Hunted (Scarlet Dawson Book 1)

by Nicola Chadwick

  He puts his hand over the speaker and says. “A contact.” Then he turns back to the caller. “You owe me I want you there.” Then he slams the phone shut.

  I pull my phone out and make one quick call to Alexi. “Hello, can I speak with Alexi?” I ask the male that answers the phone. A moment later there was an answer.

  “Hello this is Alexi, may ask whose calling?”

  “Yes this is Scarlet, we met the other day.” I reply to her.

  “Ah yes the Beast Master’s mate. What can I do for you dear?”

  “There’s a problem, the Beast Master’s second in command has gone rogue and the Beast Master is being held by a horde of Demons who would like no better than to kill him to get at me. I’ve locked Roan in the cells and we also have two other prisoners, I need you to come and make sure the prisoners don’t escape from The Manor. I figured you’d be the best qualified having dealt with Strays for years.”

  “Okay dear, I’ll be there shortly, now tell me where you’re going so I know where to send help if needs be.”

  I rattle of the coordinates where we parked up last time and say goodbye. We all get in the truck then and in silence drive out to the clearing in the woods. This could go one of two ways real good or real bad. I was hoping for good but with my luck lately it could easily be bad.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  We pull up to the clearing and get out. I was packing some equipment into a back Pack for Aylesbury to carry when two more vehicles pull up. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so I withdraw my sword in anticipation.

  The first car pulls up and when the door opens three large men get out of the back. I had no idea who they were until the two women get out the front. Andie walks over to me followed by Alexi. I just stand there unsure what to say.

  “It’s okay dear we left some of my Stray’s looking after The Manor. We thought you might need some back up as well and if it was us in trouble Bastian would be there to rescue us in a second.” She was practically growling in anticipation of the fight ahead which looked weird coming from someone that spoke, acted and looked like a middle aged Mum.

  Andie and the three guys flanked her menacingly, there was no way they were gonna stay at home they looked like they had something to prove.

  The second car pulled up and we all braced ourselves to see who it was. The door opened and out got three masked figures dressed all in black right down to their swords. Just like The Guild Strategic Enforcement Unit. Adam unfolded himself from the passenger side.

  “What are you doing here and who the hell are they?” I shout over to him.

  He moves over to me his long legs making light work of the small distance. “What The Guild has done ignoring this situation didn’t sit right with us? So we have come to help. They remain masked to protect their identities so The Guild will never know who helped you rid our world of The Demon threat.”

  “And what about you why aren’t you protecting your identity?” I query.

  “I like to flaunt the fact that they only keep me prisoner because it’s in my best interests, if I let them walk over me all the time then that means I’ve given up.” The caged animal was back although this time he’d gotten out and he wanted revenge.

  “You’re not just here to piss off The Guild and make the World a safer place Adam. Why are you really here? I don’t want your priorities to change and land us in deeper than we already are.” I just know he would, he pretended to be my friend but the whole time he’d been keeping my own life a secret from me so he could use it to his advantage later on. He was a full blooded Fae, a complete con artist.

  “I won’t defect, I owe your long lost brother a favour and unless I see this through to the end the debt remains unpaid. I’d rather not owe anyone anything.” And there was the real reason, I look over at Jared he looks me in the eye telling me there was more to it but I wasn’t going to find out just yet.

  Now we have back up it’s time to go. “When we get to the caves take out everyone that gets in your way, our people should be held in cells either with The fallen or separately. The Guild is turning a blind eye to this but with The Pack involved we can ague its Pack business. So we shouldn’t be held accountable if anything goes wrong.” That said I shut the truck door and stalk into the forest.

  We arrive at the caves and stop just behind some undergrowth that grew around the tree line. Two Demons stood on watch at the cave entrance. It actually looked like they were weapon less. I shake my head at the arrogance.

  Aylesbury sidles up to me and says. “How do you want to play this?”

  I look at him, withdraw my sword and charge one of the guards, bringing my sword down in an arc and slashing into his chest. I hear Aylesbury shout to Jared as he advances on the second guard. “I’d have crept up and took them by surprise.”

  I slash The Demon again and walk into the caves on the group of Stray’s heels, they have all shifted and were attacking the oncoming Demon’s. You never saw the change, one minute there were people charging The Demons, the next those people were savage animals.

  I shout over my shoulder to Jared. “I know where they’re keeping Bastian. Look for everyone else I’m going after him.”

  Jared shouts after me. “Wait for one of us we’ll come with you.”

  I ignore him and race through the tunnels to the chamber they had kept me in. Warren knew I’d head there, I was sure of it and he always had something up his sleeve.

  I wasn’t met by a single Demon on the way there. I walk through the entrance sword held out in front of me. I look around and drop the sword to my side when I see Bastian. He is on his knees, arms chained behind his back and he is covered in blood. He looks at me and actually gives me one of his looks. I figure he is saying I shouldn’t be here.

  “Hello my pretty.” The voice behind me makes me jump. Bastian looks like he is going to pitch a fit. “I bet you’re wondering how I could do that much damage to him, well I used this.”

  He puts his hand in front of my face, on it was a silver gauntlet like something a medieval knight would wear. Then he grabs my chin and spins me around to face him. “You’re going to watch him die and then I’m going to kill you and drain your blood.” He sounded very sure of himself.

  “Who said I came here for him, I just want my life back. I’ve come to make you an offer.” What am I doing, I can hear Bastian going psycho behind me, growling and twisting around in his chains.

  “I’m meant to believe that when I can smell him on you.” He says sniffing deeply.

  “No you idiot, because you ripped my throat out he made me his mate against my will, I hate him!” I shout at Warren. “I just want my life back. I’m willing to supply you with blood if you just leave me alone so I can get my life back together.”

  Take the bait, please.

  “Ah. So you have figured it all out then.” He eyes me strangely.

  “Look I’m willing to do whatever you want right now so long as you leave me alone.” He grabs me and turns me back around to face Bastian. His fingers dig into my chin. His other arm comes down to grasp my hand that is holding my sword and he squeezes, making me drop it.

  “You will feed your unwanted beloved with The Fallen curse and he will become my strongest fighter.” He pushes me into Bastian and says. “Say your goodbyes”

  I land on him and he growls, I put my arms around him to steady myself. “Can you break the cuffs?” I whisper into his ear.

  “Yes.” He grates out.

  “I need you to bite me take as much blood as you can, it’s the only thing that will keep you alive.” He looks at me funny. “Do it now! It’s the cure, pretend to pass out and then you can kill him.”

  He still looks at me. So I grab his head and pull it down to my neck. He takes the hint and sinks his teeth in. The minute his fangs slide into my neck I feel amazing, his kiss felt good but this is turning me inside out. I understand now why the third step in the bonding ritual was sex, exchanging blood was completely erotic. I sink into his emb
race then pull back slightly remembering where I was and what I was doing. I just hope I’m not passing on my life essence. How do you know if you are? It feels that good I can’t concentrate. I hear footsteps and push Bastian away from me scrambling to my feet. I hope he’d got enough to give him the strength to fight.

  “Here we go let’s see whether you can really do it. If you don’t I’ll kill you both myself.”

  He hands me a vial just like the one I’d fed The Demon earlier. I accept it and kneel down in front of Bastian, he holds his mouth shut and thrashes his head around. Was he acting?

  I look up at Warren. “I could do with a little help here.”

  Warren moves over and grabs Bastian’s head tipping it back and opening his mouth. I pour the liquid into his mouth and pray that my blood really would work if not I’d just killed the Lycan King.

  “I didn’t think you would do it.” Warren says as he watches Bastian slump to the floor. “I also don’t believe a word you’ve told me, I have had enough of your games, I’m going to suck you dry no matter what you just did. Oh and I know you have friends out there keeping my Demons occupied. I’ll break everyone of them personally and those that survive will be given as a present to my Fallen army.”

  He advances on me and it was that last time in the caves all over again. Then I remember I may not be holding my sword but I soon could be. I lift my sword arm and say. “Neria.”

  Instantly she was in my hand her point sticking into Warren’s throat. “You stupid bitch, I’ll make you pay.”

  “No you won’t.” I back him up so he is almost in front of Bastian. “You won’t ever hurt anyone again.”

  “Who’s going to make me, you?” He mocks.

  “No.” I withdraw my sword and step away. “But he won’t hesitate to rip your head off.”

  Bastian tears free from his restraints and grabs Warren by the head throwing him into the side of the cave. Bastian looks at me and I look at him. “He’s yours to finish off, if you want?”

  “No he’s not worth my effort.” I turn back to the entrance and walk out the way I’d come, knowing that Bastian would finish the job for me and do a much better job of it than I could. I never look back and I don’t feel an ounce of guilt regarding my actions.

  When I reach the entrance I find Andie and a couple of The Stray’s finishing off the last of The Demon’s that were in the entrance chamber. I was amazed at how efficient they were. Andie points to a tunnel. I nod and head in that direction.

  I make my way down the long stretch of tunnel, at the end I find Jared, Aylesbury and Adam. They were stood in front of a chamber lined with metal bar’s, they looked puzzled.

  “What’s the matter?” I ask them.

  Jared looks at me says. “We can see The Guardians and some others that don’t look like their Fallen. The problem is between them and us are about three dozen pissed off Lazarus just begging us to walk through that door. We could always wade through the cage of rotting Fallen on the left but they aren’t dead yet and they look real hungry.”

  I didn’t wait for more options I just pull open the cage door and start swinging. It was because of me The Guardians were held prisoner and I would make sure I got them all out before I died myself.

  I swung my sword cutting into flesh and moving forward not turning back to see if anyone had my back, just praying that each time my sword connected it did so with maximum damage. I duck and catch another in the ribs followed shortly after with a slice to the leg watching The Demon fall to the floor.

  I hear Jared shout out. “Behind you!”

  I swing around, slicing into the stomach of a Demon about to strike. He starts to fall to the floor but not before I lift my sword and thrust, impaling him through his chest.

  I look up to see Adam and Aylesbury fighting back to back, I start to sprint over to help, but I’m stopped in my tracks by an almighty roar. Seconds later Bastian plows through the remaining Demons with complete brutality, part of me wonders if my blood hasn’t worked and the curse is taking effect as I watch him tear the heads off The Demons as if they were dolls. Never have I witnessed the amount of destruction that this one man can wield with his bare hands.

  Jared and Aylesbury race over to the bars enclosing The Guardians freeing, them as I watch transfixed while the Beast Master annihilates what is left of The Demons. I barely notice the others racing past me. He looks up as the final Demon drops, stares at me breathing heavily. Dripping with Demon blood he gives me a look that says, there’s no escaping now.

  I turn and walk out heading straight for the exit following the others, I’m not quite sure yet how I feel about what I just saw, there is killing and then there is decimating. Could I really be mated to someone with that amount of destructive power? He was a true barbarian.

  I see the mouth of the cave in front of me and everyone except Bastian and I are out, I look behind me and Bastian isn’t there, something was keeping him. Before I can even think anything else about his whereabouts and my feelings about having witnessed his beastly nature Aylesbury shouts. I don’t quite hear what he says as there’s a loud explosion and I’m sailing through the air landing a few feet from the cave. My ears ring but I know I need to go back for him, he’s still in there. I can see the others are safe they are running over to me. Aylesbury, having started running towards me was also thrown from the cave entrance.

  I get to my feet as Jared reaches me. He grabs me around the waist as I launch myself towards the cave entrance and to the flames it’s spitting out. I hear the voices shouting at me to calm down telling me there’s nothing I can do, but I feel like my life has just ended and I don’t know why. I scream, but Jared doesn’t let me go. I shout at the others, they need to get Bastian but no one moves. They all just stand there and stare at the flames licking the edges of the cave entrance.

  How can they all stand around and watch?

  No one could survive a blast like that, I felt like a knife was slicing me straight through my chest.

  I break free from Jared and sprint towards the cave entrance as a Dragon emerges from the flames and transforms into a shirtless Lycan King, I fall to my knees not quite understanding my relief, tears still spilling from my eyes. He’s okay, but I’m not anymore. I cannot ever feel that pain again.

  I get up catching his eye, turn and then run.

  I run until I can’t run anymore and then I walk. As I reach the trucks I notice Jared is already there, he’s probably been there all along I just didn’t realise it. He opens the passenger door for me so I get in.

  We don’t speak all the way back, he just drives.

  In the last hour I felt more loss than I’ve felt my whole life. How can I feel loss like that without even knowing what I think or feel about the man? Is it really because we’re mated? In those moments I would have died myself knowing he wouldn’t be there anymore. But where does that leave me? Would I have ever felt like that if we hadn’t started the mating ritual? I shut my eyes, lean my forehead against the window and concentrate on the hum of the truck, my mind now blank with confusion.

  Epilogue

  I wake up to the sounds of shouting and banging, I sit up, stunned that I was actually at home in my own bed. Then I get up and race out of the bedroom to see if I could see what all the noise was about, and run straight into Jared.

  He steadies me and says. “Sounds like you have a new neighbour moving in downstairs.”

  He hands me a coffee and sits down on the sofa. I looked at him puzzled. “Why have you brought me here?”

  “I figured you could do with taking a step back now that the big threat is over. Plus I didn’t want you anywhere near The Pack when The Guild sent an investigation team over to find out why a cave blew up and they were present at the fall out.”

  “Mm I should probably keep clear of The Guild for a while. I still can’t understand why they wanted to keep me within their grasp if they don’t know the importance yet of me being born of a Vampyre. You heard yet how the others a
re doing?” I ask.

  “They’re all fine…Bastian’s fine too.” He smiles at me and pulls me down to sit with him. “You know no matter what you think you feel or don’t feel, want or don’t want he’s the type of man I would want my sister to be with. Da would have been happy knowing you have someone like him to watch over you.”

  I snort, spilling my coffee a little. I nearly told him I didn’t need advice from someone who’s been absent the majority of my life but that was unfair, it wasn’t his fault. “What happens though if I accept him then realize I’ve made a mistake further down the line. I haven’t exactly had many stable relationships in my life and this is forever.”

  What happens if I make that commitment and he leaves me?

  He puts his arm around me, giving me a little squeeze. “You’ll figure it out.”

  We sit there like that for a while until the banging subsides downstairs and all was quiet again in the building. I had decisions to make but none I could make right now. I needed to make sure everyone was okay first.

  I decide to walk to The Manor leaving Jared to get back to The Guild and work. As I reach the building I see Quinn, she runs up to me screaming and then launches herself at me holding me in a big bear hug.

  “You’re okay, I’m so glad, we weren’t too sure after you left. Come on upstairs there’s someone I think you should meet.” She starts pulling me but I stay where I am. “It’s okay Bastian is out on Pack business, you don’t have to face him yet.”

  “How did you know I didn’t want to face him?”

  “I saw the look on your face when you thought he was dead. Sweety I hope I never have to feel that for anybody ever.”

  “I never wanted it either.” I let her pull me then into the building.

  We reach the lounge area and a few of the others were there, Steve, Jessica and Dante. Dante comes up and speaks before I’d even got through the door.

  “Glad you came back, here’s a copy of the report The Guild took. I thought you should see what they think happened.”