The Lost Years (4 page)

Part 2 – CRAVEN (1974)

Chapter 6

Craven noticed that the door to his apartment was open as soon as he stepped out of the lift. He'd been called into the office, but had returned as quickly as he could.

“Louise?” he shouted, as he stepped inside his apartment.

Maybe she hadn't seen the note he'd left for her, and had gone to look for him. But why leave the door wide open?

“Louise?” He hurried over to the bedroom—there was no sign of her.

Worried now, he checked the bathroom, and then all of the other rooms. She was nowhere to be seen. He walked back out into the corridor.

“Louise!” he shouted at the top of his voice.

There was no reply.

Had she decided to leave? Where would she have gone? She was new to Terroun territory, and didn't know anyone. Could she have returned to Maja? She'd want revenge for her father's murder, but surely she’d know it would be suicidal to return—particularly alone.

Last night, she'd asked him to make love to her. Did she regret that now? Had she run away because she couldn't face him?

It didn't make any sense. Unless...

He tried to quell the fear which was beginning to gnaw away inside. If Louise hadn't left of her own free will, then someone must have taken her. The more he thought about it, the more he became convinced she'd been abducted. His anger turned in on himself. Why had he left her all alone? What had been so important in the office that it couldn't have waited? He should have been there by her side. He should have been there to protect her.

“Think!” he told himself. Could it be someone from within his own pack? There were those who hadn't approved of his declared intention to take a female from another territory as his mate. Craven quickly discounted that idea. Although there were those who might criticise behind his back, and a few brave enough to do it to his face, there were none who would have the balls to do something like this. They'd know it meant certain death. Someone from the Maja territory must have followed Louise, but who and why? Her father was dead—she posed no threat to them now. It was a risky, almost suicidal, venture that few would be foolhardy enough to undertake.

Craven made a call to TS—Territory Security.

*********

Forty minutes later, he was at their offices.

Grosvenor, head of TS, met Craven at the door.

“What have you got?” Craven said, dispensing with all niceties.

“The only incursion recorded last night was that of your mate's.”

“Someone followed her,” Craven said. “Are you sure there were no other reports.”

“Positive, but we may have something from the CCTV behind your apartment block. Come and look at this.”

He led Craven over to a wall of screens. Seated in front of them was a young woman who took her cue from Grosvenor.

“Watch this.” Grosvenor pointed to the centre screen.

The video quality was poor, but Craven recognised the alleyway which ran behind his apartment block. In the shadows, he could just about make out what appeared to be a transit van.

“Can't you get a better picture?” Craven said.

“It was still dark at that time of morning. The light directly above the camera is out. That's the best picture we have.”

Craven stared at the screen. A figure stepped out of the van, and walked over to the rear entrance of his apartment block.

“Wind it forward,” Grosvenor instructed.

The time-stamp on screen fast-forwarded ten minutes.

“There!” Grosvenor pointed to an image of the same man emerging from the rear entrance. He was carrying something or someone in his arms.

Although Craven could not see her face, he had no doubt it was Louise.

“Who do we have undercover at Maja?”

“Their security is second to none. We only have one person over there—Anker. He's the only one who's managed to fly under their radar.”

“Get hold of him. I want to know exactly what's going on over there. Find out who has replaced Krell as Alpha. I assume it's Milton, but I need to be sure. Also, ask him to report on any vampire activity. They attacked a night club yesterday—I suspect Krell's murder and the attack were linked somehow.” Craven put a hand on Grosvenor's shoulder. “I want to know anything which will help us track down that van and Louise.”

“How can you be certain it was someone from Maja who abducted her?”

“I'm not, but right now I have to play the percentages. Let me know what you have by two PM.”

Craven's mind was in overdrive as he left the offices of TS. The video quality had been so poor he hadn't been able to see the abductor’s face or even the registration plate of the van. At least now, there was no doubt—Louise hadn't run away. Someone had taken her. Whoever it was would rue the day.

*********

“It would be suicide,” Hill protested.

Hill was Craven's Beta as well as his oldest friend.

“You forget, I've been in their territory before,” Craven said.

“That doesn't make it any better. It was madness then, and it would be madness now. Besides, the situation in Maja has changed. There was stability under Krell, but now, who knows what could happen. We should consider adding more border guards.”

“You can see to that while I'm away.”

“Why don't you let me go?” Hill said. “I could take a few men and—”

“No. I need you here. If I stay, my mind would only be elsewhere.”

“Are you even sure she's been taken back to Maja?”

“The only thing I'm certain of is that she was abducted. TS have video footage of her being put into a van. The quality of the recording was too poor to see who it was. Right now, it's the only thing that makes any sense.”

“Don't TS have someone undercover there?”

“They did, but they can't contact him. Grosvenor fears the worst.”

“How long will you be gone?”

“As long as it takes. I won't come back without her.”

Chapter 7

Craven had been into Maja territory before, and had lived to tell the tale, but that had been under very different circumstances. His brief incursion to court Louise had gone almost unnoticed. The Maja's territory would now be on a state of high alert following the change of power. Packs were always at their most paranoid when a new Alpha took control. The incoming Alpha would also have to deal with the vampire uprising. Craven knew from experience how difficult this initial period would be for the new pack leader.

Trying to slip into the territory unnoticed was a non-starter because border control would be much more vigilant than usual. He'd have to take a different approach.

“Halt!” the border guard shouted.

Craven had made no attempt to conceal himself. Instead, he'd chosen a route into Maja territory which he knew would be heavily guarded.

He held up his hands to show he meant no harm.

“Turn around and go back the way you came,” the guard said, as he was joined by four of his companions. Craven could have taken out any one of them without breaking sweat. He might even have seen them all off, but that wasn't his intention today.

“My name is Craven.”

“We know who you are. Go back to your pack while you still can.”

“I'm here to see the new Alpha.”

Craven's reputation preceded him. The guards had all heard rumours about the unconventional ways of the neighbouring Alpha.

“Milton doesn't have time to waste with you.”

That was the first of his questions answered. Just as he'd expected—Milton had succeeded Krell.

“I'm here to pay my regards to the newly crowned Alpha. When Milton finds out that it was you who turned me away, what do you think he'll do?”

Craven had sown the seeds of doubt. The guard's confidence was replaced by uncertainty.

“Wait here!” The guard left his colleagues to watch over Craven.

It was a gamble. There was no reason why Milton would want to receive Craven. Packs only occasionally formed alliances with one another. Alphas rarely met except to do battle. It was a long-shot, but one he was willing to take. Worst case scenario—it would be one against five.

Ten minutes later the guard returned. Craven could tell by his expression that the gamble had paid off.

“Milton will see you. Come with me.”

An eerie tension hung over Maja territory. Shifters eyed Craven with suspicion as he was taken into the city. Even the humans, who would have been oblivious to the recent power-shift, seemed on edge as though they sensed some kind of danger.

“Sit there.” The guard pointed to a long leather sofa which had its back pushed up against the window. Craven took a seat while the guard walked over to the reception desk. The young female shifter behind the desk glanced over at Craven, and then made a phone call.

“She'll let Milton know you're here,” the guard said, as he walked passed Craven.

The offices were much more upmarket than his, but then the Maja was a much bigger pack.

“Craven?” Another female shifter stood next to the sofa. “My name is Layla. I'm one of Milton's assistants. Would you come with me, please?”

She didn't say a word as the lift made its way to the sixth floor. Once the lift doors had opened, she ushered him into another reception area.

“Please take a seat. I'll let Milton know you're here.”

Craven had barely had time to sit down before one of the double doors in front of him opened.

“Craven,” Milton said. “Good to meet you. Your reputation precedes you. Please take a seat.”

The two Alphas faced one another over the huge walnut desk.

“To what do we owe this pleasure?” Milton asked.

 “I'm looking for Krell's daughter.”

“I'd heard you'd named Louise as your fated mate. An unusual choice if you don't mind me saying.”

“One doesn't
choose
their fated mate.”

“Quite. Even so, to take a mate from another pack is hardly the norm.”

“She was snatched from my apartment yesterday.”

“Who would do such a thing? Is there resentment amongst your own people because you chose a mate from the Maja pack?”

“Some maybe, but I'm confident that she wasn't taken by any of my pack.”

“How can you be sure she was abducted? Isn't it possible she left of her own accord?”

“I've seen CCTV of her being carried out of my apartment and put into a van.”

“Did you recognise her abductor?”

“No. The video quality was too poor to identify him.”

“Then I'm not sure why you're here today.”

“I believe her abductor came from Maja territory. I think you may know something about it.”

“That's a very serious accusation. Do you have any proof?”

“Not at the moment.”

“Can I be candid, Craven?”

“Please do.”

“It suits me that Louise fled our territory. There is always tension when a new Alpha comes to power. Having the ex-Alpha's daughter around could lead to unnecessary problems. I have no reason to bring her back here.”

“Unless you're worried about what she saw.”

“I have no idea what you mean?”

“According to Louise, her father was murdered.”

“She's correct,” Milton said. “You may already be aware there was a minor vampire uprising yesterday.”

“I'm aware of it. Louise was in Jesters at the time.”

“It appears that was a diversion. Krell was indeed murdered. He was outnumbered and killed by a number of vampires.”

“Why would they want Krell dead? From what I hear, he'd built a strong relationship between shifters and vampires.”

“Who knows? Do any of us truly understand the vampire mind? Rest assured, the rebellion has been quashed, and we are actively seeking Krell's murderers as we speak.”

Milton was altogether too smooth for Craven's liking. His answers were off pat as though they'd been rehearsed ahead of time.

“I still believe Louise is in Maja territory,” Craven said.

“I think you're wrong, but I'm happy for you to stay and search for her. I'll issue an edict which will allow you free rein to travel anywhere you wish, and to question whoever you choose. I want our two packs to live side-by-side in peace. If this helps towards that end, I'm only too happy to do it.”

Craven still didn't trust Milton, but he could not have asked for a better response.

“There is one condition,” Milton said.

  “Go on.”

“I'd like my assistant, Layla, to accompany you at all times. She can provide you with any help you might need.”

“I'll be okay alone.”

“Please. I insist.”

Craven would have preferred to have searched alone, but it would have been churlish to argue given the circumstances.