by Kim Faulks
North? My muscles strained with the effort. “This is too heavy. Let me take some—”
His hair swung with the shake of his head. “You’ll do no such thing, woman. I’ll carry my own. Just help me get it on my back. I’ll take it from there.”
My muscles strained as I hoisted the straps over thin arms. The old man swayed under the weight when the backpack snapped tight against his shoulders. He was too old to walk. I glanced toward the sword leaning against the tree and too old to fight.
Through the frenzied activity around the campfire my father moved from one member to another, filling packs and helping those too old or tired to help themselves. I caressed the old wolf’s arm. “It’ll be okay, Owen. Let me talk to my father.”
I skirted the trunk of a fallen tree we used for a seat and headed for my father. Something snagged my arm and yanked. I stumbled, slapping my hand against the wood. A shadow loomed over me.
“Where the hell have you been?”
White teeth glowed in the night, snapping together so close to my face, I felt the slight breeze. Hurron’s grip tightened, grinding muscle against bone. I wrenched my arm, dropped my shoulder and barged my way passed. “Get your hands off me.”
Silver eyes followed as I yanked my arm free and stumbled backward. The faint glow of the fire revealed the thunder in his gaze when Hurron combed long brown hair from his face. “You need to stay where I can protect you. If anything happened, your father would never forgive me.”
My arm throbbed, but I refused to ease the ache. “I’m not a child. I can take care of myself. Now, tell me. What the hell is going on?”
“Can you, Abrial? You should be with the women taking care of the children, not tramping through the damn forest.” He darted a wary look toward my father. “My wife needs to understands where her place is. Leave the scouting and the fighting to the men.”
My jaw muscles tightened until I heard the crack of jawbone. My wolf surged to the surface. A warning growl tingled my lips. Toe-to-toe, I held his gaze. “I’m not your wife yet. So, you’ll talk to me with a little respect. My place is where I decide it is. I’ll not have you, or anyone else, tell me otherwise. You can either learn that now or the hard way later on.” I tore my gaze from his, still anger inside raged. “And, if you ever lay your hand on me like that again, I’ll tear the thing off.”
The shadow moved as he lunged. The heat of his breath scorched my face as he whispered. “If you’re not going to be my wife, then I’ve no use for you.”
Mumbled words, yet the threat was there. If he thought I’d tremble in fear, he was wrong. I turned, leaving him with his seething anger to hear a snicker across the fire. Walker rounded the flames and glared at Hurron as he passed, then turned his attention to me.
“I’m glad you find other people’s pain amusing.”
The frown smoothed out as he gave me a wink. “I just love watching you hand him his ass every damn time.”
Walker’s gold rings sparkled as he reached for me, pulling me against his chest. I inhaled his scent and felt my walls crumble. All the running, all the fighting wore me down. I gripped the edges of his jacket as he whispered. “Jesus, you’re freezing. Where’s your jacket, Abs?”
I shook my head and clutched him tight. “Please, tell me what’s going on.”
His arms squeezed me tight. “If you answered your damn messages you’d know. There’s been an attack on the Echo pack tonight.”
The stench of blood stifled the air. I already heard the words. Their Alpha is dead.
“One of their betas is dead.”
Part of me surged with satisfaction. The other part held my head in shame. “One less vicious bastard we need to watch out for.”
Wait. Beta? I yanked my head up, catching Walker under the jaw. The gnash of teeth filled my ears. “Ow! For fucks sake, Abs.”
My heart thrashed. I tried to still the deafening sound, because Walker’s answer meant everything. “Don’t you mean, their Alpha?”
No, no, no. I killed the right man. I killed their Alpha.
I could still feel the warmth of his blood as it struck my chest. My hands on the hilt, driving the blade deep. The jarring of my palms when the knife hit bone.
“No, one of their warriors. They’re calling it an outright attack on their Alpha. I don’t understand. Who would be so fucking stupid? I mean, why now, of all the shitty timing? The Echo pack allowed us safe passage. They overpower any of us ten to one, so who’d be dumb enough to attack them now?”
Sour liquid scalded my throat and spilled into my mouth. I stumbled, breaking Walker’s hold, and lunged for the bushes. My stomach clenched and released, then clenched once more as I fell. The trees hid my shame as the acidic liquid splashed on the ground. Rocky ground scraped my knees and palms as I hit the forest floor.
“Abrial. What’s going on?”
Not the Alpha. What have I done?
“Abrial. Answer me.”
I couldn’t look him in the eye. He had no idea—why would he? Our safe passage had come at a cost—everything always had a price attached. But it wasn’t the men who paid, was it? It was never the men who paid.
“Abs.” Walker’s fingers trailed my shoulder.
I gripped my knees and pushed myself from the ground, listening to my father issue commands. The voice of reason they called him—Do I save one, or save many Abrial, answer me that? Well… answer me. One, or many?
Sacrifice my mother and my sister for the many. How could a girl of five understand?
My knees trembled. The ache in my stomach drove talons into my chest. I whispered, “It was me. I killed him.”
His hand fell from my shoulder. There was no comfort for me now. “What?”
“I killed him. I meant to kill the Alpha.”
“I don’t believe it.”
My voice turned to steel. “Believe it.”
“Why?” His voice trembled. I didn’t think it was from the cold. “Why?”
I jerked my head around, scanning the rest of the pack, then turned to Walker. “Shh. It doesn’t matter.”
He dug his fingers into my arm and wrenched me to my feet. The dull ache spread like a disease.
His breath was hot against my face as he hissed. “What do you mean, it doesn’t matter?”
I clenched my jaw as my vision blurred. I was dead anyway. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try me.”
The silence lingered.
“They’ll be coming for you. You know that right? They’ll be coming and they won’t stop. Not until you’re dead.”
Tears slipped, warming my icy cheek.
“I’ve loved you like a sister. But you’ve changed, Abrial. I don’t know you anymore.”
I nodded.
“Don’t say a word, to anyone.” He hissed. “Not even me. I don’t want to know any more.”
Walker dropped my hands. The night air licked the tips of my fingers. I couldn’t stop the tremor. “Here, take my jacket. I don’t want it back.”
I clutched the thick fur as he shoved the coat into my hands, then speared my hands into the sleeves. The stiff elk bristles snagged the cotton, ending the frigid bite. “Thank you.”
My voice fell on deaf ears as Walker turned and strode away.
“Abrial. Is that you?”
I wrenched my gaze left at the sound of my father’s voice. My teeth chattered. “Yes.”
“Where’ve you been?”
My belly dropped. Lies and deceit weighed me down. “I wanted to take one look at the town before we left.”
“Well, hurry up then. I packed your clothes. We have to get moving.”
My father’s words still haunted me after all these years. You’re my little girl. I’ll never leave you. You’re everything to me, but tell me what can I do? Do I save one, or save many, Abrial? Answer me that. Well? Answer me. One or many?
I swallowed the pain, watching my father hoist the pack into the air. His muscles strained. Pots and pans clattered in
side. I slipped my arms through. The straps bit my shoulders and I swayed. My boots burrowed in the soft forest loam as I turned, then met his gaze.
“You okay? You’re very quiet.”
The dying flames cast a flicker of orange light across his face. I stared at the deep lines etched into his face. For twenty years he told me my mother and sister were cared for, twenty years of lies. The truth was a bitter pill to swallow. They weren’t happy, they weren’t healthy… my mother was dead and my sister….
I killed the wrong man.
Now, I’d lost my sister too. I couldn’t see him as a father anymore. I couldn’t see him as a leader—for years I’d stopped loving this man, now I started to see him as an enemy.
His blue eyes cut me to the core. “Just tired of running.”
He buckled the strap at my waist and stepped back. “We all are, honey. Let’s get going. We’ve got a long way to go.”
But he wasn’t the only enemy I’d once loved, was he?
Marcus
“You want me to wait?” North shoved the SUV into park and twisted in his seat. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but concern etched fine lines around his lips.
“No. I’ll be fine.” I touched the door handle and breathed deep.
“You know it’s okay to lean on us, don’t you? Just because you’re the eldest doesn’t mean you have to carry the burden alone.”
I stared at the dashboard as he gripped my arm, then dropped my gaze to his hand. Thin fingers and knotted knuckles held me. The tendons on his arms pulled taut. Veins stuck out like highways on a map. His arms were the same. Thin… too thin. Skeletal. The word took root inside my mind.
I lifted my head, seeking my earth sign brother’s face and those deep brown eyes as though I saw him for the first time and knew we weren’t fine at all.
The sight of his sunken cheeks hit me like a blow. I wrenched my arm from under his touch. His hand barely made a sound against the console as it came to rest.
I lifted my hand. My fingers trembled before settling on the hard line of his jaw. I probed the hollow of his cheek, sliding over the sharp outline of his teeth underneath. We’d been warriors. Once feared and strong—but now we were this.
His eyes widened at my touch. Dry lips parted. My little brother. My North. I tried to steady my voice and whispered. “How long have you looked like this?”
Brown eyes, once so vibrant, reminded me of hollow drums. He turned his head and stared into the rear view mirror and his brow furrowed. “I’ve always looked like this.”
Never had much use for dieting. I like my food running. The wolf’s voice echoed from last night. “When was the last time you ate?”
Silence. Should it take him so long to recall?
“I don’t know. I don’t remember.”
“How can you not know when you last ate?”
“I don’t know. I guessed I stopped caring.”
I closed my eyes at the answer. We were as close to death as any immortal could be. Sunken faces, empty eyes—hollow souls.
It’s my fault. I’m responsible.
“Don’t wait for me. I’ll find my own way home.”
I shoved the door open, then slammed it shut behind me. The window rode down as I strode away.
“Marcus, what’s wrong? Marcus….” I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t turn—I didn’t dare look at North again, not now.
Gravel kicked up from the tires to pepper the bricks as I barged through the station’s double doors. A deputy glanced up at the sound. His gaze narrowed. His moustache twitched as my brother backed out the parking bay, then the officer turned the hard stare on me. “Seems like the boy’s itchin’ for a night in the cells.”
I shrugged. “Kids these days.”
The officer gripped his belt, drawing his attention to the gun at his waist. “What can I do for you?”
I glanced past him to the hallway. “Morse. Is he in?”
“And who might be asking?”
“Marcus Kane.”
The name met with silence. Those with power in this town understood what my name meant—protection.
“Haven’t seen you around here before.”
I met the deputy’s stare with one of my own. “Haven’t needed to come. Now, is he in, or do I have to find out where he lives?”
His jaw tightened, the muscle bulged. “Wait right here. Do not move.”
I turned to the foyer, listening to the deputy’s boots screeched on the buffed floor behind me. Gold and green filled the space. The Nyx County Sheriff’s banner hung from the ceiling. Two rifles crossed over a row of Pine trees. We had the largest forest in the state, kept safe by one small slip of parchment soaked in blood.
My blood.
The blood oath had done more than keep the wolves at bay. It’d protected this county for over four hundred years. Wolves killed the vampires. Demons slunk back to Hell. Immortal wars had raged outside these walls. This place was a fortress, kept safe by the fear of our name.
And it’d worked… until now.
A row of photos stuck out amongst the green and gold in the sparse foyer. Most of the images were black and white. Missing splashed across the page in blood red. Empty eyes stared at me.
Charles Moore, age 35. Last known whereabouts Nyx County heading east. Five feet, eight inches, sandy blonde hair last seen wearing jeans and a black T-shirt. If you’ve seen this man, contact Nyx County Sheriff’s Department.
Sabrina Fields, aged 45, last seen Nyx County heading east.
Gerund Miles, aged 32 last seen Nyx County heading east. Monica Steward, aged 34, Nyx County heading east.
Rivers Nance, aged 28, and William Ryder, aged 39 last seen Nyx County heading east. I stopped on the last image and grazed the stark paper with my thumb. Smooth edges buckled as I pinched. This one hadn’t curled at the edges, unlike the others, the ink not yet smudged. The pin holes not yet torn. I didn’t have to see anymore.
I dropped my gaze. Zadoc’s been in fine form. No wonder the house stinks of the decay.
The heavy thud of boots echoed, slowing to a stop. “Holy shit. Marcus Kane. I never thought I’d see you again, thought you’d died, or moved on by now.”
I wrenched my head toward the sound. Tired eyes held me. I glanced at his breast pocket. Morse was printed boldly above the pocket. But this man looked beaten. The years hadn’t been merciful, not to him. “I’ve come for my car.”
He nodded. “I know. It’s a damn blessing in disguise. I’ve put this off long enough, I suppose. Come with me. There’s things we need to discuss.”
The deputy glared as I skirted around the edge of the counter and stepped close at the last minute to call out. “I’ll be just out here if you need me, sheriff.”
“For God’s sake give me some damn breathing room,” the sheriff bellowed. “Goddamn new transfer’s under a man’s feet every two seconds.”
Morse’s gaze bounced around the room, sweeping from me to the door and back again. The smell of fear filled the room and under that, resentment. Bitter words tumbled from his mouth as he marched into his office and jerked his head toward a seat. I ignored the motion and set my sights on the row of shelves. Nyx, voted Safest County in the United States of America 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1950-1960, 1960-1970, 1970-2000….
“They stopped making them after that. I guess the novelty wore off.” The air whooshed from the cushion as Morse dropped into his seat behind the desk. “Don’t matter a hell of a lot now, anyways.”
“Who are the wolves?”
His head snapped up. Brown eyes sparkled, shining like the tiny beads of sweat on his forehead. “The invaders?”
Red hair, tumbling like flames. Green eyes so vibrant with fear… invaders? “Is that what you’re calling them?”
“Seems fair to me. They invade our land, take what they want.” He pointed to a small stack of files. “I have more complaints on my desk in the last twenty-four hours than I’ve had in the last three years. Shoplifting, stealing, dine-and
-dashes, one for assault. Can you believe that? Fucking assault?”
Stealing, eating. They were hungry. “Where did they come from?”
“Who the fuck knows. This world is turning to shit fast. The people in this county can’t even go out at night. I got a complaint from Mrs. Goulding telling me her eighteen-year-old daughter shacked up with one of these dogs. Now I gotta face her brother who works in this same damn station. So, tell me Marcus, what are you gonna do about it?”
I flinched and that cold hunger of retribution warmed as the fire raged inside. “First of all, they aren’t dogs. They’re wolves. And considering that they could tear this place apart in days, I’d be inclined to show them a little respect. And, why would I do a damn thing to help you? The blood oath is still in effect. It’s your job to enforce it, not mine.”
A nerve at the corner of his eye pulsed. “The last time we met you swore you’d protect this town and the people in it. So, what’s changed?”
I’ve changed and not for the better. “That was over twenty years ago, sheriff. I would’ve thought you’d invest the time you saved locking up criminals to ensure this town stays safe.”
“They cut our damn budget. It’s been fucking pathetic all these years, sending resources south. The safest county is the cheapest county, squeaky wheel and all that.” He leaned backwards in the chair, training those cynical eyes on me, until he continued. “Well, this wheel is squeaking now. Seeing as though you ain’t gonna help me get rid of these mongrels, I’ll go through the proper channels to the Special Ops division. Maybe a few well-placed grenades and some tear gas might move them along a little faster. I dunno, maybe it’s time to retire. The damn badge seems to have lost its fucking shine and I ain’t getting any younger.”
Grenades… tear gas…. The thought of the female wolf suffering the effects of such weapons turned my stomach to stone. “Give me a day or two. I’ll see what I can do. How many are there?”
He shrugged. “Dunno, one pack isn’t too big, forty, fifty at most. Most of them are women and children, some old folks as well. The other one is more than seventy strong, big bastards, too. Echo pack they call themselves. There’s talk about an attack on one of their alphas. If we give ‘em a week or two, they might kill each other.” He clawed the stubble at his chin as though the idea of slaughter seemed appealing. “If it wasn’t for the bodies and the stench, I’d let ‘em, too.”