by Bianca D’Arc
Elaine looked down at herself and took stock. She was scraped up and bruised, but nothing felt broken or too badly damaged from the wreck. She’d bet anything Cade had controlled the crash in such a way so that he took the brunt of the impact.
She prayed to any deity that would listen for him to be all right. Beach Boy and Knuckles hadn’t seemed to realize Cade was a shifter, or they probably would have checked him out better. Elaine hoped Cade hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d said shifters could heal fast, but then, he’d been bleeding a lot when she saw him and she remembered him saying blood loss was the one thing that really messed them up.
Thoughts circled around and around in her head, which hadn’t really stopped spinning since the crash. Idly she wondered if she hadn’t hit her head too, but there was no way to feel for bumps on her skull with her hands tied behind her back.
Elaine settled in to wait. They’d have to stop driving at some point and maybe she’d get some answers then—or, even better, a chance to escape. She’d have to stay sharp and do her best to take advantage of any opportunity.
That was the last thought she remembered before falling unconscious in the back of the van.
Elaine woke when someone splashed cold water in her face. She sputtered and coughed, coming awake with a jolt. She was indoors, propped up on a chair in the center of what looked like a giant, empty warehouse. Her hands were still bound behind her, but it looked like the cable tie on her feet had broken when they moved her and nobody had replaced it. So that was something at least.
Dark windows made black outlines on the far walls, giving her the impression it was night. They’d left the safe house early in the morning and crashed soon after. So where had the day gone?
She realized with a sickening lurch of her stomach that she’d been unconscious through it all. That was the only explanation that made any sense. Her head hurt, and her vision was a little fuzzy. She probably had a concussion.
“Glad you could join us, Ms. Spencer. Sorry for the headache, but you did that yourself when you fell off the motorcycle.”
Elaine looked up to find the man who’d first introduced himself as Detective Figueroa standing in front of her. The warehouse was dim with weak pools of light descending from light bulbs in the rafters high above, but she could see enough to make out the walls in the distance. The place was huge.
“I didn’t fall off the motorcycle.” She was mad as hell at the man who’d hunted her and burned her home. She let the anger carry her through. It was either that or whimper in fear, and she wasn’t going to give this bastard the satisfaction. “I was pushed.”
“Semantics,” he said offhandedly as if it didn’t matter in the least that he’d ordered Beach Boy and Knuckles to cause a potentially fatal accident. “All that matters is that you’re here, ready for the next part of my plan.”
“Your plan? And can I ask what that is? I’m nobody, buddy. I have no idea why you’ve been hounding me.”
“Hounding?” He guffawed. “I like your choice of words, but I’m not the hound in this operation.” He opened his hand and a flame sprang to life within it. If she hadn’t been sitting down already, Elaine’s knees would have given out. She’d seen a lot of weird stuff lately, but this had to take the cake.
“You don’t look surprised, my dear.”
“Believe me, I’m stunned.” The irony was completely lost on him, and Elaine began to suspect the man wasn’t necessarily playing with a full deck.
He started juggling with fireballs, moving closer to her seat. When she started to feel the heat of the flames, she steeled herself not to cringe backward. That was what he wanted she knew. He was testing her.
But he went beyond the testing stage right into swimming down the river, crazy as a loon when she smelled the distinct stench of burning hair. That got her to jerk backward, and he finally stopped. The fireballs winked out of existence, and he patted her head like a poodle.
It took her a moment to realize he was patting out the embers of her hair that were still smoldering. A few little wisps had turned crunchy, but vanity was the last thing on her mind. This was life or death.
“You must learn to respect the flame, Elaine. Do that and I’ll go easy on you until your rescue arrives.”
“Rescue?” What in the world was he talking about?
“Oh, they’ll think they’re the cavalry riding to your rescue, but in reality it will put them exactly where I want them. One of them in particular, anyway. I’ve sent a messenger to the cats. I need royal blood for my spell, and they’re going to deliver it. For a while I thought it was you, but you didn’t smell right.”
“I didn’t smell right?” That explained the sniffing thing back at her apartment.
“Not royal. Not magical enough,” he said dismissively. “I was most put out until I realized the cats had grown fond of you. They’ll send what I need, or you’ll pay the price.”
Elaine saw no advantage in trying to deny her knowledge of the shifters. This guy didn’t seem to care what she said. He was just using her as a means to an end.
“Not magical enough? I’m not magical at all.”
Fidelio gave her a strange look, tilting his head to the side as he studied her. “That’s not entirely true. You have something… I can’t put my finger on what it is, but there is the scent of magic about you. At first I was hopeful it was shifter magic, but alas it is human in nature. Strong, but human, and of a variety I have never before encountered. Odd really, considering how long I’ve been around, but it’s of no importance. Whatever your power, it’s not offensive in nature so it’s of no concern to me. All I care about is that you are the tool to bring me what I need. I divined it in the flame, and the flame never lies to me.”
Elaine tried to figure out what in the world he was talking about. Unless…could it be that psychic phenomena somehow equated to magic in this guy’s mind? It was the only thing she could think of. While she wasn’t clairvoyant, her grandfather had been incredibly powerful in that regard, as were others in her family. Maybe somehow this nut could pick up on a faint echo of that ability. It was in her genes, even if she didn’t have the gift.
More worrisome at the moment was the idea that he was using her as bait.
“They’ll never trade their leader for me. I only just met them after you torched my apartment.”
“Ah, that was a thing of beauty, was it not? Too bad I was so preoccupied with the flame that I had to send that incompetent dog to catch you. When he let you get away I almost killed him myself, but he had his uses.”
“He’s dead, you know.” She felt some satisfaction in telling Fidelio he’d lost one of his faithful minions, but the mage didn’t seem fazed by the news.
“As I expected. He’d ended his usefulness to me anyway. I can’t figure why he thought you were one of the royal cats. Do you know why he thought that?”
Elaine shook her head even as she thought of Gina. Maybe the wolf had somehow discovered his target worked at the hospital or lived in the building. Maybe he’d simply picked the wrong woman.
“From all accounts, Billy Bob wasn’t very bright.”
“Yes, that’s true, but like I said, it was an asset at times. He was easily led into the games that I wanted him to play.”
“What for? I still don’t understand what you get out of this.”
“The magical work of a lifetime, my dear.” He moved out of the light, but she could still see him. “With such royal blood supplementing my own magic, there’s nothing I can’t accomplish.”
“Why? What are you trying to do?”
“My flame will pierce the veil and return the founder of my order to this mortal realm. When Elspeth returns, I will rule at her side.”
Yep. Nuttier than a fruitcake with delusions of grandeur to boot. But he was in a position of power over her, and Elaine couldn’t give in to fear. Fear was one of the few things that could make her say or do something that would drive him to action. And action was to be avoided at a
ll costs while she was trussed up like a Christmas turkey.
“And what happens to me and the shifter afterward? If we agree to help you, will you let us go?”
A flame appeared in the murky darkness. Fidelio was playing with his fireballs again. They bounced from hand to hand and back again.
“Unfortunately not, Ms. Spencer. The royal will die in the course of powering the spell, and you’ll make a suitable sacrifice when Elspeth arrives.”
Sacrifice? Elaine hoped the shifters had some idea of what they’d be dealing with because this was looking grim. Elaine doubted the cats would actually let Ria come, but Cade was another matter entirely. She knew in her heart that if he survived the wreck, he’d find her. Even if he had to do it by himself, he’d at least try to rescue her.
She only hoped he didn’t lose his life in a vain attempt to get her out of this. As it had been the last two times she’d been in danger recently, it was up to her. She had to act. She couldn’t wait around depending on a rescue that might never come.
“So you expect me to just sit here quietly and wait for you to kill me?”
Fidelio laughed long and loud, echoing through the empty warehouse. The reverberations of sound gave her chills, but she refused to let him see her fear.
“You can scream, if you like. We’re on a deserted dock in the middle of the night. Nobody will hear you except me and my men and we’ll find it very amusing, I assure you.”
Elaine cursed him as he walked away, but he didn’t look back. She followed his movements hoping to learn more about her surroundings. Fidelio met up with Beach Boy and Knuckles near a side door, talked to them a few minutes and sent them on their way—each going in opposite directions.
She heard distant clicking sounds and felt her heart lurch when metal gleamed darkly in their hands. They were armed this time and she feared for anyone that might approach. Beach Boy and Knuckles weren’t too bright and she had a feeling they were the type to shoot first and ask questions later.
Elaine began to wiggle her toes and rotate her ankles as discreetly as she could. She’d been stationary so long her muscles were cold and cramping. That wouldn’t do if she needed to move quickly.
She didn’t know what kind of chance she might have, but she wanted to be ready for anything. At the very least she could run for it if she had to. Elaine didn’t think her chances were very good with that kind of lame plan, but it was all she had at the moment with her arms tied behind her back.
Her legs were coming along, and Fidelio had disappeared out the side door so she took the opportunity to raise and lower her legs a few times while still seated. Her thigh muscles protested the movement, but she knew she had to work through the pain if she wanted to be ready to move. If her captors realized she was unfettered and able to walk, none of them seemed to care. At least, nobody came running over to tie her feet again, for which she was grateful.
She made it to the far wall and leaned back against it to get her bearings and take stock of the room behind her. Just the simple act of having her back against a wall gave her comfort. She could see the empty warehouse spread out before her, but nothing else of interest. Beach Boy and Knuckles were out of sight, as was crazy Fidelio.
There was an opening to her left. It was dark and it looked like a short hall that might lead to the outside. Elaine inched toward it certain that at any moment someone would tell her to stop, but nothing happened as she neared the dark rectangle.
She looked toward it, trying to peer into the darkness and that’s when she saw it—or rather—him. Gleaming silver panther eyes shown in the darkness. They were only open a fraction, giving off the faintest glow. She was pretty sure nobody else could see him, but Cade had to know she was there.
Doing her best not to give him away, she turned slightly, keeping her back to the darkness. The panther’s claws could take care of the binding on her wrists with a single swipe.
Cade took her hint, and she felt her arms come loose, but she did her best not to give away the fact that she was now free. She moved her fingers and wrists behind her back, trying to ease the muscles. It was going to hurt like hell when she finally moved her arms in front of her, but she’d save that for when she could no longer hide the fact that she was free from her captors.
Someone had to be watching her, but they thought she couldn’t get anywhere. That meant the door had to have been locked. They’d probably expect her to try it, then come back out when she realized she’d been unsuccessful.
Ducking into the hallway, she leaned against the wall and gave a deep sigh before moving her arms forward. She did her best to hide the gasp of pain torn from her throat as she absorbed the agony.
Strong arms came around her. Cade had shifted shape and reached for her in the darkness. He bent to whisper in her ear, while rubbing her arms, helping relieve the pain.
“Are you all right?”
“Fine. You?”
“I’m good.”
“Can he hear us?” she began to panic.
“It’s okay. They can’t see you in this hallway, and I don’t hear the electrical hum of cameras or mics. If we’re quiet, they shouldn’t be able to hear us.”
“It’s Figueroa. He’s the fire starter. He had two goons snatch me from the crash. He sent them around opposite sides of the building and they were armed, Cade. They had guns.”
His strong hands continued to rub her shoulders in soothing circles. “It’s okay. Charlie’s out there hunting with Steve. They’ll take care of anyone they find then work their way to us.”
As Cade found his way to his mate, Charlie Gantry called in a favor he’d been keeping in reserve. He had a lot of contacts from his time working among humans, and he used one of them now. It was time for his people to become aware of something Charlie had only just verified for himself earlier that day.
The Altor Custodis had gone rotten from the inside, but there were people in the organization Charlie trusted. People he’d worked with and called brother in earlier times who he knew would watch his back if asked. The time had come to ask.
And so, Charlie Gantry, former special operative, called a number he hadn’t dialed in years.
When he ended the call, Charlie went hunting. He found the blond man who’d been driving the van easily enough. Charlie took him down soundlessly. An arm around the neck, a quick jerk and the hit and run driver would never speed away again.
Charlie had seen just enough in his rear view mirror to know who’d been responsible for Cade’s take down. Powerless to do anything at the time, Charlie felt satisfaction at being able to at least do this much now. He stalked the perimeter in human form, a bag slung over his shoulder, but he found no others.
This operation had the earmarks of being hastily assembled. That could work in their favor, but Charlie wasn’t taking anything for granted.
He found Steve, in panther form, near the body of the second assailant from the van. Charlie threw the bag at the panther’s feet.
“Shift and get dressed. We need to move.”
Steve didn’t argue, shifting form in the blink of an eye and reaching for the clothes in the bag. Charlie had planned ahead, knowing he’d more than likely get a positive response from his call. Now he just had to tie up one last loose end…Steve.
“What’s up?” Steve asked as he pulled on his shirt and slipped into lightweight shoes.
“We need to leave.”
“Leave? What the hell are you talking about?”
Charlie knew Steve would argue. He only hoped he could talk him around. Otherwise, he’d have to resort to more drastic measures.
“Do you trust me?”
Steve eyed him for a moment before answering. “I trust you.”
“Then trust me on this. We need to clear the area. I called in a favor, but they won’t show if we’re here.”
“You’d gamble with Cade’s life? Are you sure, man?”
Charlie swallowed hard. He was about ninety percent sure his contact would show, but h
e wasn’t sure about the timing. This could get too close for comfort considering they’d had little lead time.
“I’m sure that if they come in time, Cade will have the firepower he’ll need against a fire mage. I’m also sure that the longer we stand in the way, the more likely it is they won’t get to him in time. Make a decision. Trust me or don’t. It’s your call.”
“This is one hell of a time to pull your spy shit on me, Charlie.” Steve grumbled as he picked up the bag that had held his clothes and scrunched it up into a ball. He stuffed it in his pocket with angry motions.
“So are you coming quietly?” Charlie thought he knew the answer, but he’d take Steve down if he had to and carry him out of here unconscious.
Steve grit his teeth, but Charlie could tell he’d made the right decision. “Let’s go. But know this, if Cade buys it because of you, you’re next.”
“Heard and understood, Steve. When this is over I’ll be sure to inform Cade of your loyalty.”
“You’d better pray you have the opportunity to do so.”
With that last quip, they both ran for the perimeter and didn’t look back.
“Cade, he wants a royal shifter. Something about needing to kill a royal to fuel a crazy spell he wants to perform.”
He placed a finger gently over her lips, following it up with a hard kiss. “I heard him. You did a good job of getting him to talk.”
“It wasn’t hard. The guy is looney tunes. But did you see the fireballs? It’s like Ria’s vision. A man who can throw fire. He’s dangerous, Cade.” She pressed her head to his bare chest, reassured momentarily by the steady thrum of his heartbeat.
“That’s why I want you to stay here until we clear a path, and then we’re going to run like hell.”
“I can help, Cade. Don’t make me sit on the sidelines and watch you take all the risks. I can’t do it. And with my luck, I’ll get drawn into the thick of things somehow. That’s what always happens since I got mixed up with your people.” She had to laugh or she just might cry, and they couldn’t afford her having an emotional meltdown at the moment.