“I do not want him involved,” she snapped.
“So you still do care?” Grey stated smugly.
Yes, so so much. Though Lexia would never admit that. “You are all the same, grasping at any sign of hope, of emotion. If Lincoln were involved, he’d be too busy trying to save me, but I was lost a long time ago. I may not come out of this alive, and I don’t care, but he does. That will jeopardize the mission and he’d end up dead. I joined my mother so he could live. I gave up my life, my humanity for him. It would all be pointless if he died.”
Grey smiled and Lexia wasn’t sure why; wasn’t sure what secret she’d given away. Do you see through the mask I cling to so precariously? “We’ll help you once we’ve received Sahara.”
“Good. Sahara will arrive after dark today. She’ll be hidden inside a truck on a supply run. Do not show yourself until you are sure it’s her. She will be with a hunter. Harm him and our deal is off. Sahara must be taken far away from here. Lucy Hunter can never know I helped you, not yet anyway.”
Lexia turned, walking away with an emotion she’d not felt in a long time swirling within her. Hope.
“Lexia, how will we get the information from you?”
Looking back as she walked, Lexia called, “I’ll find you.” Her pace quickened, ready to run. “Oh, and, Grey, tell no one of this meeting. Not even Linc.”
Derrick was pacing her room when she walked in. “Finally! I’ve been out my mind with worry,” he said, dragging her toward him.
Lexia went into the unexpected hug, the contentment she felt surprising her. “Sorry, getting back in proved harder than getting out.”
Derrick released her, his expression suddenly going blank. “So, how’d it go.”
“They’ve agreed to help if we deliver Sahara. They’ll be waiting. They’ll approach when they see it’s her. Is everything ready?”
“I’ll be doing the supply run, but we’re running out of time,” he said with a glance at his watch. “Getting her into the truck will be the hard part.”
Lexia looked at the wooden crate on a trolley near her door. “I’m guessing that has something to do with it?”
“Yep and then we need to get from here to the cargo hold unseen.”
“W-wait a minute. Y-you want me to g-go in-inside that?” Sahara stammered.
“Yes,” Derrick replied.
Sahara took an unsteady step backward mumbling, “No, no, please.”
“I thought you might say that.” In one smooth movement, Derrick stepped forward, inserting a needle into Sahara’s arm.
“W-wh-what…” Her words trailed off as her eyes rolled back into her head.
Derrick caught her as she slumped toward the floor.
“Jesus, Derrick,” Lexia gasped. “What did you give her?”
“Sedative, I hope. Quick, help me get her in. We’re low on time.”
With Sahara secured inside the crate, Lexia led Derrick through the quieter sections of the compound, her mind open, looking for the energies of those around her.
“You know this compound better than me and I’ve lived here for years,” Derrick muttered as they walked.
“No, I only know the best routes to move around unseen.”
“You’re keeping too many things from me, Lex. Let me help you.”
Lexia looked back, smiling sadly. “You know more than most, Derrick.”
Getting to the cargo hold wasn’t too difficult. Many of the hunters and humans had gone to the mess hall for the evening.
Cast in shadow, Lexia watched Derrick drive away and wondered whether she’d done the right thing. There was no going back now, and every day after would be a fight to keep those she cared for alive.
Chapter 17
Adam and Grey stood cloaked by the cover of darkness. Eight silent, deadly wolves hidden like shadows within the trees beside them. They watched as a lone truck drove down through the forest and pulled over. A man climbed out and walked around to the back of the vehicle. Waiting, they watched him pry the lid off a crate and scoop a young woman into his arms. Cradling her against his chest, he walked into the trees.
Adam rushed forward the second her scent reached him. Taking Sahara from the man’s arms, surprised at how gently the hunter held her.
“She was given a sedative. She’ll wake within the hour.”
“Thank you,” Adam whispered to the hunter, before vanishing into the trees with the mate he’d thought he’d never see again.
Grey stepped forward from the shadows and watched as the hunter walked backward away from them. “You do not trust us, hunter?” He laughed.
“No,” the hunter answered.
“Then why come at all?” Grey asked, intrigued by this man.
“Because I trust Lexia,” he replied, opening the door.
“You call her Lexia?” Grey asked. The girl who called herself one thing when she clearly was the other. What secrets do you hide, Lexia?
“Do not cross her, shifter,” he replied instead of answering his question.
“Yes, we already know we’ll die if we cross her,” Grey replied, bored of the threats.
“Yes, she’d kill you, but that is not why I warned you. Lexia has had enough people betray her. She deserves better.” With his final words hanging in the air, the hunter hopped into his truck and drove away.
Grey disappeared into the night. His fellow alpha wolves beside him and he contemplated what he’d just witnessed. Was it possible that the hunters were not what they’d presumed them to be? Did they feel? Was Maura just a front? Should he get word to Lincoln Turner? There might be hope yet for his mate.
Miles away from the Black Hill Ranges of South Dakota, Lincoln dragged himself out of bed in California, deciding he best answer the phone. It had been ringing nonstop for the last thirty minutes. He’d ignored it, hoping Caden would answer, but Caden was clearly out.
“Hello?” His voice felt like gravel as it left his throat. How long has it been since I’ve talked to anyone?
“Lincoln Turner?”
“Speaking.”
“My name is Alison, mother to Grey Kurt.”
“Yes?” Lincoln’s brain tried to place the name but failed.
“You don’t know me, but word has got about…about your situation, your mate, the hunter,” she continued.
His heart lurched painfully, his panther brushed against his skin for the first time in weeks. “Yes. Lexia.”
“Look, my son, Grey, he lost his mate to the hunters. He’s part of an alpha pack.”
“An alpha pack? What has this got to do with me?” Lincoln wasn’t interested in helping wolves. All he wanted was to be left alone in his misery.
“Grey told me he’s met Lexia. He wanted you to know there is still hope.”
“Where is she?” he growled, feeling suddenly awake. He gripped the cell tighter in his hand, waiting for the reply.
“South Dakota, the Black Hill Ranges. I’m not sure the exact whereabouts.”
The Black Hills. You’ve been there all this time.
“Thank you.” Lincoln hung up and had his first shower in days.
With the hot water washing over his skin, he felt alive for the first time in weeks. Yet there was also anger inside of him, directed at himself and others. He’d been laying around, drinking himself into oblivion, numbing his pain when Lexia had been in South Dakota all this time. He’d been so close before his grandfather’s death. I was so close, Lex, and then everything went wrong.
Shutting off the water, Lincoln stepped out and looked at his reflection. The panther in his eyes refused to calm. Forcing his claws to retract, Lincoln balled his hands into fists. “I’m coming for you, Wildcat,” he whispered. “I’m coming.”
By the time Caden walked through his apartment door, he’d packed and was pacing the living room looking out of the wall of windows that over looked the beach.
He turned the deadly gleam of his panther in his eyes. “We’re going back to Deadwood.”
&nbs
p; Caden said nothing. He grabbed his bag; it had been packed ready and waiting for the day his best friend came back to him, and together they left California.
Chapter 18
Lexia wanted nothing more than to go hide in her room, maybe try and catch up on some sleep, but instead, she tracked down her mother. Lucy was on a rampage, shouting at anyone in her path. If there was one thing that riled Lucy up, it was things happening within her compound without her knowledge.
Hands planted on her hips, Lucy stood, yelling at a man. He was sitting in a chair, surrounded by screens, showing him the rooms and corridors of the compound.
“I-I’m sorry, ma’am. I don’t understand what has happened. The file’s corrupted.”
Lexia interrupted before Lucy had chance to yell again. “Mother, I heard what happened. Is there anything I can do to help?”
Lucy let out an angry breath. “Yes. Kill him.”
Lexia’s body froze but she’d forced her mouth to work. “That’s a little extreme, Mother. Perhaps we could find someone a little more competent?”
“He’s supposed to be the best.” Lucy huffed in frustration.
“Right. Perhaps a look over the scene?” Lexia suggested. It took all her effort to sound concerned, when inside she was smugly satisfied by Lucy’s frustration.
Lucy seemed unsure by Lexia’s interest; though the frown between her eyes only stayed for the briefest of seconds. “Lead the way,” she replied with a wave of her arm.
“I’m unsure of the location, Mother. After you.”
Lucy strode ahead, her heels echoing off the walls like war drums. “The rumor mill isn’t what it used to be. I’d have thought every tiny detail would have been whispering through the halls.”
“All I know is…an experiment has escaped from one of the labs,” Lexia lied. She was maybe enjoying her mother’s lack of knowledge a little too much.
Grinding to a stop, Lucy turned sharply, her eyes boring into Lexia’s. “Why the sudden interest, Maura?”
Lexia couldn’t keep the small smile that crept onto her lips back. She’d not anticipated how enjoyable it would be destroying Lucy. “Why, Mother, a united front, remember?” Throwing caution to the wind, Lexia smiled fully with delight in her eyes. “Isn’t that why you manipulated me? United we stand. Divided we fall.”
Lexia had no idea how Lucy would react. Her heart boomed loud enough for Lucy to hear as she waited. A cruel smile slowly spread across her face. “It’s nice to see you are not clueless after all. Shall we?”
Lexia wandered around the room feigning interest as Lucy barked orders to the hunters tasked with finding the culprit.
Turning as the room fell silent, Lexia asked as she kicked the pile of ash with the edge of her boot, “What is your interest with vampires?”
“I find them fascinating. So many possibilities if only one could work around the faults.”
“Is that what you are doing in here?”
“Among other things,” Lucy replied vaguely, walking away.
“What happened to treating me as an equal?” Lexia said sharply.
Lucy laughed. “Sweet daughter, you’ve worked out this arrangement as a front. Do you really expect me to give you all my secrets?”
You bitch! Lexia contemplated her next move. Play it safe or make a move? Fuck it, playing it safe hasn’t worked out well so far.
“The deal was I stand with you and you treat me as equal. If the deal is off, I’ll gladly go back to my old ways.” She allowed the darkness within her to twist the tone of her voice. “There are so many people I’ve been itching to kill, but refrained to keep up my end of the bargain.” Lexia smiled at Lucy, but it wasn’t her smile; it was the joyful, twisted smile of Maura.
“Sometimes it’s like I’m looking at myself,” Lucy murmured. “Why were you the only one…?” Her voice trailed off, eyes glancing up at Lexia, shocked.
Lexia felt suddenly chilled to the bone. Icy fingers crept across her skin. “What do you mean?”
“I…Nothing. The experiments in this room were solely for my interest. There are no cameras inside of this room and the corridor because of that. So I suppose it’s my fault, the one responsible will get away with it.”
“I’m sure we’ll find something,” Lexia lied.
“Unlikely. The footage of the nearby corridors has been mysteriously damaged. There are no other leads.”
“What was your interest?” Lexia queried, hoping for some piece of useful information.
“Nothing important. I’m afraid I must get on, Maura,” Lucy replied, putting an end to the conversation. Lucy walked for the door.
“You’ve given me nothing, Mother,” Lexia said, pressing her hand against the door, blocking her escape.
Lucy twisted her face to peer at Lexia. “I’ve given you plenty. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m busy and you seem to have forgotten who it is you’re talking too.” Lucy looked at Lexia’s hand.
Lexia looked at her hand, surprised at her bravery. Or stupidity. “Of course, I apologize. We’ll finish this conversation another time.”
Derrick was waiting inside her room when she entered. “Where have you been?” he snapped, pacing the room.
“Nice to see you, too, Derrick,” she muttered, flopping down on her bed.
Derrick appeared above her, his expression saying he wasn’t in the mood for small talk. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Lexia sighed. She supposed Derrick had a right to know. After all, if she failed, his life was on the line. She wasn’t hopeful enough to think Lucy would have her killed for all she planned. No, Lucy would have her caged up in one of her labs and she’d find all her interesting parts. She’d poke and slice until she’d taken away every part of her that was good.
“I’m still playing the game. I’ve just changed the rules a little,” Lexia stated. She closed her eyes when Derrick looked less than satisfied by her answer.
Not that it stopped him talking though. “Changed in what way?”
“I’m seeking answers instead of just playing along in hope she’ll slip up.”
“Lexia!” he growled.
Lexia opened her eyes. Pushing up, she leaned on her elbows as she spoke. “Listen carefully because I am only going to tell you once. I am no longer happy to just sit back while my mother wreaks havoc on those I love. I’m digging for clues and I’m looking for help, all while playing her game and showing that united front you so willingly signed me up for.”
“I had no choice. You were going to die,” he defended.
“Did you ever think the world would be better off without me?” Lexia snapped back.
“Lex, how can you say that? You’ve helped so many hunters in here.”
“I’ve not helped Alice though, have I? She’s one of us now, and because she hates me so much, it’s twisting her mind. I can’t stand back and watch anyone else get hurt. Can’t you understand?”
Derrick huffed out a long breath and sat on the bed beside her. “Yes, I completely understand.” He slumped back staring at the ceiling just as Lexia was. “Doesn’t mean I’m happy about it though. I just want to keep you safe.”
Lexia reached out and tangled her fingers with his. “I was never safe, Derrick. From the day I was born, I was living on borrowed time and it’s run out. You’ve warned me of the storm brewing over and over. Well, I want to be ready when it hits.”
“Why don’t you ask him for help?” Derrick asked her quietly.
He’d not said his name, but she knew who he meant. Derrick knew the pain it caused her to think of Lincoln, to even hear his name.
“The moment I see him, Derrick…I’ll fall apart. I barely keep myself together now. If I saw him, all those emotions, all that loss…it hurts just to think of what I had but to see it, I wouldn’t be able to complete my mission.”
“Our mission, Lex. You are not alone.” She squeezed his hand in a silent thank you, and for the first time in weeks, Lexia fell into a peaceful sleep. That night Derrick
laid next to her, keeping the demons away. Alice had been her best friend in a life she no longer belonged to, and now Derrick was her friend, her support in a world filled with only darkness. He never judged her for all she’d done. He never looked at her as if she was the monster she knew she was. She didn’t understand their relationship, only knew he was connected to her in a way no one else was.
Chapter 19
Arriving in Deadwood gave Lincoln a strange unease within his gut. He prowled the town Lexia had once called home, seeing nothing new. Deadwood still looked the same as when he left, yet it was forever changed. It stirred memories within him, both sad and happy, but each causing pain.
“Where’d you want to crash? Hunters are probably watching every place we’ve ever been, probably watching this whole town.”
“Let them watch,” Lincoln growled.
“All right, Linc, rein it in,” Caden replied, sounding tired.
The problem was Lincoln couldn’t. He’d been on the edge of losing control from the moment he’d taken that call. Part of the reason he allowed Caden to drug him for so long was to keep his beast at bay. His panther wasn’t happy. It craved blood. It craved its mate.
“Forest. At least we’ll be away from human eyes.” Lincoln didn’t wait for Caden to reply. He took off at a run, his feet pounding down the streets Lexia had once run. The moment he hit the forest, he allowed his panther to be free, running far and deep into the mountains. He took comfort from the knowledge he could still find some pleasure in his life, however brief. Tonight, he’d run. Tomorrow he’d hunt.
Chapter 20
Waking to the sounds of her tortured whimpers, her forehead was covered in tiny beads of sweat. She still had hold of his hand from when they’d fallen asleep. Only now, she squeezed his fingers so tightly, he feared they may break.
“Lex,” Derrick murmured, his hand gently pushing her shoulder. “Lexia, wake up.”
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