Karl’s eyes locked with Liam’s for a moment, their aversion to each other obvious, but when he turned back to me he was all smiles. “Forgive me if I frightened you into calling your little half-elf. I meant you no harm.” He held out his hand in a gesture of friendship but I didn’t take it. There was something so horribly sick about him. “As you prefer…” He backed away several steps, then turned and took his seat again.
“You will stay away from this one.” It wasn’t a request. Liam rarely gave me direct orders but his eyes had remained locked on Karl, who was ignoring us and talking to Sharon.
“Yes, I will. I feel it too. He's crazy.” Liam didn’t move away when Garrett returned.
I repeated my conversation to Garrett and then Liam sent to both of us. “I advise you to send Jacqueline home with Brina. Brina can return here when Farrell arrives at your house to act as Jackie’s guard. Karl is more dangerous than you know and I feel he will not ask again for an alliance. That door has been closed, so now he will attack because he thinks he has no other option. We're too close to discovering what's going on, although I fear that he's keeping the boys to use them for his blood spells.”
I shook my head. “I’m not leaving. I’ll stay away from Karl because he creeps me out, but you need me here to find them, now more than ever.”
“This is not a good time to be stubborn.”
“Liam, I’m protected by you and the sisters. I’ll be fine.”
We both turned to Garrett who hadn’t said a word. He was thinking quietly, weighing what we’d told him with what he’d observed on his own. “If Karl is so dangerous, then perhaps we should all leave. I can hand the case over to Aaron along with the evidence we've gathered so far. On the other hand, Karl trying to coerce us into joining his side indicates that he has little support and is working on his own. Without the pack behind him, I don't see him as much of a threat.
"Liam, I don’t wish to ignore your advice, but I think we can stick with the investigation for at least two more days. I’d like the boys to get home safely. Jackie's right, we need her skills. Bring in Farrell or anyone else as extra backup if you feel there’s a need: however many fae you feel are necessary.” Liam didn't look happy but it wasn’t his decision to make.
I slid my hand into Garrett’s and leaned against him. “Thank you.”
“I don’t feel that Karl is a threat to you personally, but please, no more walks to visit the alpha’s family, not even if you have both sisters with you.”
“That’s fine, but what do you say to sniffing around tonight as cheetahs?"
Yes. Liam can guard us. We probably should have done this first, but I hesitated to be in animal form around a large group of wolves. It could stir them up, even get them hungry. We’ll keep to the outskirts of the property.”
Dinner was apparently over since all of our plates were quickly whisked away. The wine kept flowing, however, and the crowd was growing rowdier by the minute. Garrett was called in front of them all to make a report as to the progress of the investigation which he did, in a strong clear voice. At first he described the evidence we’d gathered and then he threw a monkey wrench into the proceedings. “We’ve discerned that the kidnappings were all accomplished by the same wolves. There are some here at this meeting who may have information as to where the boys are being held. We would recommend that you come forward now and take us to them tonight, so that they can receive medical attention and then be returned to their families.” His words were met with complete silence.
All eyes were on the alpha, so Quentin stood up quickly to speak. “Garrett, we know that your team is doing their best, but it’s already been decided that none of our pack were involved. They’ve all sworn to me that they had nothing to do with this.” He turned to the large group. “My pack is loyal.” There was cheering and more drinking.
When they’d calmed down again, Garrett said, “We’ll continue with the investigation and hopefully the young men will be home again soon.” More cheering followed and more drinking followed that. Garrett shrugged as he sat down next to me. “I feel like I’m at a frat party.”
Gabriel had left his table and was talking to Sinc, who was laughing over something he’d said. He held out his hand and she hesitated only a moment before she took it. He led her up the stairs and onto the stage and then to the table where Karl sat with Sharon. Karl immediately stood as she approached and then hugged her, seeming genuinely happy to see her. He insisted that she sit between him and Gabriel and they signaled to have another chair brought up. They chatted together in a friendly way while Sharon sat quietly, drinking coffee. I noticed that adult females and teens were filing into the arena to sit with their mates or their families , so I wondered what was up.
Quentin called out. “Bring in the first fighters!” Two young wolves, bare-chested and barefoot, were brought to the area in front of the stage where they shook hands and bowed slightly to their alpha. They began to circle each other, looking eager to begin. Quentin looked at me. “This is just an exhibition. No one will get hurt. They don't change form. It’s just good sport: keeps the young unmated ones on their toes and out of trouble." He pointed out to the crowd. "The males bet on the outcome and the girls enjoy the show.” I managed a weak smile and then looked back at the contestants.
"Don't the women bet?"
"They don't gamble." Probably because he didn't allow it.
As soon as the contest began, I was drawn into their lethal dance. They used no weapons, only fists and feet and the strength of their arms, legs and back. They were evenly matched fighters who knew how to throw a punch and pull off a roundhouse kick with perfect timing. In the end the dark haired wolf took down the sandy haired one and the match was called before any serious injuries could occur.
There were two more matches before Quentin turned to Garrett. “Do you have a fighter you’d like to put up against my Jake? It would just be sport, nothing serious, just a chance for my men to have some fun betting against your man." He looked at Sasha with a shake of his head. "Your second doesn’t look quite up to Jake’s level. Maybe the large one sitting next the fae female would be willing to fight?”
Garrett and I both laughed at the same time. “Sasha is more than up to the task, Quentin, but I’ll leave it up to him.” Garrett sent him a mental message and Sasha grinned. He removed his shoes, socks and shirt, walked down the stairs and onto the center of the floor, turning around to give all the ladies a good view. I saw more than one female wolf moving closer to the edge of the arena to get a better look. His wicked smile and gorgeous blue eyes took in his growing fan base and he laughed, looking back at the fae sisters who seemed to be enjoying the show as well. He blew them a kiss and they nodded back. When he started to stretch, I was sure I heard girls giggling.
Jake was enormous all over: Heinrich’s size, with a huge chest, powerful biceps and thighs and a seriously thick neck. Good thing Sasha didn’t have to try to behead him.
Quentin stood. “As a special treat to show goodwill between our groups, Sasha and Jake will meet in an exhibition fight for our pleasure tonight: Our Beta VS Garrett’s Second in Command.” He turned to speak to Garrett and me, but his voice carried throughout the stadium. “Jake is my top enforcer and he can count on one hand the number of times he’s been bested in an exhibition fight. He’s 150 years old and was adopted by the pack at the age of 4. Perhaps you’d like to tell us all something about your vampire.”
Garrett stood and smiled at Sasha. “Sasha and I were turned the same year. He was 26 years a human and is 127 years a vampire. As a human he was a soldier in the Russian Imperial Army. As a vampire, he became Eleanor Howard's top enforcer and is now my second in the nest. He’s never, to my knowledge, exhibited his skills in this particular way.” Garrett looked at him curiously and Sasha shook his head grinning.
The rules were announced by Katrina, who looked every bit the Queen in a long form-fitting dress that accented her elegant curves. “No weapons, no teeth includin
g fangs, no nails or claws, no choking, no attacking the face, the throat or the privates.”
Garrett stood up. “To make the contest fair, Sasha won’t use his vampire speed.” Sash smiled at Garrett and nodded. Oh man, he was having way too much fun. This could be bad. Garrett turned to me. “He’d like to know if he can use your hair tie.”
I had some of my hair pulled back in a small pony tail, with most of my waves hanging down my back beneath it. “Sure.” I got up and walked to the edge of the stage, leaning down, meaning to hand it to him.
He took in a deep breath of my scent and smiled, turning around. “Would you do me the honor, Mistress?”
I laughed as I smoothed out his thick blonde hair and pulled it back into a ponytail low on his neck. He was enjoying the spectacle that he was making of himself and so were most of the females in the room. “Sir Sasha,“ I teased as I raked my fingers through his hair to smooth it out. “You may wear my favor at the joust. But you can’t do any serious damage. We’ll be thrown out and then the boys won’t be found. And this is Sinc’s dad, you know.” I’d sent that to Sasha and Garrett both. Sash turned around, kissed my hand with a wink and a sly grin and then walked to Jake and shook his hand.
Garrett responded to me alone. “We’ll try for a draw, but I won't ask Sasha to lose. He’s three times as powerful as this wolf, even without the benefit of his speed, so I've told him to hold back. But just look at him; this is all about showing off for the fae sisters.”
“Fae blood is a powerful motivator.”
“I prefer cheetah.”
“Liar.” He nuzzled my ear so I shivered just a little and sighed, smiling up at him. “I yield, sir knight.”
“Don’t yield so quickly. I like the chase.”
“You’ll be chasing my tail plenty when we’re in cheetah form.” I was much faster.
“We’ll see, chatonne.”
CHAPTER TEN
They circled each other as the crowd got louder, Sasha’s startling light blue gaze was focused on Jake's every move. He’d told me once that the way to beat a much larger man was to anticipate his moves and respond to them quickly, leaving you time to stage your own attack while he was recovering his balance. There would always be a tell—a motion or change of expression or a shift in balance—something that gave away the direction of your opponent's next move. Sasha knew how to find it and then use it.
So when Jake threw a punch, Sasha was able to turn away and avoid it easily and when Jake kicked out with his powerful legs, Sasha simply stepped aside and the foot flew past his chest. He didn't attack, if fact he hardly even had to defend himself. Instead he observed the other male, taking his measure, looking for weaknesses and strengths. His offensive moves would come later, when Jake was tired and not expecting them.
When the crowd started to complain about the lack of bloodshed, Sasha began to block the punches and kicks with moves so quick it was hard to imagine that he wasn’t using his vamp speed. Jake was a lot like Heinrich when he fought, if he landed a hit, a bone would break or an opponent would go down, but so far, he hadn’t done any damage.
Their chests were glistening with perspiration, making them look like ancient Greek wrestlers as they circled once more. Jake laughed. “I’ve fought vampires before, but you’re faster than any of them." Boos were heard, coming from the stands. "You’re disappointing the fans. Either hit me or give me a chance to hit you.” He laughed again good-naturedly.
“As you wish. We begin in earnest, Wolf.” Sasha struck out with a side kick to Jake’s stomach but Jake was able to grab his leg and push him down and away. Sasha rolled gracefully toward the stage and then stood, the motion as smooth as silk. Jake lunged in closer, attempting to land a punch to Sasha’s midsection, but Sasha countered by hooking his leg around Jake’s and bringing him down hard. He backed away and waited for him to rise, not interested in kicking Jake while he was on the floor.
Jake rose more slowly than Sasha had, but he was far from finished. Their eyes narrowed as they drew closer and then without any warning, the melee began. Punches to the stomach were followed up by kicks to the chest and elbows in the ribs. There was so much action on the floor that the crowd was having trouble catching their breath between screams and shouts. The two males grappled for handholds so that they could toss the other into the wall or the front of the stage, both of them flying above the floor several times. Numerous cracks had appeared on the previously smooth surfaces and there was blood splatter on the floor where Clarissa's blood had been cleaned away.
Sasha landed spectacular kicks while doing his best to avoid Jake’s very long arms and fists. Jake got in close enough to deliver a powerful punch to Sash’s ribs. Everyone heard the crack, but after his initial wince, Sasha had grinned and managed to pull off an axe kick which had Jake back on the floor with a possible busted collar bone. They continued to fight, but Jake was in a lot of pain. A wolf’s healing abilities were slower, more like a shifter’s than a vampire’s. He had to use his left arm more than his right and although Sasha was trying to avoid kicking him in the shoulder again, it was becoming more obvious that Jake needed to stop.
They were circling again, taking a break. Sasha asked quietly, without making it into a show, “Do you yield, Wolf?” He was rubbing his right side where his broken ribs were hurting him as they knit themselves back together. Several bruises patterned his chest, plus his wrist was swollen from an awkward fall.
However, Jake was hurting more. He had huge bruises forming on his chest and back and his nose and eye were swollen where he’d been thrown against the wall. He couldn’t move his right arm at all because of the broken collarbone and his left knee was swollen badly as well. He’d be healed by tomorrow, but there was no reason to cause more damage than was necessary.
Jake looked at Quentin who was frowning. He nodded and Jake looked relieved when he said. “I yield, vampire. Good fight.” There was some cheering and a lot of booing as they both shook hands and smiled at each other. There wasn’t anyone in the place who wasn’t impressed by the two warriors.
When the meeting broke up about half an hour later, we walked back to the house. We were all more than a little creeped out by Clarissa’s gory punishment but happy about Sasha’s win. He was walking with Brina, his arm draped casually over her shoulder, while Kaera walked with Heinrich, who was teasing Sasha unmercifully about the shoe incident. At the end, someone from the stands who’d probably lost some money had thrown their shoe at Sasha and it had hit him directly in the forehead. Everyone laughed, including Sasha. A couple of weres dragged the drunk offender away and Quentin apologized for the incident.
I had something to eat when I got back, since I’d hardly eaten anything at the meeting. Sasha, Heinrich and the two sisters had disappeared downstairs and I was guessing that the cracked ribs had been worth it. Brina had told me that she and her sister were attracted to the best warriors and Sasha had brilliantly won the battle, even after handicapping himself.
Ethan, Sinc, Kyle and William were watching a ballgame on the big screen so Garrett and I left them to it, driving with Liam to the wooded outskirts of the packlands. We shifted and took off with Liam following, looking for clues as to where the boys might be. Although we searched through several remote areas, there wasn’t even a tinge of Karl’s blood magic or a clue as to where the three teens might be hidden.
By the time we dragged our weary bodies back to the house, dawn was only two hours away and Garrett had to round up his nest and get them back to Crescent City. I thought about asking him to stay a little longer, but he needed to rest and so did I. I hadn’t stopped yawning since I’d shifted back to human. I curled up in my bed, feeling a little lonely, but quickly fell asleep.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
AT 1:30 the next afternoon there was an unexpected knock on the door. Kaera got up from her spot in an armchair and looked out the window. “It’s the alpha’s son. The heir.” She looked at me for instructions.
Sinc and I glanced
at each other and she shrugged, then said, “Let him in.” Sinc leaned back making a concerted effort to look relaxed, although after last night, it was a little tough to feel relaxed around any of Quentin’s clan. Pretty sure that Gabriel wasn’t there to talk to me, I went into the kitchen.
"I'll make some coffee." Brina was resting in the back bedroom, having taken the last guard shift of the night and Liam was in the temporary lab trailer with Kyle and Ethan. Kaera, ever vigilant, let Gabriel in with a warning scowl and then sat down in the large window seat across from Sinc.
“Hey, Sinc.” Gabriel came in hesitantly at first, taking a glance around the room. His keen eyes skimmed over me in the kitchen and then took note of Kaera, but when he saw Sinc smiling from the couch he seemed to relax. She indicated that he should sit in the arm chair opposite the couch and he lowered himself into it with his usual animal grace. He was dressed casually in jeans and a plaid shirt and his dark blue eyes gleamed as they took her in.
“Hi Gabe.” She grinned back at him. “What’s up?”
“I wanted to see how you’re doing. Last night was tough for you. I’m sorry about what happened with Jake.”
Sinc had told me that last night she’d tried to talk to her father, but he’d been cold and barely civil. Sharon had tried her best to smooth things over between herself and Sinc, saying that maybe she could convince Quentin to give her permission to travel to Crescent City for a visit with Sinclair. She'd acted nervous the entire night, often looking around to see who might be watching her. Sinc told me privately that she wasn't going to hold her breath in anticipation of a visit from her mom.
This trip had opened Sinc's eyes to the reality of the life she’d left behind, which compared very poorly to the one she’d built for herself with our team in Crescent City. Watching her face down her demons with such confidence was really cool to see.
Blown Away (Rogues Shifter Series Book 4) Page 11
