Hunted (Scarlet Dawson Book 1)

by Nicola Chadwick

  I sighed and smiled. “Brook is the girl I’m looking for, I need to find her and I also can’t just let your men rot in there like the rest of them. I don’t know if The Guild will help me and I need to know that you will come back with me. I know when I need help and the things they can do to you if they wanted to...” I shiver at the thought.

  “What exactly did they do to you in there?” Jessica asks, Bastian shooting her a look that was probably meant to silence her.

  “Basically anything that made me bleed, they seemed all for the bleeding.” I wasn’t traumatised by my experiences; at least I didn’t think I was. I just hadn’t had much time yet to dwell on what they had been doing. Healing pretty quickly helped, a bit of revenge wouldn’t go amiss though.

  Bastian looks at me and asks in a really low voice that he was obviously trying to control. “What do you mean by rot like the rest of them?” He must have been trying to control his inner beast, his voice was definitely strained.

  I took a deep breath. “From what I observed and heard, the cursed blood turns them into blood thirsty killing machines, their original abilities are dampened by the change but they are by no means weaker. Gradually the curse uses all the bodies’ energies and the body dies, but the curse keeps it animated and slowly its rots. The curse only ends when there isn’t enough flesh and muscle left for the curse to use the body, as I said they are trying to perfect the curse.”

  Quinn’s hand flew to her mouth as she exclaimed. “That could be happening to Dad.”

  “I wouldn’t worry yet, I haven’t yet seen The Fallen go through all stages of the curse. I’ve just viewed it in its different stages from many Fallen. There may still be time to save your Dad and the others if they stay animal for as long as they can. They’ll never get near them to administer the blood. I also think there may be a way to help the Fallen.” I pause thinking exactly what needed doing. “The room where I was kept was an altar room, it was consecrated by Demon Magic. On it was an ancient looking book. Most curses have counter curses and if this curse has one it’s in that book.”

  Bastian gets up and paces the room. Roan says to him “We’ve got to try and get in and out of there as soon as possible, get the book and our men.”

  “We need a plan first, they sound like they’re merciless and if we go in there without one I get a feeling it will all go wrong.” Jessica said as she stands up and moves to the kitchen clearing away some rubbish that had been left on the side.

  “We go in day after tomorrow, reconnaissance only. If we get more than that it’s a bonus, we need to know exactly what we are dealing with before we jump completely into the situation.” Bastian said to them all. Turning to me he says “You aren’t going, your wounds are already bad enough you don’t need anymore.”

  “Why do you always keep telling me what I can and can’t do? There’s absolutely no way I’m letting you go without me, I asked for your help not for you to take over and do my job for me. We had a deal, and beside the point my wounds will be almost gone by tomorrow, I’m a quick healer, even then a few wounds wouldn’t stop me. I’ve had far worse than this before.” Anger had me up on my feet.

  “Have you got some immortal blood then?” Jessica shouts from the kitchen.

  “You could say that.” I mutter as everyone gets up, watching as they all started filling through the door. Should I tell them what I am and face more prejudice. People in general could handle that I’m Human, but most people are too ignorant to understand that Nymph is not Fae and that not all Fae are out to trick you.

  Dante shouts back to me. “Hey sweet cheeks, how’d you fancy a nice square meal and a few beers.”

  “I think I’ll take you up on that offer, I seem to be starving.” I said following them out of the door. Bastian had tidied away his stuff from the table and was behind me closing the door as we went down stairs.

  “Are you going to let us know what kind of immortal you have in your ancestry then?” He asks, stopping me at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Maybe.” I shrug then walk off catching up with the others.

  Originally when the Fae first came here, they would lure Humans to the woods and trick them into years of servitude, we are talking hundreds of years ago but the stories in Human folklore are generally true. Even the changeling babies swapped at birth. Of course that was all before the Vale between our worlds tore open and The Guild formed. Now the Fae use other methods to trick people or use them for their own gain. Just like Bryn bribing me with that crystal ball.

  Leaving through a back entrance we found ourselves in the hotel gardens there was a small stream rippling through the garden and disappearing into the trees. A large decking area jutted out from the back of Rick’s into the stream, it had lanterns strung up around its edge and there were some people already sat out drinking and eating.

  We walked along the stream and up a small staircase that went directly inside, leaving the only access to the decking area from inside the restaurant. Inside there was a big bar area directly in front of the main door lined with stools. A seating area made up of old leather sofas off to the left, and tables set out for diners to the right and out through the deck doors. Between the door and the bar a few people danced and some stood in groups talking.

  Roan and Dante steered me towards the deck “Did The Demons keep you fed?” Roan asked as he pulled a seat out for me.

  “Yes they did, when they remembered. It feels like forever since I had something nice and tasty to eat.”

  Jessica and Steve stayed in the bar drinking. With Dante sat at the side of me and Roan at the side of him we were joined by Cain, Bastian and Quinn. Quinn sat opposite me and handed me a menu I thanked her and took a look.

  “What would you like to drink?” Quinn asked “Dinners on us tonight.”

  I started to protest and tell her I’d pay her back but she silenced me before the words even got out.

  “I’ll just have water, thanks.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah, I just don’t fancy anything else at the moment. A nice glass of non stagnant crystal clear water would be amazing right about now.”

  Quinn walked off back to the bar. She seemed really nice, to look at her though you wouldn’t imagine she was a Guardian with her long blonde hair and cute features she looked more like the girl next door not a fighting machine and only the fittest and strongest of The Pack were asked to join The Guardians.

  Going back to the menu, I saw that there was every meat imaginable and a selection of vegetables, pasta and rice to go with them and there was pizza. My one weakness was mushroom pizza. Well that was me decided. Hell, I really had missed pizza. Sometimes I wonder how I managed to keep my figure.

  Quinn came back with our drinks and we all ordered our food. While we waited I sat back and watched the others interact with each other. They were all at ease with each other and must do this often. Closely guarding my secret had meant that I didn’t have many friends, in fact those friends I did have were really just people I worked with occasionally. In fact the only people who really knew my secret where Aylesbury and the higher ups at The Guild.

  I knew above all else these were good people and loyal to their Pack, I also knew looking at Bastian that he was going to be a problem for me. He was used to being the dominant alpha male and he thought he could boss everyone around including me, and I knew that when it came to his Pack and people he cared for he would be utterly ruthless. If I got his men killed on this mission would he kill me?

  My eyes linger on him taking in his shape. He was the biggest guy I’d ever seen that came by his bulk naturally. The way he wore his shoulder length hair really did make him look just like some sort of barbaric warrior which made me wonder what form he took when he changed.

  Suddenly he looked up and caught me watching him. I quickly looked away and started up a conversation with Quinn. “Thanks again for dinner.”

  “Well I think you’ve been through enough the last few weeks and it gives m
e an opportunity to hang around with someone else other than this lot.”

  Dante caught the end of our conversation and joined in. “We’ll have less of that, you love hanging with us.” Looking at me he said. “In fact she wanted to be a Guardian so much when she was a pup, she would follow us around like a lost sheep, it was so sad.”

  I wondered just how old they all where then, it’s easy growing up with humans to forget that the immortal races don’t age once they reach maturity. I didn’t even know if I would stop ageing.

  Quinn reached over the table and punched him in the arm. Dante got up and reached over the table and tapped her back. Bastian stopped talking with Steve and narrowed his eyes in their direction. “I wish you two would behave, you spend more time fighting with each other than anything else.” His tone was teasing but they both recognised it for the command it was and sat back down.

  Just then our food came out and like most of the Lycan’s I’d met nothing came between them and dinner. I bit into the cheesy, mushroom goodness and sighed with pleasure. We ate in silence, then after a couple more drinks in the bar headed back to get some sleep.

  Chapter Thirteen

  I woke with the covers tangled around my body, still I was so unbelievably comfortable I didn’t want to move. I was surprised I had managed to sleep at all, I thought I’d have been haunted by Scar Face and Warren. I looked to the clock on the wall, it was five past eight. Stretching I slid off the bed and headed to the bathroom.

  I had a quick wash, then got into the clothes I’d had on yesterday minus the jacket.

  I had a lot to do today, but mainly I needed to get back in touch with the world, mostly my clients and my Captain at The Guild, Delaney. I suppose I should call Aylesbury as well but I’d leave that till last.

  If The Guild believed me, they wouldn’t be impressed, the whole point of The Guild was to stop the wars in Faerie spilling over into our world. I really wasn’t looking forward to telling Delaney.

  I walked out of the room and up the stairs to the lounge, Jessica, Cain and Steve were all sat around the dining table eating a breakfast of eggs, bacon and toast. Jessica looked up. “Hello. If you want some it’s in the oven there’s enough for everyone, if not cereal is in the cupboard above the counter.”

  Saying “Hello” to everyone I went over and got a bowl from the side and the cereal then took it over to the table where a jug of milk was waiting.

  I sat down and could hear Quinn saying hello, I looked around but couldn’t see her anywhere. Then a hand shot up from one of the sofas, she must be laid down on it.

  “She’s not much of a morning person, she tends to just slob about on the sofa till lunch unless were on assignment or training.” Cain said to me, taking the jug of milk out of my hands and pouring a large glass.

  I smiled and ate my cereal savouring every delicious bite. Bastian popped his head through one of the other doors and said. “Training in half an hour, Scarlet if you want to join in Jessica will borrow you some gym clothes.” With that he popped his head back through the door.

  “How often do you train with each other?” I asked. Training for me consisted of sparing at the Gym whenever I had a free moment, and even then the staff there didn’t have a decent enough swordsman, no one that could really challenge me. I wasn’t allowed to train with The Guild swordsmen since I accidently pierced one of the Masters at Arms in the nether regions.

  Steve answered clearing away the used plates and bowls. “Every day, every other day in the morning, and the days we don’t train in the morning we train in the afternoon. Its usually just hand to hand combat or any new skills we pick up in the field.”

  “Come on then, we best get you some gym clothes and see what your made of. If you can’t prove yourself I bet Bastian well tie you up and put you in one of our cells until this is over.” Jessica said laughing and grabbing my hand and leading me back downstairs to the room she shared with Steve.

  Was she joking? There was no way I was missing out on the action.

  The room was opposite the one I was in, and was like an apartment but without a kitchen. I looked around and was surprised at how homey it was, they were all comfortable living here. The Pack liked to be surrounded by their people, usually though they all kept to the same animal groups in the buildings they lived. Here though I know for definite there were bears and pumas, who knew what other animals lived downstairs.

  Jessica moved over to the wardrobe and got out a pair of black yoga bottoms and a dark green vest. She threw them at me and stood waiting. I knew she was testing me, Lycan’s were not modest, and couldn’t understand those who were. They tended to trust you a bit more if you proved you were either a good fighter or was comfortable enough with your body to be naked in front of them.

  I was modest around men but not a woman, I think that’s because when I see naked men I usually just look my fill and figure there going to do the same. Seizing any opportunity they can get, whether they’re Lycan or not.

  I stripped and dressed. Jessica smiled approvingly and folded my other clothes. “You can get these after.” She said and placed them on a chair.

  “While I’m here can I borrow your phone, I need to make a quick call to my clients and The Guild let them know I’m alive.” I said eyeing up the phone on the night stand.

  “Of course, I’ll give you a few minutes.” She said and walked into the bathroom.

  I picked up the phone and called Bryn first, his sister answered. “Hello Bronwyn, it’s Scarlet. I’m sorry I haven’t been in touch I’ve got a lead on your case and wanted to let you know before I follow it up.”

  I told her what I’d seen back at the caves. “What’s your next move?” She asked her voice coming out a squeak; she seemed surprised at what I’d found.

  “I’m going in tomorrow with The Pack, reconnaissance, if we get more we will, if not we can use the info to get Brook out. I’m going to call The Guild next and see if they can help us.”

  “I’ll let Bryn know what’s happening, we may have to come and see you in person.” Poor Bronwyn she sounded really worried.

  “Okay that’s fine. I’ll keep you updated if you don’t come here first.”

  “See you.” She put the phone down and I dialled through to my Captain at The Guild. As usual I got the receptionist, she always sounded bored.

  “Hello can I speak with Captain Delaney. Tell him it’s Dawson.” I asked and she put me on hold, a list of The Guilds services played in the back ground.

  The music stopped and Delaney answered. “Dawson, just the person I’ve been looking for, did you drop off the face off the Earth? I’ve been leaving messages for you both here and in Faerie Office just in case you were caught up in a case.”

  “Well that’s what I was calling you about.” I told him about the case but didn’t go into details saying it was better left until I saw him in person, I left out the part where I was kidnapped.

  “Dawson I want you in here this afternoon, you can give me your report and we can talk over exactly what is going on. I want to know The Pack’s involvement so we can avoid any disputes and claims they have with their own laws. The last thing we need is the Lycan’s taking the law into their own hands. I’ll see you later around three.” With that he put the phone down, he wasn’t one for nonsense, straight to the point and that was it. I just hoped he believed me.

  Jessica sauntered back in, I knew with her hearing she heard most of my conversation, but it wasn’t like she didn’t already know what was happening. Most Lycan’s wouldn’t even bother giving you the space, they’d just tell you they’d hear it all and demand to stay.

  We both walked out of her room and headed back up to the lounge and through the door Bastian had popped his head out of. It was a big gymnasium, a basketball court with hoops both ends and bleachers to one side. Quinn and Steve sat egging on the others as they wrestled and fought on the mats. Bastian stood watching while Dante tackled Roan and Cain both at the same time.

  “We p
ractice like this as we are generally stronger in our Lycan form, but there might come a day when we can’t transform and need to defend ourselves in our Human form, mostly though its fun. Unless you’re Bastian who beats us all hands down, he’s strong enough that he doesn’t need to transform at all, he is Lycan even though he’s in human form there’s no separation for him.”

  Bastian looked over at us and shouted to me. “Now is your chance to show me just how a little thing like you could kick my ass.”

  Everyone stopped what they were doing, as we walked over to him Jessica whispered in my ear. “You aren’t going to win you know.”

  “Maybe, but I’m damn well not going to let that brute get one over me.” I walked right up to him and looked up into his eyes and said. “I never back out of a challenge that I threw down.” His smile was menacing. Holy crap I was going to die.

  I walk onto the mat and crook my finger at him. The others go to the benches and sit down Quinn and Jessica already shouting for me to win, chants of “Girl power.” were interrupted with “You should be supporting Bastian.” I heard Quinn say “Screw that. He knows we’re loyal” Just as Bastian heads over to face me, circling around me like I was his prey.

  Smiling Bastian makes a lunge for me, I drop to the floor and duck through his legs, kicking him on the ass as I get up.

  “You’re a little quick aren’t you?” He growls, as I punch him in the jaw. He grabs my hand that had just punched him and twists until I am facing forward my arm pinned between our bodies. He whispers into my ear as I struggle to free myself. “I’m going to show you exactly how I’d put you in your place if you were mine.” He pushes me away and I stumble, as I regain my balance he motions for the swords. Ha! My favourite weapon of choice, he had no chance now and I had nothing but bravado to back me up.

  Dante brought two swords over, training swords that weren’t sharp but with enough force they could still do a lot of damage. Smiling I took it from him. In hand to hand combat I knew he’d take me down he was huge after all, but with a sword I was confidant I might just win. Maybe?