“Why are you willing to risk your life for a VampLycan child?”
“I’d do it for any kid. It’s human nature.” Dusti hesitated. “And I’m human. Besides, you have to be a total dick to sit on your ass and not try to save a child if given the chance.” She bit her lip. “I also really hate my grandfather and always have. I came to Alaska with Bat to give her emotional support once she’d discovered he’s a waste of space. It was going to be a bonus to tell him off. I want him caught and stopped. Nobody fucks with my sister—and he planned to big time. I want to take him down. Are those reasons enough?”
It surprised Dusti when Crayla reached out and brushed her fingers against her cheek and smiled. “I like you, Dusti. You have courage and inner strength.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re also willful and stubborn.” Crayla dropped her hand and stepped back. “I’ll help you. Just don’t die. My son would never forgive me.”
“I don’t plan on it. I’m kind of addicted to breathing.”
Crayla chuckled. “Stay here and I’ll send my mate and son to our house. They can plot another way to save the girl while us women get this done.”
“Nobody is going to whip Drantos if I disobey him, will they? I don’t want him offering to take my punishment again.” It was her only concern.
“No. I’m in charge of the women and you have my permission to do this.”
“Good enough.” Dusti faced the mirror again, messing up her hair more.
Crayla left her and Dusti returned to Drantos room. Without claws or fangs, she’d need a weapon. A quick search of his bedside drawers was helpful. She might not have ever fired a gun but she’d seen a lot of movies. The weapon was heavier than she thought it would be. She made certain to point it toward the outer wall as she learned where the safety was, how to remove the clip, and ensured it had bullets. She snapped the clip back in and double-checked the safety again, using her thumb to move it a few times to get a feel for it.
She removed the sweatpants, put on Drantos’s underwear, and then put the pants back on. It gave her a place to hide the gun down the borrowed briefs. The gun sagged a bit but she rolled the waist of the sweats to help support the weight. She closed her eyes, thinking about what she was about to do.
It was crazy. It was probably stupid. It might not work…but she needed to try. Everyone thought she was cowardly and that she needed to be protected. Her sister would have the nerve to pull a stunt like this.
That thought gave her the courage to walk out of the bedroom. Crayla waited in the living room but Drantos and his father were gone.
“Are you ready to do this?” Crayla didn’t look convinced.
“Yes.”
“Be certain, Dusti. This is a dangerous situation. Decker has no honor and he’s vicious.”
“He wants Bat alive to use her. I’ll just be her.”
“Lake is still outside. I motioned for him to stay when our mates left. I’ll go tell him our plan.”
“What is that, exactly?”
“I’m going to have Lake call his sister. She’ll have the number to reach Decker. Lake will tell him that he grabbed you from our village and wants to make the exchange for his niece. No VampLycan would dishonor another by stealing their mate, but it’s behavior that someone like your grandfather shouldn’t question.”
“Because he’s an asshole with no morals. That’s something he’d probably do.”
“Exactly.” Crayla smiled. “Lake will tell me where Decker wants him to take you. I’ll give you a head start before telling our mates. They’ll rush to save you. Lake will hand you over to Decker, grab the child, and run back in this direction, but by that time, our mates will be on their way to you. Is that clear enough?”
“Crystal.” Dusti felt fear but she refused to let it change her mind.
“It’s possible that Decker could take you, if they don’t reach you in time. We have no idea how many enforcers are protecting him or what kind of escape plan he’s made in case of a trap. I’d have one if I were him. Are you prepared for that?”
Dusti understood. “He’ll want to take Bat to Aveoth.” The memory of meeting the GarLycan leader flashed in her head. “At least Aveoth knows who I really am. He’d let me go and give me back to Drantos. I feel confident about that. He’s definitely a badass and I wouldn’t be bummed if he beheaded my grandfather. I’ve seen him in action already.”
Crayla regarded her sternly. “Hide your fear. That’s important.”
“I’m going to be channeling Bat. She doesn’t get scared. She gets pissed off and mouthy. Trust me. I’ve got her down.”
Crayla nodded. “Be strong and courageous for your mate. He’ll be furious that you defied him but his anger will be lessened if we pull this off without a hitch.”
“How pissed is Velder going to be at you?”
“He’s my mate. He knows me well so he shouldn’t be surprised by anything I do. You’re a woman in our clan and that child is a VampLycan girl.”
“Good enough.”
“I appreciate that you’re concerned for my relationship with my mate.”
Dusti forced a smile. It was more a matter of how angry Drantos would be if she was the reason his parents weren’t on speaking terms—on top of going directly against what he’d told her to do.
Chapter Twenty
“Lake?”
Dusti peered around the dark woods behind Drantos’s home. Crayla said the VampLycan would be waiting for her there. Movement to her right drew her attention and the big guy from the store stepped out from behind a massive tree. Enough light showed from the house for her to distinguish his grim expression. He didn’t look happy to see her.
“I’m desperate to save Asha but this goes against my better judgment.”
She could respect that. “Is that your niece’s name? Asha? It’s pretty.”
“She’s a pretty girl.”
“How old is she?”
“Almost two.”
Dusti really hated her grandfather. He’d kidnapped a baby, not a little girl. It made it so much worse. “I know the risks. Let’s do this, okay?”
“I wouldn’t be doing this if Crayla hadn’t ordered me to. She said Velder would agree with her. Your mate is going to want to kill me, isn’t he?”
She decided to change the subject. “Did you call your sister and were you able to reach Decker?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“He gave me a place to meet. I don’t think this is a good plan.”
“Not you too.” She sighed, feeling frustrated. “Focus on your niece. I can handle myself. Just get me there, grab that baby, and haul ass to get her back here. That’s the plan. Crayla said she told you what we had in mind when she came back from talking to you.”
“She did. I just don’t think this is going to work.”
“I can pull off being my sister to a man who hasn’t seen us in twenty years. Give me some credit.”
“Decker could hurt you if he figures out you’re the wrong sister.”
“I’m wearing Drantos’s clothes for a reason. I smell like him, don’t I? It masks my scent. I learned that when I met Aveoth. I can do this. Just get me there and save your niece.”
“I don’t know if you’re brave or stupid.”
“Let’s call it a bit of both. Do you need to tie me up or something? Crayla said you could move faster if you’re carrying me.”
He shifted his stance some, his shadow moving. “Drantos is going to kill me for this.”
“He’ll be too busy yelling at me.”
He snorted.
“Let’s get this show on the road. We don’t have a lot of time.” She glanced back, spotting Crayla watching them from the back porch. “We’re wasting what little time we have.” She faced Lake again. “We need to get going before Drantos and his dad come back to the house and notice I’m gone.”
“I told Decker I couldn’t get a vehicle so he agreed to meet us close to the border
of our lands. It might be uncomfortable for you but I can move faster if you’re over my shoulder.”
“I didn’t expect this to be a picnic.” She stepped closer.
He stripped out of his shirt. “I’m going to put this over your back to further hide your scent. There are guards posted that we’ll need to pass. If they scent me, they’ll just think I’m out for a run to rid myself of nervous energy. They’ll contact your mate if they pick up his scent you're carrying, wondering why you’re out in the woods. They know he's with his father right now.”
“Smart.” She reached out and felt the big man’s broad shoulders when he crouched down in front of her. He gripped her hips gently and pulled her closer to his body until she bent, her pelvis against him. He released her hips and hooked one arm over her legs as he stood.
Memories of when Drantos had carried her returned. This time she was willingly letting a man treat her like a sack of laundry. He threw his shirt over her, covering as much of her as he could.
“Be very quiet.” He paused. “What is that pressed against my chest?”
“Gun.”
He sighed.
“I don’t have claws. I stole one of Drantos’s.”
“Do you know how to use it?”
“Of course,” she lied.
“Good.” He spun, moving fast.
Dusti closed her eyes since she couldn’t see anything anyway. All her recent conversations with her sister replayed through her mind. She mentally repeated the way Bat spoke, mimicking her. Her sister could be condescending and bitchy. It extended to her tone of voice.
The practice helped pass the time as Lake ran with her. She had to give him a lot of credit for using his hands to cushion her body from a lot of jostling around. It wasn’t exactly comfy but it wasn’t painful either. His breathing hardly changed. VampLycans were really fit.
Lake finally stopped running and Dusti opened her eyes, lifting her head. He bent and helped her ease away from him but kept close.
“We’re near. I smell strangers,” he whispered.
“Game on,” she whispered back and cleared her throat. “Do you know who I am, you big gorilla?” She raised her voice. “I’ll have you arrested for kidnapping, and hell, offensive groping. I’m an attorney. You chose the wrong woman to fuck with!”
Lake turned his head and she could feel him staring at her. She shrugged, shoving his shirt at him. “Grab the baby and go as fast as you can,” she breathed.
“Shut up,” he loudly snarled. He gripped her hand and yanked her none too gently forward. Dusti startled but didn’t stumble.
“Let me go! Did you hear me, you Neanderthal? I know dozens of judges who will throw your ass in the slammer and toss away the key. It doesn’t mean shit that we’re in Alaska. You kidnapped a resident of California. I’ll have your pathetic ass extradited there to stand trial. Get your hands off me!”
He pulled her out into a clearing and the moon helped her see a bit. He stopped there. “Shut up or I’ll knock you out. You’re unpleasant.”
“Fuck off, dickhead. Where’s my grandfather? That poor man is sick and you drag him out here for some ransom scheme? That’s a federal crime. You and that band of thugs are going to be lucky if you don’t get the death penalty for everything you’ve done. And my sister Dusti better be alive! I don’t know what you idiots did with her but I’ll see you in hell if you touched a hair on my baby sister’s head.”
Movement came from the tree lines in at least four directions and Dusti’s heart hammered. Fear rose but she tried to push it down. They could pick it up with their freaky sense of smell. Lake moved behind her and gripped her throat. He didn’t hurt her but was putting on a show. He had sworn to break her neck if Decker didn’t bring him his niece.
“Where is Asha? I brought you Batina. I’d love to kill her if you lied. She’s been insulting me ever since I took her.” Lake forced her head up with his hold on her throat. “My claws are out. I’ll rip her head off.”
She was glad he lied. Just his fingertips pressed against her skin.
“Don’t,” a deep voice ordered. “You can have the brat. I’m sending her out to you. Take her and go. My enforcers said you weren’t followed.”
Dusti got a fix on the voice and shifted her eyes in that direction. Decker Filmore had to be the dark shape across the small clearing, near the trees. A smaller form appeared from the woods.
Lake’s hand on her throat flexed. “Asha! Come to me now. It’s Uncle. Run, baby.”
Dusti pressed her chin against his hand and watched the small body rush at them. She couldn’t get a real good look at her since it was too dark. The child reached them and slammed into her and Lake. The kid sounded upset with her ragged breathing.
Lake leaned in and pressed his lips against Dusti’s ear. “Help will come soon.”
She reached back and surreptitiously patted his leg. He released her throat and gave her a shove forward before snatching up the kid and pulling her into his arms. Dusti turned her head, watching him disappear into the woods. She could hear him running. He wasn’t being quiet.
“Asshole! You better run!” she yelled, then spun. “Grandpa? Are you out there? It’s Batina! You don’t know the hell I’ve been through. Those bastards took Dusti!” She needed to keep him distracted and convinced he had the right sister for as long as possible. It would give Lake a chance to get away. She lifted her hand and placed it on her forehead. “It’s been a nightmare.”
* * * * *
Drantos sat across the desk from his father. Both of them stared at the silent phone. It hadn’t rung to let them know Decker had been captured by the GarLycans or that the girl had been found by the members of Decker’s own clan searching for her.
His father sighed. “I hate waiting. I feel useless.”
“I know what you mean. I should go check on Dusti.” He sat up straighter and gripped the arms of the chair.
“You need to give her time to cool down. It’s something you’ll learn being mated. Sometimes a little space is a good thing. Your mother is with her. We’ll wait for word together here.”
“We don’t sit shit out. We should be out there searching for that child.”
“I agree but Lord Aveoth made a request. For whatever reason, he doesn’t want our clan involved.”
“We already are. Decker stole that child because he thinks we have what he wants.”
“I agree with that too, but he was clear. Stay put and out of it. He must have his reasons.”
Drantos couldn’t remain seated anymore and stood, pacing the floor. “Aveoth must be really pissed at Decker.”
“It’s understandable. Decker is trying to use his weakness against him. And you should call him by his title.”
Drantos paused and stared at his father. “He’ll always just be Aveoth to me.”
“They are very formal, son. It’s their way.”
“We were friends once.”
“I remember. That was before he challenged his father and became the GarLycan ruler.”
“So what?”
“We have Vampire blood running in our veins. Gargoyles are never going to forget that. We might be allies but that doesn’t mean his people would welcome a close association. Some might question his ruthlessness if he showed any favoritism to you or Kraven.”
“That’s such bullshit.”
“You don’t know them the way I do.”
Drantos studied his father. “Right, you had a GarLycan lover before you mated, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I learned a lot about them from her. She feared some of her people would find out about us. It was taboo.”
“GarLycans can take VampLycans as lovers.”
“Their men. Not their women. She feared reprisals for both of us if her clan found out.” His father shrugged. “It only lasted a week but it was memorable. She was very sweet. Her mother was a Lycan and her father a Gargoyle.”
“I take it she took after her mother?”
His father
hesitated. “She physically took after her father. She had wings and could shell out her body. Inside she was Lycan. She had to hide it from her father. They see emotions as a defect. I got the impression her life was a struggle because she did feel so much.”
“No wonder she took a VampLycan lover.”
“She said her father had arranged for her to mate someone inside her clan. Daughters don’t get to chose who they’re paired with.”
“That’s depressing. What about finding a true mate?”
“They are expected to ignore the Lycan side.”
“Damn.” Drantos sank back into the chair.
“Yes. She didn’t want her first lover to be a cold one. Those were her words. Their clan is very formal. You should have seen the way she dressed. Every part of her, from the neck down, had to be covered. Mates sleep in separate bedrooms and only share a bed during sex. Afterward the man leaves. They often restrain their women so they can’t touch their men. It’s too intimate otherwise. They have titles and call each other by those, even with family members. It’s a deep show of disrespect not to. The only exceptions are mates, but only in private.”
Drantos tried to imagine that but failed.
“I just told you what sex is like between GarLycan mates. Imagine how distanced they are from the concept of friendship. The fact that you’re VampLycan would have made some of that clan nervous if their leader spent time with you. So far they’ve kept the alliance between us but that doesn’t mean they look at us as equals. I don’t think they ever will.”
“I almost feel sorry for Aveoth.”
“I had dealings with Lord Abotorus when he still ruled.” Velder paused. “Ice cold. He spoke to his son with contempt. He’d bring young Aveoth to meetings to show him how to deal with us. I wasn’t surprised when the boy grew into a man and challenged him. I saw no compassion or love at all when he looked at his son.”
“I’m glad we don’t have that kind of relationship.”
Drantos (VLG Series Book 1) Page 37
