Unnatural Allies

by Edward Kendrick

  Things progressed exactly as they wanted until they were fully sated, with Andre collapsed spread-eagled over Sand as they came down from their mutual orgasms.

  “You’re heavy,” Sand groused when he could form a coherent sentence. “Well, not heavy, heavy, but…”

  Andre pulled out and rolled off him, gathering him into his arms. “Jeez. I give my all to make you happy and this is what I get in return? Complaints?”

  “Sorry?” Sand grinned and then sobered. “You did, no, you do make me happy. That wasn’t supposed to happen. This was supposed to be fuck buddies fucking. No feelings involved.”

  “We screwed up, then, because that didn’t happen. It should have. We’re too different. This should be two guys getting off then going our separate ways until next time, but…”

  “Neither of us wants that,” Sand said softly. “We could find out we don’t work as a couple. After all, we’ve only known each other for a few days.” He traced a fingertip over Andre’s lips. “I’m willing to take the chance that there’s more to it than good sex, if you are.” He gazed intently at Andre. “If we survive what we’re planning to…”

  Andre pulled Sand into a tight embrace before he could finish what he was saying. “We will. Believe. It will happen.”

  “Because we’re the good guys?” Sand asked.

  “Yep, pardner,” Andre drawled. “And the white hats always win.”

  Sand shook his head in amusement, his tension about the future abating for the moment. “We need to find you some other kind of movies.” He looked over Andre’s shoulder at the clock on the nightstand. “Starting now. We have a whole night to kill and I’m not up for another round of sex quite yet.”

  They did find some movies, a science fiction one followed by a comedy. When they were over, they returned to Andre’s bed to make love again before dawn arrived and Andre fell into his enforced sleep.

  * * * *

  When Andre awoke Monday evening, he was alone in his bed. He wasn’t terribly surprised. He knew Sand had a job and if Thorin prevailed, it would entail being the night security guard at the club, now that it was closed for the foreseeable future.

  He lay there, contemplating what was to come—the plan to stop Estebe, and more importantly, his future with Sand. That is if we have a future. He thought it was possible, after their talk the previous night, but he knew it would take work. He’s still uncertain. I suppose I am, too. Will our differences outweigh what we’re feeling at the moment? That old thing about enemies to friends might work in the movies. In real life it’s not so easy. We’re on the same side right now, because of what Raúl wanted to do, that Estebe seems to be continuing. When we stop him, if we do, will Sand decide he doesn’t want to be involved with me, because over the centuries vampires and werewolves have been sworn enemies and he believes they should be?

  He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed so that he could look at himself in the mirror above the dresser. I’m no different from any other male, human, werewolf, or vampire. I have the same emotions—love, hate, desire, fear, joy, the whole gamut. We can make it work, if it’s what we both want.

  Knowing he’d better get moving, he stood, went into the bathroom, and not too much later dressed for the night. As the club wasn’t open, he opted for jeans instead of slacks, and a sweatshirt rather than his usual button-down one. He debated taking his car and decided against it. Going out to the balcony, he stood in the shadows so that no one could see him, went invisible, and took flight. In less than two minutes, he was at the back door of the club. He unlocked it, went inside, dealt with the security box, and walked up to Thorin’s office.

  * * * *

  Sand, sprawled casually in one of the chairs, was the only person in the office when Andre entered.

  “This is how you play security guard?” Andre asked with a grin.

  Sand saluted him, replying, “I wish.”

  “Where’s Thorin?”

  “Giving his friends a tour of the club.”

  “I hope they didn’t give you any grief,” Andre said.

  “Let’s say they didn’t threaten my life and leave it at that.”

  “Why would we?” one of them asked as he, his companion, and Thorin entered the office. “We’re well aware you’re not our enemy…for the foreseeable future.”

  “No, he’s not,” Andre stated, gripping Sand’s shoulder as he waited for Thorin to introduce him to the others.

  “Andre, this is Baptiste—” Thorin nodded to the brown-haired vampire who had spoken, “—and Grigorii.” Grigorii was shorter that the rest of them, with auburn hair and the muscular build reminiscent of the warriors Andre had seen in old paintings.

  “A pleasure,” Andre said, bowing his head to each of them as they were introduced.

  “Why can’t he act that subservient with me?” Thorin asked with obvious amusement.

  Andre smirked. “What child does that with a parent?” Then, he sobered. “I am your Child, Thorin, and I respect you more than you know, but subservience is not one of my traits.”

  “As I know well,” Thorin replied. “Be that as it may, at the moment we have more important things to talk about. If you will all have a seat, please.”

  They did, Andre sitting in the chair next to Sand’s, the two new vampires on the sofa, and Thorin behind his desk.

  “Other than Andre, who has been in the Wintermane area, Sand is the only one who knows the territory,” Thorin said. “In your opinion, Sand, is there somewhere safe I can suggest to Estebe that we use for our parlay? Somewhere that would give us the advantage because Andre, Baptiste, and Grigorii can remain hidden until the attack?”

  “It’s been a long time since I’ve been there, other than checking out where Raúl was…killed. Besides which, if I were Estebe, I’d insist on choosing the spot.”

  “He has a point, Thorin,” Baptiste said. “And may I ask why you aren’t including Sand in the meeting?”

  “I am,” Thorin replied. “He’s the bait to bring Estebe to me.”

  “I see.” Baptiste nodded. “In that case, it may give you the leverage to be the one make the decision on the meeting place.”

  “If you can convince him to do so in the first place,” Grigorii put in. “Werewolves are noted for being unwilling to have anything to do with vampires if it doesn’t involve killing them outright.” He glanced at Sand. “You being the exception—for the moment.”

  Sand acknowledged his words with a tight smile before saying, “Estebe hates me. He would give anything to see me dead. I’m surprised he hasn’t tried so far.” He took a deep breath in a visible effort to rein in his anger. “Anyway, using me as bait will definitely give Thorin the leverage he needs.”

  “I suspect you were a mere blip on his radar, what with everything else that’s gone on since your ouster,” Thorin replied. “From what I’ve learned about him, he wanted to be the Alpha as soon as your father died, and lost out to Raúl. My guess is he was gathering allies within the pack, in the eventuality something happened to your brother. He may even have been planning on challenging him.”

  “Perhaps I should have waited for that to happen,” Andre said, “and then dealt with Estebe, instead.”

  “It wouldn’t have happened,” Sand said. “If Raúl’s plan had failed, then Estebe would have challenged him, because he’d have been within his rights to do so, but only then.”

  “This isn’t answering Thorin’s question,” Grigorii said. “Do you know a safe place to do this, Sand?”

  * * * *

  “May I use your computer, Thorin?” Sand asked. With a nod, Thorin moved so that Sand could take his seat. When he had, Sand went to one of the major map sites and brought up the area belonging to the Wintermane pack in a satellite view. He studied it for a few moments, scrolling from one part to another, before saying, “This should work.” He turned the monitor so the others could see where he meant.

  “Only one way in,” Andre commented as they looked at w
hat appeared to be a narrow valley surrounded on three sides by tall mountain peaks. A body of water, more a large pond than a lake, sat at the far end with a stream wending its way through the trees into the forest beyond the entrance to the valley.

  “Exactly,” Sand replied. “I used to go there when I was young and wanted to escape my tormenters. Even as a child, my father made it clear I was unwelcome. At least he waited until I was old enough to fend for myself before…” He shook his head, glancing up when Andre moved to stand beside him and grip his shoulder. ::That’s the past,:: he whispered in Andre’s mind.

  ::It is,:: Andre replied. ::You had the strength to survive in spite of what he did to you.::

  ::I did, and I will, again. I…we have to, all of us. Otherwise, we’re in deep shit.::

  ::And we don’t want that,:: Andre replied. ::I have plans for the future. Dying is not one of them.::

  Sand reached up to squeeze Andre’s hand, hoping the plans included him. Now was not the time to ask, so he returned his attention to the present, saying, “This should work because it’s remote, even for this area, and defensible. There are a couple of caves here—” he tapped the screen, “—in this cliff, or there were back then. I can’t get this view to pull in enough to tell if they’re still there.”

  “If you don’t mind a suggestion, Thorin,” Baptiste said. “We should go there, now, to get the lay of the land.”

  “I agree,” Thorin replied. “It’s difficult to plan without a true visual.”

  “You won’t be able to drive in,” Sand pointed out. “As you can see, there’s not even a dirt road anywhere close to the valley.”

  “We’ll fly in.” Grigorii peered at the screen. “And meet here,” he said, pointing to the where the stream flowed out of the pond.

  “Forgot you could do that.” Sand gave the vampires a wry grin. “I’ll teleport in and meet you there,” he said. “Do you need to look at the map anymore?”

  “Scroll out, please, so we can see the club and where we’re going at the same time,” Thorin requested, so Sand did. “All right, I’ve to my bearings now. Do the rest of you?” Thorin asked the others.

  They nodded. Then Andre said, “I’m going with Sand.”

  “Don’t trust me to show up?” Sand asked with a trace of amusement.

  “Of course I do, but I don’t think any of us should be there on our own. Your memories of the valley are years old. For all we know, the pack is aware of it and may even be using it for whatever reason.”

  “He has a point, Sand,” Thorin said. “Get offline if you would and put the computer in sleep mode. Then we’ll leave.”

  Sand did as he asked, and then put one arm around Andre’s waist. “We’re out of here. See you there.” He chuckled when he realized he was talking to empty air, and took off with Andre.

  * * * *

  It was no surprise that Sand and Andre arrived first in the valley. Teleporting is almost instantaneous, whereas flying takes time, even as swiftly as vampires move.

  The moon was past the quarter and waning, but it still gave enough light for their sensitive eyes to see the pond and the high cliffs surrounding the valley. The air was cool but with no breeze, bearable. They stood silently, Sand’s arm still around Andre, taking it the scene.

  Then Sand said, under his breath, “It’s just as I remember it. Peaceful, beautiful…” He sighed. “For the moment, at least.”

  Andre, being pragmatic, asked, “Is there any sign that the pack has been here since you saw it last?”

  Sand came out of his reverie to turn slowly, looking, sniffing, and then shook his head. “There are no scents that say one or more has visited—at least not recently. Animals have, of course, but not werewolves.”

  “You’re certain?” Thorin asked as he, Baptiste, and Grigorii appeared almost simultaneously.

  Sand nodded. “At least not that I can sense in this form. However…” He shifted and a werewolf stood when he had been seconds before.

  “Impressive,” Grigorii murmured.

  Andre agreed. Sand’s werewolf was a tawny brown, a few shades deeper than his blond hair when he was in his human form. Although not huge, he was large enough he would strike fear in the average person if they came across him in the wild. Or anywhere. Andre smiled to himself, imagining Sand walking down the streets of the city the way he was at the moment. For damned sure that would cause people to run and hide.

  Sand began to move around the edge of the pond, lifting his head to breathe in the air, and then lowering it to sniff the ground. Slowly he made his way through the trees to the edge of the valley, returning several minutes later to shift again, clothing himself with a thought, to tell them, “Nothing. Remember, though, that winter has barely passed. The snow, and its melting, would have washed away any lingering scents. I did look for scat and hairs that may have been caught in the branches of the brush. What I found does not belong to a werewolf.”

  “What if they visited in their human form?” Baptiste asked.

  Sand’s reply was a dry, “As remote as the valley is, I seriously doubt they would have hiked in.” Andre had the feeling he would have rolled his eyes, but didn’t out of courtesy to the age of the vampires.

  “Where are the caves you mentioned?” Thorin asked.

  Sand scanned the right-hand wall of the valley. “There,” he said, pointing to a darker spot several hundred feet above them which only beings with their supernatural eyesight could have seen.

  “I thought you said there were two,” Baptiste said.

  “There were, when I was a teenager,” Sand replied. “That was over fifty years ago. Nature has a way of changing things, in this case probably with a rockslide that covered the entrance.”

  Thorin didn’t bother to go invisible as he flew up to the cave’s entrance. Neither did the other vampires. Sand teleported up and they entered the cave.

  “This should work,” Andre said as he walked the parameter of the large cavern. “Any sign anyone from the pack has been in here recently, Sand?”

  Sand breathed in deeply, studied the detritus covered floor, and shook his head. “There were a bear and her cubs at one point, I think, but that was quite a while ago. She’s abandoned it.”

  “Damned good thing,” Thorin said. “We don’t need to be fending off an angry sow defending her children.”

  “Are we all going to huddle in here until Estebe and his subordinates arrive?” Grigorii asked. “Presuming you can get him to agree to a meeting in the valley, Thorin.”

  Andre stepped to the entrance of the cave, examining what he could see of the opposite wall of the valley through the trees. “There seem to be several ledges that would work for us,” he said, before taking flight. He landed on one of them, peering down at the valley which was barely visible through the tops of the trees.

  He was startled when Sand appeared beside him and said, “This is almost better than the cave. Unless he’s stupid, Estebe will scout the area before the meeting and find the cave. Hell, he might decide to hide a couple of his men there.”

  “Good point,” Andre replied, and they returned to the cave to tell the others what they were thinking.

  Thorin nodded in agreement. “Putting the three of you on different ledges, one on each side of the valley, should give us the coverage we need. Each of you, choose your spot while Sand and I figure out the best place on the valley floor to set up.”

  * * * *

  “There,” Sand said moments later, after he and Thorin were on the ground again. He gestured toward a wide expanse of grass where the stream exited the pond. “It’s in the center of the valley and should be visible from above.”

  Thorin gazed up silently, and Sand had the feeling he was communicating with the others, telling them to find ledges that gave them the view they needed.

  “Without risking Estebe’s seeing them,” Sand said, which earned him a ‘No kidding’ look from Thorin.

  “Can you see any of them?” Thorin asked him after givi
ng them time to choose their positions.

  Sand chuckled. “I’ve got the feeling they’re smart enough to be invisible, so, no, but…” He became his werewolf, and then swiveled his head, his ears erect. Returning to his human form again, clothed, he said. “I heard movement on the right-hand wall. It could have been an animal, but Estebe would take no chances that it was—” He stopped when the three vampires flew down to join them. “While you’re up there, you have to remain perfectly still,” he told them, explaining why.

  “Understood,” Grigorii replied. Andre and Baptiste nodded.

  “If there’s nothing more we need to do here, let’s return to my office,” Thorin said—and they did.

  * * * *

  “How will you get in touch with Estebe?” Baptiste asked when everyone had taken a seat.

  “Send up smoke signals,” Sand replied with an impish grin, which earned him raised fingers from Thorin and Andre.

  “Sand told us many of the Wintermane pack live and work in a town on the edge of the territory,” Thorin replied.

  “Westcliff,” Sand said. “I’ll show you.” Thorin moved so Sand could use the computer again. He brought up the same map site, but this time left it in map mode. After marking the valley, he scrolled to the western edge of the pack’s land. The town appeared along a two-lane highway that ran north and south.

  “Small is right,” Andre said when Sand turned the monitor so they all could see.

  Sand asked the site to mark the nearby shops and restaurants, which brought up a total of seven, all on the main street through the town. “Good,” he said, pointing to one of the shops. “That one belonged to Estebe’s parents, and probably still does.”

  “Address, and is there a phone number or website?” Thorin asked.

  “Both.” Sand wrote everything down, handing the paper to Thorin.

  “My suggestion,” Grigorii said, “would be a phone call, first. If you get one of his parents or whomever, tell them it’s imperative he get in touch with you, now. The less details the better, as they may not know what’s going on.”

  “I agree.” Thorin took out his phone, started to dial, and paused. “No one will be there at this hour and I don’t want to leave a message.”