Bound by Darkness (The Alliance, Book 3)

by Brenda K. Davies

  Hauling the Savage from the car, Killean barely acknowledged the blow the creature delivered to his cheek before he sank his fangs into the Savage’s throat. The monster hit and kicked him for a good thirty seconds before the agony of having its blood unwillingly drawn overwhelmed it. Its fingers dug into Killean’s forearms as its body went rigid in his grasp.

  Killean savored the vampire’s suffering as it flooded his system and eased the demon’s craving for this pain-filled, bloody end. The last of the Savage’s blood slipping down his throat didn’t bring with it the rush of power the life of an innocent did, but he still felt sated when he released his bite.

  Lowering the dead Savage, he met Simone’s gaze over the roof of the car. He didn’t know how long she’d been standing there, but it had been long enough to see at least some of what he’d done. He braced himself for her revulsion, but he saw no disgust or loathing in her eyes; instead, there was only a strange caring he didn’t understand, and it unnerved him.

  He didn’t want her understanding or to care what she thought of him, but with a sinking feeling, he realized he did care. However, she would be going back.

  Killean shoved the Savage into the car and bent down to pull the latch for the trunk. When it popped open, he stalked behind the vehicle to examine the contents of the trunk before pulling out a lug wrench. Taking the wrench, he walked over to where the gas lid was located and slammed the wrench into the side of the car until he found, and punctured the gas tank.

  Gas poured onto the roadway as he tossed the wrench into the trunk and returned to the truck. He searched the vehicle for anything he could use to start a fire and discovered a disposable lighter in the glovebox. He removed their bags of clothes from behind the seat before returning to the car and taking off his shirt. After dipping his shirt into the gas, he flicked the lighter to set it on fire before tossing the cloth onto the spreading puddle of gasoline under the car.

  He’d returned to Simone and was already running with her across a field of cows when the car erupted into a ball of fire.

  CHAPTER 25

  Tendrils of pink spread across the horizon when Killean opened the door of the motel room he’d confiscated from a bleary-eyed clerk. They were getting inside with time to spare, but the hair on his nape rose when he glanced warily at the sky. He didn’t know if he’d ever walk in the sun the same as he had before, but it was as much a peril to him now as Joseph.

  Killean stepped into the room behind Simone and closed the door. He tossed the bags of clothes onto the bed and pulled back the curtain to peer out the window. It could have been pure luck those Savages stumbled across them last night, or it could have been something more.

  Neither of them had a tracking device on them, they would have discovered it by now; he was certain of that. And besides there had never been a time when Joseph or one of his flunkies could have installed one on him.

  He suspected Joseph had more eyes out there than he’d initially believed, but where did that leave them? After fleeing the fire, they’d run through numerous fields and yards before he discovered a car with keys still in it. Taking the car, he’d driven another fifty miles before coming across this town.

  He’d taken the car out of town and ditched it in a pond ten miles away before they doubled back on foot to this motel. Stores and restaurants lined the main road outside of the motel, and the area was already busy as cars drove up and down the street. Joseph may be attacking large groups like the wedding party, but he wouldn’t be so ballsy as to attack them here with so many witnesses.

  He didn’t think Joseph could have tracked them here, but he’d believed they were relatively safe before, and he had no idea how many other towns were in this area. For all he knew, this was the only town near where they encountered the Savages on the road, or there were ten others in the vicinity. If the owner of the car reported it stolen and it was discovered in the pond, it would be a lot easier to track them down, but there was nothing Killean could do about that now. He was stuck here for the day.

  Turning away from the window, his eyes fell on the phone sitting on the stand in the middle of the twin beds. He’d been putting off calling Ronan, but he had to get a warning out while he still could. Ronan had to know the little he’d learned about Joseph and his operation.

  Walking over, he sat on the edge of the bed and lifted the phone from its cradle. Simone sat across from him as he dialed the last number he had for Ronan. Placing the phone against his ear, he listened as an automated message came on to say the number wasn’t in use.

  “Shit,” he muttered and hung up.

  Simone clasped her hands before her as Killean glowered at the phone. Over the course of the night, the cut over his eye had healed to a scratch and the swelling was gone. She knew vampires healed fast, but this was incredible.

  “Who are you trying to call?” she asked as she stretched her wounded arm. It was still a little sore, but she hadn’t been anywhere near as injured as Killean.

  “Ronan.” Picking the phone back up, he punched in the number he had for Saxon. He couldn’t handle Declan’s strange insight right now, and Lucien would probably hang up on him.

  The phone rang four times before a groggy voice answered, “Better be good, I was dreaming about unicorns.”

  “It’s not good,” Killean said.

  “Killean?”

  Saxon sounded like he’d be less surprised to receive a call from God, but Killean didn’t blame him. They’d probably never expected to see or hear from him again unless it was in a battle where they stood on opposite sides. That would never happen, but he couldn’t kid himself into believing he was the same vampire who walked away from them.

  He flexed the hand in his lap. Blood no longer stained it, but he clearly recalled the blood flowing over his flesh and sliding down his throat while he killed those Savages. And he already longed to be covered in, and tasting, that blood again. Fisting his hand, he dug his nails into his palm and used the pain it created to keep focused on the conversation.

  “It’s not Santa Claus,” he muttered.

  “Is it the Krampus?”

  Killean snorted. “It could be.”

  For the first time since he’d known him, Saxon was speechless as he didn’t say another word.

  “I tried calling Ronan first,” Killean said, “but his phone’s not in use.”

  “It broke during a fight a couple of days ago; he has a new one.”

  “I see.” So Ronan hadn’t abandoned his phone because of him; he guessed that was a good sign.

  “What have you done?” Saxon blurted.

  “What had to be done. I have Simone.”

  “Simone is your mate?”

  “Yes,” Killean grated. “Do you know her?” One thing Saxon loved was beautiful women. Killean had no doubt Simone would have spurned any advances Saxon might have made toward her, but he didn’t like the idea of the notorious playboy looking at Simone with any kind of interest.

  “Not personally, but I know she’s Kadence’s friend and was supposed to be the intended bride for Nathan.”

  “And now you know something else about her. Say hello.” Killean handed the phone out to Simone.

  Simone’s eyebrows rose at this statement and the strain pouring off him. She couldn’t hear what was being said on the other end of the line, and didn’t know who Killean was talking to, but the scar on his face was more visible, and the fisted hand on his lap was white. She wished she knew what was going on inside his head, but she’d have a better chance of solving the mystery of life than puzzling out this man.

  Her gaze traveled to his chest, and her head tilted to the side when she spotted a faint white scar over his heart. Simone had no idea how she hadn’t noticed it yesterday, but she’d been so swept up in him, she wouldn’t have noticed a tornado coming through and tossing them into Kansas.

  Simone leaned forward and pressed her ear to the phone. “Hello.”

  “Simone?” a voice she didn’t recognize inquir
ed.

  “Yes.”

  Killean pulled the phone away and rested it against his ear. “See, she’s free.”

  “Is she a Savage?” Saxon asked.

  “No, they turned her, but I got her out of there before she became a Savage. The hunters captured with her are all well on their way to becoming one though. I couldn’t get any of them out, and I don’t know where they are.”

  Almost a full minute passed before Saxon replied. “Are you a Savage?”

  “I got her back,” Killean said instead of answering. It didn’t matter what he was anymore.

  “That’s important.”

  “It’s the most important thing,” Killean stated.

  “What are you going to do with her?” Saxon inquired.

  “Get her out of this state, if I can.”

  “That sounds… intriguing. Which state would that be?”

  Killean filled him in on everything he’d learned while with Joseph and what they’d gone through since escaping him. It wasn’t much, but it was more than the Alliance had known about Joseph before.

  “You think they’re in a bunker in Vermont?” Saxon asked when he finished.

  “I got the impression we were underground and of being inside a bunker. If it’s in Vermont or not, I don’t know. It could be in New Hampshire, Maine, maybe even Mass, New York, or Canada for all I know. I believe the wedding was in Vermont, we’re in Vermont, but as for the location of the bunker, your guess is as good as mine.”

  “I’m not much of a guesser.”

  “Neither am I,” Killean said.

  “What are they bunkering down against?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “This creature you saw while in there, you really think it’s another turned hunter who became a Savage?”

  “I do. And it’s ancient.”

  “Interesting,” Saxon murmured. “Have you asked your little hunter about it?”

  “Yes. She doesn’t know anything, but that doesn’t mean Nathan won’t.”

  “I’ll look into it. It sounds like you could use some help—”

  “I think it’s best if you and everyone else stays away. I’m not sure how they found us last night, and it’s a bad idea to risk anyone else.” He wanted Simone somewhere safe more than he wanted his next breath, but they couldn’t risk losing anyone else in the battle against Joseph when there was no guarantee they could save her. “No matter what becomes of us, Joseph must be stopped.”

  “He will be,” Saxon said. “I’ll talk with the others about this thing, tell them what we’ve discussed, and get back to you.”

  “This is a motel phone, and we might be forced to leave. If that happens, I’ll call you again. Don’t lose your phone.”

  Before Saxon could reply, Killean hung up.

  CHAPTER 26

  Saxon tossed aside the sheets and climbed out of bed. He pulled on a pair of sweats before stalking out of the room. Walking down the hall, Saxon cheerfully knocked on the doors he passed as he called for a meeting in a loud, singsong voice. It would piss them all off, which only made his smile widen.

  When he reached the end of the hall, he turned back, leaned against the stair banister and crossed his arms over his chest while he waited for his friends to emerge. Doors creaked open, and Lucien stuck his head out to heave a boot at him.

  “Fuck your meeting!” Lucien snapped as Saxon sidestepped the boot that went soaring over the rail.

  “What couldn’t have waited until tonight?” Ronan demanded as he stepped halfway into the hall. Declan emerged from his room, and stretching his back, he yawned loudly.

  “Killean called,” Saxon said and was pleased to note they looked as stunned as he’d felt when he first heard Killean’s voice on the other end of the line. “We need to speak with Nathan. I’ll be waiting for all of you in the bar.”

  He didn’t wait for a reply before descending the stairs to the foyer below; he had no doubt their curiosity would win over their exhaustion. His steps were soundless on the marble as he made his way across the foyer and into the bar.

  Despite the smirk reflecting at him in the glass behind the liquor bottles lining the shelves behind the bar, his hand shook when he lifted a bottle of Scotch, and his hazel eyes were troubled. His dark blond hair, still tousled from sleep, stood up in spikes around his face. He didn’t bother to try to tame it before grabbing a glass.

  He’d never expected to speak to Killean again unless it was in a fight, but though his friend hadn’t denied being a Savage, Killean had sounded relatively normal on the phone. There had been tension in his voice, but who wouldn’t be stressed after what he’d gone through? Then why was he so rattled by the conversation?

  Was it the fact Killean still sounded so normal when he’d obviously infiltrated Joseph’s inner circle to free his mate? Or was it that Killean had, in a roundabout way, confirmed he’d become a killer and therefore an enemy?

  They’d all suspected he’d fallen, of course, Killean had as much as said he planned to become a Savage in the note he left, but Saxon had held out hope that Killean wouldn’t follow through with his plan.

  That hope was gone, but now he had bigger questions. Killean had fallen, but was he a Savage, or was he something else? What would he do now? And could he be saved?

  That was the biggest question of all, Saxon decided as he swallowed his Scotch. The burning liquor didn’t ease the tumult of emotions battering him.

  When Joseph turned Savage, it hadn’t overly surprised him. There was always something about the vamp he hadn’t liked, and that was saying a lot as he wasn’t that discerning when it came to others, especially women. But Killean…

  Well, he’d never seen Killean’s desertion coming; Killean had always been distant but loyal. He’d never shown any indication he might waver from his mission or his allegiance to Ronan. However, since Killean walked away, Saxon had harbored the fear that if Killean could fall, any of them could.

  And Killean had done it for a woman; that was the most astonishing thing of all considering he’d shown as much interest in women over the years as he had frogs.

  Saxon refilled his glass and took another long drink. He may be a Savage, but it appeared Killean’s loyalty to Ronan remained unshakeable; otherwise, he wouldn’t have called to report what he’d learned. Unless, the call was part of a trap devised by Killean and Joseph, but Saxon preferred to believe their fallen brother would make his way back to them.

  Lowering the glass, Saxon wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as Lucien and Declan glided into the room. A few minutes later, he heard the front door open before Ronan and Kadence joined them followed by Nathan and Vicky. Everyone either settled into either the leather chairs or the stools in front of the bar.

  “What did Killean have to say?” Ronan inquired.

  Leaving his empty glass behind, Saxon claimed the bottle and walked around the bar to settle onto one of the stools lining it. He set the bottle on the bar and fiddled with the label as he told them what Killean revealed to him.

  “Do we believe him?” Lucien asked when Saxon finished. Lucien’s onyx eyes were like chips of black ice when they met Saxon’s. “Or is he feeding us false information?”

  “I believe him,” Saxon said.

  “Why?” Ronan asked.

  Peeling away a piece of the label, Saxon laid it neatly on the bar as he spoke. “Because he doesn’t want our help.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything. Killean might not want our help because he’s safely ensconced with Joseph three miles from here and is simply waiting to attack,” Lucien retorted.

  “Then why call in the first place?” Declan asked as he twisted a lollipop stick between his fingers. A strand of his dark auburn hair had fallen into one of his troubled, silvery-gray eyes.

  “To learn what we’re doing,” Nathan said.

  “He didn’t ask about any of us,” Saxon replied. “He didn’t ask if we were still here or if we moved after he left.”

  “Be
cause he might already know we didn’t move,” Lucien said.

  Lucien could be right, but Saxon refused to let his pessimism deter him. “He called to give me the information he has in case they don’t make it out of Vermont.”

  “He really has Simone?” Kadence whispered.

  “Yes,” Saxon said. “I spoke briefly with her. They turned her, but Killean said she’s not a Savage. He freed her before that could happen.”

  “And he could be lying about that too,” Lucien said.

  “Is he a Savage?” Nathan asked.

  “I’m not sure what he is. I don’t think he’s one of them, not entirely, but he’s not the same man who left here.” That was easy to discern by talking to him. “How different he is, I don’t know.”

  “What about the other hunters Joseph took?” Nathan inquired.

  “Killean couldn’t save them.”

  Vicky rested her hand on Nathan’s arm when his shoulders slumped and sadness filled his blue eyes.

  “Killean told me to look into a wedding reception in Vermont,” Saxon said. He told them about the reception Killean and Simone fled from. “He’s not sure of the location, but he thinks it ended in a fire with no survivors.”

  “That shouldn’t be hard to find. I’ll get my computer.” Declan rose and left the room. He returned a minute later with a laptop and settled into his chair. Opening the computer, he tapped rapidly at the keys.

  “Were there other hunters turned into vampires in the past?” Ronan asked Nathan.

  “No,” Nathan replied. “I know our history, and that was never mentioned before.”

  “Could they have kept it a secret?”

  “If anyone knew about such a thing, it would be my line as we’ve always been in charge. Kadence was the first to make the transformation.”

  “If it did happen, could your ancestors have buried it to keep it hidden?” Ronan asked.

  “I’m sure they wouldn’t want that dirty little secret getting out,” Lucien muttered.