They were heading to a hunting lodge way back in the woods on the other side of town. It was one of those huge vacation places that often got rented out for company team-building, or retreats for large youth groups. Not the fancy, expensive retreat style places, but one of the inexpensive man-versus-nature survivalist camping sort of places. Perfect for some low-life wolves who planned to kidnap people and hide out for a while and had a suspiciously large bank account.
Leo was looking into that.
"Faith, it will be neither safe nor entertaining when we get to this lodge, and you are not a trained warrior like we are."
Aldric's reasonable tone was about to get him a fat damn lip.
"In case you forgot, I'm not exactly a weak, helpless damsel in distress. I may not know how to be a badass ninja or whatever, but I still held off those damn rogues,” Faith was growling a bit herself now, and jabbing a finger into Aldric's chest.
She was also trying not to think too hard about how comfortable that chest had been to lean on when she was about to melt down earlier.
"Faith, I understand. Please believe that," Aldric took her hand in both of his own, stopping her jabs. "But this will be a battle, do not doubt that. People will get hurt, and likely killed. I do not want one of those people to be you."
He looked so earnest, so concerned about her wellbeing that she almost conceded. "Aldric..."
"I hate to say this, boss– like you don't even understand how much I hate it in this particular situation– but Faith might need to come with us," Ori said. He stepped into the office and Faith shivered at the change. She kind of preferred his lazy punk outfit. He was still dressed similarly to Aldric in black cargo pants, black t-shirt, and combat boots.
But the addition of what she assumed was a bulletproof vest and not one, but three guns strapped to various places, and the disappearance of his colorful mohawk under a plain black knit cap made him look very much the soldier.
That by itself wasn't what made her suddenly press into Aldric, but the big, vicious-looking knife he had strapped to his leg and the casual way he caressed the handle with his fingers, seemingly unaware he was doing it made her shiver. Aldric didn't help much when he turned a snarl on his subordinate and wrapped his arms protectively around her shoulders.
"Look, boss. I'm not just saying that to be a jerk. You know I would never put someone in danger just for fun," he said.
His eyes moved to watch Kenya walk in with Tamika, who was not dressed to go with them despite her protests, but had her arm bandaged up and resting in a sling. Faith hated to see it, and considered that there were more bandages under the baggy t-shirt and sweatpants. Kenya perched on the arm of the sofa next to Tamika who winced as she leaned back.
"Then why would you put Faith in harm's way?" Aldric growled.
Tamika sighed. "Probably because her sister doesn't know us from Adam, and if she's been held by wolves for days now, she's not going to take kindly to a whole bunch of strange new wolves showing up and trying to grab her."
"And even if Kaylee is right there next to her, whose judgement is Cristina going to trust more? Her preschooler or her sister?" Ori shrugged. "I'm sorry, man. I really am.“
"We will keep her safe, Aldric," Rod agreed, walking in with Marc, the last of their team going out on the rescue from here. "Anyone who can soften your edges even slightly is too important to risk."
Rod grinned at them and raised an eyebrow at how they were still standing. Faith felt her cheeks heat up. Kenya laughed and even Marc seemed amused.
"Listen, Faith," Marc took over the conversation. "If you get into any kind of trouble at all, just pull up that shield you used with the rogues and shout for all you're worth. We will hear you and come running, okay?"
Faith was nodding when Tamika chimed in. "And take that knife I gave you. Remember, paranormals bleed just as well as humans." She glanced down at her arm and grimaced.
“Wait, aren’t you supposed to still be at the clinic?” Faith glared at the woman who had just popped out from behind Marc.
“Like hell I’m sitting around in some exam room while y’all are going into battle. They’re not letting me come with, but I’ll be here on radio with Leo.” Tamika glared at Aldric who simply raised a brow at her and pointedly looked down at her arm.
"Come on, girl," Kenya stood and gestured for Faith to follow her out of the room. "I've got some spare gear, and you look about my size. How fast can you change clothes?"
An hour later Faith was crouched next to Aldric in the bushes outside a rambling wood-sided cabin. Aldric wasn't letting her far from his side, and she wasn't upset about it. Marc and Rod were not far from them, around the left side of the building, circling around and hoping to catch a scent of Crissy, Kaylee, or Jake that would tell them where they were being held. Ori and Kenya had practically evaporated into thin air as far as Faith was concerned. Aldric said they had gone around to the back.
"I can scent Kaylee and Jake for certain, and at least three wolves," Aldric whispered into her ear. He shook his head and she felt his stubble brush her ear. "I am not as sensitive as the wolves, but I can see several bodies in that front room there."
Faith glanced at him and realized that he was fully shifted into his vampire form. His black eyes seemed to suck the light into them, making the area around him feel darker. She noticed that his eyes weren’t just what she
