Zavion didn’t really see what the big damn deal was. Yes, the microchips were actually a kind of tracking device, but The Hive already knew where they were. Everyone had decided—without asking his opinion, he might add—that it would be better to stay put than try to run. The Enforcers didn’t want any of the coven members
to get hurt, but they still felt it would be best if they met this threat on
their own terms.
There was no doubt in his mind that more Drones would come for
them when the other three failed to return. It was rather surprising that no one else from The Hive had shown up yet. Still, Zavion didn’t know if staying put and just hoping for the best was the smartest way to deal with the situation.
More than that, it felt very wrong to endanger so many people who had put everything on the line to help them. He knew he couldn’t fight this battle alone, but there had to be something more he could do to help than just sit around and wait for more bad guys to come.
“What are you meeting about?” Oscar asked his mate, though he was still staring at Zavion with a look that said he was going to grill him for details the minute they were alone.
“Cole thinks he might have some information about where The Hive is located,” Demitrius answered as he slid a plate in front of Oscar. “Eat.”
Oscar picked up his fork and stabbed obediently at his eggs. “And
what about the meeting with Stavion?”
36 Gabrielle Evans
“Just stuff.” There was an unease to Demitrius’s tone that
immediately caught Zavion’s attention.
“What kind of ‘stuff’ exactly?”
“The Drones we captured are finally talking. More to the point, the vampire Enforcers were able to compel information out of them.”
“That makes sense. Thank you,” Zavion added to Cian when the man slid a plate full of bacon, eggs, and toast in front of him along with a steaming cup of coffee.
“My pleasure, darlin’,” Cian replied with a kiss to Zavion’s brow and a lingering caress down his neck. It seemed the guy just couldn’t keep his hands to himself, and Zavion couldn’t have been more thrilled about it. “What makes sense?”
“That the Drones couldn’t be compelled. They have all kinds of pharmaceuticals in that lab. They gave us D-212 to enhance whatever makes us shift. Then there were the drugs that actually prevented us from shifting.”
“Don’t forget those little blue pills that made us horny,” Zuriel said with a little shiver. “Those were horrible.”
Zavion bobbed his head in agreement. “Then there were the green pills that kind of heightened our susceptibility to suggestion, like a mind control drug, I guess.”
“So, it makes sense that the Drones would be given some kind of pill or shot to prevent mind control,” Oscar concluded as he set his fork down and folded his arms over his chest with a glare up at Demitrius. “What’s going on? You’re obviously hiding something, so spit it out.”
“I don’t want you to get all worked up, but we might have a problem.”
“What problem?” Oscar, Zavion, Zuriel, and Cian all asked at the
same time.
Demitrius winced, a strange reaction for such a large man. “Those
little microchips in your necks?”
From This Moment 37
“Yes?” Oscar asked dangerously. Zavion recognized it as his “big brother” voice, the one he always used on him, Zuriel, and Cicero when he was getting annoyed with them.
Speaking of Cicero, where the hell is he?
“Talking to the new head doc,” Zuriel whispered to him, obviously having read his thoughts. The poor guy did his best to stay out of everyone’s head, but it wasn’t an easy task. Zavion didn’t mind, though. He didn’t have anything to hide from his twin.
He hoped the psychologist or whoever they’d brought in could help Cicero, but he had his doubts. Three months, and the guy still hadn’t spoken a word. Zavion didn’t exactly see him opening up to some stranger if he wouldn’t even talk to his friends.
“They’re not just tracking devices,” Demitrius continued, but he didn’t look very happy about it.
“Well, what are they? Self-destruct buttons?” Oscar snorted and bit into a piece of toast. “Good one.”
Except Demitrius didn’t look like it was a joke. His eyes tightened in the corners, his eyebrows dipped into a shallow V, and his lips pressed together in a grimace.
“You can’t be serious!” Zavion yelled, jumping up from his chair so quickly that he banged into the table and knocked over his coffee. He barely paid any attention to it. “We’re just walking time bombs and could fall down dead at any second? What the fuck?”
“Tell me you’re joking,” Oscar said quietly.
“He’s not joking,” Zuriel confirmed with a terrified expression. “Oh, crap. Oh, crap.” His eyes misted with unshed tears, and he began to tremble. “I don’t want to die.”
“No one is dyin’ today,” Cian said firmly as he pulled Zavion into his arms and hugged him tightly. “Easy, little fox.” Cradling the back of his head, Cian brushed his warm lips over Zavion’s temple. “Everything will be fine. You’ll see.”
“Would I ever let anyone hurt you?” Demitrius asked in a subdued tone as he lifted Oscar into his arms and crushed him tightly to his
38 Gabrielle Evans
chest. “From what this Drone said, The Hive will activate the microchips if you aren’t returned within ten days.”
“How long is that?” Did their time start from when the Drones left The Hive? Or did the ten days begin from the time Oscar was kidnapped? It was some horrible game of Russian roulette, and Zavion hated it.
“I don’t know.” Demitrius squeezed his eyes closed and held Oscar even tighter. “I’d guess soon, though.”
“Great,” Zuriel huffed. “So I could just keel over in my orange juice right now. Yes, that’s a perfect way to fuck up my day.”
“The microchips are designed to release a small amount of toxins into your systems over a period of two weeks. From what we understand, it’s completely untraceable and with no known cure outside of The Hive.”
“The drug is untraceable, no one knows how we died, and without evidence, The Hive can’t be faulted in any wrongdoing.” Oscar sighed and wiggled out of his mate’s arms. “I guess I really shouldn’t be surprised.”
“The toxins take about fourteen days to run their course and…” Demitrius trailed off, apparently unable to finish his thought.
Zavion understood perfectly, though. “Fourteen days to run their course and kill us,” he clarified. “Well, I guess that’s better than dying tomorrow.”
“No one is dying!” Demitrius roared. “We just have to find that fucking lab.”
“Then what?” Oscar demanded. “Are you going to waltz in there, kidnap a Doctor, and force him to give us the cure?”
Demitrius crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. “That’s the plan.”
“What about the Drones?” Zuriel asked. “That place is crawling with them.”
“Not a problem,” Cian answered before Demitrius had a chance.
“We’re just needin’ to find the place. The rest is easy.”
From This Moment 39
Zavion had serious doubts about that, but he was a little more
concerned with staying alive. Besides, arguing with the two overprotective fools wasn’t going to get them anywhere. “I want to be at the meetings tonight.”
“Me, too,” Zuriel piped up immediately.
“Same here,” Oscar concurred.
Demitrius and Cian shared a long look before they both sighed and bobbed their heads in unison. “It’s only right,” Cian answered.
“None of you have any idea where this place is located?”
Zavion wanted to roll his eyes at Demitrius—or throw something at the dumbass. If they knew something helpful, did he really think they’d just keep it to themselves? “We were on
the run for weeks before you found us in that cave. I seriously doubt I could lead you back to that damn lab. Remembering its location wasn’t really top priority at the time.”
“We’ve told you as much as we know,” Oscar confirmed. “I wish it was more.”
“I know.” Pinching the bridge of his nose, Demitrius grumbled under his breath. “Between what you guys told us and the papers Xander got from that idiot that showed up at the main house a couple of weeks ago, we have a general location.”
“We’re findin’ nothing, however,” Cian added.
“Cole did a search for troubled youth centers in that region, but all the places the Enforcers have checked out are legit.” Demitrius was going to have permanent wrinkles if his brow creased any more. “It’s like the damn place just vanished.”
“What about the Drones?” Wouldn’t the Drones know where the
lab was located? Since they lived and worked there, it only made
sense.
“We tried that,” Demitrius confirmed. “When the vampires compelled them, they only got bits and pieces. It’s like there are big holes burned in their memories, and apparently, the location of their workplace is one of them.”
40 Gabrielle Evans
“Then how were they supposed to get us back if they succeeded in nabbing us?” Oscar asked, and Zavion had to admit that his friend had a good point.
“They weren’t. We found tracking devices similar to the ones in your necks. My guess is that someone would come to them, not the other way around.” Demitrius sounded weary, and he looked even worse. Exactly how long had he known about this before sharing the information? Somehow, Zavion doubted the big shifter had just learned of the news that morning.
Gods, he really didn’t want to do what he was about to suggest, but it was literally a matter of life and death. “Take me back to the cave.”
“No,” Cian interrupted.
He patted his lover’s chest and shook his head. “Just listen, Cian. Take me back to the cave, and I’ll retrace our footsteps. Maybe I can catch a scent of some of the staff. It hasn’t been that long. If it hasn’t snowed there, I might even be able to follow the scent trail we left behind.”
“It might just work,” Demitrius said slowly. “It’s the best plan
we’ve had so far.”
“If you’re so damn ready to be riskin’ a life, why not take your mate?” Cian clutched Zavion to him while he stared daggers at Demitrius.
“I’ve got the better nose.” It was wonderful that Cian wanted to
protect him, and he’d really hoped to avoid going back there, but it
couldn’t be helped. “If we don’t find The Hive soon, I’m going to die anyway. I can do this, Cian.” He paused, letting the words sink in for a moment. “And you’ll be with me, right?”
“I’m damn sure not stayin’ here while you’re off traipsin’ across the bloody country, so yeah, I guess I’ll be goin’.” It was kind of cute how his accent thickened when he was upset, but Zavion didn’t think his pissed-off mate would take too kindly to him saying so.
“Okay, so when do we leave?”
From This Moment 41
“I’m going with you.” Jumping up from his seat, Zuriel fisted his hands on his hips and stared back at Zavion stubbornly. “What we can’t smell, I might be able to hear.” He tapped at his temple and arched one eyebrow. “You’re going to need me.”
Zavion hated the idea of putting his brother in danger, but he was in no position to turn down the offer of help. “Okay, so like I said, when do we leave?”
“We’ll have our meetin’ tonight,” Cian answered, though he still sounded highly perturbed about the whole plan. “We’ll be leavin’ first thing when the sun comes up.”
42 Gabrielle Evans
Chapter Five
He’d agreed to take his mate right back to the sadistic assholes who’d hurt him, but nobody said he had to fucking like it. Would anyone else be so willing to throw their mates into the fire? Not fucking likely. The only consolation to the whole mess was that he would be there to make sure no harm came to Zavion by any means
necessary.
Cian didn’t consider himself a violent man by nature, but let someone try to lay a hand on his sweet little fox, and he’d rip them limb from limb without blinking. Yes, Zavion was on the small side for a man and not exactly the poster boy for masculinity. Still, it wouldn’t have mattered if he was six foot six and built like a brick
shithouse. Cian would still be going out of his damn mind just thinking about what they were attempting to do.
“Cole and Blaise are here,” Zavion announced as he stepped into his room where Cian was busy pacing the floor. He chuckled and shook his head. “I just met their other mate, Willow. That guy is a trip.”
He just grunted. Normally, he found Willow a complete riot, but not even the troublemaking elf could lift his spirits right then. “Are you comin’ then?” He’d as soon keep Zavion away from all of it, but if the guy was determined to go back to Missouri, it was probably better if he had as much information up front as they could give him.
“Yeah, I’m just going to jump in the shower first. I’ll be there in a minute.”
From This Moment 43
Crossing the room, Cian wound an arm around Zavion’s waist and tugged him forward until their bodies met. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I kind of do,” Zavion answered with a soft smile. Then he pushed up on his toes and pressed their lips together. “Everyone is waiting. You better hurry.”
It had been barely twenty-four hours since he’d affirmed that Zavion was his mate. Now, their relationship was already being tested. Not only was there a chance that he’d lose the man if he did as he’d promised and took him on this crazy mission, but if they stayed in Wyoming and did nothing, he could lose Zavion that way as well. Then there was the little part of him that just wanted to throttle the shifter for even suggesting something so dangerous.
Any way he sliced it, the outcome appeared bleak. So instead of arguing or begging Zavion to reconsider, he just kissed him on the forehead and exited the room. If they got the meeting over with quickly, he could spend the rest of the night with his lover and try to pretend that the entire day had been just one bad dream.
“Okay, we’re all here now,” Blaise announced when Cian entered the kitchen. “I think we might have some good news for you.”
Cian liked the hell out of good news, especially if it was the kind that kept Zavion safe at home where he belonged. “What did ya find?”
“We didn’t really find anything,” Cole answered, but he was grinning from ear to ear. “However, I think we’ve managed to figure out why that is.”
Willow cleared his throat and sat up a little straighter from his perch on Blaise’s lap. “Who figured it out?”
Cole chuckled as he leaned over to kiss his mate. “Yes, baby, you
are a genius.” Resuming his seat, he folded his hands on the table and looked around the room at the others gathered there. “Willow had the idea that they might be cloaking this lab some way.”
44 Gabrielle Evans
If they lived in a normal world, Cian would probably find the theory ridiculous. Since his world was anything but normal—a world where men and woman transformed into animals, and witches,
faeries, and elves ran rampant—he was a bit more inclined to agree with Cole’s assessment of the situation. Besides, Zavion and his
friends were living proof of the type of power The Hive held.
If they could transform regular shifters into strange and contrived mockeries of themselves, why wouldn’t they be able to hide their location?
“Do you really think we’re mockeries?” Zuriel asked in a small, wavering voice.
Cian felt like a total ass for not remembering that Zuriel could hear his thoughts as clearly as if he’d spoken aloud. “I’m just upset,” he assured the man. “I don’t think any less of ya, Zuriel. I swear it.”
>
“I’m not buying it,” Demitrius said, ignoring the exchange and speaking directly to Cole. “I agree this place is hidden, but if we’re talking magical concealment charms or whatever, that just sounds phony. It would take a lot of damn witches with a lot of damn power to pull that off.”
“Well, it’s the best we’ve got.” There was a shrug of his shoulders, but Cole didn’t appear very happy about Demitrius’s argument. “We’ve searched all the homes for troubled youths, including juvenile detention centers, within a hundred-mile radius of where that cave is in Missouri. We’ve even looked at abandoned
buildings and foreclosures. There’s nothing there, Dee.”
“What about the address on those contracts?”
“Bogus,” Blaise confirmed. “No such place exists.”
Cian listened intently, racking his brain for the crucial piece of the puzzle they were missing. He couldn’t deny that Demitrius had a point. It would take a lot of energy to conceal something as large as an underground lab. Then again, Cole had a good point as well. How else could it be so carefully hidden?
“Why are we lookin’ for homes for troubled kids?”
From This Moment 45
With a tilt of his head, Demitrius indicated Oscar. “That’s what he
said.”
“Why would ya think that?” If the shifters had been kept underground, how would Oscar know what front The Hive used?
“During exams, the Doctors would scribble stuff down on these sheets of paper. At the top of those pages was the name of a youth center.”
Zuriel nodded vigorously in agreement with Oscar. “I remember, too. It was something like ‘Bridgemont Center for the Seriously
Fucked Up. ’”
Evans, Gabrielle - From This Moment [The Moonlight Breed 7] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) Page 3