by Cheree Alsop
“Finn?”
The familiarity of the voice felt like a balm to my battered soul. “Dara?”
I looked up to see her standing at the end of the hall. She was the last person I had expected to find at the vampire mansion, but the sight of her made me happier than I had words for. “Why are you here?” I asked as I walked toward her.
She closed the distance between us. “When I called Don Ruvine, I made him promise to bring me with them. I was on the helicopter when you crashed out of that place.” She shook her head. “I was so worried about you.” She stopped about a foot away and looked me up and down. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, but I’ve got to go back,” I told her.
The denial on her face was stark. She shook her head, her ashen hair swaying. “You can’t go.”
“I have to,” I told her. “I need to find my baby sister and get Vicken out of there. I can’t leave him after he sacrificed himself to save my parents.”
Dara nodded resolutely. “Then I’m coming with you.”
I shook my head immediately. “There’s no way I’m letting you near that place.”
She crossed her arms. “Finn, you’re going back to the Maes headquarters where they probably want you dead for what you’ve done. There’s no way I’m letting you go alone.”
I couldn’t help admitting that she was right. It would be nice to have someone along to help, especially since I needed to rescue two people. It was a long shot already and another person might be what I need to make a difference.
I caught myself and shot Dara a glare. “Don’t use your empath skills to try to sway me.”
She uncrossed her arms. “Fine. But you need me. Who’s going to get you away from there once you get them out? If you’re hoping Vicken can drive, he won’t be able to if he’s in the same condition as your parents or you when you came out.”
I wanted to refuse, especially since I was thinking clearly with her no longer pushing emotions at me, but she had a point. I watched her closely. “If I let you come, do you promise to stay in the vehicle and away from the Maes until we get out?”
She nodded and I could feel her relief. “I promise.”
“Fine,” I gave in. “You can come. I need a driver.”
She followed me back down the hall. I could hear the triumph in her voice when she said, “You need an army, not a driver, but I’ll have to do.” She paused, then pointed out, “But you should probably wear shoes.”
I glanced down at my feet. “Oh, yeah. I guess I should. Any idea where they put the ones I was wearing when they brought me here?”
“I put them away,” Dara replied, emphasizing the I.
I paused with my hand on the door to the room where I had come from. “You undressed me?” I asked.
Dara blushed and lowered her gaze. “They were busy with your parents and the Donessa. Someone had to take care of you.”
I didn’t know how I felt about the fact that it was her. I cleared my throat uncomfortably, but couldn’t think of what to say.
Dara looked equally as uncomfortable. “Your, um, hand is healing up.”
I glanced down at it in surprise. I hadn’t thought about the burn on my palm from the demon fire for quite some time. To my amazement, the skin across my hand was actually a healing pink color instead of the nasty black and red it had been before.
“Dr. Six would be thrilled about that,” I said with relief that we had something else to talk about other than me without clothes on. “She didn’t think it would ever heal.” I opened and closed my hand. The fact that I could do it without pain was incredible.
“I’m glad it’s almost gone. That was a scary day,” Dara said.
She pulled the guard’s shoes from a drawer in the corner and handed them to me.
I smiled at the pair of socks she had rolled up and put inside. “Thanks.” I thought about her words and said, “That was the first time we faced a demon. If only we’d known what came next.”
She gave a little laugh. “We would’ve thought we were crazy. Who knew we’d get so used to fighting them.”
I gave her a wide-eyed stare. “Are you used to fighting them?”
She nodded, then grinned and shook her head. “I’m lying. I’d be happy if I never saw a demon again.”
“Me too,” I replied. A thought struck me as I tied my shoe laces. “There are demons all over the Maes headquarters. What if the last piece of Chutka’s heart is there?”
Dara gave a wistful smile. “The chance to put the three pieces together and destroy them sounds too good to be true. It could end all of this.”
“At least the demon part,” I replied. “But the Maes are different.” I stood up. “They’re pure hatred, you know? They study monsters to find better ways to kill them. It’s sick, and there’s so many of them. With the Maes out there, how is any monster supposed to be safe?”
“We have the Academy,” Dara replied as she led the way up the hall. She gave me a shy look. “And each other.”
My heart gave a funny little backflip at the look in her eyes. I couldn’t say what drove me to do it, but I took her arm and pulled her gently to me. Before she could protest, I kissed her there in the quiet hallway of the vampire mansion. When I stepped back, my heart was pounding harder than if I had run from a thousand Maes’ guards or battled a thousand demons.
She put her fingers to her lips with a smile. “What was that for?”
I smiled back. “I couldn’t help it.”
She held out her hand. My heart warmed when I took her hand in mine and our fingers linked. We walked that way to a door Dara seemed familiar with. When she let go of my hand to open it, I immediately missed the feeling of her fingers entwined with mine.
At her gesture, I followed her into the dark room.
“What are we doing here?” I whispered. The scent of car exhaust, gasoline, and rubber made it obvious where we were.
“We’re going to steal a car,” she whispered back, leading me down a short set of stairs.
“Steal a—”
My words were cut short when the lights flipped on to reveal rows upon rows of every vehicle imaginable. When my gaze shifted, I blinked and took a step back at the sight of Don Ruvine watching us from the steps. He had never been a fan of mine, and the fact that I was responsible for his son’s captivity with the Maes wasn’t lost on me.
“Your plan is to steal a car?” the Don asked. His haughty voice and emotionless expression gave me no idea how he felt about it.
“I think borrow is the term we’re going for, right Finn?” Dara replied nervously.
“Uh, yes. We’ll definitely return it, we’re just—”
“Running away?” the Don suggested as he stalked down the stairs toward us.
I bristled at the accusation in his tone. “No. I wouldn’t—”
“Let me remind you, Mr. Briscoe, that vampires are as quick to hold grudges as it is said werewolves are to turn tail and run.” I opened my mouth to argue, but he lifted a hand. “However, I can admit that our sayings may be a bit prejudice against your kind.”
I watched him with uncertainty. “We weren’t ever going to run, sir.”
He nodded. “I know.” He held out a hand to reveal a single key fob. “I also know where you intend to go.”
I glanced at Dara. She looked as surprised as I felt.
“Be careful, Finn. My people aren’t warriors. I don’t have the resources to send my coven charging headfirst into a place like the Maes’ headquarters, but I want to. If I wasn’t needed here to care for my wife, I would be the one going instead of you.” He gave me the first small, grateful smile I had ever seen on Vicken’s father’s face. “Though somehow, I feel like you might have a better chance. Promise me you’ll take care. People who are cruel are also unpredictable because their acts of cruelty come from something deep and twisted inside. Look for the imbalance and use it against them. Fight fear with fear.” He handed me the key fob.
I took it whi
le trying to keep the amazement from my face. “Thank you, sir. I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will,” he replied. “And your family will be given the utmost care until you return.”
“Thank you,” I told him gratefully.
He left back up the stairs without another word and shut the door to leave us staring after him.
“That was unexpected,” Dara said quietly.
I kept my eyes on the door for another moment before I turned away. “He loves his son. They’re anxious to see Vicken return.”
“We all are,” Dara replied. She gave me a knowing look. “It hurt you to hand him over to them.”
I nodded and lowered my gaze. “It was the worst thing I’ve ever done. How could I do that to my friend?” I gritted my teeth. “You didn’t see what they do in there. It’s sick.” I couldn’t help the way my shoulders slumped. “I’m tired of seeing all that’s messed up with this world. Before I found out I was a werewolf, my biggest worries were my next track meet and bringing up the courage to ask a girl to the high school dance.”
Dara waited until I looked back at her. Her violet eyes searched mine when she asked, “Do you regret being a werewolf?”
I forced myself to really think about it. “I hate that me being a werewolf has put so many people in danger, including my family. I hate that every step I take at the Academy is watched with suspicion because of what I am, and I hate the prejudice everywhere we go.” I took a calming breath and shook my head. “But I don’t hate being a werewolf.” I held her gaze. “I love it. I love running in wolf form through the forest, I love being able to smell you before you step into a room.”
“That’s weird,” she said with a half-smile.
I continued, “And I love the way I feel right now with you, as if you complete some part of me I never knew was missing. My dad said werewolves fall in love with their entire heart. Humans hold back because they’re afraid to get hurt, but werewolves dive in headlong without questioning whether it’s smart or not. They fall in love with their heart, mind, and soul.” I smiled at her. “Dara, I’m hopelessly yours. I hope that’s okay.”
A little laugh escaped her as she watched me, but it was a laugh of joy that touched her violet eyes and made her glow with her smile. She stepped closer to me and looked up into my eyes. “Finn, I’m hopelessly yours, too.” She slid her hands into my tangled black hair. “But it scares me,” she said before she kissed me.
I closed my eyes and lost myself in the feeling of her lips against mine. When she stepped back, the meaning of her words finally became clear. “Why does it scare you?” I whispered.
Her eyebrows pulled together and the look in her eyes was one of such emotion it was hard for me to breathe. “Because you run towards danger, Finn. You’re an Alpha fighting to protect this pack you’ve made, and it’s a dangerous job. I just don’t want to see you get hurt.”
I swallowed against the tightness of my throat and said, “The only thing that would hurt me is to see you in danger. Promise me you’ll stay out of this.”
She nodded. “I promise, for you.”
I took a steeling breath. “Alright. Let’s see what kind of vehicle we have to work with.”
I clicked the key fob, expecting one of the little town cars or maybe a small truck to honk in response. Instead, a huge SWAT-looking vehicle at the far end honked and flashed its lights. Dara and I looked at each other. A smile stole across my lips. At least this would be fun.
I drove the midnight black SUV far faster than I probably should have, but with its thick cattle guard, triple set of lights, and all-terrain tires, it was easy to feel invincible as we barreled our way back to the renovated mall. Dara’s hand rested in mine, and for a time it was easy to pretend that we were just a couple of teenagers on a road trip with no set destination in mind.
When the rising sun illuminated the outline of the Maes’ headquarters, I felt Dara’s hand tremble in mine. My muscles tightened and I had to remind myself to breathe. I pulled slowly to the edge of the parking lot and watched the metal-covered windows.
“What’s your plan?” Dara asked. I wondered if she kept her voice quiet to hide the fear she felt.
I forced bravado into my tone when I replied, “You’re not going to like it.”
Her eyes narrowed as she watched me. “Why not?”
“Because it’s this,” I replied.
I handed her the key fob and slid out of the vehicle. I turned to face her through the open door. “I need you to trust me and not come after me no matter what happens. You’ll stay right here. Promise me that.”
“Finn, I don’t think—”
I cut her off. “Dara, this is important. Please promise me.”
She hesitated, then nodded. “I promise.”
“Good,” I said with what I hoped was a confident smile. “I think this vehicle is bulletproof, which is why the Don chose it for us. Stay in here and keep the doors locked. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I shoved the door shut and walked away.
Chapter Eight
I heard Dara say my name as I made my way across the huge parking lot, but I didn’t stop until I reached the front of the mall. I felt small, standing there looking at the metal plates that covered the top to bottom windows we had broken. Even the second story windows were plated. There was no way I could get inside by myself. Fortunately, I had another stupid plan. Vicken would be proud.
I put my hands to my mouth and gave a long, low howl.
A tense minute later, the sound of footsteps reached my ears. I stepped back until I was standing on the sidewalk in front of the parking lot. I watched as guards in full gear jogged from either side of the mall. Their guns were ready, but they kept in ranks as their followed their leaders to the center. When there were at least three dozen of them in staggered formation, the procession halted. Thirty-six guns pointed in my direction. My heart slowed.
The leader in gray who stood near the left side of the guards pushed her goggles up and pulled off her helmet.
Madam Opal gave me a humorless smile. “I told them you’d be back.” She shot one of the other leaders a look. “They wanted to hunt you down and make you pay for freeing one of our highly valuable displays, but I told them you were more valuable and you would come back of your own accord.”
“You have something I want,” I replied.
“Your baby sister,” she guessed.
I nodded. “I’m not leaving without her.”
“That’s true,” she replied. “Because you’re not leaving.”
She drew her gun and fired from the hip. The bullet slammed into my chest hard enough to crack ribs. I fell to the pavement. My teeth clenched so hard I felt the side of my tongue start to bleed where it had been caught between them. The shock of electricity hurt even worse than I remembered. Madam Opal’s face blocked out the blinding light of the rising sun. I closed my eyes and fought to remain conscious.
“Carry him to the main display. I’ll be along shortly to show him how we deal with traitors,” she said.
The sound of the metal plates sliding up was harsh to my overly sensitive ears. Even though the electricity had stopped, I felt as though every nerve ending was frayed. When the guards picked me up, the places their hands held felt as though they were scorched. I had to will myself to remain silent so they would think I was unconscious.
They walked up the steps without bothering to be gentle. Keeping my eyes open just a crack, I watched the doors pass by followed by the sweeping ceiling of the entrance corridor. I heard the bang as the plates in front of the doors slid shut once more. It sounded as though it sealed my doom.
My instincts beckoned for me to fight before I was thrown into one of the barred cages and it became too late. But I bided my time and forced myself to concentrate on my toes. It was a strange exercise, something I had never done before, and with the adrenaline pounding beneath my skin and my limbs still held in paralysis, it felt like a vain task. But I didn’t give up. With each ste
p the guards took, I found that my toes responded a little bit more. As soon as I could move them completely, I shifted my focus to my fingers. I kept my lidded gaze on the ceiling. I didn’t have enough time. I had to make it count.
We were almost to the escalator, I was sure of it. One more step, just one more. Their footfalls hit the tiled floor like the tromp of a herd of elephants. As soon as the last one fell, I channeled my strength and pushed off.
Surprised, the guards let me drop. The instant my feet touched the floor, I took off running toward the caged rooms on the far side of the escalator. My legs responded sluggishly and I ended up in a half-skip run; it wasn’t pretty, but it would have to do.
“Stop him!” someone shouted.
I watched Vicken turn from his seat on his bed and saw his eyes widen when he spotted me with what was probably the entire horde of guards chasing me down. I lowered my shoulder, pushed forward even faster, and felt at least six bullets hit my back and legs at the same time.
Fortunately, their impact actually helped the momentum of my haphazard run. As the paralysis took over, I slammed into the bars hard enough that it threatened to jar my teeth from my skull. I slumped to the ground with Vicken’s face hovering above me.
“Finn, why did you come back?” he demanded, his voice tight with worry.
With my jaw locked, I couldn’t have said anything. But one glance as the hands of the guards hauled me back showed that I had done what I intended. Vicken followed my gaze to where the bars met the floor. The force of my impact had broken several of them free. Vicken’s eyes widened and he hurried quickly to the other end of the cage to take the guards’ attention away.
“He tried to kill me!” he shouted. “Get that feral werewolf away from me! He’s dangerous!”
I wanted to roll my eyes at his theatrics, but at that moment, my heart was wondering if receiving so many bullets had been a good idea.
A loud humming sound filled my ears along with the slower-than-usual thumping of my heart.
“How many of you shot him?” Madam Opal demanded in a shrill voice.
