by Unknown
A shudder overtook her and he chuckled low at the revulsion that she couldn’t keep from her scent. There were some things worse than death, and she knew it. “What do you want?”
He nuzzled her ear with his nose and she felt him blink against her hair. “First, you’re going to let me accompany you back to America. Then you can go about your business until I call you. When I call, you’ll come. Alone . . . without telling a soul. And you’ll help me make sure that a child is born. I could drug you to ensure your compliance, but it might interfere with your healing abilities.”
Her brow furrowed. “That’s all? Just help with a childbirth?”
The snake leaned back. His mouth split open under eyes that glowed golden red from the power he was expending to keep her still. “That’s all.” But something in the pit of her stomach told her there was more to it than that. She wanted to run screaming into the darkness. Still, if he really did let her go, she could tell Wolven or one of the council and have him captured.
Something of what she was thinking must have showed on her face. God, don’t let him be telepathic too. He abruptly shoved his tail between her legs hard and put his full weight on her as he slowly unwound himself. She rocked back and forth on the ground as each coil unlooped and her flesh crawled as his tongue flicked against her neck, then her chest and stomach while her body was still frozen and she couldn’t stop him. Once he was uncoiled he lay down over her, smothering her face against his dry, hot scales. She couldn’t breathe and tried not to think about what might come next. But then he stopped and she realized he’d been doing it intentionally, feeling her up to give her a taste of what lay in store if she tried to run or hide. “I should mention . . . Holly Sanchez, that if you fail to show up, or if I discover you’ve told anyone about me—” He paused and slammed his mouth down suddenly. She screamed as his fang impaled her wrist and locked it to the ground. Poisoned venom spread into the tissue, burning hot as fire. She would have screamed again, but he froze the sound in her throat. The bite started to heal even with his tooth still inside and he had to jerk to pull it out. He licked the blood off the tooth and smiled again. “It will be your sister I take to my friend. I don’t think she’ll last as long.”
Tears sprang to her eyes, both from the pain that was slowly crawling up her arm, and the thought of Rose being held captive by a lecherous, insane snake. She couldn’t help it and it made her angry that he’d managed to get under her skin like this.
He leaned close once more, until she could smell the rabbit he’d had for dinner on his breath. “I think we understand each other. Remember, when I call, you’ll come.” He released her and moved back so she could sit up. She rubbed at the wound on her wrist, now sealed but still spattered with drying blood. It felt like someone had ground out a cigarette on her skin and even now it was bruising and scarring as her body struggled to dispose of the poison. “I’ll meet you at the helicopter. You needn’t do a thing for now. The pilot won’t even know I’m there.”
As he slithered off into the darkness, favoring one side so that his tracks weren’t a perfect S shape, she called out. “I don’t even know your name. How will I know it’s you when you call?”
She couldn’t see his body against the night sky, but his eyes suddenly appeared in the darkness. “Oh, I think you’ll know. But Larry will do for now.” He blinked and then let out that hissing chuckle that was starting to make her shiver each time she heard it. “Don’t let the pilot take off until I’m on board. I have to pick up something before we leave. Otherwise, who knows where it’ll wander off to.”
She didn’t get whatever the joke was. But he apparently found it funny enough that Holly could hear him hissing long after he disappeared into the distance.
Another shiver overtook her. What sort of devil’s bargain had she just made?
Chapter Six
IT WAS TOO quiet.
The stink of fresh blood hung heavy in the air. Not even a breath of breeze moved it, so it felt like the scent was plastered to Eric’s skin. The door to the office was open, hanging off one hinge, and as they approached, the lights went out, throwing the whole compound into inky darkness. Heavy clouds that should have meant rain, but didn’t smell of it, blocked the light from the moon and stars.
Tatya immediately shifted to wolf form in the shadow of the sedan and Eric helped her pull the clothing from her fur. With a nod, she slunk into the trees to start checking the perimeter. She was a pack leader, and from everything he’d heard about her, a skilled hunter, so he didn’t spend any time worrying about her.
Ivan handed over his gun and moved close to whisper in his ear. “Stay in human form. The gun is loaded with silver. I’ll get to higher ground to see how many are left.” Left was the operative word. There had to be some, because there weren’t any bodies, and there was too much blood for just one downed person. He squatted down next to a pool of blood the consistency and color of Hershey’s syrup in the dark.
As Ivan stripped off his shirt and pants and carefully put them through the car window onto the seat, Eric dipped a finger in the blood and brought it to his lips. He spat it immediately out. “Viper.”
Ivan let out a little growl. “Then they could be anywhere. Keep watch in the bushes, and I will hope there are more rattlesnakes than tree-climbers.” Eric had figured higher ground probably meant climbing a tree, and that would definitely be easier with the eight-inch-long claws Ivan had in bear form. Plus, he had the advantage of thick winter fur. Even a Sazi snake would have a difficult time reaching flesh through the undercoat.
Eric felt air press against him from the distance. His hackles rose and he turned the gun toward the rustle of a bush ahead. The scent of sage and creosote dusted the air as a stray breeze moved. Ivan nudged his shoulder with a wet nose and then lumbered off into the night.
He’d spent many nights in the pitch black Outback and had learned to focus in on the slightest sound. Black on black moved ahead and Eric didn’t wait for confirmation. He pulled the trigger and felt the pistol jump in his hand. But his wasn’t the only flash to light the area. Twin shots rang out to his left, a hairsbreadth faster than his, and then a hiss and shout of pain filled the air before all went still again.
“Nice shot, Thompson.” It was Tony’s voice and it came from above. He spun in a circle, looking up and finally spotted the waving arm on the roof. He flicked a cigarette lighter to highlight his face and called out with a hand cupped to his mouth. “All clear, everyone! That was the last of them.”
He closed the lighter, slid down the roof feet first, and as soon as he reached the end, flopped onto his stomach, grabbed the gutter with black-gloved hands, and dropped neatly to the ground. “Glad you finally got here. I was starting to get cramps up there. But I couldn’t get them to come out of their holes until you got here to lure them.”
Tony reached inside the building and flicked on the light switch as the hum of fluorescent lamps buzzed in his ears. The sudden bright light made Eric blink more than once but he ignored it as he went to inspect what they’d shot. It was easy to tell which was his bullet, because it was a small dime-sized hole in the snake’s spine, versus the quarter-sized shots from Tony’s massive .50 caliber. One shot was right between the eyes and the other high on the back, where the heart would be. He wore the big gun in a shoulder rig and the damned thing stuck out like a sore thumb. “Nice shots. How do you keep that thing concealed, anyway?”
Tony looked down. “Nah, yours was better. I have the advantage, in that I can see the target. You tagged it blind. And this isn’t my carry piece, for what it’s worth. It’s from the armory inside. There’s bigger stuff too, but it’s hard to move around quick with them. Don’t know why Lucas set this place up with this much firepower, but I’m glad he did.”
“Where is Lucas?” Tatya’s voice was both a command and a cry. They turned at the same time and saw her looking around frantically, sniffing the ground, searching for any sign.
Tony thumbed toward the bui
lding. “In the basement. I’d like to say everyone’s okay, but I’d be lying. They’re in bad shape.” Tatya was gone like a shot and before they could reach the rectangle of light, they heard her cry of anguish. But she was a healer. If they could be saved, she’d be the one to do it. It was best not to follow and get in her way.
Ivan appeared then, dressed once more in his brown polo shirt and slacks. He reached out his hand toward Eric and flicked his fingers. Eric returned the gun and watched as he checked the chamber and smelled the barrel. He motioned with his head toward the snake. “Were they all vipers, Tony?”
He shook his head. “No. There were raptors and spiders too. God, I hate those damned spiders! I’ll be having nightmares for a week.”
Ivan’s eyes narrowed as he looked around the empty yard. “And where are all these attackers? How is it that Lucas is injured, but you—a three-day wolf, are not?”
It was a logical question, and one that Eric had been about to ask as well. Tony’s eyes narrowed for a moment, and anger sprang into the air. His words were clipped but careful. “The simple answer is, I don’t know. I was inside working on the data, and Lucas was outside with David looking at whatever he’d found. I heard a commotion—growls, snarls, and hawk noises and grabbed the first gun handy and went outside. Lucas and David were already down by then, and I shot at whatever got in the way so I could get to them.” He let out a frustrated breath and stared into the sky. “The birds were trying to pick them up to take them away. I clipped the wings on one and it dropped Lucas. They did take David’s body, which pisses me off.”
“Wait.” Eric raised his hand to stop the story. “You said they’re in bad shape downstairs. Who else was here?”
Tony cursed. “Shit! That’s right. You were already gone by then. Charles showed up just after you left. He’s down there too.”
Charles? Charles was so injured he couldn’t stand outside to tell his own story? Eric believed this tale less and less. “The head of Wolven and the Chief Justice of the council are so injured they needed help, but you’re okay? I’m thinking we should cuff you right now, because something smells really foul.”
Ivan’s voice rumbled, his eyes fixed on the new wolf. “You do work for the highest bidder. Lucas made that very clear to the council.”
Tony’s voice likewise lowered, and a thick Italian accent took over. “Let me make this crystal clear—and be sure your noses are primed and ready. I. Am. Not. Involved in this. I didn’t set anyone up. I didn’t turn my back or close my eyes when it started. I don’t know why I’m still kicking, other than I’m a damned good shot. I don’t know where all the bodies are. I spent my time getting the wounded secured and guarding them. I was inside until you showed up. All I can figure is that they carried away their dead.” He paused for a long moment, letting them both take a long smell to see if he was lying, but there was nothing other than anger mingled with honest confusion. “I don’t know why they didn’t target me, but they didn’t. Unless I shot at them, they flat-out ignored me. Take from that what you will. You want to call Aspen to check me out, then call her.”
Aspen Monier, now going by Josette Cooper, was the only seer Eric had ever heard of who had hindsight, the ability to see the past in someone’s mind. That Tony was willing to subject himself to that spoke of his innocence more than anything, because Aspen would be outraged to hear of a serious injury to either Lucas or Charles, and wouldn’t be gentle with whoever might be involved.
A long shadow cut across the compound and they all turned, ready to take on whatever might come. It was Tatya, naked except for a pair of boxer shorts that didn’t fit very well, and an oversized T-shirt. There was blood splattered across the white cotton and she looked about ready to collapse.
“They’re stable, just barely. But I can’t wake them up, and I don’t know why. They’re in some sort of deep coma and their wounds aren’t healing right. It’s as though they have no magic of their own to heal. I’m having to do all the work.”
Ivan nodded toward the doorway. “You should go lay with Lucas. You’re his mate. Just having you nearby will do more good than anything.”
She nodded wearily. “I’m just so tired. I could really use some meat. I haven’t eaten since breakfast.” She looked around into the darkness, frustration plain on her face. “What the hell happened here? Why are all the bodies gone and what could take both of them down?”
Tony let out a deep sigh. “There is one way to find out.”
Tatya narrowed her eyes. “I’m not letting you near Lucas right now. I don’t trust you. In fact, I’ve never trusted you, and have no idea why my husband ever did!”
Tony threw his hands into the air and smelled peppery with anger. “What is this, anyway? Beat on the new guy day? You’re giving me a hell of a lot of credit to think I could hurt either of those guys. I’m a fucking three-day, people! I have second sight and hindsight and I’m a good shot. That’s it! Nothing more. I’ve wondered for the better part of two years now why Lucas keeps stepping in for me . . . why Charles keeps telling everyone to leave me alone.”
He paused and his face grew startled. “Maybe that’s it,” he said quietly, almost to himself. “Maybe this is why they’ve been keeping me around.” He waved his hands at the looks of disbelief on their faces. “No, no. Stay with me on this. This attack was coordinated, like a war. Air force, infantry, and marines, all timed to wear us down. They waited until you left, they took their dead and injured, and they left one person alive to tell the tale. Someone wanted me to live. We just don’t know why.” He nodded and crossed his arms over his solid, muscled chest. “I need to hindsight one of them, and I’m thinking it should be Charles.”
A three-day with both second sight and hindsight? That was just plain weird. Those gifts were normally reserved for the strongest of alphas, not a wolf who had no control over when he shifted and had to shift on every night of the full moon.
Now Ivan was nodding. “We all wondered why you were so important, but Charles was adamant. If he saw this event as a possible future, you would be the only person able to find out the truth. He would want you to stay close to Lucas.”
Tatya shook her head and leaned against one of the iron posts holding up the steel roof over the porch. “No, there’s Aspen. I’d rather call her in. I can keep them stable until she arrives.”
Ivan shook his head grimly. “She’s been missing for nearly a week. Only the council knew. Her husband’s frantic. He’s been calling in every favor he knows to find her. The last lead he had was that she was somewhere in Arizona, but he couldn’t figure out who might have taken her, or if she went there voluntarily. It wouldn’t be the first time she disappeared on her own. Sometimes she removes herself from the puzzle, so she doesn’t interfere.”
Eric turned to Tony. “Is your ability a secret? Does anyone other than the council know you have hindsight?”
He shrugged and pursed his lips. “Secret? No, not really. I’ve been working for Wolven for a year now. The hindsight is what I do to close up old cold files. Pretty much anyone who’s anyone knows. Pack leaders, healers, the psychiatrists.”
Eric raised one finger and started to pace. It always helped to move while he thought. He often went for a run when he was trying to figure out a case. “Maybe we’ve got this backward. Maybe they left you alive because of what they don’t know. Charles was known to be so secretive that it drove everyone insane. Lucas was following some sort of thread about a big, world-ending plot for nearly a decade now, but nobody knew the details. If they got Aspen out of the way—”
“Because she’s far too powerful and unpredictable—” supplied Tatya.
“And relied on me to get the information—” Tony added with a growl.
Eric found himself nodding. “They could capture you and force you to tell all. They have to know we’d be rabidly curious about this—blood everywhere but no bodies and two of our greatest warriors out cold. That just screams mystery.”
Ivan let out a s
hort bark of a laugh. “They apparently don’t know Tony very well. He doesn’t . . . squeal.”
Now Tony smelled distinctly disturbed. “No, I don’t. But they might not have to torture me. Has Ahmad told the council about our little adventure in Atlantic City? Did he mention the new drug the followers of Marduc came up with? The one that makes people compliant zombies?”
The bald man nodded grimly, while Eric tried to figure out who or what Marduc was. “My very thought. Are you certain you didn’t get any injuries? Could you already have the drug in you?”
Tony shook his head, but his eyes were nervous. “I’ve smelled it before, and I haven’t here, to my knowledge. But I can’t be certain. The sucky part is that if I had swallowed it or had it injected, I wouldn’t know because the first instruction is not to remember taking it. Goddamn it!” He let out a deep sigh. “I guess that answers it then. I can’t do a hindsight. We can’t take the risk. But if I don’t, we’ll never know what happened.” His eyes went blank, as though he was seeing something nobody else could. With a strangled sound of pain, he dropped to his knees and pressed his fists to his head.
Tatya moved toward him, her eyes wide. But Ivan held her back. “Someone is contacting him mentally. This happens every time. Don’t interrupt him or it’ll only be worse.”