“She can keep up good enough in human form, but all my cats have issues.”
“Such as?”
“You haven’t met Sheeba. She’s blind.”
Nicolas’s thoughts were scurrying. “How did you come by your group of cats?”
“It wasn’t easy. Raykon has no respect for women. He enjoys torture and dishes it out at the smallest excuse. Each cat cost me favors.”
“Do I want to know what kinds of favors?”
“No.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“We have nothing to gain by deceiving you. If we stay here and do nothing, the wolves will lose this war. Us going to the other side is no guarantee the wolves will win, but we feel it’s the better side to fight for.”
“And you think the wolves will fight with you.”
“Right now I’m only asking one wolf.”
Nicolas didn’t say anything for several minutes while he let all he’d learned sink in. After taking a deep breath he asked, “How soon can you be ready?”
“It’s you I’m worried about.”
“I’ll be fine, and I want to leave before daylight tomorrow.”
“So be it.”
Chapter Nine
Preparations began immediately. Madayah was in charge of readying food and water. Everyone would carry a backpack. Zenya needed to speak with Nicolas privately, so he followed her through more rambling turns. They stopped in a large room holding gym equipment.
She turned to face him. “I thought you might want to shift before we start out tomorrow.”
“Thank you. It’s been months.”
“I’ll give you privacy.”
She turned to walk away, but his chiding words stopped her.
“You think I need privacy to be wolf?”
“Well, no, I just thought you might not want a cat around.”
“I think it’s something I need to adjust to because tomorrow it’s going to be thrown in my face whether I want it or not.”
“Fine then, shift.”
He was already removing his clothing. She stood watching.
Everywhere on his body that hadn’t been healed by a vampire after being tortured held a scar. He relished each one because they reminded him of what he’d lost. Not the marring of his body, but the maiming of his soul. He turned to lay his clothing on a nearby table and heard her soft gasp. He knew his back held the most damage, and now that he was clean it stood out. He looked over his shoulder, but her face showed no expression.
The shift flowed naturally through his body, and in an instant his wolf form took up the space where his human body stood a split second before.
It felt wonderful to stretch his canine muscles.
A gray wolf replaced the man, nothing exciting, but big. He was the largest beastkind wolf in the United States.
He slowly walked around the gym, taking in the odors. Someone cleaned the room recently, but he still smelled cat. Sadly he was getting used to the obnoxious odor. After ten minutes inspecting his surroundings, he moved closer to Zenya. She stood her ground and allowed his nose to travel down her leg and then back up. His snout heading to her crotch was natural, but she batted his nose away anyway. He laughed inside his head, almost wishing he could communicate with her.
Would he ever communicate silently with another beastkind again? It was a gift passed from a vampire to his or her clan. Nicolas no longer had a clan, and with Fredrick’s death the gift of telepathic communication was gone. Nicolas stepped back on four legs and then shifted to man.
“What’s wrong?” Her steady voice asked.
“I can’t converse in my wolf form.”
“I’m sorry. Amy’s able to communicate with all beastkind, but it was months before I could link with Marcus and his entire clan.”
Zenya’s eyes looked everywhere but at his incredible body. He almost smiled knowing he affected her. He didn’t miss a beat over the revelation about Amy communicating with more than one breed of beastkind, different vampires had different gifts. Zenya communicating with the wolves was different and opened the possibility of different beastkind sharing telepathic speech. “You are able to communicate with wolves?”
“Yes.”
“Interesting. I guess we don’t know enough about cats and wolves to understand our differences, much less the similarities.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“That’s a very simple answer.”
“Well?”
“Dogs don’t like cats.”
She grinned and looked at him. “It’s as easy as that?”
“Yep. It’s in our genes.”
“You know that’s ridiculous.”
“Not to a dog.”
“I’m totally understanding why cats don’t like dogs.”
“And why is that?”
“Because you’re idiots.”
The full grin changed the hard lines of his face, but his lips tightened and he switched subjects. “Are you up for a workout?”
“Sure, I could use one.”
He put his pants on and they worked out for an hour. Although he craved the exercise he knew not to overdo it. Admiring the sensuous flow of her muscles as she lifted weights was nearly impossible. He could almost put aside her smell and consider the beautiful woman she was. Almost. It was impossible to let go of his hatred of cats even if he knew she wasn’t his enemy.
Zenya sat down the hand weights and looked at Nicolas. “How about a dip in the pool?”
“Sounds good, and then I need to eat again.”
“You know we should wait another day before leaving.”
“Do you really think that it’s safe?”
“No, but you need to rest.”
“So do you. Will it stop you from going?”
“No.”
“Then we leave.”
The two of them walked through the twisting turns of the compound and made their way to the hot springs. Sweat cast a damp sheen over their bodies from the workout and the misty steam from the hot springs added to it. Zenya removed her pants and turned at the noise close behind her.
They stood looking at each other; dark eyes staring deeply into green. His arm came forward and his hand caressed her shoulder, tightened, and then pulled her close. Everything in his mind was telling him not to do it but his body had a will of its own. When she was close enough, he took her lips with fierce hunger. They didn’t close their eyes, both wary of the other, until finally she pulled away.
“Will any female body do?”
His breathing slowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You’re a dog, I’m a cat.”
“A simple no will work.”
“No.”
He turned without another word and removed his pants, then got into the pool. He couldn’t believe he kissed her. What the hell was wrong with him?
“Get in. I won’t bite,” he snapped.
She kept the sports bra and underwear on and entered the water. They didn’t speak, each lost in their own thoughts. A few minutes later Talya entered the room.
“Madayah is planning a big dinner for tonight and wants everyone there. Vorlyk told me we’re leaving tomorrow.” She looked between the two of them curiously, and her excitement over their coming departure was evident.
“It’ll be dangerous, Talya,” Zenya said.
Talya whirled around, her hair whipping over her shoulder, and gave a parting comment, “That’s what I’m hoping.”
“What’s her story?” Nicolas asked when Talya was out of hearing.
“She was passed around Raykon’s men for years and then Vorlyk was able to bargain for her.”
“But she’s still a child.” The horror in his voice was plain.
“Raykon doesn’t care. He’s sadistic and can’t take women without torturing them.”
“And you know this how?” To his surprise, Nicolas felt his anger boil.
She looked him squarely in the eye. “I just know.”
She stood to get out of the pool, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. “Did he hurt you?”
“All he does is hurt. I don’t want to talk about it. Ever.”
He let go but remained angry. His imagination was probably making it worse. The truth was, he’d been one of Raykon’s amusements, and there was always the possibility that what Raykon had done to Zenya was worse.
Chapter Ten
It was the first time he saw all the she-cats at once. They were a sadly endearing group, juggling infirmaries and animosity with a quiet strength weaving in and out of their personalities. Getting them out of cat territory would not be easy.
Esta was the cat referred to earlier as the Amazon, and she didn’t hide her hatred of his species. She appeared to be the only cat without some kind of physical problem. Everyone babied Sheeba, but she batted their hands away when they tried to help her do anything. Nicolas thought that her blindness wouldn’t be as hard to work with as Talya’s missing limb. Zenya explained that Nikka didn’t speak but that she was tough like Esta.
Desi and Corla were sisters, and both had burns that covered much of their bodies. They refused to look at him, and quietly ate their dinner, sitting side by side, while physically leaning into each other.
Vorlyk kissed them softly on their cheeks when he joined them for dinner. He looked deceptively youthful for a clan leader. Every now and then, Nicolas saw deep weariness in the vampire’s gaze, but then he would shake it off and smile or laugh. There was no doubt Vorlyk loved these women.
As Nicolas took in the misfit cats, he began to put two and two together. His thoughts played havoc with his hatred of their race. He managed to make it through the long dinner before getting a moment alone with the vampire.
“Did Raykon do all the damage to your cats?”
Vorlyk gritted his teeth. “Raykon and his men.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s all they know.”
“That’s the best answer you can give me?”
“Raykon’s not right in the head, but he’s the most dominant cat in South America. The male cats don’t let their women breed. They kill the lucky ones who are caught and mutilate the others.”
“What about children?”
“The men breed on humans and then kill the women after the babies are born. Female cats are not allowed to have children.”
“What if they do? What happens to those children?”
“They’re killed in front of their mothers. Victoria killed Zenya’s child in front of her. Desi, Corla, and Madayah’s met the same fate at Raykon’s hands.”
“They kill their own kind?”
“They don’t care. They do not allow their women to mate with humans. I’ve been told the wolf clans are different.”
“It’s not easy for wolves, but we need children. The couples work it out.”
“The cats don’t.”
“So Desi, Corla, and Madayah were mutilated for having babies?”
“Yes, and those babies killed in front of them.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“And you think because I’m a vampire I do?”
“You’re aligned with the cats.”
“Only by default.”
“How did you meet Zenya?”
“Victoria is my sire. She loaned me to the South American cats before she battled Marcus. I heard Zenya survived and lived with the wolves. When I saw the cats had you, I contacted her.”
“Why did you care?”
“You asked me that before and my answer remains the same. I don’t care about you, but I do love my clan, as small and dysfunctional as it is. I will die for them, and I will also align myself with the wolves if it saves them. The vampires here don’t trust me. Raykon doesn’t trust anyone. When my need is at an end, my clan and I will die.”
“And your ability keeps you alive for now?”
“Barely.”
“Even with your help it will only give the North American clans four vampires. They may get two from Europe, but even then chances are good they won’t survive against nine. If Canada helps the South American cats it’s not even a battle, it’s a slaughter.”
“I’m betting on the fact the Canadian cats won’t help.”
“And you know this how?”
“I don’t know it for sure.”
“But you’re still willing to come over to the weaker side?”
“I don’t see them as weaker. I see them as humane. I hate to make this as simple as good versus evil but it is. I loathe the side I’m on. I think we have a chance if I can get my cats out of the jungle. If not we will at least die knowing we tried.”
“This is crazy.”
“That’s one thing about the cats. Every last one of them is insane, including mine. Don’t ever forget that.”
“What time are we leaving?”
“I planned to ask you the same thing. It’ll take a couple of hours to get off the mountain and into the jungle. We need to do it before daylight.”
“Two?”
“That will work. I doubt anyone will get much sleep anyway.”
“Can Esta be trusted?”
“To help us, yes. Not to stab you in the back, no.”
“Wonderful.”
“She’ll fight to her last breath and take out as many cats as she can, but she hates all wolves. I’m not making her go.”
“You expect her to live with the wolves she hates?”
“Or get safe passage to Canada.”
“If we make it, I can arrange that.”
“I’ll tell her. It might keep you from sleeping with one eye open.”
“Anyone else I need to worry about?”
“Talya slipping into your sleeping bag when you’re not looking.”
Nicolas took a short breath. “She’s a child.”
“Raykon’s men didn’t think so.”
His eyes narrowed. “Please don’t remind me.”
Vorlyk changed the subject. “I need to feed from you again and help build your strength.”
Nicolas stared deep into the vampire’s eyes. It was custom to offer an arm to another clan’s vampire. A neck bite was reserved for your own clan leader. Nicolas unbuttoned the top of his shirt and pulled the material away from his throat.
Vorlyk didn’t miss the significance and he didn’t refuse the offer.
The two men went back to the kitchen and told the women they would be leaving at two o’clock. No one argued. They went into a comfortable great room and continued preparing their gear. When they finished, they spoke quietly or tried to get some sleep. Desi and Corla stayed in human form, but curled up together like kittens.
Esta changed to cat and left to patrol the property. Vorlyk sat on a couch and Madayah lay with her head in his lap. Nicolas moved over by Zenya, who remained quiet and solemn.
“Any thoughts,” Nicolas asked softly.
“No. I want to try and communicate with Amy, but I’m afraid.”
“Who’s the vampire that hears telepathic communications?”
“His name is Morris.”
“Who’s the most dangerous vamp?”
“That would be Amelia.”
“They have a female vampire?”
“Victoria made her. Amelia hates all wolves, and isn’t so fond of females of any species.”
“But she’s female.”
“Makes little sense, but she’s the biggest threat. She also hates Vorlyk. They’re the only two left directly from Victoria’s line. One died in the attacks against you and Brandt. It was Amelia’s mate. They were members of separate teams. Amelia was in the group that went after your…” She hesitated, remembering his words about speaking of his clan.
“It’s okay. Go on.” It was easy to read her mind.
“Amelia is as sick as Raykon, maybe worse.”
“Vorlyk told me there’s a price on your head.”
“Yes, dead or alive.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It was
the only way.”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Saving me.”
“I did it for Amy.”
“I don’t care why you did it. I’m alive.”
“You may not be for very long.”
“As long as enemy cats go with me.”
She looked straight into his eyes. “Thank you.”
His shoulders went up then down. “And why are you thanking me?”
A look of longing entered her eyes. “For giving me a chance and not killing me right away.”
He needed to kiss her again, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted. He was attracted to her and it didn’t matter that she was cat. Remembering her with salty sweat moistening her skin made his body harden. He wanted to see her in cat form. His wolf wanted to rub against her fur and absorb her unique scent that didn’t seem as harsh as before.
He shook his head slightly. She said no. He would honor that. “You need to get some sleep. Lie down and rest your head in my lap.”
That made her laugh softly.
“Go ahead. I won’t bite.”
“You say that a lot.”
“Only to you.”
Surprisingly, she didn’t argue. She stretched out and rested her head on his legs. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He didn’t sleep, just listened as her breathing slowed and became even.
Chapter Eleven
It seemed like only minutes before it was time to go. They all quietly picked up their gear. Nikka and Esta changed to cat while Desi and Corla handled the two extra bags. Sheeba placed her hand on Talya’s shoulder and their small group was ready. Nicolas and Zenya took the lead, wielding machetes with Vorlyk taking their flank. Nikka and Esta spread out and worked the perimeter.
They didn’t take the same trail as when Nicolas arrived, and Zenya explained that if the cats came for them it would be from the front of the mountain, so they were going down the side. It was slightly longer, but safer.
It was still dark when they hit the clearing at the bottom of the mountain. They entered the jungle with the first rays of light coming over the horizon.
They traveled another two hours when suddenly Vorlyk was at his side. “Our guards just communicated that three cats are about half a mile ahead. Do you want to take care of them with Nikka and Esta?”
Fang Chronicles: Zenya's Story Page 4
