by Kym Grosso
Silence blanketed the room at his announcement. After he had killed Arlo earlier in the week, most would think twice about challenging his mating. However, when they shifted to wolf, Katrina would have to establish her own dominance.
“I know this may come as a surprise to some of you, given past events, but I can assure you that her heart is true. Our bond is strong. Unbreakable. I’m giving you fair warning that my mate is tenacious. So should any of you choose to challenge her or our bond, it will not end well.”
Jax caught the ire that flared in London’s eyes. He’d anticipated that quite a few females wouldn’t accept their mating and wished to be clear about the situation.
As expected, Katrina remained quiet, deferring to him. At some point, she too, as part of the mated Alpha pair, would direct the pack. Although Katrina was typically friendly, he predicted she’d kill before letting another female take her place at his side.
“Tonight most of you are running wolf. Some of us are taking the ATVs so we can go human when we get there. Finn’s going to break you up into teams. I’ll need several of you to stay here to mind the pups and protect the pack house,” he directed, his voice serious. “These demons and whatever witchcraft is driving these things will die tonight. It is the only acceptable outcome. Be mindful of the vampire who chooses to fight with us. As I mentioned, Samantha, the redheaded witch, is pregnant. If…” He turned to Luca, and restated, “…When we find her, I expect you to protect her as you would one of your own. She can help us fight these things but only if she is allowed to speak. Okay, let’s do this shit. I’m ready to get on with leading this pack and I want these fucking things dead and out of my State.”
Diabolical energy whipped through the wind, and Jax struggled to concentrate. As they’d journeyed through the forest’s edge, Katrina had warned him of the impending storm, but he hadn’t asked how she’d known. She appeared unaffected, her arms wrapped around his waist. Ever since their encounter with Jake, her magick had grown more stable. No longer did it seep away, causing her weakness, or to doubt her ability to shift. But neither did it negate the witchcraft that had broken through her psyche.
Thunder rumbled, and Jax gripped the handlebars. He swerved right, as lightning struck a massive white oak tree and uprooted it. It crashed to the ground, and Jax swiveled his head to check that Luca, who had followed his path, was unharmed. The vampire, undeterred, continued to trail behind him. Ahead, Jake and several other pack members trekked as wolf from the north. Finn headed up a second group, intersecting with them from the south.
Jax geared down the engine and slowed as they approached. He suspected whatever was inside the cave would sense their arrival. Both he and Katrina had discussed their experiences and had no recollection of the entrance. They only remembered the general location of where they’d escaped. Jax suspected the dungeon had more than one entry point. He recalled seeing multiple passageways and theorized that in addition to the torture chamber and adjoining cells, they’d discover a room of worship.
The quad came to a stop, and Jax turned to Katrina. She gave him a small smile, pressed her lips to his and jumped off the ATV. He followed her and scanned the area. Through the tainted air, he sensed his pack. His eyes darted back to Luca, who was already off his bike, his fangs extended.
As they approached the cave, the familiar door he’d shoved through to freedom came into view. Set into a thirty foot vertical cliff, the entrance was partially concealed by hanging vines. Although not visible, the whoosh of roaring rapids reminded him that the river flowed not too far away from where they stood.
“Do you feel that?” Katrina asked, gripping her jacket collar tight around her neck.
“Someone’s not too happy to see us,” Jax replied. Breaking limbs sounded behind him, and he caught sight of Jake and Finn padding toward him.
“Jake, you come with us. Finn, I need you to stay with the pack. There’s got to be more than one entrance and exit from this place. I want you guys to find them. Once you do, set up guard.”
Finn howled in response and Jake took his place next to Jax.
“Kat, you ready to go with the ring?” On the flight up to New York, they’d discussed how to utilize the items they’d found at Ilsbeth’s house. As much as he loathed the idea of letting Katrina get close to the demon, they all suspected that only her magick would kill it. If it weren’t for her, they’d have never discovered the mystical objects.
“As ready as I’m ever going to be.” She retrieved the antique band from her front jeans pocket and slid it onto her finger.
“If for some reason taking one down doesn’t take them all out, then this is going to be a whole helluva lot harder, but either way, we’ve got this. If we need back up, I’ll call on the pack but I don’t want to expose them to these things.”
“She’s here,” Luca grunted, his palms pressed flat to the gritty stone. “Oh Jesus, no!”
“What’s wrong?” Katrina ran to his side, settling her hands on his shoulders. He trembled beneath her fingertips.
“Sam’s in labor. The baby,” he screamed. “I’ve got to get inside.”
Jax swung open the heavy door, easily passing into the tunnel. But as Luca went running toward the entrance, he slammed into an invisible barrier. His nose bloodied, he pounded it with his fists, to no avail.
“Wards,” Jax noted.
“For Luca?” Katrina asked.
“I don’t know. Could be for him or could be all vampires? Or maybe they’re only letting us in because they want us here.” Jax glanced down the dark passage, and heard the faint whimper of a female. Although he sympathized with Luca’s anguish, time was of the essence. If they could free Samantha, it was possible she could release whatever wards had been set up to prevent his entry. “We’ve gotta go. We’ll find her. She and the baby will make it out of here, Luca. Hang tight and keep trying to break through. If we can get to her, she may be able to help us, or when we kill these things, maybe the walls will come down.”
“Swear to me.” Luca’s voice wavered, his eyes closing tight in frustration. Blood ran down his face and he made no move to wipe it clean.
“I swear to you. We’ll get her. Just do what I say. We’re running out of time.” Jax tore off his shirt, readying to shift to wolf. He reached for Katrina’s hand, his energy accelerating through his body in tandem with adrenaline. “Let’s kill these things.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Katrina breathed in the dank air and fought the fear that threatened her courage. While Jax stripped off his pants and shifted to wolf, she’d peered inside an empty cell and recalled the times she’d been captured, reliving both her fear and rebellion. Never once had she given in, allowed them to break her. Exhausted and racked with pain, she’d endured. Despite the tendrils of trepidation coiling in her chest, she celebrated the chance to mete out justice.
A muffled sob echoed in the distance, and they both took off toward its source. Following Jax, she cautiously navigated the labyrinth. Her steps quickened, seeking the tormented witch who writhed in labor.
As the decades passed, Katrina’s dreams of a family had become a painful indulgence, forcing her to accept her childless existence. Admittedly, she’d been envious when she’d first heard Luca and Samantha had conceived. Not only had he fallen in love but he’d been blessed with a family. However, she’d quickly buried the ugly emotion, electing to be happy for her friend. With the child’s birth imminent, Katrina was determined to see her safely born into this world. Samantha can’t lose her baby.
A pinprick of light flared in the distance, and Katrina’s lungs burned as she sprinted toward the fluorescent rainbow. Jax and Jake ran ahead, barking in warning. As she stepped into the enormous stone cavern, she squinted, the luminous bursts ceding. Although confused as to what had caused the temporary explosion, Katrina concentrated on her task: finding Samantha.
She stepped carefully into the atrium, taking in her surroundings. Candlelit luminaries flickered, illuminating
magnificent hovering stalactites. Like ominous spears of death, the sharp limestone dripped from the ceiling. In the center of the room, she caught sight of a darkened pit. Katrina spied a glass-encased cell, with a crumpled form lying in the corner. At first she thought it was the witch but as she approached she noticed the emaciated figure couldn’t possibly be pregnant.
A moan stole her attention, and Katrina’s chest tightened as she caught sight of Samantha agonizing on the bedrock floor. Wide tear-filled eyes stared back at her and she dropped to her knees. Reaching for the duct tape, Katrina attempted to remove it gently. Samantha’s hands were bloodied from clutching at the dirt. Jax’s familiar black wolf padded toward the witch and licked at her brow. Transforming to his human form, he knelt beside her.
“Sam, it’s okay,” Katrina lied, concerned they were far from safe. As she sat at her feet, the black magick spun in the air and she was certain the demons would soon show themselves.
“The baby,” Samantha cried. She clutched at her belly, doubling over as a contraction seized her body.
“We should get you out of here.” Jax brushed her hair from her eyes.
“No, no, no…too late…ahh!” Samantha released an ear-piercing scream as the pain tore through her. “I’m going to die.”
“Listen to me, Sam. I’ve lived a long time. I’ve seen babies born before, and we’re going to do this together. You and your baby are going to be fine. You understand?” Katrina locked her eyes on Jax in silent understanding. It had been years since she’d witnessed a birth, but given the circumstance, they had no choice. She glanced to Samantha, waiting for Jax to send her his energy. The power of an Alpha could usually only be felt by wolves, but she hoped for the best as Jax put his hands on her shoulders. “I’m just going to check you here, okay? Just let me have a peek and see how far you are along.”
“Where’s Luca? I can feel him. Oh Goddess, he needs to be here. I need him. Help me,” Samantha cried. “She’s coming.”
“Yes, she is. She’s going to be strong and beautiful, just like her mamma.” Katrina lifted Samantha’s skirt, taking note that she was almost fully dilated. “This baby is going to be coming any minute.”
“Luca? Where is he?”
“There’s wards. He’s locked out.”
“Oh Goddess. It’s a trap. It’s a trap,” Samantha panted. “He’s here.”
“It’s going to be all right.”
“Jax!” Jake’s voice boomed across the cave.
“Kind of busy here,” Jax replied.
“Dominique. She’s in this…uh.” Jake rapped on the glass with his fist. “It’s some kind of a cage. I can’t tell if she’s dead or not.”
“Sam, are you with me?” Katrina asked. It wasn’t as if she didn’t care about the female vampire, but a new soul was about to be born, and the child was her first priority. “I’m going to need you to push soon. Jax, just, I don’t know….can you keep her head off the ground? Whatever you’re doing with your energy, keep doing it. She seems calmer. Okay, let’s get ready…” Katrina’s voice died away as a flash burst from the center of the room.
Samantha rolled to her side, and Jax shifted back to his wolf. Katrina caught a glimpse of Avery teetering across the rocky surface. While she’d known the witch probably had something to do with Samantha’s disappearance, her eye had been blackened and she appeared to be more of a victim than a perpetrator.
“Leave her alone,” Avery spat at the cloud of dust that began to take form.
Katrina coughed, fine particulates drifting up into the air. She stretched the edge of her t-shirt over her nose and mouth, using it as a mask. Flecks of light danced, a human shape constructing itself before their eyes.
“So nice of you to join us, Kitty Kat,” it cackled.
Mick. Katrina’s stomach clenched, nausea setting in as she realized what was happening. The warlock spun in a circle, holding his palms upward; bolts of electricity fired up toward the ceiling, causing rocks to tumble down onto them. Shirtless and barefoot, he wore only black slacks.
“You should see the look on your face.” Mick slowed his pace, spewing maniacal laughter. Abruptly, he went quiet and faced Avery, his eyes blazing in anger. “This is none of your concern.”
“You promised. You said you wouldn’t hurt her.” As if she were drunk, Avery’s footing slipped, weaving as she walked toward Samantha.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Katrina screamed at him.
As Mick set his sights on the females, Jax and Jake attacked. The warlock whispered, flinging his hands toward them, causing a mesh of silver netting to fall from above. Both wolves shifted to their human forms, groaning as they attempted to dislodge the web of toxic metal. Katrina’s heart dropped as Jax struggled. He shook his head at her, warning her off. In response to his command, she stayed put.
Samantha released a blood-curdling screech, and Katrina focused on the witch. The baby’s head was exposed, crowning the birth canal; the child would be born any minute.
“Sam, I need you to push,” Katrina told her in a gentle tone of voice, forced to ignore her mate’s capture.
“That’s right, push, push away, witch,” Mick hissed, hovering above them.
“Stay away from us,” Katrina ordered, giving him a brief glare.
“There was a time I was happy partying in the bars, fucking whoever I wanted,” he pondered, pacing back and forth. “But Ilsbeth, she helped me see the light.”
“Don’t touch her,” Jax grunted, weakened from the silver.
“You see, the greedy little bitch had to have Dimitri. Yeah, he fucked her good, all right. She couldn’t stop talking about him.” Mick paused to pick up a sharp rock and hurled it at Jake. “What she saw in him, I’ll never know. You wolves are so self-righteous with your pack mentality. The challenges. Submission. The brutality of it all. So uncivilized.” He sighed and rolled his eyes, continuing. “Ilsbeth always wanted what she couldn’t have. She couldn’t handle the fact that he’d find his mate. She was desperate. Pathetic.”
“That’s it, Sam. Don’t hold your breath. Take a breath and blow it out. You’ve got this.” Katrina tried to ignore his oration, but she’d always known this had been tied to Ilsbeth.
“But to steal magick from wolves,” Mick kicked Jax in the stomach, pleased as the Alpha spat blood, “it’s not very simple. No, no, no. One must find alternatives to spells. In my defense, she asked for my assistance. She needed a very special kind of ingredient to kill Dimitri’s wolf. So you see…. demons, they can be very useful at times.”
Katrina concentrated on the baby as her shoulders breached.
“It’s interesting, that saying, ‘be careful what you wish for’. Ilsbeth got what she wanted. She almost was successful too. But I’ve always been one to make the most of a party. Of course the demon wanted something from me in return. A vessel. But I’m no fool. I’d never let that happen. I didn’t need another master, and demons don’t exactly take orders from witches. They can, however, be tricked into teaching us their secrets. Ah….what I learned to do…” He laughed and danced in celebration. “I have learned how to transform myself. Others, too. Sometimes it’s an illusion, sometimes it’s as real as I’m standing here. The vampire,” he pressed a palm to the glass cell and gave a depraved smile, “she was my first. It was so easy to steal her magick. The demon taught me well. Little experiments here and there. I was even able to turn little Avery here into a human, to have her do my bidding. She always enjoyed the fine art of torture. The last time she came for you. Ah, how she loved to hear you scream. Too bad she’s been such a disappointment as of late.”
“Ilsbeth caught you.” Jax clawed at the netting, scraping a section away from his arm.
“Perhaps. But she started it all. I did what she asked. She got what she wanted. Dimitri. The thing is, she didn’t care for my methods. When I showed her all that could be done here,” Mick gestured to Dominique, “she wasn’t as enamored with what I’d created, my transformation. So you
can imagine when she saw Katrina. That day, oh, the lecture she gave. I suspect that’s when she gave you a slice of her magick. She retreated into the boring purist bullshit she loved so much. A sly little spell, I’ll give her that. That ring she gave you…”
“Belongs to me,” Katrina retorted.
“Not for long, my dear. How I do wish I could have taken it from you in New Orleans, but her magick is strong. Ilsbeth cursed it.”
“Protected it,” Jax countered.
“You say tomato, I say fucking bitch…blah, blah, blah,” he trilled. “Clever priestess. You would have known if I’d tried to steal it. I could feel Ilsbeth’s vibe all over it. So of course, I imparted wisdom that day. Because I’m helpful like that. And the filthy animals you are, you think only of sex…the bonding. It’s like training dogs.”
“Why let us bond? You knew it would strengthen me,” Katrina asked.
“The demon, let’s not speak its name, shall we? Its energy…it feels so good.” Mick ran his fingers down his chest, waggling his shoulders in a delightful shiver. “You know what it’s like, don’t you, Kitty Kat? Because I put a little of it in you. Took me a few times of capturing you before I realized how to perfect my magick. But I’ve had one tiny problem. It’s like a beer tap. Tap on. Tap off. Well, I suppose it didn’t work as well as I planned, because even though you sucked magick from the Alpha, it leaked like piss. But seeing you with your Alphas…ah, all the pieces came together. Your leak has stopped, hasn’t it?”
