by Kim Faulks
“So will I,” Xael whispered. “So…will…I.”
I knew she would, my sweet, volatile sister. “So together we’ll wait, and we’ll do what they need us to do. The pack can’t be unguarded, not now that the others have left, and who better to have watching over them than you?”
Movement came in the corner of my eye. The little wolf peeked out from behind the edge of the sofa and eased backwards.
“Like this one here.” I dropped my hand.
Xael sniffed and followed my focus, then sank to her knees. “Come here Shelly.”
The little one scurried out of hiding and leapt into her arms. Strands of brown and gold mingled with my sister’s ebony hair as she drew the pup close. “You okay?”
The little one nodded and whispered. “Ander.”
“Victor isn’t here,” Xael murmured.
“You mean, Evander? That’s who she wants, isn’t it?”
Xael yanked her head up and speared me with a gaze. “No, Michael. Shelly calls Victor, Ander, because that’s all she can say. Keep up with the family.”
I struggled with the concept as she gave a sigh. The little one held out her hand and looked at the ceiling. “Ander.”
“No…no Ander, and no water,” Xael answered.
“See, that’s why you need to be here.” I shook my head. “I have no idea.”
Xael dragged her hand across the tiny shifter’s unruly curls. “Come on, stay with me. We’ll sit and wait for Ander and the rest to come home. Let Aunty Xael show you some magic, you like magic?”
Shelly nodded, bouncing her head up and down, and giving my sister something to occupy her mind. That was all we could do. It’d been five long days and counting, and so far we’d seen our family once.
Gunny had returned to bury one of her team, so Marcus and Evander had come home. One look in their eyes told us all we needed to know—hope was slipping. Whoever had the the babies left no trace behind. They found remnants of a Vamp slaying. But all roads pointed south. Doc’s surgery and the shifter compounds were south. So south was where they focused. Zadoc wanted blood—shifter, Vampire, demon—it didn’t matter. He wanted to hurt and maim…he wanted to unleash his Dragon on everyone and everything.
But the one they really wanted… The Huntress was nowhere to be found—and neither were the babies.
Marcus had stayed in his study until they left. We woke to find them gone with no goodbyes and no words of comfort—not even to Xael. He’d never even noticed the others were gone.
The makeshift door slid open and one of the new female shifters stepped through. She scanned the room, lingered on me, and then searched once more. I could almost read her thoughts, not him…anyone else but him.
A tiny squeal of excitement cut through the air, followed by a sharp bark of feminine laughter from my sister. The shifter winced, pressed her lips tight into a bloodless slash, and crossed the room. “The Alpha?”
“Not here.” I struggled for her name. “Is there some way I can help?”
Her eyes widened. The shake of her head almost violent.
“If you’re in some kind of trouble…”
“Pack business,” she growled.
Pack business. The words stuck hard in my throat. “Are we not a pack? After all, this is why you came to us, isn’t it?”
The remark settled. I could see the battle raging in her eyes. She didn't want to talk to me. Isaiah or North were the ones they looked for when Marcus and Abrial weren’t around.
Not me…to them I was cold and distant. “There’s only me and Xael. I can get her if you prefer?”
“No,” she snapped, and then licked her lips. “No need to bother. It’s just…I wanted to speak to the Alpha in private. She needs to know…what’s coming.”
My emotions slowly sank under the surface, but my pulse picked up pace. “And what’s that?”
“The other Alphas aren’t happy,” she murmured. “They’re calling a meeting and demanding Abrial removes herself as Alpha. They’ve heard…” She scanned the empty room. “They’ve heard the Guardians are on the move.”
I flinched. “I see, and this meeting?”
“At the height of the full moon. I didn’t want to bring trouble here.”
“No, you did well.” I placed a hand on her arm. “Thank you for bringing this to me. I’ll make sure Abrial gets the message.”
My mind was racing, putting all the pieces together. We expected backlash, we expected fear, and this was what we were getting. “There’s plenty of food in the kitchen, please help yourself.”
She gave a curt nod and then slowly turned. So the remaining Alphas were aligning. Trouble brewed, but it wasn’t here yet.
So we still had time.
I crossed the room to the makeshift door and pushed.
The sun dipped low on the horizon, taking with it what little warmth we had. One mortal and two little babies were out there. Someone had to know where they were hidden.
Smoke drifted in thick white clouds to the horizon. I stood there watching the sun disappear and the faint stars sparkle, until the darkness had a depth that left me breathless and the air had a bitter chill.
I turned and strode inside, back to the kitchen and the tasks. Back to staring at that damned thing on the counter. I yanked the plug and refilled the sink, and for a second I couldn’t move.
I hated being here. Hated feeling helpless and looking at the damned phone. The walls seemed to close in. I’d give anything to be out there. I’d give anything to help heal my family.
I’d give anything just to understand…
She’ll need you. Don’t leave her behind.
Odessa’s words haunted me. I turned and listened to the low drone of Xael’s voice. My sister needed me. God knows I was trying.
I washed and scrubbed, until the steel gleamed and there was nothing left to do. Red lights flashed on the clock, slowly counting down from one day to the next. I couldn’t stand to look at the thing one more damn second. I picked up the phone and headed for the hall.
Call them, my Dragon whispered.
I turned inward to where he lingered in the darkened corners of my mind. Green eyes flashed for a second before they were gone, still the need stayed. I walked the halls of this tired old home, checking all the rooms. Sleeping bodies crammed the spaces, those who wandered slept under the stars outside. Even the husky drone of my sister had grown quiet.
I stilled outside her bedroom door and reached for the handle, bearing down with a quiet ease. The door cracked open, light from the hallway spilled into the darkened room.
Soft, deep breaths echoed, slow and rhythmic. I stepped inside finding the soft mounds underneath the covers. My sister was curled around the shifter, one hand splayed out across the little one’s chest.
Mere months ago we were closed off from the world, and from each other—we were dying—and now we had a chance to live—a chance to fight.
She’ll need you. Don’t leave her behind.
I was caught on the rise and fall of Xael’s chest, and tried to search for the meaning. What do you need from me sister? The only answer she gave was the tender hiss of breath.
I turned and quietly made for the door. I had nothing else to give, my hands were empty, my heart…hanging by a thread. The door closed with a quiet thud and I was walking the halls once more.
Time had been insignificant to me—but it was always there, always waiting for an opportunity to bring us to heel. Five days…it was a speck in the ocean of an immortal’s life—but these five days could’ve been five centuries, for they felt just as long.
My steps slowed as I headed for my bedroom at the far end of the house. I didn't want to go in there—didn’t want to see the same four walls and taste the same regret in the air. I didn’t want any of this hurt and horror anymore.
Leave, my Dragon urged. Xael will understand.
I shook my head. I was the steadfast, the strong, the quiet. I looked at my hand—I was the one holding my famil
y together.
But your family isn’t here…
I ignored that calm and insistent voice in my head and headed for the bathroom. The flick of a switch and my bed was bathed in white. The sheets were neat, creased at the edges. Everything about this room was neat, from the rug on the floor, to the clothes in my closet. Sterile was the word that came to mind—just like a morgue.
My hand vibrated. The sensation raced across my skin and tickled my bones. I dropped my gaze. The phone…the damn phone. My fingers were slow, trembling as I smashed the buttons and yanked it to my ear. “Hello?”
“Marcus.” The breathless growl filled my ears.
“No, it’s Michael.”
“I need Marcus—fuck it,” the familiar voice snapped, then echoed fainter. “Hold on, X…we’re getting out of here.”
X? Daylight dawned.
“Alpha. He’s not here,” I answered. “He’s out looking—”
“I can’t reach Gunny. I can’t reach anyone. I need someone. We know where they are. Do you understand me? We know where the babies are.”
Panic gripped me and clenched tight, squeezing off the air in my lungs. “Where?” the moan escaped. “Where are they?”
“North. They're fucking north. I’m heading out. We think we can get there by sunrise. How many men do you have?”
My mind raced…how many men? I listed the wolves and the women who were left in my head…not enough, not nearly enough. If he couldn’t get hold of Gunny or Marcus then there was… “Me, there’s just me.”
The silence on the other end was brutal.
“I’m hoping I can reach Gunny by the time we get closer…maybe she can cut across.” Alpha’s harsh words cut deep.
“And if you can’t?” Bleak words tore free. “Pick me up, I’m coming with you.”
“Sure about that? If I can’t get hold of the others…”
Then we’d fight alone. I didn’t need to hear the words to understand. “Pick me up, Alpha. I’m coming with you.”
In the background an engine roared, pushing harder…faster. “Then you’d better be ready, Dragon. I’m not stopping for a damned thing.”
The line went dead. I sucked in a breath as my world spun.
We know where the babies are…
How? I closed my fist around the phone. I wanted to ask—I should’ve asked.
He couldn’t get hold of Marcus… I scrolled through the contacts and pressed his number. The phone rang once, and then a sharp beep. I scrolled again, finding Victor’s…there was nothing but static.
“Come on…” I tried again. Gunny…Evander…Ace…nothing.
There was only us—I turned toward the wall and thought of my sister.
She’ll need you. Don’t leave her behind.
But I couldn't take her and leave the wolves unguarded. Shelly needed her—the others needed her. I hit the bathroom light and the dark descended. I’d not put them in danger. “Are you ready for this?”
Green eyes glinted cruel and sharp, leaving nothing behind but the sting of truth.
You were the one who pulled away from me.
You were the one who left me here…alone.
A low grunt echoed in my head, followed with the heavy thud. The sound carried, filling me with thunder, and then there was another…bone scraped against stone, low and grinding, setting my teeth on edge.
There was a flash of neon white. Shadows slunk over thick shoulders and slipped along his powerful frame. He dragged a wing forward and stabbed a bone-white talon into the ground.
“Yes.” The blunt word resounded in the middle of my chest. “I was the one who left.”
And yet here you are…
I swallowed hard and fought the flinch. “And here I am. Are you ready?”
The harsh graze came again, only this time longer, heavier. Pure light glistened, along a river of markings along his cheek to circle his eyes.
The Saint heaved his massive frame one slow step at a time through the darkness to tower above me.
Molten green eyes shone.
Lips curled with a smile made for war as he answered.
Are you?
6
Doc Angel
A brutal thud from outside shook the cabin wall. I dropped my head and pulled the babies close as dirt and dust rained down.
My boy yelped, and then sneezed. Agony flared, piercing my shoulder as Thorn’s spikes cut through cloth and into skin.
She kicked and thrashed, fighting my hold—as though somehow my girl knew she was hurting me. But there was nothing else I could do—nothing else mattered…
Only them.
The wall in front splintered. Shards of broken wood fell inside, and the silver rays of the moon followed, until the glow ended. A hulking black beast lifted its head and stared through the shattered wall.
“Get behind me, Doctor!” Gabriel shouted.
The Vampire’s eyes widened, and fear leaked out. Four of the undead were all that stood between me and—I lifted my head to the midnight monster…
They’re all that stands between me and that.
Green eyes of the black panther blazed with hunger as the shifter dragged one massive paw into the air. Black lips curled, thick fangs glowed neon white, but it wasn’t me the animal focused on.
“Neo!” Gabriel’s roar rebounded off the walls to slam into my chest.
Through the faint rays, I saw him. The Vampire was pinned to the wall by one massive paw in the center of his chest. Thick bloodless slashes across his face gaped as he turned his head to his commander. “You must…save them.”
A pitiless snarl slipped into the air. The monstrous shadow raised its head, and for a second those emerald eyes found mine, until the beast dropped its gaze to the babies in my arms.
Gold glinted from the Vampire’s hand. He moved faster than I could track, swinging his fist in one smooth arc until a savage crunch filled the air.
The panther’s head snapped sideways, and its body followed, and in that precious second, the Vampire disappeared, only to return a step behind the black beast.
My heart leapt. I tightened my hold. Kill him…kill him!
The Vampire splayed his fingers and hunkered, ready to lunge, until the thunder of paws stilled him. He turned his head, his eyes widened, but there was nowhere else to go.
The wolf was a blur. Thunderous paws beat the ground as he charged through the trees and hit the Vampire side on. Its jaws were massive, clamping around the Vampire’s middle.
The sickening snap of bones followed. Flesh tore. Something hit a tree; something else hit the ground…
Don’t look, a voice in my head whispered. But there was nothing else I could do.
The undead’s legs were splayed on the ground, trousers perfectly intact, but there was nothing above the waist—only the dried needles and dirt and grime.
I knew then what death sounded like as the command came. “Miro, Croft…kill that sonofabitch.”
Two were gone from the cabin in an instant. I lifted my gaze to the two who were left, and I was seized by their infernal beauty. The moon’s silver rays seemed to sink into Gabriel’s skin. The hard line of his jaw bulged as he stared through the shattered wall to the remnants of his friend, and for a second I wanted to know them…know their kind, know their story…for a second I wanted to know him.
Gabriel turned his head, dark eyes met mine, and the hollow ache of something bloomed, not love, not desire, but respect. The wolf’s growl drew my gaze. The two Vampires flanked the beast on either side.
In the distance, the war still raged. Hungry howls battled the night sky with the screams of Gabriel’s men. These men…these brothers…were out there, fighting, dying—for me.
A man’s howl of agony tore free, growing louder, and then ended with stony silence. A flash of movement seized my gaze. The Vampire appeared, breathless, bloody. His shirt hung from his body, cuts and slashes marred his chest. His panicked gaze found the panther, and then the wolf, and finally the two
of his kin.
An unseen fist tightened around my heart. I wanted to cry, scream. I wanted to fight with what little I had. “Let me go,” I growled and turned to Gabriel. “Take this chain off me. Let me fight.”
The words sounded pathetic. I knew I couldn’t fight. I knew I couldn’t win…but standing here, nailed to the spot was torture. Twigs snapped underfoot as the two shifters circled the three undead.
Three against two. They could still win. But I knew in my heart that was a lie. I sized up the wolf as he moved, long legs gave way to massive shoulders that flexed as he moved, and the panther was no smaller.
My heart mapped the seconds. White fangs glowed as the panther opened its jaws, drawing in the air with pants. I wanted to close my eyes to the beginning of the end. The three Vampires would fall, and then there was only us.
Gabriel took a step, putting himself between me and the beasts. The savaged Vampire followed the movement, finding my gaze and then the babies in my arms.
The crunch of the forest floor echoed as the panther sized up one undead and then the other. My breath stilled as the torn and bloody Vampire turned to the beast and took a step.
There was no fight, not even a scream. The undead closed his eyes as the black beast reared on hind legs and then lunged. I waited for the terrifying screams and sounds, but there was nothing—just a cold, eerie silence that chilled me to the bone.
In an instant, both Vampire and panther were gone, leaving two against one.
“Where did he go?” The whimper left my lips.
Gabriel turned his head and his solemn words filled the space. “To the final death.”
The final death…
I swallowed hard, as the woods outside shimmered. This bloody, infernal night covered me like a shroud. He sacrificed himself…the Vampire sacrificed himself.
“Why? At least answer me that.”
Gabriel’s answer was soft, hidden under the snarl of the wolf…but it was there. “For the future of our species, Doctor…and you hold her in your hands.”