Shift - 02

by M. R. Merrick

  Rayna's lips were soft, and as they parted, they filled me with warmth I’d never experienced. When she pulled away, I opened my eyes. Beautiful green cat eyes stared up at me, and I couldn’t control the smile that came over my face.

  “What was that for?”

  “Just because,” she whispered. Rayna smiled and walked away, disappearing into her room. I saw the last of her smile as she closed the door and I was left standing alone in the dark.

  On second thought, I was going to need a cold shower.

  Chapter 31

  Voices moved through the floorboards and I opened my eyes. I lay in bed and listened as the conversation seemed to get heated. I recognized the first voice as Marcus, but the other two, although familiar, I couldn’t place.

  I made my way downstairs before I recognized the other voices as Chief, and one of his werecats, Jesse. They were sitting in the living room, which was still destroyed. The talking stopped as I entered the room and they all turned to me.

  “Chase is the one who made the arrangement,” Marcus said. “He is the one you need to speak with.”

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  “Sorry to barge in on you. Marcus told us you just got back.” Chief stood from the leather couch.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “The tension between the Shadowpack and the Hollowlights is growing. In the past week, they’ve attacked twice, interrogating my cats for information about Rayna and the whereabouts of their new wolf.”

  “Willy?”

  Chief nodded.

  “It seems,” Marcus said. “What was a day in Theral, was nearly two weeks here.”

  Both my eyebrows rose. “I’m not sure why that surprises me, but it does.” I sighed. “Willy went back to the wolves yesterday; I’m sure he’ll clear everything up.”

  “Chase, the werecats were not the only Underworlders Riley approached. Since we refused his offer, naturally, he’s moved on to the wolves.”

  “Are you backing out of our agreement?”

  “Quite the opposite, actually.”

  “Some of us are still concerned where your loyalties lie.” Jesse interrupted.

  “Jesse,” Chief warned.

  “We’ve been through this already,” I said.

  “Yeah, but that was before we learned you had friends in the pack.” Jesse spat the words at me.

  “Quiet yourself.” Chief eyed Jesse and he sat back down. “If the wolves accept your father’s offer, he’ll force the war to start again. I don’t want to lose any of my family to another war, but we made a pact and we intend to stand by it. We just want to be sure that if push comes to shove, you’ll be fighting with us.

  I stayed silent. The thought of having to go against Willy made me sick to my stomach.

  “Well?” Jesse asked.

  “I’m with you,” I said. I didn’t have a solution, but if the Shadowpack and Hollowlights went to war, I’d find a way to keep Willy safe.

  “Really? Because if the wolves go to war with us, your friend will fight. He’ll fight, or they’ll kill him. You’re going to choose us over him?”

  “I said I’m with you, so I’m with you.” I let Jesse feel the heat of my gaze.

  “Chase?” Rayna came down the stairs, her hair ruffled from sleep.

  “Forgive him,” Chief said. “The Underworld is growing restless. With Riley and the Dark Brothers throwing their weight around, there’s no telling who may be on his side. We aren’t the only breed to decline their offer and it won’t be long before an example is made out of someone.”

  “What’s going on?” Rayna asked.

  “I’ll explain later. Chief and his pet were just leaving,” I said.

  Jesse let a growl slip through his lips and Chief silenced him. “We don’t want to intrude, so we’ll be on our way. Thank you for your time. I’m sorry if we imposed.” Chief grabbed Jesse by the arm and pushed him down the hall and out the door.

  “What was that about?” Rayna asked.

  I shook my head. “Marcus can explain. I’m suddenly exhausted again.”

  “Chase, wait,” Marcus said. “You made a pact with the werecats and you need to understand how serious that is.”

  “You did what?” Rayna stammered.

  “Yes, I did. And I’d do it again. We need all the help we can get to stop Riley. The werecats are on board, which means they'll be there for us when we need it.”

  “But are you prepared to be there for them?” Marcus asked.

  “I can't stop Riley without more people on my side. I had a decision to make, and I made it,” I said. “If the cats and dogs want to fight, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

  ********

  I tossed and turned, fighting to get back to sleep. The sun shone through the window and I couldn’t stop thinking about Riley and the Brothers. I felt lucky to be alive and even luckier to have everyone back with me, but we’d lost the only advantage we had. It was time to find another way to stop them.

  I spent the afternoon working with my arch nemesis: the library. I went through book after book. I didn’t have any direction, but I was determined to find something that could help. When the phone rang through the condo, I waited for someone else to pick it up. I’d been living here for over two months, but I still wasn’t comfortable answering the phone. On the third ring, I sighed and picked up the blinking line on Marcus’ desk.

  “Hello?” I asked.

  “Ch–, Chase…” Willy gasped, his stutter as thick as ever.

  “Willy, what’s going on? Did you get everything sorted out with the pack? Chief was here earlier and said–”

  “We’re in trouble.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Riley and the Bro–, Brothers are here.” Willy panted and I could practically hear him wincing through the phone. He was hurt.

  “Where are you? Are you okay?”

  “At the ca–, camp. Radek ref–, refused an alliance with Riley and now he’s attacking.” Willy coughed into the phone. “I’ve managed to sneak away, but you’ve got to come. They brought purebloods. They’re killing everyone.”

  “Stay safe and hidden. I’m on my way.” I dropped the receiver and raced down the hallway. “Come on, Tiki. We’ve got to go!” I yelled as I ran past his door. I jumped down the stairs from the second to the main floor in a single leap with Tiki right behind me. Rayna and Marcus were training together and they both jumped as I came through the door.

  “What’s going on?” Marcus asked.

  I pulled Marcus’ short sword off the wall and threw it to him. He caught it with ease and looked confused.

  “Chief wasn’t kidding when he said Riley would make an example out of someone. He’s attacking the Shadowpack. Willy’s in trouble. We need to go.”

  Rayna reacted with haste and pulled her usual weapons off the wall. Tiki strapped the sheath across his bare chest and slid two short swords into them.

  “We can’t possibly fight them right now. Let me call the other rogue hunters,” Marcus said.

  “There isn’t time; the wolves are getting slaughtered now.”

  “And we’ll be among the dead if we go,” Marcus reasoned.

  “But Willy’s there…”

  “Marcus is right,” Rayna said. “I don’t want anything to happen to Willy, but there aren’t enough of us.”

  “Maybe right now there isn’t, but there will be.”

  Chapter 32

  The Jeep’s tires squealed as Marcus slammed the gas pedal down. With a jerk forward, we flew from the underground garage. Sparks fell around us as the jacked up SUV bumped into the concrete overhang and out into the street. We swung into traffic, forcing other cars to slam on their brakes. The screeching of tires, the sound of horns, and angry drivers surrounded us. Marcus ignored the rules and dropped down a gear, making the engine roar to life.

  “I need a phone,” I said.

  Marcus reached into his pocket and handed me a small black flip phone. I gr
ipped the dashboard as he weaved in and out of traffic, rushing through yellow lights. At this rate, we were going to be arrested before we had a chance to save anyone.

  We tore through downtown with Marcus taking a hard right onto 4th Street, giving us a straight shot to the freeway. Rayna called the phone number out to me and the cell phone beeped as I pressed each button. I had to redial twice before I got it right, the sweat and trembling of my hands getting in the way. The phone rang and I told it to hurry, as if that could help. When the fourth rang came, I cursed into the phone, praying for someone to pick up.

  “Hello?” A woman answered.

  “I need to speak with Chief, right away.”

  “Chase? It’s Karissa, how have you been?” I could hear the smile in her voice.

  “I don’t have time for this. I need Chief,” I demanded.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Just put him on the damn phone!” I yelled.

  “Whoa! Relax, I'll have to find him.”

  The phone echoed loud in my ear as she set it down. I heard her talking to other people in the background and I silently urged her to hurry.

  Marcus pulled the Jeep off the main street and hit the off ramp at an incredible speed. The Jeep left the ground briefly and as it hit the road again. I dropped the phone and it snapped shut.

  “Dammit!”

  I picked it up and dialed again. The phone rang busy.

  “What is it?” Rayna asked.

  I dialed again. Still busy.

  My knuckles turned white as I gripped the dash and I felt the phone might shatter in my grip. I dialed again. The line was silent for a long moment. I looked down at the screen and it still showed calling.

  “Come on,” I demanded.

  Relief washed over me as the phone rang. Static crackled from the other end as it got picked up, and I was relieved to hear Chief's voice.

  "Hello?" He sounded confused.

  “Chief!” I said.

  “Chase, I didn’t think I’d hear from–”

  “Just listen. I need you to get everyone together. The Shadowpack is under attack by Riley, the Brothers, and a whole bunch of purebloods.”

  “I knew it wouldn’t be long before he made an example out of someone.”

  “Well, it’s happening right now so I’m calling in this so-called alliance.”

  “It doesn’t work that like, Chase. The wolves are sworn enemies and as much as I’d like to remedy that, we can’t help them.”

  “You were just in my house this morning to make sure if you went to war with them, I’d still fight with you. I said yes, even though one of my closest friends belongs to that pack, and now you’re telling me no?”

  “You need to understand–”

  “Look, I swore an oath to you and you did the same to me, so I don’t give a shit what you think I should understand. We’re on our way to the Shadowpack’s camp, so pack up your pride and get your ass there. If you don’t, and I survive, this alliance is off and I’m coming for the Hollowlights next. That’s a promise.”

  I flipped the phone shut and stared down at it.

  “Chase?” Rayna asked.

  I didn't answer. My pulse throbbed in my neck and my veins were on fire.

  “Chase?” Rayna repeated.

  I threw the phone against the window and it shattered into two pieces, cracking the glass.

  “They’re not coming…” Rayna’s voice was empty and hollow.

  “It doesn’t look that way,” I said. “Dammit!” I slammed my fist into the dashboard.

  “We will be okay, Chase Williams,” Tiki said.

  “Stop with the Williams already! Chase is fine,” I yelled. Uncomfortable silence filled the car and I closed my eyes, taking a long, deep breath. “Tiki, I’m sorry. It’s just…”

  “I know. There is no need to apologize.”

  The Jeep jerked off the highway and moved onto a gravel covered side lane. Dust clouded the road and the sound of rocks hitting the vehicle rang through the cab until the camp came into sight.

  Smoke rolled in thick waves from the top of the forest. We were a mile away and the smell of fire already burned my nostrils. Marcus was focused on the road ahead, the look of a warrior in his eyes, but I knew he was right; we didn't have enough people.

  “Marcus I…”

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “The Hollowlights aren’t coming. I’ll understand if you turn around.”

  Marcus was silent, his eyes not moving off the road.

  “I don’t want to be responsible for any one of you getting hurt,” I said. “Just drop me off at the edge of the forest.”

  “No. We’ll go together.”

  “I don’t–”

  “You were right. It doesn’t matter what we’re up against. Willy’s in trouble and he’s part of this family. I said I’d stand behind you and I will. No matter what.”

  “Me too,” said Rayna.

  “You know I will be there,” Tiki added.

  I nodded and tried for a smile. The engine roared, spewing gravel behind us as Marcus floored it for the final stretch. He dipped off of the road and into a ditch. We bounced around inside as the Jeep shook from left to right and I gripped the handle to steady myself.

  “Where are you going?” I yelled over the engine. The shocks squeaked and struggled, absorbing as much as they could.

  “Trust me.” Marcus’ voice was empty. His dark skin was motionless but I could see the anger in his eyes. He was a soldier jumping headfirst into battle. He didn’t care that we were outnumbered now, or that the werecats weren’t coming; he was ready.

  The Jeep screamed down the path and the sun vanished beneath clouds of dark smoke. Shadows littered the ground and the forest grew up on either side of us. The SUV burst through a layer of bushes and into an opening on the other side. The grass was painted red and waves of heat washed over us from patches of hot flames.

  Rows of cabins lined the far side of the field, all of them ablaze in thick, black smoke. Human and wolf bodies lay everywhere. Ash floated around us as the bodies of demons burst up into flames, and wolves jumped out of the forest, growls filling the air as they fought an army.

  There were Cyclops everywhere, and they beat down waves of attacking wolves with thick wooden clubs. The hunters that worked under Riley had unleashed their elements. They pushed the wolves back with magic and let silver weapons slice through them. It sent them into an epileptic-like seizure, forcing their bodies back to their human form, covered in wounds they couldn’t heal.

  Half-demons that had agreed to bow to Riley fought against the shifters. Some of them were vampires who’d come out as the sun faded. Others were witches, casting spells and forcing their enemies to crumple. Gladiator demons worked through the crowds, snapping wolves’ necks and tossing their bodies to the side before they could turn to ash.

  Riley and the brothers stood on the top of a high cliff, overlooking the battle and commanding their army, but there was a strange man that stood with them. Long black hair flowed down his back that looked vibrant against his dark, tanned skin.

  The Jeep didn’t slow as it entered the clearing and Marcus put both hands on the wheel. “Hold on,” he said, and the engine screamed.

  The SUV jerked forward and drove straight for a pair of Cyclops. I gripped the dash and prepared for the impact. My body jerked against the seat belt as we crashed into them, and the front of the jeep folded from the force. The Jeep rocked back and forth as it plowed overtop of their bodies. Marcus shifted it into park, unclipped his belt, and we all jumped out.

  I hit the ground and pulled my sword from its sheath. Marcus and I moved around the vehicle and brought our blades down on the demons he'd run over. The Cyclops screamed as the blade bit through their skin. Bright orange ash lit up their bodies as our swords sunk into the earth beneath them.

  Rayna’s magic exploded around us and the ground shook. Dirt exploded as rocks shot into the air and plowed through an onslaught of
charging Underworlders. Bodies flew back as the rocks hammered against them and Rayna went to work. Her whip cut through the air and the silver claws tore out the throats of the fallen demons, forcing them into piles of smoking ash that the wind swirled around us.

  My spine tingled as Tiki bellowed through a fanged mouth. His claws came out and for the first time, he fully unleashed his demon. His eyes went black and razor bones pushed themselves out of his body. White bones covered his forearms, shins, and fists, making each of his limbs a deadly blade. His body grew larger, his skin stretching as new muscles formed. He wasn’t as large as the Cyclops or Gladiator demons, but he was a force to be reckoned with. He roared as a trio of Cyclops charged, and his body vanished. The Cyclops stopped, looking around confused, and Tiki reappeared on the air behind them, tearing them to bits with a demon’s speed.

  As they burst into flame, he turned to the next group, ripping apart a small gang of half-breed vampires, sending them into the air in an explosion of red and orange. Blood burst as his claws tore off a witch’s head and he stalked the ground as a different creature.

  Rai dove into the clearing, scooping up groups of demons and tearing them apart, letting their remains rain down over the forest.

  Marcus’ sword cut through the air as he battled a group of hunters. His element came to life through the blade and as he sliced the air, a ray of power blew them back. He thrust his magic into the next horde and their skin paled as he stole the air from their lungs. He walked over them as they collapsed, moving to fight alongside a small pack of wolves.

  Brock and Lena worked together, slashing wolves in half with silver blades. They channeled their elements through their weapons and cast waves of flames and bursts of wind over their opponents.

  I ran towards them, summoning water. It tore through me and power shone from my hands as it built between them. A large wave of water tore over the ground, growing higher with each inch that it moved. By the time it reached Brock and Lena, there was a massive tidal wave that crashed over them. They hit the earth and the water drenched the ground, receding until it vanished into the dirt.