Fangs for the Memories

by Julia Talbot

  Tom went to Ed. “Where is he, Ed?”

  “Northeast. Two and a half hours. He’s hurt.” Ed slumped in Tom’s arms.

  “I got you. Hurt how bad?”

  “He’s got cuts. He was wolfy, but I think he’d been beaten.” Ed sighed. “His mouth is bleeding and he’s scared. He’s chained up like a dog.”

  Rage exploded in Tom. “Who is it? What the hell does he want with Nathan?”

  “Ugly man. Coarse. Huge nose.”

  “Ogre.” Tanner spit the word out. “Motherfucker.”

  Tom blinked. “Ogres are real?”

  “Yeah, and they collect things. Like pets, but in a dungeon instead of a zoo or a yard.”

  “How many? How many does he have, Ed?”

  “I don’t know. I only followed Nathan. I’m sorry!”

  “No.” Tanner hugged Ed right back up. “You did so good.”

  “Robe.” Fallon had brought a huge fluffy robe. Carter and Jami arrived at the same time with hot tea and a bowl of oatmeal and toast. Poor Ed was pale and half-frozen.

  “We have to go get him,” Ed said.

  “We need a plan,” Tanner replied firmly.

  “I need a car.”

  “We have to leave at nightfall tomorrow,” Carter said. “You’ll need us.”

  “Tomorrow!” Tom shook his head, pacing. “No way. No. I can’t wait that long. You’ve seen his scars.” That bastard was hurting Nathan.

  “Tom, Preston will be here in an hour. We need him, and you need us. Ed needs rest. You have no idea what an ogre can do.” Tanner was too damn calm.

  “Tanner! It might kill him!” He couldn’t bear it.

  “No. No, it will want to keep him. That’s why it came to find Nathan. He wants his toy.” Tanner was stone cold. “We can only help him if we don’t run off in all directions. We have to be organized and ready to fight.”

  Fallon nodded, green eyes glowing. “We need to be prepared, Tom.”

  “Please! Please, Carter. Don’t you understand?”

  “Of course I do. I don’t want Nathan hurt. But I don’t want you running off and getting killed either.” Carter put both hands on his shoulders. “We can maybe find a way to leave sooner, but we have to wait for Preston.”

  “I’ll find a sunlight-proof vehicle.” Glenda looked over her shoulder. “It’s doable.”

  “Do it.” Tom wasn’t lacking for money. He could buy the car. Might be good for his business.

  He was surprised when Tanner nodded. “When is Yardley in?”

  “Tonight, late. He’s flying.”

  “Okay. Then we can’t wait for him. Jami, I need you to stay here and run things with Glenda,” Tanner said. “Fal, we need your light-blocking blankets and some weapons.”

  “Of course. Let me make some phone calls. What works best with the bastards?”

  “Poison is traditional. They’re gluttons.” Tanner tapped his fingers against the back of the chair he’d plopped Ed into.

  “Well, it’s not as if we can feed the thing its favorite food.” That was Fallon.

  “If we remove its head, that should work.” He wasn’t picky, and he had no desire to know what ogres ate.

  “True, but we can soften him up with darts first.” Tanner winked. “Preston will help with that.”

  “He’s a doctor!” Tom was a little shocked, he had to admit.

  “And he doesn’t believe in loose ogres.” Preston came in the front door, bag in hand. “I had a feeling I needed to get here now.”

  Tom looked at Preston, who opened his arms wide.

  He went to his friend and hugged him. “An ogre took my mate.”

  “I have a lot to catch up on. Do we know where your mate is?”

  “Ed does.”

  Preston chuckled. “Good birdman.”

  Ed bowed. “He’s hurt. Badly.”

  “Good thing I’m a doctor.”

  “I can’t stand this.” Tom broke free from Preston. “I need to go to him.”

  “Okay.” Preston didn’t argue. “I have vamp-proof containers in my SUV.”

  “Weapons?” Tanner asked. “I need some for you and Fal.”

  “Give me ten minutes.” Fallon zipped up the stairs.

  Tom stared at Preston, willing the man to hear him. “He’s been stolen.”

  “We’ll get him back.” Like Tanner, Preston evinced utter calm.

  “We have to. He’s good. A good soul.” His mate. His Nathan. His love.

  “I believe you, hon. I do. How could he be anything else if he’s your mate?”

  “Carter, load up some food and blood,” Tanner was saying.

  “On it, boss.”

  Preston kept one arm around him. “Tell me about Nathan.”

  “Oh, Preston, he’s sweet. Eager to try things. Loves making new friends, and everyone loves him.” Nathan was generous, warm, and he had the best laugh.

  Preston stroked his back. “He sounds amazing.”

  “He is.” Ed piped up for that, but he looked so tired.

  Preston looked at Ed. “And you flew far for him.”

  “I did. He is my friend. I couldn’t get him free. I couldn’t shift.”

  Preston focused on Ed. “Because you were tired, or for some other reason?”

  “The chains. They glow.”

  “Ah. They’re spelled. Damn. That makes it all the more important for us to be careful, Tom. They can cause him real harm if they’re removed incorrectly.” Preston’s jaw went tight.

  “They’ve caused him harm already. The scars won’t seem to heal up.”

  “I can work on that, if he’ll let me. I know he dislikes doctors….”

  “He’s terrified of them.”

  “Maybe he’ll tolerate me.” Preston smiled gently. “I’m a nice guy.”

  “You are. You are. I don’t know.” Tom felt like the top of his head was going to pop off.

  “Shh.” Preston took him by the shoulders, then looked him deep in the eyes. “Breathe, Tom. You’re hurting and scared, and that’s totally normal, but Nathan needs you to think and act accordingly.”

  Something about Preston’s dark brown eyes calmed him. Every time.

  “See? There you are. There you are.”

  “I’m wigged out.” He tried to smile.

  “I bet. This is hard, and you’re holding it together.”

  “I am? Oh good.”

  Fallon returned with a big duffel. “Ready.”

  “Can you show us on a map, Ed?” Tanner asked, handing over a huge paper map.

  “I can. I want to come, though. I can sleep in the car.” Ed took a marker and marked the spot on the map.

  “Yes. I bet you’re fierce when you have to be, friend.” Tom had no doubt.

  “I am.” Ed grrrred, which was possibly the cutest thing ever.

  Preston chuckled softly and nodded. “Birds are vicious when they have to be.”

  “He’s tough enough to land on a grill,” Tom agreed.

  Carter ducked out of the kitchen. “Provisions. Is everyone ready?”

  “Blankets and extra clothes?” Tanner looked at Tom.

  “Oh! Right.” Nathan would need to stay warm.

  “I’ll go.” Carter leaped back out.

  “That cat has boundless energy,” Preston pointed out.

  “You have no idea.” Fallon’s voice was dry as dust.

  Tom let himself crack a tiny grin. His friends were amazing.

  He would enjoy the hell out of them, as soon as his mate was safe.

  Carter arrived once more, and Preston bundled them out to his huge SUV. “Tanner, you with me or are you bringing your vehicle?”

  “We’re safer all together. I need to be able to hold him, once we find him,” Tom said.

  “He’s right. You have the space. If he has to, Ed can be a bird.” Tanner chuckled, a rumbly sound.

  “So long as you aren’t a grizzly, Tanner, we should be safe.”

  “I’ll hold off shifting until we’re t
here.” Tanner looked very, very serious. “Then all bets are off. It’s good to have a bear against an ogre.”

  “Yes.” Fallon’s voice was almost dripping with venom.

  Tom felt buoyed by their vehemence. They would never let Nathan hang out to dry. They would save his mate and wreak vengeance on this evil motherfucker.

  They bundled into Preston’s vehicle, all of them intent on finding Nathan. He reached out with his mind, but Nathan didn’t answer.

  I’m coming, mate. I will find you. I will save you.

  He hoped Nathan heard him on some level.

  They would be together again soon.

  Chapter Twelve

  NATHAN didn’t breathe too hard, didn’t move. He waited. He pretended to be dying.

  The man would try to remove him. Try to take his balls. Try to take his teeth.

  When the man tried, one of them would die.

  He wasn’t going to stay here either way. He hoped and prayed he would win his freedom. Tom needed him. He’d heard Carter talk about a broken mate bond. It was awful.

  Tom had given him everything. Everything.

  He would bring himself back to his mate. That was all he had to give.

  The man came to him and nudged him with one foot. “Damn.” The voice was big, rumbly, awful. It haunted his dreams.

  No. He was sleeping. Waiting. He was not here.

  The foot prodded him again, and he had to fight not to bite yet. The man held no tools and was not wearing his apron, like he did when he took a dead pet away. He had to bide his time.

  Soon. Soon. Breathe. Quiet. Breathe.

  He didn’t so much as twitch, even when the man hit him with a stick.

  Patience. His mate would come. A chance would come. Something would happen.

  Nathan had faith. He knew what life out there was like now. What waited for him.

  Tom would find him. No matter what.

  Ed knew where he was.

  His heart was glad, thinking of his friend Ed. What a dear bird. So good. He wanted to cry.

  No crying. Wait.

  Wait for your chance.

  Wait….

  ED slept. Preston drove, clearly lost in thought. Tanner was in the front seat, head back, eyes closed.

  Carter and Fallon held each other, talking quietly.

  That left Tom too much time to think. What was the ogre doing to Nathan? What kind of creature kept other people as pets?

  What was he going to do if the ogre killed Nathan? What was he going to do if they were too late?

  “Stop,” Preston said quietly, meeting his gaze in the rearview. “He’s going to be fine.”

  “I’m sorry. I never….” He hadn’t even known that a made werewolf could have a mate. He’d never considered finding someone like Nathan.

  “No apologizing, I just want you to think about how to help him when we find him. You said he had amnesia. This might bring it all back, give him some serious trauma.”

  “Oh, God. Poor man. Wolf. Nathan. I just want him back. I’ll help him through the rest.”

  “I know you will. I’ll do anything I can as well.”

  “We all will,” Tanner rumbled. “How much farther?”

  “About an hour. I’m pushing it as far as I dare. This guy lives in the rocks above the damn tree line.” The engine wasn’t straining, but Tom’s ears were popping, so they had to still be climbing. “The snow is getting heavier too. I’m glad no one’s flying in this.”

  “Well, I think Yardley was, but not on a plane.” That was Carter, who sounded worried more than amused. They were all on edge.

  “Like you aren’t made for this weather, kit.” Fallon’s voice was warm, unconcerned. “You could find anyone in this.”

  “I can sure try.” Carter glanced at him. “We’ll do this.”

  “Thank you.” Tom looked down at his clenched hands. He tried Nathan again, reaching out, hoping against hope.

  Please, mate. Please. Hear me. We’re coming.

  Nothing.

  “Goddamn it.”

  Preston immediately soothed. “Your bond is new. Ed says he’s been spelled. He may not be able to hear you even when we’re close. Just keep trying. He is waiting for you, Tom.”

  Ed was fluttering, crying in his sleep, and Preston reached for him with one hand.

  As soon as those long fingers touched Ed, the cries quieted, Ed slipping back into sleep. Poor Ed. Something had sapped him badly, either the round-trip flight or the magics.

  It made him fiercely proud of his mate—to be able to do that, escape. Survive.

  He would be free again. Tom started making plans in his mind. They would need a more permanent place to stay near the inn. The D&B couldn’t hold them forever, but they needed somewhere their tiny pack could have friends, company, companionship.

  Dallas was no place for his mate. They could go there anytime, but Nathan wouldn’t thrive there. He needed the mountains. His wolf was in total agreement, even if the man hadn’t been there yet.

  Tom looked out the window. It was dark, and would be for many more hours. That was good. Fallon and Carter would be at their peak.

  Soon, he called to Nathan. Soon. We’re coming.

  He heard nothing in return, and his heart hurt, but Tom couldn’t give up hope. Not now, when they were so close. Nathan was hiding from them, but he was going to be there soon.

  And the ogre had better hope the others killed him before Tom reached him. If there was a single light of life left, Tom would snuff it out.

  Happily.

  THE man was coming for him.

  The others had been fed and… well, the one had been beaten. The one who wasn’t like him. The others were all quiet, trying not to draw attention.

  The man now thought he was well and truly dead.

  All he needed was the chain to come off. Just slip the evil thing off.

  Nathan didn’t dare twitch an ear or tense up. He had to stay loose, not breathe, and be ready.

  Patience. Patience.

  “Stupid fucker. You just gave up on me.”

  That was him. Stupid fucker. Unlock the chain.

  The man bent down over him, breath fetid, making him want to retch. The collar came loose with a click of the lock, sliding away from his wounds and scars.

  That was his signal. He leapt up, biting and snarling, tearing cloth and skin and leather, harming everything in his path.

  The man shouted, stumbling back and beating at him with the collar. He wanted to rip the man’s throat out, but he had to run. He had to.

  He didn’t look to see the others. He would save no one. No one but himself.

  They would do the same. All of them had but one need. Survival.

  He crashed against the heavy door, something deep inside him screaming with a familiar pain. Out. Out. Out.

  The night outside was frigid, and it shocked him into skidding to a stop, panting, looking in all directions. Where was his mate? Which way?

  MATE! he screamed before simply running, knowing the man was behind him, too close. MATE, PLEASE!

  He heard Tom reply. Faint, but there. Nathan. We’re coming.

  MATE! He quit calling and he ran, driving himself into the snow. He’s coming. He’s coming. He’s coming.

  We’re almost there! Every moment Tom got louder.

  He’s coming for me. Nathan went flying, soaring off a log, launching himself deeper into the snow.

  Fight. Run. Hide. We’re coming.

  Fight. Run. Hide.

  It was the best he could do.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “I HEAR him!” Tom sat straight up in the seat, his heart pounding. He’d heard Nathan calling him. “He’s running. I can feel him!”

  His head pounded, the sound of Nathan’s voice huge.

  “Just focus on him. Be there when he needs you.” Preston said it calmly, easing his pain just with that voice.

  “He’s running. He’s just running blind.”

  “That means h
e’s alive, right?” Carter’s voice filled the air. “That means he’s moving.”

  “Right. He says the ogre is coming for him.” He kept track of Nathan the best he could, but he couldn’t fix on any kind of location. Stay ahead of him, love. You can do it.

  Nathan had to stay in front. Tom needed his mate.

  Everyone was beginning to stir and move, rally. Fallon and Carter would need to watch for the dawn, but they had hours before that came, and Tanner was more tense than Tom had ever seen him. Only Preston seemed calm. Ed woke, sitting up, eyes wide.

  “We’re close. We’re close, Tom.”

  “Where, Ed?”

  “Uh….” Ed pointed. “There! Right there!”

  Preston swerved in order to make the turn, the SUV skidding on slush. They made it, churning up a private road toward a gate, which Preston plowed through.

  Carter cheered, and Fallon chuckled from the back, the sound dark.

  Ed clapped his hands, clearly delighted. “We’re coming, friend Nathan!”

  “We are.” We’re here, love! We’re here!

  All Tom could hear from Nathan was panic. Pure unadulterated panic.

  He understood. To be kidnapped again, brought back to a place where he’d had such abuse….

  The SUV came to an abrupt halt, just rocking on its springs. Before Tom could even blink, Tanner and Carter were out of the vehicle, Fallon passing them on the step.

  That wasn’t where Nathan was, was it? That awful… shack. He’d expected a castle of dank stone with crumbling tapestries, but this was….

  He raced inside, hoping against hope Nathan was still nearby. Love? Where are you?

  He’s coming.

  The sound was barely there.

  “He’s not here!” The stench hit him, and Tom gagged. God, what was this place?

  “He was.” Preston called them all over to a chain that hung from the wall, a heavy, spiked collar on the end. Blood and bits of flesh covered the floor.

  A sharp gronk came from nearby, a huge raven with ragged feathers flapping agitatedly. It was chained by both legs.

  “Oh my God.”

  A raven, a fox, and a little winged man with skin the color of onyx.

  The winged man motioned at the collar around his neck, making this horrid gurgling sound.

  Preston grabbed Tom when he would have touched it. “No. Not you. Fallon, are there keys?”