by Caris Roane
Afterward, with the wolf cuffed inside the SUV and fully incapacitated, Warren had paced next to his vehicle. He’d rubbed his arms and stomped his feet as though trying to get rid of the excess energy.
She’d remained at a distance but had felt his storm. She’d found the sight of him a completely exhilarating experience.
She called it his storm power. But what did it mean? Why did he possess it? Was this what had called her to move in stride beside him, though cloaked with her invisibility spell?
What she feared, however, was something more human in nature. As her gaze took him in, head-to-toe, a longing deep inside her came alive. Warren was a god, scarred up a bit, but a god all the same.
He wore the Border Patrol uniform of all Five Bridges officers: Black tank, black leathers, thick boots. It was hot in July in the Phoenix Metro area. His skin glistened with sweat, which seemed to enhance the contours of his muscled frame. Leather wouldn’t have been the choice of humans, but something about the alter condition made it better for the officers.
He was six-six with thick, heavily muscled shoulders set off by his tank. His good eye was an exquisite emerald in color, his brows arched and strong. Without the scarring, he would have been movie-star handsome with a rugged chin, straight nose and high chiseled cheekbones. He wore the right side of his long blond hair in a thick braid. Loose strands clung to his bare arms. She resisted the urge to draw close and peel them off.
The left side of his face, his eye, and two inches of his scalp were heavily scarred. No hair grew from the damaged skin in the section above his ear. He’d covered the scars with sexy tattoos. His hair on the rest of his head was a thick blond mane that ran halfway down his back.
In addition, he had a unique scent that drew her in every time. He smelled like the wild elements of the approaching monsoon storm combined with the musk of his wolf. The combination was electric. Whenever she caught his scent, the pleasure centers of her brain lit up like small fireworks going off inside her head.
To say she was drawn to Warren was to say fire was hot. But it wasn’t just his superlative gorgeousness. He was considered by his peers as one of the most powerful in Savage Territory. She’d often thought if he’d been a more self-interested man, he could simply take over all the packs and be done with it.
But she knew him. He had a profound commitment to the wolves of Savage as well as to the rule of law. He worked to protect all the packs that had formed over the thirty years the alter world of Five Bridges had been in existence. Of all his qualities, she loved his integrity the best. When he could have owned it all, he chose what was right for each pack.
Another flash of lightning lit up the sky. A rumble of thunder followed, though not too close. Dawn was still an hour or so away, but the sky was getting ready to open up.
A shiver went down her spine and she glanced behind her. She could feel it now, a tangible creep across her nerves. Something was going down tonight. She didn’t know when, how or what was going to happen, but the air crackled with intent and it wasn’t good.
Another flash of light and roll of thunder.
She jumped.
We need to get inside. His deep voice moved through her mind.
I agree. I’ll follow you in. Right on your heels.
Once inside the station, she watched Warren wave to Helena, the wolf working dispatch. She shot him a broad, come-and-get-me smile. Kiara’s fists balled up and an odd, un-witch-like growl formed in her throat.
Warren shifted his attention to a group of fellow officers who called to him from the corner, off to the right. They’d just cuffed an unsteady, word-slurring wolf to a nearby railing meant for that purpose. The wolf wasn’t going anywhere.
Hold up, Kiara. He then addressed the officers. “Do me a favor and take him back to the drunk tank.”
The wolves grew very quiet and turned to stare at him. Each dipped his chin slowly. It was a wolf deference move, a sign of Warren’s pack status. None of them argued. But it was something more as well. Each noticed the unusual lifting of his hair. Warren made no explanation and none of them asked.
While Warren waited, they uncuffed the drunk and hauled him away.
Warren then turned toward the staff behind the counter.
Kiara realized the five remaining personnel had all stopped what they were doing. They were staring at Warren as well, mouths agape.
She glanced at him and wasn’t surprised to find that his hair moved rapidly now. Even through her shield, she could feel his storm growing stronger.
“Helena, I want the silent alarm that will trigger a lockdown, but no overt signals. Can you do that?” Kiara knew the drill, the shutters would start to descend, even over the front doors. But they were only meant to block the sunlight, not to withstand gunfire. They could only delay a full-on assault.
“Yes, Sir.”
He gestured to the rest with a toss of his hand. “Each of you, slowly gather whatever you’re working on then head to the hall. I’m going to Roberts now.” Roberts was the station chief.
Kiara moved to the window. What came to her caused her heart to leap into her throat. She called to Warren telepathically. Julio is here. I can feel him out there now.
Me, too. You’d better get into the hall as well, since you’re not safe in your shield. Go now.
The sharpness of his command had her moving swiftly. He shifted sideways to let her pass. She switched to levitation and bumped his arm as she slipped by him.
I felt that, he said.
Exactly. Her heart beat so hard it was drumming in her ears.
She reached for Warren’s arm. He turned in her direction, but of course he couldn’t see her. He clamped his hand over hers.
He started to speak, but there was something she understood now, something he needed to know. She telepathed quickly, They’re after you, Warren. You’re the target. You’re the key to taking over Savage and Julio won’t rest until you’re dead.
~ ~ ~
As soon as Kiara’s words ran through his head, he knew it was true. He’d become a target and it made sense. If he was eliminated, Julio would have a much easier time taking over the entire territory. The Caldion Pack would be thrown into chaos. Without an alpha, his wolves would be unable to mount a counter-offensive.
Julio Mendez had risen in rank in the Viento cartel during the past five years. Viento was currently the prime source of illegal trafficking in Savage and Julio the man in charge. He’d kept a low profile until recent months when his ambitions prompted him to go after the two lowest packs. He was the kind of wolf Warren despised above all others because he treated his pack members like slaves. He was an alpha who only cared about himself.
Warren had also seen for himself that a large portion of Julio’s combined pack, El Lobo Grande, was now addicted to emerald flame. Keeping wolves addicted made them easier to control.
Hearing Kiara give voice to Julio’s intentions solidified something within Warren’s spirit. He’d been appalled by Julio’s takeover, but until this moment he hadn’t made it his mission to go after Julio with everything he had. He’d been biding his time, waiting for the right moment. He’d somehow thought the El Lobo Grande pack would be enough for the man. Instead, he was convinced there was no limit to Julio’s ambitions.
The first order of business, however, was much more immediate. He needed to get everyone out of the station in one piece.
As the steel shutters came down, he headed to Roberts’s office. The chief was already on his feet and moving toward the door. Warren wasn’t sure where Kiara was, but he stepped away from Roberts to let him pass. “I saw some of Julio’s men moving in from the woods opposite.” Julio’s force wore black tanks with silver bands and emblems. They were hard to miss.
Once in the hall, Roberts called out. “We’re under attack. Everyone in the locker room. Now. Warren, search the rooms.”
Warren moved at a clip and went from room to room. He sent anyone he found to the locker room. He got the drunk
out of the tank and turned him over to one of the officers. By the time he made it to the locker room near the back of the station, heavy rounds of automatic gunfire sounded at the front entrance. He could hear the bullets bang against the thin steel, then a moment later glass started shattering as the shutters were shot off their hinges.
The locker room held a total of nineteen people. Most were officers, the rest support staff and a couple of criminals, besides the drunk. The mood was bleak.
When gunfire sounded at the nearby back door, Roberts put his hand to his head. A few choice words left his lips.
Warren glanced toward the door. With no one returning gunfire, Julio’s troops would move in. Each of the officers was armed with AR-15s slung over their shoulders, pistols in holsters.
Warren. Kiara’s voice shot through his head.
I’m in the locker room. Are you here as well?
I’m in the security room looking at the monitors. Julio has dozens of troops stationed at the back and the front. But he doesn’t have anyone in the air.
Warren considered what she was saying. Even if everyone got to the roof, it wouldn’t take long for Julio to figure out what we were doing. It would be a duck shoot.
Not if I helped. I could take everyone into the air inside my shield. We wouldn’t be seen.
Several thoughts rumbled through his head at once. Could she do it? Could it be done fast enough? Was she really that powerful? All that mattered, however, was getting everyone out alive.
Warren turned to face Roberts. “I’ve got a witch here who can help.”
Roberts shook his head. “How?” He glanced around. “Where is she? What’s her name?”
“She’s the one Veyda tortured. She has an invisibility shield.”
“Jesus. You’re talking about Kiara.”
Warren was surprised. “You know Kiara?”
“Of course, I do.” He switched to telepathy so that only Warren could hear the rest. Kiara rescues wolves. I gave her permission to set up a refuge in Savage some time ago. So, yes, I know her very well. She’s a good woman and I trust her. If she can do the invisible thing, we’ve got a chance.
Kiara had a refuge in Savage? All of this was new to Warren, but it wasn’t the time for a discussion. Let me get this set up with her.
As the rifle fire continued slamming in heavy sprays against the front entrance and the rear exit, he forced himself to focus. “I want everyone heading up to the roof.”
He switched to telepathy. Kiara, come to the locker room.
Already here.
He addressed the group. “Kiara is going to get us out of here. Who can levitate?” Most of the hands went up. Only a couple of the support staff were without flight capacity and the drunk would have to be corralled.
He gestured to them. “Pair up with an officer. We’re leaving by way of the roof. Let’s go.”
He didn’t try to explain the mechanics. He headed to the service stairs at a run, trusting everyone to keep up.
Kiara, where are you? But by the time he was halfway up the stairs, he already knew since the door to the roof was standing wide open.
Then suddenly Kiara appeared at the top landing, but away from the doorway. “I’m not sure how many I can take at a time.”
“Tell us what to do.”
“First, all of you need to know this is going to hurt.”
Warren lowered his chin. “We can take it.” He saw the bright glint in her eyes.
“Give me the first three.”
Warren waved three forward. Kiara started instructing them. Each nodded. Three powerful wolf officers grabbed hold of her arms. Muffled shouts of pain followed then they all disappeared.
Kiara’s voice was in his head. We’re taking off. Can you see us?
Not even a little.
The next thirty seconds were painful as he waited. Three wolves safe. Sixteen to go.
Kiara reappeared. “Let me try four this time.”
Warren shoved the next four up the stairs. “Do as she says.” No one argued.
He could hear gunfire now inside the building. He had to take action or Julio’s forces would find them trapped on the stairs. As he ran down, he issued orders for everyone to obey Kiara to the letter.
He grabbed two officers he trusted. “We’ll defend the station until everyone is out.”
Roberts joined them, pulling his rifle in front of him.
Warren saw the set of chin and that fur now lined his cheeks in thin arrows. Roberts hadn’t served in regular border patrol work for years, but he’d do.
He had the two officers head to the rear exit and start firing at the door to keep Julio’s forces from coming in that way. Then he and Roberts moved toward the front. Using some filing cabinets as cover, he fired at the three wolves who had breached the main entrance. Each let loose with several rounds. Julio’s men went down.
Both Warren and Roberts sank to the floor as Julio’s outside force started hitting the building again.
He directed his thoughts to Kiara. How we doin’?
I’ve got another four in the air. I’m releasing them now. Two more groups of four, and we’re good. I’m almost at the doorway. Okay, I’m gathering the last group that’s on the stairs. But where are you and the other three?
I’ve got them with me, including Roberts. We’re holding off Julio’s forces.
Okay. I’ll let you know the second I’m heading back.
Warren heard the wolves at the rear exit. They’d kept up a steady fire. He and Roberts hit the doorway once more with a fine spray of bullets. The steel shutters that were supposed to cover the front glass doors now hung at an angle.
When Julio once more started firing at the front of the building, Warren dropped to the floor again.
He crept toward Roberts. “Kiara’s almost ready for us. Let’s fire off a few final rounds then get to the roof.”
When there was a lull in the shooting, they rose up and let loose with another serious hard spray.
“That should do it,” Roberts said.
He took off and Warren followed. On the way, he grabbed the remaining two officers and the four of them raced up the stairs.
Kiara’s voice was in his head again. Almost at the roof.
A few seconds later, he was pounding up the stairs. Kiara was visible and waiting for them. When the four of them were on the landing, she told them to grab hold of her arms and prepare for some hurt.
The next few seconds felt like his entire body was being shoved through barbed wire. All of them shouted from the sudden, swift shards of pain.
But when the cloak surrounded him, she said, “You can let go of my arms, but stick close and follow me. Head straight up.”
Each pair of eyes was fixed to Kiara. The moment she began to rise, each man followed suit. When she moved faster, they tracked with her. She kept rising in a tight line up into the air. In the distance, lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled a few seconds later. But the storm was still at a distance.
Once they were fifty feet up, she drew everyone to a halt. “I’m going to take you out of the shield, but this is going to hurt. Try to keep quiet.” She didn’t say anything else. Instead, she began reversing the process and yet again, it was like getting put through several strands of barbed wire. All four men were cursing in low tones by the time she’d released them from the cloak.
Roberts gestured to the two officers. “You men head home. Now.” The men took off.
Roberts addressed Warren. “I’ll contact the Tribunal about this, though I don’t expect much support.” He turned to Kiara, “You saved our asses tonight.” He gripped her arm. “Thank you.”
“Of course.”
He spoke to Warren once more. “You got a place you can stay through the day because Fergus called in just before you reached my office. It seems Julio’s got some of his men laying in wait at Caldion. Looks like the station was the first part of the plan. I’m guessing they’re after you.” He then turned to Kiara. “He could sta
y at your refuge.”
“You told him?”
“Earlier. At the station. You okay with me telling him?”
She glanced at Warren. “I am. Just wish you’d known all along.”
“Well, I know now.”
“You will be safe there. I’ve got it hidden behind a strong security spell.”
Roberts glanced around. “You’d better get going before Julio figures out what happened and starts searching the air. I’ll be in touch.” He nodded once then took off heading northeast.
Kiara took Warren’s hand and without asking permission, she once again pulled him into her cloak.
He shouted this time. “Why did you do that?”
Look behind you?
He turned and saw a force of ten men headed in their direction. Shit. Roberts said it exactly right.
Kiara tugged him in a straight-up direction. He followed her lead until they were both forty feet higher. Seconds later, the crew fired at their previous location.
She released his hand. My refuge isn’t far from Caldion. She turned in the air as she spoke and began to fly north.
He caught up with her and flew alongside her. He tried to picture where her refuge might be. He knew all the houses and their occupants in an eighth-of-a-mile radius around his compound. Where did you say your refuge was?
I guess I didn’t.
He heard it then, a strong hesitation, almost reluctance, but he wanted an explanation. It felt like betrayal to him. He would have stopped her midair to get an answer, but the monsoon storm was winding up and getting closer. Besides, he wanted as much space between them and Julio’s men as he could get.
The wind was really starting to blow.
He glanced at her. He was bristled up and could feel lines of fur along his cheekbones and down his back. His reaction was as much a result of their recent escape as from her typical witch secrecy.
He’d had many conversations with Kiara about her witchness and his dislike of Elegance Territory. She tended to agree with him. But she’d also helped him to understand that it was the dark witch covens and those warlocks and wizards who had embraced the dark side of their powers that had given them all a bad name.
