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“The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy.”
-Carl von Clausewitz-
Daniela
It takes us the better part of twenty minutes to look around, without finding anything. I’m about to give up, when Luz whispers, “Dani, what about your magic?”
I shake my head. “Tytus didn’t teach me everything, I wouldn’t know where to start.”
She pauses for a second, then says, “What about claws? You’ve done that before, morph only your hand. Do you think Thiago will sense it?”
I chew on my bottom lip for close to a minute, then shake my head. “It might work. But just in case he does, we’ll have to be ready.”
“Okay. Free my feet first if you can. I’ll use them to kick and buy us time.”
A chuckle escapes me. “Good point.” Then I focus on my hand, letting the change come over it. One claw digs into my back, but I grit my teeth against the pain.
“Ready. Don’t move now, I’m going to shuffle near your feet.” Inch by painful inch, I move closer, until I feel her boots. Then I raise my hand to be level with the rope tying her, and cut through.
It takes a few tries, then Luz wiggles her feet. “Awesome! Now, my hands.”
“I’m going to need you to move to me, though.” Luz does as I ask her, and again I make quick do of her bindings. “Okay, that leaves me.”
“I have an idea,” Luz says. Then she moves around, and I hear a zipper. Out of her inside pocket, she pulls a nail file. “I wouldn’t have been able to reach it bound, but it should be enough if I pick at the ropes to make them easier to break.”
“Worth a try.”
I hand her my feet and she goes to work. It takes close to ten minutes, and I start worrying we might not succeed. But then I feel the rope give way. I tug at it with my feet, and it snaps.
Luz grins in the darkness. “Now, hands.”
She’s just about done when the car comes to a harrowing stop. We smack into the sides, and my head hits the metal.
“What the hell?”
Ignoring Luz’s mutter, I look around for the latch that opens the trunk. Thiago must’ve done something, because no matter how much I feel my way around, it’s nowhere to be found.
“Luz...” The doors to the car open and slam closed, and panic seizes me. “Listen to me. I’m going to use magic to blast this open. Then you run – run as fast as you can. If you can bring help, do so. If not, get the hell out of here.”
Her hand finds mine. “I’m not leaving you to face this psycho alone.”
“He’ll kill you.” I feel tears on my cheeks, and footsteps resound outside. “We don’t have time for this. Just run, okay?”
Without waiting for her answer, I move as far back into a corner as I can. Luz does the same, curling up and covering her face. Then I hold my hands up to the trunk.
With my index finger, I draw a rune in the air. It’s something I’ve only ever seen Thiago do once, months ago. I’m not even sure it’s correct until it glows in the dark.
One, two... “Three.”
A blast of burgundy light escapes me, hitting the trunk and blowing it open. The next moment, I jump out, Luz right behind me. I turn to face Thiago, only to find him grappling with beasts.
They’re large like wolves, with dark fur and yellow eyes, tinged with red. And the scent – ugh!
I raise a hand when one comes closer to us, but Luz grabs it. “No! Wait. I don’t... I think they’re here for me.”
And in front of my stunned gaze, the massive, scary creature sits down and tilts its head to the side. Its eyes are focused on Luz, and they’re not filled with hunger but...reverence.
Tristan
“What do you mean, figures?”
Instead of answering me, Tytus opens the door and steps out of Dom’s truck. Lucas is also out, followed by Finn. I’m about to join them, but Dom reaches for my arm.
“You okay?”
I nod tightly. “Yeah.”
“Cause you weren’t, for a second there.”
A sigh escapes me, and I rub at my face. “It’s these damn nightmares, man. Sometimes they seep in the daily. But I’m dealing with it.”
He nods, then looks away. A muscle ticks in his jaw. “I’m here if you ever need something.”
“I know.” Then my eyes get drawn to the outside, where Cade has stepped forward. “We better get out there.”
Dom steps out first and I join him, walking straight to Lucas.
“Don’t trust them.”
Tytus’ words are only for Lucas' ears, but since I’m behind them, it’s easy to eavesdrop. And harder to keep my mouth shut. “And why not?”
Tytus throws me a look, then straightens up and takes a step to the side. “Your funeral.”
I’ve never seen Lucas this pensive. His dark gaze levels on the Reapers, now led by Cade. Under our less-than-impressed faces, Cade morphs to human. Naked in front of us, he smirks.
“Thought you’d need a little help.”
“What for?”
“To get your girls back, of course.”
Lucas narrows his eyes. “And how do you know they’re missing?”
Cade shrugs. “We kept an eye on our territory. When those wolves came back, my scouts reported what they saw.”
Tytus snorts. “Reported, but didn’t help, hmm?”
Cade’s expression darkens. Those onyx eyes look dangerous, and I know this change for the Reapers is for the worst. Especially where we and the humans are concerned.
“Are you allied with the zmeu, now?”
Lucas glances at Tytus. “We do what we have to for our pack.”
“As did I,” Cade smirks. “I’m glad you understand that.” His excuse for the coup makes me want to hurl, but I hold back.
“Let’s get one thing straight,” Lucas says. “The Reapers’ business has never been mine to worry about. But if it impedes on mine or endangers my pack, it will be. Capisci?”
Cade holds his gaze for a moment longer. “I don’t speak Italian, but I get you.”
He holds his hand out to shake. The gesture makes me fear another episode, but nothing happens. My sigh of relief does not go unnoticed by Dom, who throws me a worried look.
I got you, my wolf whispers back.
Lucas stares at Cade’s hand. He doesn’t have to make a show of authority, it’s in his voice when he speaks. “And why would Reapers help us, of all things?”
Cade shrugs. “Wolf solidarity. Plus, the she-wolf was almost part of our pack.”
A low growl escapes me at the reminder. “I don’t recall you being there before, when we were trying to kick Thiago out of town. Why now?”
Lucas throws me a look to shut me up, but Cade only smirks. “Maybe it took us this long to realize we’d rather live in peace than fight a war.”
“That’s odd,” Dom says, sarcasm dripping with every word. I know this truce makes him uneasy, what with the Reapers’ stance on humans, and Luz being caught in the middle. “I thought the whole reason you killed Jared was because he was soft. What gives?”
Cade’s eyes flash, betraying his hate for a second. Then he catches himself and shrugs. “Hey, if you don’t want our help, no harm done.” He turns to leave. “We’ll be on our way.”
“No.” Lucas takes a step forward, extending his hand. “You’re welcome to join us, and we accept your truce.”
Cade turns and shakes his hand, grinning. Behind the outward peaceful exterior, I sense something that makes my skin crawl. I glance at Finn, who meets my gaze on the other side of Tytus. He shakes his head, but it seems more regretful than anything I’ve seen from him.
Shit.
Then Lucas nods to us. “We’re close enough to Bow’s Arrow. Let’s morph now, and we can go the rest of the way on foot.”
He shifts first, followed by Dom and Finn. Then they take off, following the Reapers. I linger behind, uneasy. Cade’s scent is all wrong, and after what he did to his own alpha, what’s to guarantee that he’ll stick by his word? Apparently, Lucas is willing to trust it. Which makes me wonder what else he’s not telling us.
“You are right not to trust them,” Tytus says. “Watch your backs. The Reapers in this for the same thing I am.”
Tytus steps back from me then, and it takes me a moment to realize why. He throws his head back, clenching his fists by his side. The same burgundy light of his magic envelops him, coating his entire body. He trembles, gritting his jaw as a snarl rips from his throat.
Then the mist hides him from my eyes, but he grows larger, and larger. He’s only a huge shadow, increasing in size, in the midst of a cloud of bloody ash. Within moments, all sounds stop, and an eerie silence descends.
With a roar, the zmeu escapes the mist, and with two beats of his powerful wings he’s up in the sky. Jaw gaping, I stare at him until he’s out of sight, wondering how I got to be the one witnessing a dragon shift.
After a few moments of stunned silence, I morph into my wolf form, and give in to the run. If Tytus is right about Cade’s pack and their motivation to help us, that begs another question. What the hell would Reapers need with a witch?
Daniela
“Umm, Luz?”
My voice has the unfortunate side effect of drawing Thiago’s glare our way. He’s on the opposite side of the car, surrounded by creatures. And once he notices we’re out of the car, and unbound, he starts walking towards us.
One of his hands is raised in a way that makes me think he’s about to use magic. I lift mine in response, ready to block whatever he’s planning to throw at us – never mind the fact I have no clue how to do that.
“They’re with me,” Luz whispers.
“How?” My gaze is drawn again to the gory creature.
“That’s Dom’s pack of vrykolakas.”
I recall then something Tristan told me about their last fight and how these creatures are bound to Dom and Luz. “How did they find you?”
“Dom told them to protect me, whenever I’m in danger. I guess...” She looks at them, noticing there’s about twenty in total. “That’s not all of them. They must have been looking for somewhere to hunt.”
Her attention falls on the nearby creature, and she motions for it to move closer. Step by step, as if afraid to scare Luz, it nears us. Then it plops down near her feet like a good puppy. Luz kneels in front of it, meeting its eyes.
I’m not at all comfortable with those massive canines near her pretty face, but it’s not like she’ll listen to me. Then her eyes widen, and she tilts her head to the side.
“Is that thing...talking to you?” I hiss back.
Luz doesn’t answer. A ray of burgundy light hits near her, scorching the ground too close. She yelps and steps back, and the creature moves, blocking her body – protecting her.
My human friend glances up at me with wonder in her eyes. “They felt me in danger, and came to help. Dani, this is our salvation!”
“I don’t suppose you know how to, um, order them about?”
She bites her lip, then meets the creature’s gaze again. “Attack?”
It stares back for a second, as if assessing the truth of the command. After a beat, the creature turns to the rest of them, and a hair-rising howl escapes it. A weird silence falls on the vrykolakas – then they all jump in action.
Half of them split in two teams, going after Thiago and his wolves. And the other half forms a semi-circle in front of Luz and, by association, me.
“It’s like we have our own security guards,” I whisper.
Luz grins my way, and reaches out to the pet one of the creatures. It leans into her, practically making her fall. The damn thing reaches her waist!
A blast not too far off draws my attention. Thiago’s closer to us, and there are far fewer obstacles in his way. Contouring the car, he keeps advancing. His expression is cold, fire burning within. I finally take a moment to inspect our surroundings, and notice the woods. My back tightens.
“What is it?” Luz whispers.
“We need to get out of here. Soon.”
The next blast from Thiago is aimed straight for Luz. One of the creatures jump up, and it hits him. Fur scorching, he falls a few feet away, whining.
“No!” Luz takes a step forward, but the vrykolakas by her side grabs her shirt in his canines and shakes his head.
“They want you to stay in the semi-circle,” I interpret.
Luz’s teary eyes focus on the hurt creature. “But...”
I shake my head, stepping around the semi-circle. Two of the creatures lift their eyes on me, suspicious. I raise my hands up. “Easy, I’m with you guys.”
Then another blast comes our way. This time, I’m on automatic. I write the rune, and catch the fire in my hands. Just like Tytus taught me, I roll it over and re-launch. My aim’s a bit off, but it’s enough to make Thiago stop and reconsider.
Luz’s voice comes from the side. “Dani...”
“What is it?” I can’t afford to break eye contact with Thiago.
“Why did you say we have to leave?” Her voice wavers and whatever it is, it can’t be good.
“Because this isn’t safe. We’re too close to danger.”
“Yes, you really are.”
I can’t explain it – not in the two seconds we have before Thiago attacks. But I know my brother didn’t bring me here to mate. He brought me here to sacrifice.
And the voice, at my back? She just confirmed as much. Because when I eventually turn to face her, I know I’ll be seeing the witch who gave us these freaking powers.
Tristan
I catch Dani’s scent and force onwards. My body shifts, growing larger. I intend to take down as many of Thiago’s wolves as possible. I just hope they’re not all privy to the bastard’s magic.
By my side, another wolf appears. I recognize Cade’s darker shade and throw him a look. What do you want?
He snorts and lengthens his stride. You can’t handle it, that your precious girl wanted to join the Reapers huh?
Fuck off.
I want to outrun him, but he’s faster still. Kinda rude to outrun a partner.
Shut up. Lucas may trust you but it doesn’t mean I have to.
Cade snorts again. And you shouldn’t.
Before I see it coming, he slams into my side, and I go spiraling down a ravine. We were at the back of the packs, and no one’s seen it. So I stand and shake myself off, then get back on the path. By the time I join Lucas, Cade is in the midst of his wolves acting like nothing happened.
Everything okay? Lucas asks.
You know it isn’t.
He’s silent a beat, then he pants, Yeah, but let’s get your girl first. Then we can deal with them.
Lucas and I exit first into the clearing, and we come to a dead stop. Dom joins us next, and Finn. Our stunned gazes take in the scene below.
A car is stopped in the middle of the otherwise empty road. Forests line it on one side, a cliff on the other. Its occupants are out and surrounded by twenty or so black creatures – their scent tells me they’re vrykolakas.
Did you call them?
Dom shakes his head at my question. No. I...
Then how did they get here? Lucas’ growl is plenty indication he’s not happy. I’m not surprised, considering the deal he had with Dom. Then again, we’re off our territory and the wolves aren’t really evil...anymore.
Dom’s silent, trying to assess the situation before he answers. His gaze lands on Luz, and the creature at her feet. Then he takes in the semi-circle around her. Holy shit. They came for her, like I ordered them to!
Lucas shakes his head. Go get them in line. Make sure they don’t attack any Reapers.
Dom takes off, and I take a step forward to follow him. Finn glances at the Reapers behind us, and Cade moves forward. Are those creatures with you?
Lucas nods. Yes, don’t hurt them. He pauses, as if weighing his words. The dragon will be with us, too. You’ve nothing to fear.
I see that flash again in Cade’s eyes, but it’s gone the second after. Then shouts from below draw my gaze. Dani’s facing some girl, and Thiago’s getting way too close for comfort. Lucas, let me go. She needs me.
He meets my desperate gaze, but holds back on the approval. I know it’s payback for earlier, for how I stepped out of line.
Please. The word is ash passing through our mental bond, but it seems to do the trick. Lucas nods my way, and I take off like lightening.
Daniela
I manage to shift my weight, at least enough to turn and be able to keep an eye on both Thiago and the witch.
She’s exactly how I remember her, only more bedraggled-looking. Her white hair streaked with purple is split at the ends, and a mess in dire need of combing. Her face is young, barely a few years older than me, but the dark circles under her violet eyes speak much of what she’s been enduring. The faded jeans and sweater can’t hide the bruises around her ankles and wrists, and I know where they come from. It’s the ropes my brother puts on her when he’s done getting what he wants.
Her gaze settles on me, filled with sadness. “Lower your hands and surrender,” she says and her voice is empty. Worse than empty, it’s dead.
“What did Thiago do to you?” I whisper.
She frowns at me. “Nothing I didn’t want.”
“That’s not true and you know it, Fiona.”
She gulps, and blinks rapidly as if biting back tears. Then Thiago’s voice comes behind me. “What the hell are you doing, capture them!”
Fiona lifts her trembling hand and starts drawing a rune. One of the vrykolakas moves at my back, presumably to protect me.
Then Luz takes a step forward. “Wait.”
Fiona looks at her, and her frown deepens. “You’re...human.”
Luz nods. “I am. My mate is a wolf. I’ve been where you are, before I met him. Fiona, you can fight back.”
“You can,” I add. “You just have to want to.”
Tristan’s right. Luz really sees the best in everyone, because I never bothered to look past it. Yet now I am. And I’m done letting my brother hurt more people.
“He branded me,” I whisper, taking another step in her direction. I throw a look to Luz and hope it’s enough to keep her where she is. The last thing I want is to put her in danger again. I shouldn’t have worried though. The vrykolakas by her side is doing a good job watching over her while the others time their attacks on Thiago, keeping his attention away from us.
My attention focuses back on Fiona. “He hurt you enough. Let me help you, free you. You never should have been stuck here.”
“I....”
Thiago’s angry shouts can be heard behind us, and Fiona looks ready to crumble.
“Don’t listen to him. He killed my father, drove my sister to kill herself. He ruined this pack and branded all the females like cattle.” My heart clenches at the thought of the pain I’ve left behind. One Fiona never had the luxury to escape. “I can help you, get you away from here. I’m here to kill Thiago and end this, once and for all.”
Her eyes fill with tears again and her gaze flickers behind me. I don’t look. “You have to run,” she whispers. “He’ll kill you.”
Then she glances over my shoulder again, and this time I can’t help but foolishly do the same. Fiona steps behind me in that second, wrapping an arm around my neck and tightening it. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she says in my ear. “But I need to do as he says.”
Then she lifts her hand, drawing another rune. “Stop!” She shouts to the creatures. “Or she dies.”
The vrykolakas around Thiago pause their attack, then turn their gazes to Luz. She’s gaping in open-mouthed horror my way.
And in front of my wide eyes, the rune Fiona drew vibrates, and morphs into a flaming dagger. The only thing worse than its size and dangerously-looking sharpness is the fact it’s pointed right at my heart.