by M F Adele
“Did ye break her?” Palmer asked with an edge of nervousness to his voice.
“No, she’s reliving the memories that we unlocked. She’ll be fine in a couple hours. Think of it as dreaming while napping.” Vaughn replied.
“You could’ve warned us all that she’d pass the fuck out.” I wanted to throttle the emotions back into him. I called him Prince Emotionless one time and he busted my nose. I’d love to return the favor right now. Maybe he’d feel something afterwards.
Ten minutes passed in utter silence. The steady rhythm of her chest was the only thing that kept me from stopping the van. Stone was turned around in the passenger seat with a look that screamed “I’ll kill you” aimed towards the males holding the too still Hybrid between them. If she doesn’t wake up soon he’ll go on a rampage. 62 minutes in and he’ll try to kill them both.
Thankfully, it didn’t go that far. We were about 35 minutes in, and the only sound in the van was heavy breathing as we all tried to chill out. A sharp intake of breath had me swerving into another lane. I twisted my head to look at Sloane. She flew up into a sitting position and glanced around to get her bearings before leaning back into Vaughn’s lap and staring at the interior ceiling.
“I’m going to kill that fucking Druid,” she seethed.
“How much time did ya get back?” Palmer questioned lightly.
“A little more than two days I believe. How long was I out for?”
“Less than 40 minutes. That shouldn't be possible, Sloane. It should’ve taken you hours to recover that much time.” Vaughn was bewildered. I didn’t know why that surprised him. She surpasses every magical and mystical boundary we’ve come across. Several times I’d caught myself wondering what else she could do.
“It’s like speed reading.” She shrugged nonchalantly. “Some of the time I was unconscious so I skipped that and stuck to the important stuff, namely the parts where I was awake.”
“What did you find out?” Stone was trying to remain cool and collected, settling his anger with the sound of her seductive, rasping voice.
“York had another prisoner erase my memory, but it wasn’t clear as to why. He was Fae. A king.” She turned to Vaughn, “With your eyes,” she added apologetically. “I’m sorry, Vaughn. York made a deal with him, my memories for a phone call. He couldn’t help him escape.”
“I know this part of the story. He called me. It’s okay, Sloane. Continue with the rest of it.” Vaughn didn’t ever talk much about his family. His sisters call when they leave the Fae realm, but that’s it.
“There’s not much more to it. When I regained consciousness, I checked on him and then ran. It’s the beginning that we need to focus on. I know how to get to where we’re going.”
“How?” I interjected.
“Because I let them catch me and take me to their camp. I was sent to kill them.” She whispered. “All of them. And I didn’t finish the job.”
I focused on the road as she spoke. My anger surged with her story. Damn, York. If he wouldn’t have had her memories tampered with then she would’ve killed those guys. They wouldn’t have had a chance to kidnap him. We wouldn’t be trying to rescue him. My heart wouldn’t have nearly fucking stopped when I watched her fall over while her eyes went all cloudy and shit. That was just the smaller scale stuff. On the bigger side of the repercussions, there was one main issue. If those guys would’ve been killed five years ago, then that rogue-inducing drug might not have been as successful. That could’ve saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. I knew he was a selfish bastard, but he always had his reasons. Maybe he thought it wouldn’t get that far, or maybe he was trying to protect her before he really knew her. I’d fought against her and watched her fight though. I knew she didn’t need to be protected. If I had to pick anyone to protect me, I’d pick her before I picked any of the males in this van.
We reached our destination before any of us could think of something to say to her. She didn’t seem like she was looking for comfort, but instead needed an outlet for her anger. The address Franklin gave us was not what any of us expected. I turned the van to the right by a large sign with the street numbers 5683 labeled on it. We followed a long dirt road until we came to a minuscule gravel parking area. When I parked we sat and viewed the scenery around us before we started opening any doors. The heavy wooden lot was home to all manner of wildlife. My wolf inched to the surface of my skin, thrilled by the prospect of a bountiful hunt.
Nestled in the trees in front of us was an enormous treehouse. The stairs began on the foliage covered ground and led up to a platform which connected to a bridge suspended above a natural sandstone formation. The minutature bridge was only wide enough for one person to walk across it at a time. I contemplated the safety of it versus climbing a tree to get to the wraparound deck that was attached to the house. The trees grew through cut out places in the deck flooring and appeared to also grow through the house itself. This is the luxury side of camping, I guess.
We filed out of the van and started grabbing our bags. Butterflies flew around Sloane’s head the moment her boots touched the ground. She gazed at them for several seconds in blissful tranquility as they fluttered themselves down to chest height. She snapped the fingers of her left hand and those massive hellhounds-in-disguise slammed their paws into the gravel patch she was standing in. They surrounded her in a protective formation, covering all angles as they surveyed the land for any threats. With three clicks of her tongue, their gigantic bodies thundered through the woods in different directions to secure the perimeter around our temporary haven. And run all the wildlife off.
We observed Sloane while she climbed the stairs, collectively holding our breath as she glided across the rickety bridge to the main deck around the house. She looked strange with her bright pink backpack strapped to her back and the small matching duffle swaying in her delicate hand. I wasted no more time assessing her as I bounded up the steps and crossed the bridge in large strides. The sooner I reach the other side the quicker I can get off this death trap. We were only here to drop off the van and our bags before we started the search for York. Once inside, I didn’t even admire the rustic decor as I found the kitchen table and set my bag of weapons on the top. I dropped my other bag to the floor and kicked it aside.
Within the bag that held my attention was brand new tactical gear. Franklin vehemently reassured me this morning that it would remain on my body between shifts. I still don’t believe him. I set the clothing and boots to the side and continued looking through the bag. He explained all of the weapons to me last night before we went to sleep and I’ve been itching to try this stuff out. Four magic infused handguns were tucked neatly in pairs inside rough plastic cases. They didn’t use bullets and they never ran out of their ammo. He included a handful of paper thin knives as well. They were so sharp I could probably slice through the tree that the kitchen table was built around.
The last thing in the bag was a five inch long black box that looked like it was made for jewelry. It wasn’t anything Franklin and I talked about last night. It was new. Inside the box was a custom made switchblade. The obsidian blade and bleached bone handle matched the daggers Sloane used yesterday. Attached to the lid of the box was a short note in frilly handwriting.
“Briggs,
This switchblade will never miss a target and always returns to its owner. Use it with care. Enjoy it often.
-Sloane”
This is the most thoughtful fucking gift anyone has ever given me. I tucked everything back in the bag and made my way into the first bedroom I found to change. Behind the closed door Sloane stood with one leg propped on the dresser. The other was firmly planted on the floor as she checked the knife hidden within the rubber sole of her left boot. I started to leave but changed my mind. She’s already seen me naked, so what’s the harm in sharing the space to change clothes? I set my stuff on the bed and pulled my shirt over my head while she watched me with a coy expression.
“How often do you pu
ll a knife out of the toe of your boot?” It seemed like an odd place for a weapon, but with her nothing was ever as it seemed. See? I’m learning.
“I don’t take it out. There’s a sort of button inside my shoe that I press with my toe, and out pops the knife. It adds a fun effect to kicking.” She smiled at me. “Want to see?” She didn’t wait for my reply. She lifted her foot out towards me and the knife slid out slowly with her movement. “If I move faster the knife appears quicker. It’s a nifty little trick designed by a friend of mine in Stars.” The female gets excited about weapons. Now I know to skip the flowers if she ever gets mad at me.
“Good to know,” I replied, but it was more to myself. I took off my pants and started putting on the clothing from my bag. The tactical gear was breathable and tight, but fit me like a second skin. The bedroom was too small to shift in, so I’d have to wait. I was eager to get outside and test the durability. Franklin mentioned that I wouldn’t lose my weapons as long as they were attached to the fabric, not in my hand. The pants had thin pockets designed for the knives and wrapped up in the shirt were holsters for the guns. One set sat under each arm and the other set sat at each hip. Sloane had matching holsters under her arms and her daggers tucked against her lower back. Connected to her waist was a series of shiny chains hanging at different lengths down the front of her skirt. Each chain had an array of two inch knives dangling from them. Her shirt read Psycho, and to be honest, the look of determined fury on her face said she’d be every bit of that description later.
Everyone was ready to go when we stepped into the living room. We checked each other out, admiring the selection of weapons we carried, before maneuvering our way through the treehouse and across that unstable fucking bridge. When Sloane reached the bottom of the stairs she loosed a high pitch whistle, and I heard the hounds running towards us. While we all waited I shifted to my fur and back again, noticing that what Franklin said was true. All clothing and weapons are still in place. That’s fucking awesome.
When I turned around to face everyone the guys were staring from me to Sloane and back again. They didn’t know which was a weirder scene. Me staying in my clothes after I shifted or Sloane holding three huge welded chains attached to hellhounds. The links were easily the size of her fist and probably weighed more than fifty pounds each. They were not your typical hardware store chains. She looks really fucking sexy and way more lethal than she did yesterday.
The hellhounds led the way with Sloane following soundlessly behind them, and the rest of us trailing behind her. Staring at her ass. Hours passed and the sun began to dip low in the sky. The terrain all looked the same. I started to wonder if we were walking in circles, but she seemed to know where she was going so I didn’t say a word to dispute our direction. When the sun was gone, and the night had descended, she stopped and passed a chain leash to Palmer and one to Vaughn. She kept a tight grip on Helios, but he never jerked her as they hiked forward. “Just the tips boys,” she called quietly to the hounds. The tips of their tails lit with hellfire, helping guide the way since Vaughn and Palmer couldn’t see in the dark.
“Just the tip, huh?” Novak questioned. Sloane shot him a filthy, flirty look in answer and kept on walking.
It was after 11pm, and we’d been walking for a good ten hours, when Helios switched directions to follow the bank of a small creek. We must be getting closer now. Attacking them at night will benefit us, I hope. Out of the six of us, four had night sensitive vision. I was sure the Mage had a spell for that too, so possibly five. Another hour passed us by, and I could just start to make out faint talking in the far distance. We’re a mile out. Sloane and Helios stopped, and she handed his chain to Stone as she strode closer to us. We circled around as she whispered our parts of the plan to us.
“When we get closer I’m going to release the hellhounds so they can circle around to the other side of this camp. Briggs, shift and go with Atlas. I’ll make them look like wolves and you can lead them into the back side for a surprise attack. You’ll have full control over them so use it wisely. Palmer and Stone, I need you guys to find and secure York. Keep him away from the fight. He may want to join but he’ll be too weak to stand his ground. Vaughn, can you mist with him to the treehouse?” She turned her head to Vaughn.
“Yes. That won’t be a problem.”
“Can you take Palmer as well?” She inquired.
“I’ll need to make two separate trips, but I can do it.”
“Okay, when the commotion dies down, take York and then come back for Palmer. The rest of us can move faster so we’ll come back on foot. Kill everyone except prisoners. And, be careful. The male in charge is a vampire-mage hybrid. Not only can he read minds, he can control them as well, if you don’t keep them sealed tight. I’d like to kill him myself, so if you find him let me kno-“
Her word came up short and her attention shot to the right. All three hounds vibrated with tension. My sensitive hearing picked up the snapping of twigs and crunching of the earth under heavy shoes. Someone is out there, getting closer to us.
“Briggs, shift. Atlas, stay on his tail.” She waved her hand over him and smokey magic covered him. He transformed into a masculine charcoal colored wolf with a black dusting on the ends of his fur. I shifted without question and waited for the command to leave. She changed Helios into a burnt reddish brown wolf and Cronus into a wolf with a black face, tail, and feet that faded up to a dark brown body. “Wait,” she patiently relayed to the hellhounds, “Let him see us first.” What the fuck is she planning? I want to ask her but I can’t speak right now.
“Hey! You can’t be out here.” Someone shouted from a short distance away.
“Go. Now,” she whispered urgently. We split up and sped away. The last thing I saw as I looked over my back was Sloane snatch something from her skirt and sling a knife at the man. It landed dead in between his eyes. I heard her muted voice command, “Vaughn, glamour yourself to look like him, then glamour our weapons, and lead us in.” I turned back and accelerated my speed with Atlas only a tails length behind me.
We had to get into position and take out anyone in our path. The first strike had been made. The group was marching into camp as trespassers with Vaughn pointing a loaded gun at their backs. She’s one tornado they won’t see coming.
York
Sunday Night
I listened to the dripping water as I stared at the newest mark on the wall across from me. 858 days. I’ll either be free or dead soon. Alone in my cell, I let my mind linger on images of Sloane. I wanted to be free and wrap my arms around her again, but I knew she’d rather cut my hands off than let me touch her. I have so much shit to make up for if I live. My life is in her capable hands now.
Once she saw the state of my body I knew it would only be a matter of time before she went on a murder spree. I only hoped it was enough to bring her in my direction. If I get out of this cell I’m going to kill Kelvin myself. I needed to get Levi out of this mess too. He’s scared to leave, I get it, but this is no place for humans.
The guard on duty tonight was sleeping soundly sitting in a chair facing my cell. He was one of the more violent bear shifters here. He used that strength of his regardless of its need. I’ll kill him on my way to Kelvin. Over two years in captivity would have you planning murder on a daily basis. He snored loudly, and I wished for the hundredth time that I had enough power to call up thick, throned vines to strangle him in his sleep. Having a time limit put on my life had turned me into a morbid version of myself. Or what’s left of myself.
I feared that if I got to walk out of this place as a free male I would never again be who I once was. I barely remembered what it was like to be free, to eat when I was hungry, or shower when I felt dirty. I wanted the sun to shine on my skin and the grass to caress my back as I watched the clouds move through the sky. I wanted to climb the trees and speak to the birds. I want to shave and get a godsdamn haircut.
My toffee skin was pale, wrapping around my bones from near starvati
on and no muscle usage. My once lean fingers now looked skeletal. My joints jutted out showcasing how unhealthy I’d become. It wouldn’t take long for me to bounce back if I could get out of here. A couple of hours with my feet buried in the soil and the earth would feed me all the nutrients and power I needed to build myself back up.
The door to the cells banged open suddenly, and I flinched back into the shadowed corner of my cell. It scared the sleeping guard so much that he flipped his chair and landed on his ass on the uneven floor. “Brad! Get the fuck up here. Roy just found some supes walking around the outside of our perimeter,” was shouted from the doorway by an unknown camp dweller. Brad, the shitty bear shifter, stood and dusted his ass off before slamming the door behind him, leaving me free of his snoring finally.
There was only a few minutes of tranquility before the door was opened again. Levi came into view with an armful of food and several bottles of water. “Hey man, did you hear what he said?” He quizzed me softly.
“Yay, more prisoners,” I bit out sarcastically.
“The talk around camp is that it’s a girl and a few guys. Roy said they had dogs with them, but when he yelled at them the dogs ran off.”
“Looks like these cells are gonna be more full than usual,” I surmised.
“D-didn’t you reach out to your, uhhh, girlfriend? Mate? Whatever you called her yesterday?” He stammered.
“Yeah,” I acquiesced.
“Do you think it’s her?” He whispered.
Do I think it’s her? I used what little power I had saved and opened my mate bond back up. She was filled with a bloodthirsty rage, and so near that I felt like I could reach out and stroke her. I sent a flare of earthy magic through our bond. She responded with a large dose of adrenaline-filled energy. It soared through my body, lighting me from the inside out. It was a painful pleasure. She was here and she brought the guys and hellhounds with her as backup. This place is going to burn to the ground. I sent her a rundown of the grounds and tapered my presence off so she could focus.
