Tortured Embrace Read online

  “You couldn’t send your human to do it?” Adam asked. His lips curling as he clenched his fists.

  “I could have, yes,” he said, nodding, his face and tone becoming humorless. “But my ward’s anxiety was too much to ignore.” Cyrus looked to Evangeline. “What’s going on and where is it you want to go that has your fiancé ready to bust a nut?”

  Evangeline explained quickly, her words coming out fast and nervous as several Fighters muttered under their breath at the audacity of the vampire king entering their alpha’s home.

  “…It’ll be faster if I just go right now,” Evangeline was telling a thoughtful Cyrus. She turned away from him to face her mate. “I won’t get too close. I’ll come back with a description, but you’re going to need me there anyway. With the Nightwalkers, you’re outnumbered. I can help.”

  Fighting for control Adam said, “I can’t fight, find my sister, get her out of there, and protect you at the same time. Neither can the guys. I’m going to need their focus.”

  “You won’t have to. I can take care of myself. My mother’s been giving me lessons. The Transition Facility is teaching me to fight. Trust me. I’m useful.”

  “Damn it, Eva. You’re also impulsive. I won’t risk you getting hurt,” Adam shouted.

  “I’ll take care of that,” Cyrus said evenly, his face more somber now than ever.

  Adam’s brow crinkled as he glared at the king. “You think you’re coming too?”

  “Don’t misunderstand. I’m not fighting your battles, but if you think I’m going to let a species after my own kind sit pretty only miles away without checking it out you’re sorely mistaken. Besides, if my ward is going, I’m going.”

  Evangeline rolled her eyes, frustrated.

  Cyrus ignored her and continued to address a red-faced Adam. “She won’t be in harm’s way because I’ll order her not to be.”

  Growling, Adam said, seething, “She’s not going.”

  “Growl all you like, but you must see the advantage here. Victor and I will be on her like white on rice. You need her to get your sister out safe and sound.” Cyrus glanced at Evangeline, his black eyes twinkling slightly. “She’s faster than your lot. You and your Fighters will be busy.

  “Eva’s your best option to tend to Serena. She’ll get the girl and leave. I know she’ll want to stay and fight, but with me at her side she won’t be able to do anything impulsive.” He let out an exasperated breath when Adam snarled at him for flaunting his power over Evangeline. “Her safety far outweighs your hatred for me.”

  A long, odd silence ensued as every eye fixated on Adam and Cyrus. The Fighters all jerked as they picked up on Adam’s sense of hope, then regret, straight back to anger. They all looked back and forth from their alpha and the king in confusion.

  “Her safety is a necessity,” Adam suddenly said as if in answer to some unspoken question.

  Everyone stared at Adam, wondering why he was speaking out, till Jason remembered vampires could speak telepathically.

  Evangeline tensed and crossed to her mate. “What did he tell you?” She turned angrily to her maker. “What are you telling him? Speak up!”

  Cyrus simply glanced at her, his stony face impassive. When she turned to Adam, he looked like he was ready to vomit. “Fine,” Adam said. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”

  Swiftly, the vampire king’s mood shifted as though he and Evangeline were about to go on a picnic. Buttoning his sport jacket, he gave her a brief nod. “Very well then. Shall we, my sweet?”

  Evangeline turned a grave face to Adam. Then, without hesitation she went to him, held his face in her hands and kissed him fiercely on the mouth. Jason’s eyes flicked to Cyrus’ when he felt searing jealousy wash over him. When she pulled back, their alpha’s mate whispered, “Thank you. I’ll be right back, baby.” Adam leaned his forehead to hers, gripping the back of her shirt, his veins popping then let go.

  Turning to Cyrus, she said, “Ready.” In a flash, Evangeline, Cyrus, and Victor, the king’s manservant disappeared from the room.

  Pursing his lips, Adam stared at the place his mate had stood, a haunting look in his eyes.

  Danny spoke then, breaking the icy silence. “All right. Viola and Cameron, I think you can make your way out now. Once they get there we’ll have fourteen. Not ideal against a coven of thirteen and fifty or so jackals, but it’ll do.

  “Fifteen,” Kevin said, speaking up from the side of the room. “I can drive. That way you’ll have all your Fighters on hand in an hour and the transport you’ll need.”

  They stared, dumbfounded for a moment. Jason had forgotten the old man was still in the room.

  Stepping closer to the table, he looked around at all the questionable looks in his direction. “I can hold my own,” he said, his chest jutting out as he slid the sides of his jacket back, resting his hands on his hips.

  Anthony asked, a look of incredulity and humor on his face, “You pretty handy with that pistol there?” They all eyed Kevin’s early Smith and Wesson.

  Kevin gave him a stern, no-nonsense look. “Let’s just hope I don’t have to use it.” Then he looked to Adam. “I’m going, son. Let’s get on with the tactics.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Ramo rolled his shoulders back a few times to ease his taut muscles. It didn’t work. The longer he kneeled on the ground hunched over as he was, the more uncomfortable he became. Although, if he were honest with himself, he’d realize it wasn’t the cold ground making him tense. Hell. It wasn’t even the fight sure to come which caused his anxiety. He shook his head; trying to forget about the conversation he’d had with Adam the day of the moon heat.

  “Where’s Eva? Shouldn’t she be around here? And why the hell can I smell humans and those animals, but can’t see shit?” Alex grumbled next to him, stirring him out of his musings.

  He, Alex, and Jason were spread out low to the ground where the grassland sloped downward, a few nearby trees providing added coverage. They were positioned about fifty yards from where the Sweetin Home should be…only…there wasn’t anything around for miles. They each crouched behind a tree, staring at a wide clearing with dried grass but little else.

  Ramo spoke low, but knew the guys would hear him. “Eva said they didn’t find anything, but the stench of Nightwalkers.” His eyes scanned all around them. It was an odd feeling to smell and feel the emotions of the enemy nearby, but not see them. Could witches make themselves invisible?

  He was antsy to get the fight started. The sooner they made their move, the sooner he’d be out of his head. Hope flared as he thought of how distracted his alpha had become, first with Jason’s punishment, now this. He wasn’t an asshole, he knew they were pretty terrible things, but they would have surely put Adam’s mind off his earlier concern with the Grayback wolf pack.

  Most of the Graybacks lived in Chicago, and according to Adam, they’d suffered two unusual deaths in the past two weeks. The Grayback alpha described his pack members’ killings, which pointed to the Nightwalkers, confirming their suspicion other convenios were creating these species or Cassandra was sending them on their merry way to the city.

  As packs went, the Graybacks were all right, respectful enough to keep their distance, but always checking in to keep the Blacktails and other packs abreast of what was going on in the city. Different packs usually didn’t socialize. It just wasn’t in a wolf’s nature to buddy up with a were from another pack unless it was for alliance purposes.

  Ramo’s jaw flexed, his eyes hard on the vacant expanse of land in front of them.

  Fucking alliances.

  The image of the dark-haired girl sprung in his mind, her face was still blurry, but he couldn’t forget the long dark straight hair of his wife.

  Adam’s words from a few days ago played in his head. “You married her for a reason. We have to keep the bond tight, especially now. You’re going to the city, so deal with it.”

  As if it weren’t bad enough he’d had to marry outside of the Bla
cktails, but now he had to go make nice with this pack? I married the alpha’s daughter. Isn’t that good enough? Ramo thought angrily. Nope. Not according to his cousin. Adam was sending him to Chicago as soon as the smoke settled here.

  “Hey,” Alex whispered. “Look.”

  Ramo glanced his way. Alex’s dark eyes were focused on something high in the sky, jerking his head toward the top of a leafless tree, just about where the home should be.

  Finding the spot Alex was so fixated on, Ramo stared dumbly at a cluster of thin branches at the top of a tree. He was about to make a smartass comment when he noticed one of the branches disappear as the wind picked up then appear again out of nowhere.

  What the hell?

  They all watched as this same branch disappeared a few more times, sometimes taking another one with it the more the wind picked up.

  “The house is surrounded by a concealment charm.”

  “Fuck!” Ramo flinched as Evangeline’s voice spoke in his head, freaking him out. “I keep forgetting you can do that shit. Where are you?” he whispered heatedly, more than ready now to get his cousin out of here and face off with these fuckers.

  “Just east of where you are. You three are facing the front of the building. The charm isn’t impenetrable. It’s just meant to hide it from view. As soon as you’re within twenty yards of the house, you’ll hit it. I just texted you pics of the four entries.”

  He heard Jason speak low, knowing Evangeline’s vampire ears could pick up just about anything in the vicinity. “Got it,” he said, flicking his thumb over his cellphone screen, his face illuminated by the small light. “You three take the east entrance. We’ll take the west through the tunnel. Be careful.”

  “You too.”

  In unison, they stood up smoothly, Ramo and Jason reaching into their back pockets for their Glocks as Alex phased. The rush of the impending fight running through him, Ramo made his eyes shift, his mind completely clear now. The three of them moved silently in a V formation toward the concealment barrier with Jason at the lead, weapons out and at the ready.

  They all felt the magic of the barrier when Jason neared it. There was a slight humming sound in the air, and Ramo heard static when Jason stepped through it.

  Not too keen on letting his beta step into the unknown alone, Ramo was right next to him in an instant. He felt his body sucked into the invisible wall and in a second, he was through, staring straight at the front door of the Sweetin Home. It was like stepping back in time. The limestone building actually looked pretty decent compared to the photo on Alex’s laptop. Looking around, he half expected a horse and carriage to come down the dirt circular drive.

  Catching Jason’s signal to move left, they fell back into formation, listening out for any sounds of activity.

  In an instant he felt the rest of the Fighters break the barrier on the other sides, Viola and Anthony sending an encouraging vibe, which told them they were covered with .50 caliber sniper riffles aimed at the house.

  The sky darkened above them as they made their way along the side of the house. Neither of them made a sound, their light footfalls barely above a whisper. Jason found the small stream and the arch, which led into a tunnel. He felt his friend stiffen, his heart racing wildly and knew he was thinking of Serena escaping through this very tunnel weeks ago.

  Without another moment’s hesitation, he went in with Ramo right on his heels.

  ****

  The pounding in her head was nothing compared to the familiar pain burning down the front of her thigh. This couldn’t be happening again. No. She was dreaming. She was dreaming and any minute now she was going to wake up in Jason’s arms. He’d hold her and whisper soothing words in her ear.

  Opening her eyes, she cringed, knowing damn well it wasn’t a dream. The side of her face throbbed, and her left eye was practically swollen shut. What had Leonardo hit her with? There was no way the idiot could pack a punch good enough to knock out a werewolf. She could only spare her thigh a quick glance, too angry to even care what her condition was. The most important thing now was to get the hell out of here.

  Looking around the ballroom from the same wall she’d been strung up so many times, the witches all knelt together on the floor around Cassandra, Serena’s blood dripping off her bony fingers. The smell of the carcass on the sarcophagus wafted toward her, and she gagged.

  Refusing to fall into the numb existence she’d succumbed to so many times before, Serena searched the room for anything to aid in her escape. With Cassandra preoccupied with her spell, she wouldn’t be looking into her mind.

  As she turned her head left, her body jerked, heart slamming in her chest and she cried out, horrified at the sight blocked by her swollen eye.

  Ben’s lifeless body hung naked, limp, and grotesque next to her.

  Shutting her eyes, she spun her head away, her body beginning to shake as the sobs she was incapable of containing rocked through her. Bile rose in her throat as the image of her boss’s’ decaying form flashed in her mind. It would forever haunt her, and the agony she’d felt the night he died resurfaced, overpowering her.

  Fury and loathing, the likes of which she’d never known surged through her. Forcing her swollen eye to barely an open slit, she glared at the witches before her. “You sick bitch!” she cried out so forcefully, her throat actually ached.

  Cassandra smirked, but didn’t pause from her chant. The others didn’t dare look her way. Serena stared at all of them, wishing she could phase. For the first time in her life, the need to kill overcame any other thought. There was nothing but vengeance in her heart, and it mingled with the sudden sense of wrath and revenge she felt the moment her pack drew near.

  Hope flared in her chest. They were near and they were coming for her. Angling her neck back, she found the cherub in the ceiling and said a silent prayer for the Fighters, then cleared her mind. Her sole focus now was to remain calm and help her pack in any way possible.

  ****

  Jason stormed the damp bowels of the Sweetin Home with Ramo behind him, Alex taking up the rear, back in wolf form. He and Ramo chose to stay human in case they needed to access a section of the house like the small tunnel in an instant and to carry their weapons. They decided back at headquarters to enter this way, with some Fighters carrying weapons and the others phasing.

  He faltered as they came to a door on their left, his heart tightening as a familiar scent filled his senses. Staring at the floor, he couldn’t help but picture Serena huddled inside the god-forsaken room and didn’t have the courage to look inside. He felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Ramo point with two fingers up ahead.

  There were steps a few feet in front of them that led upstairs. Serena had said the stairs led to a hallway and ballroom. She must be in there as every room they’d come across had been empty.

  Jason charged on, only pausing once when a shout reached them.

  Serena.

  Anger filled him as her raging emotions reached him. She was shouting at someone. He felt her readiness to fight and panic set in. Hoping to God she wouldn’t be punished for her outburst, they surged on, ascending the stairs into a dark hallway.

  Light spilled out of a room up ahead and they pressed their backs to the wall, their eyes going in every direction, waiting for an attack from a witch or Nightwalker.

  Stopping just before the door, Jason leaned his head back against the wall for a second and took a deep breath, preparing himself for the horror he was about to witness. His body tight with tension, he angled his neck to look inside.

  The first thing he saw was a cluster of witches on the ground, surrounding a woman at their center. Ignoring this, he scanned the room till his eyes landed on a sight that would forever haunt his dreams.

  Serena, naked and bleeding hung on the wall by her wrists and ankles.

  Wolf eyes stung, his body trembled, as he stared fixated at his girl writhing in pain. Someone stepped on his foot, whispering for him to wait until they were all in posi
tion, but he couldn’t even find the energy to read his pack members in the other parts of the house. His sole focus was Serena. Jesus Christ. He had to get to her. Why was he still standing there? Suddenly he noticed Ramo and Alex whose clawed hands dug into his shoulder, restraining him.

  “Not yet, bro,” Ramo whispered in his ear.

  They pulled him back, his view of Serena now blocked by the wall. He was about to shove his pack members off him when the distinct sound of light footfalls hit the floor at the end of the darkened hallway.

  They all sniffed loudly, guns outstretched as two pair of glowing amber eyes appeared out of the darkness, making their way in their direction like four tiny bright orbs dangling in midair.

  The Nightwalkers advanced slowly with cool calculated strides, preparing to attack.

  “I got this.” Ramo made to move toward the Nightwalkers when Alex put a furry arm out, pushing Ramo back.

  He watched, with a sinking feeling in his gut as their pack member headed straight toward a species that could kill them in just one bite. They were strong in their human forms, but Alex had more strength in were form. Still, they held their guns out.

  They knew Alex didn’t want them using their weapons and alerting the witches just yet when the others weren’t in position. But fuck, the closer the Nightwalkers drew, the bigger they became. These were no ordinary jackals.

  They were mutations of jackals with fierce eyes and teeth, which rivaled the Weres. He gaped as Alex risked his life to keep them from being discovered sooner than they should. Fear for their friend held them frozen. Jason didn’t know if he should intercede or not. He didn’t know what move Alex was about to make, and he could quite possibly put him in more danger than he already was.

  Jason’s heart leapt to his throat when, simultaneously, the two Nightwalkers bowed low to the ground, then pushing off the floor, soared high through the air straight for Alex. Before he or Ramo could get a good angle for a shot that would miss Alex, the Fighter reached out catching them in midflight, clamping his ginormous claws around the necks of each Nightwalker. Squeezing with all his might, he choked the fuckers before knocking their heads together. Each fell limp in Alex’s grip.