Swiping her hand over her cheeks and clearing the tears she’d cried for the family she would never get to know, Lexia got up, ready to fight another day.
Chapter 24
Leaving the compound this time was an easy task. Clad in combat gear, a rifle holstered on her back and knifes strapped within easy reach, she walked up the road into daylight, veering off into the forest.
As soon as her feet hit rough terrain and she’d entered the cover of trees, Lexia ran. For four days, she’d been trapped under the earth, in the hell her mother had created. There had been moments when she’d felt like she was suffocating, when she’d imagined being buried under the soil and concrete. It was one of her worst nightmares; being buried alive, never leaving the compound again. She planned to die. After all, her goal was to rid the Earth of the monsters her mother had created. It didn’t matter that part of her was good, and that was the part of her in control now. Lexia had no way of knowing if she’d always be in control and the thought of having Maura walking free again was enough for Lexia to plan her death. She’d die but she’d die outside the concrete walls of the compound. She wanted her final moments in this world be in the forest, surrounded by the world her mate loved. She was closest to him here. She’d die clinging to those memories, feeling lucky for experiencing such love, if only for a short time.
Stopping to catch her breath, Lexia opened up her mind, searching for the auras of the alpha pack. Finding them, she headed in their direction, allowing herself to walk as she drained her muscles of their excess tension.
She stopped at the sound of a threatening growl. “It’s okay. I mean no harm.”
“What’s with the arsenal?” Grey asked, his voice heavy with the snarl of his wolf.
They’d surrounded her, only Grey stood in human form. Turning to face him, Lexia held her palms up, keeping her voice low and unthreatening. “I’m sorry, Grey. I had no choice but to leave like this. It took a lot of convincing for me to come out alone. I’m here to warn you.”
“She knows of your involvement?” Grey asked, still not dropping his tense stance.
Lexia glanced at the wolves around her. “How about I get rid of the gear and we talk as friends?”
He nodded in reply. Slowly, Lexia stripped her gun, and knives, tossing them at her feet and taking a step away. “Happy?” she asked.
A small smile spread on his lips. “Sorry, can’t be too careful. We did just blow up half the forest.”
Lexia laughed. “Yeah, I heard and felt it. You’ve damaged the power supplied to the main compound. The place is in chaos.”
“Yeah, can’t really bring myself to feel bad about that.”
“The problem is you’ve pissed Lucy off big time. I know I told you to destroy it but I think you went a little overboard on the explosives.”
“Yeah, maybe, but I never claimed to be an expert.” He smirked.
“You need to leave, Grey.”
“Not happening.” His voice was firm.
“She’s put together a team to dispose of you and placed me in charge. I can’t trust any of the men. I can’t protect you and not blow my cover.”
“So this really is all a mask? Inside the enemy’s nest, waiting for the perfect time to strike.”
“It wasn’t always a mask, Grey. Please don’t mistake me for being a good person. I’ve made many mistakes and this is how I will atone for them.”
“We’re not leaving the forest, but we’ll retreat deeper into the hills. Keep a large distance between us and the compound.”
“This team will be well equipped, packing AKs, grenades, you name it. Lucy wants you dead and she’s willing to do anything to achieve that, even if it means blowing up half the forest and alerting the humans to her presence. She’s not thinking straight. This grudge she has with shifters is clouding her judgment.”
“We won’t engage.”
“Good. I have something else for you.” Pulling the papers stashed down her top free, Lexia handed them over. “I found these, amongst other things, that morning I was in her office. A scientist who’s helping me found out some information on Ethan Wake which indicates he’d be very interested in helping the hunters resurface. Can you get this information to Lincoln?”
Grey looked up surprised. “The mate you didn’t want to be involved?”
“Yes.”
“Sure. What shall I tell him?”
“He needs to find out how Ethan is connected to this and if he knows any others. We need every name to make sure this program never resurfaces again.”
“Shall I tell him it’s from you? That there is hope.”
Lexia swallowed the sick feeling in her throat, wishing the unease in the pit of her stomach would go away. “You have to understand, Grey; there is no hope for me and Linc. I will put an end to this but I can never go back to my old life. I’m not that person anymore.”
Lexia watched his mouth open; read the emotion in his eyes but he said nothing.
“I’m not going to be able to get out as easily now. Get the information as fast as you can and I’ll try to get to you in a week. All right?”
“Understood.” Taking off into the trees, the rest of the pack followed.
Strapping her weapons back to her body, Lexia made her way back to the compound. Taking her time, she’d breathed in the fresh forest air and hoped it would be enough to get her through.
Feeling eyes watching her, Lexia’s hand hovered over her knife as she paused looking around her. There was no one in the near vicinity so she carried on, trying to ignore the trickle of unease inside of her.
On the highest point of her route, she stopped again. No longer able to ignore the prickle down her spine, and the little voice in her head telling her someone was nearby. It took her a few minutes of silence to pick up the faintest of noises in the distant and when her eyes locked with his, her heart lurched, attempting to escape her body.
In the far distant, just a speck on the horizon stood a leopard. Lexia found herself waving. Her hand moved up on its own and the smile on her face was one for an old friend.
“Goodbye, Caleb.” Her voice carried on the light breeze. She didn’t know if he’d heard her this far away. He never moved or attempted to follow.
Lexia couldn’t outrun her past. The war was on her and there was nothing she could do to keep those from her past safe.
Chapter 25
Lincoln looked at himself in the mirror. He’d not expected to step foot in LA again, let alone wear a suit, but here he was, clean shaven, crisp white shirt, black tie and dark grey suit. He almost looked civilized…Almost. There was no hiding he was a predator, but in the cutthroat business world it only made him more dangerous.
Prowling out his bedroom, Caden did a double take as he saw him. “Shit, only you can make a suit look lethal.”
“What time is the appointment again?”
“Eleven. Are you sure you’re okay going alone?”
“Oh, don’t worry, Caden. It may have been a while but I still remember how to play this world. Plus everyone knows my name. I’ll be taken seriously, and when I have him alone, he’ll have no choice but to talk.” He finished with a cruel smile, allowing his claws to pierce through his skin. “It’s kinda hard to say no to these.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of,” Caden muttered. This had to be handled carefully. Spook this guy and he could warn the hunters and put Lexia in more danger.
“Caden, what choice do we have? She’s trying to take that bitch down while inside the enemy’s nest. The more information we gather, the less snooping she has to do and the safer she’ll be. I’ve no idea what she’s planning but it has to be a good thing that she’s not with them.”
“It doesn’t mean she hasn’t done unforgiveable things,” Caden added sadly.
“I know that, but I just don’t care. I need her back, Cade.”
“I know, Linc. We all want her back. Just tread lightly, okay? Savaging this guy with your claws isn’t going to help
.”
“Oh, don’t worry, Caden. I’ll play nice,” he said, with the wicked gleam of his panther in his eyes.
Chapter 26
Although outside every day, leading the team hell bent on murdering ten wolves, was suffocating. The wolves had been good on their word and for five days, she’d not seen a single sign of their whereabouts. The problem was Lucy wanted the search area broadened. This morning, they planned to drive ten miles and search from there. Lexia had no way of warning them. She just hoped they’d use their wits and stay hidden if a hunter crossed their path.
Brandon was partnered with her today. He walked through the forest like a freight train. If there was a twig to snap, he’d find it. Lexia had no hope of hearing the wolves before they happened upon them, so when they were ambushed, she was too startled to react. A bag slid over her head, plunging her into darkness, the next second, a brutal blow hit her square in the skull. Dazed, she struck out, hitting nothing, before slipping into unconsciousness.
“She’s coming to,” murmured a voice to her right.
Lexia snapped open her eyes, and jumped to her feet, reaching for her blade, but found it gone.
“Wow, Lexia. We mean no harm.”
Lexia turned, focusing on Grey. “What the hell, Grey!” she snapped.
“It was the only way to get you alone.”
“And Brandon?”
“Dead. We could hear the moron from miles away.”
“The rest of the team are going to find him and call for back up.”
“There are a few of us out there keeping them occupied. We’re good for now.”
“Damn it, Grey, I said I’d come to you.”
“Lincoln found information that can’t wait.”
Lexia turned at the sound of the voice. “Caleb,” she crossed the space between them throwing her arms around him, “you found the wolves. How long have you been out here?”
“Long enough to know a heartless monster doesn’t watch the sunrise every morning.”
Pulling back from their hug, Lexia shook her head, mad at herself. It was careless of her to follow the same routine every morning. She was putting herself and countless others at risk by her silly need to watch the sunrise. Lexia kept telling herself she was all right, that she had everything handled but the truth was, with every day, she slipped a little more. Time was running out and the mask she clawed onto would soon be out of her grasp. “I’m losing my touch. I never even sensed you.”
“If you can walk out undetected, then why stay? Morning after morning I saw you run up that hill as if your life depended on it, but then you’d climb the tree, watch the sunrise, and slip back inside.”
“I can’t just leave, Caleb. It wouldn’t change a thing. Lincoln would still be in danger and I’d still be on the run. Plus there are people inside that hell who need me.”
“Sorry to cut in, but you need to read this and get back,” Grey interrupted, passing Lexia a small square of paper.
Lexia read the six names on the paper. They included Ethan’s and her mother’s, and four more she didn’t recognize. Looking up at Grey, she frowned, wanting more information.
“Every name on that list is a board member. Ethan gave them up in exchange for protection.”
“Protection? Who’s providing that?”
“The same guy who helped Alice,” Caleb answered.
Lexia felt a surge of anger. “Fat lot of use he was,” she growled, glaring at Caleb.
“What do you mean?” he asked, taken back.
“Do you not speak to Lincoln? Does he even know?”
“Know what, Lex? I haven’t spoken to Linc since, well, since you left.” His voice trailed off, the look on his face one of hurt.
“Alice is here, Caleb. Lucy turned her,” Lexia told him sadly. “Lincoln blames you for losing me, doesn’t he?” she asked. When she looked at him, she saw what she’d ignored. Caleb looked like hell. He’d clearly not eaten a decent meal in weeks. His skin was dirty and his hair unkempt. “How long have you been living like this?” she asked.
Running his hands through his hair, Caleb looked away, not meeting her eyes. “I’ve not been home since you left. It isn’t really my home anymore, not with the way Linc feels.” Sighing heavily, Caleb met her eyes. “He didn’t take your departure well. He needs someone to blame; it might as well be me.”
Lexia turned away, no longer able to hold his gaze. “I really do taint every life I touch,” she murmured, hating herself a little more.
The sound of an explosion and heavy gunfire paused all talk.
“Listen, we have eyes on every one of these men, but we must move together. If we take them out now, Lucy is going to suspect and you’ll never get to her and save the hunters. I’ve a friend coming, ex-military. He’s going to help make sure this place can never house hunters again, but he needs some plans, blueprints, something to show him what’s under that earth. I can’t find anything on public record. It’s down to you, Lexia. Find the plans, make sure Sarah is on board and then we’ll end this, once and for all.”
There was another explosion, nearer this time.
“Sorry about this,” Grey said urgently.
“About what?” Lexia asked. He lashed out. His claws missed her chest as she jumped back but sliced her hip, carrying on down her thigh.
“Fuck! Asshole,” she gasped, clamping her hands over the deep gash.
He smiled at her with the edge of his wolf. “Sorry, love, can’t have them thinking you’re on our side. Here,” he thrust a mobile into her hand, “keep this hidden. We’ll contact you.” His eyes softened, turning sad and Lexia wondered what he saw. Did he see the monster she saw every morning as she looked in her mirror, or the lost little girl she often felt she was?
Shifting, Grey disappeared into the trees.
“Come with me.” Caleb reached his hand to her.
She nearly did. Her fingers twitched, desperate to feel the warmth of his skin, to be led away from this nightmare. “I can’t,” she whispered, curling her fingers, digging her nails into her palms.
His frustrated growl filled her ears as she watched him disappear.
Chest constricting, it took her a moment to compose herself. She wished there would be a day when she could finally leave, when she could take Caleb’s hand and have him lead her to Lincoln, but the truth was, Lexia never planned to leave. The blood she’d spilt, the lives she’d hurt, there was no coming back from that. It didn’t matter how much she wanted Lincoln; how each breath she took alone was like torture. Lexia couldn’t forgive herself. She wanted to live every day in pain because that was what she felt she deserved.
Limping toward the sound of hunters barreling through the forest, she groaned in pain as they saw her, putting on a show, so they wouldn’t question her story.
“Help!” she shouted. “They killed Brandon. I only just managed to get away. There are more than ten out there. We need to leave now.”
The hunters stood wide-eyed before their brains kicked into gear and they moved to help her.
Lexia was in the infirmary when Lucy crashed through the doors. Everyone jumped, one screamed, though Lexia didn’t even flinch. She’d felt her mother’s aura approaching, like a storm growing ever darker as it neared.
“Tell me they are all dead!” Lucy yelled. “Tell me you killed every single one of them for hurting you.”
Lexia laughed. Lucy’s words could have been interpreted as her wanting revenge for her daughter being hurt. In reality, Lucy was livid Lexia had had them near enough to be injured, yet not killed a single one. “Don’t worry Mother. I’m going to live.”
Lexia’s casual tone infuriated Lucy further. “This isn’t a game. I wanted their heads and you’ve given me nothing.”
The nurse bandaging Lexia’s leg abandoned her task, scrambling back as Lucy stopped within inches of Lexia. “Where are their bodies, Maura?” she ground out.
Lexia met Lucy’s eyes. “Running around the forest I suspect. I was ambus
hed, Mother. You made me strong, but not invincible. I still bleed, and I’ve bled enough for you today.”
“Not a single one of them died?” she asked quieter but still visibly angry.
“No. I expect a few are rather close to death, but as I’ve told you before, your men are clueless. I didn’t hear them approach over Brandon’s trampling,” Lexia told Lucy, as she finished the bandaging on her own leg.
“Where is he now?” Lucy snapped.
“Dead. He paid the price for trespassing in their world. As will you, if you carry on down this path.”
“Is that a threat?” Lucy spat, her hand hovering over her gun.
Lexia smiled sweetly, mimicking Lucy. “Of course not. Just fact. Unless you need those wolves dead for your plan to work? I wouldn’t know, because despite your promise of my being your equal, we are anything but.”
Visibly ruffled, Lucy glared daggers at Lexia, her mind in overload as she thought of a comeback. “I want their heads, Maura. Unless you’d like me to replace the wolves with your friends?” Knowing she’d won, Lucy turned on her heels, gliding from the room, smiling smugly.
It wasn’t until Lucy left that Lexia noticed Derrick by the door. The second the door closed behind Lucy, he rushed to Lexia’s side.
“Do me a favor, skip the lecture,” Lexia moaned.
“What the hell were you thinking? Forget it. You weren’t thinking!” He glared at Lexia, then softened as he spoke to the medic, “Is she free to go?”
“Y-yes, take it easy until it heals. The wound was quite deep.”
“Thanks,” Lexia said, sliding from the bed. Walking for the door with the slightest of limps, she waited until they were alone before speaking. “We need to talk, all of us.”
Derrick nodded. “I’ll find them, and we’ll meet in your room.”
As Lexia walked toward her room, she felt her pocket vibrate. Glancing around to double check she was alone, Lexia pulled the cell from her inside pocket, reading the screen inside of her Jacket. ‘Time is of the essence. Get the information.’
Holocaust (The Deadwood Hunter Series Book 3) Page 15
