Electric Storm (32 page)

“And they also have your name.”

She couldn’t take her gaze off the body, the crushed bones and the collapsed side of his face that resembled nothing more than raw beef. His determination haunted the air as did his despair when he realized it was too late.

She looked north, the direction he’d been dragging himself, her eyes drawn to the scattered pieces of what remained of the other body. “If you can find his identity, you should be able to find out the name of his companion. My guess would be female. They pinned him, then forced him to watch as they tore her apart. Despite what they’d already done to him, he was trying to go back for her.”

Scotts bent closer, his warm breath doing little to thaw her soul. “How did they know you were on the case?”

“Out of all of this, that’s your question?” Raven pointedly locked gazes with half a dozen officers then raised a brow at Scotts, unable to keep the snarkyness out of her voice. “It’s not exactly a secret.”

“You’re off the case.” Scotts stood, stiff strides swiftly carrying him away from her.

“You can’t do that.” Raven bolted to her feet, struggling to calm the wild surge of emotions ricocheting through her skull.

Hostile energy poured off Scotts when he whirled, the power of it bombarding her defenses. “This is an official police investigation. If you stick your nose or any part of your body in my case, I’ll have you arrested.”

“What? Don’t you even want me to see the second body before treating me like the suspect?”

Scotts stalked back to her, stopping when he was in her face. “The killer knows you. He made this personal. That means you’re off the case. It’s protocol.” 

“Bullshit. We both know it’s at your discretion. How does taking me off the case help?” Then something clicked, something so horrible she pulled away from him even as she thought it. “You’re not taking me off the case to help; you’re taking me off the case because you think I’m connected somehow.” Disbelief covered the well of pain that threatened to sink her. The truth glittered in his eyes, the way he flinched under her stare.

“Not you, but you’ve been hanging out with the wrong people. They–”

“You mean paranormals?” Disgust tightened her face. “When did you become so prejudiced?”

Scotts appeared tired all of the sudden, rubbing a hand down his face. “Your wolf, Jackson, has been asking questions.”

Her gaze flew to the two men on the other side of the police tape. Jackson straightened abruptly under her regard, but he didn’t turn away from the accusations. Damn him. “Fine.” She gritted her teeth, keeping her gaze on the traitor. “But you’re making the wrong decision. Whatever may or may not have been done was not brought on by my people.”

“Raven.” 

She walked away, ignoring the rest of his speech. He didn’t want her on the team, fine, but she didn’t have to stay to be preached at either.

“Let’s go.” They wisely followed without a sound of protest as she marched toward the car. Pissed at being steamrolled out of the investigation, she wrenched opened the door. But instead of getting inside where her anger would fester in the metal cage, she rested her arms across the top. With her volatile state, she couldn’t risk being in the cramped space with two shifters.

She met Jackson’s shuttered gaze.

The bastard knew.

“You went against my orders. I told you not to interfere.”

Jackson lifted his chin, a mutinous look to his face. “Wolves investigate all shifter deaths.”

A growl worked its way up her throat. “Investigating is fine. My problem was you went to them against my orders. You had no right to involve them in my case.”

“We take care of our own.”

“Pack mentality. It’ll get you killed.”

“It keeps our people safe.”

“Tell that to the two people tortured and scattered over the ground.”

“That’s not fair.” Jackson puffed up his chest, growing a couple of inch as he straightened.

“Instead of telling me to my face, you let me discover your perfidy by someone I work with and dressed down for it in public. Now, not only are the killers issuing me their own challenge to the hunt, but your questions get me kicked off the case.”

“That was not my intent.” His jaw bunched as if forcing himself to speak. “Did you ever think the cops are playing you? Using you as bait?”

“These are cops. It’s illegal without my consent.”

“Unless they believe that you had something to do with it.”

She and Scotts had worked together for years. They were a team. Yet she couldn’t refute Jackson’s comment since the same thought had crossed her mind.

Regret darkened Jackson’s expression, surprising her with his sincerity, but he didn’t take anything back.

He could be right. But if Jackson thought she had something to do with the murders, he would’ve set the shifters on her without giving the police a chance to take her into custody. She needed to know if she could count on him. “Either you believe I’m capable of solving this investigation or you don’t. Do your loyalties lie with the wolves or me?”

Jackson flinched, then scanned the tree line with hard eyes. He looked so torn, she almost felt bad for putting him on the spot. “Maybe it would be best if I met you back at the house.”

Part of her shattered at his non-answer. Despite the hint of confusion in his voice, she bit her lip against offering him comfort. “Maybe.”

He stayed still for a moment, waiting for her to relent. The silence felt heavy, and she battled herself. He nodded and turned away.

“Raven–”

“Get in the car.” She wondered if Taggert would abandon her as well. A pit opened at her feet, ready to swallow her and suck her back to the lonely world that existed before they bounded into her life and shook up her staid existence.

Taggert gazed at her solemnly then obeyed. She hesitated, watching Jackson disappear in the darkness and a jagged pang of regret bit her hard on the ass. How could she ask him to choose between his wolves, and a woman he barely knew? Once behind the wheel, she turned over the engine and took off in a spray of dirt and gravel.

It took Taggert five minutes to speak up and defend Jackson. Longer than she’d thought it would take. “Jackson was trying to protect you.”

“How? By getting me kicked off the case? Now, instead of being able to use the police resources, I’ll be out there on my own.”

Taggert’s large eyes landed on hers, a hesitance in them, yet he forged ahead. “I’m sure he didn’t plan for you to get fired.”

“He meddled.”

“He did what he thought was right.”

With that, she couldn’t argue. She had to respect a person who thought they were doing what was right, though that didn’t mean she had to like it. Lights filled the mirrors.

Blinded by the dickheads who were following too close, she swore and slowed down so they would pass. When she hit forty and they slowed with her, unease had her tightening her grip on the wheel.

“Taggert, buckle your seatbelt.” Shifters didn’t like to be confined and since they were the devil to kill, they rarely wore seatbelts. Most walked away from accidents that would kill humans.

The engine in the big, boxy Dodge behind them roared in her ears. The solid wall of metal edged closer to her bumper. She hammered on the gas and increased the distance between them. But only for a heartbeat. They gunned the engine, and the lights made it impossible for her to see the road until they were too damn close.

Their bumper connected with hers, slamming her and Taggert forward. The seatbelt nearly strangled her. The car fishtailed, and she wrestled to keep it on the road. She managed to straighten them out, but the Dodge was relentless and gaining ground fast.

“Taggert. Call Jackson. Tell him our location.” She ignored his nod, glad he did as told without arguing. His composure eased the ribbon of fear edging into her mind.

The lights grew blinding. She braced herself for another hit. The car threw her forward. The seatbelt cinched tight in a bear hug that threated to steal her breath. She controlled the skid and started to pull out of it when the car hit them again, smashing the fender and sending them spinning across the road.

She muscled her vehicle away from the ditch, but it had a mind of its own and veered to the opposite side of the road like a demented road runner caught in traffic. Taggert braced himself, and she gave one last wrench on the wheel so that her side of the car would take the brunt of the collision. She had a better chance at surviving the accident, while Taggert had the strength to protect himself and run if necessary.

Taggert cursed into the phone. The tires caught the gravel at the side of the road and spun them in a tight circle, then abruptly gripped the edge of the tar. The car twisted up on two wheels. She thought she managed to keep them out of the ditch when the second vehicle tapped the rear edge of her car.

The car flipped once. Metal crunched. Glass shattered. A tree appeared out of nowhere, and the driver’s side door took the brunt of the impact.

Metal bit into her body, tore her skin in one agony-inducing moment. Bark flew in the car, abrading her cheek. Then everything grew eerily quiet. Every inch of her was battered.

“Taggert?” When she twisted around to reach him, the car refused to release its hold on her body. Warm blood gushed down her side. Pain stole her breath for a precious few seconds.

“If you can hear me, get out and run. Don’t let them take you.” It was all in that damned letter, but she let her pride get in her way of seeing the danger to her people.

“Raven?” His voice sounded groggy. He ripped away his seatbelt, then leaned over to work on hers. Blood trickled down from a nasty gash on his forehead.

She tried to reach up, but realized she could only lift one arm. She grabbed his hand and shook him. “Leave. Run.
”
The movement exhausted her. She coughed and winced when blood filled her mouth.

Car doors slammed, and her eyes widened. “Run.”

Taggert disappeared from view. Relief made her lightheaded. Then she heard it. Fighting. Fists meeting flesh. Men swearing. Then gunshots.

“Taggert!” Damned fool. She tried to loosen the seatbelt but to no effect. Impotent rage tore a growl from her throat. She struggled to pull away from the metal’s embrace. Flesh tore and warmth spread over her left side as her blood soaked through her clothes. Her body slumped over the console when she broke free from the metal talons.

“Stab her with the fucking needle and let’s go.”

She fumbled with the seatbelt. Her chest wheezed as each breath see-sawed out of her lungs, stealing the very air she fought to keep.

A flashlight’s beam blinded her. A prick pinched her upper arm, and she struggled to keep out of reach. Too late. Her skin burned. Fire raced through her muscles.

A trunk slammed. Doors closed. An engine screamed, then faded into silence as she struggled to keep her eyes open and focused. North. They were circling the damn forest.

She fumbled with the stack of napkins on the floor and tried to stanch the flow of blood. It did no good, instantly soaking the meager bandage. The blood felt hot against her cold hands. Her blood-coated fingers grew numb.

“Raven!” Warm fingers touched her face.

It took her eyes a moment to adjust and recognize Jackson’s face. The stark fear made her want to reassure him, but she couldn’t find words.

She swallowed twice before she could speak. “They took Taggert.” Her lips and tongue felt clumsy. The seatbelt released and agony ripped away the lovely haze. Jackson’s soothing voice faded. All she heard was her heartbeat as it slowed. Concern for Taggert and Jackson were the only things on her mind when her heart stopped.

 
Chapter Twenty-five

PREDAWN

H
er back bowed as energy arced through her. Her heart thumped to life, and she gasped for air. Power sputtered and died as abruptly as it came. As she fell back on the bed, pain streaked through her body. Years of practice allowed her to work past it instead of succumbing to the waiting darkness. She muddled through her thoughts, desperately trying to piece together what happened.