by Katie Reus
“I don’t know if it’s her for sure, but a human female is dead inside,” Erin directed to them.
Brianna frowned, but her expression quickly turned to surprise as she looked past Erin. “Ian?”
Erin turned to see Ian striding out after them, his face just as surprised. “Brianna? What are you doing in town?”
The small blond fae smiled genuinely and rushed at the tall vampire. She hugged him fiercely, earning an angry growl from Angelo. Brianna shot him an annoyed look, then turned back to Ian, Erin, and Noah. “I don’t have time to catch up, Ian, but we will talk later. I’m working with Erin, her two packmates, and the Campbell pack to find out what is happening with missing pregnant shifters. I didn’t realize you were in town or I would have called you.” Then she glanced at Erin and Noah, all business. “This was our only lead, but I think if I press my contact I might be able to find out why the shifters are being taken.”
Though she was desperate for an answer, Erin didn’t let her frustration show. If she knew the reason why maybe she could figure out who was doing it. That one piece to the puzzle was screwing everything up.
“I might know why they’re being taken,” Ian muttered, making it clear he didn’t want to reveal the truth.
Brianna’s sharp gaze turned, narrowed on him, the blue of her hands glowing brighter. Oh yeah, she was ready to battle if need be. Erin liked her even more. “You’re part of this?” the fae demanded.
“No! I just think it’s related to an ancient, sick practice by fucking bloodborns. When Erin told me about the missing women I mentioned it to the Brethren and found out that . . . some bloodborn vampires like to drink the blood of pregnant shifters in an attempt to increase their own fertility. Bloodborn births are so rare and it is extremely hard for vampires to conceive so they do this.”
Erin’s stomach turned over at the vampire’s words. “I’ve never heard of that.” She might be young, but this was the kind of thing that would get around.
Ian’s expression remained grim. “The practice goes back millennia, but it is not common knowledge even among my people. When I say it’s a rare practice, an elite few know of it and even fewer practice it. Apparently it is a dark, well-kept secret among my kind. The Brethren are pissed.”
“You know what this will do between our people if word of this gets out?” Erin asked quietly, not expecting a response. Of course the vampire knew.
He nodded anyway. “My leaders and I are disgusted by this and want it clear to you that we are not involved. No one wants a war between our people and I’m willing to share information that might assist you.”
She glanced around at the other vamps who were standing a few yards behind Ian, their expressions carefully guarded. Then she looked at Ian again. “You trust them?” If this was as secretive as he said—and considering neither she nor Ryan had been able to find even a mention of the practice in their research, she believed him—she needed to know that all those present would keep their mouths shut.
One sharp nod. Good enough for her. Hell, it would have to be. At this point she had to trust someone. Working in a vacuum was impossible if both species were involved. “Lupine shifters are behind the kidnappings. That much we know. What we don’t know is their identities and who they’re selling to. Well, who specifically, because obviously it’s fucking bloodborns.” The rare vampires that were actually born, not made. They were harder to kill, lived a hell of a long time, and after centuries their powers could manifest into true greatness. To have a bloodborn among your line was to have power. Something all species respected and desired.
“I know of at least one bloodborn in the area,” Angelo drawled, an angry bite to his words.
Brianna shot him a sharp look. “My contact who gave us this female’s address is a bloodborn but he would not be involved in any of this.” There was truth in the fae’s statement, but that just meant she believed what she was saying.
Not that it was actually the truth.
“Who is your contact?” Erin demanded.
Brianna shot Angelo a beseeching look, then shook her head at Erin. “I cannot tell you. He gave me this information on the condition of anonymity.”
Erin glared at Angelo who looked torn, but he eventually shook his head. “I won’t betray Brianna’s trust, even for you. We gave this guy our word.”
Okay then. Erin concealed her surprise and frustration and nodded instead. “Fair enough.” She wasn’t going to push her own packmate to betray a woman he clearly intended to claim as his mate. If he didn’t, there was no way in hell he’d have kept this information from Erin. As enforcer she could demand it, but that wasn’t something she planned on. Not with a male she’d fought side by side with and not over the name of someone whose identity she could get on her own and would very shortly. Once she discovered the buyers, she’d be able to ferret out the sellers—then hopefully find the captive women.
She had no issues torturing some pathetic vampires who were part of this practice, but knew she’d probably be better off if her group worked with Ian. She gave him a thoughtful look. “You work for the Brethren and my mentor tells me that you’re an admirable warrior.”
“Jayce said that?”
She nodded. “He also said not to trust you.”
Ian smiled, revealing a dimple that seemed out of place on his harsh face. “That bastard doesn’t trust anyone.”
He was almost correct. Since taking a mate Jayce had loosened up. Well, sort of. “Do the Brethren approve of this practice?”
Ian’s eyes flashed a glowing amber as he shook his head. “Fuck no. And neither do I nor my team. We’ll help you in any way we can, but our priority is to hunt down these ferals and their maker. No matter what, they have to be stopped. This problem could quickly grow out of control and we cannot allow that.”
“That’s fine. I want names and introductions to all the bloodborns in the area.”
“Introductions?”
“I want you to take me to their homes.” She wasn’t looking for a damn phone call. She wanted face-to-face time with them.
Ian’s eyes flared with surprise, though she wasn’t sure why. What did he think, she was going to call them and simply ask if they were buying pregnant shifter blood? Oh yeah, genius idea.
“I’ll be able to scent their lies and if shifters have actually been there or are currently there, I’ll scent them too.” Then there would be hell to pay. Something she was kind of looking forward to. The people behind this needed to be stopped and she had a hell of a lot of tension building inside her over this case and . . . other stuff.
“Bloodborns are all wealthy and very well protected.” His statement made her want to roll her eyes.
Clearly they’d be rich and guarded. It didn’t change a thing. She shrugged and as she did, her cell phone buzzed in her jacket pocket. She planned to ignore it, but then Noah’s buzzed and Ian’s rang. What the hell? After a glance at the caller ID, she frowned. It was Angus Campbell. “Is everything okay?”
“Hell if I know. There are a dozen vampires outside the compound right now looking to start a fight. We can easily take them but I don’t think this has to escalate if I can defuse the situation. Unfortunately my pack is pissed after Meli lost her baby and half of them are looking for blood—anyone’s. Just thought you’d want to know what was going on.” Angus sounded just as tired as she felt. It had been a long freaking day and now this?
“I’m with some vamps who work for the Brethren right now. We’re on our way.” She hung up and looked at Ian questioningly.
“I just got a call from the owner of Screamers. Seems a couple guys claiming to be members of the Campbell pack firebombed the place right as it opened. Now a bunch of young vampires are on their way to the Campbell compound. Great way to start our night,” he said, his voice laced with annoyance.
Noah immediately shook his head. “No way in hell would anyone from my father’s pack do that. They’re too terrified of him.”
Ian slippe
d his phone back into his pocket. “I didn’t say they did. I just said they claimed to be members.”
“We’re leaving now and you’re coming with us,” Erin said. She glanced at Brianna and Angelo. “Will you guys sweep this house and look for anything potentially helpful? If she has a laptop, anything electronic, any photographs or phone records—I want everything. As soon as you’ve cleared the place, call the cops anonymously.” They could deal with the bodies.
Angelo nodded once. “I’ll text you when we’re done.” He and Brianna strode past them.
Ian’s expression was one of tightly controlled fury when she looked back at him. She raised her eyebrows in silent question. What now?
“I don’t take orders from anyone.” His voice was a razor-sharp blade.
Seriously? She fought a sigh. If Jayce had been here in her place this guy probably wouldn’t have balked. On second thought, he probably would have. Maybe even more so if Jayce had told him what to do. Ian did carry a sword after all. Before she could respond, Noah took a slight step forward, his entire body tense and his expression menacing as he glared at Ian. His claws had unsheathed again and Erin could feel the anger pulsing off him. She placed a gentling hand on Noah’s forearm, but he didn’t acknowledge her. She could deal with only one pigheaded male now, not two amped up on testosterone. Noah tensed even more when she squeezed.
Oh crap. She tightened her grip but focused on the vampire again. “Will you pretty please with a cherry on top come with us to the Campbell compound?” She didn’t hide her sarcasm, which earned her a ghost of a smile. “Your presence will no doubt help defuse the other vamps there.”
The anger melted out of Ian’s expression as he nodded and stepped back. “I planned to go over there anyway.”
“Good.” There was nothing left to say then. Some of the heat rolling off of Noah eased. But he still didn’t step back. Her wolf side appreciated his protective tendencies, but her completely female, human side didn’t need him to fight her battles. She could damn well do that herself.
When he looked down at her she could see his wolf lurking in the depths of his eyes as he fought for control. It took her a moment to realize that what they’d shared in her car earlier was directly responsible for this change in him. He might have felt proprietary toward her before, but the look he was giving her now and his behavior was positively possessive.
Both her wolf and human side liked the possessive bit.
Erin had no idea what to do with either her feelings about that or her feelings toward him. Giving her head a mental shake, Erin turned on her heel. “Let’s move.”
Chapter 9
Noah fought to keep his wolf in check as he and Erin pulled up to his father’s palatial home. Instead of pulling through the wrought iron gates that were surprisingly still open considering the six vampires loitering and shouting outside the fence, Erin parked by the curb. Ian and his team were right behind them.
He and Erin quickly exited the vehicle and she stripped off her jacket before tossing it into her seat and slamming her door shut. He figured she wanted her blades exposed for everyone to see. Nice show of force without having to say a word.
Keeping an eye on the vampires wanting to cause trouble and the ones getting out of the SUV behind them, Noah didn’t know who posed more of a threat. He didn’t like the way that vamp, Ian, kept looking at Erin. As if he wondered what she looked like naked and could see if he just squinted hard enough.
Noah’s inner wolf was going crazy right now. Erin had bitten him as she’d been climaxing. It had been light, but she’d broken his skin, marking him with her teeth and it was like his wolf had been set free to pursue her. No more restraint.
Rolling his shoulders once, he locked down those thoughts. Later tonight, if they ever got a couple of hours of downtime, he planned to pick up right where they’d left off in her car. He wanted to give her even more pleasure. So much so that she passed out with his name on her lips.
The six vampires near the outside of the gate all turned and immediately glared at them. Fangs and claws descended as they took menacing steps toward Erin and him.
Instinctively, he stepped forward, partially blocking her with his body. He knew it would piss her off, but his inner wolf was feeling wildly protective at the moment. It kept screaming at him to mark and mate her. To fuck until neither of them could walk. To keep her safe from anyone and everything. He had no doubt how capable she was and part of him wondered if one day soon she’d be able to kick his ass into the ground. Her strength was growing by leaps and bounds, and it was sexy as hell thinking he could be mated to someone so strong and capable. None of that mattered now, though, and he wasn’t questioning her ability to protect herself. Just the thought of her being harmed killed him inside and his wolf didn’t always listen to human reasoning.
A male vampire with mocha skin and long dreads, dressed in all black leather, stepped forward first. He hissed at them, fury rolling off him in waves. Next a female with long black hair, ivory skin, bloodred lips, and wearing a black corset top, black leather pants, and five-inch-heeled boots stepped forward. “Who the fuck are you?” She eyed Erin first, then Noah, then glanced past them to the other vampires. “Are you with these shifters?” the female snarled again, her voice deeper than he’d expected.
Before either he or Erin could answer, Ian flew past them. A light breeze rolled over Noah’s skin as Ian jerked to a halt a foot in front of the six vamps.
“I’m Ian and I work for the Brethren. Who the fuck are you?” His voice was so low Noah almost didn’t hear the question.
But it was clear the others did. The six quickly scrambled back a few feet and the female with the Goth-inspired looks who was clearly the spokesperson for the vamps held up a hand in a surrendering gesture. “These bastards tried to kill us. They firebombed Screamers barely an hour ago.” She jerked a thumb in the direction of Noah’s father’s compound where Noah could see at least two dozen males and females patrolling the grounds. Yeah, they were ready for a fight with these young vamps should it come to it. And these vamps would lose. No doubt about it.
“And how do you know it was anyone from the Campbell pack?”
The Goth chick shifted nervously. “Well, the two guys who did it shouted that they were doing this for their pack, the Campbell pack.”
Ian let out a long string of creative curses that had Erin glancing at Noah with an almost scandalized expression. If it was any other time he’d have laughed.
Ian sighed and withdrew his sword. Everyone went deathly quiet. “For one second, did it cross your tiny brain that it wasn’t someone from this pack? That someone might be setting up the Campbells for whatever reason? Shifters are hunters, just like us. They’re not going to start something out in the open like that and they sure as hell wouldn’t use firebombs. How old are you?”
The female glanced back at her group as if for support but they were all quiet and wide-eyed. When she looked back at Ian she wrapped her arms around herself. “I’m four,” she said quietly, hesitantly. Vampires considered their ages by the day they were made and this female was definitely young. Had probably been changed when she was roughly twenty-three.
So damn young. Noah shook his head at her stupidity and clear lack of training. If the others with her were just as young they’d have been slaughtered by his pack in seconds. And all over a misunderstanding.
“How many shifters bombed the club?” Erin asked, stepping forward.
Noah moved with her, keeping pace, watching her back.
The vampires eyed them warily but the female answered. “Two. Both males.”
“What did they look like?” Noah asked, wondering if the shifter who had attacked him earlier was one of the ones behind the fire.
She shrugged. “They wore plain blue ball caps but I’m pretty sure they both had blond hair. I saw some sticking out from one of the guys’ caps. They were tall, sort of rugged looking, and one wore a wolf ring. They were shifters. They threw the Mol
otov cocktails through the windows of Screamers, then threw a bunch at us and they were fast. Once they’d unloaded on us, they ran.”
“Did anyone go after them? Tail them anywhere?” Erin asked, hope in her voice.
The female shook her head. “No. We were too busy trying to put out the fire in the club and on ourselves.”
Noah silently watched as both Ian and Erin questioned the six vampires. They pretty much went around in circles with no helpful information. But at least they’d clearly calmed down. The other vamps working with Ian looked almost bored as they waited several yards behind them, but he knew better. They were on alert, scanning the neighborhood for any possible threats.
As the conversation started to die down, Noah turned back to the young vamps. He eyed the designated speaker. “Do you guys belong to a coven?” he asked.
She shook her head and wrapped her arms tighter around herself. In that moment she looked impossibly young. Even though she was strong since she was a vampire, she couldn’t have had much training to come over to his father’s compound tonight. It was a suicide mission.
Noah glanced at the compound, eyeing the wolves lurking in the darkness. Some had already shifted forms and he was surprised his father hadn’t come outside yet. That was interesting and he wanted to know why. “I’m not part of the Campbell pack, but Angus Campbell is my father. He’s fair but he’s also vicious if you cross him or anyone he considers his own. If you had attacked tonight, you’d all be dead right now.”
He expected some sort of denial but when none was forthcoming, he continued, softening his voice. “I have no idea what’s going on in the city or why someone would want to set up the local pack, but spread the word to any young vamps you know about what happened tonight. Right now this entire pack is mourning the loss of a cub so emotions are high, yet none of them attacked you when in all fairness they could have. You arriving on their doorstep ready to fight was reason enough. And they’d have been justified. Instead, they called us. Those aren’t the actions of a pack who wants to go to war with vampires.” Noah’s mother had called him and he knew his father had called Erin. And he was still wondering where the hell his father was.
