Chapter 19

I ran through the field behind the motel with a lighter in one hand and a paper bag full of fireworks in the other. I reached the back of the motel and used the garbage bin and a handy rain gutter to climb to the roof. I crawled to the edge on my hands and knees and voices rose to meet me.

“Where's Kaynan?”

My heart slowed at the remembered pain and fear associated with that voice. I pushed down the urge to phase and jump off the roof into the midst of the men massed below. Dr. Tannin waved a gun toward Jaze, Jet, Brock, and Mouse who had climbed from the SUV. A dozen men stood around the group, armed and waiting for Tannin’s orders.

“I don't know,” Jaze said, his tone mild. “Troy said there was a group of thugs here, so we came to join in the fun.”

“Where's Grace?” Jet asked in the same level tone.

Dr. Tannin's shoulders tightened. “In the van, waiting for Kaynan,” he replied. He indicated a black van close to the edge of the motel.

“You better not've hurt her,” Brock said with a fierceness that surprised me.

“She's sedated with silver, along with her brother’s pack who’re currently sleeping off the effects in their room. I'll do the same to any of you who stand in my way.” The doctor brandished his gun. “Although this is loaded with silver bullets instead of tranquilizers; too bad werewolves have such an acute weakness. It really does add a chink to your armor.” His voice rose. “Lucky for you, Kaynan, we were able to fix that. Unfortunately, we couldn't take away your heart. Your friends are your true weakness.” He aimed the gun at Jaze.

I lit a firework, threw it back in the bag, then tossed it into the middle of Tannin's men. Sparks flew out, then fireworks lit and rockets went racing everywhere. My friends dove back into the SUV while Tannin's men ran for cover. Tannin swore and ducked under the motel awning.

Jet used the distraction to take down the first two men near him. He punched a third in the chest hard enough to stagger him back, then spun and kicked a fourth across the jaw, knocking him out cold and sending the gun flying from his hand. Jaze and Mouse followed close behind, taking down two more in a synchronized attack of punches and kicks. Brock waited near the SUV and watched the werewolves clear the area with swift efficiency. A door to a motel room nearby opened at the commotion, then shut again quickly followed by the sound of a bolt being turned.

Unable to stay out of the fight any longer, I jumped from the roof and landed on two men with guns, then bowled another one over with brute force. I picked up the body of a man Jet had taken down, grabbed him by the ankles, and swung him around to take out two other men; I then picked him up again and threw him at two more. They fell backward against one of the SUVs hard enough to dent the side.

“We have got to teach that werewolf how to fight,” Jaze said as he finished another man. His arm bled from what looked like a knife wound, but he ignored it and fought next to Jet.

“Looks like he’s doing fine to me,” Jet replied. I glanced up to see him drop one man with a straight punch to the jaw, kick another in the head hard enough that he turned a full circle before falling to the ground, then drop to his knee and uppercut a third man in the groin hard enough that I think everyone within hearing winced.

I turned to meet three more attackers.

“Stop!” I jumped at a gunshot and glanced over to see Dr. Tannin holding a gun to Mouse’s head. I rose slowly from my crouch and lifted my hands.

“Everyone freeze where you stand.” He met my eyes, his own cold and calculating. “Except you, Kaynan. You get in the van with Grace and I’ll let everyone go without a scratch, or more scratches than they already have.” He threw a wicked smile at Jaze and I fought back the urge to wipe it from his face.

I was the closest to Mouse, and they stood a few feet to the right of the van Dr. Tannin indicated. Mouse met my eyes, his own filled with terror but also with a edge of steel that surprised me. “Save her,” he mouthed, his gaze burning into mine.

My heart turned over at the thought of a bullet burying itself into the quiet, brilliant werewolf’s brain. Dr. Tannin would kill him without a second thought, of that I was certain. I took a step toward them. Dr. Tannin smiled, thinking I was headed for the van. I walked closer and the edges of his eyes tightened. His lips creased and he pressed the gun harder into Mouse’s skull.

“I’ll kill him, Kaynan. Don’t push me,” he threatened.

I shrugged. “Do what you want with him. You hurt Grace. It’s you I’m after.”

His eyes widened and he turned so that Mouse was between us. “Stop right there!”

I closed the distance quickly. “You destroyed her life once, Tannin. I’m not going to let you take her again.”

He backed up, pulling Mouse with him. I met Mouse’s gaze, then looked at the ground. He gave a barely perceptible nod, then stumbled as if he tripped. Dr. Tannin aimed down at him, but I crossed the last six feet in a blur. Dr. Tannin looked up and his eyes widened; he aimed wildly, then shot.

The bullet tore into my chest. I gasped at the pain, then bowled the doctor over. He fell to the ground with a yell and the gun left his hands. He rolled with the force of the blow, looked around blindly, then struggled for the gun that landed a few feet away. I grabbed his ankles and pulled him back. A yell of terror escaped his lips.

“You've messed with your last werewolf, Doctor,” I growled in his ear. I put my hands on either side of his head, wanting more than anything to end his life and stop the terror that filled Grace’s blind world. My conscience warred with the wolf instinct to destroy any threat to my loved ones.

“Wait,” Dr. Tannin protested. “Your sister.”

The words sent a jolt of surprise through my body. “What about her?” I growled. My hands shook with the effort to stay human and not rip out his throat.

“She’s waiting for you.”

My heart slowed. My breathing stopped. Everything in the world held still for the moments it took for his words to sink in. “What did you say?” I whispered.

“Colleen’s at the Development Center. She’s waiting for you.” His voice took on a note of triumph now that he knew he had my attention. “I promised her I would bring you back. She misses you.”

I shook my head, denying his words and the surge of agony they brought. “You have my sister?” I asked in disbelief.

He moved his head and I let him go and backed up, staring. He rubbed his head, then rose on his knees and turned around to face me. “She told me to tell you she forgives you.”

Cold washed through me. A growl ripped from my throat and I rose, stalked the few steps to the waiting van, then grabbed one of the back doors with both hands and pulled with the force of the anger and adrenaline that flooded my veins. The door creaked on its hinges, then ripped free. A primal yell tore from my lips and I threw it as hard as I could. The door sailed across the parking lot and embedded into the trunk of two trees. The trees shuddered and several leaves and branches fell to the pavement.

My heart turned over at the small form in the back of the van.

“Kaynan?” Grace’s hand lifted and I took it.

“I’m here.” I picked her up gently and carried her from the van to Jaze’s SUV.

“Get in,” I said to the others with barely concealed rage.

“Where are you going, Kaynan? She’s waiting for you. I promised her we’d bring you back with us,” Tannin yelled behind me.

I turned and crossed the parking lot until I stood nose to nose with him. He glared at me, a light of triumph in his eyes. My limbs burned hot with rage at his defiance and attitude that I owed him something. I clenched my hands into fists, barely able to remember that I needed him alive. A growl ripped from my throat and I stomped on his ankle. A loud snap sounded and Dr. Tannin let out a cry of shock and pain as he grabbed his foot. “Just to make sure you don’t go far,” I said between gritted teeth.

“I made you,” Dr. Tannin yelled, crouched over his ankle. “You’d be dead without me.”

I grabbed his broken ankle and dragged him across the parking lot to the SUV, then tossed him in the back where he cowered in the corner, true fear showing on his face for the first time. Jaze met my eyes with a searching look, but didn’t say anything.

I slid into the vehicle, pillowed Grace’s head on my lap, and shut the door. Mouse started the engine and drove us slowly from the parking lot.