Corrupt Cravings (38 page)

“You think so?” Samael’s fingers rubbed against the growth on his cheek, his evil smile still intact. Damn, that
fucking
smile was going to kill him. It said so many things without him having to say anything at all.

“She would want me back.”

“But what makes you think I would be the one to bring you back?”

“Because if you didn’t, she would summon me, and we both know you don’t want her to get busted by the big man.”

Samael took another drink and lowered the glass. “Dominic, I hate to bust the overconfident bubble you have going on, but Zepar wants you back. How long do you think he’ll wait? Even if you are Marcella’s leading knight and her mate, she still couldn’t risk your rescue until her plans are in place. How long do you think that could take?”

Donavon’s hand slapped against the table. “Yeah, bro, I think it’s best if you don’t bite the dust anytime soon.”

Samael laughed and took another drink of his scotch. Dominic tore his eyes from the glass. For the first time since he knew they were going to the fight, fear took over. What would happen if he got killed? He’d never been taken out before, but it was known to happen. Fuck. What a reality check.

* * * *

Ambrose watched the hours tick by on his Rolex. Sunset was quickly approaching. The majority of his vampires were already awake and waiting. The rest would be getting up any time now.

After Samael and Dominic’s little quarrel, the room had gone into silence and remained in that state. Everyone seemed to be going over their thoughts, and he wasn’t any different. There were too many “what ifs” that plagued his mind. What if he died? What then? Would Marcella bring him back? If she did, would he have to be reborn again or could she just stick his soul in another body? Would it be a dead body? Damn, he really needed to ask her how that worked. That way, if something ever happened, he’d be prepared.

“Ambrose, get the vamps ready. We need to head out in about ten minutes.”

He looked over at Samael and closed his eyes. Through his mind, he let out a call. It wouldn’t matter if the vampires were sleeping or not, they’d know of his need and follow his command. That was the beauty of being their master. Gwyn had gotten it wrong when she’d declined Marcella’s invitation. She had thought that since Marcy would be their queen, she’d ultimately lose power over them. That wasn’t the case at all. His servants still knew their place.

“They’ll be down shortly.”

“Amazing,” Donavon whispered. “They can hear you when you talk to them like that?”

“Yes.” Ambrose leaned against the wall and watched as the majority of the men paced.

“Can you make them do things? Through your mind, I mean.”

Shrugging, Ambrose looked at him curiously. “I’ve never tried. I’m assuming it wouldn’t be too hard, but I wouldn’t disrespect their free will by attempting it. Why?”

“Just wondering. That’s all. So I hear you have one hell of a bite. That true?”

Ambrose laughed. “Maybe. Need I ask who told you that?”

“No, I wouldn’t tell you, anyway.”

Nodding, Ambrose smiled bigger. “Do you want to find out? We can go into the room real quick. You might enjoy it.”

Donavon’s gaze shot to Dominic, which made him burst into laughter. The wolf shook his head slowly. “No. I think I’ll take your word for it.”

“You sure? Your brother likes it.”

Dominic looked over and lounged back on the couch. The smile he radiated was one Ambrose knew well. They were all for fucking with the new guy, even if he was Dom’s kin. “Yes I do,” Dom said. “Very much so.”

“You mean you let him bite you? Like, on the neck?” Donavon’s lips parted while his gaze went back and forth between them.

“Oh, yes. But it’s been a while. We might have to change that when we get back to Marcella. You down, Ambrose?”

“Always.” Ambrose threw a look to Donavon, who quickly stood from the couch to stand behind it. The fear he could sense coming off of the wolf made him want to die laughing.

“You two are fucking something else. Samael, bro, tell them that shit’s not normal.”

The dark angel threw Donavon an annoyed look. “You think they give a damn what I say? I just wish they’d shut up and stop talking about it. Knowing our queen will be involved is not something everyone should be hearing.”

Ambrose waved his hand through the air. “And now no one besides us shall remember anything concerning Marcella.”

“You just…?” Donavon pointed from him to the vampires.

“Yes, I just wiped them clean. Now enough talk. I believe it is time.”

As the remaining vampires came down the stairs, Ambrose walked to stand beside the other leaders in the room. Silence. No one said a word as Samael led the way out of the house. Whether this fight was going to go as planned wasn’t certain. Ambrose knew the role he and his servants were meant to take. He just wasn’t sure it was going to be enough. Even with as powerful as he knew all of them were, their special gifts were practically useless.

Samael stopped before everyone began loading into the SUVs. “I’ll pull the main car around the front of Luis’s house. Donavon and I will see what we can accomplish with the story we made up. From what I’ve been told about the alpha, I doubt he’ll buy it, but it’s worth a try.

“Ambrose, you and Dominic park down by the trail that borders the far side. Wait for my signal. When you feel it, come.”

Dominic held his hand up, making Samael pause. “Wait, what do you mean, feel it? We never talked about that part.”

“Trust me. You’ll know when it happens. Now, load up.”

A group of vampires climbed in the SUV Ambrose would be driving while the remaining ones piled into Dominic’s. Samael, Donavon, and Aaron loaded into the first one. Their faces held no emotion, but Ambrose couldn’t help but feel their excitement. Excitement, not fear. He almost couldn’t believe it. Were they not worried at all? If they were, he sure as hell didn’t pick up on it.

* * * *

Donavon watched the headlights from Ambrose and Dominic’s SUVs beam from behind them as they headed down the road Luis lived on. He was just a few miles away, which only gave him a short amount of time to reel in his thoughts. Knowing within minutes he’d be faced against his alpha made Donavon’s mind race.

For so long, Luis had pushed and taunted him to fight. There was no question whether the man was a good fighter. Donavon knew he was. But he was better, and his alpha knew that. There was only one problem concerning the fight, and that was the fairness. It wasn’t uncommon for shifters to fight dirty when their leadership was threatened. But how far would Luis go? Donavon was afraid he already knew the answer.

Turning around in the front passenger seat, he watched the men turn off onto the dirt trail leading through the brush. Previous vehicles had been through there, but with as high as the grass was grown between the old tire marks, Donavon had no doubt the men were going to have a hell of a drive.

“How do you feel, newbie?”

Giving Samael a grunt, Donavon turned to face the driver. “As good as it gets. Why? You having second thoughts?”

Samael raised an eyebrow at him. “Hell no. I live for this kind of shit. What about you? You ready to run back to Mama?”

“I don’t know who my mother is, asshole. Even if I had one, no. This is what’s best for us. For Marcella. She needs more followers, and I know even though the pack is a rough bunch, they’ll love her. Hell, most of the foundation already does. They weren’t sure how to take to her at first, but after she started feeding them, they were putty in her hands.”

“Shit, she fed them?” Samael rolled his eyes. “Great. That’s the problem with you animals. You get fed one good meal, and you’re like strays.”

Aaron leaned forward, wedging himself between them. “Two words, demon fucker. Fuck. You. I’m not a damn dog.”

Samael pulled over to the side of the road, his face blank. Donavon watched as he slammed the SUV into park and turned to look at Aaron. “Demon fucker?”

Silence filled the interior as Donavon looked back and forth between the two. From the looks on both of their faces, he wasn’t sure what in the hell was going to happen.

“That’s what you said, right? Demon fucker?”

Aaron only hesitated for a moment. “Damn straight.”

Samael burst out laughing. “Demon fucker? That’s priceless. You know what, wolf? You have balls. I think I like you.”

“Do you want a kiss, or can we go fight now?”

“Yes. Let’s go kick some ass. You can kiss me if you make it out alive.”

Aaron groaned. “Remember those two words. Don’t make me repeat them, you sick fuck.”

Donavon laughed and watched as they started going. Within seconds, they were pulling into the drive. By the time they were in front of the two-story house, their car was surrounded by men. Men who just happened to be heavily armed and who looked ready to blow someone away.

Donavon made his voice low. “Everyone out, slowly. Aaron, you stay by me.”

The passenger-side door was jerked open. It wasn’t much of a surprise when the man’s jaw dropped open. Donavon didn’t know Jake too well, but enough to remember his name, and to know he was a hell of a ways from home.

“Arizona? We heard you skipped town. We all came in from Houston to take you out.”

“I did skip. Luis around?”

“Naw, man.” Jake looked at the surrounding men and stepped back from the door. “He’s in town, meeting with the alpha of the Austin pack. Listen, man, we don’t want no problems. The only reason Marcus brought us is because Luis has been saying you wanted to take over someone’s role. That ain’t true. Is it?”

Donavon stepped out of the car and shut the door. Samael and Aaron quickly made it to his side. Just at the presence of the dark angel, Donavon noticed the wolves’ energies getting edgy. Feet began to shift in the dirt while other men fingered their guns.

“The only pack I have plans to take over is Luis’s, and I think he knows it. It’s why he’s brought everyone in.”

“So it’s true.” One of the foundation of his old pack pushed through the crowd until he was face to face with Donavon. “You’re going to fight for alpha?”

Looking at Danny, he nodded. “Yeah, I am.”

The barrel of Danny’s gun lifted even with his face. “I can’t let you do that, Arizona. You won’t fuck up what I have going on here. If you think I want to fight my way up again, you’re mistaken.”

Donavon grabbed the barrel, jerking it toward the ground while throwing his right fist to connect with Danny’s face. The small Hispanic man went flying back into the crowd of men. “You dumb motherfucker. If you ever pull a gun on me again, I’ll break those hands of yours. Tell me this, Danny. How much do you like this set-up here?”

Wiping the blood from his mouth, the small man stepped forward. “It’s all right, I guess. What does it matter? If you win, nothing will change.”

Donavon let a low growl vibrate through his throat. He took two steps forward, placing him in the middle of the group of men. “Everything will change. No one has to stay against his will. If you wish to leave, you’re free to go. But if you want to stay with me, we leave this place.”

“And go where?” The tension from Danny seemed to ease. His shoulders relaxed as he looked around at the other men.

Donavon took a quick look to Samael and turned his focus back to the pack. “About an hour and a half away from here. And although I’ll be your alpha, there’s a woman who is in control. She’s a queen and meant to save us all. It may sound farfetched, but I promise what I say is not a lie.”