Uniquely Unwelcome (The Shadow World, #1)

by Brandy Nacole

  “Why do we need a room?” I ask her. “I was under the impression we were just here for a quick chit-chat.”

  “We are offering you shelter for the night,” Accalia says and starts walking again.

  I stay where I am and ask another question. “Is there room for four?”

  Accalia stops mid-step. She slowly turns to look at me, agitation on her face knowing what I’m getting at.

  “But there are only three of you,” Accalia says.

  “No. We have another waiting outside,” Ethan says to his mother.

  “Oh yes. The Witch.” She says it like it’s an evil word that burns. “I’m afraid she is not welcome here,” Accalia says with a shrug.

  “Then we will not need the room. We’ll just meet the Alpha and get going.” I walk past Accalia and bump her shoulder.

  I’m walking as if I know where I’m going, which I don’t. Cade hurries in front of me to take the lead. The quiet Lycan, who has yet to utter a word, stiffly walks ahead of everyone with his head slightly tilted to one side, like a dog turning his head to listen. I follow behind him, glancing back over my shoulder.

  Accalia is walking next to Ethan, they’re whispering intently, but not loud enough for normal hearing. I’m fixing to tune in when my conscience kicks in and I decide against it. Maybe they’re having some private family pow-wow, or they could be discussing Danika. In any case, it’s probably none of my business.

  I look past them at Coy. He has his head down, and is following in silence. As if sensing my attention, he looks up. At first he looks sad but then he gives me a big smile and jogs ahead of the other to catch up with me.

  “How are you doing?” he asks, shrugging off his jacket and placing it on my shoulders.

  “Um… What are you doing?” I ask in astonishment, as I shrug his jacket off and hand it back to him.

  “It’s chilly down here. I thought you might be cold,” he says shyly, shrugging the jacket back on.

  “Well, as nice as that is of you, I’m fine,” I say, noticing Cade has slowed his pace to close the distance between us, his head tilted a little more. Eavesdropping? I think so.

  “Well if you need it, it’s here.”

  “Thanks.”

  After a moment of silence, Coy leans in toward me. “It truly is sad, you know? All these rules and restrictions, it just makes everything harder for everyone,” he says softly, glancing over his shoulder at Ethan and his mom. They’re still whispering fiercely, Ethan’s fists are tight at his sides.

  “Yeah, I know what you mean. But that’s why they call it a power struggle. Someone always thinks they’re better than someone else.”

  “I just wish it didn’t have to be that way,” Coy answers, simply.

  “Me too.” If things weren’t this way, maybe my life would have been a lot less painful.

  “I’m really glad you’re here with me,” he says, looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

  I start to remind him that he’s technically the one here with me, that I would be here whether he was there or not, but I’m silenced by a terrifying scene.

  Just as I round the corner that Cade has turned, I come face-to-face with four big wolves. Their eyes blaze, saliva drips from their teeth and low growls echo from their throats, vibrating off the walls. Lycans are big when in wolf form. Their muzzles are level with my five-foot-eight height. They look ready to tear us apart. And they are advancing on us.

  Chapter Twelve

  I’m already tensing up to pounce on them before they get the upper hand, when Accalia brushes past me. She walks with confidence up to the wolves, patting one on the head.

  “Easy there, boys, these are our guests. Where are your manners?”

  The wolves start backing up, their eyes gleaming as they continue to watch us. Their muscles are still coiled and tense, ready to leap if need be.

  “This way,” Accalia says as she moves past them and opens the door the wolves were protecting.

  I hesitate. The wolves stand on each side of the door. I’m not sure I like the thought of walking between them to get past.

  Ethan walks up beside me. “It’s okay. They’re just doing their job.”

  “Which is?” I ask, glaring at the wolves.

  “To guard their Alpha.”

  “So they’re guard dogs?” Low growls erupt from two of the four wolves.

  Ethan chuckles a little. “Not guard dogs, just guards.” He has a smile on his face as he walks by them.

  “You go first,” Coy says to me. “I got your back.”

  I open my mouth to remind him I’d be the one protecting him in this fight, but stop myself. I don’t want to hurt his ego. No matter how foolish that may sound.

  I walk through, holding my head high. The wolves start growling again. It’s a low sound but it’s still there. As I walk by, one nips me on the arm. I turn to strike back but Cade is there between us.

  “That was just for calling them dogs. They’re very sensitive you know.”

  “I’ll show them sensitive,” I remark as I fake-punch the one who nipped me. His growl intensifies as he takes a step toward me.

  Cade puts his hand out to stop him. “Let’s just proceed, shall we?”

  I fight the urge to stick my tongue out at the wolf as I turn to walk through the doorway. Inside is a room like any other room. Well, except for the rock floors, walls, and ceiling.

  A bear skin rug takes up the floor in the center of the room. Two leather couches face one another, and a long wooden desk sits in the corner. Various pieces of art covers the rock walls. A candle chandelier and many other candelabras and wall sconces are placed throughout the room.

  There’s a man sitting on the couch, whose power emanations are so strong that I have no doubt he’s the Alpha. Like the other Lycans, he has dark brown hair, but his has a hint of red highlighting. His skin is nicely tanned, no doubt from years of being in the sun and in his natural habitat. But his beautiful amber eyes, they make the most profound statement about him.

  You know how they say, the eyes reveal everything. I never really believed it until I went on this trip. I’ve never been one to look people in the eye, but I want to prove that I’m not afraid. I have looked each leader in the eye to prove just that. And with each leader, I have found the truth hidden in their eyes.

  With the Elders, I saw wisdom and understanding. With Aldrick, whose eyes are blood red, I saw pure evil and hatred. Looking at this man, I see pride and knowledge as well. Sure, you can see most of this stuff through posture and body language. But I believe the eyes tell it all.

  The other man, who I presume to be the Beta, is leaning up against the desk. His features resemble his Alpha in many ways. His hair is the same dark brown but with less red. The only real difference is that instead of rich, amber-colored eyes like his Alpha, his are more of a topaz color.

  I stand there taking in these two sexy men, who look to be in their twenties, although I know better. They’re both wearing nice-fitting jeans with boots. The one with amber eyes has on a tight black t-shirt that reveals just how fit his body really is. The other is wearing an olive green t-shirt that is doing wonders for his biceps. I can feel my temperature rising the longer I stand there.

  I’m usually not one to stare at men. But sometimes you just can’t help it. Ethan’s words whisper through my mind. Female Lycans usually feel attracted to the Alpha and Beta. I guess I’m not immune to their lure after all.

  Ethan clears his throat, startling me. I shake my head to clear it of the visions of what I could do to those two, and avert my eyes. Ethan looks at me, his mouth quirked to the side in mockery, and shakes his head. I narrow my eyes at him, a little peeved, before turning back to the Alpha and Beta.

  “Racquel, this is Jobe.” Ethan gestures to the man sitting on the couch. “And this is Zaire,” he says, gesturing to the man leaned up against the desk.

  Even their names are sexy, and with bodies like those, you want a sexy name.

  What
is wrong with me? Here I am gawking at the Alpha and Beta, who happen to be somewhere around thirty times my age.

  “Please, have a seat,” Jobe says.

  Honestly, I feel more comfortable standing but I do as asked and take a seat across from him. Coy sits beside me but Ethan continues to stand.

  “Thank you, Accalia and Cade, for escorting our guests here. You may leave.” Jobe offers a kind smile to the two Lycans as they leave the room. He turns his intense eyes on me.

  “Sorry if the guards scared you a bit. They can be a little moody at times.” Jobe has a very nice smile, one that melts you like butter. Jeez. I’m going to have to shake this if I’m going to get anything accomplished.

  “If you don’t mind me asking, why are they in their wolf form?” Coy asks Jobe.

  “I don’t mind answering your question, but first, what is your name?”

  “Coy,” he says in a deep a voice, wrapping his arm around me to pull me against him. Okay, what the crap?

  “Are you the human who escaped the lair?” Zaire asks, speaking for the first time. His voice is deep and husky, quite mesmerizing.

  “I am,” Coy replies.

  “I see,” Jobe says. “Well, Coy, a long time ago there was a curse put upon a small group of Lycans. This curse has left them permanently in wolf form since. We have been working on finding answers to remove the curse but as you can see, we’ve had no luck.”

  Finally finding my voice I ask, “Who put the curse upon them?”

  “A Witch,” Jobe says, with the same venom as Accalia had when she had discussed Danika. When he continues, his eyes lose their focus. It’s as if he’s in another time, staring off into a void that only he can see.

  “Centuries ago, a group of Vampires nested near a Lycan encampment for a week. They brought havoc upon the encampment and the local human community. One night, five Lycans went out to meet with the Vampires. They wanted to bargain with them to leave. However, the Vampires had other things in mind, and kidnapped one of the Lycans’ wives after they had left camp.

  “Of course, the husband was furious. He attacked the Vampires and freed his wife. The others joined him in the fight. They all made it out alive, but barely. They did, however, manage to kill one of the leeches. Later that night a Witch came into camp. She was furious with the Lycans because the Vampire they killed was her lover. She put a curse upon them that left them in their wolf form. They have been that way for over 300 years. Some live here, others roam the earth in hopes of finding answers, or revenge.” Jobe flicks his gaze to Coy and then returns it to me.

  “So is that why you dislike Witches?” I ask, still having some trouble getting my words out right.

  “We do not like the fact that they align themselves with the leeches. That we do not tolerate or trust.” Jobe still holds disgust in his voice which overpowers the radiance of his voice.

  I may not understand this feud between the Lycans and Vampires, but I do understand when things are being taken too far. Not asking the Witches for help, even when it’s in order to free their own kind, seems a little too much. If Jobe is supposed to do everything he can for his Lycans, wouldn’t that include accepting any help he can get?

  “Have you thought about turning to the Witches for help?” Jobe gets an offended look on his face, so I rush on. “I mean just for this one problem, not a permanent alliance. They may know of a solution for the wolves, since it was a Witch who caused it.”

  “We have had many ponder that same idea. But I do not trust the Witches, and I believe that it would bring no real solution.” His tone leaves little room for debate. He holds his hand up to stop any more questions.

  “Now let us discuss the situation that has brought you before us. It seems that we have a new threat to our kind and the others.”

  “It would appear that way,” Ethan says.

  “What is your solution?” Jobe asks, directing the question to me.

  “Well obviously the first step is to find the missing Shadows.”

  Jobe looks a little thrown off. “I was under the impression that you already knew who was responsible.”

  “If I already knew who was responsible, this meeting wouldn’t be needed. Yet, here we are with no survivors in tow, nor any knowledge of where they are.”

  Jobe looks at Zaire, giving him a look of disappointment. I guess they thought we knew the location, but needed help with the rescue. I wish that was the case.

  “Then why do you seek counsel with us?” Jobe asks.

  It seems that I have only really sought counsel with Jobe since Zaire has yet to add much to the conversation. “We were hoping you could enlighten us on a few things.”

  “Like what?” Zaire utters, finally speaking, and then moves over to the sofa next to Jobe.

  “Any knowledge you may have on those who have gone missing in your packs. Their locations, names, anyone that might have witnessed something, basically anything you know.”

  Jobe chuckles a little and then says, “You know that could have been taken care of with a telephone call. Why seek us out? I thought we were setting up battle strategies.”

  I’ve been pondering that question myself. Why am I traveling all over the world to meet with these leaders? Why not just save a lot of time and call each one? Then I would have my answers within hours and could already be embracing Addie.

  Dagna had told me that I needed to meet with each leader of the original colonies. She didn’t say why or give any alternative way of communicating with them. She just said to meet with them. But as I’ve thought about it, I wonder why. A phone call would have sufficed, right?

  I look over at Coy. If we hadn’t met with Aldrick we wouldn’t have saved him, although that could have been a good thing. At least then he wouldn’t have been on our weird expedition that is leading us all over the world and bringing unknown dangers.

  But he was already in dangerous hands at the lair. The memory of his face lighting up once he was outside that underground prison and seeing the world, seems kind of worth it. We might not have saved them all, but one is a start.

  I look at Jobe and give him the best and honest answer I can. “I was told to meet with the leaders of the original colonies. I wasn’t told why to meet with them, but rather that I must.”

  “Yes, but I wonder if it was more for you rather than finding the answers you seek.” Zaire leans back in the couch, propping one leg up on his other.

  “I believe you are right, Zaire.” Jobe smiles at his Beta. “She does seek answers but it seems there’s more than one reason.”

  I pick up on what they’re getting at, and quickly shift the conversation. “So back to the topic at hand, do you have any helpful information or not?” I don’t mean to be short with them but I’m not going down some crazy ‘life meaning’ road right now.

  Without a word Jobe stands. As he’s walking toward the door I’m thinking he’s leaving. I’ve pissed him off or something and this is it, we are being kicked out. The information that we came for is not going to be given to us.

  When Jobe opens the door, Accalia is standing right outside. “Accalia, will you go get Garron for us?”

  Accalia nods and leaves. Jobe returns to his seat on the couch. “Garron was with his wife Damara when she was taken.”

  “Wait. You mean that he was with her and they didn’t take him too?” This could be a major breakthrough, having an actual witness to talk to.

  “He barely survived. Now he lives with the grief of his missing wife. I’m sure he isn’t as excited about it as you are.”

  Zaire’s tone is harsh. His face full of sorrow as he glances down at his hand. I can see where his skin is lighter on his ring finger, probably where a wedding ring once was. I wonder if something similar happened to his wife.

  There’s a light knock on the door and a man steps through. He resembles the other men in the room. Tall, dark hair, brown eyes, cutting looks. But his expression is haggard. His eyes have dark circles under them, no doubt from worry
and tears. He looks torn apart and lost.

  “Garron,” Jobe rises from his seat, “this is Racquel, Coy, and Ethan. They’re here to discuss the recent disappearances. I was hoping you could tell them what happened the night Damara was taken.”

  Garron sits where Jobe gestures, and rests his head in his hands, his gaze intent on the floor. I can’t see his expression but I know it’s one of pain. He runs his hands over his face and through his hair as he looks up at us.

  “We were in London enjoying the night while getting some supplies. We had stopped in the park before coming back, enjoying our time away. Damara said she was thirsty, so I walked to a café across the street.” Garron’s voice catches. “I shouldn’t have left. I should have—” Tears start running down his face. My heart breaks at seeing his raw pain. Garron finally collects himself enough to continue. “When I came back they were there. Creatures I have never seen before. They were all around her, trapping her.” Garron pauses, his voice filled with so much overwhelming emotion my chest tightens with sympathy for him.

  “I rushed to fight them off but I never made it. More creatures stepped out of the shadows and started fighting with me. They were strong. I kept looking over at Damara. I could hear her screaming for help. Right before I was knocked out, I saw a figure step out from behind a tree. The creatures held Damara down as he stepped behind her and injected her with something.

  “Then everything went black. I think they thought I was dead. If not, I don’t understand why they would have left me. They had to have thought I was dead right?”

  Garron desperately looks at Jobe, seeking guidance from his Alpha.

  Jobe places his hand on Garron’s shoulder. “Of course. I don’t believe they would have left behind a witness like that.”

  Garron drops his head, folding in on his despair. He places his hands over his face, hiding the tears that stream down his cheeks.

  “What did the figure that gave her the injection look like?” I make my voice gentle, although I’m not sure if it’s to comfort him, or me. I feel sorry for Garron but I’m also afraid of what his answer’s going to be.