by Anne Kane
“Yeah. We were in the cafeteria at the same time for lunch. Seemed like an okay guy. For a werewolf.”
“He is.” She dropped a hand to her flat stomach. “He created a diversion while I tried to escape. He wanted to protect our child. Dr. Kvordic killed it when they recaptured me. An innocent unborn baby. He thinks we’re animals, all of us. Probably the kind of guy who drowned kittens when he was a kid.”
Nikki nodded sympathetically. She couldn’t imagine what Sasha must have gone through, having her child torn from her like that. “We’ll get out of here. Somehow.” She didn’t want to mention Wolfe’s rescue force just yet, not until there was a bit more of a plan in place. “So how did you meet Jackson?”
A wry smile curved the corner of Sasha’s mouth. “Dr. Kvordic decided to put us together. One of his little experiments. I’m not sure if he wanted us to get along, or if he just wanted to see what would happen. When he found out I was pregnant, he seemed happy at first.”
“And then what happened?”
“He stopped letting us be together, for one. Jackson used to howl every night until the guards would come and threaten to beat him. Then, when the guards thought we were all settled down, I’d go to him. I just had to make sure I got back here before morning wakeup.”
“You can unlock the door to this place?” That was the one big obstacle to her own escape.
A wry smile played across Sasha’s lips. “Telekinesis. Dr. Kvordic and his pack of goons don’t know I have the ability to manipulate things with my mind. They are so stuck on the fact that I’m a selkie, it didn’t occur to them that I might have other useful talents. Typically shortsighted humans.”
Hope surged through Nikki, and she had to struggle not to look too excited in case someone was watching. “So you can open the lock whenever you want? And the ones on the other enclosures too?”
Sasha nodded. “The guards never caught on. I’d just time it between their rounds. Slip out of here, and go to him.”
“And that’s when you planned your escape? The one that didn’t work?”
Sasha shrugged. “Yeah, it was easy. Jackson started a fight in the pack enclosure and when the guards ran to take care of them I opened the door and ran the other way. I managed to take off my collar but unfortunately, one of the security guards saw me on the monitor and came after me. I made it as far as the outer perimeter, but he had a tranquilizer gun. I never even saw it coming. They thought I’d managed to see the codes when Mrs. Simmons input them, and got out that way. After my botched escape attempt, they changed all the codes and they think that’ll keep me here. Dumb. They’re so focused on our different physiology that they don’t see what’s right in front of them.”
Nikki chose her words carefully, not wanting to create any false hope. “I have a friend, a Druid. I can communicate with him telepathically and he’s trying to set up a rescue for us. They want to get us all out at the same time and trash this place so no one else gets imprisoned here. Could you unlock all the enclosures at the same time if we knew help was coming?”
Sasha looked wary. “Not at the same time, but I could do them one after the other. It only takes seconds to do each one. Your friends would have to be willing to fight. The guards may not look like much but they have an arsenal of guns in the main building and they aren’t afraid of killing any of us. They think we’re animals, you know?”
“Wolfe says the Druid militia is like the supernatural version of the Navy SEALs so they must be used to fighting.”
“Wolfe is your friend? The one you can communicate with?”
“Yes, he’s a Cosantoir.”
“Aaahhh.” The tone of Sasha’s voice said she knew exactly what that meant. “And you are bonded.”
Nikki raised one brow. “Yes. I consented without understanding what I was getting myself into. You know about bonding?”
“Typical. Males are so sure they know what’s right for us. Is he hot? I’ve heard the Cosantoirs are all hot, that’s why they get away with bossing us around.”
“Very hot! But don’t you ever tell him I said that. You know all about the Cosantoir, and yet you chose to mate with a werewolf?”
“I’ve never actually met a Cosantoir. They are very rare these days and frankly, I didn’t think I’d ever see one. My mom told me only one selkie in ten will actually find a Cosantoir, and I’ve never been lucky. When I met Jackson,” she gave an eloquent shrug, “it was like I suddenly found the other half of me that I hadn’t even known was missing. Sounds dumb, but that’s how it was.”
“That is so amazing!” That described exactly how she felt about Wolfe. Which is why he scared her so much. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she didn’t have the self-restraint to keep him at arm’s length.
There was no good way for this relationship to end, and the thought made her want to just lie down and cry. For the children they’d never get to cuddle or watch playing in the water. For the laughter they’d miss. For the happy days they’d never spend holding hands while they watched the sunset set over a quiet lake.
Sasha’s blatant disregard for the problems inherent in a mixed-species relationship intrigued her. “Don’t you worry about what will happen if it doesn’t work out? A werewolf and a selkie? What will your children be like?”
Sasha shrugged. “Why would it be any different than any other relationship? They take work and commitment. Our children will be a blending of the best of each of us. If we truly care about each other and work on it, we can overcome any obstacles. I love Jackson, and I know he loves me. We’ll make it work.”
Nikki stared in wonder at how simple the other girl made it sound. As if love could fix everything. Maybe it really could work. She could still feel Wolfe’s presence in the back of her mind, comforting her. Did she dare let him into her heart?
* * * * *
The accursed gong echoed through the enclosure and Nikki pulled the blanket over her head to drown out the noise. She and Sasha had talked late into the night, and then she’d tossed and turned before finally falling asleep. Her eyes protested the morning light and her mouth felt dry and fuzzy. Getting out of bed was not what she felt like doing.
“Nikki. Time to get up. You are scheduled to meet with Dr. Kvordic in half an hour.”
This whole setup sucked. Nikki stuck her head out from under the blankets and glanced over at Sasha. The other girl hadn’t even moved at the sound of the gong. She must have been truly exhausted.
She could ignore the voices and stay in bed, but that would annoy them, and she wanted to keep on the guards’ good side for now. If they thought she was a brainless ninny, they’d be inclined to overlook her, making escape that much easier. The clock above the bed read six thirty in the morning. What the hell could the doctor possibly want at this time in the morning?
Throwing the blankets back, she grudgingly swung her legs over the side of the bed and got up, wrapping the sheet around her. She turned the shower on as hot as it could get, waiting until the glass steamed up before dropping the sheet and stepping into it in one calculated move.
Even if security had their eyeballs glued to the screen, they’d be lucky to see a flash of bare thigh before it disappeared into the steamy shower stall. She quickly flipped the lever down to a bearable temperature and closed her eyes, letting the water wash over her in a welcoming spray.
It had been days since she’d shifted, and already she could feel the restless itch, the need to lose herself in the otter’s playful form. Under present circumstances, she felt too vulnerable to let herself shift. The otter had little in the way of defenses, other than its strong swimming abilities and there was no one here to watch out for her while she swam.
She gave a wistful thought to Wolfe, camping out somewhere in the mountains above the camp. She’d dreamed of him last night and of a shared life together. That’s all it was though. A dream that would never become reality.
The steam on the glass began to thin and she reached for the towel, wrapping it around h
erself. Security would have to live without their peep show this morning. Brushing the tangles out of her long hair, she twisted it into a casual knot at the nape of her neck and pulled on the shapeless robe.
The click of the lock warned her of Mrs. Simmons’s arrival. “All ready to go, I see. Dr. Kvordic will be happy to hear you’re so obedient.”
The approval in the guard’s voice made Nikki want to slap the silly bitch. Hard. Playing stupid young selkie was beginning to get on Nikki’s nerves. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to keep it up much longer.
Without bothering to answer, she headed to the door. Maybe the guard would mistake her bad temper for sleepiness. When you drag people out of bed this early, you couldn’t really expect cheerful cooperation.
“You and Sasha had a nice chat last night, did you?”
“Uh huh.” Nikki decided to play up the not-a-morning-person routine.
“Did she tell you how she managed to sneak into the werewolves’ compound?”
Now that was blunt. “No. Did she really manage to do that?” Nikki stopped and looked at the guard, hoping to project innocent interest. “Wouldn’t the werewolf pack be dangerous if you invaded their turf?”
Mrs. Simmons nodded, apparently satisfied with her answer. “Yes. They’re an unpredictable bunch. No telling what they’ll do. So what did you two talk about?”
“Couldn’t you hear us from the security tapes?” This innocent thing was kind of fun.
“Too much interference from the waterfall.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize.” Like hell she didn’t. “We’re selkies so the sound of the water is soothing.”
They stopped in front of the main building and the guard on duty opened the door.
“You were going to tell me what you and Sasha talked about?” The smile didn’t extend to the guard’s eyes.
“She told me she was pregnant and lost the child.” Not like that was news. “She’s still upset about it. I was surprised she could have a child by a werewolf, and we talked about that a bit. The interspecies thing. Then we went to bed. It was late, and we were both tired.”
The guard at the main desk scanned Nikki’s collar. She was almost getting used to the damn thing, which in itself was an alarming admission. They continued on to Dr. Kvordic’s office, and Mrs. Simmons was thankfully silent. Nikki didn’t want to have to make up anything else she’d have to remember later.
* * * * *
“So how are we feeling today?”
Nikki gritted her teeth at Dr. Kvordic’s use of the royal we. She was feeling downright bitchy, but prudence told her this probably wasn’t what he wanted to hear. “A little groggy. I haven’t had my coffee yet this morning.”
Dr. Kvordic tsked sympathetically, as if his summons hadn’t yanked her out of bed before her scheduled breakfast arrived. “I’ll have Mrs. Simmons fetch you some. Cream and sugar?”
“No, black is fine.” Black as your wretched soul, and just as bitter. Again, she held her tongue. Quite a feat really.
The doctor hit the speaker button and asked the guard to fetch the coffee. That would put her in a good mood, having to fetch for one of the animals. Nikki felt her mood lighten. Amazing what a little petty revenge could do for one’s outlook.
Dr. Kvordic leaned both elbows on his desk, steepling his fingers. “So you have met Sasha. What do you think of her?”
“Think of her?” Nikki shrugged. “She’s okay. Kind of fragile at the moment. She just lost a child, she told me.”
He shook his head, his lips pursed in disapproval. “Not a child. A werewolf pup. Given circumstances, I felt it better for the pregnancy to end now.”
“You aborted her child? I thought she lost it naturally.” Nikki stared at him, amazed at his bluntness.
“Certain herbs do have that effect when added to food. I felt it best not to let things progress. The werewolves are volatile enough without giving the alpha a reason to cause trouble.”
But to kill an innocent child… Nikki didn’t know what to say.
“I take it you don’t approve.” He sighed. “No matter. I want you to find out how she managed to get into their compound after I strictly forbade it. Someone on security must have helped her and I want to know who it was. I can’t afford to have any traitors on my staff.”
Interesting. Maybe she could finger Mrs. Simmons and her buddy Stan. That could be amusing. She smiled sweetly. “I’ll try. What’s in it for me?”
“Ah. Self-interest. I knew you were a sensible young thing. If you help me catch the traitor, I’ll upgrade your status; maybe let you have some private time. How would you like that? The guards on security duty mentioned that you go out of your way to make sure they don’t get a good look at you. They’ve also noted that you have yet to shift.”
Nikki shrugged. “I can’t shift if I don’t feel safe, and being locked up in a cage is not conducive to feeling safe.”
“You are safer here than anywhere else.” His voice lost the friendly, I’m-your-best-buddy tone. “The researchers need to study all aspects of your shift, so I’ll expect you to comply with the rules and shift on a regular basis.”
Nikki decided to play for time. Direct disobedience wasn’t likely to do her much good. Then again, they couldn’t physically force her to shift. “I’ll try, but it might take a while. Maybe having another selkie in with me will help.”
He wasn’t buying it. She could tell from the hard look in his eyes. “You’ve got until sundown tomorrow. If we can’t study your shifting techniques perhaps we’ll have to take another tack.”
An icy finger of fear crept down her spine. He didn’t elaborate, but the cold look on his face wasn’t encouraging. How far would he go to get what he wanted? He’d already killed Sasha’s child without a hint of remorse. An uncooperative selkie would be no trouble at all, especially since they’d still have one left. How soon could Wolfe get her out of here?
She let her fear show on her face, and saw the glint of satisfaction in his eyes. Maybe she’d managed to buy herself more time.
Chapter Twenty
Wolfe studied the men who’d hiked up to meet with him, holding out his hand to the obvious leader of the group. The Druid rescue squad had shown up on the ridge above the camp without any fanfare, melting into the clearing with barely a sound. If Jack hadn’t warned him they were on their way, he probably wouldn’t have noticed them until they were right on top of him.
He’d talked to them earlier, briefing them on everything he knew about the captives and their abilities. Although he could describe the selkies’ talents in great detail, he was a bit vague on the abilities of the rest of the inmates. The squad had managed to get an aerial map of the compound, and seemed confident that they could mount a successful mission.
“Good to meet you, Wolfe.” The leader’s handshake was firm. “I’m Ian, the nominal leader of this bunch. First, let me assure you that we’ve done lots of rescue missions and we’ve never lost a civilian yet. Jack filled me in on the details, and we’ve got a preliminary attack plan in place.”
The commander didn’t look like much of a fighter. Slender, with short red hair and a ready smile, he looked more like the bartender at a local pub. His voice had a ring of authority though, and when he spoke, the men in the clearing sat up and paid attention.
Ian turned and nodded to the men behind him. They were settling to the ground in a semicircle, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. Despite their reputation, they didn’t look particularly dangerous. Wolfe sure hoped that in this case, looks were deceptive.
As if he could read Wolfe’s thoughts, Ian grinned. “Don’t let their looks fool you. That’s Francois.” He nodded toward a dark-haired man. “He’s our sniper, as well as an expert at hand-to-hand combat. He can hit a moving target at five hundred yards without breaking a sweat. We’ll be using him to lay down cover fire for the attack team.”
Francois spoke with a trace of a French accent. “Don’t worry, man. We’ll get your girl back.”
“Hey.” The two men nodded at him.
“Over there is Dominic, our vehicle specialist, Hank, our computer expert, and then there’s Craig.” Ian pointed to each man in turn. “Craig doesn’t really have a title. He’s more like the resident ghost. He can sneak in and out of just about anywhere without being seen. And that’s the team.”
Wolfe inclined his head to the group. They radiated an aura of quiet confidence, and he had a feeling they would make formidable enemies. “I appreciate you guys coming to help me get Nikki back. So how do we make it happen?”
“We strike hard and fast. They won’t know what hit them.” Ian paced the width of the clearing. “Logistics are simple. Our plan is to launch an attack early tomorrow morning, just before daybreak. The longer we wait, the more likely that something will give our presence away, and security is always at its weakest point in the predawn hours. I’m going to lay out the details, and if you think of anything that might help, feel free to interrupt.”
“Fair enough.” Wolfe moved to a point in the center of the semicircle and sat down.
“We managed to tap into a government surveillance satellite to get a map of the compound. The first wave goes in here.” Ian produced a map from his briefcase and tacked it to a tree. He used a stick to indicate the east side of the enclosure. “We’ll bring in a helicopter, flying low to avoid any radar and drop the attack team just inside the perimeter wall. Experience tells us that when the guards hear the chopper coming, they’ll send the majority of their forces to meet the perceived threat. We have Tony leading that charge, so I know you guys will have lots of fun. Try to pull as many of the defenders as you can. You know the drill. Make lots of noise and take out as many of the guards as you can, and then fall back when we signal that we have the captives free.”
