in combat when we get home.

  They all braced themselves the second Jason entered the ballroom and before he could stop himself, he gripped Evangeline’s arm. Her back was to him, her gaze on Serena in the ballroom, but he was sure she understood what his grip meant.

  His heart in his throat as his ward prepared herself to enter into the lion’s den, he told her quietly, Stay alive.

  Evangeline nodded, I will.

  ****

  On impulse, Jason stormed the ballroom, going straight for Serena with the others entering at the same time from the other entrances. He knew the plan was to cover Serena and Evangeline so they could make their escape, but adrenaline, rage, and pure terror drove him toward Serena.

  Relief washed over her stricken face at his approach, his hands immediately reaching gently to cup her cheeks, careful not to put too much pressure on her left side. Grief and fury squeezed his insides as he pictured one of these pricks putting his hands on her sweet skin.

  Pressing his forehead against hers, Jason was speechless. He let out a breath of relief, relishing the feel of her, telling himself she was okay. There were no soothing sounds or words of encouragement.

  He’d come to save her, but it seemed as though she needed to rescue him, rescue him from the turmoil surging through him, the burning ache in his chest. He felt completely useless.

  “We’ve got her, Jason!” Evangeline shouted, desperately trying to move him aside, her eyes wide as the room grew louder.

  Jason nodded, breathing deep through his nostrils. “Get the hell out of here,” he uttered to them both, then turned to join the others as Evangeline cut her loose. With vengeance in his eyes, he unleashed his rage on the enemy.

  ****

  Amid the fury running through his veins, Adam Perez felt jealousy pull at his gut the instant he felt Cyrus’ emotions toward his mate. Ignoring it for now, he turned when James and Cameron approached from behind, weapons secured in their hands. They both nodded at him, letting him know their business outside had been completed. Standing in the small entrance leading into the kitchen from the ballroom, they readied themselves for the attack.

  In his wolf form, Adam led the way inside, his eyes immediately going to his sister on his right. Anger burned like wild fire through him. Growling, he made his way toward the witches in the middle of the room, intending to distract them away from Serena so Evangeline could teleport to his sister.

  “It seems we have guests,” Cassandra said casually, looking about the room as the Fighters surrounded the ballroom on all sides. Jason, Danny, James, and Cameron remained in their human forms while Adam, Samantha, Ramo, Alex, and Nick, who’d entered alone at the front of the house, advanced as wolves crouched low on all fours, ready to spring into action.

  The witches on the floor stood slowly, their heads panning the room with looks of terror on their faces.

  Danny spoke loud and menacingly with a gun aimed at Cassandra. “You’re completely surrounded. Whatever you’re planning, I’d think twice about.”

  Cassandra laughed, “Do you honestly think guns and your vicious pups scare me?”

  “You’re not bulletproof, bitch,” he answered back.

  “Ah, yes, but I encompass something you buffoons lack.” Cassandra said, then raised her hands in the air. Her red eyes falling back into her head, she spoke in an odd high-pitched voice. “Venio meus Nightwalkers quod pugna ut nex.” She met Danny’s eyes again. “Skill.”

  From all points of the house, they heard the sound of paws hitting the ground, making their way toward the ballroom. The roar of the stampede held everyone still for a moment till Adam gave the deafening growl to attack.

  A shot rang out from Danny’s gun. Cassandra disappeared in smoke before the bullet struck her. It hit the far side of the wall where Ramo and Alex were crouched. The two Weres sprung into action, attacking the nearest witches who tried to waylay them with glowing white lights shot from their hands.

  Just then, Adam saw Evangeline teleport in front of Serena, Cyrus and Victor standing with their backs to them, sending shots around the room at the scattering witches. His beta moved away from his sister, advancing on the chaos within. The scraping sound as the Nightwalkers drew closer rang loud and ominous throughout the ballroom.

  He saw Jason firing bullets around the room as he tried to deflect the onslaught of the white light the witches were throwing out, making his way toward the middle of the fight. His pack had nailed a couple witches, but the white light was blinding and each of the Fighters kept a watchful eye on the doors, waiting for the jackals to enter.

  They appeared in an instant, charging in from three of the doors, their massive forms bouncing as they attacked. They leapt with agility and precision that matched their own skill. As big as they were, they were nowhere near the size of a werewolf.

  The sight of Ramo crashing into a Nightwalker on the fly was something he’d never forget. The room sprang into action with dizzying speed. Growls echoed loudly, blood splattered the walls, and Adam could hear groans from a few Fighters as the witches fought back with their magic.

  It was evident only Cassandra could appear and disappear at whim. She moved about the room, also sending shocks of white light at his Fighters.

  Trying as hard as he could to focus on the fight and not on his sister and Evangeline standing so precariously close to the gruesome battle, Adam leapt onto the nearest witch, a male with deep sunken eyes. He pinned him to the floor and sank his teeth in the fucker’s throat.

  Behind him, he heard the commotion as Evangeline cut Serena down. He checked on them when he was through with the jackal beneath him. His mate was throwing a long white t-shirt over Serena who shook visibly, her eyes never leaving Jason.

  “Please,” Serena sa
id, shakily to Evangeline. “Cut him down.”

  Adam bit down hard at the sight of his pack member’s mangled body on the wall next to her. Surprised, he saw Victor instantly move toward Ben and cut him down in a flash, flinging his lifeless body over his shoulder. He spun around fast for a man of his size and hanging onto Adam’s pack member, aimed his rifle with his free hand at a Nightwalker slinking into the room.

  It was an odd feeling to know he’d forever be in Cyrus and Victor’s debt for doing this for the Blacktails when they could have easily stayed out of the fight.

  Even now, Cyrus inched closer to join in, shooting as Cassandra’s beasts swarmed into the room. Spinning around, the king’s eyes landed on him. Coming up your left flank, dog, he told him in his head.

  Adam whirled around just as a Nightwalker sprung at him, its vicious teeth snapping wildly, claws up. Leaping out of the way, Jason landed a bullet from the other end of the room straight through the jackal’s head. It plopped down at his feet, and Adam cursed silently. Looking back at the vampire king, he gave him a brief nod, then looked to Evangeline and Serena.

  Cyrus knew what he wanted. They’re going. We got them covered.

  “Time to move, Eva,” Cyrus shouted at her, as he backed his way closer to the women.

  Evangeline had Serena’s arm flung over her shoulder as they made their way toward the exit leading to the kitchen.

  “Evangeline?” a man in a black leather jacket said, pausing in the middle of the room.

  Adam snarled, hardly noticing the man was the only living witch aside from Cassandra in the room. The ballroom resembled a horror flick, with bodies strewn all over the floor. He made a quick count of his pack. They seemed to be okay with only a few gashes from the witch’s white lights.

  It was then Cassandra noticed her great granddaughter’s presence. “You stupid bitch!” she shouted at Evangeline, raising her arms. Adam made to move, but the man in the leather jacket knocked Cassandra’s hands down. “NO!” he shouted, then, realizing what he’d done, fell to his knees. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry, mistress. Please. I couldn’t help it.”

  Struck dumb, Adam watched amazed as the fight continued around him, the sound of gunfire a kind of soundtrack to the battle, cracking throughout the room. Nick had been fighting the guy in leather when a Nightwalker jumped him from behind. Nick continued to fight the beast a few feet to where Cassandra and her witch stood.

  Eyes blazing, Cassandra looked down at the man. “How romantic,” she said, scathingly. “Trying to save your precious Evangeline, little fool?”

  Confused as all hell, Adam looked to Evangeline, who had paused near the door staring wide-eyed at the man. Understanding hit as he glanced back at the guy. This was Evangeline’s old boyfriend. The one who’d ditched her all those years ago.

  “You’ll pay for your lapse in judgment, my dear.”

  Standing tall, she called out to the Nightwalkers, “My pets…kill him. Slowly.”

  The room stilled as five jackals advanced on the man on the floor.

  ****

  Serena nearly vomited as she watched in horror at what the monsters were capable of doing. As much as she hated Leonardo, the sight before her was like nothing she’d ever seen. The Nightwalkers chewed on every limb, digging into his skin, chunks of flesh flailing about as he cried out in agony. Meeting Jason’s eyes, she begged him silently to stop it. Despite what he’d done, no one deserved that kind of torture.

  Feeling Jason’s hatred for the witch, she watched as pity washed over his face. Clenching his jaw, he raised his arm, the gun in his hand jerked as a blast resounded around the room. The bullet hit its mark, landing straight through Leonardo’s heart, ending his shouts of pain. Ending his suffering.

  Both Serena and Evangeline exhaled loudly with relief. Evangeline shook violently as she half-carried Serena toward a door. “Come on. Lean on me,” she whispered. Limping, she moved as quickly as she could, her heart racing as she heard shouts and snarls behind them.

  She wanted Jason so much her stomach knotted, but she knew he was making sure they got out of there alive, and he’d never leave his pack members to face off the foray of Nightwalkers continuing to swarm the ballroom.

  The minute they entered the kitchen, two Nightwalkers curled their way around the island in the middle of the room, their bright eyes honed on Serena and Evangeline.

  Next to her, Serena felt Evangeline pushed aside. She noticed for the first time they were covered by two vampires and stared for a moment at the king in confusion. Why was he here?

  The king shouted at Evangeline as he thrust a gun in her hand, “Take her up the stairs! Go!” He had shoved them toward a long staircase leading up just outside of the kitchen door.

  Evangeline lifted Serena at her side and raced up the stairs. “Do you know where this leads?”

  Shaking her head she tried not to worry about the two men facing off with Nightwalkers in such a confined space with Ben slung over the bigger one’s shoulder. They faltered at a door at the top of the stairs. Evangeline opened it quickly and led Serena outside, shutting the door behind them.

  On the roof, they stood for a moment, their gazes searching danger, but all they saw was the dark night sky and the swaying tops of tree branches.

  Evangeline reached for her again. “Let’s get you to the ledge. We can jump from there. Don’t worry. I’ve got you. Your father should be here by now with Jason’s pickup.”

  Before they could make a move, the door banged opened behind them. Serena fell down hard onto her bleeding leg, as Evangeline spun quickly to catch the springing Nightwalker in her grip, sending the gun flying through the air. Serena screamed as she witnessed the giant beast pin her brother’s mate.

  On her back, Evangeline fought to keep the Nightwalker’s mouth shut with her hand clamped around its snout, struggling to get it off her. Cold fear in her heart, Serena dragged herself toward the fallen gun, hoping her movements distracted the beast.

  “Get off her!” she shouted as she moved. Her body shook as she scrambled for the gun. She reached it just as the Nightwalker managed to break free from Evangeline’s hold and sink its teeth into her upper arm, its large fangs cutting her skin to the bone. Evangeline’s expression froze before she could move again.

  “No!” Dread laced through Serena. Staring wide-eyed, Evangeline managed to wrench the jackal off her arm. Fangs bared, Evangeline’s eyes flashed silver and with nimble hands held the Nightwalker’s neck squeezing with all her might.

  Terror washed through Serena as the truth hit her. Her brother’s mate, her nephews’ mother, bitten by these creatures…these poisonous creatures. A red haze filled her gaze. Gripping the gun tightly in her trembling hands, Serena aimed and shot the beast straight through its ribs. The Nightwalker fell in a heap onto Evangeline’s chest. In a huff, Evangeline’s hands dropped to her sides, all energy knocked out of her.

  Serena made her way to her friend, and pushed the huge jackal off her with surprising strength. “Eva? Eva?” Pulling her upper body into her arms, Evangeline met her gaze. Serena watched, terrified, as Evangeline’s eyes shifted back to green.

  She gave Serena a confused look as though she didn’t know what exactly had just happened. Reaching for her arm, Serena meant to lap at her wounds when Evangeline said weakly, “No. The venom will kill you.” Her sister-in-law looked around them, and she didn’t know if Evangeline was checking to see if they were in danger or looking for her mate to suddenly appear at her side. The wretched look of shock and confusion on her friend’s face terrified her.

  Serena’s eyes blurred as tears formed. Oh God, please. This couldn’t be happening. She was going to be okay. Panic twisted her insides as Evangeline’s eyes met hers again. There were no words, just a look, which spoke volumes...a desperate look telling her to take care of Adam and the boys.

  Evangeline’s lids fluttered several times before finally closing, her body going limp in Serena’s arms. “Oh God, no! Eva!” She shook her hard, f
orcing her to wake. Closing her eyes, she listened carefully for a heartbeat, then realized as a vampire Evangeline didn’t have one, but every fiber of her being told her she was still alive. Noticing how cold she was, she reminded herself that vampires were naturally cool to the touch. It didn’t mean anything. It didn’t mean they had lost her brother’s mate.

  They had to get off this roof. Fighting the pain in her leg, bleeding more now than ever she tried to lift Evangeline as she attempted to stand. They could creep back into the stairway and find an alternate exit. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and alarm shot down her spine as a snarl echoed behind her.

  The loss of blood made her movements agonizingly slow as she turned her head to meet two more Nightwalkers. Hackles raised, they progressed forward, right at them. Still holding the gun, she shot at them, but to her everlasting horror, the gun only clicked. She was out of bullets on the roof with an injured leg and her brother’s unconscious mate. Shaking now with unimaginable fear, Serena found strength she did not know she possessed and lifted Evangeline fully into her arms as she stood. Ignoring the ripping down her thigh, she bolted for the ledge, which seemed to be miles away.

  The sound of snarls and large paws hitting the rooftop induced a panic inside her so prevalent she nearly lost it. Gripping Evangeline tighter to her chest she forced herself to ignore the pain running through her and willed her body to move faster.

  If she was uninjured, she could make the jump with no problem, even better in her wolf form, but the serum still ran through her. Continuing to run blindly toward the ledge, the roar of wind in her ears, she heard the Fighters falling out of the house below. Her plan was madness, but she had no choice. Spying her brother and Jason in the distance, she screamed as loud as she could, “Adam!”

  Agonizing pain sliced down her leg with every pounding step she took. Running with all her might, she tried to focus, her vision made hazy by tears. Cold sweat ran down her back as she sped on, tremulous voices reaching her from below.