“Nope,” I mutter. “Not at all.”
Clean?
Nope.
Vamps have obviously not fled the city, despite Amarok’s presence. Or maybe capturing him has made them bold. Or maybe a vamp who got bit by him is taking revenge out on me and possibly Diego.
Either way, I’m getting to the bottom of this.
I’m sinking my teeth into the underworld of the vamps.
Chapter 39
The stars are bright tonight, like shining jewels in a velvet black blanket. They make for a beautiful sight. They seem so happy and peaceful, the antithesis of how I feel.
My car door closes quietly. The park is quickly becoming one of my hated spots in the city. It’s a shame, really. My parents brought me here all the time.
This time, I’m not here for Amarok. I’m here for a certain wolf. If he dares to reject me, if he threatens me, I’ll arrest him. I’m done playing games.
So much for my wanting to be a good cop.
The law. Right and wrong. Black and white. My ideals should be solid and strong. A year ago, I never would’ve considered some of the things I’ve done. Heck, not even two months ago.
The world isn’t what I thought it was. There aren’t just criminals out there, murders, rapists, drug dealers. There are worse threats out there.
My depressing thoughts keep me company as I seek out the wolves. None are gathered here.
“Rolf,” I call out desperately. “Come on, man. You owe me.”
A twig snaps behind me.
I whirl around, gun raised.
Rolf holds up his hands. “You called me. I came.”
“How did you get here so fast?” I ask suspiciously. “Do wolves have crazy speed like vamps?”
“No.”
“Oh, so you’re a creeper. Spying on me.” I don’t move to put away my gun.
“Don’t worry about it.” He smiles broadly. “You aren’t my type.”
“Good.” I swallow hard. “You owe me,” I repeat, my voice shaking slightly. With eagerness? Fright? Fury?
All of the above.
“What is it?”
“I need you to help me track down a friend of mine.”
I gesture for him to follow and remove a black handkerchief from my car. Diego isn’t one of those guys who will wear jeans so low you can see his boxers. When he goes out clubbing, he actually dresses up. Not a tux dress up, but a suit complete with a handkerchief.
Several months ago, he took Marlon and a few of the other single cops to a Latin club in Allentown. Supposedly, Diego has some sick dancing moves.
Yeah, I can’t dance at all. As in, I dance like a bad hair day.
Anyhow, Diego always left this handkerchief on his desk, claiming it was lucky. I swiped it the last time I was there.
“This is his. Diego. Find him.” I shove the cloth out.
Rolf’s nostrils flare with disgust. “Are you kidding me?” he asks, his brow furrowed with disapproval. “I’m not a dog.”
I’m too worried to be embarrassed by my possible blunder. “I’m terrified for my friend, okay? I don’t know. I think a vamp took him, a vamp that Amarok bit. I’m afraid he’s dead. Please. Just… try, will you? I capture Amarok. I did what you wanted. All right, fine, yeah, the spirit of the wolf still lives. If he’s captured, though, he can’t hurt you. You’re safe. All I’m asking is for a little help.”
Rolf fingers the cloth. “I guess I do owe you. Fine. But, Clarissa, I’m not—“
“I’m sorry,” I blurt out, appalled by who I’m becoming. “I need your help. We haven’t been able to find him, and… What if he’s dead?”
“I’ll find him.”
Dead or alive hangs unspoken in the air between us.
Rolf turns away from me, and I can’t help wondering if it is because he is smelling the handkerchief.
“I really didn’t mean any disrespect,” I whisper.
The wolf stills, about faces, and stares me down. “You know why I sought you out.”
“Yes, to take down Amarok because you were too… You wanted to keep your pack uninvolved, to keep them safe.”
“This Diego is part of your pack.”
I nod, throat tight. That’s exactly right. He might get on my nerves at times. His flirting can be both uncomfortable and all too familiar at the same time. That doesn’t matter. Diego is a fellow detective and a friend.
“Return home,” Rolf says curtly.
“But—“
“You’ll only slow me down. Do you want him found or not?”
I argue with him for a good two minutes before I have no choice but to comply. If he’ll have an easier time finding Diego without me, how can I screw that up?
When my dragging feet bring me to my car, I glance behind me. Rolf is gone.
A bitter disappointment fills me. I drive home in silence, not bothering to turn on the radio. I’m back to feeling numb, wanting to close everyone out. It hurts to care so much. Before vamps, I had my work and my friends, but it was different. They were never in danger. Well, yes, of course, we were in danger when we were out in the field, taking down small-time drug dealers. Nothing like this, though.
What has the world come to?
The moment I walk inside my place, I can’t remain feeling numb. Anger and disgust fill me, and I use my adrenaline to clean as quickly as possible. Two hours pass in the blink of an eye. I’m all set to start on the living room when I hear footsteps near the front of my door.
My heart in my throat, I glance out the window. My eyes sting as I flung open the door and barrel into Diego.
“You’re all right! Are you all right? Are you hurt? You smell terrible. Sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so—“
“Hey, now.” Diego rubs my back, prolonging the hug. “You were worried about me?
I jerk back to see his sly smile. “Of course not,” I retort, but nothing can remove my grin.
Thrilled, I usher him inside and risk a quick glance around. There’s no sign of Rolf anywhere. Still, I lift a hand in appreciation before closing the front door.
“Have you called—“
“Yeah, I called the station. I’m supposed to go to the hospital to get checked out. I thought you could chauffeur me, but… What in the world happened here?”
I cross over to him and clasp his hands. “Don’t worry about that. Tell me what happened to you? Did Z… Did a vamp take you?”
Diego releases my hands and steps back. “Yes, a vampire took me. He was… strange, even for a vampire. I think he was sick, as weird as that sounds.”
So it was Zeke. I’m torn between relief, guilt, and fury.
“You know this vampire, huh?” he asks critically.
“We crossed paths. I’m so—“
“You already said you’re sorry. Like you said, I smell, so do you mind if I shower here before the hospital?”
“Go for it.” I rush to retrieve a towel and washcloth.
His hands cover mine as he reaches for them. “I don’t understand why you feel so guilty.”
“You don’t understand.” My cheeks flame with bitter resentment. “I enlisted the help of a—“
“Oh, I know all of that. Zeke told me. Not directly, but I figured out his ramblings enough to know what happened. You think it’s your fault he went after me. It’s not. This is war.” Diego’s black eyes glitter. “Sometimes there are prisoners. Sometimes no captives are held. He wanted to kill me, but he didn’t. He’s sick from Amarok’s bite, but he’s trying to fight it.”
“I think a vamp did all this.” I spread out my arms to encompass the mess. “Which one, I don’t know. Why I’m not sure.”
“We’ll worry about that soon. Just relax and order me some pizza, will ya?”
“Any kind you want? Hint, no anchovies.”
He bursts out laughing.
“He really didn’t hurt you?”
“No. We got into a few physical altercations, but I’m a boxer.”
“You box?” I had no id
ea.
“Yeah, been for years. Nothing too serious, just a hobby, really. Anyhow, he only landed one punch.”
“Still, that one punch could’ve ended you.”
Diego winks. “I’m made of sterner stuff than that. Nah, no fishes, but plenty of other meat.”
I order two large meat lover’s pies from a local place, one that loves cops. It doesn’t surprise me that the pizzas arrive before Diego’s out of the shower. I am kinda shocked his shower too so long though.
He comes out of the bathroom wearing only a towel. At this point, I’m worried my cheeks will be permanently red. It’s ridiculous that I feel so embarrassed.
We laugh and joke around as we eat. As far as I can tell, he seems all right. No sudden wincing, no holding his side or favoring anything.
“You’re really all right?”
“I’m never completely all right.” His grin is slow to form this time.
“You got that right,” I murmur. “Where did he have you? How did you get free?”
“Over by Steel Stacks, an abandoned warehouse. A wolf howled. Zeke went out to investigate. I ran. The wolf joined me. That was… something else. He barreled between my legs, and I rode him to the park. He stayed away from people. We weren’t seen. It was crazy, I’m telling ya.”
“You walked here from the park?” I ask, shocked.
“I wanted you to be the first one I saw,” he says simply.
I’m not gonna lie. I’m touched.
He leans over. We’re sitting on the couch. How did we get so close together?
I jump up, flustered, dismayed, and confused. My feelings for Diego are complicated, to say the least, and right now, I’m not free to feel them.
“I’m gonna go track down Zeke,” I announce, trying to be indifferent. Nah, better to focus on my frustrated anger. “See if there’s a way to heal him or else…”
“You do know I’m coming with you.”
“What about the hospital?”
“I’m fine,” he insists stubbornly.
“And the station? You never called, did you? They would’ve dragged you to the station for a statement.”
“So I lied.” He spreads out his hands. “You’re not getting out of this. Besides, I never said where exactly the warehouse is.”
“I’m a detective. I think I have enough intel to be able to track it myself.” I’m smiling despite myself. “But I suppose some backup won’t hurt. Let me get my spare gun. I don’t have a ton of silver bullets,” I warn.
“It only takes one.”
Chapter 40
The warehouse is old, rustic, with graffiti on the side. It’s so nondescript that it almost looks like a crime scene waiting to happen. Or maybe that’s just my goon radar going off.
Hm. Has my radar been upgraded to include vamps too? If so, is that a good thing or not? I don’t want to be around vamps any more than I have to. Somehow, I just know they’re gonna be a part of my life until the day I die.
Way too depressing and morbid for me.
I park up the block and nod to Diego. My heart flutters at his side profile. His jaw is set, sharp and fierce, dark eyes narrowed. For once, he’s focused on the task at hand. His courage has never been something I can question, always willing to go to where the fighting is the thickest. He used to handle a lot of domestic disputes.
Will his personal feelings against Zeke threaten the mission? If it comes down to it, there’s no doubting who I’ll save. I won’t hesitate.
“Are you ready?” I ask.
He nods, the movement crisp and rigid.
“If it’s possible…”
“Keep him alive. If we can cure him, he might prove an ally.” He rolls his eyes. “Ally with a demon who drinks people’s blood and leaves them for dead,” he mutters.
“I know you’re skeptical,” I start.
“I know you’re lead,” he says simply.
Another moment almost passes between us, but I throw open the door and slam it shut immediately. Furious at myself for my fright, I fling it open again.
The bundle of shadow right by my door almost morphs into the wolf.
“Rolf, don’t sneak up on me,” I hiss.
The wolf’s eyes narrow as if to berate me for my lack of gratitude.
“Thanks,” I mumble, grateful that we have more backup, still wishing he hadn’t sneaked up on us.
Rolf lingers behind us, keeping to the shadows as we stalk toward the warehouse. I’m tense and uneasy. Who knows how Zeke reacted to learning his prisoner was gone. What if he claimed another victim?
Refusing to give into fear or guilt, I gesture for Diego to let me enter first. There’s a broken window that will gain us entry hopefully without alerting Zeke to our presence. We aren’t here to harm him. In a way, we’re here to rescue him.
If that’s possible.
The warehouse is dark, and the moment I land on my feet, I pause, looking around. Then I sneak over and hide behind some boxes, waiting for Diego and Rolf and for my eyes to adjust.
The wolf doesn’t enter, but Diego juts his chin to the left.
I take point. Do vamps have special night vision? Wouldn’t surprise me. A flashlight would give us away, although if Zeke can smell us, he already knows we’re here.
“I knew you would come.”
Zeke’s voice is raspier than normal. Heart pounding, I slowly turn around, hands raised to show we come in peace.
“Zeke. I wanted to thank you—“
He shakes his head several times, the movement jerky and unnatural. Blood still oozes from his bite. The stench of decay wafts from him, repugnant and gut wrenching.
“I… I captured…” His red eyes glow in the darkness as he stares down Diego.
“You’re sick.” I risk taking a step forward. “Come with us. We’ll try to find you—“
Instantly, he’s beside me. His eyes are flashing. He tilts his head back, fangs exposed. Before I can even take a breath or react in any fashion, he’s halfway across the length of the warehouse. A few boxes fall along his path.
Zeke crouches over, holding his head, muttering to himself.
Diego steps forward. “Man, get a grip,” he snaps.
My eyebrows lift. Good cop, bad cop? Or is he upset and agitated by the vamp holding him prisoner for so long?
Zeke stands tall. “You don’t understand,” he whines. “Him… He will rule the world one day. From the shadows, he will rise. He will bring the world to its knees. Those who don’t serve him will all die. All die.”
The vamp does the craziest thing then.
He weeps.
Trails of dark blood leak from his eyes. Our tears fall fast, but his move like molasses. It makes for a terrifying sight.
“He who?” I ask, doing my best to remain calm and not give into fear. “Amarok?”
“The spirit,” he mutters. “All die.”
A low howl sounds from behind me.
Zeke holds unnaturally still, a victim of fright. His tears stop, and he doesn’t seem to be breathing either.
“Agent of darkness,” he cries angrily.
He dashes forward, not quite at vamp speed so I can just make out his blurred form.
“No.” I move to block his path. “This isn’t Amarok. He—“
Too late.
The two fight, vamp and wolf as if the other’s presence threatens them personally. Diego’s flashlight shines on them as they roll around on the ground, clawing, punching, biting. Boxes crash to the ground around them. Their destruction is almost a sight to behold.
But then Zeke stands up, holding Rolf by the neck. The wolf claws at his hand, trying to kick himself free. The vamp remains unaffected.
“Agent of the spirit, you must pay with your life.” Zeke’s words are muffled. Strangely, he doesn’t throw back his head. He’s not readying for a bite.
Instead, he whips out a blade.
Not just any blade.
The blade. The bone blade!
His arm comes st
reaking down.
A shot rings out.
I lower my gun.
Rolf breaks free.
Zeke crumples to the ground.
He’s dead.
I fall to my knees myself.
Did I just initiate a war between vamps and wolves?
Chapter 41
The lieutenant comes out personally to handle the mess. I’m a ball of anxious worry and guilt. Diego repeats that I had no choice. Doesn’t matter if I hadn’t. I saw the hatred and loathing in Rolf’s eyes before he bounded out, disappearing into the night. I have no doubt his pack will smell vamp on him. They’ll take in his wounds, and their timid peace with the vamps will be devastated.
Likewise, I have to fear that the vamps know that Zeke is dead. I can’t assume otherwise. The night is their domain. I doubt they miss anything during the moon’s silver hours.
While the others all rally around Diego, thrilled he’s back, I slip the bone blade inside my jacket. Then I duck out of there and do something I know will negate any good that’s come about this night.
I go and seek out Amarok in his cage. The guards are asleep. Bizarrely, I wonder if he knew I would come, if he had done something to trick them into sleeping. It’s ridiculous though.
It’s just as well they’re sleeping, actually. I sure don’t want witnesses for this.
Amarok wears a knowing smirk. My hands tremble, fists of rage burning at my sides.
“You act all big and bad,” I spit out through gritted teeth. “If you want any chance of getting out of this cage, you’ll tell me where the others are.”
He raises his eyebrows. The man, wolf, spirit, whatever he is, he’s amused. That frustrates me like nothing else.
“How do you even know for sure that I’m telling the truth about them?” he asks.
I’m fuming. I don’t know.
“But you have no way of finding them yourself.” He taps a long finger against his cheek. “What a conundrum.”
“Just tell me!”
I glance over my shoulder. The guards don’t even stir. Strange. I shouted that really loud.
“What did you do to them?” I ask.
When Wolves Howl: A Mayhem of Magic World Story (Bedlam in Bethlehem Book 2) Page 21
