Violet (The Silver Series Book 4)

by Cheree Alsop

  He put the blade back on his wrist, then gave me a slightly embarrassed smile. “Jet's a good teacher. I'll be fine.”

  I rushed to my brother and gave him a quick hug. “You'd better be,” I said fiercely. “I'm not explaining to Mom, Dad, or Grace why you aren't coming home, so you'd better take care of yourself.”

  He surprised me by hugging me back as tightly instead of just tolerating it like he used to. “I will,” he promised.

  I let go. “I'll be in the pantry in case you need backup.”

  Kaynan opened his mouth to argue, then sighed and nodded. “Might be a good idea.”

  I gave the others a weak smile, then went back into the hall and slipped into the pantry Dad had built in the slanted closet under the stairs. My breath sounded loud in my ears. I wondered how far away the enemy was, then froze at the sound of a window being forced open at the back of the house. I debated whether I should slip out and tell the boys, but Jet’s soft footsteps in the hall told me they already knew.

  My heart pounded so loud I wondered if the other werewolves could hear it. I clutched the gun tightly in both hands and ran through the brief lesson Dad had given me on loading and unloading; I checked the safety about a million times while I waited in the darkness.

  A muffled cry sounded, followed by a soft thud. Several running footsteps echoed down the hall, then several more cries. Kaynan shouted something and Jaze answered. Jet grunted a reply to them both. A shot rang out and I jumped. The sound was amplified by the tiny pantry and I almost dropped my gun in an attempt to cover my ears.

  I pressed an ear to the door to check if the fighting had stopped. Images of each of the boys lying bleeding or dead on the floor flashed through my mind. I couldn't wait anymore.

  I pushed open the door. The hinge squeaked like it always did and I froze, holding my breath. When nothing moved, I stepped softly down the hall. Adrenaline surged through my body and I had to force down the urge to phase and take them on as a wolf, but I knew less about fighting as a wolf than I did as a human. At least I had a gun.

  I slid the safety off and watched the floorboards for the one that creaked. I paused by the entry to the living room, then turned slowly around the corner, gun out and a finger on the trigger.

  A shadow moved by the window. A surprised squeak escaped my lips and I squinted, trying to make out who it was with the flutter of curtains and the shifting moonlight confusing my eyesight. A hand shot out from beside me, grabbing the gun and twisting it out of my grip in one smooth motion while pulling me back into the shadows. I recognized Jaze's scent and was glad I had the presence of mind not to shout. He put a finger to his lips, then pointed again at the window.

  I followed his finger and almost screamed this time.

  A man in dark clothes and with a shaved head had a knife to Kaynan's throat. Kaynan struggled, but stopped when the blade touched his neck. The man's teeth showed white as he said something softly in my brother's ear. Kaynan's lips curled back in a snarl, but he didn't answer. The man slowly slid the knife across my brother's throat.

  A shadow detached from the curtain next to them. Jet drove a knife into the man's low back and caught away his arm at the same time, freeing Kaynan. Kaynan turned, dropped to one knee, and knifed the man in the stomach with the wristband blade I hadn't realized he still held. Jet finished the man with a slash across his throat. The attacker fell to the floor and the scent of thick, hot blood tainted the air.

  “That was a little close,” Kaynan said, his chest heaving. He glanced at the corner of the room and I saw several men bound and gagged; most of them looked unconscious.

  I pulled away from Jaze and ran to Kaynan's side. Blood trickled down his neck, but the knife wound was shallow. He grinned at me. “Think I'd get killed that easy after all we've been through?”

  I hugged him and cursed him at the same time. “Be more careful. You're lucky Jet was there.”

  He gave me a small smile. “I knew he was there or I wouldn't have gotten into that position.”

  I rolled my eyes but hugged him again, glad he was alright. “Don't scare me like that again.”

  “I'm just glad she didn't shoot you,” Jaze said from behind me.

  “Would've served him right,” I shot back, but I couldn't help smiling in relief when Jaze handed the gun to Jet. He gave it to Kaynan and began to go through the pockets of the men on the floor.

  Mouse came from the kitchen, a knick in his cheek and his hair tousled. “We aren't going to get anywhere with these guys.”

  “Why not?” Kaynan asked.

  Mouse kept his eyes on the body near the window. “They're hit men, hired guns. Threatening them won't get us any closer to stopping this.”

  Kaynan's face tightened. He stalked over to the corner and took the gag out of one man's mouth. “Is that right? You're mercenaries?”

  “For the right price,” the man answered. He grimaced. “But they didn't give us an accurate description of what to expect when we got here.”

  “You thought you were facing an older couple, a defenseless, easy target?” Jaze asked.

  The man nodded, but Jaze didn't look convinced. “Then why did they send so many of you?”

  The man seemed taken back. He stared at the men around him, his eyebrows lowered. “I didn't think about it,” he concluded quietly.

  Jet stood over the man, a knife in his hands. “If we let them go, whoever's after us will know they failed.”

  Mouse cleared his throat quietly. “If they don't know already, they will soon. More deaths won't solve anything.”

  “It'd make me feel better,” Kaynan said hotly. He glared at the man beneath Jet.

  Jet lifted an eyebrow. “Really?”

  Kaynan touched the knife wound on his neck and pulled away his fingers to look at the blood, but despite the anger in his eyes, he sighed. “No. Killing doesn't solve anything.” Relief blossomed in my chest and I gave him a small smile.

  Jet nodded as though Kaynan had met his expectations. He made the man they had spoken to rise and ordered the others up with him. When one protested, he growled something softly that I didn't catch, but the look in his eyes left no doubt as to the threat. The men stood and he linked a curtain cord through the rope around their wrists, then pushed them down the hall and out the back door in a disorderly line. They carried the man who had been killed under the window, and it was a relief to see them leave the house.

  My mind was numb, playing over and over again the sound of the gunshot and the image of Kaynan with a knife at his throat. Several spots of blood from the mercenaries tainted the carpet and the memories I had of our peaceful living room.

  When Jet returned a few minutes later, Jaze gave him a careful look. “What did you do with them?”

  Jet met his eyes with a slight gleam of cold humor. “I didn't kill them.” He tossed something to me. I caught it and saw that it was the permanent marker Mom always kept in the kitchen by the sink to write dates on the tupperware with leftovers so she would know if they had gone bad. “I called Rosco’s boys and left a message on the bald man's head so they would know they were dealing with hired murderers.”

  At my stare, he shrugged and said in a softer voice, “I've killed more than my share, but never defenseless humans. There's a special place for men like that.” He turned away and concluded in a barely audible tone, “Maybe we all end up in the same place anyway.” Jaze touched his arm, but Jet ignored him and disappeared into the kitchen, his expression dark and eyes haunted.

  Jaze sighed and turned back. At my questioning look, he said quietly, “Rosco’s the Alpha of the biggest pack in this area. He and the Hunters have worked with us before to resolve a few concerns. He’ll handle this discretely so the police don’t come knocking on your parents’ door.”

  Kaynan leaned against the wall and let out a loud breath, his eyes on the blood-stained carpet. “That was a bit more than I expected.”

  “But not more than they expected,” Jaze mused aloud. At my
look, he nodded toward the door. “The hit men might not have known what they were facing, but the government men knew we would be here. They're anticipating our moves.”

  “So what do we do now?” Kaynan asked.

  Jaze frowned. “Go back to my place and keep your parents in hiding. They know they failed and they'll need to regroup, which'll give us some time to plan our next move.” His gaze tightened. “But I don't like leaving the girls unprotected.”

  “They have Brock,” Mouse pointed out with an unexpected chuckle.

  “At least the fridge will be safe,” Jaze replied.

  “Only because it's empty,” Mouse shot back with a smile. Everyone laughed.

  Kaynan sighed. “I'll call Mom and Dad and tell them to get comfortable.”

  “Thank goodness for the Rasmussens,” I said. A memory surfaced and I smiled.

  “What?” Kaynan asked.

  I fought back a laugh. “I just remembered the time you kissed Samantha in the orange grove. They sure hated you!”

  “I was ten,” Kaynan protested. “I didn't know any better!”

  As we turned to the task of cleaning the house and preparing for the flight home, I felt a bit lighter but unsure about the future. Uncertainty made my skin shudder and I longed to return to the forest with Rafe.

  ***

  I could only stare when Rafe pulled up in Jaze's SUV. He met my gaze solemnly for a moment, then broke out in a grin. Brock sat up in the front seat and waved. They both got out and I threw myself at Rafe, remembering only at the last minute that he might not be completely healed. I slowed down and stuck out my hand instead.

  “What's this?” he asked with a laugh. He pulled me close, gave me a tight hug, then kissed me as though he couldn't help himself.

  I kissed him back with all the missing and longing I had experienced in the few days apart. Kaynan grunted, “Really? Right in front of me like that?”

  I laughed. “You're just jealous Grace isn't here. She's probably home cooking lasagna with Mrs. Carso just for you.”

  Kaynan smiled at the thought and left to get our bags from luggage claim.

  “You drove?” I asked, unable to hide my shock.

  “I lived my whole life in a forest. You think I'm ready to be behind a wheel?” Rafe asked. I shook my head and he laughed. “Brock had me switch him seats about two minutes before you got here. I drove maybe five feet.”

  Brock grinned at me from Rafe's elbow. “Got you for a second though, right?”

  “Letting an unlicensed werewolf drive the vehicle Jet's Dad bought us? Maybe not the smartest move you've made,” Jaze said in a tone that made us all pause.

  Brock started to sputter, then Jaze broke out in a grin and slapped his friend on the shoulder. “Just teasing you. Lighten up a little.” He held out his hand. “But Mouse is driving home. I'm not putting my life in your hands in a car after the cow incident.”

  Brock grinned with red cheeks and tossed him the keys while Rafe stared between them. “What cow incident? I just drove with him.”

  Jaze shrugged, his eyes bright. “You would've healed.”

  Rafe rubbed his stomach. “I'm not so sure.”

  The two went to help Kaynan while Rafe waited with me by the SUV. I touched his arm. “How's your stomach?”

  He shrugged, but his face was still pale compared to the wild werewolf before the cougar. “Healing quickly, according to Roger and Charles.”

  “But not quickly enough?” I pressed, concerned at the forced lightness of his tone.

  He ran a hand through his hair to push it back from his face. “I miss the forest.”

  He said it softly, but there was a depth of longing that echoed in my heart.

  “I miss it, too,” I admitted.

  He stared at me, his eyes searching mine. “Really?”

  I nodded. “I'm tired of walls and small spaces. I need the trees.”

  He smiled and leaned against the side of the gray SUV. “Leave when we get home?”

  “As soon as we can without offending anyone,” I agreed. I felt lighter with the knowledge that we would be back in the forest again where things were simpler and phasing wasn't a death sentence. The control it took for me to keep from phasing during our trip made me worn and exhausted and had brought back the insomnia. I longed for dreams and dark nights in a cave lightened only by starlight and fire that danced on the walls.

  Chapter 12

  “Call me if you need anything at all,” Kaynan made me promise at the gas station. “And check that cell phone. It's supposed to have amazing reception, but you know how they are.”

  I patted the pocket it rested in. “I will; I promise.”

  “I'll be back in a week. Don't forget. Things aren't over and I want to make sure you're safe.”

  “I know.” He had said the same thing for the past two days since we returned from Oregon. It was clear he didn't like the idea of me returning with Rafe, but I had also let him know that I was in charge of my own life. He might not like it, but I needed to be away from walls and Rafe was the only one who could give that to me.

  “Take care of her,” Kaynan told Rafe. A hint of threat carried in his undertone. He locked eyes with Rafe and they stared at each other for a minute.

  A smile touched Rafe's lips when he finally looked away. “I'll take care of her; don't worry.”

  “You better,” Kaynan growled.

  “Kaynan!” I rebuked him.

  My brother dropped his eyes to the ground. “Sorry. I just worry after last time and all that went on at Mom and Dad's. I don't want you to get hurt.”

  I put a hand on his cheek. “I'll be fine, more than fine. Don't worry.” I lifted my voice. “Bye, Grace!”

  She waved at me from the SUV, her smile sweet. On impulse, I ran to her and gave her a hug through the window. “Take care of my crazy brother,” I said.

  “Definitely,” she agreed. She tipped her head in Kaynan's direction. “Come on, Kay. Let them go.”

  Kaynan sighed, gave me one last hug, then climbed back into the driver's seat. We watched him pull out of the parking lot, then hiked up the rise to the forest.

  When we were safely inside the shelter of the trees, I took a deep breath and let myself fully enjoy being away from the city. The shade was cooler, the earthen scents richer, and animals and bugs made the forest alive with vibrant sounds, scents, and motion that brought my senses alive. My pace quickened without thought and Rafe smiled beside me.

  “Good to be back?” he asked.

  “So good. I sleep so much better in the forest.”

  “I sleep so much better knowing you're safe.” He put an arm around my shoulders and we walked together through the green-leafed bushes and newly sprouted saplings that erased all traces of a path.

  We walked for about an hour before I couldn't contain the urge to phase any longer. I glanced at Rafe, wondering if he had healed enough to phase with me.

  “I'm way ahead of you,” he said with a grin. He pulled his shirt off and barely waited for me to step behind a tree to finish undressing. I pulled off my shirt and shorts, skimpy clothes considering it was early October and the air had a definite bite to it at the higher altitude. The shiver that ran through me turned into a strong shudder. I tied my clothes quickly, knotted everything into a small pack like Rafe had taught me with the cell phone nestled safely inside, then slipped the loops of the rope over my shoulders just before the phase hit.

  It felt so good to be in wolf form again. My black and cream fur, so different from the solid blacks, whites, and grays of Jaze's pack, settled thickly on my shoulders and down my back in a warm winter coat. I shook to arrange my bundle of clothes more comfortably, then trotted out from behind the tree. Rafe stood waiting, his dark gray winter coat thick and warm looking. I gave him a wolfish grin, then took off through the trees. He barked and ran to catch me.

  We raced through the night and I relished the soft pine needles under my paws and the brush of the wind through my fur. Enterin
g the shadows of the trees felt like crossing into the embrace of home. Deer bounded across our trail and we gave chase to a few, but it was only in fun and tempered by Rafe’s growing endurance. We slept a few hours by a brook edged with ice, and I relished the freedom to stay in wolf form as long as I wanted. Rafe grew stronger by the hour and by the time we reached the grove, he had to hold back so I could keep pace with him.

  Rafe stopped so suddenly that I barreled into him and sent us both sprawling in the pine needles and fallen leaves. He rose without looking at me, his full attention on the wolf clearing. His hackles were raised, his teeth bared, and the tension that rolled off him in waves lifted the fur at my neck. I sniffed the air, looking for what had alarmed him, and smelled something that made my stomach curl in disgust and fear.

  A lingering scent, a few days old but as unforgettable as the smell of home, colored the grove along with the unmistakable scent of death. The first scent brought back the memory of the fire at the rehabilitation center, a sharp muskiness with a hint of mint and cheap cologne. I glanced at Rafe and took a step toward the grove to see what had happened, but he shoulder past me and stood in my way. Fear at what we would find clouded his golden eyes.

  We had to know. I nudged him gently with my nose. He shook his head. I pushed him to get him moving, then followed him into the clearing.

  The scent of fear, strangers, and pain chased away the smells of home, love, warmth, and comfort. I followed the scent to the mouth of the den and went inside to find a cold nest and no pups. I found the warmest smell where they had slept last, and took what little comfort I could in the fact that I couldn't smell any blood.

  I hurried back out of the den, but Rafe was nowhere in sight. My heart slowed. I loped through the grove, afraid that whatever had taken the wolves had come back for him. I practically ran over him just inside the tree line on the other side. I stopped short and gave a whine of uneasiness, then the scent of death and decay washed over me. I looked down and found the alpha of Rafe's pack. He had been shot through the back, then dragged himself to the base of an ancient evergreen where he died not long after.