Cold Blooded

We crested the top and I raced across the expanse, bounding into the clearing where the small cabin stood before I realized I was even there. I skidded to a stop in front of the quaint structure. Moonlight cascaded down on the grounds and it looked as picturesque as I remembered. I moved forward and stuck my nose near the doorjamb and inhaled.

I could detect traces of vamps, wolves, and Selene, as well as residual smells from the battle we’d fought, but no humans had been here. It was a difficult place for them to access easily, but I wanted to be sure. I was tall enough to see inside the glass partition in the door, and it was just as homey as the image in my mind. A growl escaped, knowing there was food and a bed for us in the loft.

I turned slowly.

Rourke stood a safe distance away, his head up, nostrils flared. A low, menacing sound issued from the back of his throat, but it wasn’t because of any danger.

He was reacting to me.

I paced out from the cabin as he came forward.

One step at a time.

He notices we’ve changed. I wonder what our power feels like? As soon as we shifted back, I’d ask him, but it still made me wonder. Okay, I confess, you were right—we have more power than I realize on a daily basis—but I don’t necessarily think we’d win a battle against Rourke just yet. My wolf snarled. Please, we are so inexperienced. Someone like Rourke, who’s been fighting and honing his skills for centuries, would beat us. Power or no power. She bit the air in front of her. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It just means we need some polishing. And guess what? I know just the cat to help us. And that’s a lucky break if you ask me. The top fighter in the supernatural world is our mate. Score one for us.

Rourke sensed something.

His ears perked, and he took off into the trees. I followed, catching up as he slowed just outside of the cathedral of pine trees. This was the very same place where I’d made my second shift into a wolf and discovered he was my mate. This area had a special aura, heightened to me in this form. It vibrated with a quiet intensity. Natural circles, such as this one, were very powerful. This one was no exception.

I’d bet my life that Rourke finding this place had been no accident.

Ray’s new vamp signature was all over.

By the smell of it, Naomi had left less than five minutes ago, her scent just beginning to fade. She’d waited until she heard us, covering my ass like a champ. But I was glad she’d taken my order to leave seriously. Dealing with the Vamp Queen was going to take skill. She needed to be rested and ready before we took on that challenge.

Ray was inside the circle.

I followed Rourke through the trees, ducking my head to dodge the low-hanging branches. We both padded into the middle. The grass was neatly trimmed, which added to the uniqueness of the surroundings. It shouldn’t be this groomed, yet it was.

Ray was secured to a massive pine tree on the other side. Naomi had doubled his bonds with chains she’d found from Rourke’s stash. I yipped at Rourke and he huffed, unmoving, nodding once. I stepped closer, inhaling.

There was blood in the air.

I scented only Ray’s, but we had to make sure. His face was still caved in, but from my vantage point, it appeared to be healing. He was still out cold, thank goodness. I lifted my head to the starry sky, gauging it was about ten or eleven at night. There was still time, but we would need to get him out of the direct threat of sunlight before dawn.

Power vibrated around me.

I glanced over to see Rourke had begun to shift back into his human form. I dropped down to follow his lead but stopped when I heard his voice. “Jessica, don’t shift yet. Stay here. Keep your senses focused outward while I move Ray to a safer place. We can’t leave him here overnight. There’s another cave less than a mile away where I can hold him securely.” He stretched as he stood. “He’s not my first guest.”

I barked my objection. I wanted to go with them.

“It’s better for you to stay here.” He walked over to Ray. “I don’t smell anything brand-new, but there is a lingering scent of wolf that could be trouble.” He bent over and grabbed on to the massive padlock Naomi had used to secure Ray and crushed it with his fist.

He was completely naked.

Even though I thought he looked glorious nude, perfectly chiseled with hard lines and firm muscle, I hoped to the high heavens Ray didn’t wake up. If he does, he’s in for the first ever vampire cardiac arrest. I chuckled to myself and the sound came out in short snuffs.

Rourke wrapped the layers of chains around his chest and hoisted a still-unconscious Ray over his right shoulder. Well, at least the chains are separating all his parts from Ray. It afforded Rourke a little modesty. He disappeared into the forest and I trotted to the other side of the tree line closest to the cabin. There were a lot of smells, but none of them seemed particularly fresh.

Picking up a strange smell of mustiness, I followed the circle, weaving my way in and out of the trees. I walked outside to investigate and was just about to head back to the center to wait for Rourke when a low growl rent the air.

No more than thirty paces from me.

It sounded like a wolf, but I couldn’t see what it was.

I lowered myself into a fighting stance and cocked my head, lifting my nose. I still don’t smell anything clearly. Do you? My wolf was at attention, already standing sentinel against the threat. Can you detect any movement? We took a step closer. The growling increased and something rustled to my left. It rose off the ground slowly and shook itself off, and right as it began to move, its scent hit me.

An old, decayed smell almost fully masked its signature, but there was no mistaking who it was.

Hank.

How come we didn’t scent him before? As he shook his coat and paced forward, I realized why.

Hank had lain down to die.

He’d dug himself into the earth and had been covered in mud, pine needles, wet leaves, and moldy dirt.

There was no indication any other wolves were here. My father had told me before I’d left town that he’d dispatched two wolves to track and find Hank. As I inhaled once again, I opened my mouth, tasting the air. There was a very faint scent of death, but it wasn’t in the immediate area. Hank had likely killed them and taken their bodies somewhere days ago. We attack first and catch him off guard. It looks like he hasn’t eaten in a long time. I hoped that meant he was weaker than usual, because Hank was a fighter.

He growled at me, his eyes beginning to spark a deep amber.

My wolf pitched her muzzle in the air and we let out a deafening howl into the night sky, letting Rourke know there was trouble.

Then we sprang.

My claws hit Hank’s flank hard, tumbling us both down to the ground. He snarled, rolling away quickly, adrenaline aiding his fight-or-flight instincts. Hank was a mean wolf, which had always given him an edge, and he was getting his gumption back more quickly than I’d hoped.

He turned and lunged, snarling furiously, saliva leaking from his jaws. I’d just given him the only reason to ever emerge from his grave. To exact revenge. I’d killed his only son and this was his chance—his last chance, and likely one he didn’t think was possible until a few minutes ago—to avenge his son’s death.

I sidestepped him as he came at me, sinking my teeth into his hind leg and biting hard.

He yipped and stumbled forward and I rounded on him quickly. We are not losing this advantage. I want to be done with this … and him. I aimed for his neck, but he surprised me by lashing out and connecting with my head. His jaws were around me before I could blink.