The Hunt is On (The Patroness)

by Natalie Herzer

  “It seems obvious to me.”

  I looked as I felt, not much wiser, and so Pauline explained, “He has Kylian’s back.”

  Anouk chuckled as I just kept on frowning. “Kylian doesn’t want you to know too much about mating so he can enjoy his play. He’s teasing you. He’s a cat after all.” She thought a moment then continued, “Or, he doesn’t want you to know because he fears you might run off. Either way, Pauline’s right. Ben has his back, though maybe if you play your cards right, he might be inclined to let something slip, especially after Kylian punched him.”

  I groaned, not at all delighted at the idea of Kylian playing with me. “This is so like high school.” Then the rest registered. “Wait a moment. When did Kylian punch Ben?”

  Pauline’s eyes went wide. “Right, you don’t know.” A short burst of laugh escaped her, but then she cleared her throat to explain what was going on. “When Kylian brought you here after you were bitten again, Ben was close on his heels and both went into your room neither telling me what had happened nor closing the door. They just put you in your bed and Kylian growled for Ben to fix you. You wore a sweater…” Her eyes flew to me, as she was suddenly unsure whether to continue the story or not. I nodded to reassure her. “Well, it was torn and Ben wanted to have a better look at the bite at your neck. So he grabbed his scissors to cut it and wham…Kylian punched him. Just like that. Ben actually rolled his eyes at him and said, ‘FYI I’m not playing doctor, I’m being one’. Then Viviane came in. She had obviously heard them coming up the stairs, and took over from there.”

  I smiled at Ben’s comeback, but wondered whether Kylian’s gesture implied what the multiplying butterflies in my stomach hoped it would. “So what does that mean?”

  Anouk shrugged. “Maybe he wants you as a mate, but I can’t tell you that for sure, since I don’t know him that well. I know he was the Council’s assassin before coming here, and, well, that boy has a rep.”

  Yeah, and it was that same reputation that had made me decide against a quick roll in the hay with Kylian. I didn’t want to end up as another notch on his bedpost. But, come to think of it, did I want to be his mate? That would be more than just seeing where this thing between us could lead. Mating was for life, and in our case would probably end with a double homicide.

  I pinched the bridge of my nose. “My life was a straight line that I knew and was more or less satisfied to follow. Now, since that guy came into my life, it seems all I have in front of me is a minefield. I have no idea where to go. One step, one wrong move and everything could blow up in my face.”

  Suddenly the prospect of chasing a patch of fog seemed so much easier.

  FOURTEEN

  When the sky darkened Kylian came, with his highest ranking shifters and the ravens following swiftly, their faces set and determined to find out what exactly it was that happened to their own and to the people of Paris.

  The time for formal wear was gone. Kylian was dressed in dark jeans, jacket and practical boots, and looked breathtakingly lethal with his dark hair and brown eyes that showed a tiny circle of iridescent blue around the pupil. Gabin followed behind him. His brother Luc had the same blue-black hair but while Gabin’s was streaked with a shimmering green when the light hit just right Luc’s showed a hint of silky dark violet. Ben was dressed in black from head to toe. His face was serious, but he hadn’t been able to go without his loved sweets. A lollipop was stuck in one corner of his mouth. Mathieu and Philippe took up the rear, trying to look as stern as the rest but the excitement beneath filtered through. I couldn’t blame them, it was the first time for them to actively participate in a patrol, in a hunt.

  Anouk’s group was calm and serious, but now and again I saw Agent Rodriguez glance into the direction of the shifters. Curiosity drawing him, rather than distrust.

  Pauline and I were dressed in black and armed and just as ready as the rest of them. Viviane rummaged in the kitchen, preparing to treat bloody wounds or growling stomachs, whatever would be needed.

  Kylian and I quickly consulted with each other. He informed me he had a group of twenty shapeshifters scout the city as well, and then we put together the different teams. Cell phone numbers were exchanged and put on speed dial.

  “No one goes anywhere alone. Stay together and if something’s up, contact us,” I said. “Pauline, you go with Ben. Anouk, you already know Gabin, Kylian’s second, he’s at your disposal for tonight to help your team. Mathieu and Philippe, you two go with Luc.”

  They all nodded and teamed up without hesitation, and took the city maps I was holding out to them. “Take these. Some of you are relatively new to this city, so please, check regularly your whereabouts. Pauline and I already had to go through the fog we want to know more about, and believe me when I say you won’t be able to see a thing. Use the maps to get your bearings. Oh, and Philippe could you hop every, say, twenty minutes to each group and check on them? This way, in case the fog screws with the reception we still know what’s going on. Check on Kylian and me last, so you can give us a heads up about the others, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  After understanding nods and good lucks from all around and saying bye to Viviane we filed out the door. Kylian and I made up the rear.

  Outside the round streetlights had come on and bathed the streets in their warm glow. The eastern sky was dark with settling night and the remnants of menacing clouds, but in the west daylight fought and a dying halo of an amber and crimson sunset flared with a last but waning hope. Soon the night would belong fully to the revelers that even the cold wasn’t strong enough to hold inside their homes.

  We started out on our patrol through the northern part of Paris. The others all had spread out to the four cardinal directions. As always though darkness had settled, Paris hadn’t quiet down yet. The noise of the trucks that emptied the bottle banks filled the air. The cars were loud but nothing against the racket as the to-be-recycled glass streamed out of those banks and into the truck. It was as lovely as nails scraping a chalkboard but much, much louder and had a glassy clink to it that would resonate in my head for the next half hour. Mopeds wheezed as the driver tried to squeeze a last drop of power out of them, busses tooted with an annoying sound of a bell, and people laughed too loud and walked along, the click-clack of their heels bouncing of building facades. And then this chaos was followed by patches of time were the city around you would be almost silent, as if taking a deep breath.

  A small, satisfied smile tugged at my lips as I did the same and breathed in the fresh air of winter. Not yet quite as cold as it could be, but dank. Clouds misted around my mouth.

  “Has Mathieu already talked to you about the little incident at my place today?”

  “You mean with Anouk?”

  I nodded, carefully watching him.

  “Yeah, we talked about it.” He looked at me, taking in my concern and shook his head incredulously, “Do you really think I’d let anything happen to him? You don’t need to worry. I told him he had a choice to make. Either he fights as his wolf obviously wants him to or he keeps his head down a while longer and trains. I also added that the second option would be wiser than just listening to the puppy inside of him. He isn’t yet ready to face more than a fight or two a day, which, however, would be expected of him if he wants to climb the pack ladder. Plus those fights will be different from what he’s seen so far. They are about respect and position, and some would fight until death for it.”

  I expelled a deep breath and sighed. Of course, I shouldn’t have worried. “Thanks. And I’m sorry. It’s just…I’m so damn happy he’s survived the bite and that Michel’s plan didn’t work out. He’s looking and doing great. I wouldn’t know what to do if anything happens to him now…”

  “He has you and a pack behind him. I like him, too, you know. I won’t let anything happen to him.”

  Kylian stopped.

  He tilted his head and touched my hand, and then I heard it, too.

  A sound to the side,
coming from the pitch-black shadows between houses.

  I reached for my sword and with swift moves, nearly gliding, we drew closer. My eyes adjusted, and I noticed the three men in the blind alley. One stood, a sickening grin on his lips as he zipped his pants, the two others were vampires and were still fixed on the woman leaning against the wall on the ground, shredding the flesh on her neck and breast.

  We charged. Kylian grabbed the standing demon of lust by the throat with a hand that was covered in bluish fur and quickly detached the head from the rest of the body, while I struck at the two vamps crouching in the dirt. Arch and stab. Two quick and too easy slices that left me wanting more and they went ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

  Kylian was already kneeling beside the woman and trying to feel for a pulse at her neck. When he shook his head, I growled. Damn those bastard vamps. I said a prayer and called it in.

  Nothing else left we moved on, roaming through the streets, nearly without any kind of interruption. Less than on a usual patrol, as I told Kylian.

  Philippe dropped by as we had agreed, telling us that the others were okay and had discovered nothing unusual so far.

  Soon we reached the Montmartre cemetery. I had to push myself to not hesitate before going inside. I had my sword, daggers and necklace, thanks to Kylian, and even carried vials of holy water with me which I hadn’t done in years before this week given the fact that the Council governing the magical community worldwide had officially acknowledged my position as Patroness of Paris and therefore every attack against me was punishable. No one, rogues excluded, had been dumb enough to come at me openly, until now. My wake-up call. I had felt too save and had become sloppy. Well, it wouldn’t happen again.

  The cemetery was already closed to the public and seemed darker, without lights illuminating it. Clouds covered the night sky, no star filtering through. As we walked the black shadows of crypts seemed to change, switching between beauty and eerie menace. But at least this was a buffer to the sounds of the city, a quiet island, and the air had also changed, tinged with scents of evergreens. I tried to concentrate on that and not on my thudding heart.

  Beside me Kylian stopped and turned towards me, his voice strong and teasing, “There is something I can’t quite get out of my mind. Yesterday, I think, you were just about to admit that you’re a chicken when the magic interrupted us.”

  I snorted. “I would never have and never will admit such a thing.”

  He took my hand in his warmer one. “Then you wouldn’t mind a dare?”

  “Of course not.”

  “You also called our kiss simple. I dare you to prove it, right now.” He stepped closer, his thumb drawing circles on the inside of my palm, sending hot shivers up my arm.

  In my head I knew that the dare was his way of distracting me, of making me think about something else than the cemetery. In my heart something warm and soft unfolded. I smiled, playing along. “Piece of cake.”

  A mocking lift of an eyebrow was all I got in return and so I closed the space between us. Rising up I brushed my lips to his. Although I held myself back faking a nonchalance I didn’t feel and tried to ignore the heat in me, the kiss was good.

  I stepped back and frowned as if concentrating. “Hmm. Yeah, simple. No zing.”

  “Oh, is that so?”

  His eyes had turned blue again, filled with laughter and something wicked. He smashed me against his chest and kissed me. Not slow and tender but strong and passionate. His tongue thrusting deep, our teeth scraping together. My blood rushed with high-speed through my veins, spreading heat all over my skin. He bit into my lip and backed away just enough to growl, “Try again.”

  He rested his forehead against mine. We were both panting heavily, trying to calm this newly awakened beast inside both of us.

  “Okay, there’s a little zing.”

  When I looked up at him the teasing hint had vanished and more ice blue streaked his eyes, not cold but searing. “One day you will end up in my bed, but it won’t be out of anger at yourself or at somebody else.”

  I couldn’t stop myself from reacting to it. I didn’t step back, but returned his gaze without a slightest blink that would only show submission and replied, “I won’t be another of your conquests, Kylian.”

  “What if you’ll be the last?”

  My thoughts had been circling around this subject for quite awhile and I knew talking about mates basically meant talking about forever. But hearing him say it out loud was an entirely different matter. His answer took me off-guard and I needed a moment to find my voice. “What do you mean?”

  “You could be my mate.”

  I might not know a lot about mating but I certainly did remember him explaining to me that shapeshifters could only be perfectly sure they found their mate after having sex. I took a step back. “So if I get this right you just want to have sex to find out whether I’m your mate? But what if I am not? What happens then? You’ll just walk away and screw around until you find her. But what about me?”

  “I told you once that there were also subtle signs and that if a shapeshifter is able to see and interpret them, he can know or at least suspect who his mate is before having sex.” He gave me a level look.

  Oh. “And those are?”

  “That’s not important right now. What’s important is that you’re afraid. Ever since I came to you to tell you that I was the new Chef the la Meute. Ever since you knew that I’d stick around and that there wouldn’t be just a quick roll in the sheets for us.” He shook his head when I tried to speak up. “Don’t even try to deny it, Maiwenn. I’ve got eyes.”

  “So what will happen if it turns out I’m your mate?”

  “You can walk if you want to.” When surprise registered on my face he laughed. “What? Did you think I would tackle you down and handcuff you to my bed to keep you there?” He cocked his head, an unholy glint in his eyes. “Come to think of it I might do just that. For an entirely different reason, though.”

  I swallowed.

  Then something behind him caught my eye.

  Ahead, just above the moss-covered mausolea loomed the bluish, metal bridge, crossing the cemetery. A shiver ran down my spine and I blinked, at first not quite understanding what I saw. But no, there was indeed silvery fog spilling off the bridge and flowing onto the ground.

  Kylian noticed my tensing up and turned. He looked at the fog and then to the trees surrounding us. Dark and flashing silver leaves rustled in a gentle breeze, the sound like tiny bells ringing in warning. “It moves against the wind. That can’t be good,” he announced, something close to surprise touching his voice.

  “Right there with you.”

  That fog gave me the creeps.

  Almost like water it rolled, and soon tongues of it were slithering around our feet. I heard drums, faint and far off. But somehow, that sound was familiar. I‘d heard it before. “Do you hear that?”

  Pulsating, buzzing in the blood, growing louder and fiercer. I looked around, but the noise seemed to bounce of every surface, coming from everywhere around us.

  Kylian nodded, and I was sure that if he were in his beast form he would prick up his ears. I felt like being watched, but turning around I saw no one. The white mist had enveloped us completely, thick clouds that moved as if alive. There seemed to be no way out. Beside me the tiger in human shape growled, clearly not used to being the prey and not liking it one bit, and then he inhaled deeply. “The fog scents of woods and animals, which is totally weird. Normally in a city it would just be wet and smell like the city. That is no city fog, it can’t be from here.”

  Not from here. Somewhere inside my head, an old drawer opened.

  Suddenly from above a pounding and screaming and mad laughter joined, a symphony of mayhem. Understanding dawned one moment and without losing another I whirled to grab Kylian by his collar and took him with me to the ground, my mouth covering his right the next instant.

  He tried to get away, needing to investigate the problem around us, bu
t a bite to his lip and a flick of my tongue had him focused on us. Near his ear I whispered, “Don’t move. Don’t open your eyes. Don’t look up. Whatever you may hear, ignore it.” To be sure he was safe I put my hands around his face and over his eyes, keeping his head in place, my own eyes tightly shut.

  Above us the sky went wild and the noise gained in intensity. The rhythm of the pounding drums was strong and fast, and listening hearts raced with the age-old panic of the hunted. Mad jeering and laughter blended with screams of terror and hopelessness that pierced mark and marrow and tore the heart. Never would I forget those cries. Animals, thundering hooves and the thud of massive paws. Hounds, chasing and panting with an unquenched thirst for blood, and their master’s blowing hunting horn split the air and was answered with an eerie howl. They were near. I could hear them growl, snap their fangs, and even sensed their hot, foul breath on my skin. We had to stay still, one move and we would attract them. Sick, high-pitched laughter cackled through the air, echoing, and the drums pounded even faster, daring us to run in fear. I concentrated on Kylian, the warmth of his body. He was real. His arms tightened around me and I was relieved knowing that he understood. I knew his beast didn’t want to run, wanted him to stand up and fight instead, but he knew better and resisted. The hounds snarled but we didn’t move, and with a last snap of sharp teeth, they went along, hoping for prey elsewhere.

  We stayed on the cold ground, our eyes still closed, not moving. When the drums finally ceased, I pulled a little away.

  Kylian’s eyes snapped open, a lethal clear blue greeting me, but his voice was nearly teasing even if hoarse. “Was that a yes?”

  I knew he meant the kiss and the sex and possible mate-for-life thing, and suspected he wanted to lighten the mood. I appreciated the effort. “I don’t know.” It was the truth. “But what I do know is that this toothpick-whirling little me here just saved your butt.”