Creed

by Laurann Dohner

  Cold metal struck Kado at his neck. He hadn’t shelled so it went through his skin, bone, and out the other side.

  Creed froze, slightly winded.

  Kado’s head hit the floor first, rolling a little after it was severed. The body slumped next, dropping to its knees, then pitched forward. Blood slowly spilled from the throat.

  Creed turned away, not wanting to witness the rest. He sheathed his sword and walked closer to the GarLycan lord, bending on one knee and bowing his head. “Your call, Lord Aveoth.”

  “Fair and just. Rise, Creed.”

  He knew the fight wouldn’t be questioned and he wouldn’t get into trouble, but it was law to get judged from their lord after a fight. He lifted his chin and stared directly into Lord Aveoth’s cool gaze.

  “Thank you.” Creed paused. “You expected me to kill him from the moment I broke the law and took a mate, didn’t you?”

  “I did. I knew Kado well, unfortunately. There was no preventing it.” Aveoth approached, stopping directly in front of him. It was a sign of trust. He reached out and placed his hand on Creed’s shoulder. “I am sorry you had to be the one to do it, but he never would have challenged me. I knew he’d pull some stupid stunt that would force you into fighting him.” He paused. “You suffered enough because of Kado. I didn’t want to add to your burden but you’re one of my GarLycans. This was the best way for it to end.”

  Creed accepted those words. “I understand. Thank you.” He felt gratitude. Aveoth might have made decisions that would result in Creed being in a position to challenge Kado, but his leader was correct. Kado hadn’t left him any choice. And he had to die in order to keep Angel safe.

  Aveoth tightened his grip and squeezed. It was a gesture of comfort. “It’s never easy but it’s a necessary when we have fathers like ours. You’ve avenged your mother and protected your mate. Always remember that. It makes it easier to live with.” His voice lowered. “I have no regrets over Lord Abotorus.”

  “Nor shall I over Kado.”

  “Go and be with your mate.” He released Creed. “What do you wish done with the body?”

  “Return it to my brothers. They can decide if they’d like to honor him or not with a traditional burial. He lost the right to expect that of me the day he shut me out of his lair to live elsewhere.” He hesitated. “Is that too cold?”

  Aveoth shook his head. “The council saw to Lord Abotorus being entombed. I held no respect for him at that time and refused to pretend otherwise. My mother wasn’t in attendance, either. I’d be worried about you if wanted to do it. Sometimes our deadliest enemies are those with family bonds. Never revisit your decision. Go to your mate. It’s about living now.”

  “Thank you.” Creed bowed his head and backed away, avoiding glancing at the body or the red stains on the floor. He straightened his shoulders and took a few steps, then paused, glancing back at Kelzeb. “I’m in your debt.”

  “I didn’t have to challenge him or fly your mate to her pack. You owe me nothing, Creed. Just be happy. It’s what all of us want.”

  Creed faced forward, leaving the room. His brothers might seek vengeance. It was doubtful though. It was on record that Kado had wanted to enslave his mate, and Lord Aveoth had deemed the fight fair and just. No one would believe he’d had a choice in the matter. To defend a mate was honorable. Kado had set it all in motion by his own actions.

  He made it to the door of his lair and addressed Fray. “Any trouble?”

  “No. I’ll fly out and tell Chaz we’re off duty. He was watching your ledge in case they tried to get at her that way.”

  “I appreciate it. I am in your debt.”

  “No, you aren’t.” Fray grinned. “Kelzeb offered us a week off to do this little babysitting job. It was the easiest gig he’s had us do in a while. Last week we had to take out a nest of Vampires. Two masters banned together, thinking they were hot shit and above reproach since they’d amassed over sixty suckheads under their control. They were blatant enough to start drawing attention. That was some intense shit. I had to burn my favorite duster and boots.” He glanced down. “I hate breaking new ones in but I couldn’t get the damn ash and blood out of the old ones. Do you get much Vampire action guarding the Lycan village?”

  “No. They avoid going that far out.”

  “Sounds like a vacation every day of the year.” Fray paused, glancing down him, then back up. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “I smell the blood, and figured you’d have to take out your old man. I’m sorry. Not everyone got as lucky as Chaz and I.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Our father is a full-blood but he’s not like the others. He removed the stick from his ass and is pretty modern. He can’t stand most of the other Gargoyles. Of course, he’s practically a baby compared to the ones who founded and built our home inside the cliffs.”

  “You’re GarLycan?”

  “I am. Mom was a Lycan.”

  “Was?”

  “She wasn’t one of the doves who live here.”

  “Doves?”

  “You know. Mates who stay at home. They perch in our nests. Mom wanted to fight at Dad’s side, and he let her walk all over him.” He smiled. “They were crazy about each other.” His features sobered. “He couldn’t tell her no about anything, including that. They were ambushed twelve years ago. They were supposed to wait for us to meet them outside of the nest but shit turned sour before we arrived. Mom was killed.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thanks. It’s why Chaz and I always take on suckheads. That’s what killed her. They drained her fucking dry before Dad could get to her. I heard you lost your mother too.”

  “Yes. It was eleven years ago.”

  “Now you have a mate. Enjoy it. She seems nice, and man, she knows how to fight. I was impressed seeing her take on that Lycan. She can handle herself for a human.”

  “Thank you. But I hope she never has to fight again.”

  Fray nodded. “Amen to that, brother. I’ll get Chaz.”

  Creed watched the other man walk away and then entered his lair.

  He bolted the door behind him, going straight to Angel. She waited inside the bedroom, sitting on his couch with a fire blazing. She held an open book in her hands. Happiness sparked in her entire expression when she saw him.

  “How did it go?” Angel closed the book and stood, rushing toward him. She’d been worried ever since he’d left. “What happened?”

  “Lord Aveoth denied everything my father requested.” He removed his sword, laying it flat on the mantel, and then unbuckled the belt securing the sheath, resting it against the wall. He pulled her into his arms.

  “Your dad is a tool but don’t let him get to you.”

  “He’s dead.”

  She jerked her head up, staring at him. Shock tore through her. “What?”

  “I had to challenge him, Angel. He would have kept coming after you.”

  His words hit her hard. “Oh my God.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “You killed your dad because of me?” She clutched at him, horrified and heartbroken at the same time. “I’m so sorry!”

  “He left me with no choice. Don’t apologize.”

  “You’re going to resent me.” It was her worst fear coming true.

  Creed scowled. “Never.”

  “You had to kill your dad over me!”

  “It wasn’t just about you. He is the reason my mother died. It was just a matter of time before I took his life or he tried to take mine.”

  She wanted to believe that. She just couldn’t.

  Creed must have seen something in her features because he leaned in, getting a better grip on her.

  “Listen to me. He was not a good man, Angel. He forced me into this position, and challenging him was the only option left. I refused to live with the worry of what he’d do next to make me miserable. He’s done it all my life. I will admit you were part of the motivation that drove me
into removing his head today, but it was inevitable. I’m relieved that it’s over with and done. Do you understand?”

  She nodded. “How are you holding up?”

  His expression cleared of all emotion. “I’m at peace with it.”

  “He was your father, Creed. This has to hurt.”

  He hesitated but finally spoke. “That would imply we had a bond that didn’t exist. He impregnated my mother but he was never a father. Would you mourn the man you knew as a small child that was once your father?”

  “I barely remember him, Creed. But no, I wouldn’t.”

  “My conception wasn’t planned. I was a result of the ravage and my mother going into heat at the same time. She admitted she was lonely and purposely got pregnant. She wanted me desperately, but he flew into a rage once he realized how far the pregnancy had progressed before he’d noticed. It was too late to force her to end it. That’s why he resigned me to a hundred years of service to the clan. He didn’t want to be bothered by me. He took me from my mother when I was two years old to live with the scouts to begin my training. I was raised by the men who taught me how to fight and fly. He even limited the visits my mother was allowed. I believe it’s part of the reason he sent me away from the cliffs on a long assignment when I was too young to leave. He hated the sight of me and the way my mother kept trying to be a part of my life. She loved me very much, and she always let me know it.”

  It broke her heart for him. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I do not mourn him, Angel. He was more enemy than family.”

  She buried her face against his chest, clinging to him. “What can I do to help you?”

  He rested his chin on the top of her head. “I would enjoy it if you’d share my bath.”

  She smiled and eased her hold on him. “I can do that.”

  “That would cheer my mood.” He ran his hands down to her ass, massaging both cheeks. “Very much so.”

  She chuckled. “Me too.”

  He backed off and released her. “I’ll run the water.”

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes.” She let him go and watched him disappear into the bathroom.

  Regardless of what he said, Angel was sure it must bother him that he’d had to kill his own father. To see someone beheaded would traumatize anyone, but Creed had been holding that sword.

  She walked to the mantel and ignored how her hands trembled when she lifted the sword. It was heavier than it looked. There was surprisingly only a little blood on it.

  She carefully carried it by the handle into the kitchen and angled the blade across the sink. He’d protected her, and she wanted to do the same for him. She turned on the water and began to clean away the blood. Red swirled in the sink before it drained away. Then she carefully dried it. Angel hurried into the bedroom with a wet dish towel to clean where the blade had touched the wood.

  “Angel?”

  “I’ll be there soon. Go ahead and get in.”

  Making certain all the blood traces were gone, she turned, jogging back into the kitchen. It only took a few minutes to rinse out the dishtowel.

  Finally, she went to her mate.

  He’d done the difficult thing to protect her from his father. He might have had a lot of reasons to kill him, but the timing had been her fault. She forced a smile to her lips and began to remove his borrowed shirt she wore. Creed had already climbed into the tub, the water chest high.

  He smiled back at her, his gaze lingering over her body as he took her in. “You’re so beautiful.”

  “I love you too.” She planned to seduce him, and keep him distracted from thoughts of what he’d had to do to protect her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  It stunned Creed to see his eldest brother at the cliffs. Neb was sent on a lot of missions for the clan, traveling all over the place.

  Pure rage simmered in his brother’s eyes. It was a given that word had traveled of Kado’s death.

  Creed stiffened, wishing he wore his sword. It remained in the bedroom. “Give me a few moments to prepare. Can we fight in one of the training rooms? My mate can’t leave my home and I don’t want her harmed.”

  “I didn’t come here to challenge you, Creed.”

  He glanced down his brother’s uniform. “You’re in battle gear.”

  “I heard what happened and came right here from my assignment. I didn’t take time to change or to stop at my home. May I enter?” His brother glanced away, looking down the corridors, then back at him. “I’d rather talk to you in private. I have no intentions of harming your mate or starting shit with you.”

  Creed opened the door wider and stepped back. “You’re welcome in my home.”

  Neb strode forward. Creed closed and barred the door. He followed him inside and spotted Angel coming down the hallway. He moved fast to get between her and Neb. He motioned for her to stop and stay back. He hated the worry he identified in her look and the way she stared at his brother.

  Neb peered back at her and slightly bowed. “You must be Angel. I am Creed’s eldest brother, Nebulas. You may call me Neb. Welcome to our family, as fucked up as it is.” He turned to face Creed. “Your mate is beautiful but I had faith that she would be. She’s more delicate than I imagined but I approve of your choice.”

  “It’s not a requirement to me.”

  Neb chuckled. “I am glad to hear it.” He sobered. “So father finally pushed you too far. I don’t blame you for what happened. I would have taken him out eleven years ago but mother made the rest of us swear to never kill him. You were her only son she spared from making that promise…but he was harshest with you. She was a realist, and knew the day would come when he forced you into a challenge. How are you holding up? Tell me you aren’t grieving that son of a bitch.”

  “I’m at peace.”

  Neb nodded. “Good. You should be.” He turned his head, studying Angel. “I don’t know if you met our father but if anyone deserved to die, it was him.” He looked back at Creed. “I’m at peace with his death. I wanted you to know we’re good.”

  “What about our brothers?”

  “I haven’t spoken to them yet. I came directly to you. I know they are at the cliffs. I’ll track them down next and have a talk with them but I don’t believe either will hold a grudge. He ordered all three of us to come yesterday when he learned of you taking a mate.” He paused. “I’m just sorry it took me so long to get here. I had orders to locate a nest last night and it couldn’t be put off. They had stolen a group of Lycan kids we needed to retrieve.”

  “Why would Vampires do that?” Angel came closer, pressing up against Creed’s side, staring at his brother.

  “The blood bastards think it’s amusing to make the boys fight to the death, and children are easier for them to snatch while they are off pack lands. The ones taken were going to movies or visiting malls. We’ve had a string of kidnappings in various states lately. It’s like a new sick sport for them, and it’s pissing us off. They’ve been taking them in the ten- to fourteen-year range. Old enough to shift but young enough to be overpowered and stolen.”

  “Their guardians weren’t able to track the missing youths?” Creed frowned. He hadn’t heard anything about it.

  “There are no guardians on the Lycan packs who’ve been targeted so far. They’ve contacted Lord Aveoth, begging for assistance. We’ve been working with some of the VampLycans on finding the nests responsible. Our neighbors fear those blood bastards might try to grab pack women to breed next, so they got involved. Nobody wants a repeat of the past or kids dying. The shit we’ve seen is pretty bad.”

  It alarmed Creed. He wondered if Lord Aveoth had already sent another guardian to protect the Henita pack. “Do you have a phone?”

  Neb withdrew one from his back pocket and offered it to him.

  “Give it to me.” Angel held out her hand. “I have my parents’ number memorized. I’ll warn them.” She was thinking the same thing he was. The Lycan kids in her pack could be in danger.

  Cree
d passed it to her and watched her dial. She pressed it up to her ear and he could hear it ring twice before a woman answered. Angel held still, probably guessing he and his brother could overhear the conversation. She’d been raised by a Lycan pack. They all had excellent hearing.

  “Hi, Mom.”

  “You made it home safe? I worried when I tried to call you and you didn’t answer your cell last night. It’s not like you, but I figured you had to be exhausted after not sleeping well, having to travel home, and then go to work.”

  “Sorry. Listen, did a new guardian show up?”

  “Not that I’ve heard. Where is Creed? Isn’t he up on the mountain?”

  “No. Look, I’ll call you again later and fill you in, but I need you to know something. Some Vampires have been kidnapping young Lycans and making them fight to the death. Creed isn’t there right now to protect our pack. Gather everyone and put them on alert. Have them on watch at night and keep the young ones safe. Do you understand?”

  “Is that happening to the Washington packs? I thought you didn’t talk to them. Did Creed tell you he was leaving here? Why? What’s going on?”

  Angel met Creed’s eyes, and then glanced at his brother. “Do you mind if I borrow your phone for a few minutes?”

  “Go ahead.”

  She looked back at Creed.

  “Tell her everything,” he urged.

  “Mind if I do this in the bedroom?”

  He shook his head. “Go, Angel. We’ll be here.”

  Angel disappeared down the hallway and closed his bedroom door.

  Creed sighed and addressed his brother. “Her parents haven’t been told yet that we’re mated. I just left without speaking to the elders where I was guardian, and we were brought straight here. She needed to warn her pack.”

  Emotion flashed in Neb’s eyes. “Father didn’t tell me much when he called. She’s human, not Lycan, and the only human associated with the pack you protect is the child you once found in the woods. That’s her? The little girl?”

  “She grew up.”