by Aaron Henley
“Yes my lady.”
“And make sure he goes to Canada first. At least then he can be delivered to the Mexicans mostly intact.”
“Of course.”
“Thank you Edward. You’re dismissed. On your way out, kindly inform Roberta to see that I’m not disturbed for the remainder of the day.”
“As you wish my lady.” Edward stood, bowed to his mistress, and walked out of the office.
Lily laid back in her chair, one hand tapping lightly on the desk while the other rubbed a golden locket resting lightly against her breast. She raised her hand from the desk and then proceeded to open the locket. Inside was a faded black and white photograph of a young man smiling.
She gently ran her right index finger over his face, pausing at his lips and remembering the sweet taste of them. “Rest in peace my beloved Michael. I’ve avenged you and hurt the bitch who took you from me. She’s going to pay for a very long time dearest.” She kissed a finger and pressed it to the man’s lips. “I love you now and forever my heart.” She wiped a tear from her left eye. She closed the locket and let it fall against her chest once more.
Chapter 8
How am I going to tell him? It had been three days since Kiera had discovered Lilith’s current identity. Lily --- trying to lighten up a bit Lilith? You’re about as pure as a toxic waste dump and as innocent as Charles Manson. I’ve done a little digging on you since we last met - thank you Internet. No one has ever caught you in anything but I’ve been around long enough to read between the lines. No one is that lucky or fortunate. At least, not without strings being pulled anyway. She’s stronger than ever. Steve can’t just go and kill someone of that standing. Too many eyebrows would be raised; too many questions asked. He’s a good man but it wouldn’t be long before the authorities would track him down. He’d have to live in exile for the rest of his life. I can’t do that to him. I just can’t. She looked over at her husband, still unmoving. I’ve already lost my daughter and may have lost my husband forever. I can’t do the same for my son---even if he technically isn’t.
There was a soft knock on the open door. “May I come in?” Steve stood at the entryway and awaited Kiera’s response.
Kiera stood up and faced him “Of course dear.” Steve walked in and the two embraced. Steve hadn’t returned to the hospital since their previous conversation. He felt guilty about it. As they broke apart, Steve faced her.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been back. I just had a lot to think about.”
“I understand dear. It was quite a bit to take in.”
“Still, I should have come back sooner. You’re just as much family as Becca was. No matter if we got married or not. You shouldn’t be facing this ---,” he glanced down at Alan’s bed, “---alone.”
“I appreciate your concern dear.” She patted his shoulder. “I’m being well looked after. I won’t lie that it’s breaking me apart seeing him like this; but, I will be here when he wakes up. He’ll need a familiar face when he does to calm him. He should also hear about what happened to our daughter from me.” She deeply sighed. “It’ll break his heart. I’m worried about his health when he hears the news but it’s best he hears it from me and not a stranger.”
“I understand completely.”
Kiera’s hand raised to cover her mouth and she let out a gasp of shock. “Oh my dear. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean ---”
Steve gave her a smile and spoke in a placating tone, “It’s okay Kiera. It happened a long time ago. I’ve come to terms with it. You didn’t offend me at all.” As Kiera lowered her hand, Steve smirked. “Besides, even if it did, do you think I’d be crazy enough to tell a dragon that I was upset at her? I really don’t like the smell of burnt fur.”
“So---,” she paused, considering her words carefully. “Does that mean you won’t be trying to go after Lilith?”
“Well, maybe I should have said dragons I like being upset with me.”
“I see,” she said quietly.
“Don’t worry Kiera. I’ll find her and bring Becca home. Even if I have to spend the rest of my life doing it, I will bring her home at least.”
“You don’t have to Steve,” she said quietly. He reared back; the surprise evident on his face. “Now that I’ve had some time to think, I can’t ask you to do that. Becca wouldn’t want you to throw your life away on a quixotic quest and neither do I. Just knowing that you wanted to is enough for me.”
Steve gestured to the pair of chairs next to Alan’s bed, “Could we have a seat please?”
They both turned the chairs to face each other, then sat down. “Kiera, I’m still going. Something precious to both of us was taken. I have to do this for my own sake if nothing else. When Mom and Dad died, it took a lot for me to be put back together. I can’t count how many nights Pops stayed up and held me as I cried. Becca helped me a lot too during the day. Without them, I don’t know where’d I be right now. I know she was your daughter, but, she was my mate in every way but legal. I had already given her my heart and soul, the only things left were my name and body. I owe it to her. I owe it to the children we will never have. I’m bringing her home.” He waited a minute before continuing. “Now I’ve been thinking it over,” his smirk back in place, “with a little bit of help from Pops, and I won’t be going after Lilith directly. She’s too powerful. But I plan on bleeding her, wounding her. Doing all I can to make sure she knows that she crossed a line but Becca comes first, no matter what.”
They then sat silently staring at each other for a few minutes. Steve’s face was firm in its resolve and Kiera’s in quiet contemplation. Finally, Kiera spoke. “You’re really that determined dear? By doing this, you’re declaring war on her. Your life will never be the same again.”
“I am. It’s the only way I can make sure that Becca rests in peace and I can move on with my life.”
“Very well.” She bent over and picked up her handbag resting against her chair. Opening it, she removed the article she had cut from the newspaper and handed it to him. “This is Lilith. She’s in Seattle and is a CEO of a major drug corporation. Doesn’t surprise me really as she was always interested in medicines and healing.” Steve’s eyebrows quirked at that. “Before our “dispute”, she was actually a very kind woman unlike the rest of her family. She actually discovered the source of the Black Plague and helped lead the charge against it. In fact, without her efforts, all of Europe, possibly all of humanity would’ve become extinct.”
“But didn’t that break the Truce? The non-interference pact you all made?”
“We chose to not involve ourselves in human politics and governments. We wanted to let them lead their own lives. We’re not monsters, well most of us. From time to time, exceptions were made but only in the direst of circumstances.”
“Considering that it wiped out almost a quarter of humanity back then, I couldn’t disagree with things being dire. Also, it’s good to know that dragons aren’t entirely selfish creatures bent on their own whims.”
If you only knew dear one. If you only knew. One day we’ll have a nice long talk about that statement. I better make sure to bring a bottle of wine. We’re going to need it.
“So now I have a place to start. I appreciate it Kiera.”
“Be careful dear. Please be very careful.”
“I will. I don’t plan on immediately running to Seattle and storming her office. I’ve got some research to do. I’m going to get to it.” Steve hugged her one more time and headed out to the parking lot as fast as he could walk. It was time to hunt.
***
Two weeks later, Steve was packing his backpack once again and getting ready to leave when he heard a knock at his door. He winced. He thought he would be able to sneak out without Pops finding out. He was supposed to be out of town at a trade convention for the weekend. Wait a second. If it was Pops, why knock? He’d come storming in like last time even hotter than before.
Steve went and opened the door. Kiera was standing there. She was wearing a b
louse and jeans. She looked better but there was still a slight weariness to her stance, a tiredness around her eyes that just seemed fixed. Alan hadn’t had any improvement but he hadn’t deteriorated either. He just seemed stuck in a limbo. His doctors grew less optimistic as the days wore on. Kiera never left him. She hadn’t slept in a proper bed since the attack. Someone had brought a cot into the room so she could sleep next to him and stop sleeping propped up in a chair. For her to be anywhere but in Alan’s hospital room was surprising to say the least.
“Kiera, please come in.” He stepped aside to allow the older woman to come into the apartment. The apartment was pretty bare, a single bedroom, kitchen/dining/living room combination and a bathroom. Most of his stuff he’d moved over to Becca’s much larger condo since that was where they had planned to spend at least their first year together as they saved up for a larger place to raise their children. He’d been so busy with his research, he hadn’t gone over there yet. Yet that was only partly true. He still couldn’t face the reminders of Becca all over her home. The pictures of her with her parents or with him, her clothes, the scent of her everywhere. He’d deal with that when he got back. Right now, he had prey to hunt.
“Would you like some coffee or something?”
“No thank you dear. I’ll only be just a moment as it looks like you have plans of your own I see.” She glanced at the backpack he had slung over one shoulder. “Looks like I caught you just in time then. I wanted to give you this.” She handed him a large manila envelope.
He took it and opened it. He gasped at what he saw. Inside was a stack of one-hundred dollar bills fresh from the bank. They even had the $10,000 wrapper still on them.
“Kiera---I couldn’t---”
“Yes you can and you will. This should cover your traveling expenses I think. If you need more, let me know I’ll send it by wire.”
He boggled at that. “MORE?! But, Kiera, how could you possibly afford it? The hospital bills alone---”
“Dear. It’s only money.” She waved it away as if $10,000 was just a piece of lint. “Don’t forget, I’ve been around since the entire concept of money was invented. If I need to, I’ll just unbury another chest of gold doubloons. Dragons are treasure hoarders remember?”
Steve’s jaw was about an inch from hitting the floor. He couldn’t believe what she was telling him. “So---forgive me if I’m out of line but---just how wealthy are you?”
“Well I don’t keep an exact figure anymore. I stopped that a long time ago. Between the various investments under some aliases and hard currency, well, if I ever went public, Oprah would be knocked down a peg or five on the Forbes list.” Her tone turned wistful, “I had planned on making sure all my grandchildren could fulfill whatever dreams they wanted. Since that is no longer an option, helping their mother come home seems the best compromise I can make.”
“Thank you Kiera,” Steve whispered.
“I have to get back to the hospital. I assume you have a lead to follow rather than just blindly wandering the country?”
“Yes ma’am. There’s something interesting going on with Amethyst out in Washington state that I plan to check out. Someone’s been hijacking a lot of their trucks lately. I want to know why. I’ll call you when I find out more. You call me if there’s any change with Alan okay?”
“Of course dear.” The two embraced one last time. “Be careful dear. Come back to us safe.”
“I will.”
They broke apart and Kiera reached for the screen door handle. “Good hunting my son.”
***
Richard Ford was in a rather cranky mood. If he hadn’t already confirmed his presence at the conference and paid for the hotel, he would’ve blown off the whole thing. He was still worried that the boy would go and do something rash. He couldn’t fault the kid for wanting to do something, anything, to help avenge his mate-to-be. He just wanted him safe. He’d already buried his wife, daughter, and son-in-law. He didn’t think he could take burying the last remaining member of his family. He was also cranky because he had tried calling Steve a few times, both at his apartment and cell, and kept getting either the answering machine or voicemail. He hoped he was wrong about what that meant.
He opened the front door to his little one-story house. He flicked on the kitchen lights. The first thing he saw sitting on the counter was a tented note with the word “Pops” written in Steve’s handwriting.
“Damn it.” Richard whispered. He went over and picked up the note.
Pops, I have to do this. It’s the only way I can bring myself peace. I’m not going to do anything crazy. I do plan on living through this and getting my ass chewed out when I get home. On second thought, I’d rather be a dragon’s chew toy than yours. Look after the Daniels for me Pops. Also get the pack ready for trouble just in case. Lilith hasn’t made another move yet but we can’t be too careful. Richard paused at that.
Trouble? If more of those commandos come back bringing silver, they’re going to tear through us like a brush fire. We’re not the predators we once were. He was right. We’ve become “dogs” not “wolves”. I never should have let him leave. Richard continued reading the note.
Pops, I’m trying to remember all you taught me. It isn’t easy but I’m getting a little help from someone I should have been listening to for a long time.
“Hell, it’s about time he started listening to his wolf.”
There was only a few lines left to the note.
I’ll check in with you in a week or so Pops. I’ve got a good lead and I want to check it out. I’ll fill you in before anything happens. It’s time for this wolf to find his prey. I love you Pops. - Steve
Richard set the note on the table and his shaking hands grabbed a chair back for support. “May the wind be at your back and your hunt successful. I love you Steve. Come home safe.”
Chapter 9
Surveillance has to be the most boring job in the world. I’ve been watching this truck depot for a week; and all I’ve got to show for it is enough doughnut boxes and coffee cups to fill a police station. This really isn’t as glamorous as TV makes it out to be.
You do know that all those cop shows edit this kind of stuff out right? You honestly think all those muscle-shirt wearing rednecks just happen to do stupid crap on the same day?
I thought you and me were supposed to blend together, one voice, one mind.
Eh, his wolf shrugged his non-existent shoulders and laid down to nap. I kinda like this a little bit more. After all, someone has to keep you company and watch your back.
Oh really? Who was it that let some bastard steal Becca, thus requiring us to be out here in the middle of nowhere in the first place.
His wolf growled softly. Don’t go there. I’m already pissed enough at myself as it is. Last thing I need is some wet-behind-the-ears-amateur-gumshoe telling me how to hunt.
You know you’re me right?
Yeah. Weird arguing with yourself isn’t it? Pretty sure that’s a sign of mental instability there buddy. May need to get that checked when we get home.
Rather than continue this very unusual conversation with himself, Steve settled back into the seat of his truck and kept watching the truck depot. It was located about fifty miles southeast of Seattle and was used as one of Amethyst’s major distribution hubs. Steve picked up the folder where he had stored all of his research on recent news articles involving Amethyst. It’s amazing what you can do with the Internet. A few search words here, a couple mouse clicks there, add a dash of news headlines and you can become a regular conspiracy theorist. There had been a rash of hijackings for the past few months. Those had been suspicious enough but what really caught his attention was that of the past seven hijackings, only two had been robbed. The other five were completely left alone and intact. Yet every single one had left from this depot. Something stinks around here and I’m going to find out what. So Steve found a nice parking garage overlooking the depot and started watching. He’d been alternating between day and
night shifts to see when the trucks would most likely be going out but he had struck out so far. Not a single one had left since he started. It had been almost a week and he was starting to think his brilliant plan of catching them in the act of doing something despicable was a dud. He almost started to leave when he heard the sound of a motorcycle engine.
He looked down and saw a woman wearing some kind of typical biker outfit - leather vest, an emblem he couldn’t make out, blue jeans. The only thing he could clearly make out was the long brown ponytail blowing in the breeze beneath her orange helmet. Wait a minute, I think I’ve seen that biker before.
Suddenly, that widescreen TV popped up in his head and he recalled seeing the exact same woman drive past the depot three times in the past two days. Handy isn’t it? Now if only I could get some beef jerky in here. His wolf replied sarcastically.
Steve thought a moment. It could be nothing. This place is located near a major roadway after all. But she is always traveling in the same direction and she always looks over to her right. Pops always said listen to your gut and right now it’s telling me something is up.
Considering your gut is usually me screaming bloody murder at you, I think it’s about time to listen. You’re right that something is odd. We should keep an eye out for her. It may just be the break we’re looking for.
So now you’re McMutt the crime wolf?
Hey, I just want to take a bite of crime. What’s wrong with that?
I don’t even know how to respond to that.
Steve could have sworn he heard his wolf chuckling. He didn’t even want to know how he’d been doing that.
Again, I’m you. Do I need to need to break out the flashcards?
Steve just fumed in silence. How do you win an argument against yourself? He returned to his surveillance. About an hour later, he saw another biker drive past. The body shape looked masculine but that wasn’t what grabbed Steve’s attention. The same blurry image was on the back of the rider’s vest. Ok. First thing tomorrow, binoculars. Seeing a semi is pretty easy so I didn’t see a need to pick up a pair. What a dumbass.