“Bass, we’ve searched the area and found only two guards who appear to be holding people captive inside one of the cabins. It’s barred to prevent those inside from getting out. We’ve heard a baby crying, so there is bound to be more kids inside, but we’re also wondering if those left behind can protect themselves if we free them.”
“Is Cage talking with Jackson?” Bass asked.
“Yeah, he’s on the phone now,” John answered.
“Your thoughts?” Bass asked.
“Free them and see what we find inside. Doesn’t feel right walking away.”
“I have to agree with you. What’s Jackson say?” Bass replied.
John’s gaze met Cage’s. “So?”
“Jackson’s wondering what we do if we find only kids and the elderly inside?” Cage said.
John heard a rustle down the line, then Bass’s muffled voice before Katalina said, “Bring them home.”
“Kat says bring them home,” John relayed.
Cage grinned. “Heard that, huh?” Laughter burst from him. “Jackson says we’re not a rescue center.”
John put his phone back to his ear as Bass passed on Cage’s words. Katalina’s growl vibrated down the line. “Tell him to say that to my face.”
John tried and failed not to smile. “She doesn’t agree,” John answered for her politely.
“I’ll take them,” Bass sighed. Then his voice became quieter. “Happy now, Katalina?”
“Ecstatic,” he heard Katalina grumble.
“Bass is willing to take whoever we find,” John informed Cage.
Cage told Jackson, only to hide a grin of his own. “Jackson says he feels bad now. They’ll split them.”
“We’re getting first dibs,” John heard Katalina shout, loud enough for the six of them to overhear. Cage wisely chose to keep her comment to himself.
“So it’s agreed,” Bass said. “Take out the guards, then message through with what you’ve found. Okay?”
John and Cage met each other’s stares and nodded. “All good. Check-in soon.” John ended the call as Cage did his.
“How are we doing this?” William asked.
“One guy each?” Cage replied.
“Only fair,” John agreed.
“It’s so easy I’m bored,” Noah muttered.
“Cheer up, Noah.” Tyler patted him on the back. “The full battle will be here before you know it, and then you’ll be wishing for boredom.”
Laughter filled the air for only a second before the six wolves set to work. Silent, deadly hunters slinking through the trees, their death blow delivered swiftly and without mercy.
Inside the old wooden building, they found ten people. Five of which were children, two seemingly over sixty, and the remaining three, teenagers of between thirteen and seventeen.
The two eldest teenagers stood their ground as they opened the doors, wolves shining in their eyes, hiding the fear that wafted off them in waves. The elderly ushered the children into the corner, them too willing to die to try and protect the innocent lives of the young.
“We’re not here to hurt you,” John said gently, his body softening as he took a step toward them palms up. “I’m John, second to Bass Evernight of Dark Shadow.”
A hushed gasp broke out over the tired, beaten group.
Cage stepped forward. “River Run and Dark Shadow offer you sanctuary.”
Whispering broke out, along with fearful and yet hopeful glances. The middle teenager stepped forward, his voice firm, gaze determined. “How do we know if we can trust you? Castor was from Dark Shadow and look what he did to our home.”
“Castor was cast out because he did not agree with Bass’s desire for peace,” John answered.
“Why would we free you if we intended to kill you?” Mia added, stepping up beside Cage. “We are here to help. Let us.”
“What’s your name?” John asked the middle teenager.
“Theo.”
“I take it you’re in charge?” John asked. He was young, but he was also the only one with a sense of dominance.
He laughed bitterly. “Yeah, that’s me. The fifteen-year-old leader.”
An older lady, her hair silver-gray and face wrinkled with age, stepped up, her hand landing on Theo’s shoulder. “I’m Josie, and this is my grandson. We’ll accept your offer of refuge. Thank you.” Bringing her lips to her grandson’s ear, she whispered something John couldn’t hear.
Theo’s shoulders slumped, his breath rushing out of him, as she did,, as if the weight he’d been carrying was suddenly lifted and he could finally rest.
“Castor took all our best fighters. Killed those who refused to stand with him and left us here as bargaining chips,” Josie explained.
“Their parents?” Mia murmured as the children began to venture out of the cabin, their faces drawn and dirty, their clothes near tatters.
Josie’s gaze filled with sorrow. “Some dead, others with Castor.”
John took them all in, his heart heavy in his chest. The predator snarled within, his need for justice akin to his need for breath. Castor had destroyed so many lives, and if they didn’t stop him, he’d carry on his reign of terror, collecting power as he went, not caring about the damage he left in his wake.
“Collect all you can. We need to leave as soon as possible,” Cage instructed.
The others split off to help, and as John took a step to do the same, a small bundle in ratty clothes shot toward him and attached himself to his leg. Laughing, John looked down at the little barnacle.
“Hey, little man, what’s your name?” John asked, ruffling his greasy hair.
“He doesn’t speak,” answered a timid little girl of around ten. She hung back, her thumb in her mouth as she watched John with the barnacle. “They killed his mom in front of him, his dad too.” Her eyes were empty, detached, as if they weren’t talking about murder at all.
Bending down, John pulled the little boy into his arms, who attached himself around John’s neck. “I’m sorry that happened,” he told the little girl. “What’s
