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Callum forced himself to his feet. His knees wobbled, but he ignored it, wanting to see what was going to happen. Sophie stood next to him. He put his arm out, keeping himself protectively in front of her.
At least ten men marched toward them holding tasers and clanking chains. Callum balled his fists at his sides. This couldn’t be good.
The hunters stopped in front of the door.
“Get back,” one of them said, holding his weapon at the ready.
Callum took a step back and Sophie followed his lead. A man stepped forward and unlocked the cell door. He tossed a chain at Sophie then to Callum. They weren’t just chains, but handcuffs and ankle shackles. “Put them on.”
Sophie stared at Callum with wide eyes, and he gave her a nod, now wasn’t the time to fight. There were too many of them. It would serve them better to cooperate for the moment so they could stay conscious long enough to come up with a plan that would work.
He let out breath when she bent over to pick up the chains, securing the cuffs to her feet first then to her wrists. Callum did the same. He left the shackles loose enough on his joints that if he got the ability to shift back he could, hopefully breaking the bindings in the process.
The hunter nodded at them and moved with his back against the bars until he stood behind them.
Another man stepped inside, holding two needles. “Don’t move a muscle.” He popped the top of the syringe with his teeth and jammed the pointy end into Callum’s bicep, effectively squashing any hopes he had of shifting anytime soon. Then he did the same to Sophie. She winced but didn’t say anything as he plunged the needle into her arm.
The man behind them nudged him. “Now go. Slowly. Sophie first. Don’t try anything funny either.”
Callum watched as Sophie took a few steps forward, waddling as best she could in her constraints. He followed after her. She stopped next to the hospital bed and went to lean forward.
“Keep moving,” a hunter said as he shoved her forward.
“But—”
“Now!” The man shoved her hard enough to make her stumble.
“I just want to say goodbye,” Sophie said.
The hunter’s hand whipped up, connecting with her face. She cried out and fell backward, colliding with the metal bars as she struggled to find her footing.
Callum roared as he moved forward. Several tasers pressed against his skin, sending charges racing through him. He grunted as he collapsed to his knees. Hands grasped him, hauling him back to his feet.
“Keep him conscious,” one man said. “I don’t feel like dragging his heavy ass across the complex.”
“Walk,” another man said, shoving him forward.
His muscles contracted painfully as he moved forward. If he weren’t as large as he was, the jolt would have incapacitated him completely.
They were led out into the sterile white hallway and Callum had to blink against the offensive brightness of the lights. The hunters led them through the complex, down winding hallways until they reached a garage. A large truck with a semi type trailer sat in the middle with its metal doors open.
“Get in,” a hunter said, shoving Sophie from behind.
“You too,” the man from behind him said.
He walked up the ramp and took a seat on a metal bench that had been screwed into the floor. Sophie sat down and stared at him from the opposite side.
A door clanged shut and they both turned. Another man, most likely a shifter, was being led to their truck too. Callum had never met the man before, but there was something familiar about him.
He nodded at the newcomer, silently asking Sophie who he was. She shrugged in response and motioned with her hands.
The man stumbled up the ramp and eased himself down on the bench next to Callum. He grunted and leaned back, sticking one leg out in front of him. Blood seeped through the white linen on his thigh.
Callum turned his attention back to the hunters, watching as they rolled the ramp up and someone tugged each door shut. The truck rocked back and forth and he heard a clicking sound, which he assumed was some sort of a lock. Then someone tapped on the outside of the truck and an engine roared to life.
They lurched forward, causing the three of them to bob back and forth.
“Where are we going?” Callum asked his eyes on Sophie.
She swallowed and closed her eyes. “I don’t know. I thought they might move us. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Do you know where their facilities are?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I’ve never seen. I’ve only ever been allowed on the outside one time and that complex wasn’t like any of the others.”
“They’ve been moving me around like crazy the past few weeks,” the stranger said. “I’m Terrence Monroe.”
Monroe. That’s why he looked familiar. “Do you have a sister?”
Terrence regarded him for a long moment. “Two of them. Why?”
“Tess?” There was no way he would forget the fiery leopard that had sent the wolves of Sanctuary in an uproar.
“Is she...”
“She was fine the last I heard. I believe there were some others from your group.” Callum sighed, trying to remember. The harder he tried to, the more his head hurt. Had the hunters done something to mess with his short-term memory? He remembered Tess, but the rest was kind of foggy. “It’s been a while, though.”
Terrence said something under his breath that sounded like a prayer.
“Any ideas how to get out of here?” Sophie asked.
“I tried the last truck I was in. There’s an electric barrier around the door. From what I could tell, the truck is active as long as it’s turned on. I don’t recommend touching it,” Terrence said.
“Great,” Callum said. There went that idea.
“So we sit and wait?” Sophie asked.
“There are three of us. I say we use this time to gather our strength and attack when we stop.”
“In the past, when we’ve moved facilities the trip has been long,” Sophie said.
“Good.” Callum flexed his hands. Hopefully it would be long enough, the drugs they used to stop them from shifting would wear off. Then they could give the hunters a reason to try to use their tasers.
***
Sophie jolted awake, groaning as her sore body sat straighter. The inside of the truck was still dark. Callum and Terrence sat across from her, and both looked around. They were sitting taller, alert. It took her a moment to realize why.
The vehicle had slowed to a crawl. Her body lurched forward as it came to a stop. A few seconds later the truck rolled forward a few more inches before stopping again.
“Traffic?” Callum asked.
“We’ve been on the road at least twelve hours by my count. It might’ve been longer. I think I dozed for a bit,” Terrence said.
Twelve hours? How long was I out?
The vehicle inched forward again.
“Do you hear that?” Terrence asked.
Sophie tilted her head to the side, focusing. Voices from the main cabin seeped into the back where she sat. It sounded like they were getting louder too. What was going on out there?
“It’s some sort of a police traffic stop,” Terrence said. A smile slipped over his face. “What do you say we make sure our truck gets pulled over?”
“Good idea,” Callum said.
Sophie wanted to ask what their plan was but both men stood and began banging on the metal wall and yelling loudly. She stood too, rocking up on her heels and then turning to follow the other twos lead.
Her hand thumped against the metal and she screamed. “Help! Please somebody!”
The voices drew louder and shouting erupted on the outside. Had someone heard them? She yelled louder, hitting the wall harder. She had no idea what they’d tell the police if this worked, but anything had to be better than what the hunters had in store for them.
“Shut up,” one of the hunters said as he banged on the wall separating them and the driver cabin.
Their plan was working. They were drawing attention to the vehicle.
Sophie didn’t have long to celebrate. The truck lurched forward, causing her to fall to her hands and knees. She grasped the bench for support as the vehicle sped up, thrashing her about. Her body pitched forward and she bashed her face against the bench.
A cry got stuck in her throat as sticky warmth coated her brow. She clasped the bench tighter, screeching as they hit a large bump. Her body was catapulted into the air and crashed back down into the unforgiving metal.
Callum made his way over to her. He wrapped one arm around her waist and held on to the bench with the other, positioning his long legs so his feet were braced against the far wall, offering her some support. She burrowed into him, clasping the fabric of his top tightly.
The truck lurched to the right, tilting. Callum held her tighter. She screamed. They tipped to the side and she and Callum fell forward, landing against the opposite wall that was now on the ground.
Their speed increased, seemingly out of control. It was impossible to know what was going on without being able to see outside, but it felt like they were sliding down a steep decline.
A loud crunch sounded, sending a ripple all the way through the truck. The back section swung around, sending both her and Callum rolling around the back. Its doors swung open and together they fell, tumbling down the length of the trailer.
Sophie shrieked, realizing there was nothing but abyss below them. She thrashed, desperately reaching for the bench’s legs, anything to catch herself. It was within her grasp. She wasn’t fast enough.
Her body plummeted out of the truck. Something tugged on her wrists, wrenching her arms painfully. Her downward fall stopped and she gasped, kicking her feet as she dangled over the ravine below. It was at least a hundred feet down, probably more. If she fell, she’d die.
“Stop kicking,” Callum said.
She looked up, realizing he’d caught her by the chain that was wrapped around her wrist. He’d barely managed to hang on himself. His fingers gripped the edge of one of the doors so tight his knuckles had turned white. Blood seeped from both her wrists where the metal had bit into the skin from the force.
“I got you,” he said, nodding at her.
“Are there any rocks? Anything for you to grab onto?” Terrence asked.
Sophie glanced up. Somehow the other shifter had figured out a way to perch in one of the corners under the bench, using the bars securing it in place to stand on.
“Yeah.” Callum grimaced as he adjusted his grip on the chains she hung from. The hand that clung to the door shook as he moved his fingers.
Oh god. What if he loses his grip?
“Sophie, you’re going to have to jump.”
Sophie twisted so she could see the rock formation to the right and a few feet below her. It was steep with barely any rocks or branches to cling to.
“I’m going to swing you. On three, I’ll toss you as much as I can,” Callum said.
Sophie gulped. It sounded like a horrible plan, but it was better than hanging over the ravine. There was no way either of them could climb back inside the truck. The entire trailer was hanging over the edge and there was nothing for them to grab even if they wanted to attempt crawling back in. “Okay,” she said her voice coming out more of a croak.
“Ready?” Callum asked.
No!
This was crazy. But she knew they couldn’t stay like this forever. “Okay.” She drew in a deep breath.
The cuffs bit further into her wrists as Callum moved her backwards. “One.”
She swallowed as he swung her forward, squeezing her eyes shut.
“Two.”
Her eyes popped open and she narrowed them, zeroing in on a piece of rock that looked like it had a few places she could grab.
“Three.”
Callum launched her toward the cliff. She inhaled deeply, reaching out. Her body collided with the cliff. Pain exploded throughout her chest, making it hard to breathe. Ignoring the heat, she clawed at the rock until she found her grip.
Her wrists screamed in agony as she hauled herself up, rolling onto the formation and staring up at the brightness of the sun overhead.
“She okay?” Terrence asked.
“Yeah. She made it,” Callum said. “You should go next. I’m bigger and I don’t have the reflexes the two of you do.”
Sophie rolled over and pushed herself to a stand. Her body screamed in protest, but she had to make room for the other two.
“Nah. You go first,” Terrence said. “If I come down it could shift the weight too much.”
Sophie bit the inside of her lip as she took in the truck. She couldn’t see the cabin, but she’d been right in her earlier assessment. The entire trailer hung over the edge. God only knew what it was hanging on, if anything at all.
“Go ahead. We don’t have time to waste,” Terrence said.
Callum moved, which caused the whole truck to teeter on the edge. Sophie bit her lip harder, causing a coppery taste to flood her mouth.
The werebear lifted his legs and then swung them back, gaining quick momentum. He swung forward and lifted his legs again. Sophie gasped as the truck rocked forward, lowering a few more inches.
He moved forward and leapt. Sophie reached out to help him, screaming when he missed the edge she’d clung to. She tried to reach him, but he was too far away. He fell, but somehow managed to catch himself several feet below her.
Sophie lay down on her belly and slithered forward, leaning over the edge. She offered her hand down to him.
He gritted his teeth as he looked up at her.
“Everything okay out there?” Terrence asked.
“Yeah,” Callum said. “Go ahead and start making your way down.”
The truck creaked and Sophie eyed it before focusing on Callum.
“Sophie, listen to me, you need something to hold your weight or I’ll pull you right over and we’ll both end up in the ravine,” Callum said.
Sophie glanced around. She shuffled to her left and put her hip against a rock, pushing the whole of her weight into it. That would have to do.
Callum eyed her for a long moment and she hesitated, wondering just how much he weighed? He was big – at least a foot taller than her and burly. It wouldn’t surprise her if he weighed double what she did.
He reached his hand up before she could think about it too much. Her fingers curled around his. She grunted as she tried to lift him as best she could. He helped too, then caught the rocks with his other hand and let go of hers. She scurried out of the way as he hauled himself the rest of the way up and over the ledge.
The bear drew in deep breaths as he clambered to his feet. “You okay?” he asked as he eyed her.
Her body felt like it had hit the rocks a hundred feet below, but she wasn’t going to tell him that. “I’ll be all right.”
“Good.”
The truck creaked and they both turned. Terrence had made his way to the edge of the trailer and was peeking out at them. The vehicle inched forward and he grumbled beneath his breath.
“Jump!” Callum said.
Terrence launched himself forward, his legs tucking up as he soared through the air and landed in a squat by their feet. The truck groaned and slid forward further. Sophie covered her mouth as it continued to move, picking up momentum until it toppled off the edge.
The two hunters were still in the cabin. Unconscious or dead, she had no idea. The truck flipped once then struck the ground with a loud crunch. Fire erupted and there was another loud bang as the flames licked their way over the entire truck.
“We should get moving,” Callum said. “The police at the checkpoint will want answers. And I’m sure there are more hunters around, too.”
“Agreed,” Terrence said.
“Where are we going?” Sophie asked.
“Anywhere,” Callum said as he picked up a large rock that was as big as her head. “Let’s get our cuffs unshackled so we can move better. Put your hands here, Sophie.” He indicated a long flat surface.
Sophie knelt down and placed her hands as far apart as she could on the surface. Callum struck the chain with the rock, snapping it in two. She moved so her feet were on the slab, and Callum released them.
While Callum and Terrence took turns freeing each other from their bindings, Sophie scoured the ground for a sharp object. A pointy rock lay in the dirt and she picked it up, pressing it against her skin. The jagged edge bit into her flesh. Rivulets of blood dotted the surface. She groaned as she pressed deeper until she was able to reach the transmitter in her wrist.
“I didn’t realize those were there,” Callum said, rubbing his wrist.
“It’s how they knocked us out the first time we ran,” she said handing the rock over to him.
She watched as both men took their turns removing the device before they looked at the steep rock wall before them.
“Can you climb that?” Terrence asked Callum. “My reflexes are kicking in. Hell, I might even be able to shift soon. Sophie and I should be able to jump from these rocks and up with ease.”
Sophie followed his fingers to the rocks he pointed to. She frowned. His reflexes might be fine, but hers weren’t. She didn’t even know how to tap into her cat reflexes aside from her vision and hearing. The hunters had always kept her from using them.
“I’ll manage,” Callum said.
Terrence bounded forward, jumped, and then hopped to the top within a few seconds. Sophie’s jaw dropped and she tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear. He made it look so easy, but she’d never moved that way in her entire life. Part of her wondered if she could even do it.
“Take your time,” Callum said as if he’d read her mind. “Reflexes are instinct. They kicked in a few minutes ago when I tossed you. Don’t overthink it.”
My reflexes kicked in? Really?
She offered Callum a small smile before jumping to the first rock. Her feet landed on it, sliding a little, but she found her footing. Then she leapt up again, hopping from one rock to the next until Terrence grasped her by the upper arm and hauled her the rest of the way up.
Sophie peered down at Callum as he started his trek up the side. His muscles rippled as he climbed and pulled until he too had reached the top. She let out a sigh of relief when he stood up next to her.
Callum nodded at them. “We should get into the cover of the trees, then shift. We’ll be faster. It’s only a matter of time before humans and hunters bear down on this location.”
“Sh...shift?” Sophie asked, her heart beating faster. What if she couldn’t shift? What if she didn’t know how? Was it instinct or did it take skill? She had no idea, and was about to ask when the sound of a motor caused them all to turn.
“Come on.” Callum took her by the hand and pulled her into a run alongside him.
The rough ground tore into the soles of her bare feet but she pressed forward. She was free and there was no way she was going to let whoever was coming catch her.
Within a few seconds, they’d reached the cover of the trees. Terrence slowed his pace and turned to them. “Do you think you can shift? I think the adrenaline from the crash and our little sprint helped the medicine wear off faster.”
Sophie’s eyes widened and she glanced from Terrence to Callum then back again. She’d never shifted in her life.