Fur, Fangs and All (The Elementals Book 2)

by Meredith Allen Conner

  Sela was holding onto a rock for dear life, her hair flying in the air as she fought a fierce gust of wind.

  “Sorry.” Livie stuck her hands in her pockets. The wind immediately stopped. Sela began smoothing her hair back down, muttering about big werewolves and outdated notions.

  Serious skills need serious control. Check.

  She faced Rea again. “Cam said that the Elements have always been controlled by women. Sisters.”

  “Why would Cam know that?”

  Cheeze-its.

  “Because the werewolves used to be the protectors of the Elements hundreds of years ago.”

  “Werewolves?” Rea rolled her eyes.

  Wow, even her facial expressions are sarcastic.

  Rea had definitely blanked all memory of the alley.

  Heat lined her back as strong arms wrapped around her waist. Roc tugged her back, pressing his cock flush against her ass. He spread one big hand deliberately over her belly, flicking his claws out. “Werewolves.”

  Rea pulled out both blades, rotating her wrists as she turned them back and forth in front of her pale face.

  Men.

  Livie squeezed his hand. Soft fur tickled her palm.

  Werewolves.

  Rea slid one blade over the other. The metallic hiss grated on her ears.

  Sisters.

  If these two didn’t knock it off, the fight would be started before The Order arrived.

  Rea’s eyes darted back and forth between Livie’s face and the large, furred, clawed paw at her stomach. They widened and her fingers turned white where they gripped her swords.

  “His hand is furry and it has really long, scary looking nails.” Rea pointed with the machetes.

  “They’re claws.” Roc growled over her head in a voice too deep to be human.

  “That’s my sister you’re baring your fangs at,” Livie bumped her head back against his shoulder.

  He rumbled something she was certain translated into the werewolf equivalent of a fairly vile curse, but warm flesh emerged under her hand and the other-worldly muscles at her back reshaped themselves.

  “They’re almost here,” Mac stated.

  Livie cocked her head, she could detect a faint rumble in the distance, just beyond the tree line.

  “Seals, you can do this.” She could do this. They each controlled an Element. It was theirs and those bastards were not getting their hands on that power.

  Livie held out her right arm, the glowing mark on her arm sparkled in the sun. “We can do this.”

  Sela shoved her shoulders back. A faint smile traced over her lips. “Damn straight.” Mac settled his hands on Sela’s shoulders. She reached up to pat them. “It’s time we ended this.”

  Roc rubbed his chin over her head. “Mac and I will be in front. You two stay behind us and work your magic. Rea, it’s time for you to get into cover.”

  Amazingly, Rea did not argue this time. Maybe she was finally thinking instead of leading with that attitude?

  Rea jabbed the air with her swords. “HIS HAND TURNED FURRY WITH CLAWS.”

  Livie twisted so she could see Roc’s face. She wouldn’t blame him for taking issue with the sharp blades her sister continued to wave about, but it would be so much nicer if he didn’t continue to aggravate Rea.

  Roc smiled, large fangs gleaming. “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Large, well-fortified vehicles roared out of the trees. Wherever The Order bought their cars, it certainly wasn’t the used lot on the corner.

  “Military.”

  “Yeah, those babies will go through just about anything, including water.”

  Livie flicked her finger, a small pebble flew through the air and smacked Roc in the middle of his back. He turned, over seven feet now in his werewolf form, she still had to look up despite the slight distance between them.

  “Full scale invasion, remember?”

  He growled.

  “I think werewolves are worse than human men when it comes to their toys,” Sela said.

  “Have you had much experience with human men?” Livie certainly hadn’t.

  Big sigh. “No.”

  Livie counted at least thirty vehicles now. They started to slow about half a mile from where they stood.

  “I think we should have called in reinforcements.” She could hear more vehicles in the trees.

  Two werewolves, two Elementals and another without her power against forty vehicles and maybe eighty men, plus more arriving?

  Livie felt her confidence slipping.

  “We’ve got this, Liv.” Sela nudged her shoulder.

  She hoped so. They were seriously screwed otherwise.

  As if an imaginary line had been drawn, the front line of vehicles stopped, doors opened and heavily armed men stepped out.

  Shit.

  Somehow it always made it worse to actually see the weapons. Especially knowing exactly how much damage they could produce.

  “Holy Hannah,” Sela said, stunned. “That’s a rocket launcher.”

  Livie looked where she pointed. Several men had grouped together holding a long pole-like object. She gaped in horror as one man stuffed a very large missile inside the front opening.

  “What the hell are they thinking?” She whispered.

  The Order couldn’t possibly know that they could not be killed now unless they lost their heads, could they?

  “I don’t know.” Sela shook her head slowly. She blanched. “They probably intend to use it on Mac and Roc.”

  Bloody images of Roc’s chest from the alley flashed through her mind like gruesome still photos.

  He might be damn hard to kill, but he could be injured. And, dear god, the damage that rocket could do . . . Livie gagged.

  “Bastards.” Sela snarled. She rubbed her shoulder unconsciously.

  Why it still shocked her, Livie couldn’t fathom. She, Sela and Rea had lived through years of being hunted and at times captured by The Order. She knew all too well what they were capable of. Still.

  A fucking rocket launcher?

  Rea couldn’t survive that. They’d just found her. All of them together again.

  Several of the men clapped their hands over their ears as they prepared to fire the missile.

  “No.”

  She shoved her hands out, palms forward. A powerful gust of wind slammed into the group. They went flying backwards, arms and legs flailing helplessly before they hit the vehicles lined up behind them.

  The one preparing to fire must have pulled the trigger instinctively. A plume of smoke burst out of the launcher.

  The rocket screamed through the air, arcing upwards. Towards the woods.

  Rea.

  A giant fountain of water rose up from the lake as the rocket soared overhead. It swallowed the missile. The explosion sent thick balls of water careening through the air.

  Livie managed to shift her power overhead, providing a windy ceiling of protection. She didn’t know how to split her Element yet.

  In absolute terror, she watched some of the water head towards the spot Rea hid in. “Sela!” She shouted.

  Her sister must have realized what was happening at the same time. The water balls streaming in Rea’s direction erupted into tiny droplets.

  Heavy cursing echoed out from the trees. Rea might be drenched, but she wasn’t hurt.

  Relieved, Livie spun back to face The Order. Chaos reigned.

  Many vehicles lay on their sides or even upside down. Bodies were strewn across the field.

  Despite the awesome display of power, many more men had charged forward, engaging the werewolves.

  Roc and Mac, heavily outnumbered, fought side by side. They lashed out with claws and fangs, ripping through bodies and weapons alike. Their incredible strength and ferocious speed so impressive, it took her breath away.

  She began to summon her Element and then realized she couldn’t use it and avoid Roc or Mac. They stood firmly between Livie and Sela and
the enemy, using their physical strength to drive The Order back.

  Livie watched spellbound. Roc was not fighting to win, he was fighting to protect her. She doubted he even felt the bullets so intent on destroying the threat to her.

  His mate.

  He slashed out with one paw, severing the arm of the man in front of him. Blood spurted across his chest as the man screamed in agony, falling backwards. Roc didn’t pause.

  He used his hand claws and toe claws with brutal efficiency, snapping bones and ripping open flesh in moves too fast for her eyes to follow.

  One soldier swung his rifle like a bat. Roc caught the barrel, pulling it toward him and lifting the man by his jacket. He tore out his throat with his fangs.

  This was the epitome of the werewolf in full form. The savage beast in all his terrifying splendor.

  Pride welled within her.

  She was so focused on watching him, she didn’t see the trap until it was too late.

  A twig snapped. The sound barely audible over the battle taking place in front of them and yet completely out of place.

  Arms raised, Livie twisted and her heart nearly stopped.

  Rea hung limp between two large men. Several more men flanked them. A purplish knot swelled on her cheek, red streaks dripping down her pale face from a sizable gash near her hairline. Another man stood behind her, the large knife in his hand pressed along her neck.

  For a moment, Livie thought she was already dead. Rea didn’t move at all, not even her chest. Straining, Livie finally caught her faint pulse, weak but there.

  She’d been badly hurt.

  “You sons of bitches,” Sela said hoarsely. “What have you done to her?”

  “Tsk, tsk. Such language.” The tall man stepped around the edge of the group. Dressed in black pants with a white shirt, he wore a brilliant red sash that looped over one shoulder and ended in a knot on the opposite hip. A black scabbard dangled below the knot.

  Next time, I’ll wear my beauty pageant costume.

  “I’ll have to do something about that when we get you home.” He smiled coldly, his dark eyes emotionless. He beckoned them with his hand. “It’s time to go now.”

  Livie stepped forward, angling her body so she partially shielded Sela. “We’re not going anywhere with you.” Keeping her arms at her sides, she flexed her wrists, building her power.

  “Rex.” He spoke sharply. The man holding the knife at Rea’s neck tilted the blade up. Blood welled up on the gleaming metal, forming bright red bubbles. He pressed harder, the bubbles swelled then burst. Crimson streaks trickled over the dull edge. Rea moaned.

  “Stop!”

  “Do as I say.” His accent thickened. She still couldn’t place it.

  “Liv?” She didn’t know how to answer Sela’s whispered question. Yes, she could work her way logically through almost problem. But not this. Not something that involved her sister.

  He wanted all of them, didn’t he? He wouldn’t . . .

  “You control wind and you,” he tilted his head towards Sela, “control water. I can do a lot with that.”

  Son of a . . . he didn’t care if Rea lived or not. And Livie didn’t know if she was faster than the man holding the knife. Whatever the bastard had planned, he didn’t need all four Elements.

  Or was he bluffing?

  It was a gamble she wasn’t willing to make.

  Roc would find them. He’d search every corner of hell to find her. She knew that. It was a truth that had finally been burned into her heart. She wasn’t worried about that.

  Right now, Rea mattered.

  And she couldn’t see any other way around.

  Livie reached behind her to grab Sela’s hand. “Fine. We’ll go with you. Just leave her alone.” Livie bared her teeth. “All bets are off if you hurt her.”

  Sela gasped. The sound cut off as soon as she squeezed her. They couldn’t show fear. He catalogued everything. Noting every expression and every subtle move of their bodies.

  He was every bit the predator Roc and Mac were. But without the fur. Or the emotions.

  “This way,” he motioned them towards the trees, in the opposite direction of the battle going on.

  The men holding Rea turned, dragging her along with them. Livie stifled her instinctive protest. They didn’t care if they rubbed Rea’s skin raw and it wouldn’t do to show how much she cared about her sister. She enfolded Sela’s shaking hand in hers as much as she could and pulled her along. The rest of the hulk squad fell into place alongside them.

  Livie risked a glance backwards. Intent on annihilating The Order, Roc and Mac didn’t notice what was taking place behind them.

  That wouldn’t last long. Roc would check on her soon. Livie mentally counted the number of men on the field. She raised her brows.

  If I can stall for ten minutes, I won’t have to worry about Roc finding me.

  She shortened her stride.

  Facing forward again, she noticed the tall man staring at her. “I learn from my mistakes,” he said indicating the fight. “We can’t take them on directly. Their regenerative powers are too great.” He smiled smugly. “A few men are worth the sacrifice.”

  A few men? More like a hundred. Her stomach turned. What kind of inhuman was he?

  “A pity they are such beasts. I would love to study them further.”

  “Who are you?” The magnitude of the situation almost overwhelmed her. Her mouth went dry. He was the one behind it all. She didn’t recognize him, if it hadn’t been for Sela’s description she would have walked right passed him in the streets. Why?

  “Mona never mentioned me?”

  Mona? Her Mother?

  “No, I suppose not,” he mused. “My name is Lionel Wolfgang von Strasburg.”

  Von? Didn’t that indicate a German name? Or was that Swiss? It explained the hint of an accent.

  “And? How did you find out about us?” She slowed a tad more.

  “Oh, I’ve known about you since before you were born.” He stated matter-of-factly. “I would have had you all right from birth as well, if it hadn’t been for your misguided mother.”

  Did that mean that their mother had hidden them? Had she actually done something in their interests?

  Hate you . . .

  It didn’t seem possible.

  “Did our moth . . . did Mona tell you about our powers?”

  He laughed, highly amused. “She really didn’t tell you anything, did she?”

  That gnawed at her. She didn’t care for the fact that he obviously knew more than he was letting on.

  “How’d you like the tranquilizer?” Take that, asshole.

  He scowled. Livie immediately felt much better. She’d do childish any day if it meant getting one over this bastard.

  He waved his fingers, urging her on. “Pick up the pace. I want to be on the helicopter and gone quickly.”

  Behind a grouping of rocks, near the trees, she could make out the tail end of a helicopter built along the same lines as their vehicles.

  Rea probably tried to take them all on as soon as they landed. But how had they landed without Roc or Mac hearing them?

  “The rocket launcher was the perfect distraction.” He answered. She must have asked the question out loud. “Roc and Mac — those are their names?” Damn. “Typical. They’ve always been simple creatures.”

  “What do you mean?” Sela demanded.

  “I mean that my family has been trying to use the power that the women in your family control for centuries.” This time his smile moved into his eyes. “They’ve tried and failed until now.”

  We’ve been hunted for hundreds of years.

  “Why? What do you want with it?” Livie wrapped her arm around Sela concerned about the quiver in her voice. If they were going to get out of this with Rea alive, she needed Sela’s help.

  “What wouldn’t I want with it? You control powerful forces. You could rule the world with that,” he sneered, “and yet you choose to do nothing. That will no long
er be the case.”

  Good god, the lunatic truly was planning world domination. Didn’t these idiots ever learn?

  The helicopter loomed closer.

  Wait. Was that her name? Had Roc realized what was happening? She didn’t dare turn around.

  “And how exactly do you plan to get us to use our powers for your dirty work?” Sela nudged Livie with her hip. Had she heard something too?

  Lionel casually pulled out his sword. Sela’s heartbeat sped up. The loud pounding rang in her ears.

  Livie briefly pressed Sela’s mark. You can do this.

  The men in front paused next to the helicopter’s open door. Lionel sliced the blade through the air near Rea’s head. A clump of Rea’s dark hair fell to the ground.

  “I’ll think of something.”

  Bastard.

  “Put her in.” Livie clenched her fingers so tightly, her nails sliced into her palms. The men threw Rea’s body inside. One jumped in behind her and began to strap her into a seat.

  Think. There has to be some way to stop this.

  A loud crash sounded and the helicopter rocked alarmingly.

  “Release the women.”

  Roc crouched and jumped to the ground, landing a few feet away. He slowly straightened to his full height. Blood matted his fur everywhere, most of the wounds still flowing freely. Livie bit her lip.

  A couple of the men gasped and backed up. All of them cocked their guns.

  She flexed her fingers. She’d avoid the chopper at all costs, but she wouldn’t let them put another bullet into him.

  “Release them!” Mac snarled. He stalked closer from the other side.

  The men grouped together, backs to the helicopter, guns raised as they faced the werewolves. They ignored Sela and Livie, more concerned for their own lives. Sela backed up quickly. Mac leapt and landed at her side.

  The lake rose up, forming a solid wall of water. It loomed over them quivering with the force of Sela’s rage. “Damn it,” Sela whispered.

  Livie understood. Their powers were useless right now. They didn’t know the extent of Rea’s injuries, but the fact that she hadn’t regained consciousness did not bode well. If they used their Elements on the helicopter, they risked Rea.

  “Shit.” One of the soldiers back-peddled, the water towering above them obviously too much for him. He jumped inside.