by L. C. Davis
Brendan didn't respond. He did allow Victor to take Maverick from his arms and stood stiffly in the doorway while I examined him for any signs of injury. “Did you run into a hunter?” I asked, trying to get him over to one of the chairs.
“No,” he said hoarsely, collapsing in the armchair by the fire while Victor laid Maverick on the couch. “He's fine,” he said, feeling the side of Maverick's neck, then the small knot forming on his forehead. “He's just unconscious. I'm calling Clara.” He withdrew his phone and started dialing.
I ran to the gym to grab a bottle of water and when I came back, it appeared that Victor was having as little luck getting answers out of Brendan as I was. “Here, drink this,” I said, opening the bottle and placing it in Brendan's shaking hands. He was hesitant to drink, but almost as soon as he started, the bottle was drained.
“Thanks,” he gasped, wiping the excess water off his chin. I reached out to grab his hand and saw that his knuckles were split and bloody, but only some of the blood was his.
“Brendan, what happened?” Victor asked intently, sitting back on his haunches in front of the other wolf. Brendan met his gaze and held it for a moment in challenge before he looked away.
“He's dead,” he stated, taking a deep breath.
“Who's dead?” Victor asked calmly.
“Mr. Hall. I killed him.”
Victor put his hands on Brendan's shoulders and gave them a firm squeeze. The other wolf relaxed a bit, but it didn't seem voluntary. “Tell me what happened, Brendan. I know you'd never do something like that unless there was a reason.”
Brendan gritted his teeth and air hissed through them. His eyes were watering and his fists clutched at the fabric of his pants with barely contained rage. “I've never killed a human before, but when he hit Maverick I just snapped. At first I only meant to get between them, to hit him once, but then...”
When he trailed off I was left waiting for closure, but a look of understanding passed over Victor's face immediately. “You shifted,” he murmured.
Brendan hung his head in shame. “What happened, Brendan?” Victor asked. His voice was calm and authoritative, but not accusing. “You haven't had a problem with control since you first came here.”
“I don't know, man.” He glanced warily at me, then back at Victor. “I think maybe he's my --”
“Who's hurt?” Clara called from the top of the stairs, tossing a pair of stilettos over the railing as she barreled down the stairs in her bare feet. Her emergency bag was at her side, as always.
“Maverick,” I said, standing to lead her over to my unconscious friend. “He was hit, I think, by his master,” I said, barely able to contain my own anger.
Clara knelt to look over him, but she didn't look surprised. “I figured it was only a matter of time before something like this happened. Who brought him in?”
“Me,” Brendan said, raising his hand. “His head hit the edge of the steps pretty hard when he was running, that's what knocked him out.”
“Did his master push him?” she asked worriedly.
“No.” Brendan looked away and swallowed hard. “He was running from me.”
“Well, he certainly has a concussion, but I'm glad he didn't fall from that kind of height,” Clara murmured. “Remus, please get me some ice from the kitchen.”
“Of course,” I said, darting across the hall. Jason, Clarence and Foster were all gathered in the kitchen and Clarence was the only one who didn't look like he was going to have a heart attack when I came tearing in.
“Where's the fire?” Clarence asked around a mouthful of cereal.
I gave a stilted laugh and tried to act normal as I grabbed a bag of frozen peas out of the freezer. “Victor just hurt his knee,” I lied. The last thing Brendan needed was the rest of his pack swarming him downstairs. I knew what it was like to kill someone and space was what he needed most just then.
“I've been meaning to talk to you,” said Clarence.
“Sorry, I'm kind of in a hurry right now but find me later,” I said, darting out of the room before he could argue. By the time I made it downstairs, Clara had Maverick propped up with a bunch of pillows and covered in a blanket. Brendan was in the same spot where I'd left him and Victor's arm was around his back as he leaned over, murmuring something that I couldn't quite make out.
“Here,” I said, giving Clara the frozen vegetables. “Is he going to be okay?”
“Like I told you that first night, I can't make any guarantees without access to an MRI machine. It's never normal to be out for more than a few seconds,” she admitted. “But with hunters all around, going to the hospital is probably even more of a risk than waiting it out.”
I gulped, looking towards the door. Ulric's absence was growing all the more ominous. Victor rose and looked at the door, too. Our eyes met with a look of mutual concern before he turned back to Brendan. “Come on, you need a shower and some rest.”
Brendan looked back at Maverick forlornly. “I can't leave him.”
“We'll look after him,” Victor said, patting Brendan's back. “If the hunters come, you need to be strong in body and mind to protect him. We'll discuss what it all means tomorrow with Ulric, but for tonight you rest.” It was a friendly command, but a command nonetheless.
Brendan nodded reluctantly and wandered over to the staircase. With one last forlorn glance at Maverick, he climbed the stairs and disappeared.
“What was that all about?” I asked, concerned.
“The short version is, Hall has been abusing Maverick and Brendan walked in on it happening. He thinks Maverick is his soulmate and he's known about it for some time, but he's been suppressing it because he's in love with his mysterious boyfriend,” he said, rubbing his forehead. “When he saw Maverick being attacked by his master, he snapped. The same protective instinct that drives me to keep you safe caused him to shift and now Hall's dead.”
I listened in shock, pressing a hand against my mouth. “Poor Maverick. And poor Brendan.”
“I know. This isn't going to be easy for anyone.”
“Aren't soulmates supposed to be a rare thing?” I asked, confused.
“They are. That's part of the reason he kept it quiet for so long. He started noticing Maverick at the competition, too. It might just be a coincidence.”
“That's not what you really believe.”
He smirked. “I thought vampires were bad at reading emotion.”
“You're my exception, I guess.” I glanced nervously at the door. “Ulric has been gone a really long time. Maverick's house is twice as far as the university.”
“I know,” he said, raking a hand through his hair. “I'm about to do something extremely irresponsible and go out to look for him.”
The idea of him going out there was awful, but I couldn't protest when Brendan had already stuck his neck out for me. “He's not answering his phone?”
“No, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything. He only carries one to humor us, he barely knows how to use it.”
“Ulric is fine if that's what you're whispering about,” said Clara, wandering over to us. “That stubborn old man isn't about to give the hunters the satisfaction of taking him out on a routine rescue mission.”
“I wish I was as confident as you are,” I said.
She smiled. “Well, you haven't known him as long as I have. You'll see.”
I managed a small smile in return, but I wasn't convinced. Clara had known him longer than any of us. If she wasn't worried, maybe I shouldn't be. “How is Maverick?”
“He's stable, which is good,” she said, glancing at Victor. “I'd appreciate it if you could move him to a bed in the infirmary.”
“Of course,” he said, moving to do as she asked immediately.
“Thank you so much for taking care of him,” I said once we were alone. “You must be getting tired of cleaning up my messes.”
“Honestly, when I heard they were bringing you back as a vampire, I expected there to be a body count,�
� she said. “I won't try to pretend chaos doesn't follow you around, but you're one of the pack now and my cousin, too. Cleaning up messes is kind of what family does.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely.
“Don't thank me. You can repay me by tending to my garden the next time I'm out of town,” she said, grinning. “These meatheads wouldn't know a ficus from a geranium.”
I couldn't help but laugh a little. “I can't say botany is my specialty, but I'll do my best.”
The door opened and Ulric stepped inside, looking a bit tired but no worse for the wear. “Told ya,” Clara whispered.
“Ulric!” I cried, running to him. Arthur was nowhere in sight, but Ulric was back and all I could do was throw my arms around him—or at least as much of his muscular frame as they could circumvent—and be grateful.
“Don't give me a hero's welcome yet,” he said in a slightly confused tone. “I couldn't find him anywhere.”
“I can see that, I'm just glad you're back,” I said, pulling away from him before I could further embarrass myself.
“It's about time, I was just heading out to save your ass,” Victor said, coming back into the room.
“I'm not done In yet, boy,” Ulric snorted.
“No luck finding the kid, I assume?” asked Victor.
“No. Since he's not answering Remus' calls, I left him a note telling him to come to the Lodge as soon as possible. I'm afraid I forged it in your name, Remus.”
“That's great! I'm worried that he wasn't home, though. He's always in the dorm by this hour when he's not with his family, and that's only on Friday nights,” I said.
“Well, he certainly wasn't on campus. I looked in the rest of the dormitory, the student center, the library, and the cafeteria but he wasn't there.”
“I'll keep calling him,” I murmured. “When will we know if the hunters...?” I couldn't bring myself to finish that sentence.
“When they start sending body parts,” said Clara.
Victor shot her a look and she shrugged defensively. “Lying to him won't help.”
“She's right,” I murmured, collapsing in the chair.
“Maybe he's back at the dormitory by now,” said Ulric. “I could try again.”
I stared at the man whom I had always assumed just abandoned me and tried to process the fact that he was willing to go out and risk his life for the second time that night just so I didn't have to live with another body on my conscience.
“Please don't. I'll keep trying his phone, but we need you here.” As much as I loved Arthur, if anyone was going to risk their life to find him again, it would have to be the one who got him into this mess in the first place.
“He's right,” said Victor. “A lot has happened since you've been gone. Brendan came back with Maverick and they're both alright for the moment, but Maverick is unconscious.”
Ulric's brow knit in concern. “Hunters?”
“No,” Victor murmured. “Come join me and I'll fill you in,” he said, motioning for Ulric to follow him into the infirmary.
That left Clara and I. She watched me warily. “Are you going to be alright?”
“Yeah, definitely,” I said, forcing a small smile.
“I was going to restock the infirmary,” she said hesitantly. “But I can wait with you.”
“No, you're busy,” I insisted. “I'm just going to go up to our room and see if Arthur has been on social media so I don't drive myself crazy sitting here.”
She nodded, seemingly relieved. “That's a good idea. Don't worry, I'll take good care of your friend. And Brendan's mate, apparently,” she said, shaking her head as she walked off.
Once I was alone, I waited. I could faintly make out Victor telling Ulric about the news that Maverick was Brendan's mate and how he'd killed his abusive master on the spot. If I could hear them, Victor had certainly heard me telling Clara of my plans to go upstairs.
Now I only had to move as quietly and quickly as possible and pray that Victor's mark radar didn't alert him to direction as well as distance. By my rudimentary calculations, the parking lot was just about as far away as the upstairs. Sebastian's keys had never left my pocket, so I headed straight for the side door that led out to the parking lot.
With a glance behind my shoulder, I made my way over to Sebastian's truck. My hands were trembling from adrenaline as I opened the door, trying to avoid setting off the alarm. I finally made it inside and started the engine relieved when it sprang to life right away. It was still pretty cold out and you could never tell with the old clunkers.
“No offense, old gal,” I said, giving the steering wheel an affectionate pat.
“You know, I'm pretty sure talking to cars is enough to get you put back in that straitjacket.
I stifled a scream at the sound of Hunter's voice. He was leaning on the hood of the truck, arms crossed and smirking. I glanced behind him to make sure no one else had followed. “Relax, I practically invented sneaking out after curfew. I'm not here to snitch, but I do want in.”
“Just get in,” I hissed.
He opened the driver's side door, chucked Sebastian's suitcase in the bed of the truck and climbed inside. “So are we going to clean up that douche's body or to find your friend?”
“To find my friend. Or both. I haven't thought that far ahead, but you were eavesdropping?”
“Well, yeah. I just got here, how else am I supposed to know what's going on?” he snorted. “We can talk on the way, let's just get out of the lot before your entourage gets wind of your great escape.”
I took his advice and pulled onto the grass to pick up the driveway at a later point that wasn't quite as visible. The hill was rough, but Sebastian's old truck handled it like a champ. Maybe she wasn't a clunker after all. Hunter clung to the handle above the door frame.
“Where are we going exactly?” he asked.
“To the university,” I said. “He's still got to be there somewhere and it's populated enough that I don't think the hunters would try anything.”
“Don't be so sure of that,” he said doubtfully. “Anyway, if it was that safe we wouldn't be out looking for your friend.”
“Did you really come along for the ride, or just to talk me out of it?”
“A little of both,” he admitted. “I at least didn't want you out there alone. You're kinda reckless, you know.”
“Says the guy who came along for a spontaneous joyride with a crazy vampire he hardly knows.”
“Hey, it was either that or eat cereal with that creepy greaser dude who keeps giving me weird looks.”
“Creepy greaser dude? Clarence?” I wouldn't have called him creepy, but he did have a certain intense vibe that might be taken that way.
“Yeah, that's him. I can't figure out if he's gawking because he's got a problem with me or because he wants to eat me.” He shivered.
“I can't imagine either being the case. Clarence isn't my biggest fan and I don't know him very well, but even I can tell you he's not a bad guy. He probably just thinks you're cute or something.”
“Blech,” he said dramatically.
I laughed a little. Even though I was watching the road, I could imagine the face he was making. “Just tell him you're not interested in guys, problem solved.”
“What makes you think I'm straight?”
“Oh,” I said awkwardly. “Sorry, I guess I just assumed. You're not?”
He laughed. “It's fine, everyone assumes trans guys are just super butch lesbians. I like guys, always have. I just don't wanna be with a douchebag who still calls me Heather and thinks I'm gonna crank out pups with him.”
“No,” I said, wincing. “That's definitely not a recipe for true love.”
“Nah. Anyway, ever since I arrived at the Lodge, Clarence has been treating me like I'm some fragile teacup, opening doors for me and asking if I need help with completely bullshit tasks. Then there's the staring.”
“They all treat me and Foster that way, if it makes you feel any better,�
� I said. His silence made it obvious that wasn't comforting. “Okay, bad example, but Clarence definitely wouldn't give you a hard time for being trans. Everyone at the Lodge is very respectful of privacy.”
“Yeah,” he murmured. I thought I detected a hint of guilt in his voice. “I've noticed that. I should probably stop eavesdropping.”
“Probably, but I don't exactly have room to judge,” I said. “Seriously, if Clarence is making you uncomfortable, just tell him to knock it off. He'll listen,” I said, pulling into the campus lot. “I don't suppose you have any way to tell if hunters are around?”
“Not yet, but I'm working on it,” he said, pointing up ahead. “Park as close to the building as you can. They're not above making a scene, but they like to avoid it if they can.”
I did as he said and parked in a space right beside the door. There were still plenty of students filtering in and out of the dorms. I just hoped the people would provide a shield from the hunters if they attacked.
“You sure you're good enough to be out with all these walking blood bags?” he asked once we were out of the car.
“Not sure, but I fed earlier so I'm taking the risk that my desire to find Arthur is stronger than my thirst,” I admitted. “Like everything else I've done in the past few months, it's a selfishly calculated gamble.”
“Points for honesty, I guess,” he said, following me to the door.
“Oh, shit. I gave Ulric my ID card,” I muttered. “We'll have to wait until someone comes out again.”
“Hang on,” he said, wandering over to the door. He tapped on the window and a couple of girls talking in the common area glanced at us. He flashed a winning smile and mouthed, “forgot my card.”
One of them dashed over and pushed the door open, smiling bashfully at him. “Thanks, you're a lifesaver. Third time this week,” he said with a charming laugh, waving to them as we headed towards the stairs.
“I thought you were gay,” I whispered, sprinting up the stairs after him.
“Flirting is a universal language.”
“Yeah, well thanks for employing your linguistic skills on my behalf,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Okay, this is Arthur's floor. If he's not back by now, something is seriously wrong.”