Madame G gracefully moved to Mercury’s side, coming up even with his head. Deep, black eyes – unhuman eyes – stared down impassively. “You are making this difficult.”
“Sucks to be you.”
Displeasure rippled through her porcelain features.
“We are offering you a new start, with a new mate. One that isn’t full of lies and deceit. I tried with a female shifter, but since you picked a human initially, I sent one for you to try.”
“I have only one mate.”
Madame G cocked her head, looking at him imploringly. “Do you?”
Hiding his confusion, Mercury held her stare. Still wearing absolutely nothing, still tied at each corner, yet Madame G never spared his body a glance. He was nothing but an experiment, an animal to be tested. A means to what end, they needed to find out.
“Daniella was quite the Agent, I hated to spare her for this mission. Her natural disgust of your species when she popped up on my doorstep was refreshing. She learned quickly how to kill your kind, performing each task with such zeal.”
“Liar, liar, pants on fire.”
Madame G drew back, surprised at his easy disbelief of her portrayal of his mate.
“If Dani was still your faithful Agent,” he continued, “and you didn’t fear your mission ruined, there would’ve been no need to bring me here.” He lifted his hands as far as they could go in the cuffs, looking up at them. “Yet, here I am.”
The tall, vile woman set her expression, “I will give you one more chance to give up your seed. Otherwise, I will talk to our doctor about going in after it.”
She was turning to go, Mercury’s words stopped her. “What will a baby net for Sigma? Power? Control?”
Madame G gave a derisive snort. “Sigma wouldn’t know what to do with this kind of power,” she spit out. “They are weak, their grand plan not grand enough. Why wipe out shifters when I can use them to rule the world?”
One last look of greedy disdain and she spun, heading to the door. Not a hair on her high ponytail even fluttered, the fabric of her standard long, blood-red kimono silent.
Mercury debated his next question. She wouldn’t kill him, he was too important. They’d keep him strapped to this table, do unholy things, but not death. Not intentionally anyway.
“What did you sell your soul for?’
Madame G froze. The light in the room seemed to dim, like an invisible vacuum opened around the dark lady, thinning the air, making breathing difficult.
As soon as it started, it was over. Madame G slowly turned back, moving with eerie stillness.
“What do you know of souls?” her soft voice half sneer, half innocent inquiry.
If he wasn’t tied down, Mercury felt like he’d be pinned to the table top by her black stare alone. Her thin red lips in a firm line, her porcelain skin highlighted along the cheekbones by an angry blush. So Madame G wasn’t impervious after all.
“I can see you are no longer in control of yours, sucking life out of the world around you.” How else could he explain the effect she had on the very air around her? He lived for fifty years running in nature, surrounded by living, vibrant creatures. And then another hundred years working for his people, who sought to live in harmony with the earth and worship her blessings.
Seeing he was affecting her, albeit negatively, he pressed on. “Was it not enough? Is that why you need a baby?”
One long, fine-boned hand lifted out of her robe, her fingernail colored black, transformed before his eyes into a long, tapered claw. She rested the tip against his shoulder, not breaking any skin. Yet.
“I do have a soul, Guardian,” she nearly hissed. “It’s growing in your little mate, dark and strong. Your baby is one third you, one third Daniella, and,” the claw dug in and she slashed down to his navel, “one third me.”
Mercury made a point of not flinching. Burning like salt had been dumped in the wound and washed away by acid, blood welled up and dripped down his sides. Madame G brought her claw to her mouth, showcasing an impressive set of fangs, and swirled her tongue around the tip.
“Mmmm. They knew how strong you were. Did you know that?”
Mercury stilled, dreading the feeling she was going to drop a big, stinky, can-I-believe-her, shit bomb on him.
“Your precious Lycan Council didn’t know what to make of the clan with not only unusual abilities, but the rumors that they could choose their own mates.”
“The fuck you say.” Choosing mates? Ludicrous. Shifters sometimes waited centuries for their destined mates.
“Fuck,” Madame G said flatly, sending chills skating over his skin at her seriousness. “Can you imagine the panic the council felt?” She continued silkily, “The control they would lose? The social and evolutionary bounds shifters could make? They might start thinking for themselves instead of being cowed into submission for the benevolent, all-knowing council. Why, a mutt-blood might even land a spot on the council.”
Madame G, rolled her eyes to the ceiling, in an uncharacteristic, overly dramatic display. “Could you imagine?” The forced awe in her voice barely left any room for the dripping sarcasm. “A clan with that power, and those abilities, coming to the attention of the terror-spawning boogey-man, Sigma.”
Mercury’s heart nearly stopped, anticipating what was coming next. Cold dread settled deeply into his bones and he willed her to just stop talking.
“Tell me, young Guardian? Would it be better for your council to let that clan fall into Sigma’s hands? Or destroy them themselves?”
This time when she turned to leave, he didn’t stop her.
Left alone in the silence, surrounded by the stench of evil, Mercury ruminated on the gut-twisting conversation. First of all, was the evil bitch telling the truth? He would scour this hellhole looking for any information she might have, even one word, about his origins, his family. To even know a name of someone from his childhood would give him an identity before he was the boy who was raised by wolves.
Secondly, it wasn’t possible for shifters to choose their own mates. When he first saw Dani, covered in blood, taking on Agents with calm fluidity, he was smitten. She was badass. Then he smelled her and before his baby registered in his awareness, she smelled delightful. She smelled, like –
Well, shit. With mates, it’s smell first, smitten later.
But he sensed her before that. Sensed something was wrong for weeks before he scented her.
Or was it the baby? Surely, she’d been in danger before with no awareness on his part.
Didn’t matter. She was his and he wouldn’t give up on ridding their lives of Madame G’s influence. That meant first, figuring out a way to get her essence out of his child. Without killing him.
Him? Yep, Mercury sensed his baby was a boy. Strong and sturdy like his dad, athletic and intelligent like his mother. He wondered if Dani knew as much.
It’d always been that way with him. Was that one of the reasons his clan was decimated? He knew things about the world around him no one else seemed to notice. Not usually significant, he chalked it up to the way he was raised, spending all those years as a wolf.
His ability’s increasing unpredictability caused him to not give it much thought, adapting instead to using his body and physical prowess. Once he was grounded by his mate and had a long conversation with Commander Fitzsimmons and Master Bellamy, he would give more thought and effort to training his abilities.
Closing his eyes again, he thought of Dani. His Daniella.
Mercury. The dim echo of her voice made him wonder if he’d reached the point of hallucination.
Mercury. Now that was more than a dim echo.
Dani? It couldn’t be. Their telepathy sucked. They’d warn the whole compound.
It’s working! Bennett and Commander Fitzsimmons say they can’t hear us so we should be private.
Where are you? No! Don’t tell me, just in case.
Are you hurt? The concern from her strengthened him.
Just a scratch
. I can’t shift until they release the shackles. But they’re coming to surgically extract what they’re looking for.
Have they –? she broke off.
I’ve been slapped around by a few women, but my virtue is still intact. He felt her relief through their connection.
Is there a way for you to get out?
I can’t change without these shackles taking a limb off. And they’re silver.
Have you tried releasing them mentally, like your door and gun safe?
He never put those two actions together. The locks were probably similar. What a great freaking idea. But would it work, or take his hand off? The limits of his ability were unknown and they’d been increasingly unpredictable. After Bennett’s rescue almost a century ago involving a keg of gunpowder and almost killing them all, he never trusted his control enough to practice, let alone use in the field. All the Guardians in the West Creek pack had similar stories.
Sensing his hesitation, Dani kept encouraging him. Your cabin locks and safes are all mentally controlled. This is no different. Do you remember the layout of the compound?
I don’t know where I am exactly, but I’m guessing one of the lower level torture cells. It’s not a monitored cell.
Those are on the east side of lower level two. Let us know when you get free. Her complete faith in his abilities humbled him and cemented his resolve. He would be free and in her arms by nightfall. Or daybreak. His sense of time was whacked underground.
And Mercury, I love you so if you get killed I’ll be really pissed.
There he was, grinning like a bonehead alone in the room. I love you too and will endeavor not to incur your wrath.
You’d better not, there was a grin in her message. Be safe.
The connection broke, like a lamp going dark in his mind.
Centering himself from within, he expanded his mind out to the cuff around one wrist. He flowed around the cold metal, sensing any other forces at work. Feeling no spells or dark powers within the spring-loaded barbs meant to trigger with any major movement while the lock was set, he let his consciousness drift gently into the lock. It was a simple handcuff lock so all the locks worked off the same key. Cool beans.
Time to wait.
The lock clicked and the door swung open to reveal the most accurate stereotype of mad scientist Mercury could have imagined. The middle-aged human man with unkempt hair, wire-rimmed glasses, and a crisp white lab coat carried a tray of equipment. The equipment may have looked normal on any other tray, but since Mercury knew it was destined for his manhood, it looked pretty damned sinister.
The man set the tray down on a rolling table without sparing Mercury a glance, but never turning his back completely to the shackled male.
Snapping a pair of nitrile gloves on his hands, he then picked up a scalpel and vial.
Mercury jerked against his cuffs and smelled a spike in the doctor’s interest. Sick bastard. To keep the show going, Mercury growled, baring his fangs.
“There, there. There’s a good boy,” the doctor’s voice low and soothing like he was talking to a raging puppy. “No worries, it’s not silver. You’ll heal and I’ll repeat the procedure as often as needed.”
The sick smile displaying yellowed teeth from excessive coffee drinking was filled with dark anticipation.
When the doctor’s black eyes landed on Mercury’s privates, there were four simultaneous clicks and the cuffs opened.
Mercury snapped one arm around the doctor’s neck without leaving the table, spun him around using his other arm, and yanked. The neck snapped and the body went limp. The scalpel clattered to the floor.
A quick search of the man’s clothing netted Mercury absolutely nothing but lint and nicotine gum. He would not leave here empty handed. Madame G would face dire repercussions for bringing a Guardian into her compound.
Recalling Dani’s information about the layout and activity, and how she escaped, he used her exact same method. With the helpful doctor’s finger to open doors, and blood to mask his own shifter scent, Mercury crept out into the hall.
A wall of doors lined each side, Mercury decided to quickly inspect both directions. The rooms were empty to his left, so he headed to inspect the rest. Recent signs of captivity assailed his nostrils, but no one inhabited the rooms. One scent sparked something familiar in Mercury. It was recent – a young shifter, and he needed to be found.
That was all for the east side, so Mercury headed to inspect the west. Now that he had more access to fresh air, he discerned it was the middle of the night, at least twenty-four hours since he’d been taken.
The west side was mostly empty, but for two rooms. A male and female shifter, both in various forms of recovery from some sort of torture, were naked and splayed like Mercury had been.
Using the doctor’s finger, Mercury opened the male’s cell. His long, shaggy hair hinted at months to even possibly years of captivity. Baring fangs, he growled low at Mercury.
Moving to stand over him, Mercury looked the male in the eye. Seeing intelligence, and most importantly sanity, he determined the male could be saved.
“I’m going to free you and to get out of here, you need to do exactly as I say.”
Taking in Mercury’s scent, the male’s eyes widened at the Guardian, then gave a small nod. Mercury mentally unlocked the male’s bonds.
When the male was freed, he stood and bowed his head, putting his fist over his heart. “Until I die, I, Garreth, pledge my service to you and your pack of Guardians.”
“Let’s hope that oath lasts longer than the next few minutes.”
Next, they went to the female. In similar shape, the female appeared to have been imprisoned nearly as long as the male, maybe longer. As soon as the males entered, she snarled, snapped, and bit at the air, straining against her bonds. Her eyes were frantic, and wild with fear. Mercury felt a pit form in his stomach. If the female was feral, his only option would be to put her down.
Garreth moved to her side and once he captured her gaze, he held it. The female quieted, chest heaving but relaxed. He held her still with nothing but his eyes and gently touched her forehead. Without breaking eye contact, she gave a slow nod.
“She will follow our commands, as long as we mean her no harm. Her name is Kerrice.”
“You can mind-speak?”
Garreth shook his head. “I’m a healer of sorts. But she is my daughter.”
“Is she feral?” Their situation was dire enough without having to face putting down the male’s young in front of him, even though they both knew it was a mercy Sigma wouldn’t grant her.
“Close,” Garreth replied grimly. “I...I need to try to save her.”
“As long as she doesn’t endanger our escape, she comes with us. We need to make our way to the doctor’s office. There’s another male shifter prisoner I have to find.”
“We’ll follow you, Guardian.”
Dani had been right. The compound wasn’t heavily staffed, especially at night. The recruits were kept separate, and not allowed near the holding cells and lab. It was a nice advantage, and with no weapons, hell – no clothes – he’d take all the advantages he could get.
Heading to the stairwell, the three shifters crept up to ground level. Mercury knew exactly where they were and where the doctor’s office was, and he couldn’t wait to get there. Dani was right, the stairwell was creepy as hell.
Opening the door a crack, he held up a hand to halt the other two and let his senses roam. There were humans, the shifter he was searching for, and Sweet Mother Earth, from the smell of fresh air – exits. Bet the big, important doctor had a nice size window in his office.
Bringing the beautiful image of his sweet mate to mind, he mentally reached out. Dani, I’ll be out in ten. Cover the doctor’s window and plan for three extra rescues.
Gotcha.
He turned to the shifters. Garreth was again calming the agitated female. “We can’t get around the cameras up here. We’re heading to an office, you two find
as much data as you can grab, and I’ll find the shifter. The window in the office is our exit.” Waiting for their acquiescence, he finished, “Let’s move.”
Swiftly trotting down the hall, they maneuvered through the corridor, and using the mad doctor’s finger, gained access to the office. Mercury cleared the room and was ushering Kerrice and Garreth inside when they heard shouts.
Fuck, it was on. They would have to fight their way out.
“Search it!” Mercury ordered slamming the door.
Garreth immediately headed to the desk, unplugging the laptop. Kerrice followed his lead, searching drawers. Taking stock of his surroundings, Mercury prepared to go out and take on the enemy to find the third shifter when another large window caught his eye. One-way glass.
Leaping to the window, Mercury saw a dark room. Flipping the switch next to the glass, a light on the other side flipped on, revealing another room similar to the holding cell he’d been in.
The figure on the table moaned, turning his head away from the light. The shifter Mercury had been looking for lay in a heap on his side. The fact that he wasn’t bound concerned Mercury. How bad of shape did the young male have to be in not to be shackled?
Gunshots sounded and the door shook. Not being able to open the highly secure office door, the Agents were trying to shoot the handle off. Maybe the assholes would run out of bullets before they blew it open, or get hold of something with more blast power.
Moving quickly, Mercury grabbed the office chair and smashed the glass to get to the young captive. After clearing the biggest shards out of the opening, he leapt over and into the room.
Jagged glass pierced his feet when he landed, but paying them no attention, he quickly went to the male’s side. He was tall, but scrawny, no doubt starved. He had unusual coloring, in that he had very little coloring at all, except for the dried blood covering his body over the faded scars that would soon disappear completely. The experiments were recent, the boy would be out of it until healing was complete.
Heaving the young shifter across his shoulders, he barked, “Garreth!”
Primal Claim Page 14
