Amber Flame (The Flame Series Book 4)

by Caris Roane

  Fergus chuckled. “You’re right. I would.”

  Fergus? Mary’s telepathic voice pulled his attention away from Warren, but she wasn’t standing at end of the table anymore. In fact, he couldn’t see her at all.

  He rushed toward the door, but found her unconscious on the floor where she’d last been standing.

  What the hell?

  She was stretched out on the woven carpet, her blond hair laying in a thick wave off to the side. He didn’t know what was wrong with her.

  He picked up her hand and patted it. Mary? What’s going on? What happened? Are you okay?

  Fergus, relax, I’m in the dreamglide. Warren said we didn’t have time to mess around and there you both were sparring with each other. Anyway, I’m in the foyer of your compound. I focused on Sydon and found him. He’s getting his rogue wolves worked up. In a few minutes, he’s planning to send them to the dungeon to slaughter your men. But it won’t be anything tidy and neat like a few bullets; he’s ordering his men to use their swords.

  I’m safe here for now in Warren’s strategy room, but you’ve only got a few minutes to save your wolves. I’ll stick close to Sydon’s team in the dreamglide to keep you informed.

  As Fergus stood up, he realized how much he trusted Mary. He’d stake his life on the truth of everything she’d just told him.

  He waved Warren forward and told him what was going on. Warren was right with him.

  Fergus led the way back to the entrance area.

  Once there, Warren ordered two of his troops to stand guard in front of the closed door of the strategy room. No one was to go inside. They were to guard the door and the Revel woman, Mary, with their lives.

  The men lined up, somber as hell.

  Warren then levitated swiftly in the direction of the back patio. He stood on the threshold of the doorway and barked a series of orders that separated a number of his wolves from the rest. This team levitated into the air. Not all wolves could levitate, only those with enough essential power

  Once they moved into position, Warren turned to Fergus. “Lead the way. My team is yours.”

  Fergus levitated in their direction. They were ten wolves strong, each armed to the hilt as Fergus shot into the night air and headed east. As fast as he flew, Warren and his men kept up with him.

  He arced well to the north of the Gordion Compound then circled back to come in from the east. To his surprise, he saw that though several of Sydon’s men milled around the front porch, most of these carried bottles of beer and no weapons. There wasn’t a single guard posted outside the actual structure, which meant that Sydon’s arrogance had left his flank exposed.

  Fergus contacted Mary. We’re on the east side of my compound. Can you get us in unseen? He explained about the lack of exterior guards.

  I’ll head in your direction, but you’ve got to move fast and do as I tell you each step of the way.

  Understood.

  He counted the five seconds it took Mary to get back to him. Each one felt like an eternity.

  All right, Fergus. The foyer is swarming with wolves, though half of them are drunk. I don’t see Sydon anywhere, but his execution team has levitated down to the lower levels. Can you arrange for one of your Gordion wolves, maybe a female carrying cleaning gear, to let you in through the east window of the living room?

  I’ll get on it. He knew of one female wolf, Brynna, whom he could trust and who would have the presence of mind to perform this small act of subterfuge. It took a moment to contact her telepathically, but once he did, she said she was on it. He warned her about Sydon’s unruly bunch by the front entrance.

  Don’t worry, Brynna telepathed. I can handle them and I’ll take the route through the kitchen. It shouldn’t be a problem getting the east window open.

  But as soon as you’re done, Brynna, I want you of there.

  You’d better believe I won’t stick around. Several of us are in hiding. I take it you’ve got a plan to get rid of this monster?

  I do. And thanks.

  My pleasure. And by the way, we’re so happy you’re alive. Warren let both Harley and Ryan know. The word spread fast. All right, I’m gathering supplies now.

  Fergus kept his team hidden in the forest to the east of the compound. He relayed to them what Brynna was planning to do.

  As soon as he saw Brynna pretending to wipe down the window, then open it, he checked the immediate area once more. He still couldn’t believe Sydon didn’t have a single wolf patrolling the exterior of the compound. Unbelievable.

  Fergus moved swiftly to the window that led into the long living room. He rarely used this space and fortunately the thirty yards to the foyer, where Sydon’s wolves had gathered, would make it easier to sneak in.

  By now, Brynna had already left the room. He lifted the lower portion of the window up and leaped inside, waving for Warren and his team to follow.

  He moved toward the door leading to the hall and waited there. Though he could hear Sydon’s men in the foyer, he was stunned by how quiet the rest of the compound felt. Then again, he wasn’t.

  By now, a good number of his people had probably escaped into the forest seeking shelter in several places he’d set up just for this contingency. The rest would be hiding out in their apartments, trying to fly below Sydon’s radar.

  Mary’s voice hit his mind. I can see you’re in the house, but the crew near the front door has a direct line of sight to your doorway. Can you create a diversion outside? Otherwise you’ll never be able to get to the secret door.

  I’m on it.

  Fergus contacted Warren telepathically and let him know what needed to be done. Warren in turn sent one of his men outside into the nearby pine trees.

  Mary, I’ve sent a man into the forest to make some noise. Let me know when we can head into the hall.

  I’m watching the foyer now.

  As directed, a sudden burst of automatic gunfire sounded to the east of the compound.

  They’re heading out, Mary said. Hold. Hold. All right, you’re clear. Move!

  Fergus didn’t hesitate, but levitated through the doorway and felt Warren and his men follow swiftly behind. He turned to the right, away from the foyer and flew swiftly to the end of the hall. Once there, he found the latch that opened the hidden door. Because a tall cabinet was attached, he moved it carefully.

  The moment he had access to the secret passage, the well-trained warriors darted through the opening, each levitating to keep from making a sound on the stone floor.

  Fergus went in last and closed the panel. To Mary, he said, We’re in.

  No one saw you and I can keep up with you, so get moving, wolf.

  Fergus loved the way she talked to him.

  Inside, the wolves were lined up, waiting for him.

  He levitated swiftly past them. There were no lights in the stairwell, but his alter wolf vision enabled him to see in the dark as though a warm glow lit the space.

  He descended to the dungeon area on the third level. Once there, he flew as fast as he could along the hallway. Through the adjoining wall, he heard his wolves howling, more than one in pain.

  When he arrived at the end, he drew up. Mary, we’re in position.

  I can see you, and I’ve got my eyes on the hallway outside the dungeon cell. Timing will be important if you stand a chance. Some of the rogue wolves have already gone into the cell, but there are at least eight outside, waiting. They’re all focused on the wolves getting hurt, though it wouldn’t take much to divert their attention.

  Fergus knew they couldn’t risk getting discovered or they’d never even make it into the hall.

  Fergus, you’ve got to be really careful at this point.

  I understand. At the same time, he could hear the shouts of the rogues. One of the captives cried out in pain. He had to do something.

  Warren was right behind him. Fergus told him the situation, then added, Let me see if I can set up another diversion. I’ll have Mary get me out with the least possibility o
f detection, fly above the guards, then hopefully get them headed away from you.

  Sounds like a smart move. Warren responded.

  He contacted Mary and relayed the plan. She agreed that it was the best strategy, but added, Just wait for my signal. She was cool as hell.

  He felt for the mechanism that would open the hidden door enough to allow him to slip through. He held his hand above it, waiting for Mary’s command.

  Hold, Fergus. Hold. On my command. Hold. And … now!

  The snap of her last word had him pulling the mechanism, and the door slid open about ten inches. Like the arrangement on the ground floor, this door also held an attached shelving unit, which made it heavy. He gave it another push, slipped through, then closed it. He rose into the air.

  About thirty feet away, Sydon’s rogues were clustered around the doorway of the dungeon just as Mary had said they were. They jeered at the prisoners inside.

  In order to continue avoiding detection, he levitated to a horizontal position close to the ceiling and began gliding down the passageway. He held his breath as he flew above Sydon’s men.

  His movement must have caught the eye of one of the men since he started shouting about an intruder.

  Fergus put on some speed and called back, “Come on, motherfuckers.” He bolted down the long hall, away from the secret door and the rogue warriors.

  Mary’s voice entered his mind. It worked. Four of Sydon’s wolves are flying after you. The rest are shouting all kinds of things. Let Warren know he’s clear to move.

  He shifted his telepathy to Warren. The ruse worked. Mary says you’re good to go.

  Fergus knew the rogue wolves would start firing, so as he reached the top of the corridor, he whipped to the right, into the intersecting hall. A hail of bullets followed. He’d just escaped getting hit.

  He dropped to the stone floor to stand his ground and wait. How we doin’, Mary?

  Warren and his team are leaving the secret passage. The four who followed you have slowed their pursuit. They’re ten feet away from the upper hall. Warren has part of his team engaging with the wolves by the door. He and the rest are heading toward the four near you.

  Everything happened fast.

  He heard Warren give a battle shout and guns being fired. He didn’t dare engage yet or he’d get caught in the crossfire.

  Mary, give me a blow-by-blow. What’s going on with Warren?

  He’s brought three down, the other is rounding the corner in your direction now!

  At the same time the last words hit his mind, the fourth rogue appeared. Fergus fired point blank into his chest.

  The wolf flew backward, landing in a heap in the corner.

  Mary spoke quickly. All four of the nearest wolves are down. Warren is heading back in the direction of the original cell. The rest of the team has subdued the others who were outside the cell. I think a couple of them are dead. Warren just got there. He’s issuing some orders. I think your team has secured Sydon’s force in the cell.

  Fergus turned the opposite direction. He stood twenty feet from a broad, ascending staircase leading to the second belowground level. With all the gunfire, someone must have heard. Mary, is anyone coming down the stairs to this level? Do you see anyone?

  No, there’s no one. Wait. I’m seeing movement from the ground floor. Let me check it out. A few seconds passed, before Mary continued, It’s Sydon. I see him now. He’s already reached the second level. He’s heading in your direction toward the third level.

  I can hear him, heavy boots on stone. But he didn’t hear any other sounds. Mary, doesn’t he have a guard with him?

  He’s alone.

  More arrogance. That’s good news. Thanks.

  For a split-second, Fergus thought about taking Sydon down with a single bullet. But he knew in order to regain his pack, he’d have to battle Sydon again in another dominance fight.

  The Savage Pack Council didn’t have a lot of rules, but assassination would have removed Fergus from ever becoming alpha to the Gordion Pack again. Though for a few seconds, he actually considered doing Savage a favor and getting rid of Sydon for good anyway.

  Living as an alter wolf had forced Fergus over the years to develop his own creed. In the chaos of their world, the values he upheld kept him sane.

  So, instead of killing Sydon flat out, he moved back into the long hall again, just a few feet, so Sydon wouldn’t be able to see him. He waited.

  What Fergus couldn’t believe was Sydon’s arrogance that he would come down to the dungeon level alone, without back-up, when by now he would have learned or possibly even heard that shots had been fired.

  What weapon is Sydon carrying?

  A sword, right hand.

  Okay. I’ve got this.

  Fergus rounded the corner and Sydon came into view as he reached the bottom step.

  Fergus took several steps in Sydon’s direction, his Glock pointed at chest level.

  Sydon stopped in his tracks. “Impossible.”

  His black brows rose as he stared at Fergus. His hair was as oily-looking as ever and hung in long curls past his shoulders. He had an emaciated look and coal eyes which had always made Fergus wonder if Sydon took witch herbs.

  For one of the first times ever, Sydon actually looked surprised. “You’re supposed to be dead.”

  “Not quite. Drop your sword.”

  The weapon clattered on the stone.

  Sydon sneered. “You were flat-lined in the Goddamn Graveyard.”

  “I had some help.” To Mary, he telepathed, How we doin’? How’s Warren? Anyone else coming up the hall?

  No bad guys in any of the nearby halls. I’m moving the dreamglide closer to the dungeon. Okay, I’m here. I can see you at one end and Warren is issuing orders at the entrance to the dungeon cell. Whatever happened in there appears to be over.

  Good.

  Fergus shifted his attention back to Sydon. As he stared at the wolf who consistently caused misery in Savage, he wanted nothing more than to put a bullet through his heart. But the best he could do was make the situation clear to Sydon. “We’ll be battling again soon. Though, for now I’ll be keeping you in a cell down here.”

  He wasn’t taking any chances, however. He lowered the angle of his Glock and fired. The bullet pierced Sydon’s thigh.

  Sydon shouted his pain as he fell, then shifted into his wolf state and lay trembling on the floor. He was a black wolf with a stripe of silver down his back.

  Fergus moved to stand over him. “You should be able to heal yourself by tomorrow night, then we’ll have a real battle, you sonofabitch.”

  He contacted Warren. I just shot Sydon in the leg to incapacitate him. Do you have his rogue wolves contained?

  Most of Sydon’s team are dead. Yours are still with us, though a couple are beaten and cut up, but they’ll survive.

  Fergus breathed a sigh of relief. Good. How about sending a couple of men down here. I want to move Sydon into a cell and lock him up. But we’ll need a muzzle.

  I’ll bring help myself.

  A half minute later, Warren arrived with three of his men. Each had wild, triumphant battle eyes. They’d engaged Sydon’s forces and prevailed.

  Fergus directed them to shove Sydon’s ass into the nearest cell and lock him up.

  During the next few seconds, Warren’s team muzzled Sydon, hauled him to the cell, then threw him inside. Sydon thrashed and whimpered because of the pain, but Fergus had no sympathy for him. With the door shut and locked, Warren ordered his men to remove the corpse at the top of the hall.

  Fergus joined Warren near Sydon’s cell. From there, he had a view of the clean-up in progress all down the hall.

  Warren waved his arm off to the side. “I’m having the dead moved into the adjacent cell until we can get them taken to the morgue.”

  Fergus nodded, then looked inside Sydon’s cell. He lay shaking.

  Warren crossed his arms over his chest, a hard expression on his face. “I’m glad you shot him.
He can’t do much harm in this condition. But are you sure you don’t want to finish him off?” He growled his anger and added a disgusted grunting sound.

  Fergus understood where Warren was coming from. “Believe me, I’d like nothing better. But he’s pack-bonded. If I kill him straight out, I’ll lose the pack forever. Given what Dean said about the cartels, the council would probably be forced to assign a drug-friendly alpha instead. Besides, I want to defeat Sydon in a legitimate dominance battle. Nothing else will do.”

  Warren shook his head, his lips turned down. “Something isn’t right with this wolf.”

  “I know. I feel it, too.”

  Fergus stepped away from the cell a few feet.

  Warren followed, then said, “Let me bring some of my men over here to take care of Sydon’s rogue wolves. The team we have down here might be able to do it themselves, but a larger force will subdue the wolves faster with less chance for hurting your pack once the battle engages.”

  Fergus was relieved. He could sense that the pack-bond had already started to form between Sydon and the rest of the Gordion wolves. It was a peculiar, amazing process, one that he’d experienced and loved.

  But the bond was neutral, without discernment, which meant there were good men at the head of packs and several bad ones like Sydon. The close pack ties were the best and the worst of Savage. The bonding process in the hands of strong, ethical leadership could create a harmonious supportive community. In the wrongs hands, death always followed, reminding Fergus he had eleven funerals to plan.

  “I won’t refuse that offer.”

  Warren got out his phone and contacted his beta in charge of the Caldion compound. “Alessandro, I want a hundred of our best warriors over here ASAP. And I want them armed, swords, handguns and AR-15s.”

  Fergus watched Warren for a long moment as he added a few other pertinent directives. Warren had been a good friend for several years. He’d battled drug-runners alongside Fergus while serving on the Savage Border Patrol. He’d been one of several wolves to demand tighter regulations for dominance fights so they could never be used to kill wolves of significantly lesser power. Warren was the kind of man you laid down your life for.