1 Dicey Grenor

by Grenor, Dicey

  I crashed the brain signals as quickly as possible to keep from alerting him to my situation.

  Had Aaron gone through similar torture? Guess I should have read his diary after all. Would I have split personalities after this?

  Remi had killed his abductor. And for some reason that made me laugh.

  Here I was stronger than any human and I couldn’t get out of my mess. Yet, he had escaped when he was a whippersnapper. Looks like he had the balls I needed right now.

  Yeah…I needed Remi.

  In my delirium or desperation…or weakness, I stretched my mind out to him.

  I should have been ashamed. What if he wasn’t the one inhabiting the body right now? What if it was lil’ Aaron?

  Enough with the what ifs. I had to try.

  So I did, stretching my energy as far and as wide as possible. It traveled down the highway, through the walls, calling him. Remiiiiii. And regardless of whose mind was in the body at my moment of contact, Remi eagerly answered the call.

  Willow, he whispered, grabbing his chest and swerving into incoming traffic. He was behind the wheel of his roadster, looking confused, wary. Where are you?

  “I’ve been taken. I’m in danger and need your help, but…” Hell. First off, I didn’t know where I was. Secondly, if I did, I couldn’t risk him getting hurt. There were three men here, maybe four if Dario was waiting nearby. What could Remi do against them? I couldn’t lure him here for the slaughter just to save myself.

  I’m coming to get you, he said, pulling over on the side of the road. Tell me where you are.

  “No! Don’t. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reached out to you. You’ll get hurt.” I pulled away from him quickly, shut down the link, and squinted at the fools in the room with me. The view with my physical eyes was much worse than the one with my mind’s eye.

  Willow! Tell me where you are.

  Remi’s voice had startled me. He had pushed back and opened our connection again. His emotions were strong enough to choke me. Wary anxiousness. Profound protectiveness.

  Little Dick and his friends backed away from me to survey the damage. One whistled because he was so impressed, which told me just how bad I was. “Go get Dario so he can pay us. This bitch ain’t talking and I’m tired. I need a cig and some sleep,” he said.

  Who the fuck is that?! Remi asked hysterically. Is that the guy who took you?

  “Can you see through my eyes?” I asked in total shock, unaware of all our blood bond capabilities. But I was a fast learner. Logic told me if he could see what I saw, he may be able to figure out my location. Maybe he could get word to Franco that I needed help.

  Yes! Remi said. I’ve never seen him before. Where are you?

  “I’m not sure. That’s what I need you to figure out.”

  He paused. Looks like a medical facility.

  “Who the fuck is she talking to now?” Little Dick said.

  One of the guys left, presumably to get Dario. I stared in the hallway past him when he opened the door hoping Remi could collect clues from whatever was outside the room. Then I started looking around so he could see as much of my surroundings as possible. I also wanted him to get a good look at the pervs just in case they got away. They’d be at the top of my hit list once I got out of here.

  Slow down. You’re moving too fast. There’s a trillion hospitals here. I need to figure out which one you’re at.

  I slowed down my view. Although I still felt nervous about involving Remi, this was the best shot I had at getting out.

  “Remi, get Franco and Punch to help. Puh-lease do not come here alone. It’s not safe.”

  The door opened and in walked Dario and his gofer. Since I’d been chained up when he was here before, I didn’t get a chance to see him. Now, from the floor, I had a front row seat to a whole lotta man. If I wasn’t in such bad shape because of Dario’s directions, I would have thought he was a hunk: tall, well-built, tanned, dark spiky hair, dark eyes. He looked just as good as when he’d first tried to abduct me from Hades a week ago.

  Never mind that. I just wanted to bite his ass for allowing what they’d done to me.

  So that’s the guy who attacked you a week ago? I’d forgotten Remi was still in my head listening to my thoughts. I’ve seen him before at Hades. He even gave me a business card. He began rummaging through his armrest.

  “He said he worked at a blood lab,” I said.

  Aha! Remi said as he held up a white card with navy blue letters. I bet I’ll know where to find him.

  Dario winced as he walked over to me, squatted, and looked me over. Then he buried his face in his hands and shook his head. “God. What did y’all do to her?”

  “We did what you asked,” one guy said.

  Dario stretched his hand toward me, but pulled it back like he was scared to touch. “Well, did you at least get what I wanted?”

  “Naw, man. She kept saying she didn’t know where he was.”

  Dario rose to his feet in a huff and started cursing. “You fuck-ups aren’t getting a dime. Y’all spent all this time getting your dicks wet and still didn’t get what I wanted. I ain’t giving you shit.”

  They weren’t going to let that ride. No, siree. They expected payment.

  Suddenly, the testosterone level rose to a cloud so thick I could have skated on it as they fussed and haggled about money and me.

  Nothing good was coming of this.

  And just like a bad omen, Little Dick pulled a gun from his pocket and aimed it at me. “If I shoot her right now, you’ll never get the info you want, will you?” he said.

  Oh, shit! Remi was zooming down the street now, rightfully assuming the worse was about to happen. You don’t have much time. I have to—

  I didn’t hear anything else he said because there was a scuffle, no an outright fisticuff. Then just as soon as it had begun, there was a loud bang and I felt a searing pain in my stomach.

  Didn’t have to look down to know Little Dick mother-fucker had shot me.

  Chapter 36

  Wonderful.

  My other wounds hadn’t healed yet and I already had a hole in the gut to contend with. At least I’d finally get the trip to La-La Land I’d wanted because I passed out in a matter of seconds.

  No more pain. No more conscious thoughts.

  My brainwaves went haywire, however. Short-circuiting straight to Remi. Then Max. Then Punch. Franco. Ivan. Saybree. Desperately trying to tap every supernatural connection I had, blood-bonded or not.

  Even dreamt of my family. Of happy times with them. Of moments when my mother had blamed herself for giving me the chromosome that carried narcolepsy. Of how my parents had honestly thought everything they’d done was in my best interest. They had fed, clothed, sheltered and given me an education, after all.

  Promised God I’d go see them if I survived.

  I vaguely got the sense Remi and Punch responded, but it was too much for my brain to process. One of them said, Stay with us, Willow. Baby, we’re on the way, I think. And I think maybe Ivan was rubbing my head.

  There was no way to tell how long I’d been out when I finally awakened, but I knew it was nightfall. Darkness was calling to me from outside. Night creatures were scavenging for food. Cemeteries were bursting with dead, restless energy. And I was itching to walk barefoot through a recent graveyard, burying myself in the cool, damp earth. Just for a little while.

  First thing I saw was Dario because he was checking out my condition. Bastard actually seemed concerned.

  Oh, yeah. I was his only link to Max, the maistre vampire who’s clan member had killed Dario’s family.

  Luckily, Dario’s bandits had not done their homework. Just like they had no idea the blood they’d been spilling all day would have given them superhuman strength, they didn’t know I wouldn’t die from a bullet unless it was silver.

  So I got the chance to fight another day.

  Would have to be later though ’cause I passed out again.

  Next time I came to,
the scene had changed drastically. There were body parts and shredded clothes all around and a big black werewolf was licking my face.

  “Punch?” I said weakly, half expecting him to answer back.

  He whined and nuzzled my shoulder as if to tell me to get up.

  I tried. Couldn’t move.

  My mouth was so dry, I gave up trying to talk and hoped he’d hear me telepathically. Where’s Remi?

  The wolf put his head down next to mine and whimpered.

  Not a good sign.

  I had to get up and look for him, but I still couldn’t move. Punch, I need blood. I can’t move. I’d never taken blood from an animal before, but there was a first time for everything.

  He whimpered again, making no move to offer himself.

  What is it? Tell me.

  His baritone voice came in my head strong and apologetic. I promised Fire I’d never give you blood again.

  Well, fuck me sideways with a golden dildo. What was I going to do?

  I’m sorry, but that was her condition on me coming here to help you.

  I understand. Looking around at all the scattered parts, I wondered. How long have the bodies been torn apart? There was blood everywhere.

  Few minutes before you woke up. Then his wolf head cocked sideways. You don’t think…

  It’s worth a try. Drinking blood left in the air too long would be the equivalent of a human drinking spoiled milk. But Punch had said it was only a few minutes ago…

  He walked away on all fours and returned with a severed arm. Small enough to fit up to my mouth without me having to move my head, and large enough to have enough blood in it even after a lot had run onto the floor.

  The blood was cold and flat like two-week-old soda. And it was gritty from where it had rolled on the dirty floor. I almost spit it out.

  Then I felt it start to work. I drank thirstily while Punch pressed the arm with his paw, squeezing the veins until I couldn’t get another drop.

  It wasn’t enough. More. I need more.

  Punch brought several body parts one after the other until I was finally able to move my head, then my legs and arms. When I was strong enough to sit up, I looked for Remi in the carnage. There was only one body still intact, but it wasn’t Remi’s.

  Crawling over to Dario’s body, I inspected him in a detached, science-experiment-y sort of way. He had seen better days. Although he was a bloody mess, I suspected all of it did not belong to him. He had put up a good fight.

  As I peeled the bloody blade from his hand, his chest moved up and down, his heart beat faintly. He was alive…but not by much. Using the blade to cut the bullet out of my skin where it had already started sealing, I had half a mind to wait until he woke up to give him a dose of his own medicine. I could jab the blade right through his muscular neck or better yet, slice off three of his fingers.

  Then I noticed the teeth marks clawed from the top of his collar bone down to his navel.

  “You bit him?!” I asked Punch, who lifted his head up once and back down again. “Fuck. You bit him.”

  Though they weren’t an illegal species, there were laws that governed were-animal interaction with humans. For example, criminal charges for assault with a deadly weapon were brought against any were-animal caught biting a human. Which is why werewolves didn’t usually bite humans unless they were intending to eat them up completely or add them to the pack as new recruits.

  What in the world was Punch planning?

  The wolf whimpered and rolled unto his back where he showed a gaping, bloody hole.

  “Oh, no. You’ve been shot?”

  He nodded again, lying still as I inspected his wound.

  “Do you want me to cut it out like I did mine? Do you need to go to a pet hospital or something?”

  No. Once I nap, I’ll heal. The bullet will pop right out. He rolled to his feet and went to lick the side of Dario’s face. This one fought well. He…he may have gotten my blood in his wound.

  Hmmm. Things were getting really interesting, really fast. No witch or ritual was needed for a human to turn in to a were-animal. Just a bite, where the animal’s saliva temporarily paralyzed the victim and a dose of the animal’s blood at the injury site and…howwwwwl!

  You want me to kill him? He was trying to save you when we got here so I left him alive for you to decide. I bit him by mistake.

  I thought about that. It was Dario’s fault this whole debauchery ever took place. He had tried to save me, sure, but for his own self-interest. Maybe becoming a wolf every full moon and many times in between if he couldn’t control it would teach him a lesson. The lesson being, stay away from Sleepy Willow.

  Before I could answer, I heard groaning from the hall.

  Remi!

  I rushed out with no thought for my naked tattered body until I got down next to where he was lying on the floor. The wolf came over with a denim shirt dangling between his teeth. The body it belonged to wouldn’t be needing it. I ripped a piece off to tie around my hand where I had missing fingers then balled up the shirt and stuck it under Remi’s head to make him more comfortable. I still didn’t feel modest enough to put it on. I was only worried about Remi being okay.

  The wolf growled. Apparently, my body was distracting him.

  “Remi, can you hear me?” I didn’t see blood on him anywhere, but he had a lump the size of a boulder on his forehead. It was already turning deep purple. Hopefully, he didn’t have a concussion or internal bleeding. Wondered if I should take him to the doctor or just give him more of my blood.

  He opened his eyes, looking around wildly. After focusing his attention on me, he said in a small voice, “Who are you and where am I?”

  Oh, no, not again. “Let me guess—you’re Lil’ Aaron?” He nodded, looking fragile, timid. Probably not the best time to offer my wrist. Crossing my arms over my bosom to hide my nakedness, I glanced at the wolf’s side-cocked head and knew he was confused. “I’ll explain later,” I said to Punch. “Okay. Don’t worry, I’m going to take care of you,” I said to Lil’ Aaron. “Just look deep in my eyes.”

  When he did, I commanded him to return in six months and not one moment beforehand, which meant I shouldn’t see him again until June-ish. Like offering a bribe for his cooperation, I promised to take him to the zoo on the night of his return. Couldn’t hurt to give him something to look forward to. I didn’t know what arrangement he already had with Aaron, but this was the most practical to me. And since I was doing the mental manipulation, I was setting the schedule.

  Only time would tell if my captivation worked.

  Chapter 37

  With Punch in wolf form and Remi in no condition to drive, that left me behind the wheel of Punch’s truck. We had no other choice. Punch explained he would instantly go in to a deep sleep after transforming to a man in order to heal from his gunshot wound, and Remi had passed out once I’d commanded him to shift. So hopefully, I wouldn’t crash the truck and make all our efforts to stay alive futile.

  After donning a white lab coat from the closet inside the diagnostic lab where I’d been held captive, we were ready to make our way. Remi would have to return to get his vehicle the following day since apparently, he had driven to my rescue all by his lonesome. I could not believe the story Punch told about arriving moments after Remi had gone in by the seat of his pants to confront my kidnappers.

  He’d gotten his ass handed to him, but wow! Talk about big cojones.

  Luckily, we made it back to Hades without me falling asleep along the way. Punch intended to spend the night in the basement under Franco’s watchful eye since Punch would be in somewhat of a coma. Made me wonder why Punch didn’t have a pack since I had always heard sleeping with a pack of were-animals helped them heal faster. Oh, well. Maybe he was banking on Fire joining him once she got off work. Though I wasn’t entirely sure she qualified as a were-animal.

  Franco took one look at me and said I looked worse for wear so it was good I already had the night off. He also reminded me
humans were not allowed in the basement.

  No worries. Remi and I had another stop to make.

  So Punch allowed another opportunity to test fate by giving permission for me to drive his truck over to Saybree’s house. Remi and I needed that amulet ASAP.

  As usual, Saybree was not surprised to see me, though she was worried something bad had happened since I hadn’t shown up the night before. After her initial greeting, she hardly paid attention to me as she was so engrossed in checking out Remi.

  After cutting a small lock of Remi’s hair as payment for the amulet, she ushered us to a back bedroom. I laid him down and she handed me some ointment to rub on his head. Then she went back to the kitchen to finish up with another client. I took a long shower then inspected myself fully, wincing at how bad the damage was. Grateful the sons of bitches were all dead.

  Except Dario. The ringleader.

  Hope I hadn’t made a mistake in leaving him behind. He was motivated by something worse than pussy or money, after all. Revenge was a potent elixir of evil. I knew better than to leave an enemy alive when he was that determined to get me. But I just couldn’t tell Punch to do it. Lord knows I wasn’t going to do it myself. Maybe it was because Dario had suffered a tremendous loss. He had loved his family so much that he had dedicated his life to avenging their deaths. I couldn’t relate to that level of devotion, but I wanted to.

  Maybe I left him alive because he may share Punch’s supernatural essence now. Franco said we supernaturals should stick together. Did that include a newly-made werewolf driven by revenge?

  What if Dario was too far gone for Punch’s blood to infect him? There was a possibility his injuries were too severe. He could be dead.

  Or if Punch’s blood had not gotten in Dario’s wound at all. Should I have Punch track him down and kill him later if it turned out Dario was no more supernatural than the man in the moon? Was it right to have Punch doing my dirty work?

  Or maybe Dario possibly turning had nothing to do with my motivations. Maybe it was because I was attracted to him. Drawn to him by an unidentifiable familiarity. A familiarity that went beyond the drops of his blood I’d tasted when he had first tried to abduct me and had gotten his nose split.