He sounds far too furious for me to risk not giving in.
I walk around the cage. Amarok remains unconscious. He’ll wake up soon, though, and then what?
“Not a vampire. Amarok.”
“Amarok? What is that? A new kind of creature you named?”
“No.” I scowl. His rotten mood is destroying my happiness over my victory. “Creature, yes. New, well, that depends on your definition. It’s a wolf—“
“This the animal that killed all of those people?”
“Yes and no.”
I can just imagine him staring me down critically. “Explain.”
“He’s not an animal. Or not just an animal. Amarok is, well, he’s a man who can shapeshift into a wolf.”
“A werewolf,” he says flatly.
“Yes. But not like any old werewolf. He’s centuries old and—”
“You said is. It’s not dead?”
“No.” I swallow hard, uneasy and even worried.
Capturing Amarok is only the first step. We need to kill him. As long as he’s alive, he remains a threat. We shouldn’t study him. Some things are just not meant to be replicated or analyzed. I am pro death penalty, and with the discovery of vamps and now Amarok, I am even more so.
“You said you captured it?” he asks desperately.
“Yes.”
“What are we supposed to do with it now?” Rex asks quietly.
I can picture him rubbing his chin.
Before I can answer, he asks, “Where the Hell is Diego? No one has seen him in hours.”
I swallow hard. Blood drains from my face, and I actually feel myself go pale. A glance at my watch tells me Diego hasn’t called or texted me recently. I haven’t seen or heard from him in a little while.
A terrible thought occurs to me, and I sink to my knees. We’ve gotten about three inches of snow so far, and flakes form a dust cloud around me.
“I don’t know where he is,” I whisper, fear and dread squeezing my heart.
First Travis got hurt, taken by the vamps. They did something to make him try to poison me and then stole him away. Eventually, he came back to us, but he still has a slight memory gap.
And now Diego might be gone.
Zeke. He did threaten Diego.
If he did anything to him, I swear I’ll—
“Of course not. Two cops go missing and both have ties to you. Coincidence?”
Angry boils through me. “You cannot be serious!”
“Not now. Tell me about this… What did you call it?”
“Amarok. It’s in a cage. We’re in South Mountain Park, near where the staked vamp head was found.”
“What should we do?” Rex mumbles.
“We should—”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” he snaps. “We’ll need to find a way to transport it and the cage. It can’t stay here. Seriously, Tempest, couldn’t you have found a better way of going about this? Like, by telling me about this all along?”
“I didn’t want—“
“It’s not about what you want. It’s about doing your job and not keeping your superiors in the dark. Bernardo is still taking flack for the crap you pulled when you were in vice. If you’re going to be on the SIU, you need to talk to me.”
“I will—“
“Right now,” he continues as if I haven’t spoken, “though, I’m afraid that you’re done.”
My blood turns as icy as the snow. “Done?” I croak.
“Consider yourself demoted.” He hangs up.
Numb, disillusioned, acting on autopilot, I start to march back to my car. Demoted or not, I remain a cop, and I march right back to the cage. I’m not letting Amarok out of my sight, not until that vamp zombie wolf is dead and buried.
Chapter 32
Maybe it’s because of the snow, but I doze again and again. Every few minutes, I jerk awake, terrified Zeke will come back and kill me despite the supposed aversion other vamps have displayed. Or maybe one of his friends will kill me for him if he’s dead.
What if he’s not dead? What if he becomes a mindless husk of a vamp that bites and kills everyone he comes across? What if his bite is now tainted? Humans bitten by vamps that aren’t cured eventually die. As far as I know, the lieutenant is the only one to have survived a vamp bite. What if Zeke’s bite now creates new vamps? Or new mindless, bloodthirsty creatures like Amarok can produce?
While I wait for Rex and the cavalry to show up, I check my phone. Still no text or call from Diego. A text from Samantha with a thumbs up and Details about date later. A missed call from Dean but no voicemail.
Honestly, I don’t know if I want to talk to anyone, but I’m already calling Dean back.
“Hi, stranger,” he answers. “Are you all right?”
I smile at the undercurrent of worry in his voice but hating that there’s fear, too.
“I’m—“
A siren sounds, loud and nearby.
I hang my head. “Can you hold on a minute?”
“Sure.”
Strangely feeling uneasy, I watch the cop cars drive by, their flashers threatening other drivers to part for them. One car does break off and parks not that far away. Rex climbs out. Something glitters in his hands.
Handcuffs.
What in the world?
“I’m sorry. I’ll have to call you back. I’m fine, though. Don’t worry.” I hang up before Dean can respond.
I stroll forward, glancing over my shoulder at Amarok the entire trek toward Rex. “Glad you finally made it.”
Rex’s scowl would make any skeleton roll over in their grave. “Shut your trap and don’t say a word.”
“Damn,” I mutter. “Temper, temper. Maybe someone needs to talk to someone about their anger issues.”
What is this? Am I being arrested? Sure, I kept important intel from them, but I did it to keep them safe!
The big smile I mean to give him completely falls apart into an irritated frown. “What’s going on?” I ask, barely hiding my hostility, staring at the cuffs.
He lifts a hand, his cuffs dangling from a finger.
I cross my arms, staring him down. “Am I under arrest?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, that’s reassuring,” I mutter.
“Just cooperate for once in your life,” he snaps.
Here I thought getting demoted was bad. Things are definitely not looking up for me despite Amarok being captured.
“What do you want from me?” I ask, pushing through a wave of anxiety and resentment.
“Hold on.”
With his other hand, he whips out his phone and dials someone. Then he puts it on speaker and holds it out between us.
I open my mouth but slam it shut, swallowing back my questions. From his clenched jaw, he’s not looking to talk. I’m already on his bad side as it is.
Still silent, brooding, and visibly disgusted, he doesn’t move as the phone rings a second time. A third.
“Reynolds,” the lieutenant answers.
Good. Maybe I can convince Reynolds to reinstate me.
“I’m here with Tempest,” Rex says.
“Hunter, give her the phone and take me off speaker.”
Rex straightens stiffly.
“For a minute,” the lieutenant snaps.
Man, is that freaky. It’s like he can see us.
“Yes, Lieutenant Reynolds.” Rex shoves the phone at me, contempt and disgust in his eyes. He stalks away, toward the cage.
I wait until Rex might be out of hearing range. “Sir, please, you have—“
“Save it. You don’t get to tell me what I have to do.” He cracks his knuckles, the sound echoing over the line.
“Of course not. It’s just—“
“You want to be reinstated.”
I flush, embarrassed. Honestly, I kinda hate myself right now. All of this is on me. It’s all on me. They all know about vamps. Why couldn’t I have trusted them with the knowledge of Amarok?
“Do you deserve to be
?” he roars.
“No,” I whisper, disgusted with myself.
“No?” He’s clearly startled by my response. “No, you don’t.”
“And yes.” I wince but can’t stop the onslaught of words spewing out of me. “I did what I had to do to keep as many people safe as possible. An animal was targeting and killing people.”
“Targeting?”
The heat from my cheeks spreads to encompass my neck. It’s like I’m being roasted head on down.
“Is there a connection between the victims?” the lieutenant asks.
“Other than being attacked and killed by the same creature, no. Targeting isn’t the point. What I’m trying to say is that—“
“First you said animal. Now you said creature. Which is it?” he demands.
“It’s—“
“It’s a man,” Rex says, jogging over. He rips the phone out of my hand and puts it back on speaker. “It’s a man she has locked up.”
“That’s what I’m trying to explain!” I blurt out, anxious. “Amarok is a man who can turn into a wolf. He’s been feeding on humans for years, for…”
Saying centuries won’t exactly help my case right now.
“A man who can turn into a wolf,” the lieutenant repeats slowly.
“I know. It’s hard to believe, but I saw it. I saw him. It was after he killed Frank Ivy. I—”
“You knew about a wolf-man for that long and you didn’t tell anyone?” the lieutenant roars. If this was a cartoon, smoke would be rising from the phone screen to show how angry he is.
“I was trying to keep it under wraps to keep everyone say,” I say. I’m dismayed they can’t realize that, accept that, appreciate that.
“If you think I’m going to overrule Hunter’s demotion of you, you need to think again.”
I’m too worried at a new thought to care. My jaw drops, and my stomach feels like it’s riding a roller coaster without a safety bar. “You said Amarok’s a man. Does that mean he’s awake?”
“Yes.”
Chapter 33
Fear and dismay have me running to the cage. One of the bars is gnawed almost through already.
I whip around to see Rex right behind me. “Do you see this?” I demand.
“See what?” the lieutenant asks.
Rex disconnects the call and this time FaceTimes him. “The bar,” he points out, showing it on the phone.
A slight cough draws my attention away from the cage to its occupant. The man sits on the snow seeping through the bottom of the cage. He is not wearing much, but he does not appear cold. Shadows seem to hover about him, like a cloak, but his eyes, the color of gold, pierce through me. I shudder, disgusted. Hey, at least I have nothing to afraid of, right?
I hope.
The lieutenant’s talking, but I’m not paying attention. I think he’s coming over with men.
Amarok tilts his head. I bristle, hating the way he’s watching me.
No, he’s studying me.
Like a predator does his prey.
I gulp, rejecting the sense that I will one day be another in his long list of victims.
His lips curl into a sardonic smile as if he can read my thoughts.
Please let that not be accurate.
Rex hangs up and pockets his phone. “So you’re Amarok,” he starts conversationally.
Amarok does not react.
“You’re being accused of some pretty serious crimes. Do you have anything to say for yourself?” Rex asks.
He plants his feet and crosses his arms. A layer of snow is building on his shoulders, but he doesn’t brush it away. No way am I doing it for him.
“He’s not going to talk,” I tell him.
“Have you tried talking to him?” Rex snaps. His attitude softens as he refocuses on your perp. “Do you want to explain what happened earlier?”
Rex so can’t pull off the whole good cop routine. Besides, I’m not even sure Amarok is a U.S. citizen. Yesenia doesn’t exactly sound American, and given how old the spirit of the wolf is, he mostly likely can’t be. So, just like with the vamps, I’m not sure Amarok is protected by our Bill of Rights.
Amarok just shifts his gaze from me to the almost worn-through bar.
Anger burns within me, but I do my best to keep my cool.
Turning my back to Amarok, I walk over to Rex and place a hand on his shoulder. “Let me talk to him.”
“Because you did such a good job talking to the vampires.” His lips curl with disgust.
He hates me. The realization might give me pause if the feeling wasn’t mutual.
Is it hate, though? Or just distrust? I can’t blame him for not trusting me. Don’t my intentions mean anything?
The way to Hell is paved with good intentions.
I swallow hard. “A minute.”
“No.” A muscle in his jaw jumps. “Did you need me to explain what the meaning of the word demoted is? This is a crime scene. I’m the lead detective here. I am going to question the suspect now.”
“Fine. I’ll just go home and—“
“No. You’ll be questioned after I’m done talking to the suspect.”
“The killer.”
“Not until proven guilty.” Rex’s nostrils flare. “Right now, all I see is a man you locked up.”
“He’s not just a man,” I protest, dismayed.
Does he really not believe me, or is he just trying to get under my skin? Because he’s not trying. He’s succeeding.
I walk away a few steps and take out my phone call.
“No talking about the case,” Rex orders as he turns away from me.
Equal parts frustrated and furious, I somehow refrain from flipping him the bird.
Dean texted me a few times, but I ignore them and call Diego. No answer. My stomach twists into knots. Is he all right? Has his association with me gotten him kidnapped or worse?
Immediately, I call again and this time leave a quick message.
Sirens blare, and it’s not much later that the lieutenant and a few other officers come over. For having been gravely sick recently from a vamp bite, the lieutenant’s looking stronger and more capable than ever.
He’s also looking more pissed and furious than ever before.
He crosses the snow-covered field. Now standing before me, he stares me down as if he can drill holes into me until I’m holier than Swiss cheese.
Whirling around, he turns his glare on Rex. “Has he said anything useful?” he barks.
Rex’s Adam apple bobbles.
“Anything at all?”
Rex shakes his head. “I was—“
“Getting out of my way? Excellent.”
Rex scampers to the side.
I hide a smirk. At least Rex is intimidated by the lieutenant too, although I probably should be more than I am.
The lieutenant orders the other officers to spread out. He’s not taking any chances. Smart.
I step forward eagerly, but the lieutenant notices. He’s on the warpath.
“Since I’m demoted, I thought I might go home,” I venture, feeling inferior.
“Have you been questioned yet?” the lieutenant demands.
“Not all of them.”
“Get to it, Hunter, or else,” he threatens.
“Come on.” Rex reaches for my arm but doesn’t touch me. He motions me to join him a few feet away. “Tell me everything. Everything, Tempest. I’m not about to let you ruin this for me.”
“Ruin what? Your life? You should be thanking me.” I can barely keep the hostility out of my tone.
“Start talking,” he demands, his tone equally as frosty.
Chapter 34
I tell everything I know about Amarok but do omit about Zeke and my growing anxiety and fear for Diego. Only then am I told I can leave. No need to tell me twice.
I head straight for my car.
“Wait up!” Rex calls.
Suppressing a groan, I turn around.
Rex rushes over, snow rising behind him l
ike a cloud out of a cartoon. It’s almost a comical sight.
But the expression on his face, one filled with disdain and anger, is anything but comical.
A vein by his temple throbs. “If you’ve kept anything from me…”
I glower at him even though he has a legit reason for being so furious with me. “Don’t threaten me,” I say softly. “I did what I did to keep you all alive. I’m not going to apologize for that.”
“My job—“
“You can’t work if you’re dead.”
With that, I rush to my car. Soon enough, I’m home. Unfortunately, I don’t feel any better, though, not even after my bath and a ham-and-cheese omelet. Not even after a long nap.
I call Diego. No answer. Man do I have a bad feeling about that. Really bad.
I’m about to call the station when someone knocks at the door.
Feeling a bit uneasy, I peek through the window and groan.
Rex pounds on the door. He’s holding cuffs again. Why?
“Open up, Tempest,” he demands. “I know you’re in there.”
My throat is way too dry. I need a drink, and I don’t mean water.
I clear my throat and wince at the burning sensation. “What’s going on?” I call.
“Open up!”
“I’m not decent,” I lie. “Hold on a second.”
“I don’t care what you’re wearing or not wearing. If you don’t open this door right now, I’ll bust it down,” he threatens.
“Damn,” I mutter. “Temper, temper. Maybe someone needs to talk to someone about their anger issues.”
Besides, it’s not like I want to sneak out the back door. I just want a few seconds to wrap my mind around this. What is this? Am I being arrested? Sure, I kept important intel from them, but I did it to keep them safe!
“You have until the count of—“
I throw the door open. The big smile I mean to give him completes falls apart into an irritated frown. “What’s going on?” I ask, barely hiding my hostility.
“You need to come with me.”
“Where?”
He lifts a hand, his cuffs dangling from a finger, just like before. “You know where, and you know why.”
“I did it to—“
“You can explain yourself downtown.”
When Wolves Howl: A Mayhem of Magic World Story (Bedlam in Bethlehem Book 2) Page 18
