Illusions (Night Roamers #4)

by Kristen Middleton

  “No,” I said, opening the door. “It’s too dangerous for you to go there by yourself. Look, I’ll be back in less than five minutes. Why don’t you just put on a song and kick back?”

  “Fine. Just hurry,” he said, frowning. “I just hope that some snow-plow doesn’t come barreling into me, or I get towed.”

  “Just turn your hazards on.”

  “Right. With my luck, a cop will come by and I’ll be forced to tell him that I’m waiting for my blood-sucking sister to return after she chugs a liter or two of blood.”

  “Good luck with that,” I replied, slamming the door shut. I waited as a car moved slowly past us and then I shot up into the sky.

  Chapter Nine

  Nathan

  

  Nathan tapped his thumbs on the steering wheel with his eyes closed, as he belted out the words to Hey Brother by Avicii, when there was a loud rap on the window. Startled, he opened his eyes and found an attractive young woman standing outside without a jacket. She was rubbing her forearms and shivering.

  He rolled down his window. “Uh, hey, where’d you come from?”

  She smiled sheepishly. “I guess you didn’t see my car back there,” she answered, pointing behind his Mustang.

  Nathan looked into his rearview mirror and noticed her vehicle about hundred yards back, sitting at a funny angle. “Oh, damn. Are you stuck?”

  “Yes. I can’t get any traction. I’ve tried everything, but I think I’m making it worse. Are you stuck, too?”

  “No, I’m just… taking a break from driving.”

  She looked puzzled but then smiled in spite of herself. “Oh, well that’s great, I guess. Um, you wouldn’t mind helping me?”

  He grinned. “Can’t you see I’m really busy here?”

  Her smile fell. “Oh.”

  He laughed. “No, I’m just messing with you. Don’t worry, we’ll get your car unstuck. Hold on, I’ll be right out,” he said, rolling up his window. When he got out of the car, he noticed she was just an inch shorter than his six foot frame. “I’m Nathan, by the way.”

  “I’m Stacy,” she replied, her teeth chattering.

  “You must be freezing. Where’s your jacket?” he asked as they started walking back toward her car in the snow.

  “What can I say? I’m and idiot. I forgot it at home,” she said, her breath frosty in the darkness.

  “Here,” he said, unzipping his brown leather jacket. “Put this on.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t,” she replied, smiling gratefully. “But, thank you. You’re so sweet.”

  “No, really. I insist,” he replied, taking it off. He was wearing a wool sweater and all she had on was a lightweight knit top that, he had to admit, hugged her curves pretty sweetly.

  “If you insist. To be honest, I am freezing my ass off. So, thank you,” she said, putting it on. She pulled the zipper up and groaned in approval. “Oh, this is nice and toasty. I guess I didn’t realize how cold it was going to be today.”

  “I’m guessing it’s just going to get colder from here on out,” he said, sticking his hands into the pockets of his black pants. “So, you live around here?”

  “No, actually, I’m just passing through,” she replied.

  He glanced at her face again and couldn’t help but feel a stab of disappointment. Not only was she pretty, but her legs went on for miles.

  I’m an ass, he thought, as Taylor’s face popped into his head. He’d just broken it off with her because of all the crazy shit in his life, and now he getting excited about a total stranger.

  She grinned. “I take it you’re from Shore Lake?”

  “Well, we just moved here a few months ago,” he replied, trying not to shiver. He didn’t want her to feel guilty for accepting his jacket.

  “Oh yeah? Do you like living here?”

  He smiled grimly. “Honestly, I wish I could say that I did, but…”

  Her eyebrow arched. “You don’t.”

  “Not particularly.”

  “That’s too bad,” she said as they approached the door to her white Mercedes. “I’m from Billings and have never lived in a small town before. I always thought it would be kind of nice, though.”

  “I’m sure it can be, depending on the town. So, how do you like living there?”

  “It’s okay. Someday I’d like to live in California or Texas. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about snow and getting stuck,” she replied, waving at her car.

  “I know what you mean. Wow,” he said, smiling at it. “Nice ride.”

  She smiled back. “Thanks.”

  “Is it yours?”

  “No, it’s my mom’s car.”

  “She has good taste. Okay,” he said. “Can I have your keys?”

  She held them out.

  He took them and opened the door. “Why don’t you step back over there, where it’s safe, and I’ll see what I can do?”

  “Okay,” she answered, moving away from the car.

  Nathan shut the door and started the engine. He put the car into low gear and tried moving forward, then again in reverse. After a few more unsuccessful attempts, he swore and got back out of the car. “I’m going to try and push you!” he hollered. “Get in and put it into reverse when I tell you to.”

  “Okay,” she hollered back, running toward the car.

  Two minutes later, her tires were no longer spinning and the Mercedes was no longer stuck.

  “Oh, my God, thank you!” she cried, getting out of the car. “You saved my ass. I thought I’d have to call my mom and dad. It would have taken hours for them to get out here.”

  They would have called a tow truck, he thought, but didn’t point that out. “Glad I could help,” he said, unable to stop from shivering this time. His hands were also cold from the snow, which didn’t help.

  “Here,” she said, reaching into her purse. She pulled out a ten-dollar bill. “Take this.”

  “No. Keep your money,” he replied.

  She tried again and he still refused.

  “You are so sweet,” she said, stuffing the bill back down into her purse.

  “Hey, you’d have done the same I’m sure.”

  She laughed. “I don’t think I could have. Anyway,” she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  Nathan smiled. “You’re welcome.”

  “Oh,” she unzipped his jacket. “Here, take this back.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Do you want a ride to your car?”

  “No, it’s okay,” he replied, not wanting Stacy to catch a glimpse of Nikki if she took that moment to return. He wasn’t sure how he’d explain that. “I don’t mind walking.”

  She frowned. “Are you sure? It’s so cold. It’s obviously on my way.”

  “No, thanks though. My legs were starting to cramp up, and I could use the walk back.”

  “Okay. Um, thanks again, Nathan. It was nice meeting you.”

  “You as well, and you’re welcome. Drive safely.”

  “You too.”

  He began walking back to his car and a few seconds later, she passed him, honking. He waved and watched as her taillights disappeared into the distance.

  Should have at least got her number, he thought, thinking about her long legs. He’d never dated anyone almost as tall as him and had to admit – it would be kind of sexy. As he continued walking and thinking about Stacy’s long legs, something on the other side of the road, near the trees, caught his attention – a large shadow advancing quickly. It moved quickly toward him and his breath caught in his throat.

  A lycan!

  Nikki, where the fuck are you?!

  Nathan’s eyes darted to his car, which was still at least twenty feet away.

  He might make it.

  He had to.

  The creature’s terrifying roar was deafening as it sprang toward him.

  Chapter Ten

  Nikki

  

  The gunshots echoed through the darkness as I landed in the sno
w, behind the car.

  “Nathan!” I screamed in horror, eyeballing the bloody, dead stranger lying on the ground. He was muscular, naked, and his brains were splattered across the fresh snow.

  The car door was wide open, and Nathan was sitting in the driver’s seat, the gun still smoking in his trembling hand. He stared at me blankly.

  “Nathan… he’s dead. Put the gun down,” I ordered.

  “La…la…lycan,” he stuttered, dropping the gun somewhere below the seat.

  I stepped over the body, counting at least three bullet wounds in his head, and quickly checked the road for witnesses, but nobody else was around.

  Thank goodness for bad weather.

  I leaned back into the car. “Nathan, we have to get the hell out of here. Move over.”

  Still shaken, he climbed over to the passenger side without arguing.

  I got in behind the wheel and closed the door. Then, I reached for the ignition, only to find the keys missing. “Where are your keys?”

  He handed them to me, his face as pale as mine from the shock.

  I started the engine and pulled away from the side of the road, my heart pounding in my chest. I looked back through the rearview mirror at the body and shuddered. It had to be one of Victor’s goons.

  “I hate that asshole,” I mumbled.

  “At least he’s a dead asshole,” replied Nathan, his voice hollow.

  “I mean Victor, but I’m glad that guy is dead, too.” The scent of fresh blood filled the air. “You’re bleeding,” I stated.

  “Yeah.”

  “Where? What happened?”

  “He… he bit me.”

  I swore. “Where?”

  “He bit my ankle,” he answered, straightening out his foot. He swallowed. “I hope he didn’t have rabies.”

  I stared in horror at his ankle. His chinos were shredded and there was a lot of blood. “Oh, my God!” I cried. “Are you okay?”

  He pulled his pant leg up, revealing the bloody gash. “Dammit. He got me good.”

  I looked back at the road, trying to ignore the tantalizing smell. I felt like a monster. My brother was badly wounded and I was practically licking my chops at the sight. I gripped the steering wheel tightly. “Nathan, you’re going to need stitches. We have to go back into town.”

  “I also need to get something for the pain. It hurts,” he said in a strained voice.

  “It hurts to look at. Okay, I’m turning around. You’re going to the E.R.”

  “Fuck… the pain is getting worse.” He sucked in his breath. “It burns like a mother.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I said, my own eyes filling with tears. “It took me longer than I thought. This was all my fault. I’m so sorry…”

  “No,” he answered, clenching his jaw. “Don’t blame yourself.”

  “Duncan’s place was raided,” I said. “Someone stole the blood we had in the refrigerator. Good thing I remembered that he also kept some at the marina. So, that’s why it took me so freaken long.”

  “Wonder who stole the blood?”

  “I don’t know,” I replied, turning the car around. “Thank goodness you had that gun, though.”

  “My eyes are so heavy. Wake me up when we get to the hospital,” he replied, closing his eyes.

  I bit my lower lip. “Okay. Okay. Close your eyes, then. Rest and I’ll wake you as soon as we get there.”

  He yawned. “What are we going to tell them?”

  We passed the body and I stared at it in the rearview mirror, almost surprised that it was still there. “Uh… we’re going to say that you were bit. By a wolf. That we were near Victor’s cabin and it ran out of the woods and just attacked you. Shit, we’d better hide that gun. I’m sure they’ll find that guy’s body before morning, and the empty shells from your gun.”

  He didn’t reply.

  I turned my head and found that Nathan was already out cold.

  “Nathan?”

  He moaned.

  I reached over and touched his forehead. He was burning up.

  Sighing, I headed back toward town, wondering if our lives would ever feel normal again.

  Chapter Eleven

  Nikki

  

  “How does it look?” I asked Dr. Shanks, the doctor on duty.

  The doctor, a tall man with red hair and glasses, frowned. “He’s going to need a couple of stitches, obviously. Nathan, you said a wolf did this to you?”

  Nathan didn’t answer. He was staring at the wall with a dazed look in his eyes.

  “Nathan, are you okay?” the doctor asked, looking a little concerned.

  Nathan blinked a few times and then smiled weakly. “Uh, yes. Sorry. Yeah, it was definitely a wolf.”

  “A very big one,” I added, as Dr. Shanks picked up a pair of scissors.

  “Do you know what happened to it?” asked the doctor, as he began cutting off the raggedy bottom of Nathan’s dress pants. A nurse had cleaned the wound, and thankfully, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I’d originally thought.

  “He took off when I began waving the bat at him,” I lied. “I have no idea where he is now.”

  “Is it infected?” asked Nathan in a hoarse voice.

  “It will be if we’re not careful. Obviously you’re going to need a couple of shots, in case the wolf had rabies. Then you’re going to have to come back for some follow-up doses.”

  “Shots?” He sighed. “Okay.”

  “Honestly, you should be just fine,” said the doctor, patting Nathan on the shoulder. “In fact, we’ll get you stitched up and out of here in no time. Does it hurt much?”

  “I’ll live.”

  Dr. Shanks scratched the side of his head. “On a scale from one-to-ten, how would you rate the pain, with one being the most tolerable?”

  “I’d say it’s a five,” replied Nathan. “For some reason, it doesn’t hurt quite as bad as it did in the car.”

  “Good. We cleaned it pretty well, so that may have helped,” replied Dr. Shanks. He sat down in a chair and began typing something into his computer. “If it bothers you, take some ibuprofen. I don’t think I’m going to prescribe anything stronger than that.”

  “Yeah, I’ll be fine,” said Nathan.

  An hour later, we were back in the Mustang, with me driving again. It was still snowing, and even though the plows were now on the road, they were still pretty treacherous.

  “I should drive,” said Nathan. “You’re not used to this kind of weather.”

  “I’ll be fine,” I replied. “I got us back into town, so relax.”

  “Just slow it down a little. The roads are slipperier than they look.”

  “I understand that,” I replied, annoyed that, as usual, he couldn’t just let me drive without giving orders.

  He put his hand on the dashboard. “Give yourself enough time to stop at the lights,” he said, as we neared a red one, “or, you’re going to slide right through.”

  “Oh, you mean like you did earlier?” I said dryly.

  He ignored me.

  When the light changed to green, I pressed the gas slowly, and soon we were nearing Club Nightshade.

  “I can’t believe that place is packed on a night like this,” I said, staring in wonder. The parking lot was full and some cars were even parked on the street.

  “This town is small. It’s all they’ve got for fun on the weekends.”

  “I wonder who’s running it now that Faye is gone.”

  He rubbed his chin. “Maybe Victor purchased it. It wouldn’t surprise me a bit.”

  My eyes widened. “Maybe he’s hiding mom there.”

  “Nah. I think he may have moved her somewhere quiet. Probably out of town. There’s no way he’s going to keep her at a noisy place like that. Not when her pregnancy means so much to his plans for a ‘new world order’.”

  “I think we need to try and find this mad scientist he’s been bragging about. Then we’ll follow him, and eventually, he’ll lead us right to her.”


  He moved his leg and groaned. “Exactly.”

  I frowned. “I’m bringing you back to Duncan’s so you can rest your leg. Then I’m going to look for him.”

  “What about Drake?”

  “Drake is supposed to be at the cabin, so hopefully I’ll run into both.” I grabbed my phone from the dashboard. “He still hasn’t responded to my texts or voicemails. I’m getting really worried, Nathan. It’s been too many hours.”

  “Look, I’m coming with you to the cabin.”

  I clucked my tongue. “I think that’s a bad idea.”

  He yawned. “I… I just need a Red Bull or something to wake me up. Then I’ll be fine.”

  “Nathan, what you need is to stay off of that ankle.”

  “Eh, it’s really not that bad.”

  “It looked bad to me. It’s going to get worse if you don’t take care of it.”

  “Quit telling me what to do, and stop over there,” he pointed up ahead to a gas station.

  Realizing that he wasn’t going to back down, I pulled into the parking lot.

  “We should probably get some gas while we’re here,” I said, stopping next to one of the pumps.

  “Unleaded,” he replied, pulling out his wallet. When he opened it, he sighed. “I’ve got five bucks left.”

  “Guess I’ll be using Duncan’s credit card again,” I said, pulling it out of my coat pocket.

  “Whatever happened to your purse?”

  “Flying while holding onto a purse is a little awkward.”

  He snorted. “Bet you never thought that would be an issue.”

  I smirked. “Can’t say I did.” I got out of the car and pumped twenty dollars’ worth of gasoline using the credit card. Then I walked into the gas station with Nathan’s five dollar bill.

  “Hey, Nikki,” said the attendant as I set two energy drinks onto the counter.

  “Hi, Michele,” I replied uneasily. I’d been in two of her classes at school and had found out fairly quickly that she was the gossip queen of Shore Lake.