Heavy Metal Heartbeat

by Ambear Shellea

  The young man's adam's apple bobbed nervously as he was slammed into the wall once again.

  “I am listening!”

  “M-my moth- my mother's name is Hallee. Hallee Woodson.”

  He cursed and tossed Landers to the ground, gasping for air.

  “Ozzie, who is this Hallee woman? I have never heard Paige speak of her.”

  He turned to Anna.

  “She just met her recently. She works with her. As a matter of fact, the day before all of this began...before you...” He waved a hand toward them. “And Jaxson...did...you know...”

  He gripped the man’s collar and pulled him close.

  “Who is your Alpha now that we killed Perry?”

  “Perry was never our Alpha, Tyrick is.”

  “Tyrick? Why is that name familiar?” His gaze went to his father who closed his eyes and shook his head sorrowfully.

  “Dad, what is it? Do you know this Tyrick?”

  Ozzie dropped his hand, the young wolf boy still in his grasp, hanging limply as he turned toward his father.

  “Aye, lad, I do. Tyrick the tyrant! He is Alpha to the Luna Clan. He is perverse in his violence. We need to get to her as soon as possible.”

  Tightening his grip on the man, he pulled him close once more.

  “Where are they keeping her?”

  “I...I...I don't know. I just got a call from my mother and was told to bring this here and leave it on the doorstep for you to find. That's all I know, I swear. I am not part of the clan yet. I haven't been accepted into the fold.”

  He dropped the guy and turned to the silent party gathered around him. Raking his hands through his hair, he tried to slow his breathing. Images of landscapes flashed through his mind like a deck of shuffling cards as he tried to come up with a plan.

  Training is over!

  The wolf man's bravado sounded from behind him.

  “Tyrick will have his way with your woman and when he's done the rest of us―”

  Rage provided a crimson curtain to line his vision, pushing an inferno through his veins. He turned to kick the man only to be stopped by Sebastian's hand on his chest and soft, warm, deadly words.

  “Allow me. Killing him would be too easy. That is what he is taunting you for. Let me show you.”

  His chest felt like it would explode and he glared at Sebastian, deciding if he should turn him over.

  He deserves to die, his inner animal screamed. Locked in the gaze of the vampire, he saw the truth and conceded.

  “Fine!”

  He took two steps to the right as the vampire leaned down next to man on the ground. He flashed him a wicked and dangerous smile. It was one that screamed, ‘Oh, yes, you’re screwed.’

  Chapter 19

  Ozzie's chest heaved with heavy breathing. His blood was on fire and scorched his skin. He paced, waiting for answers from the young man bound to the chair in Anna's kitchen. Sebastian strolled around the chair, intimidating Landers with his movements and frightening him with the promise of harm laced with intent of torture.

  “Landers, is it? Where do you live?”

  The man chewed his lip and looked away, determined to be the tough guy. It didn't work. Sebastian bitch slapped him. Ozzie growled but did not voice his protest. Sebastian switched his tactics.

  “Young man, are you a werewolf yet? Have you phased?”

  Landers narrowed his eyes.

  “Why?” He asked.

  “Just answer the question.”

  Ozzie watched the boy struggle with the dilemma of answering such a question. It was written in the lines of his face. He came to a conclusion.

  “No,” the boy answered.

  “Liar! He's lying, Sebastian. He has phased and he has been invited into the fold.”

  Anna and Jaxson crowded Ozzie and his father in the tight space of the kitchen. He stared them both down, telling them with his glare not to say anything, begging them with his eyes to go along with him. He nodded back when they acknowledged his unspoken plea. It was a new gift, one that didn’t need explaining in front of the enemy.

  A yelp from the prisoner caught their attention and he glanced back to the situation in the center of the room. Sebastian ran a clawed finger down the captive’s arm and explained his intention. Landers gritted his teeth.

  “You see, it could have been much easier, Son.” He stepped back, watching blood drip into a small pool on the floor. “Let me explain what you may or may not know. Vampire venom is a death sentence to werewolves if they are bitten, however, if used wisely by the vampire, it can be but a sweet poison. Instead of death to the were almost instantly, why, I can prolong your agony for days, maybe even weeks. I have witnessed one that lasted a year. Also, when used in such a case, the were can recover from this.” He waved his hands in the air. “Something akin to mild food poisoning.”

  Landers, rightly so, looked terrified. His eyes darted around the room. He was panicking. He tested his bindings.

  Sebastian leaned in close. “So, what will it be boy? You going to cooperate, or are we gonna have a bit fun? I haven't seen a werewolf hallucinate in years.” He smiled his signature crooked, wicked smile and rubbed his hands together. “Why, this could be...interesting!”

  Ozzie jumped forward to hit the young wolf when he spat in Sebastian's face, but the timeless vampire stopped him. He glanced at the retraining hand on his chest and the look of determination in Sebastian's eye when he spoke.

  “Back off, hunter. He has just signed his death warrant.”

  “No, you back off. If you kill him, he won’t talk and we need him to talk.”

  “Oh, he will talk plenty before he dies, trust me.”

  Ozzie turned to his father, giving him a questioning look. His father replied with a nod. His glance darted to his friends, their expressions answered the same. He stepped back, giving Sebastian a nod of approval, and moved out of the way, waiting for what Sebastian had in store.

  Sebastian gripped the boy's arm and put it to his mouth, sliding his tongue along the wound, leaving a trail of venom behind. Then he strapped the arm back to the chair. Ozzie waited to see what would happen next. He knew what Sebastian said was both true and false; he didn't know which part was what. His answer came in the next moment. The young man, trying to jerk his hand free, growled his pain through gritted teeth.

  “Now that I have your attention, young wolf, here is how it will work. I will only ask the question once, if you don't answer, or if you lie, I will add more venom. It will be like salt in the wound. Have no fear, it won’t be enough to kill, it will just add to the pain.” He lifted a finger. “Oh, and by the way...” He moved closer and looked him in the eyes. “I compel you to not pass out. I wouldn't want you missing a second of the agony you will soon be in.”

  Landers continued to buck and growl in the chair.

  Ozzie leaned against the door frame grinding his teeth and growing impatient. His arms crossed over his chest as he watched the dance begin.

  “First question, and this is an easy one, did you know about the kidnapping?”

  “What do mean?” Landers asked.

  “Did you know beforehand about the plan to kidnap Paige?”

  The captive shot a glance toward Anna, then back to Sebastian. “Yes!”

  Ozzie nodded, indicating the boy was telling the truth. He continued the inquisition.

  “Good. Now, who came up with this plan?”

  “I don't know. My mother just told me that Tyrick needed me to do something.”

  Ozzie nodded. Truth.

  “What did Tyrik need you to do?”

  “Drop off the box with the finger nail.”

  Ozzie nodded once again. It was the truth. He stepped from the wall and motioned to Sebastian.

  “I have a question for him.”

  Ozzie stepped forward and Sebastian stepped back. With no protest from the vampire, he turned to the writhing boy in the chair.

  “I smell her on you. When were you around her last?” />
  “Right before I came here. You smell her on me because I was right up against her―”

  Ozzie back handed him. “My tactics are different! My patience is very low. So, where was she when you saw her last? No vague answer, I want the address and so help me, if you lie to me, I will gladly provide many cuts and bruises in which Sebastian here can add his venom!”

  He leaned in close, almost daring the boy to do something. Landers’ eyes were as big as half dollars. He swallowed and answered.

  Smart boy!

  “My mother's house. 123 North Wooden Hillside Estates.”

  Ozzie stepped back and turned to Sebastian.

  “He is all yours. Get the rest of info. We are heading to Wooden Hill Estates.”

  “Anna, Jaxson, let’s go. Father, would like to join us?”

  “I was hoping you would ask. Yes I do!”

  “Great!”

  He waited on his friends to file past heading to the door. He stopped, turned and back handed the boy.

  “Now, now, wholesome thoughts!”

  Satisfied with the hateful look and pain upon Landers’ face, he walked out.

  Chapter 20

  Ozzie pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed Abrams’ number. There were two rings and then he answered.

  “Abrams, gather the team, we are going hunting. Wear all your gear. This could get ugly fast. Meet me at Anna's.”

  He closed the phone and turned to his friends. Anna was the first to ask a question.

  “Not that I mind, and I'm not questioning your tactics, but why did you hit that kid on your way out just now?”

  “It's hard to explain. When people talk, and I get a strong sense of the truth, I can see images of what they are thinking about. When I was talking to him, he kept thinking about all the things he wanted to do with Piage. That's what he got hot for first. On the way out, his thoughts went to what Tyrick had said he wanted to do to her and Landers pictured Tyricks words, and it excited him. It pissed me off. He's lucky he still has limbs.”

  “That is what I want to hear about, this new true or false power you seem to have,” his father said.

  “I can't explain it. I don't know how it works. I can taste it somehow. If someone is lying, I get a bitter taste in my mouth. Somehow I just know.”

  “Does it work on everyone?” Jaxson asked.

  “Kind of. Sebastian is sometimes hard to tell. Like when he was talking with the boy about the venom, he was both lying and telling the truth. The problem is, I don't know what was truth and what was a fabrication. The boy however, he was easy. I didn't need this power to know when he was telling the truth. I could see the answer in his eyes.”

  “Son, I think this may have something to do with the hunter bloodline. All of us are good at telling when someone is lying. It is like a gut feeling. Perhaps when you became the Hunter of Zane, it manifested into something more powerful.”

  “It could be as you say, Father. That is just as good an explanation as any I could think of.”

  “Well, whatever it is, it is bound to come in handy,” Anna pointed out. “So, what's the plan?”

  “I was just going to ask that very question, Anna.” Abrams added.

  Ozzie turned around and his entire team, decked out in tactical gear and camouflage, were standing awaiting his orders.

  “Abrams...” He clasped hands with the guy. “Are we ready?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “This will be like any other mission. Our objective is to rescue any victims should there be any. As for the wolves, kill on sight!”

  Chapter 21

  The Woodson residence was dark and unoccupied. No lights danced with the sheer curtains framing the windows that dotted the outside of the house. There was no life and no movement. No one was home. They advanced on the dwelling, their shadowed vapors under a dark moon. Ozzie took in the abandoned landscape.

  Someone has been here.

  Grass spread before them and small, flat rocks split the lawn in a winding path leading past the freshly tended flowerbeds and up to a darkened front door attached to a light blue square framed house.

  Quietly he turned to his party. Anna and Jaxson flanked him. His father and crew were spread out and covered the lawn behind him, awaiting his signal. Clothed in camouflage and armed with only his favorite pistol, he felt a bit under dressed without his ammo belt and rifle strapped to his back. With his new powers, he didn't them, but old habits die hard.

  Taking a deep breath, he tasted the air, looking for her scent. There it was, as always, sweet like tropical jungle flowers. Rolling the different scents around on his tongue, he separated out the wolves from the rest. His gaze shot to Anna.

  “Ms. Woodson has had a lot of company, but Paige was here!“

  “I know and as early as yesterday. Question is did she stop by willingly?”

  “I don't see a sign of struggle out here. Let's go inside.”

  Raising his arm and flashing his hand, he gave the signal to advance. He led the slow charge with his gun ready and pointed out ahead of him. One quick kick and the front door fell unwillingly from its hinges.

  The sweet scent of flowers, the musty aroma of sex and the copper taste of blood smashed into him like hitting a brick wall, and he staggered.

  These dogs are filthy and nasty!

  Shaking free of the hold, he crept farther in, hitting light switches as he went. He cautiously moved down the narrow hallway. Farther down the hall, between two doorways, sat a small table littered with papers, envelops and flowers. Pictures of animals in wooded scenes lined the walls. Swinging to his right, gun pointed out, he checked the kitchen. It, too, was narrow like the hallway.

  “Clear.”

  Back in the hallway he inched forward a few feet, turned to the left and inspected the tiny bathroom.

  “Clear.”

  He passed the tiny space and stopped at the entrance of the living room. Furniture lay broken and scattered across the light colored carpet. Blood splattered the walls like art on canvas. The light from the ceiling spewed brightly across the horrific scene.

  Anna spoke what was on the tip of his mind.

  “This has been staged. Besides the fact that the human body doesn't even hold that much blood, paint smells nothing like blood. Morons!”

  “Why the show? What are they going to gain from this? Being who we are, we would know right away it’s not what it looks like.” Jaxson pointed out.

  Ozzie looked a little closer.

  “I don't know. Something isn't right. It’s not all paint. Some of it is blood and other things, but it is very small amounts. Let’s inspect the rest of the house.”

  Raising his gun, he traveled down the corridor Anna and Jaxson went down the opposite way. His end of the hallway held three more closed doors. He slowly approached the first door. Cold handle in hand, he swung open the door.

  The pale blue room housed a bed and two dressers. It almost looked like any other guest bedroom. He flipped the light switch and could see what was off.

  YOU written in blood covered the empty far wall.

  You what?

  He headed to the next room, his temper flaring.

  I hate games, and someone is really enjoying this one.

  They were alone, so he flung open the next door. This room matched the others. It was a simple bedroom. There was another word written in blood: WILL.

  He kicked in the third door and looked for the far wall. He paid no attention to the dressers, the bed or the lamps, just the bloody word on display for intimidation: DIE

  You will die. Who will die? Was this meant for us? For Paige? This isn't making sense.

  Disgusted by the whole affair, he went back to the living room to meet his friends. Anna and Jaxson waltzed in just as he did.

  “I didn't find anything except the words You Will Die, each word written on a wall in each of the rooms. Other than that, nothing. You?” he asked.

  “Same on our end, only our walls said I Found You,�
�� Jaxson answered.

  “This doesn't make any sense. Something is...off,” Anna said.

  An eerie presence snaked its way down his spine and caressed the fine hairs upon his neck. They stood at attention. The ghost of a presence grew stronger, teasing his skin and confusing his eyes.

  What...

  A muffled distant laugh echoed in his ear, lingering like mist; loud enough to hear, but too soft to pinpoint.

  Is that?

  The windows rattled from the gun fire and explosives, drowning out Anna's loud warning. He bolted out the front door with his pistol held high.

  The smell of gunpowder was chokingly thick and mixed with the smoke that covered the lawn, disorienting its victims. Clicking on the light attached to the barrel of his gun, he moved his arms this way and that, pointing and looking everywhere to find the source of all the chaos.

  Men littered the grass, some injured and bloody, others missing parts. He cursed. Hoarse and loud, breaking his own rules, he screamed for the rest of his party. Anna and Jaxson were at his side, just as dumbfounded. They were quiet and alert, searching for movement and listening for sound. His radio and the air were silent, no one answered his call. Anna asked what he feared.

  “Ozzie, where is your father?”

  “That is what I would like to know.”

  Jaxson's words were delivered with care and a squeeze of the shoulder.

  “Perhaps that is a good sign. He's not lying dying or dead on the lawn.”

  He turned slightly toward his friend and replied, “From your lips to God's ears. Lord, let him be safe. He is the last person who deserves this.”

  “We need to find out what happened. Oz, Jaxson, start looking and talking to the men on the ground. I will take the back, some of the men were back there,” Anna instructed.

  A comment about who was in charge was lost to his shock and he mumbled his agreement, but she was already gone.

  He knelt down to the man closest to him. Abrams was covered in blood and things that were designed to be inside his body. He closed the man's dead eyes.

  Hanging his head, heart filled with sorrow, he slowly moved from man to man. Each dead partner ignited and added to the inferno of rage burning inside him, scorching his skin. His beast was ready to be let loose.