Rouen Chronicles Box Set

by Raven Steele

  Risking a glance around the building, I spotted Dominic just as he was getting into the backseat of a stretch limo. Silas was already in the car. I could see the back of his head leaning against the rear of the seat. Only one of the witches joined them.

  I needed a car.

  I yanked out my phone, pulling out my Uber app. A car was in my vicinity, and I tapped to order it. Less than a minute later, a black Audi stopped in the middle of the street.

  I jogged toward it. "You the Uber?"

  "Yup. Get in."

  The inside of the car was of a soft black leather and had that new car smell. The Uber driver, a woman with dark red, wavy hair and a matching set of hazel eyes turned toward me. "Where to?"

  I pointed at the limo, which had just pulled out of the alley. "Not to sound all cliché, but could you follow that car?"

  She chuckled, a surprisingly pleasant sound. "No problem. You'd be surprised how often I'm asked that." She waited a moment before pulling behind it, driving slow enough to keep a safe distance away. She glanced at me in the rearview mirror. "Are we following your boyfriend?"

  "Sure. I think he's cheating on me. How'd you know?" I leaned forward on the seat, not letting the vehicle out of my sight. Already two cars had come between us, and the fact that her eyes were on me, instead of the limo, had me nervous.

  "That's usually the reason. Either that, or someone wanting to follow the most powerful shifter in the city."

  Startled, I met her gaze in the mirror, now realizing how piercing her eyes were. "How'd you know?"

  "There aren't too many limos driving around in this part of the city, and Dominic's is quite noticeable. Plus, it helps to have a little bit of magical blood running through my veins."

  "You're a witch?" My eyes dropped to her license tag hanging from the car's radio nob. Her name was Roma. I looked up. "Hey, they're getting away."

  She waved her hand. "Nah. I've spelled the car. I can track them anywhere now, at least for the next hour anyway." She glanced over her shoulder at me. "What's a nice wolf girl like you trying to track down Dominic? It will only get you into trouble, that I can promise."

  "One, I'm not a nice wolf and, two, I've got a bone to pick with him."

  "Tell me something new. You and half this town have some kind of grudge against him, but I've got to be honest with you. Those who do something about it, disappear. I'd hate to see that happen to you. I've got a good sense about people, and you are one of the good ones." She wrinkled her weathered brow and turned a corner. "But I also sense darkness inside you. It could be your downfall if you're not careful."

  I huffed. "Don't be doing any of that witch mumbo-jumbo on me. I don't want to know my future or about any monsters inside me. The only monster I want to know about is Dominic."

  "Fair enough." She turned another corner as if she knew exactly where she was supposed to go. Her sleeve shortened briefly, revealing a tattooed symbol on the inside of her wrist. It was a black circle with what looked like barbed wire around the outside with the outline of a bird on the inside.

  "Dominic lives in a huge place called Fire Ridge on the outside of town," she began. "It's where the Silver Claws hang out."

  "I haven't seen it yet, but I have met one of their pack members." My loins burned just thinking about that hot shifter.

  She lifted her eyebrows. "And they didn't take you in? A lone wolf?"

  "How do you know I'm a lone wolf?"

  "Because you reek of independence and insubordination."

  I leaned back against the seat, spreading my legs. "That's probably the best thing you've smelled in years."

  She cracked a smile. "I admit, it is a pleasant scent I don't often enjoy in this city."

  I turned and stared out the window while Roma turned onto a long stretch of road, one darker than the last. There were no street lights, and the car's headlights swallowed the road as we drove. "They appear to be heading toward Fire Ridge. Do you want me to keep going?"

  "How much further?"

  "Two miles up the road."

  "Can you let me off here?"

  She pulled the car over to the shoulder and parked. "I must warn you. My stomach doesn't feel right."

  "Don't vomit on the seats,” I said. “I did that once and had to use a squeegee to get that shit out."

  "No, I mean, that's how I feel just before something bad happens."

  I avoided her gaze and opened the door. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

  She startled me by grabbing my hand suddenly. "Here." She handed me her card. "Call me if you ever get into trouble. I don't sleep much."

  I slid my hand out from under hers. I didn't like people touching me, but a car on hand could be convenient. "Fine."

  I programmed her number into my phone and slipped outside, closing the door before she could give me any more premonition crap. That's the last thing I needed. Nothing could derail me from my goal. The hate for Dominic and Silas had long ago wrapped my heart in a cold shell.

  As Roma drove away, I quickly shed my clothes. I only had maybe five hours until sunrise. That should give me enough time to survey the place. I needed to learn how many shifters hung out at Fire Ridge, and do it all without getting caught.

  I was only three steps into the darkness of the forest before my body shimmered, then shifted into a large wolf in less than a second. My transformation was far quicker than other wolves, a result of having my wolf emerge at an early age. Having everyone I loved ripped from my life had brought out the worst of me. Not that my wolf was bad, by any means. She had protected me from many terrible things that would've happened had I not had her incredible strength and power.

  But with that strength, came a temper and a hunger for violence. She was a beast that would not be tamed.

  I began my run, and a thrill coursed through my body. The bite of the wind against my fur, the taste of the forest on my tongue... all filled my senses, satisfying the urges of my wolf. I needed to do this more instead of keeping her pent up. I'd felt her growing restless lately. If I didn't give her a release, my wolf would get the best of me, and I'd end up doing something rash. Something I couldn't afford right now if I was going to kill Silas and Dominic.

  Resisting the urge to howl in pleasure, I followed the scent of wolves into the woods. They'd probably smell me later, but by then I'd be gone.

  It didn't take me long to find Fire Ridge. I don't know what I had been expecting. Maybe a shack in the woods surrounded by broken down trucks, old tractors, piles of wood here and there. Maybe a fire pit made out of river rock. A lot of packs were like that. But there was none of that here. It was like I had stepped back in time to the eighteenth century.

  The home was far bigger than Lynx's house and depicted the old Southern mansions you see in the movies. Crisp, white columns lined the front steps to the red brick home, which sprawled out over several thousand square feet. There was also a huge guest house out back, with what looked like a triple car garage.

  In the rear of the property, a large fire pit, the largest I'd ever seen, was ablaze. Flames reached for the night sky at least ten feet high. A crowd of maybe twenty gathered outside with loud rock n' roll music blaring. From this distance, I couldn't see individual faces, but one of them, by his massive frame and the way he moved, was familiar: Luke.

  I swallowed the urge to moan and shook my fur. I needed to get closer but worried about being detected. If they found me, they would question why I was scouting the place. I couldn't let that happen. I needed to know more about them before they uncovered anything about me.

  I cursed. I had to get closer somehow. An idea came to me, but my wolf bristled at the thought.

  I know, bitch. I'm going to hate it too.

  Chapter 6

  I stared at a big pile of horse shit and urine in horror.

  I wasn't happy about it, and my wolf was even more pissed. But I had to disguise my scent somehow. I'd smelled the farm not far away and knew horse manure would be here.

  Before I
could second guess myself, I rolled into the mess, covering my fur with its strong scent. Ugh. This was the worst. I'd done this once before, years ago, when tracking down what I thought was a viable lead. In the end, it just ended up being a shitty day and nothing else.

  I'd sworn I'd never do it again, but here I was, rolling around in horse crap.

  My wolf snarled, and had it been possible, she would've bitten me for putting her in this position. I could feel her resistance as I made her roll a few more times. As soon as I gave her back a little control, she leapt from the pile and sprinted into the forest. Whenever I felt her urge to drop and roll in the grass, I stopped her.

  We had a mission.

  Soundlessly, I raced through the woods back toward Fire Ridge. When voices tickled my ears, I slowed and retreated to the thick underbrush.

  More people had joined them at the fire. One of them was the witch who had gotten into the car with Dominic. She was talking with four others, laughing and drinking from a wine glass. Ryder was by himself and off to the side, slamming back one drink after another. Several others were seated on a concrete patio behind the house, and in between the house and the detached garage, at least a dozen men were playing football despite the heavy darkness.

  I kept to the shadows as I circled the perimeter, searching for Silas or Dominic, but they weren't there. They must be in the house.

  After finding a comfortable spot to sit where I had a good view of the rear of the house, I dropped to the ground and observed. Time drug on slowly, or maybe it just felt that way because I was an impatient wolf who wanted some action. Any kind would do at this point. I watched Luke play football and by the looks of it, he was one of the best players. Heavy metal music came on, and with it came more drinking.

  I was beginning to think the night was a bust when all of a sudden the music cut. Everyone stood as if that had been some kind of signal. They set down their drinks and gathered to the side of the fire pit. Shadows cast by the dancing flames illuminated their serious expressions, a sharp change from moments before.

  A moment later, Dominic walked outside. He was followed by Silas and one of the sister witches. The fur on my neck stood on end, and a soft growl sounded in my throat.

  Dominic walked to the front of the crowd like he was going to speak to them, but he stopped abruptly and turned my way. Instinctively, I flattened myself to the ground. He scanned the forest for a moment, his face not stopping to rest on anything in particular. He turned in a full circle, still looking at the trees.

  My pulse raced, and every nerve hummed. My instincts told me it was time to go, but I forced them down. Something was about to happen, and I needed to see it, but I'd run as soon as they came my way.

  Seemingly satisfied with his inspection, Dominic motioned Silas forward and whispered something in his ear. Silas nodded his head, then returned inside the house, limping slightly with his slick, black cane.

  My lips turned downward, and I returned to my feet, ready to bolt. I doubted he could smell me from all the way over there. It would take a powerful wolf to smell through all the horse manure matted into my fur.

  Dominic turned back to the crowd. I noted Luke had moved to Dominic's left, a few feet back. This was telling. He held an important position within the pack, I was sure of it.

  Finally, Dominic began to speak. "Thank you all for coming out tonight. I know this meeting was called unexpectedly so I appreciate your willingness to drop everything to attend." He scanned the group, meeting the eyes of everyone. His Alpha powers radiated from him, and all showed the proper respect. "The reason for the gathering is to conduct an emergency blood trial."

  The crowd exploded in conversation and activity.

  Blood trial? I wasn't familiar with the term. I scooted forward, eager to see what was about to happen.

  "The man in question," Dominic began, after the crowd settled, "was found conspiring against the Silver Claws. He was caught with plans on how to take out several key members."

  More voices cried out both in horror and surprise.

  "Bring him out!" Dominic ordered and stepped back.

  Two tall and muscular shifters escorted a man toward the group. The man was slumped over, his hands tied behind his back. He was smaller than many of the others present, and by the streaks of silver in his dark hair, older too. Several in the crowd gasped as if they recognized him. Some shouted a protest. Even from where I sat, I could feel their anger radiating from the pack. But not necessarily directed at the bound man. They were upset he was being accused. Interesting. More division from within.

  The two shifters dragged the man to Dominic and threw him at his feet. Dominic kicked him in the stomach. The man yelped in pain. Several of the braver pack members disapproved loudly, but with a mere look from Dominic, shut their mouths.

  "You were one of us. Why did you betray your family?" Dominic rammed his boot into the older man again. A strand of hair on his head fell out of place. He quickly smoothed it back as he turned to Luke. "Bind him to the post."

  I crept closer, focused on what was going to happen next. It couldn't be good.

  Like a good little soldier, Luke pulled the man to his feet. The man's head flopped forward as he struggled to walk. It was clear he had already taken some hits; his eyes were swollen, and his face smeared with blood.

  Luke had to practically drag the man across the ground, heading for a large wooden post.

  My blood chilled at the sight. It was stained a dark crimson and held several deep nicks in its wooden surface as if it had been hit repeatedly. Probably by a whip if I had to guess.

  Luke motioned to another shifter, who scrambled to help tie the man to the post. Everyone else watched on, some with looks of disgust, but none were shocked. They'd done this before.

  The need to help the man was so ingrained in my blood, I had to hold back from running into the circle. I couldn't stand by and watch them kill the man, if that was their intention. The thought of doing so brought back too many painful memories. Hopefully, murder wasn't part of their plan. A good beating I could handle, but not straight-up killing a defenseless old man. If they dared try, I'd have to blow my cover to save him.

  Dominic stood in front of the older man, a sliver of a grin splitting his face. "Secure his head. I want him to see the faces of those he betrayed."

  Luke nodded and lifted the man's head to the pole while another shifter used duct tape to secure it. Holy hell, what was wrong with them?

  I cocked my head, staring at the man's face. There was something about his features—the high cheekbones, straight nose—that were strangely familiar. I sniffed the air, trying to sort through the smells to see if there was one I recognized. Where had I seen him before?

  Dominic faced the pack. "Silver Claws, all of you already know this man. Many of you are his friends. But this is a blood trial. You all know the rules. We must uncover the truth." He paused for dramatic effect. "The trial for Vincent Moretti begins now."

  My blood drained to my paws, and I stumbled forward in shock. That name. I didn't believe it. It had to be a coincidence.

  I shuffled forward to squint at the man again. It had been years since I'd heard that surname. It was the same as mine, and one I hadn’t used for over fifteen years.

  I swallowed hard. It can't be. It just can't.

  My breathing quickened as I stared at the older man's familiar face in wonder. That's when the truth hit me, and my mind was flooded with hundreds of memories all at once. I nearly lost my balance.

  I thought everyone had died. I thought I was the only survivor. And yet, not far from me tied to the pole, sat my uncle, and my father's most cherished brother.

  I wasn't alone after all.

  Chapter 7

  One by one, pack members approached my uncle and began to question him. When he didn't give them the answer they wanted to hear, they took turns punching him. Most half-heartedly hit him in the stomach, but a couple of shifters beat him in the face.

  What
the hell had he done? Had he really betrayed the pack? It must've been bad, otherwise why not confess?

  My stomach churned. In all my travels, and I'd seen a lot of packs, I'd never heard of such a cruel practice. I had to force myself from jumping in there to smash some heads. The only living family member I had was right there, only a few hundred yards away, and I couldn't stop them from beating him.

  The only thing that kept me from rushing in to help him was the fact that I knew for a certainty he could handle it. My family blood was strong, and it would take more than a few hits to kill him.

  When one of the last people took their turn, this time branding a long knife, I knew I had to do something. I couldn't let them kill him. I'd just found him!

  I had to think. If I rushed in there, it would blow my cover, and I might never have a chance to kill Dominic and Silas again. But I had to do something. The pain in my chest was crushing.

  I squat on my hind legs, surveying the property. I'd go around the front of the house. Less people would see me that way. Maybe I could—

  "Enjoying the show?"

  I yelped, jumping. I swiveled around; crouching to the ground, growling, my hackles raised.

  Two bulky men stared down at me, a snarky grin on each face. These suckers had ten seconds before I ripped them to shreds. How did they know I was here? And how the hell had anyone snuck up on me?

  I swung my head back to the pack, realizing that one of the witches was staring in our direction as if she could see us through the forest. Shame washed over me.

  I was so stupid. Somehow, Dominic had sensed me and the witch had cast a spell to muffle the noise of the men. That's the only way these elephants could have got the jump on me. Damnit.

  I backed up, still growling and considering my options. I was pretty sure I could outrun these two. But I thought of my uncle and that knife. I couldn't run away.

  Besides, I'd talked myself out of worse situations.

  The biggest beef-head leaned down, and I was tempted to snap at him. He smelled like cheap beer and piss.