Another of the explosions erupted. Unsettled, Draco fell to one knee, losing his hold on Sonja.
The ground reverberated with the aftershock. Sonja lurched forward, stumbling into the waiting arms of the Guardian.
“You came.” Her voice echoed with wonder.
Gazing at her, the wolf god managed a craggy smile before shoving her behind him to dress in the gown she found there.
Draco clutched Ty in his strength and ran a razor-sharp talon down his neck. “I’ve only to thrust my finger thus and your warrior will bleed out. You are already in my grasp.”
“No!” Sonja’s voice rose above the rumble. “You’ve seen with your own eyes the power we hold over you. Drain the lieutenant and you diminish your supply of blood in half.”
“You must consider me a fool, Sonja.” Draco’s voice rose in disgust. “You carry the next generation of the Western Werewolf in your belly. Are you not pregnant?” His smile grew smug.
The blood drained from her face. How did the warlock know of her child? Dread clawed its way up her backbone. Ty’s face went blank. The cold, steeling eyes of her lover pierced her like a blade to the heart. Wanting desperately to explain, Sonja found her voice gone, like the trust she saw slipping away in Ty’s eyes. Groping for strength, she still had werewolves to save, Sonja shot back, “You would destroy the man who sired the next generation? You would waste his lineage?”
“With your blood, I’ll create all the willing warriors I want. Your child will be my insurance of a continuation for eternity, my dear. You don’t need to worry. Your name will be immortal among my army. With your blood, the world will be mine. With my powers, all you desire will be yours for the taking. Come…” He reached out a knarled hand. “Take my offer! Live, Sonja. Live the life you were meant to live.” Glancing at the Guardian, Draco grinned wickedly. “If you come willingly, I’ll spare these pathetic mortals. We will rule in grand splendor. You will be my queen for all time, my dear.”
Swallowing the bile rising in her throat, Sonja spoke telepathically to the Guardian. “Don’t let him harm Ty, please.” With the words, she stepped from behind the Guardian.
“No!” The guardian’s rage only increased as she walked toward the warlock. “Don’t do this, Sonja. Take the baby and live!”
Ty’s voice rang out. “Stop her, Guardian! For the love of all the gods, stop her!” His voice broke as he struggled yet again with the power the warlock had over him, his inability to shift apparently controlled by Draco.
“Were you planning on stopping me, Guardian?” Draco called out incredulously. “You with your pathetic magic. You’re no match for me, wolf god.” Draco’s caustic laugh ran out filling the wind around them.
“Did you forget about me, Draco?” The wind whipped up a dust devil and sent it dancing toward them. Out of the dusky twilight, Hortence materialized. Standing in the rubble, she cocked her head at Draco. “I’m slightly miffed you’d dismiss me so easily. Since, it was I who banished you in the first place.” Her lips creased in a sardonic smile. Reaching out, Hortence took Sonja’s hand in hers. “She remains where she is, Draco. Sonja will never be your slave queen, nor will you hurt any of those she loves.”
Draco snarled at Hortence before hurling Ty into the fallen rock of the cave entrance. “What will you do about it, you witch? You accept great responsibility for my existence. Besides, you know the rules. Your powers are the sacrifice for my demise. I know you’re not willing to give up the only talent you possess, now are you, old hag?”
Hortence straightened her spine stiffening with his taunt. “Be considerate of your words, Draco, for you may rue them in time.”
Speaking to Sonja telepathically, Hortence held fast to her wrist. “Easy, my child. Your mate is all right. Be leery of the taunts this warlock makes.” Gazing into her eyes, Hortence smiled as a mother would to her child. “You know only what you see, my pet. I have not explained all there is to your gift. Foretold for centuries, your power, considered by many, only a tale, merely an imaginary story for children’s entertainment, rivals the gods. Perhaps, I’ve doubted your strength myself from time to time.” She reached out, brushing a curl from Sonja’s forehead. “Today, I am the prophet and you are the prophesied.”
The Guardian moved swiftly, reaching for Hortence. “Woman, be careful…!”
Hortence threw up a warning palm. “Silence, beast. The time has come.”
“Enough of this nonsense!” Draco’s deep-throated command shook the ground once more. “I grow weary of your pathetic ploy, Witch. The she-wolf will do as I say, or the wolf dies. Now come!” A spear of fire shot out from his palm, hitting Ty in the shoulder. The smell of searing flesh permeated the air as Ty drew up in agony. His howl of pain broke the witch’s hold on Sonja as she surged forward. Mortified when she found a shield in place, preventing her from reaching Ty, she spun back to Hortence with panicked tears in her eyes. “Please, stop this! Stop it now!”
Hortence only stood silently watching.
Sonja blinked at the old woman. “You can’t stop it, can you?” She shook her head slowly, gazing into the witch’s benevolent face. “Only I can stop this madness,” she whispered under her breath and glanced back at the warlock holding Ty, blocked from her protection by a force field. Only she could save Ty. It was up to her alone. “I’ll go with you!” Her strangled tone echoed in the growing darkness. Soon the rest of the coven would wake. She had to make her move. Dropping her head, she ignored at the Guardian’s growl of warning. “I have to, old friend. Remember, you told me yourself, I’m the only one who can.” Her piteous admittance sent the tears rolling unheeded down her face. Before turning back, she reached out to Hortence. “I love you, old woman. Keep Briann and the boys safe, will you?”
Hortence wrapped her arms around Sonja. The warmth of her embrace threaded through Sonja. Close to her ear, the old woman’s breath brushed like a butterfly’s wing.
“Hold fast to your faith in what’s right, my darling. You power is a gift from the one you love with all your heart. When the time comes, use the power of your love to set you both free.”
Instead of irritation, rippling along her backbone as it usually did when Hortence spoke in riddles, Sonja sensed a surge of strength as well as an undeniable sense of peace wash over her. A slow burning tingle shot up her back, making her gasp. Easing back, she gazed into Hortence’s face. The old hag’s weepy eyes swam with unshed tears and pride. The lines of her craggy face, held experience and a knowledge as old as time. In her own way, Hortence had always spoken only the truth. Her lips creased in the warmth of her familiar smile.
“I…I’m grateful for all you’ve done. I’ll never forget you.”
A tear slid down Hortence’s face. “Nor I you, my dear, nor I you. Sonja of the Western Werewolves, stay strong and vigilant. Always seek the truth, my child.” With that, Hortence dissolved into thin air. In her place lay the talisman of Ty’s. The pendant’s shape had changed to that of a cross, its intricately woven pattern laced the shape with silver that gleamed in her hand. In the center lay the blue light glowing back at her.
“Sonja!” Draco broke the silence. “Come now!”
Slowly turning, she slipped the talisman in her pocket and stepped forward. The portal to the otherworld swam with static and lightning. Through the misery, Ty called her name. She didn’t dare look in his direction, she couldn’t. If she did, the wolf would take over. That would spell their ruination. Careful to keep Draco’s eyes on her instead of him focusing on her lover’s injured body, she waited as the force field lifted. Afraid the Guardian might try to rush the opening, she glanced back, reaching out to him telepathically. “Watch after my sister and the boys, Guardian. I’m depending on you.”
The gleam in his dark eyes told her he understood.
Balancing her courage on a shaky foundation of right and wrong, Sonja stepped through the force field and into Draco’s control.
Chapter 8 - Rescue
Her wolf ears picked up
voices in other cave tunnels. The place must resemble a spider web. There were at least a dozen tunnels fanning out around the central core of the demon’s hole.
Draco led her back into the chamber where the transfusions would take place. Vampires followed them, each hauling Ty, tied and blindfolded. Shoving him into a corner, they secured him to the wall with shackles. There was no time to lose. “So Draco, you have me and my baby, why do you need the male? He’ll cause you nothing except trouble. Release him and I’ll do your bidding. That’s fair, don’t you think?”
Ty snarled, his words coming out slurred behind his blindfold. “Your damn right I’ll cause trouble. You’re dead, Draco, do you hear me you bastard? Dead!”
Huffing out a laugh, Draco drew himself up to his impressive height, before staring blankly at her. “What? Do you take me for a fool? He’s my assurance you’ll behave and do everything I tell you, because if you don’t, I promise you, I’ll destroy him slowly.”
“Fine, have it your way! I simply thought since he wasn’t necessary, you’d be better off without the trouble he’d cause, that’s all.” She flipped her hair, paying little attention to Draco’s tone. Ty’s wounds needed tending. More of Draco’s magic. Unable to do more than aggravate the situation, Sonja shot out, “Concerned with the poison in our blood? I would be, if I were you. With the way you smoldered out there in the light in Robert’s body, you’ve got a long way to go before any of your vampire minions are able to walk in the sunlight, warlock.”
Draco stopped mixing the liquid. A sardonic grin curled one corner of his mouth. “Don’t underestimate me, my darling girl. I plan on securing the best possible analysis of your blood as well as your lover’s to see exactly how much antidote I’ll have to create to stop your little plan. Right now, however, I must be about more pressing matters. Your evening meal is on the way. After all, you have to keep up your strength. Don’t go anywhere.”
When his footsteps receded down the corridor, Sonja struggled heartily with the ropes the vampires had used to secure her. She managed to wiggle one hand free, then the other.
“Ty can you hear me?” Calling out to him, Sonja managed to get free. Reaching the unconscious lieutenant, she brushed his hair from a head wound. “Oh, darling, what have they done to you?” Her hands skimmed the bloody side of his forehead where a wound went through the healing process even as she spoke. Doing her best to revive him, she wished for Hortence or the Guardian. “Wake up, Lieutenant, I need you!” She’d watched Draco materialize in Robert’s shoes. Was he a vampire as well? His power was strong. His magic was dark. So much time had passed since Ty fell from the cave entrance unconscious. Had Draco used magic keep Ty unconscious?
Suddenly, she heard footsteps running toward the cavern. Jeb appeared with the wolf pack. Smitty, along with the others, stood as unclothed men, the change still fresh in the flush on their faces, the heat of battle evident in their arousals.
“We’re here to get you out. Are you okay?” Smitty sporting a Yankee cavalry hat over his privates, nodded at Ty. “Is he dead?”
The mere idea brought a constrictive squeeze to her heart. “He’s out. I think Draco’s magic is at work here. How’d you manage to get this far? There’s a force field.” She kept her eyes above their waists as each was having a considerable amount of difficulty keeping their modesty about them.
“This place is apparently a maze of tunnels. We blew up two sleep chambers, killing another couple dozen bloodsuckers. We kept tracking the smell, heading this way and here we are.”
“Here Smitty,” Jeb handed Smitty a pair of pants from one of the dead assistants Draco had left lying about. While the others helped themselves to vampire clothing, Jeb stepped to Sonja. “This Draco is where?” he asked scanning each dark corner.
I’m not sure. He left on “more pressing matters” only minutes ago. We’d better get out of here now. He’ll be back soon. I can’t imagine him waiting long before beginning the draining process.” Glancing from one man to another, her lips thinned, setting in a tight line. “Each of you needs to watch your backs. He will use whatever means at his disposal to take as much blood as possible. You each have my blood now. He’ll do his best to capture you too. I’m sorry we got you into this.” Her conscious weighted heavy. “You men have been through more than enough misfortune without trying to help Ty and me.”
“Ma’am, beggin’ your pardon. We took an oath to protect the pack.” Smitty held the cavalry hat in his fingers now. With pants on, he showed a bit more composure and even managed a smile for Sonja. “For nearly four years, we followed the lieutenant through bloody hell, pardon my French. He’s a good man, Miss Sonja – a good man. Ain’t gonna hold being a werewolf against him, neither.”
With the statement, murmurs and nods went through the rest of Ty’s unit. Even a couple of Jeb’s subordinates nodded in agreement. Smitty cleared his throat, before staring into her eyes. “He’s like family, Ma’am.” Unable to stop, Smitty coughed before wiping a hand under his nose. “I think I speak for everyone when I say since you are with him, you’re like family too.” His gaze bounced left to right. Each man murmured his agreement.
Sonja couldn’t stop the tingle of pride and warmth which swamped her. Her men, too. She smiled. “Thank you, all. It warms my blood to hear you say that, Smitty. Will you help me with him?”
Smitty and the others gathered Ty, following Jeb back down the same shambled tunnel she and Ty had emerged from not long ago.
“Do you think we’ll be able to get out, General?” Her concern for their safety warred with the small bit of courage she had left. “Wouldn’t it be a better idea to go another route?”
Jeb’s jaw, set in a hard line, moved slightly as he pursed his lips. “You hang on to the general. I wish you’d call me Jeb. You really ought to consider calling your brother-in-law by his first name. After all, we’re going to be family soon.”
Sonja could only blink as she stumbled after the tall, dark figure of the officer turned vampire. Had he asked for Briann hand? She wanted to ask him what had changed his mind, but there was no time.
Rushing as fast as the small passage would allow, they soon arrived at the collapsed tunnel entrance. Jeb lowered Ty’s unconscious body to the ground, propping him against a damp wall.
He hadn’t answered her earlier concern over getting out. When he raised his hands, palms out, she jumped. Fire shot out like a bolt of lightning and hit the debris with a force unlike any she’d ever seen before. Reaching over, she covered Ty’s face with her chest and buried her head in his long hair. The sound of earth vibrating out of the hole made her want to look - she’d better not.
Smitty braced against the wall, covering her back with his. Wood, earth and stone flew from the rubble blocking the entrance. “Nothing to fret over, Mrs. Brooks. General will have us out in a jiffy.”
Nerves played down her spine like the tiny legs of a Granddaddy Longlegs. Fatigue and dread battled for control. She bore down on the concern over Ty’s condition. There’d been no change. Soon, to her delighted surprise, Jeb had an opening big enough for them to crawl through. The surprise compounded when Draco wasn’t there to meet them on the other side.
“Where’s the boat? We have to get Ty to Hortence.” His regenerating powers should have taken care of a concussion by now. “Smitty, I’ll need you to steer.” Turning to Jeb, she shared a conspirator’s grin with her newest family member. “Can you cover our retreat, Jeb?”
Warmth infused his words. “With pleasure, Mrs. Brooks.”
“What happened to Sonja? If we’re going to be family, I’d think you’d be able to call me by my first name.” With an arch to her brow, she eyed him stoically.
Jeb paused a moment, before bending slightly from the waist in the briefest of bows. “My apologies, Sonja. I find myself at your mercy, dear sister-in-law.” His own smile was thin and the twinkle in his dark eyes said he’d play the game and enjoy it. “Please excuse my witless blunder and accept my humblest apology
, won’t you, dear one? I will guard your escape with my life.”
Through the ordeal, one had to keep a sense of humor. Sonja managed a grin as she curtsied. To the general’s surprise, she grabbed his face for a conspirator’s kiss. Jeb’s laughter followed her down the embankment to help Smitty and the others.
“Looks like rain,” Smitty observed when they’d reached the river. “Here, get under this tarp. Cover as much of the lieutenant as you can. We’re gonna get you back, don’t doubt that, Mrs. Brooks, it might be a bit tricky though.” Fishing inside his coat, Smitty brought out a revolver. “There’s six wooden slugs in this here gun. I got more in my pocket. If the dern warlock is affected by wooden bullets that’s great. Something tells me he’s not. Use these if we get close to any bloodsuckers, okay? Do you still have the dagger Ty gave you?”
Sonja cut a knowing eye in his direction. Without saying as much, she nodded, setting about the task of camouflage. The proverbial sitting ducks - unless Hortence had shared a spell with them before she’d done her disappearing act again. Damn that woman, Sonja swore.
With outstretched fingers, Sonja shot the Confederate Captain an order. “Give me a pocket full of refills or as many as you can spare and I’ll do my best, Smitty.” She smiled solid and steady while her insides churned as if caught in a hurricane.
Soon they were underway. The small boat wasn’t suited for so many. The water lapped greedily at the sides. Soon the bottom of the vessel started to fill.
“Clemens, Baby, get your hats off and bale water! Otherwise, we’re gonna sink!” Smitty’s grim expression told Sonja, the captain was worried. The night air hung like a wet blanket around them. An eerie silence marked this area of the Mississippi. No breeze blew, not even a mosquito ventured near.
“Bad feeling I has about this, Captain.” Collins worked the oar in the water while he peered into the dark undergrowth along the water’s edge. “Vampires could be anywhere.”
Wolfen Secrets (The Western Werewolf Legend #3) Page 14
