by Vella Day
“I can’t. What did they say happened?”
“One of them can’t say anything, but the other one said that when he went to attack you, you disappeared. Then he was shot.”
“Seems to me if I had shot him—which I didn’t—it would have been self-defense.” She crossed her fingers. Sure she felt bad for lying, but with both her life and Devon’s on the line, this kind of lie was for the greater good.
“Where did you run off to?”
Since she’d returned to her human form in order to speak with Devon before carrying him back down the alley, she couldn’t say she’d gone home. “I waited at the far end of the alley, out of harm’s way.”
“My man saw you return after you shot him.”
“I didn’t shoot him.” It was his word against hers. “Once the growling stopped, I came back to help Devon.”
For some reason, they seemed to believe her this time—or else they weren’t sure how to proceed. Vinea struggled with the ropes tying her hands, but she failed to loosen them. Never had she been this helpless.
“We’re not finished with you yet.”
Ooh, I’m scared. Or at least she told herself that. Except, she really was scared and just hoped she could keep that hidden from these assholes. The last thing she wanted was for them to use it against her.
No sooner had the two men left than Androf appeared before her, startling her. Vinea had to blink a few times to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.
“Well, well. I see you’ve gotten yourself into a bind.” He laughed. “Bind. Get it?”
What an ass.
“Why in the hell are you here?” she snarled. She didn’t need more horror dumped on her.
Androf folded his hulking arms across his chest, looking like Mr. Clean—only the two had nothing in common except for the bald head and broad chest.
“Thought we could strike a deal.”
He was delusional. One of his deals would only serve him. “I’m listening.”
Normally, she’d tell him to go fuck off, but given her rather precarious situation, Vinea wouldn’t mind trying to trick him into helping her.
“I can get you out of here.”
Her traitorous heart lurched. Too bad the cost would be inordinately high. “How about untying me first so we can talk?”
“I will if you agree to undergo reversion therapy.”
No way. She’d seen how he’d recruited one unsuspecting goddess over to the dark side. To complete the reversion process, he had to remove her light, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. “I’ll take my chances here. That part of my life has died, and I have no intention of resurrecting it. Thanks anyway.” She stretched out her bound legs and leaned back against the wall, pretending to look comfortable.
“You’re a fool.” Androf lowered his arms and peered down at her. “Surely, you don’t think you’ll get out of here alive? You need me.”
Acid burned inside her. So it was true. She could die. Or was he bluffing? “As I just told you, I’ll take my chances. I don’t think these men really want me anyway. They’re trying to lure my mate here.”
Telling him that she and Devon had mated was a calculated risk. However, she didn’t need Androf to gather her up and speed her back to the dark realm where she might never escape. The thought of not seeing Devon again sickened her. Her vision blurred for a moment as bile raced up her throat.
“You aren’t mated to anyone.”
Had he been spying on her? Oh, yeah. He was a god. He knew things. “Does it matter? Besides, it’s none of your business.” She nodded to the door. “If you don’t leave, I’ll yell for my captors to take you down.”
His boisterous laugh had to have alerted them of his presence—just what she wanted. Though, if Androf killed Brother Jacob and John Ernst, the world would be a better place.
“Very well,” he said. “I hope you die a painful death.” With those less than gracious last words, he disappeared.
The door burst open, and two men she’d never seen before barged in. The tall one with the unibrow and pointed chin looked around. “Who were you talking to?”
Telling them the truth might help keep her safe for a few more hours. “My old boss came to check up on me.”
They glanced at each other. “Is that so? Then where is he?”
She chuckled. “I’m a goddess, which means my boss is a god. He can appear and disappear as he wishes. Since he’s from the dark realm, he can kill all of you with a sweep of a hand.” Sure, that was a slight exaggeration, but they didn’t need to know that.
“Sure he is. Do you actually think talking to yourself will trick us into untying you?” the tall one asked, still checking out the room. He probably thought Androf was invisible, ready to take them down. Vinea scratched her nails on the wall behind her, and then smiled at the look of sheer terror on their faces.
They spun around and ran out of there, their footsteps pounding down the hall. At least Androf was good for something. Perhaps the news of his appearance would get back to Brother Jacob and keep him scared enough to stay away. Then again, he might decide she could be useful and try to court her to join his evil side. While it would bide her time, she didn’t think she was that good of an actress anymore.
*
Devon was freaking out. So far none of the leads to locate Vinea had panned out. She’d been gone two days, and the longer she was missing, the more frantic he became. His wolf wasn’t any better, pacing, growling, and snapping. He was pretty sure if he shifted, the beast would go ballistic, destroying everything in his path.
She couldn’t be dead. He’d know it! But if she were alive, why hadn’t she shown up? Hadn’t she said that even if she’d been tied down she could become invisible and float away? So why hadn’t she? Asking the same question over and over again, however, wouldn’t help him find her.
Connor knocked on his office door and entered, his brows furrowed and evidence of a sleepless night resided under his eyes.
“Anything yet?” Devon asked.
“No.”
“I’m guessing Jackson hasn’t found anything either?”
“No, but he’s looking for a room or building where a person is fairly stationary.”
“Is he thinking Vinea has been drugged or restrained?” Devon asked.
“He’s not speculating. If they have her, and she can’t reappear elsewhere, then that would seem to be the logical answer.”
“That does make sense.” Devon didn’t like that scenario, but at least it meant they were keeping her alive for a reason.
“If anyone can find her, it’ll be him.”
Devon’s cell rang, but he didn’t recognize the number. He held up a finger for his brother to stay. “Devon McKinnon.”
“Mr. McKinnon this is Charles DuPree, the owner of the Silver Lake Café.”
Devon sat up straighter. This had to be about Vinea. “Can I put you on speaker?’
“Sure.”
He pressed the button and motioned for Connor to take a seat. “Go ahead.”
“Before you ask, Vinea has not shown up for work. One of my servers said she overheard there was going to be a big party tonight up on the hill, and Vinea’s name was mentioned.”
His heart nearly stopped. “Mentioned in what way?”
“Just that she was being honored. If she is attending a party, why didn’t she let me know?”
Devon fisted his hands. This had to be a lie—a rumor—spread by the Changelings. “Did they say where this party was taking place?”
“Marissa thought it was in their community center.”
“Tell Marissa thank you. When I find Vinea, I’ll have her call you.” Devon disconnected. “What do you think?” he asked his brother.
Connor frowned. “Do you really want to know?”
Fuck. “Don’t say she’s colluding with the Changelings. She’s not.”
He held up his hand. “I would like nothing more than to agree, but why else would they honor her?”
&nb
sp; Was he serious? “It’s a hoax to get me to go up there. They want to get back at the McKinnons. We do have a good track record for ruining their plans.”
“We do, but I don’t understand why they’d want you. I’ve been a bigger pain in their ass than you.”
“True, but you don’t have a mate—someone to draw you there.”
Connor’s shoulders slumped. “Maybe you’re right.”
“How about asking Jackson to find this community center and fly his drone over the building?” Devon asked.
Connor slapped his thighs and stood. “I’ll ask him. I just hope you aren’t crushed if we find out she really has pulled the wool over your eyes once more.”
“Don’t worry. I trust Vinea.”
“That’s precisely what worries me.”
Connor spun around and left. Devon refused to be swayed by his brother’s harsh words. Connor didn’t know Vinea like he did. She had changed. He was sure of it.
Less than a half hour later, Connor pushed open his door, his eyes brighter. “Jackson thinks he may have found something. We all need to head to the auditorium.”
Heart pounding, Devon jumped up and jogged after Connor, who’d taken off down the hallway. Inside the large room, Jackson had images from the drone up on the large screen. Kip and Sam were already seated, and Connor moved to the front.
“Tell them what you found,” Connor said.
Jackson remained on the platform behind the table that held his computer. “I’ve spent countless hours studying each of the thermal images to learn which ones haven’t moved in over a day. I had several ideas, but when Devon found out about a possible party up on the hill at their convention center, I looked closer. I didn’t see anything at their large assembly hall, but there is a house nearby that previously had been abandoned. Since I have hundreds of hours of footage from that area I’ve been collecting for months, I compared the activity between now and a month ago. Before, no one had bothered with the place. Now, the building has several people milling about in an orderly fashion around the perimeter.”
“Like they are guarding it,” Devon said, his heart banging against his ribs.
“Yes. There is one room where a relatively stationary person resides.”
As much as Devon wanted to demand the location so that he could rush to her rescue, they needed a plan. He wasn’t that foolish.
Connor looked around. “Any ideas?”
“While I think they are looking for a confrontation with us, and as much as I hate to suggest it, we can’t just charge in,” Sam said. “Since this is a recent feed, the number of men would be fairly accurate.
“I agree with Sam,” Devon said.
Sam nodded. “Furthermore, I don’t advise calling in half our Clan to take out the guards. A widespread slaughter would only make things worse.”
“I think we can handle a few guards if we’re careful,” Devon said. He then turned to Kip. “If there is power to that building, could you disable it? We don’t need to have alarms going off.”
“No problem,” Kip said.
Devon turned back to Sam. “Thoughts?”
“I can do a mind bending trick on the guards. I’ll convince them that Vinea has been moved to a different venue, and they are needed there.”
His pulse sped up at the possibilities. “Sounds good, but what are we missing? Unexpected things always pop up.”
“How about asking Dalton to join us?” Jackson said. “There seems to be two to three people in the house with Vinea at all times. Having a tiger shifter would throw the odds in our favor.”
Devon nodded. “Let’s ask him.”
“I’ll text him now and request that he come help,” Sam said, pulling out his phone.
“Good. Anything else we should consider?” Devon asked.
“What if Brother Jacob shows up?” Kip asked.
Devon smiled. “If he attacks, I’d love nothing more than to kill the sorry son of a bitch myself.”
Chapter Twenty-One
‡
It was after five by the time Dalton was available to help them swarm the Changeling outpost for Vinea. In that time, Rye and Kalan had rallied the Clan, who were ready to jump in should things go south.
And while Devon understood the need for caution, his wolf didn’t.
If those Changelings harm her in any way, no telling what I might do, his wolf warned.
Cool it. We have to stick to the plan, Devon threw back. So what if his stomach had already turned into a roiling acid pit. One false move could cause Vinea her life—and ours.
Fine, but I don’t like it.
Even though Devon had nearly died when two Changelings had attacked him, with Vinea in their grasp, he could take on three wolves and win.
“Do we have a strategy if Vinea isn’t there?” Sam asked.
Devon spun to face him. “Are you saying you don’t think the Changelings have her?”
Sam held up his hands. “Not saying one way or the other, but I do think you need to decide what you’ll do if she’s elsewhere.”
He was right. “I realize there hasn’t been a ransom demand or any contact, but it’s the only thing that makes sense.”
“Sam’s right,” Connor said. “Preparation is the key to success.”
“Fine,” Devon said. “After Sam disables the guards, I’ll go in alone to check. If they catch me, I’ll be the only one they attack.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Connor said. “That’s too dangerous.”
“It’s better than all of us being slaughtered if this is a trap.”
Sam placed a hand on his shoulder. “I know you need to do this, but if you’re too emotional, it could cost Vinea her life. Trust me; I’ve seen it happen in my squad.”
He didn’t want to believe that. “I’ll make sure my wolf keeps out of the way.”
“We’ll have your six,” Sam shot back.
Connor nodded. “Good. Do we all know what we need to do?”
“Yes,” they said in unison.
Jackson rushed in. “I flew the drone over once more and something’s wrong.”
Devon’s heart stopped for a second. “What is it?”
“No one’s in the house guarding Vinea.”
Everyone looked at each other. “Why would they leave her alone? Even if they don’t know we’re coming, they wouldn’t abandon her.” Devon asked. “I don’t want to think the stationary person is some plant to fool us into charging in.”
“I don’t like it either.” Connor said. “I smell a trap.”
Didn’t I just say that? Devon kept his sarcastic response to himself.
Dalton piped up. “We have to go in and check things out—albeit carefully. You can be assured the guards will be somewhere close. Now that we’re aware of them, it won’t be a surprise.
Jackson shook his head. “How do you know they are close by?”
“It’s the only logical course of action.”
“I don’t know where they could be,” Jackson said. “I don’t see a clump of heat signatures ready to pounce.”
Sam snapped his fingers. “They might have heard your drone and hid under space blankets. That would block their infrared thermal imaging signature for at least a short time. Eventually, they’ll overheat and you’ll be able to detect them.”
“Fuck, Sam’s right,” Jackson said, pressing his lips together, seemingly angry at himself for the oversight. “I wasn’t thinking straight.”
“So we proceed as if the guards will charge at any moment,” Connor said. Everyone nodded his agreement.
In relative silence they piled into two vehicles and headed up to the hill.
Hold tight, Vinea, we’ll be there soon. She couldn’t hear him, but he hoped the positive thoughts would reach her nonetheless.
*
The dim light in her room suddenly went out, bathing Vinea in total darkness. Her pulse soared as shades of her past surfaced, souring her gut. What was going on? If only she could float out and see what was
happening, she’d know. Damn curse.
Wanting to hear something, she held her breath. A door creaked in the distance, breaking the death pall in the room, and she debated calling for help. If Devon and his men were here, she wanted to let them know her location. On the other hand, it could be the evil Changelings planning something.
No wait. They already knew where she was, so a shout out couldn’t cause further harm.
“Hello? Anyone there?” Vinea’s voice failed to project, forcing her to swallow in between words. They hadn’t provided her with much water—or food for that matter—causing her throat to dry out. She tried again. “I’m in here!”
One set of footsteps sounded. Did they belong to Devon or to the creepy Brother Jacob? It had to be her captor coming to make sure she hadn’t caused the power disruption—as if she could. Reason intruded. It couldn’t be Devon. He’d never come alone. The lack of food must be muddling her thought process.
The footsteps drew near, and then the door creaked open.
“Vinea?”
That one whispered word came from Devon, and her heartbeat jacked up. If she hadn’t loved him before, she surely would have fallen in love with him then. “Yes. Over here,” she said softly.
Tears brimmed. She wanted to tell him that he needed to be careful, but she trusted he understood the risks.
With his shifter sight, he found her right away. A flashlight clicked on, and he tapped his ear. “I found her. She’s okay.”
Relief weakened her muscles. “How did you get past the guards?” she asked.
“I’ll tell you as soon as I get you out of here.” With quick precision, he untied her wrists and ankles, and pain flowed to the stiff muscles. “Why didn’t you just disappear to escape?”
“They had a witch put a curse on me. I couldn’t become invisible.” The thought once more sickened her.
“We’ll deal with that later.”
Once he helped her up, Vinea wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“We need to hurry. Did they hurt you?”
She’d received a few slaps, but nothing she couldn’t handle. “Not much.”
Before they could take a step, three red-eyed wolves with bared teeth rushed into the room, and her heart raced into overdrive. Devon dropped the flashlight, and the light cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the new arrivals larger than life.
