“What time do you want to head out?” Barnes asked, sitting a tray of coffee and sandwiches on one of the steel tables.
“Did you put something in my drink last night?” She eyed him warily.
He eyed her back. “No, but your body needs time to heal, and it can only do that through sleep.”
Smirking, she handed him the plate of sandwiches and he chose one.
“So?” he asked.
She had forgotten his question. “Oh, yes, let’s wait until it’s fully dark. And we’ll take a few extra weapons this time.”
Barnes swallowed the bite he’d been eating. “We’re going to attack?”
“Heavens, no.” She sipped her coffee. Dark and bold, just the way she liked it. American coffee was disgusting swill, but this rich Turkish blend was what the body needed to bring the senses to full alert. “We’ll do a bit of reconnaissance and get an idea of who or what he has guarding the place.”
“Bloody monsters.” Barnes grumbled.
Poor man. More than once he’d been at the wrong end of one of those creatures, and he had the bite scars to prove it. Luckily, he had a tough constitution, and the bacteria were easily killed by a concoction she’d learned from one of the witch doctors she’d met in Africa.
“Yes, and he’s had a few months to create goodness knows what by now. I’d hoped to keep him on the run a bit longer so that he wouldn’t have so much time for his experiments.”
But Julian had bested her yet again. After New York, she’d guessed he had headed north into Canada, but that had been a false trail. It took three weeks before she discovered he’d gone south. And it was only a chance mention about a plague in Houston to realize where.
The plague was Julian trying to change thirty or so humans into monsters, and causing them a painful death instead.
By the time they had arrived, the bodies had been burned, as had the evidence. And Julian had moved north to Fort Worth. Or at least that was what she believed when she received Garretson’s letter concerning strange animals attacking his herd.
“Barnes, did Garretson send word about his cattle? Has he lost any more?” She tapped a nail against her chin as an idea formed.
“Yes, another ten last night.”
“Hmmm. Something isn’t right. I may have been wrong.”
The surprise on the Scotsman’s face might have made her smile if she hadn’t been in such a hurry. She rushed to the sealed car next to her laboratory. That was where they kept one of the first cows that had been attacked.
Grabbing a mask, she affixed it over her nose and mouth.
The windowless car was kept cold with a special machine her father had devised years ago. Using chemicals on top of the ice blocks, anything in the room would stay frozen for months, as long as they limited the fresh air let in.
She yanked open the steel container. Though the cold kept the meat somewhat fresh, it didn’t stop the wretched stench. She gagged slightly as she shoved the animal so she could see.
She studied the gaping hole in the neck. Measuring it, she frowned. And then there was the flesh eaten off the hindquarters. No, not eaten. It looked as though it had been torn from the carcass.
Julian’s creatures survived on blood. They’d never had use for the meat.
Why hadn’t she considered this?
Using her tools, she scraped the tissue off the hindquarters.
“Close it up. I need to look at this.” She told Barnes as she raced for her lab.
A few minutes later, her suspicions were confirmed when the specimen turned purple in the test tube. The saliva on the tissue was human. But when she studied the altered cells under the microscope, they looked strange. On a whim, she applied a spark of electricity to the slide and reexamined it. The attacker wasn’t human. It was a lycanthrope. She would recognize that small hook anywhere.
But the neck wound was from his demons.
So the demons drained the blood and left the cattle, which were then stripped by the lycanthropes. In her quest to capture Julian, she assumed only one of his monsters had murdered the cows. This had to stop. She had spent years learning the best way to investigate any situation was to come into it with fresh eyes. It was her father’s number one rule. And she had become so focused on finding Julian and having her revenge that she’d allowed herself to make a mistake.
She threw her hands up in frustration. This was how Julian stayed ahead of her. She was so consumed with hate that it clouded her judgment.
She’d have to table her hate and focus on justice, or she might never find peace.
Hargrove Ranch
Dusk
A few hours later, Maisy and Barnes neared the outpost of the ranch they suspected housed Julian. It was their best bet, though the information Barnes had heard at the bar was dicey at best.
When they’d left, she’d had a moment of indecisiveness. It seemed like Calloway should have been there, and yet he hadn’t returned. Evidently she’d scared him off with her heartless self, and a good thing. Much as the thought stung, he couldn’t be there. He would do her in. He would—
“I guess we had the same idea.” His whiskey voice trampled her thoughts, and she turned in her seat, her heart thudding hard in her chest. He sat atop his horse in the shadow of a large bush, well-hidden despite the combined bulk of rider and animal. “If you’re some kind of avenging angel, shouldn’t you pay more attention to your surroundings? You had no idea I was here. I could have murdered you where you sit.”
“You shouldn’t be here.” Even if she wanted him to be.
He stiffened. “I’m a marshal, and I’m following up on a case.”
She sighed. “If it weren’t for me, you’d have no reason to suspect Julian. You wouldn’t even know about him.”
“Ah, but I do. And I’ve done some checking up on you. While I might not always agree with your methods, you have solved every case you’ve taken on. I’d be an idiot not to follow your instincts.” Grudging admiration coated his words. Even though the stars were out, he wore his black hat, and it obscured his face.
She should have been offended that he’d been checking into her past, but she wasn’t. Warmth built in her chest, and she tried to tamp it down. “Yes, my instincts. My case. You have no business here. There is no way you could understand what Julian is capable of, and I honestly hope you never find out.”
“I’m not here for your monster maker.” Something in his voice sent a delightful shiver down her spine.
She cleared her throat. “I’m quite capable of caring for myself. I’ve been doing it for years. I appreciate your lawman’s need to protect, but I’m afraid you are only in the way here.”
“Damnable woman. Can you not see—”
Barnes whistled a warning, and Maisy’s horse pawed the ground. The weather had cooled and the Texas wind whipped through the trees, but something else moved the tall grass—animal, not human, but it came nearer, stalking.
“Hush,” she whispered.
She wished she had an electric torch, but in the flat plains it would have been too easy to see. As the grasses writhed around them and a sort of low growl grew, she had second thoughts.
A small shadow made for one of Midnight’s legs, darting from the grass and leaping about a foot off the ground from where it crouched. The horse reared up and away, throwing Maisy off her saddle.
Midnight took off, leaving Maisy in a heap on the ground, mere feet away from the small, indiscernible shadows creeping closer.
Calloway’s horse was doing its own dance, but at least he’d been able to stay seated.
She gave the retreat whistle.
They were still at least five hundred yards from the gates of the ranch. But she wasn’t about to take on tiny beasts that could scare her staid horse. Not when she wasn’t even sure how Julian controlled the creatures. Not when she wasn’t even sure what they were.
They crept closer, and their warning growl turned even more menacing. She pulled two vials from her corset, popped
their corks, and poured the contents of one into the other. She had three seconds.
“Fire!” She yelled to warn Calloway, then tossed the bomb behind her.
Her chemicals must have been mixed improperly because at first nothing happened. Then it came.
Boom.
Screeches filled the air with the smell of charred meat.
Maisy took off running, hoping that Calloway had found a way to escape.
Lungs aching for breath, she sprinted as fast as she could, but she could hear the beasts catching up. They rustled the grass and screeched their anger.
“Grab my arm,” Calloway ordered.
She glanced behind her to see him on his horse galloping forward.
She reached for him, and he swung her with one arm and settled her in front of him on the saddle. The strength in that arm amazed her. The warmth of him enveloped her. When his hand splayed across her belly, she gasped at the intimacy.
“Hold tight,” he said as they sprinted to a creek.
Gripping the horn of the saddle, she held on as his horse flew with grace across the narrow stream of water.
“Did they bite you?” She was worried about the effect of the virus they carried.
“No, but I think they took a go at Red’s left hindquarters. Is she in danger?” The worry in his voice charmed her. He cared for his horse, and that said a lot about a man.
“We need to get back to my lab. I have something that can help her fight the virus.” She paused, leaning back into his chest, relishing the feel of his arms around her while she could. “Thank you, by the way.”
The Iron Witch was in sight and she flipped the switch to turn off the fence.
“For what?” Calloway asked.
“Saving me.”
Though Maisy was not at all sure how she felt about that.
Chapter Seven
The Iron Witch
“The monster knows no bounds,” Maisy said as Calloway helped her off his horse.
Julian was an abomination, just like the ones he created.
She heard a neigh and flicked the switch again so Barnes could enter. Midnight followed him in.
“Would you like to explain to me why your horse was running wild?” Barnes chastised.
Maisy’s hands went to her hips. “One of the creatures spooked her. I didn’t have a hand on the—”
“Foolish girl. Have you learned nothing?” Barnes was angry with her. “You always keep a hand on the reins. And excuses don’t become you.”
Calloway watched the pair of them, a grin spread wide on his face.
“What are you smiling at?” Anger boiled inside of her.
He shrugged.
Barnes stepped into her personal space. “Don’t take your temper out on the marshal. You’re the one who made the mistake. One that could have cost your life if he hadn’t been there.”
She dropped her hands. “As always, you are correct.”
Midnight nudged her slightly as if apologizing for abandoning her.
“I don’t blame you.” She stroked the mare’s mane. “You did as nature intended.”
Before handing the reins to Barnes, Maisy checked the animal carefully for bite marks. She could not risk the virus taking over the horse’s cells. If she had to put Midnight down, she might as well cut out her heart. The pair had been through so much together, and with the exceptions of Barnes and Miss Clancy, the horse was her only friend.
“She looks fine,” Maisy said with relief. “I worried those nasties had taken a bite out of her.”
“Ah now, Midnight would never let another creature get the best of her.” Barnes patted the horse’s flank. “And you should know she kept trying to trying to return to you. I had a hell of a time pulling her along.”
She moved to check Calloway’s horse. “There’s a scrape on her hindquarters, but the creature didn’t draw blood. Still, I’ll get the herb paste. We can’t be too careful.”
“Thanks,” Calloway said.
“You don’t deserve it, but I picked up a gift for you.” Barnes handed her a heavy burlap sack.
“What is that?”
The sack moved.
She smiled. “Barnes, did you bring me home a live specimen?”
He winked. “That I did, lass. But I need to take care of the horses before I can help you with the thing.”
“You take care of the horses. I can handle one…whatever this is.”
“Just the same, lass. I’d appreciate it if you’d wait for me.”
She started to argue, but it wasn’t an unreasonable request, and if the thing did try to get away she would need help.
“Let me get the remedy and I’ll help with the horses.” She looked at Calloway. “I suppose you’ll want to assist, too?”
She needn’t have asked. He was already headed inside.
A short time later, the horses were tended, and Maisy was anxious to get to her lab.
“Can we offer you a drink or an early breakfast?” she asked Calloway. She cringed at the sound of forced politeness. She didn’t want to take time to procure and imbibe refreshments. She wanted to be in her lab.
“No, I have to get back to town. There’s something I need to look into. Is it okay to ride Red?” He glanced at Barnes, who was giving both of them a strange look.
She nodded. “As long as you don’t push him too hard. You can borrow one of our other horses.”
“No, thanks. I’ll be careful with him.”
Barnes walked away to feed Henry, and Maisy took the opportunity to lean in closer. “Please tell me your business has nothing to do with Julian.” She followed him out of the train car as he led his horse to the fence.
“Unlike you, I’m not obsessed with the man,” he said.
There was no denying the words.
“I have my reasons.” None of which she was going to explain to him.
“Tell me,” he insisted. “Why do you go after him when it’s clear you should be running the other way? If he can turn a man into a demon—”
“That is exactly why I can’t give up,” she said honestly. “He—” She’d almost admitted how deeply Julian had hurt her.
“I told you before. This is what I do. It’s my job. How many times must I repeat myself?”
“You aren’t going to tell me what he did to you, are you?” Calloway scowled.
Maisy pressed her lips together.
He shook his head. “Just do me a favor and try not to get yourself killed before I get back.”
She watched him leave. Though she wanted to run after him and tell him everything no matter what he might think of her in the end, she forced herself to turn away and go to her lab.
Work was the salve she needed, but she was filthy and didn’t want to contaminate her lab.
Minutes later, she emerged from her shower to find the Scotsman blocking the door to the lab. “You will eat before you work, lass.” He had that irritating scowl on his face, which meant there was no use arguing with him. He threw the plate of eggs and toast on the counter in front of her. “That fool thing will wait.”
She ate quickly in the kitchen, not bothering to sit down. It was easy for her to ignore Miss Clancy’s chastising stare at her lack manners. After finishing, she put down her plate and hurriedly washed her hands.
Back in the lab, she prepared to open the wriggling rucksack.
Barnes slapped her hands away.
“You’ll lose a bloody finger to the thing. These are vicious creatures.”
He brought an elbow down on the bag, and it stopped moving.
“Oh, I hope you haven’t killed it,” she complained.
“Not bloody likely. I hit it with the butt of my gun at least ten times on the way here.”
He grabbed some leather ties and small piece of metal. In a few minutes he had fashioned a small harness. Gingerly opening the bag, he slid it down the body of the small, dark creature. Except for the eerie eyes, which were open even though it was stunned, it looked like a harmle
ss, nondescript stuffed animal. A mammal, judging by the patches of fur, but it was a monster nevertheless. Ears of a rabbit, nose of a cat, body of some simian animal, a whipping tail, and wide, round eyes. It was obscene, and if it had not shown its vicious nature earlier, she would feel very bad indeed for it.
Wrapping the harness over the creature’s head, Barnes tied it tightly.
“Hssss.” The creature hopped upright. Barnes reached for it, but it jumped over his head and hit the floor of the train with a thump, zigzagging around the car with maniacal hops.
“Catch it!” She yelled stupidly as if Barnes needed encouragement. She ran after them and was horrified to see the main entry was still wide open. This was a habit that allowed the early morning breeze to cool off the train before the hot Texas sun arrived—and Maisy now desperately regretted the practice.
The creature skipped the steps and landed with a thud on the hard ground beyond the door. At least the fence would stop it, might even stun the creature.
That’s when she noticed the sun threatened to peek over the horizon, and the sky was lighter than it had been even ten minutes ago when they had tended the horses.
“No!” she screamed.
Barnes stopped.
The creature hit the fence. A loud popping sound and sparks drifted through the quiet Texas morning. The creature fell limply to the ground.
She ran straight for it, but it was too late.
By the time she threw herself on top of it, the sun turned it into a pile of ash.
So much for her live specimen.
An hour later, the sun was up, and she crouched by the remains of the attack creature, attempting to dig enough ashes to see if she could test them and determine the animal’s composition. Behind her, someone cleared his throat.
She glanced back to find Calloway and his horse standing near the perimeter fence.
This day just keeps getting better.
“I thought you had business in town.”
A Riveting Affair (Entangled Ever After) Page 26
