by Dannika Dark
Chapter 10
Seconds after Viktor broke the news about Gem, Claude’s eyes went black, and he flipped his switch. To prevent him from running wild through the train, Christian pinned him to the floor. Claude stayed that way for a long while, even after Viktor explained that Gem was missing and not dead. He couldn’t fight his Chitah nature, the primal part of him that emerged when a woman, child, or someone he cared about was in danger. And this wasn’t just anyone; it was his partner.
We were blindsided by the news, and the details made little sense. Wyatt said that she’d gone for a swim, and when they went to check on her, she wasn’t there. Switch’s wolf detected a strong scent of intruders within the courtyard that ended by the back wall. Outside Keystone, the scent trail went all the way to a distant road before it disappeared. Gem never went off on her own. Not at night. Not alone. That wasn’t like her. She stuck close to the house and mostly went out in the daytime.
“We have to go back,” Niko insisted. He pounded his fist on the bar, refusing to sit down with the rest of us.
Viktor put his head in his hands as Shepherd, Blue, and I watched from the curved breakfast nook where we were sitting. “We cannot,” he said, his voice pained. “These children depend on us. We put their lives at risk if we go back. There are spies who know what these children look like and where they stay. They are high-risk, and that is why we are transferring them. It was very difficult to orchestrate a plan to get them out.”
“We can’t abandon her!”
“We have no choice,” Blue fired back. “Viktor’s right. If something happens to these kids because we called off the mission, what did we accomplish? Our job has always been to protect the innocents, putting their lives above our own.”
From the sofa, Christian had his arm around Claude as if they were a couple. Christian wasn’t offering moral support; he was staying close in case Claude decided to go primal again.
I pushed up my sleeves and folded my arms across the table. “What do you think happened, Viktor? How could someone have broken into the house without them knowing? We keep everything locked up tight.”
Viktor sat back and waved away the smoke from Shepherd’s cigarette. “Wyatt saw no evidence of a break-in.” Viktor drifted into Russian before Shepherd poked his arm. “Apologies. Gem is usually the one who corrects me.” He rubbed the deep lines in his forehead.
“So how did they get in?” I pressed. “Did they fly?”
Christian shook his head. “Don’t be daft.”
I cut him a sharp glare. “Then explain it. Most of the outside windows are lattice and not the kind you can easily jump through. Our doors have bolts. No one heard her screaming for help? Gem would have screamed. She would have blasted them with an energy ball.”
Claude leaned forward and buried his fingers in his golden locks.
“What would be their motive?” Blue pondered from her spot next to Viktor. “Why Gem?”
Viktor sat back. “Where is my phone?”
I stood up. “I’ll find it.”
Viktor had tossed it somewhere during the melee. I scanned the seats and floors as I walked toward the back where the kids were hanging out. When I reached the corner, Carol peered up at me with wide eyes. Her knees were drawn up, her face illuminated by artificial light.
“Sorry.” She swiped her finger across the screen. “I was just playing a game.”
“You should go back to the bedroom while we talk. No sneaking out for snacks.”
Carol had a doll-like face, but instead of a smile she wore a look of apprehension. She sprang up and hustled to their room, the twins following close behind her.
I handed Viktor his phone.
“Spasibo.”
We listened while Viktor called Wyatt for an update and gathered more information. Wyatt must have had more to say than Viktor, because there was a lot of silence on our end.
“That’s a good plan,” Christian remarked the second Viktor hung up.
Blue scooted closer to him. “What did he say?”
Viktor set his phone down. “Switch was concerned about Hunter’s safety, so he called Raven’s father. Mr. Graves made a few calls, and I trust that he will do everything in his power to secure our people.”
Shepherd stubbed out his cigarette in an ashtray. “Who did he call?”
“The cavalry.” I turned my head to look at Shepherd on my right. His eyes were darting around, and he couldn’t seem to stop fidgeting. “You don’t have to worry about Hunter from here on out. If my father asked his buddies to defend our property, they’ll do it with their lives. They’re good people. Crush never calls on favors, so I’m willing to bet a lot of men stepped up for this one.”
Claude attempted to stand, but Christian yanked him down by the back of his shirt. “What about Gem? How did they get in the courtyard? Even I can’t climb those walls.”
Viktor wrung his hands. “Scaling a wall is a bold move and requires equipment. Whoever did this is determined and skillful. They would have been caught if we were there. I took careful steps to make sure nobody knew we were leaving.”
I sat back and felt my blood run cold.
Niko stepped away from the bar behind me and approached the table. “Raven, what troubles you?”
“Maybe nothing. A few weeks ago when we had the last snow, I noticed footprints on the roof.”
“Aye, I remember that,” Christian said.
I looked toward him, my gaze distant. “I thought they were yours or maybe Niko’s. Sometimes you guys follow me up there. It never once occurred to me that they might belong to someone else. The walls are so damn high. You’d need rope with a special hook on the end.”
Niko lowered his head. “It wasn’t me. I don’t climb onto the roof unless I notice you out there.”
“I just didn’t think it was worth mentioning,” I tacked on. “I should have asked around, but you guys are always spying on me or playing jokes, so I forgot about it.” I fell silent for a minute and looked at Viktor. “Did they leave behind footprints? Any clues?”
“Wyatt mentioned a coin at the bottom of the pool, but it could belong to anyone.”
Niko canted his head. “What kind of coin?”
“Something old.”
“Did it have strange writing and uneven edges?”
“Da. He said if Gem were there, she would know what it was.”
Niko drew in a deep breath and sighed. It was audible, the kind of sigh a parent might give when they’ve had enough of their child’s bad behavior. “Viktor, you need to send me back.”
“I need you here.”
“There are enough of us to protect the children. I will only slow you down.”
“Nyet. You are a Healer. You can see energy.”
“Shepherd is a competent medic,” Niko argued. “Everyone else can more than compensate for my absence. You’re still a team of two Shifters, one Chitah, a Sensor, a Vampire, and Raven. That’s more than enough, and you know it.”
“I’ll go,” Claude insisted, knocking Christian’s arm away as he stood up. “She’s my partner. Viktor, send me instead.”
“No,” Niko snapped, his features hardening. “I think I know what this is about. Unless you want Gem to die, I’ll be the one making the journey home. If the person behind this is who I think it is, he won’t deal with anyone but me.”
Claude’s eyes briefly flickered from gold to obsidian as he flashed his fangs. “Then why would he steal Gem?”
“He doesn’t want Gem, but he knows she’s important to us. He’s trying to get my attention. Better I go, or he will do something heinous.”
Viktor rose to his feet, his eyes fixed on Niko. “So this is what he was waiting for. Our absence has created an opportunity.”
They were talking about Cyrus.
Niko inclined his head. “He used to leave coins behind at the scene of a crime. No one ever asked him why. Perhaps he didn’t want to anger any spirits. He placed the coin where we would find it. He wants
me to know it was him.”
Blue looked up at Viktor, her eyes brimming with concern. “Can we do this without Niko?”
Viktor stroked his silvery beard a few times and finally nodded. “I will have Wyatt arrange for a flight back. You will be on your own at the airport, Niko. No one to help you navigate to your terminal, so you will need to ask for assistance. Wyatt is too busy gathering surveillance data and monitoring the black-market website to pick you up from the airport.”
“I’ll take a cab. Viktor, you know I would never leave a mission unless absolutely necessary. If we do nothing, Gem will die, and I cannot promise what will happen next.”
I stood up to let Shepherd out.
He gripped Niko by the shoulders. “When you get there, look after my son. Make sure they’re protecting him.” Shepherd cursed under his breath. “Jesus. What if Hunter had been outside?”
Niko touched his hands. “I’ll do everything within my power to ensure that this man never goes near your son. No matter what. You have my word.”
Viktor looked at his watch. “We have one hour before the next stop. I must call Wyatt to make arrangements.”
I stepped back, still unnerved that we were down a teammate at home and another one was leaving us. On top of that, Crush had sent in his buddies. Now I had my father to worry about. What the hell was going on back at the mansion? Was he there? Knowing Crush, he was there.
Viktor clapped his hands together. “Everyone, collect your things and ready yourselves. With Niko leaving, I need everyone at their best. It’s midnight, so if you require a short nap, take it now before we stop.”
Blue got up and handed Viktor his phone. She snatched her boots off the floor and put them back on while Shepherd searched the car from back to front.
I gathered up all the empty bottles and tossed them in the trash, cleaning away all evidence that Keystone had been here. “Viktor, where are we going? I think we’ve been in the dark long enough.”
He folded down the collar of his grey turtleneck and almost dropped his phone. “There is no point keeping it a secret since Claude overheard a passenger mention our next stop is Virginia. We will be traveling in an RV to West Virginia from Roanoke.”
I sat down and rummaged through my backpack in search of my phone. After a quick check of the weather, I decided my hoodie was fine. The low was in the forties, but the humidity made it seem warmer. Not to mention tomorrow’s high would be sixty-five and sunny.
West Virginia. What the hell did I know about West Virginia aside from the fact it was in a John Denver song?
If we were traveling in an RV, that meant we weren’t going to a big city. Otherwise he would have rented a bus or large van—something that would blend in with our surroundings. The last time I ventured into the woods, I was jumped by Shifters. Nope. There was no way I was stepping off this train unarmed. I put on my belt so I could hook the sheaths on the back and side. My buckle had a miniature knife, but the full-length dagger would do more damage. Better I wait till we got to the RV to strap that on so I didn’t get myself arrested. Then again, maybe country folks wore their weapons with pride. I didn’t know the laws in Virginia or West Virginia, so I tucked the large knife back in my bag.
“Viktor, how are we going to rent an RV at night?” I asked. “Everything’s closed at this hour.”
He was busy on the phone.
Christian joined my side. “He’s already arranged everything.”
“I hate that you can hear all the phone conversations.”
He lifted my chin with the crook of his finger. “Jealousy doesn’t suit you.”
“I think you should tell the kids to get their things together.”
“Jaysus, no.”
“Why not?”
“Did you not see the way the wee one looked at me earlier? I thought she would flee for her life. That’s why I kept the sunglasses on after dark.”
“You look like Ray Charles in those things.”
“Great men dress alike.”
Walking the streets after midnight in an unfamiliar town added a new layer of danger, especially when I didn’t know anything about the Breed culture and districts in these parts. Those of us with hoods kept them on, and I concealed my light while we waited inside the train station. It was enclosed and heated, benches in the middle and bathrooms close to the front. The café was closed, the lights dim, the floors shiny, and the benches empty.
Christian went outside with Niko to wait for the cab. Being the only Mage, I had the advantage of sensing Mage energy from someone who wasn’t concealing. But this place wasn’t exactly bustling, so I leaned against the wall and thought about Christian and me on top of the train.
Viktor and Shepherd flanked the kids, who looked bored out of their minds.
An hour later, a second train rolled through. I was surprised at how many people were traveling at this hour, but everyone had somewhere to be, and the crowd quickly dispersed as tired travelers dragged their luggage behind them and left the station.
I wandered over to Viktor, my thumbs hooked beneath my backpack straps. “How much longer?”
He glanced at his watch. “Not much.”
“I have to go,” Carol announced, inviting no argument as she hopped to her feet. “The bathroom’s right there.” She held her stomach with a look of embarrassment. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Viktor glanced around at the empty building, which we had secured, and waved his hand for her to go.
Adam flourished a couple of bills. “Get me a soda, pipsqueak.”
The vending machines were toward the front, and she skipped off with the money in hand.
Shepherd stood up and struck a match to light his cigarette. The soft glow of the burning paper illuminated his stubbly jaw. It sure didn’t take long for his facial hair to grow out. I bet he went through razor blades like Wyatt went through french fries. Claude stole his spot and turned around to chat with Blue, who was sitting on the bench behind them.
“Sir, there’s no smoking in here,” a man barked from the ticket window.
I grabbed Shepherd’s sleeve before he started an argument. “Let’s go outside. It’s too stuffy in here anyhow.”
He threw a dirty look at the ticket attendant as we passed by him. Once we were outside, I scoped out the parking area. There were cars parked off to the right, sufficient lighting, and not a whole lot to look at beyond the station. The road curved in a U shape, and it was dark up ahead, no city lights that I could see. Shepherd puffed on his smoke while I studied the building. The paint looked fresh and the concrete recently poured. Part of the sidewalk to the left had construction tape around it.
Orange embers jumped off Shepherd’s cigarette and danced in the air before disappearing.
“I don’t like this one bit,” he confessed.
“About Gem?”
“That too.” When he straightened his shoulders, his leather coat creaked. “Did you know this is Shifter country? The deeper in the woods you go, the more Shifters there are. Some of them run with groups—like packs—but the other fuckers are rogues.”
I glanced over my shoulder. “Should we be standing out here?”
“The building’s empty, so the kids are safe in there. But some of us should spread out. I don’t like being clustered up in there. Let Viktor know I’ll keep watch of everyone coming and going. Looks like Christian took off.”
“Probably picking up litter.”
“Or drinking someone.” Shepherd shifted his stance and cocked his head to the side. “Tell me, is drinking another person’s blood considered cheating?”
I pinched my chin and thought about it. “I don’t know what the Vampire rules are about that kind of thing, but if I find out he’s penetrated anyone with either his cock or his fangs, I’ll make him regret his own birth.”
“Amen to that. But what if he’s dying and the only way to survive is to drink someone’s blood. Is that infidelity?”
I turned on my heel and heade
d toward the door. I didn’t have time to entertain imaginary scenarios that would only piss me off.
“What if the only vein she had to offer was between her legs?” he called out, choking with laughter as I entered the building.
When I didn’t see Carol by the group, I swung left toward the bathrooms. Sometimes a person needed privacy when doing their business, but I was a little concerned. She was human, and the train movement had made even me a little queasy.
“Hey, Carol? You feeling okay?”
I pushed a stall door open and found it empty. “If you’re nauseated, we can probably find some medicine. Some people get travel sickness; it’s no big deal. Shepherd might have something in his bag. He’s our medic.”
When I knocked and opened the next door, that stall was also empty. So I bent down and peered underneath the remaining partition to look for her feet.
And didn’t see any.
I hurried out and headed toward Viktor. “Is Carol with you?”
His brow furrowed. “Nyet. She went to the ladies’ room.”
I set down my backpack and heaved a sigh. These kids knew how serious this job was, yet they didn’t seem to have an ounce of sense. I thought we could trust them to stick close, but that was naive thinking on my part considering these were teenagers. I forgot how rebellious they were. And sneaky.
God, I was beginning to understand what my old man had gone through.
“I bet she wandered off to look around. Can you watch my bag? I’ll go find her.”
Blue peered over her shoulder from the other bench. “Where’s Shep?”
“He thinks it’s a better idea if we’re not all clustered together, so he’s guarding the front. This place is a ghost town outside, so I guess we came at a good time.”
Viktor gave Adam and his sister a scolding glance while wagging his finger at them. “I do not want either of you wandering off, do you understand me? This is not a vacation. I know this adventure has you curious, but this is not the time for you to go exploring.”
As Viktor proceeded to lecture our rebellious little teens, I ventured onto the platform in search of the blond-haired pixie.