The Caitlin Chronicles Boxed Set

by Michael Anderle

  Caitlin couldn’t understand it. Sure, Kain had hardly ever been forthcoming with his past, but it seemed strange for him to have been kidnapped. There must be a reason. There must.

  It had to have a connection to the Weres. Were it merely humans beneath the city, no flags or alarms might have raised. But if Kain was to ever upset anyone, Caitlin could imagine it would be Weres. Hadn’t he mentioned a couple of times in passing how he disliked the herd mentality of the Were packs?

  Caitlin closed her eyes and drowned out the conversations happening around her. She shut out Joe, Tom, and Laurie who seemed deep in some nostalgic memory over the foods they had enjoyed growing up as kids. She ignored the constant murmur of the city folk as they laughed and gossiped and occasionally, pointed at the new arrivals. Instead, she focused on the idea of more Kains…more dry-witted beasts with strength that surpassed every human under this roof.

  Caitlin’s mind wandered to life in the sewers. Her mind churned with more questions and even more wonderings. Perhaps they were merely Weres who had caught wind of another of their kind and wanted more for their pack. Perhaps it was that simple?

  That could make sense, she thought. If they were attempting to swell their numbers for an overthrow of the humans, they’d want all the help they could get. They already had Alicia, so could it be too far from the truth that a rising up of the Weres was in the works?

  Jaxon licked the juices of meat from Caitlin’s fingers. She looked into his eyes and smiled. “Tonight, we hunt again, friend,” Caitlin said.

  “Tonight?” Tom said.

  Caitlin’s eyes widened with surprise, unaware she had said that out loud. “Yes. Tonight. If time is against us, then we need to carry on. We can’t sit on our asses, not knowing what Kain is doing. Whether one of our own is safe.” She studied Tom, then grinned, “Unless you’re scared of a little d-aaargh-k, that is?” she said, swinging her fist.

  “Was that a pirate joke?” Tom said.

  Caitlin nodded.

  “Because of the eyepatch?”

  She nodded again.

  “Wow. That never gets old…”

  Laurie struggled to contain her laughter, covering her mouth with her free hand. Izzy leaned forward to see what was going on, blocking Joe’s view. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing,” Caitlin said. “You had to be th-aargh!”

  Laurie fell into hysterics once more as Tom sat and blushed.

  “You know I’ll find a way to get you back,” he said.

  “Just try me.” Caitlin winked.

  After they had finished their food, Caitlin spotted a group of young women doing the rounds of the tables with big pitchers full of drink. When they reached Caitlin’s table, she saw that it was wine.

  “Fresh from the roofs,” Izzy said. “Try some. It’s the best you’ll find around.”

  “That’s a bold statement,” Tom said cheekily. “What’s your frame of reference? Do you make many trips to the neighboring towns to compare?”

  Laurie had already taken a mouthful and swirled it around her mouth. “Hmm. Nice. Full-bodied. And delicate on the tongue.”

  Caitlin looked incredulously at her.

  “I’m kidding. It all tastes the same to me.” She coughed slightly as the wine burned her throat. “Woah. Got some kick to it, that one.”

  Caitlin smirked. “Aw. Wittle Lauwie can’t hold her liquor?”

  “I can,” Laurie protested. “Big words coming from someone still holding their drink tightly in their hand. What? You scared it’ll go straight to your head? That you might do something you’ll regret?”

  “Like what?” Caitlin said.

  “Like Tom.” Laurie chuckled.

  Tom’s turned red. “Or…or Joe!”

  Joe’s ears pricked up and he withdrew his head from the goblet he had already drained. A thick stream of purple liquid clung to his beard and dribbled down his body. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a good nights in the sack with Joe. Though if that’s what you’re lookings for I’ll politefully decline. My Violets would have a few words to say about that.”

  Tom looked as though he was about to say something, then thought better.

  Caitlin raised her cup to her lips and smelled it. It had a nice scent—fruity with a hint of an acidic bite to it. She took a mouthful, held it as she savored the taste, and swallowed, then went back for more. She couldn’t remember the last time she had drunk alcohol. It had always been more of Dylan’s bag to drain the beers and cheer with the men. Her father had often spent nights wobbling from the booze while her mother rolled her eyes, with Caitlin watching with a grin from the floor where she played with her toys. But, truthfully, she had always preferred the idea of sobriety.

  Ah well, strange times called for strange measures.

  “It’s delicious,” Caitlin said, doffing the cup to the servers as they offered her a refill she gladly accepted.

  “Easy now. Izzy giggled, already light-headed on her own wine. “You want to be careful. That’s stronger stuff than you give it credit for. You’ll be down on your arms and asleep in a few seconds.”

  Caitlin waved the idea away. “Are you saying I’m not strong enough to handle myself? I’ll have you know I’m much stronger than you think.” She was surprised to find her words were slurring slightly. The others laughed into their cups.

  A clinking of something metallic caught their attention, and they looked up to see a woman standing at the far end of the hall.

  She looked fierce. Her shoulders were broad beneath the tumble of strawberry-blonde hair. At her side was a broadsword which Caitlin noted looked like it had never seen a day of battle in its life.

  “Who’s that?” Caitlin whispered.

  “Felicia,” Izzy replied. “Alicia’s sister.”

  “Felicia and Alicia? Are you kidding me?” Before she could get a response, Felicia addressed the room.

  “Thank you, citizens of the Broken,” Felicia said in a voice that seemed far too deep for her body. “What a blessing it is that we should be once again gathered together to celebrate the life we have been gifted, and to rejoice as brothers and sisters together under one roof.”

  All around them the city folk raised a glass and muttered, “Hear, hear.”

  Caitlin caught the questioning eyes of her crew, shrugged, and held her own cup up. “Hear, hear.”

  “Hear, hear,” Tom, Laurie, and Joe echoed.

  “It’s the same speech every night. Don’t expect any award-winning performances from our Miss Felicia.” Izzy grinned.

  Felicia stumbled over her words for a moment before taking a deep breath and continuing in a loud and steady voice.

  “Let us take a second to remember those through the years whom we have lost, those who should be with us today, and those who have been taken without just cause,” Felicia intoned as heads bowed and a solemnity swept over the crowd. Caitlin kept her own head up, watching with fascination as a small girl—Ruby, by the looks of it—at the front of the crowd stood up and took some steps towards Felicia.

  She seemed taken aback by the boldness of the girl. A shadow crossed her face as her nose wrinkled in disgust before she shook her head and addressed her. “Little girl, please prepare to pay your respects.”

  Ruby paid no heed. When she spoke, her lip quivered. “Please tell me you’ve found them, Miss Leader. Please tell me you’ve found my sister.”

  Felicia took another calming breath. “Girl—”

  “It’s Ruby, Miss Leader,” Ruby said, curtsying and looking down at the ground.

  There was a gentle ripple of awwwws across the room.

  “Miss Ruby,” Felicia said, doing her best to focus on the girl, “there has been no word. As promised last night, and the night before, and the night before that, we’ll let you know if we discover anything.” Her lips grew tighter as she talked, as though the very effort of controlling herself was painful. “Until that time, why don’t you be a good little girl and take a seat?”

  Rub
y sniffled, nodded, and sat back down.

  “As I was saying…” Felicia continued, resuming a speech about the community and how they had to remain united and continue working together. Caitlin was hardly listening. She’d grown curious about the woman at the front.

  “Tell me about her,” she said to Izzy. The others leaned in closer to hear more.

  “There’s not much to tell, to be honest,” Izzy said. “I mean, there’s always been a slightly strained relationship between Felicia and Alicia—from what I’ve heard. You know how it can be with siblings. One person always wants what the other one has, and so on. It’s just the nature of things.”

  “She seems so…bitter,” Tom whispered, looking around to make sure that nobody was eavesdropping.

  “Wouldn’t you be if your sister had been taken and it was up to you to take the reins and lead the people?” Laurie chipped in.

  “Well…that’s the strange thing,” Izzy said. “Nobody asked her to. It’s not like we’re working with a monarchy here. There isn’t a rightful heir to the throne. It’s merely about whoever should be more suited for the job.” She nodded to the front and pointed at a man who sat a few feet to Felicia’s side. He was young and handsome, with an impressive layer of stubble and an enviable faux hawk on his head. “If you want my opinion, it should’ve been him. Triston. That’s Alicia’s son.”

  “What happened to no rightful heir?” Caitlin said, motioning to Izzy.

  “Well, it’s not a requirement, but it would sure make sense. Triston has walked in his mother’s footsteps since the day he was born. He’s strong, he’s honest, he’s kind, and he at least gives enough of a shit about these people to poke his head out and say hi once in a while.”

  “What do you mean, once in a while?” Caitlin said. “Is Felicia living underground, hiding all day and night?”

  “She might as well be. See, a few years ago, Felicia had been simply another face amongst the crowd. But over the last few months, she’s been…let’s say…absent. Hidden. Would always spend all day in her room. Some have said she’s ill, others that she’s antisocial and bitter. I wouldn’t be surprised if she burst into flame the moment she stepped into the sunshine.”

  “Maybe she’s a—” Laurie started to suggest before a voice cut over her.

  “Luna?” Joe suggested, a little more loudly than he meant to.

  The library fell still as all heads turned to Caitlin and her group. Felicia eyed them curiously, studying the small man from afar.

  Caitlin smiled awkwardly. “It’s nothing,” she said. “Just Tourette’s. Sometimes, he starts naming the members of The Beatles. Other times, it’s ingredients for a beef broth. We’ll be sure to keep him under control, ain’t that right, Joe?”

  Joe nodded, a fresh lashing of red appearing in his round cheeks. “Apologies, ma’am. As you were.”

  Felicia paused a moment before continuing her speech.

  “What the fuck was that about?” Izzy scolded beneath her breath.

  “Sorry,” Caitlin said. “Joe has something of a nervous twitch when it comes to Unknowns.”

  “Well, you’ll need to keep your dog under control.” Izzy smirked.

  “Hey!” Caitlin exclaimed. “Leave Jaxon out of this.”

  She waited while the others chuckled quietly into their hands.

  “But seriously, from what you’re saying, it sounds like there could be a major possibility that Felicia is a vampire,” Caitlin said.

  Izzy seemed to consider the possibility seriously for a minute. “Well, if she is a vampire, she’s doing a great job concealing it at the moment. There have been no major incidents or any reported blood loss from our guys, so I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt there. Besides, I saw her out on the roof yesterday reprimanding one of our farmers for eating the produce on the job.”

  “Fair point,” Tom said.

  “No. I think she’s just a bitch,” Izzy continued. “But as long as she’s not hurting anybody while in charge, that at least frees us to keep looking for Alicia.” She paused and let out a big yawn. “Well, maybe after a nice sleep.”

  Despite her earlier declaration to go out and search with Jaxon, Caitlin felt the wooziness in her head from the wine. Her lids were heavy, and she realized then that it had been over a day since she had last slept in the first floor of an abandoned factory. “Maybe that’s not such a bad idea—”

  Her agreement was cut short when a boom sounded as several men crashed through the doors and into the room.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Felicia snapped.

  “Mad!” the men shouted. “At the gates. Dozens of them. We need reinforcement. Now!”

  A ripple of disquiet spread through the crowd. Felicia looked unsure of what to do for a moment. “Well…that’s my decision to make,” she said to the surprise of the men.

  Triston looked up at his aunt in surprise. When she said nothing more, he pulled out a pistol from his side, stood beside her, and declared, “All able-bodied men and women to the perimeter. Now!”

  Triston didn’t hesitate long enough to see the glare from his aunt. Instead, he was at the men’s side in seconds, allowing them to lead the way out of the library and onto the streets.

  Izzy smirked at Caitlin. “Still sleepy?”

  Caitlin gripped Moxie’s hilt and beamed. “Strangely enough, no. Justice is always one step better than a hit of caffeine anyway.”

  As one, they all rose and followed the crowd, pumped and ready to take down the bad guys.

  Chapter Fifteen

  The Sewers, The Broken City, Old Ontario

  “You know the boss likes you, right?” Howie said through the slat in Kain’s cell.

  “Oh, yeah. Absolutely. I often throw my besties into damp cells and leave them in there to rot. Come on in, buddy. There’s room enough for two in here,” Kain said with so much derision that it almost hurt.

  His visitor chuckled. The sound of it infuriated Kain. He pictured a scenario in his head in which he gave in to his urge to shift, smashed down the door, and sprinted off into the outside world. He’d done it once before to escape from this shithole. And he’d done it again to escape from the clutches of the governor.

  Would a third time really be the charm, or would he wind up stuck—if not as a wolf, maybe even in the halfway place between?

  “If Geralt hated you, you’d already be dead,” Howie continued. “You’ve said it yourself. Way I see it, you’re one of the blessed ones. He doesn’t have that sort of patience for everyone in the pack. Not even his own kin.”

  “His kin are all dead,” Kain said.

  “And who do you think killed them?”

  Kain was momentarily taken aback. It was true that Geralt had always shown a certain level of patience with him that he hadn’t received from a lot of others in his life. Actually, it had only been Caitlin and Mary-Anne who had shown a tolerance for his ways since he had departed from the sewers.

  Well…maybe more so the Kitty-Cat than Ma…

  But what did that the great brute really want? Kain found it hard to believe that Geralt merely had a soft spot for him. Surely there had to be an ace up his sleeve or a reason for keeping him around. Though he’d thought long and hard, he simply couldn’t figure out what that might be.

  Before Kain knew it, he was asleep. When he woke, his bones ached, and it took him a moment to shake off his drowsiness before he heard the hushed whispers of Howie and someone else outside his door. A female voice. Madeline, perhaps?

  “There are nearly five hundred of them up there. You really think now’s the time to sneak up and grab one?” Howie’s low voice seemed to hiss in the dank silence.

  “Boss’s orders. Get the chicks when the chickens have left the nest. Pluck them off while they’re weak,” Madeline replied. “Bryce is already up there now, sneaking towards their inner sanctum.”

  “The library?”

  “My way sounds better,” Madeline said.

  “How many Mad are w
e talking?” Howie asked. “A half dozen? Twenty?”

  “Scouts say nearly fifty of them up there.”

  Howie whistled his surprise.

  “Shhhh,” Madeline urged, peeking through the slat at Kain who closed his eyes just in time.

  “What do we think attracted them? We’ve not seen hordes like that in months. That’s fence-break-threat level. If they’re not careful, it’ll be the Mad that take them all down. They won’t even have to worry about us.”

  “Wouldn’t that be the dream.” Madeline chuckled. “We could crawl out onto the surface and reap the rewards. Scouts also report strange newcomers with silver-tipped weapons. Seems they’ve found some new recruits who show some talent with a blade.”

  Howie paused to think. “Sounds like the guys Sudeikis was with at the factory the night me, Mikkel, and Wes found him. We need to watch them. They’re here to take him back, I’m sure of it.”

  “That’s not even the half of it,” Madeline said taking another peek inside the cell. This time, she hesitated, studying Kain who emulated sleep-breathing with gentle snores for good measure. When she seemed satisfied he was out for the count, her voice went even quieter. “There’s a rumor that we’re being hunted.”

  “That’s not a rumor,” Howie replied. “We know we’re being hunted. The humans have been hunting us for friggin’ years, and they’re still no closer to getting into our tunnels.”

  “No,” Madeline said solemnly. “Not humans.”

  “What then?”

  “Some have picked up the scent of a vampire lurking about.”

  “Fuck off.” Howie chuckled. “Not a hope in hell. What would a vampire be doing sniffing around us?”

  Madeline shrugged. “Looking for a new home. Hunting for some food. Who fucking knows anymore? The last vampire I met was shacked up in that factory and seemed determined to bring the Weres to their end. If it hadn’t been for Geralt and Bryce that day, I don’t know what we would have done. If only we could friggin’ transform at will like in the good old days, it might have been an even fight.” She sighed. “If only we could all have been stuck in that bunker the day the world fell to shit. Whatever fucked-up protection they had should have been shared around. I miss it, y’know.”