by Claire Marta
“I don’t want to kill you, but I will if I have to.”
Creeping nearer on large paws, he sizes me up with a feral stare. Standing my ground, I pray there’s a spark of humanity still left somewhere inside. Something that hasn’t been swallowed by his animal side.
A black nose sniffs close to my palm. Inching its face forwards, it takes the offering with a gentle nip of his teeth. Releasing the breath I didn’t realise I was holding, the tension drains from my shoulders.
Scoffing down the treat, the werewolf swallows the rest of the chunks. Looks like we are still friends. Pushing his weight into my leg, a rough wet tongue licks my hand in thanks. Caressing his muzzle, I flex my fingers in his soft pelt.
“Atta boy.”
Planting his rear down in the snow, he watches me patiently. There’s no sign he’s going to transform.
“You have the power to control beasts!” The warrior who’s holding the reins of my ride speaks in awe.
“He’s a shifter, but for some reason he seems to be stuck in his wolf form.”
Dismounting, Mr. Pushy strides towards us, his footsteps crunching in the snow. “You still believe he’s not responsible for attacking our kin?”
I hear the low warning growl. Hand still resting in the fur of Cade’s neck, I reassure him with gentle strokes.
“Cade was hired by Lucifer to stop someone from opening the seals of Hell. I don’t think it’s a coincidence he’s here.”
I’m more than happy to let the werewolf rip this fucker’s throat out if he keeps questioning me. One less nuisance.
Snatch shuffles closer, plucking nervously at the arm of his sweatshirt. “What now?” He peers at me from behind his messy hair and big brown eyes.
“Now we go up there.” Raising an arm, I point above to the ruin. “That’s where we’ll find Leo and Tiberius or what’s left of them.”
“That sounds so morbid.”
I’m not going to sugar coat it for him. He’s been on the team long enough to know every gruesome detail of a monster attack. “Chances are they’re already dead.”
Unsheathing a sword from its scabbard hanging on his saddle, Mr. Pushy swishes it in the air a few times. “Then we avenge them and give them an honourable burial.”
Leaving two of the men to guard the horses, we make our way up the incline in sombre silence. I huff and puff more than I would like. I’m so out of shape it’s bloody embarrassing. Snatch’s supportive arm gets me to the top. With three clips of ammo left I know I’m going to have to use it sparingly. I’ll have to use them to my advantage and find the perfect kill shot.
Cade trots at our side. Silent, deadly, the wolf is constantly on alert. He travels the path so well it’s clear he’s journeyed up here more than once. Does it have to do with why he’s unable to transform? It seems like a good explanation.
The stench of death blows in on the chilly wind. Pausing for a moment, I scan back down the route we’ve traversed to the waiting horses. We’re in the Devil’s domain and he hasn’t shown. That knowledge makes me more uneasy than anything else. Is this another one of his twisted wicked games? I very much doubt he doesn’t know we’re here.
Reaching our objective, we fan out around the doorway. Beyond, the gaping murky silence awaits us.
Without a backwards glance, Cade pads ahead, melting into the gloom.
Fingers curl around the handle of my gun, I tug it from the holster on my shoulder. Attention focused, I trail after him. I sense rather than hear the men moving at my back. All of them trained hunters they know how to move without giving away their presence.
Small holes carved in the roof provide some light. Frozen stalactites hang from the ceiling. Although the snow hasn’t breached within, the place is far colder than the temperature outside. It’s like a fucking icebox.
Moving silently and slowly, we creep down the passage and into the first room. The source of the smell is waiting for us. Carcasses litter the floor. Patches are stained dark with old blood. From the gnaw marks on the white gleaming bones something has been feasting down here for quite a while. There’s a mix of humanoid and animal corpses. Whatever we’re dealing with it doesn’t care what its meal is.
“Snatch, you picking anything up?”
“We need to get closer to whatever it is,” he whispers in reply.
Stepping over the remains, we pick our way across to the next doorway.
It opens into a larger chamber. Broken shards of mirrors around the space catch thin beams of light making the area less dark. Discovering a low wall just inside, I motion for the others to shadow me. Crouching down behind it, we have the cover we need to keep us from being spotted by any occupants. Quickly, quietly, the others obey.
Carefully peering over the top, I scan the area. I spy a cage at the back of the chamber. A flash of bright pink. Beaten up, dirty, Leo is peering through the bars. Behind him, I recognise Tiberius and a few of his men. The rest of their numbers are missing. Why hasn’t Leo used his telekinesis?
It’s quiet. Too quiet and it has every one of my instincts jangling on alert.
Make-shift beds have been fashioned along the other end. Studying the rest of the layout, I see something move. The creature tilts its head to sniff at the air. Unfolding itself from its sitting position, it stretches its tall frame and elongated limbs. It’s tightly drawn flesh appears thin over his skeletal features. Black almond shape eyes gleam in the semi light focusing on the prisoners.
Another ripple breaks the dark and I see an added form. More of the same creature rise to assemble with their companion. There has to be at least ten of them.
Snatch swears under his breath. “It’s a wendigo nest.” Flattening himself back behind the wall, he pinches his eyes shut in fear.
That explains why Leo and Tiberius are still breathing. They like their victims alive while they eat them. Fresh meat is what they crave. A monster once human driven to cannibalism, they become possessed by a hunger that grows more intense. A species of monster Leo is also phobic over. No wonder he hasn’t tried to escape.
“They must have rooted in when it became colder. They’re known to keep to remote, harsh places, and cold temperatures.”
“You’ve faced these things before?” Mr. Pushy queries with a quirk of his brow.
“A couple of times.” I confirm. “They hunt in packs. Whatever you do don’t let them slash you with their claws. If they do, you’ll be infected.”
“What do you mean?”
“Their hunger will take a hold of you. Once that happens there’s no cure. You’ll become one of them. The best thing we can do is kill you, so you don’t turn on the rest of us, so I repeat, do not get scratched.”
Unease ripples through the group. I know my words haven’t gone over well, but they need to hear the truth. If anyone gets infected I won’t hesitate in putting them down.
Inching closer to my side, another male checks over his blade. “How do we get rid of them?”
“Fire. We burn them out.” I reply absently, still not able to shake the feeling there’s more at work here. Wendigos hunt in packs, but they don’t have the kind of intelligence I’ve glimpsed in this set up. It doesn’t make sense. There’s a shade of something evil at work.
I see no sign of Cade. Wherever he’s hiding his furry arse is out of trouble.
Movements sure and quick, the demons liberate handmade torches from their backpacks. They’re sturdy thick sticks with rope fastened to one end of the shafts. The ends have been dipped in wax, now hardened. Crude, but effective, and just what we need.
“Something’s happening.”
Snatch’s harsh whisper sends a chill down my spine. Have they scented us? Twisting around to gauge the scene, I find one of the creatures stalking on skinny hairless legs towards the metal cage. The occupants inside clamber away from the door, their terror apparent. I know what’s coming next. Seen it a few times before. It’s never pretty.
To my relief Leo knows to stay away from the exit
. Clutching Tiberius’s arm, he guides the handsome demon Chieftain a safe distance clear. One of the other males is not so lucky. Lock clinking ominously in the strained silence, the wendigo reaches a bony arm within so quickly its prey can’t escape. Some of the others try to save him, but it’s already too late.
The colour in his cheeks drains away, eyes huge as he’s dragged out. Breathing hard and erratic, he searches for a way out. They fall on him like a pack of rabid dogs. His screams and shrieks are spine-chilling as they rip his flesh from his body. The slap of lips and chewing is loud as they feast. It’s a messy, grisly way to go. A bullet in the head would have been quicker.
“Now, while they are distracted.”
Mr. Pushy doesn’t bother waiting for my agreement. Gesturing to the other warriors, they begin a sneak attack. The cocky bastard thinks this will be a piece of cake. Shaking my head, I roll my eyes. Why do they never listen?
With a battle cry, he charges, the others just behind him. Heads jerking up, the wendigos bare blood-stained teeth. Claws extending, they show no fear. Bouncing up, they attack, flowing as one rather than running.
Mr. Pushy goes down fast under the weight of two wendigo bodies. Fighting back, he manages to heave them off him. Blood pours from the gash in his arm. The sight of claw marks is unmistakable.
His gaze snaps to mine. Fear flickers through them as I raise my gun. He tries to dodge, running for the way out, but I don’t let him get that far. My bullet explodes through the back of his skull. I don’t bother waiting to see his corpse hit the ground.
“Don’t let them touch you or you’re as good as dead. Got it?” I shout, reminding the others not to be as arrogant. Making my move, I keep to the side, edging around the room. They’re hacking and slashing with swords. Only a few of them have remembered to light up their torches.
“Mavi, what the fuck are you doing here?” Leo calls out angrily. “I know you’re insane, but I didn’t think it was this insane.”
“A thank you, Mavi, for coming to save my sorry arse might make me free you a whole lot quicker.” I snap back.
“Look out, wraith!”
His warning throws me off.
White fog whirls up from the dirty ground. With conscious intent the apparition takes form, ghastly transparent. Rags hang off its emaciated figure. Flesh withered away, it bares the ghostly innards tangled in decay. It has no eyes or nose. The only orifice it possesses is a gaping mouth, with rows of sharp pointed teeth.
So, this is the cocksucker who’s been directing the wendigo. With no substance of its own, it’s using them as its arms and legs.
An intangible claw hand reaches out for me. “I’ll rip your soul from your meat sack of a shell.”
Clucking my tongue, I tip my head to the side. “I hate to break this to you, but my soul belongs to the Devil so there’s no way you’ll be getting your filthy clutches on it.”
With a leering grin, it motions at my swollen stomach. “Then I’ll take the other one.”
Oh, the motherfucker did not just threaten my child? If it wasn’t dead already I’d put a bullet through its stinking heart.
Eyes blazing, I take a step closer. The tune that’s always playing in the back of my head cranks up the volume. Today it’s a fast beat, catchy. With it comes a swell of power vibrating through me with the rhythm of the wordless song.
Across the chamber I can hear the screams of some of the unlucky bastards being torn apart. It’s a bloodbath.
“Light them up and burn the fuckers to the ground.”
Clicking lighters, the men left of me obey my command.
“Nooo!” The wraith’s screech almost burst my eardrums leaving my head spinning.
The wendigos writhe at the sound. Before I can blink, they’re coming at me on twisted limbs. Firing into the horde, I pick off a few at a time, but they keep coming. Snarling jaws snapping, a grey wolf dives between us. Cade. He’s in full alpha protection mode. Thrusting their flaming torches from side to side, the warriors step beside him, driving the creatures back.
One spark is all that’s needed to catch a hold of their cursed flesh. Flames lick along their bodies decimating, destroying. The sickening smell makes my eyes water. Howling, shrieking, the wraith spins above our heads in a shimmering mist. Atmosphere changing, the creature’s demure shifts. No longer cowering, the wendigos attack, no longer fearing the flames.
Gunshots ring out as I discharge my weapon until the chamber is empty. Swearing under my breath, I shuffle backwards until smooth cold rock meets my back. My ammo is out. No more bullets left.
The wraith laughs in glee. Rubbing its bony hands together, it’s salivating at the thought of sucking our souls dry.
Rage.
Dark rage swallows me whole. Crimson floods my vision, covering everything I see in red. Energy ignites inside me. Pulsing through the layers of my skin its brilliance is blinding. I’ll set the world on fire. Burning brighter than the sun.
Eyes locked on the spirit, I scream in fury, directing everything I have straight at it. Light explodes out so bright and warm I have to pinch my eyes closed or risk being permanently blinded. Its laugh turns to cries of agony. Panting, shaking, crumpling against the wall, the power continues to stream out until I’m left cold, dazed, and empty. Sounds rings in and out of my ears. Voices distorted.
“Puddin’, are you ok? You just detonated light like some kind of round shiny disco ball!”
Heart pounding crazily behind my ribcage, I nod at Leo’s question. Pain tightens with the force of a steel band across my stomach. Hand pressed to the top, I stand rigidly, riding it out.
“Fine.” I assure him the second I trust my voice not to betray me. “Why were you sitting in there like an overfed chicken?”
Cracking an eye open, I find Snatch swinging open the cage door, freeing the prisoners. There’s nothing of the apparition left bar some glittering particles in the air from whatever it is I unleashed from within. Beyond, the wendigos are being put to death quickly and efficiently.
“You having angelic powers is handy.” Leo replies. “The wraith made sure anyone who caused trouble was eaten first. I was trying to bid my time before making a move. Plus, you know I’m phobic about wendigos.”
“You froze up, didn’t you?” I tease, lips twitching through my suffering. “Had performance issues.”
Spluttering, Leo’s cheeks turn cherry red and Tiberius raises his eyebrows in disbelief.
“I’ll have you know I’ve never had problems like that in my life.”
Only a handful of Tiberius’ men have survived. Sombre, grim faced, he surveys the damage.
As the males file out two at a time I spot a short blonde female. Pretty, dressed up in leather, I can tell she’s the type who would fit right in with my team. A killer recognizes their own. Whoever she is we’re in the same line of business of that I’m sure.
Cade whines in his throat, treading closer to the female.
“Keep away from me, you filthy dog,” she hisses through her teeth.
Pressing his belly lower on the ground, the wolf’s body twists as bones reshape. Thick grey hair receding to reveal smooth tattooed skin. Tribal knots inked deep into the werewolf’s flesh. Sweat glistening in a sheen over his powerful muscles he sits breathing heavily from the transformation.
Raising his head, amber eyes glance around through a mane of shaggy brown hair.
“Mavi?” He blinks in confusion, voice gruff. “I thought you were dead?”
“And not be around to save your arse?”
With a frown, he searches around. “Where’s Jinx?”
As contractions compress lower in my abdomen I release a guttural grunt. “Who?”
Cade finds his target. The blonde. Gaze’s fixed, they stare at each other, the tension between them is palpable. Wrinkling her nose and with a defiant toss of her hair the woman stalks for the exit.
“Jinx! Don’t think you can walk away from me. This will never be over!” He hollers after her,
irritation written over his face.
She doesn’t bother to look back. Head held high, she’s out the door before he can rise.
“Who’s she?”
“The demon who was hired to open the seals. She’s also my mate,” he tells me, getting to his feet.
Like most shifters I know he’s comfortable with his nudity.
“Fate really screwed you with that one.” I tell him, enjoying my eyeful of muscled flesh.
It’s hard to forget what they felt like under my exploring hands and tongue. Screwing him that one time was one of the best nights I’ve had. Well, apart from all the sex with Lucifer.
Running a hand through his hair, he releases a long sigh. “Tell me about it. She hates my guts and has been sabotaging my efforts to close them properly.”
Finally, the pain passes. Straightening up, I’m pleased when my legs don’t fold beneath me.
“Is that the reason you went completely feral?”
“I couldn’t get her out. All my instincts were telling me to get to her, but I knew the wendigo would rip me apart. So I stayed in my pelt. Watched. Prepared to kill and die if they touched her. I lost myself to the wilderness here. You turning up was the jolt I needed to remember who I was.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
“Finish what I started. Get Hell back as it should be and pursue her until I can change her mind.” Cade’s attention drops to my pregnant belly. “I see you didn’t take my warning about not fucking with the Devil very seriously.”
Raising a middle finger, I flip him off. “Blow me.”
Throwing his head back, he laughs. “I hope the king of Hell knows what he’s let himself in for. See you around, Mavi.”
Shifting before my eyes, he’s once more the big grey wolf. Nudging my thigh with his huge furry head, his snout nuzzles my palm before he lopes off.
I watch him until he disappears through the door. A blur of purpose on the hunt. It was good to see Cade. I’m glad he’s still alive. He’s going to have his hands full with his female. A smirk creeps up my lips. She won’t make it easy for him, that’s for sure.