by Rivi Jacks
Someone or something set it on fire. We are now on foot, at near dark, and no one knows where we are. At least no one we want to know.
“We need to move,” Purl says. “Come on Sawyer, it’s gone, may she rest in peace.”
Sawyer looks at me with disbelief on his face. “My phone was in there,” he said.
“What!” I suddenly feel even more panicked, if that is possible.
“Purl, I hope you have a phone,” Sawyer says.
“Nope.”
Unbidden, the memory of Lucas chastising me about leaving my phone behind comes to mind. Crap.
“Let’s get out of here,” I say. I so do not want to be on McNish land on foot in the dark, but I realize we’re already there, the night is rapidly moving in. I feel an overwhelming need to get away from this God-forsaken place.
“Wait,” Sawyer says. “If we take off on foot, we’ll probably be doing exactly what the person or thing that set my Jeep on fire wants us to do.”
That kinda makes sense. Dammit!
“So, what are you thinking?” I ask, looking around nervously.
“We can go back to the cave and hole up in there until morning’,” Purl suggests.
I shudder at the thought. “I think we should just stay by the car.” I wish Lucas were home. “Someone’s bound to see the smoke,” I say hopefully. “Or maybe someone heard the explosion.”
“Well, I don’t want to wait around here for some law dog to find us.” Purl scratches his head. “I don’t want to spend the night in jail.”
Right now, sitting safely in jail sounds pretty good to me.
“I think Sofie’s right, we should stay put.” Sawyer smiles at me. “Sam knows we were coming out here—”
“He does?” Thank goodness. I feel immediate relief.
“Well, the problem is that he and Eli were headed to Springfield and I don’t think they’ll be back until late.” At my expression, Sawyer moves in front of me. “We can do this. You’re right, someone is going to notice the fire, and we’re armed. We just have to stay alert. Okay?”
I nod. “If Taylor and Max start looking for me, they’ll probably call Sam.”
“You’re right, they will.” Sawyer looks around the gathering darkness and then at his burning Jeep. “The fire will keep the Kihn back.”
I hope.
We stand as close to the Jeep as possible, which isn’t that close because it’s putting out a tremendous amount of heat. We’ve spaced ourselves to watch every direction so we can see when the big bad monster comes at us. I can tell Sawyer thinks it’s just a matter of time.
I’m scared. I keep promising myself that I won’t ever get in such a pickle again. I look over at Sawyer, he’s watching the woods to the side of the parking area off the driveway. The area occupied by a couple of old cars whose color has long faded. Now they’re just rusting piles of metal. I search the direction he’s looking, but I don’t see any movement.
I don’t know how much time passes as we wait, but I have to fight the constant urge to run. And my back is starting to get hot from the fire. I relish that heat though because I know the flames may burn out before someone finds us. We do have to shift around, so we don’t stand in the smoke. Sawyer says to be careful and not breathe it, as it’s probably toxic.
Great. Monsters and killer smoke.
“How much longer do you think it will burn, Sawyer?” I can tell the fire’s already less intense than it was.
“Maybe an hour. It’ll probably smolder after that.”
Crap.
“Sofie?” Sawyer says softly, his tone alerting me.
“Yeah?” My voice comes out soft and whispery.
“You loaded your pockets, right?”
“Yeah.” I scan the area around us the best I can. I don’t see anything in the dark, but I suspect Sawyer has seen something. “I’m loaded up with Dragon’s Breath and double-aught buckshot.” I wait, but he doesn’t say anything else. He just continues looking out toward the old cars. “Sawyer, you’re making me nervous.”
“Movement by the house,” Purl warns.
Oh, crap!
“Yeah, there’s something out by those old cars too,” Sawyer adds.
Holy shit!
“Sawyer, I just had a really bad thought,” I say. “They’re just waiting for the car to burn out, and since it doesn’t seem as if anyone’s seen the fire—all they need to do is bide their time.”
“That’s a reassuring thought, Sofie, thanks.”
“Thought I’d just share that with you cuz.” My voice sounds shaky.
“Come on in, you son-of-a-bitch!” Sawyer yells.
I just about jump out of my skin. “Have you lost all of your mind?” I hiss at him, giving him a look that clearly says I think so.
“The first one that comes, let it get close enough for Sofie, Purl,” Sawyer says softly. “Be ready, Sofie.”
“You judge the distance, okay?” I tell him, my voice cracking. I am so nervous, I might let it get too close, and since it’s going to be a running torch—well—you get the picture.
“How many arrows do you have?” I ask.
“Probably not enough but I bet when they see one of their own lit up like the fourth of July, they ain’t gonna be so quick to say how do.”
They’ll probably just rush us all at once.
Taylor, where are you?
“It’s going to be okay, Sofe,” Sawyer says, reassuringly.
“You think?”
“Yeah, as pissed as I am about them setting my Jeep on fire—I’m itchin’ to kick some ass!” he yells. “I loved that Jeep.”
“I’d just settle for someone having to pay the deductible,” I say.
Purl laughs out loud. “You’re a funny girl,” he says.
The moon suddenly breaks free of the clouds, and about the time I register that it’s a full moon, a howl rents the night air, making the hair on the nape of my neck stand on end.
Then I feel him.
“Don’t shoot!” I try to peer through the darkness. “Don’t shoot, it’s Lucas!”
The moon is unusually bright, illuminating the night. I see movement and then something race away from the old cars. Just as quickly, I see something else follow, giving chase. Maybe one of Lucas’ men.
“Don’t shoot us!” someone yells, and I see the outline of four shapes coming toward us. I feel him like a beacon. I hand the shotgun to Sawyer.
“Wait until we see for sure, Sofe,” he says.
“It’s Lucas.”
I start walking toward him. After a few steps, I run. As I get closer, I stop.
Lucas.
Lucas in a tux.
And he’s one pissed-off vampire.
I sway slightly. The tension and fear that has kept me strong and standing for the past two hours starts to give way, and I’m not sure how much longer I can remain upright. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I say with feeling.
“Are you?” He drawls, his cold, hard gaze raking over my body.
Dr. Lewis, Fisher and Max, standing with Lucas, discreetly move away.
“Lucas.” I draw in a long unsteady breath. “Please, don’t be mad.”
In the moonlight, I can see a muscle leap furiously along his taut jawline. “Don’t be mad,” he murmurs softly.
I can’t hide my hurt. I don’t want to be a whiney-ass, but after what I’ve just been through, my emotions are a little unsettled. I bite my lip.
He sighs thoroughly and runs a hand through his hair, glaring at me. I want him to hold me.
I need him to hold me.
He pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me and just as quickly, he releases me. Shaking his head, he glances over at Sawyer and Max before he looks back at me. �
�Lewis,” he calls to the doctor, his gaze holding mine. “Please stay with Sofie.” He leans down to give me a level look. “You don’t move from this spot.” My mouth drops open. “Do you understand me?” I narrow my eyes at him. “Answer me, Sofie,” he snaps.
“Yes,” I hiss. I turn my back on him so he won’t see the sudden tears that shimmer in my eyes. He says nothing else, but I feel him standing there, watching me.
“Sofie, do you need to sit down?” The good doctor asks kindly.
“No thank you, Lewis, I’m fine.” I’m afraid to give in, afraid that any surrender on my part will lead to a total meltdown and I’ll end up on the ground a blubbering mess. I turn around, and my eyes find Lucas across the clearing talking to Sawyer. It doesn’t look as if he’s mad at him. Purl has joined them, and it appears he’s putting his two cents worth in.
“You weren’t hurt, were you?” Lewis asks, concern in his voice.
I pull my gaze from Lucas. “No, they were just getting to that part when y’all got here.”
He smiles. “Well, I’m glad we made it before that happened.” He turns to look at the Jeep. “Young Sawyer’s vehicle didn’t fare as well, I see.”
I look at the smoldering pile of metal. That’s about all that’s left now. I let my gaze slide back to Lucas.
“Where were you when the car was set on fire?” The doctor asks.
“Down at the cave,” I say, looking at him again. “We had just started up the hill to leave when the jeep exploded.”
“No one hurt then?”
“No, we were still over the hill.”
“You were fortunate on that count. Did you explore the cave?”
“No, just the entrance. There was a strange creature in there that tried to attack us.”
Dr. Lewis’ attention sharpens. “What type of creature?”
“Um… I’m not sure what it was; I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“What did it look like, Sofie?”
I frown at his sharp tone. “It was about the size of a dog… but it didn’t have any hair on its body. It had long claws, and it moved… fast.”
Dr.Lewis takes hold of my arm firmly, but gently. “You said it attacked?”
“Tried… Sawyer shot it before it reached us.”
“Did anyone touch it after it was dead?”
“No.” His intensity alarms me.
“What did you do then, after it was killed?”
“Nothing, we just left it. Sawyer thought about pulling his arrow out of the thing but—” I shut my mouth before I say too much. I can’t tell him that a voice, only I can hear, warned me away.
“Lucas!” Dr. Lewis calls, meeting him halfway across the clearing. After exchanging words, Lucas turns to look at me and then he moves, bearing down on me.
Before I can stop myself, I take a step back.
“W-What does Lewis think that creature in the cave was?” I stammer. It pisses me off that I’m letting myself feel so intimidated by him.
“Max and Lewis went to check it out.” He glares down at me.
“Are you going to stay mad at me?”
“Yes,” he snaps.
My eyes widen in surprise, and my breath huffs in irritation. “Fine,” I snap back. We stand there glaring at each other.
“Lucas!” We both turn toward Max as he walks from around the house. “It was a Puxuna,” he states, as he reaches us.
I swear Lucas’ face pales. He grabs me, his fingers digging into my upper arms, and I cry out softly.
“Did it make contact with you?”
I shake my head.
“Think—did you or anyone else touch it?” He shakes me slightly.
“No, I’m positive.”
Lucas jerks me into his arms and holds me tightly, burying his face in my hair.
“Lucas! What is it?” His response totally freaks me out. “What is a—Puxuna?”
I feel his body tense, and then he releases me abruptly. “Something you would never have been exposed to if you had done what you were told,” he bites out between clenched teeth.
“Oh!” I’m not a child. Who the hell does he think he is?
My guilty conscious suddenly rears her ugly head. He’s the man I have come to love with all my heart, and I know that the pissed-off anger he’s displaying is entirely because of his concern for me. My anger suddenly leaves me. This is my fault. This worry I’ve caused him is my fault. I swallow deeply. I told him I’d be careful. I was careful, but I know now that Sawyer and I shouldn’t have come out here. At least not without back-up and better planning. How could we have predicted this outcome, though?
I look up into Lucas’ eyes. How am I going to make him understand that there will probably be more incidents like this because I won’t sit and wait for the Kihn to come for me. And I know that is what is going to happen.
“Sofie,” he murmurs softly, a pained expression crossing his features.
“Lucas,” Max interrupts, “It’s getting late, and we need to get this sorted out.”
Lucas continues giving me his narrow-eyed attention before he answers. “Yes.” He runs a hand through his silky black hair, and I flush under his intense perusal. After several moments, he pulls his gaze from mine to look at Max. “Inform Ryan I’ll be ready within the hour.”
He turns that silvered gaze back on me. “Sofie,” —his voice is less angry now— “I need a short word with Sawyer. Wait here—please.” He gives me another long look, and I nod.
He then turns to Max. “Wait here with Sofie.” Max nods as he continues talking on his phone.
I exhale a shaky breath as Lucas strides across the clearing to where Sawyer, Purl, and Fisher stand looking at the Jeep. The headlights of two vehicles clear a rise coming up the dirt road, and I watch as the Hummer pulls into the clearing.
I’d really like to go and sit by myself for a few minutes in the Hummer, but before I have a chance to ask Max, he’s pulling his cell phone back out of his pocket.
Max meets my eyes briefly as he answers. “Yes. Be ready to leave as soon as Lucas arrives.” My ears perk up. “Within the hour.” Max snorts softly. “Well, you’d better tell him to get back.”
I don’t want Lucas to go. I quickly look over at him to find both he and Sawyer staring at me. What? What is that look for? They both glance away and then Lucas hastens back to my side.
“Everything taken care of?” he asks as Max ends the call. His heated gaze drifts over me.
“They’re ready,” Max tells him.
“Call the hotel and have them move me to a ground level room.”
Max nods.
“Ready?” Lucas asks as he pulls his phone out of his pocket.
Is he talking to me? I look at him, and when I don’t say anything he looks up, his eyebrow cocked in question. His lips seem to be fighting a smile, which makes me feel a little better.
I assume he’s going to drop me off at home. “I am,” I answer, pleased we’ll have a few minutes alone before he leaves. I wave at Sawyer as Lucas, and I walk across the clearing. As we round the end of the Hummer, on the far side where the others can’t see us, Lucas pushes me up against the vehicle, looming over me.
“I don’t know if I should kiss you, or turn you over my knee,” he growls, his beautiful eyes gleaming silver.
Before he has time to decide, I thrust myself against him, wrapping my arms around his neck. It takes him all of two seconds to respond, and then we’re kissing each other as if there is nothing more important in this world. Just the two of us. No one, or anything else matters, just this passion that we share. Lucas finally releases my lips, and I have a moment to draw breath before he frames my face with his hands, his eyes burning into mine. The look on his face—fear, worry, anger—all rolled into o
ne.
“Lucas!” I sob.
He wraps me in his arms. “Shhh.”
I cling to him. “I’m so sorry I worried you.”
“Not now, sweet. We’ll talk about it later.”
He kisses my forehead before releasing me to open the door and holds out his hand to help me in.
As we drive down the lane away from the nightmare of the McNish farm, I relax for the first time in hours. After several minutes, I start to get antsy with his silence, wondering what he’s thinking.
“What was that creature in the cave and what was the concern about us touching it?”
I notice his hands tighten on the steering wheel. “It was a Puxuna. A nasty creature with venomous claws, it can also excrete venom through its skin. The venom—is highly toxic and causes a slow, painful death.”
I shudder. “Not to mention they’re ugly,” I say.
He glances at me. “And they’re ugly,” he murmurs. “In the past, the Kihn kept them as—booby traps, would be a good description,” he adds. “They were outlawed about three hundred years ago.”
I turn my head toward him. “They put that thing in there?”
“Oh yes,” he says with renewed anger in his voice. “They are breaking one of our strictest laws, exposing humans to such a danger.”
I hoped never to see another one.
We reach the end of the lane, and as the Hummer eats up the highway, Lucas begins grilling me on what Sawyer and I did that day. I tell him up to the point where he arrived. He looks over at me, clearly still angry.
“How did you know where to look for us?” I attempt to get his mind off his anger.
“Sam.”
“Did Sawyer and Purl tell you about what Purl’s been seeing out there?”
“They did.”
“If the Kihn uses those smelly… what did you call that thing?”
He gives me a quick glance. “A Puxuna.”
“I think that the Kihn must have put that Puxuna in the cave last night after whoever else was there left or maybe sometime today. I can’t imagine being confronted by that thing in the dark…” The impact of what could have happened to us earlier in that cave settles in the pit of my stomach, and for a moment I think I might be sick.