Wolf's Fall (15 page)

Nick couldn't agree more. Such a good break, only to have it vanish in an instant. “Can you find them again?”

“I'll try. In the meantime, I'll trace the Executioner's IP address, as well as the others on the list, and see what I can find.”

“Thanks,” Tarron said. “And bring me a printout of their conversations before this thread was shut down. Nick and I will read over it thoroughly to make sure there's no hidden clue we're missing.”

“Right away, my prince.”

Teague took the laptop and headed out to complete his job. Nick and Tarron dismissed the rest of their men and Nick took a seat. For a moment, they sat in brooding silence before Tarron broke it.

“So, you and Calla have Bonded?” His tone was reserved, his gaze watchful.

“I've claimed her.” He didn't offer more, and the other man's eyes narrowed.

“That should be cause for celebration. And yet I detect a note in your voice that suggests it's anything but.”

“It's not that simple.” He pushed his fingers through his hair. “I swear to you I'm doing my best to be the mate she deserves. It's just taking
some time. Let me work this out with her before I end up speaking out of turn. This is between Calla and me.”

“All right, I'll butt out—for now. But mark my words: Friend or not, you hurt my sister and you won't have to worry about battling some mystery vampire or anyone else.”

“I know.”

“Good. And furthermore—”

The ringtone of Nick's cell thankfully broke into his new brother-in-law's lecture. When he glanced at the screen, however, he wasn't so glad for the interruption. The call was from General Grant, which was rarely a good thing.

“Jarrod,” he greeted the other man upon answering. “What's up?”

“We've got a basilisk loose in downtown Dallas, Texas.”

“A basilisk?” Nick repeated. His blood chilled. “Not Belial.”

“No. Mackenzie reports that Belial is safe and sound at the compound, trying to seduce one of those tiger shifters at Sanctuary into sleeping with him.”

Thank God. The thought of the enemy getting to anyone under Nick's care and thrusting him into danger, forcing the team or himself to kill him, made his gut churn. “Casualties?”

“Five dead, ten injured at last count. There's
some sort of drunken celebration going on downtown because of a big sports win, and now the scene is total chaos.”

Nick shot to his feet. “Fuck, that's a disaster! We'll be there as soon as we can.”

He ended the call, mind racing. This was a complete clusterfuck. The one thing they feared more than anything was a paranormal getting loose in a situation so big the entire world would find out they existed.

“What's wrong?” Tarron asked, rising.

“We've got a basilisk loose in downtown Dallas. Five dead, ten injured—probably more by now. Shit!”

He started out the door, Tarron following. The vampire exclaimed, “A
basilisk
, you said? Those things really exist?”

At any other time, the irony of that statement would have been funny. “We have one living at the Pack's compound, in fact. Belial is being rehabilitated.”

“You don't think—”

“No. It's not him,” Nick said, hurrying down the corridor. “They're lethal yet solitary creatures typically, which begs the question of how one got deposited into the middle of a championship celebration in one of the largest cities in the U.S.”

“Foul play?”

“That's my guess. I think someone put him there on purpose, and we're dealing with a
frightened shifter who has no idea what's happening and is about to become just as tragic a casualty as his victims.” The prospect was a grim one.

“That's all kinds of fucked-up.”

“Tell me about it. But it won't be the first time something similar has happened.”

“I don't envy you that job. Although I suppose I'm involved now, since we're family, and my warriors will be sent to assist yours.”

Nick came to an abrupt halt and faced Tarron. “No. I can't ask you to risk your men in battles that aren't theirs. Your people likely resent our presence enough already.”

“You're kidding, right? We were allies first and now we're family,” Tarron said staunchly. “We're bound and you have our loyalty. There's nothing we wouldn't do for you, especially after you and your men have come to our aid in a fight that isn't yours.”

Nick knew Tarron wasn't going to budge, and relented. “All right. I'm grateful to accept any help you want to send; just know I don't expect it or take it for granted.”

“Noted.”

After taking a moment to send an urgent text to his team, Nick continued on to the grand foyer in the entrance to meet them. They were fast, as usual, every one of them waiting before him in moments, ready to fight. Quickly, he outlined the situation, much to their shock.

“I'm not taking everyone, in case this is an attempt to make us leave the stronghold unprotected.” He made a fast decision. “Kalen, I need you and your Sorcerer's talents with us. We'll need some major damage control.”

“Yes, sir.”

“John, Ryon, Aric, and Micah, you're also with me. The rest of you stay here and protect the stronghold.”

Tarron chose his men and then turned to Nick. “We've been to Dallas. We'll teleport you to the city to save valuable time.”

“Thank you.” Quickly, Nick tried sending a mental message to Calla.

Baby, I'm sorry but our team has been called out. Your brother and some of his men are going with us. I'll be back as soon as I can.

He didn't know anything about shifter-vampire bonding, but he hoped she could hear him the way a human mate could. Even so, what if she couldn't answer until he'd allowed her to claim him in return? Another thing to feel guilty as hell about, denying her a basic right of mates—to be able to communicate freely.

There was no answer, which could mean several things, none of them good. With a heavy heart, he joined his team and the vampires, psyching himself up for the battle with the basilisk.

“A few last things,” Nick told the group. “Don't shift. We've got enough trouble trying to cover up
a mythical snake, much less a pack of wolves and a panther. Next, don't look him straight in the eye. His gaze will immobilize you; then he'll kill and eat you. Last, take it alive if you can. We need information.”

“Jesus, as if,” someone muttered in response to the last directive.

Then they were off. Landing, they found themselves in the heart of the city, in someplace called the West End. There were trendy restaurants and shops lining the streets, which were mostly empty except for a few screaming people rushing past, presumably in the opposite direction from the big snake.

“That way.” Nick pointed.

He took off and the others joined him, following the ominous sounds of crashing, and a high-pitched bellow that made his hair stand on end. As they rounded a corner, a terrifying sight met their eyes. The basilisk was almost as big as Belial, but not quite. Even so, it was huge, rearing up high, whipping its great head from side to side, screeching, snapping at everything that moved. A barricade of police vehicles surrounded the beast, the police taking cover, some firing. Their bullets bounced right off the tough hide and served only to frighten and piss it off more.

The beast slithered toward one of the vehicles and slammed the hood with its nose, ripped at the metal with its fangs. The officers retreated, and the
snake released a stream of liquid from its mouth, hitting one of the cops in the leg as he ran. The man let out a yell of pain and his pants leg sizzled, but he didn't stop running.

“To hell with this,” Aric shouted. “Let me torch it!”

“No.” Nick pointed at Kalen. “Can you neutralize it? Put it to sleep or something?”

“If you can distract it long enough for me to work, yes,” the Sorcerer said, eyeing the snake. With a flick of his wrist, his Sorcerer's staff was in his hand, glowing with power.

“Okay, let's go!”

Nick led the group down the street and they fanned out to surround the beast. They danced around it on the balls of their feet, waving their arms and shouting to get its attention. They did a pretty good job of keeping it off guard, but it still managed to hit Ryon with its venom.

“Shit! Fuck!” He rolled on the ground, clutching his bleeding, scorched arm with his other hand. A couple of Tarron's men rushed in and carried him from the line of fire.

Nick pushed his concern about Ryon to the background. Glancing at Kalen, he saw that the man was standing with his arms out, chanting a spell. The basilisk must've felt or sensed what Kalen was trying to do, because it suddenly lunged in his direction. Nick and Aric moved to intercept it, Nick palming a medium-sized blade. Rushing in, he drove the blade between two scales
and winced as it screeched loudly enough that nearby windows shattered and car alarms went off everywhere.

“Nick, run!” someone yelled.

He turned, but the beast came at him. It slammed him with the side of its head, knocking him clear off his feet and hurling him several yards away. By the time he hit the pavement and skidded to a halt, it was on top of him, head lowering, eyes red and jaws gaping.

Red eyes.

Nick froze in the act of peddling backward, unable to move a muscle.
Oh, God. I looked into its eyes. I'm fucked.

Mesmerized, he watched as the beast took one of his thighs in its mouth, clamped down, teeth shredding his skin. He couldn't move, couldn't shout his agony as the venom broke the skin and began to move through his blood. Burning. On fire.

He could only watch as it lifted him off the ground, and then dangled him helplessly upside down as he waited to be devoured. All around him, his team and Tarron's were shouting at Kalen to hurry.

And then the creature stilled. Slowly, Nick was lowered to the pavement until he was lying on his back, his leg still in the creature's jaws. The basilisk's eyes drifted shut and its body relaxed in sleep.

“God,” Nick gasped, pulling his leg to try to free it. “Get it off me.”

People swarmed him, Aric and Micah dropping to his side. Aric gripped his shoulder and spoke in a soothing tone. “Easy, boss. John and the vamps are gonna pry your leg loose.”

“Tell Kalen to wipe the humans' memories. Everyone he can. Kill the cameras and cell phones. The few that got away, nobody will believe them.”

“I'm on it,” Kalen told him from a few feet away. Then Nick lost track of him.

The pain was incredible. His injured limb felt like it was being boiled in acid from the inside out. The fire spread up to his hip, and he writhed in agony, groaning.

“Fuck.” Sweat beaded on his face, rolled into his hair. The fire reached his chest, and his heart seized. His eyes widened and he met Aric's worried gaze. “Can't . . . breathe.”

“Prince Tarron!” Micah shouted. “We need to transport him!”

Hands grabbed Nick, and he was traveling through the abyss. Back in the stronghold, he wished he could lose consciousness as the men rushed him through the corridors. He was dragging air into his lungs by sheer force of will, so hot he was sure he'd fry before the doctor could help him.

The rest came in disorienting snatches. The agony. Dr. Archer, barking orders. An IV being
inserted into his arm, several shots of medicine going into the line. There was some relief as the burning lessened. His breathing became easier.

Then Dr. Archer leaned over him and said, “I'm putting you under while we clean out that leg and repair some of the damage. You're in no shape to shift just yet, and I've got to get to those thigh muscles before they're too far gone to heal. Just relax.”

And those were the last words he heard for a while.

*   *   *

“Calla? Calla!”

“I'm coming!” As Calla jogged to the door, her heart leapt into her throat. She would recognize her brother's anxious voice anywhere.

She'd been on pins and needles since Nick's voice had unexpectedly pushed into her head, saying he was being called away. To hear Tarron sound like that spiked her fear.

Throwing the door open, she felt the blood drain from her face. “What happened?”

“Nick's in surgery,” Tarron said. “But he's with Viktor, so he's in good hands.”

Her knees went weak and her brother steadied her. “Why? Tell me what's wrong with him!”

“There was a basilisk loose in Dallas and we went with his team to help. He was distracting it so Kalen could spell it to sleep when the creature knocked him down and got his leg in its jaws.”

Staring at her brother, she tried to process all of that. “He was bitten? By a basilisk?”

“Yes. The venom was nasty, but Viktor swears he'll be all right.”

Calla felt faint. “Take me to Nick.”

All the way to the infirmary, she fought panic. How the hell had a basilisk gotten loose in a crowded city? That shouldn't have been possible.

And now her mate was paying the price for simply doing his job.

“F
irst of all, he's going to be okay,” Viktor told Calla the instant she hurried into the lobby of the infirmary.

Most of Nick's men were there, hovering. For their benefit he added, “Both Nick
and
Ryon will be fine. Basilisk venom is nasty business and can be fatal, but they were both lucky. Either the creature's venom wasn't as strong as older ones, or she was only acting in self-defense, not trying to kill them.”

“She?” John said in surprise.

“Yes. I had a look at her before she was taken to your compound, and the basilisk is definitely female. And in human form, a small, scared one at that.”

“Huh.” Aric snorted. “She seemed pretty fucking big on the street.”

“How did she end up where she did?” Calla asked.

“We don't know,” John answered. “But I'm going to question her while Nick is recovering.”

“I'll go with you,” Micah put in. The others wanted to go, too, but John limited the group to three—himself, Micah, and Aric—so as not to scare the shifter even more.

Personally, right now Calla couldn't care less whether the creature was frightened. What happened might or might not be the basilisk's fault, but still, she'd put Calla's mate in the infirmary. That would be tough to forgive.

Calla moved up to Viktor and got in his face. “This is all very interesting but I want to see Nick.”

“The nurses are getting him settled, Princess,” he said gently. “Give them a few minutes and one of them will come and get you.”

“His injuries?”

“His right leg was bitten and the muscle torn, which I repaired in surgery. In a day or two, when he's stronger and able to shift, that will finish his healing. The venom, as I said, was painful but not lethal in this case. I anticipate no complications from his ordeal.”

“Thank you.” Sagging in relief, she was hardly aware of Tarron assisting her into a seat. She was so lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize he'd spoken to her at first. “I'm sorry?”

“I said, Nick told me that you two mated. I suppose congratulations are in order.”

She couldn't blame him for phrasing it as a question. Things hadn't gotten off to a smooth start for her and Nick. As protective as her brother was, she wasn't about to tell him that she hadn't been able to claim her mate in return. He might finish the job the snake had started.

“We have some challenges to work through.” That was an understatement. “But things will be all right, eventually.”

“I know,” he said with a smile, squeezing her hand. “But I'm here for you, whatever you need. Nick, too.”

“Thank you.”

One of the nurses appeared as promised, and took Calla to Nick's room. He was awake when she went in, but groggy.

“Hey,” she said, sitting down to take his hand. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I got hit by a bus. How's Ryon?”

“Viktor said he'd be fine, so don't worry. Just get well.” She brushed a lock of black hair off his forehead.

“Plan to.” He yawned. “Where's the basilisk? Did they take him to Sanctuary?”

“Her, and yes, they did.”

He blinked. “The creature is female?”

“Apparently so. Plus small and frightened, according to Viktor.”

“God,” he breathed. “Has she talked?”

“I don't think so, but John and a couple of others are going to question her.”

He frowned. “You know, I was half expecting an ambush. I could have sworn she was a lure.”

“Maybe that's what you were supposed to think. Then when you're wrong, you'll relax your guard next time you go out on a call and they'll hit you when you don't expect it.”

“Smart woman. We'll just be extra careful, then.” His eyes drooped and he tried to stay awake. “About earlier, leaving the way I did . . . I'm sorry.”

“Hush. Get better and we'll deal with the rest as it comes.”

Her heart ached as she watched him succumb to sleep. He had so much responsibility on his shoulders, had been hurt more than once protecting his team, and yet he was worried about her feelings.

She sat with him for a while, until hunger forced her to seek something from the kitchen. Reluctantly, she left Nick's side, knowing solid food would only temporarily stave off the need for blood. There wasn't anything else she could do, though. Her stomach would reject any other blood—she knew that by the ominous sickness that roiled just thinking of drinking from anyone but her mate.

The cook made her a roast beef sandwich, rare.
Calla devoured it and felt queasy afterward, but at least it stayed down. She thought she had things under control, and then her brother chose to make an appearance, sitting down beside her and giving her a piercing look.

“Are you all right?”

“I'm fine,” she said, trying a smile. It didn't quite convince him as he eyed her in suspicion.

“You have dark circles under your eyes and you don't look well. Not what I'd expect when I see my happily mated sister. Or
is
the mating happy?”

“My mate was just injured, in case you forgot, and that doesn't thrill me. Besides that, we're still working things out. Of course things aren't perfect yet.”

“In what way?”

“That's really none of your business.”

“Since when?” He leaned forward, his worry apparent. “We've always been honest with each other and I can sense you're not being straight with me. What's going on?”

Shaking her head, she pressed her lips together. Telling him the whole truth felt like she'd be betraying her mate, even if that wasn't really the case.

“Sis, your lips are slightly blue,” he continued in a low, ominous tone. “In fact, you look like you haven't had blood lately. Why don't I see if Nick's feeling better so you can feed?”

“No.” Her voice was quiet and miserable. “I can't do that to him.”

Her brother was clearly confused. “Why not? He's your Bondmate now, right? I mean, who the hell else are you going to feed from?”

“I'm
his
Bondmate, yes.” She took a deep breath. “But he's not mine, officially. Not yet.”

He scowled. “What the fuck does that even mean? You're either Bonded or you're not!”

“Nick claimed me, but I haven't claimed him yet,” she hissed, frustration and sorrow warring with each other. “I can't, until he's free of his demons and can allow me to claim him freely, and share my joy.”

“Share your
joy
?” he repeated, voice rising even though she tried to shush him. “Does he realize that by being claimed you can no longer feed from anyone else, vampire or human? That you'll fucking
starve
if he doesn't allow you to claim him?”

“No, and you're not going to tell him,” she ordered furiously. “So help me, I won't speak to you again if you do!”

“Why the hell not?” he yelled. “This is your life we're talking about!”

“I won't have my mate coerced into Bonding!” Bolting to her feet, she slammed a palm on the table, making the dishes jump. A couple of other coven members who'd been dining on the other side of the room quickly cleared out. “You will not interfere in this. Do you understand me?”

“Calla.” He was gutted; she could tell.

“I'm sorry. I know you're trying to help, but I
need you to stay out of my mating. He'll come around under his own steam, or not at all.”

“But if he doesn't, you could— No, you
will
die.”

“It won't come to that.” She hoped. Tarron appeared so lost, she relented some and went around the table. Putting her arms around his neck, she gave him a hug and was immediately enveloped in his embrace.

“I love you, sis,” he said hoarsely. “Don't let this go too long. You and Adrian are my only family, and you're everything to me.”

She kissed his cheek, love swelling in her heart. “I won't. And I love you, too.”

A twinge of hunger gnawed her belly as she made her way back to the infirmary.

*   *   *

Nick awoke the next morning, restless and irritated with the constant pain in his injured leg.
To hell with this.

Seeing that he was alone for the moment, he made quick work of yanking out his IV line and ripping off every one of those damned itchy little stick-on circles connected to the heart monitor. Then he shucked his ugly gown and let his wolf free.

The shift was fast, due to centuries of practice. His wolf circled around on the bed, then flopped down with a sigh of contentment. Just when he got settled, a nurse rushed in, followed by Dr. Archer.

“You could've waited instead of scaring my nurse,” the doc scolded. Then he smiled. “But I'm glad to see you're on the mend. I'll check on you in an hour or so; then most likely you'll be ready to go.”

The doctor left. Nick dozed for a bit, letting his shifter's system heal the rest of his injury. He didn't sleep very well, though, because he kept jerking awake and wondering where Calla had gone. Was she upset with him for leaving the way he did before they were called to Dallas? She didn't seem as though she was when he last saw her, but his heart still ached at the thought.

The door opened and his mate pushed into the room. He raised his head and caught the full force of her smile, and the sight of her went straight to his soul. His wolf let out a happy chuff as she sat beside him and began to scratch his ears.

“Viktor told me you were sort of naughty,” she said.

Not as naughty as I'd like to be,
he thought.

Her eyes widened in surprise. “You really spoke in my head! I almost thought I'd imagined that before, when I heard you tell me you had to go out on a call.”

Nope. All shifters can communicate with their mates once they've Bonded. It's a nice perk.

“But I'm not a shifter. Will I be able to talk back to you?” She looked intrigued, and somewhat worried she wouldn't be able to.

I don't know,
he admitted.
I've never known a mated shifter-and-vampire couple. Try.

Furrowing her brow, she concentrated on what he guessed was sending a message. When he didn't receive one, he shook his head.

It might develop later on your end, after you claim me.

Her tired eyes widened slightly. “Oh, Nick, are you ready for me to claim you? I'm not pressuring you. It's just that I want you so much. It'll be so wonderful, honey; you'll see—”

I want it, too. I
do
. Soon. I promise it won't be much longer.

Her shoulders slumped ever so slightly. Suddenly, he realized she didn't appear well.
Are you okay?

“I'm fine,” she said, giving him a half smile. “And I see you're feeling better.”

Changing the subject?

“Stating a fact. Viktor should be here to let you go soon.”

His reply was interrupted by a knock. Tarron, Ian, Teague, and John walked into the room without waiting for the go-ahead, and their expressions told Nick something had developed. He let the change flow over him and reverted to human form, then pulled the sheet over his lap to save Calla any embarrassment. If it had just been the men, nobody would've cared that he was naked.

Tarron got right to the point. “Teague found
something.” He nodded to the hacker, who took up the explanation.

“I've identified two large groups who are communicating via e-mail with the one we believe is their leader—the hunters and rogue vampires. But in the last few weeks another e-mailer has joined the discussion, and you'll never guess where those messages originated.”

Nick waited a couple of beats as what they were getting at became clear. “From either my compound, or here at the stronghold?” That anyone among his team or support staff would betray them was inconceivable.

“Here,” Tarron said, every line in his body radiating with fury. “Someone among my coven, or your team, is talking with those bastards. Possibly feeding them information.”

Nick shook his head and snapped, “Not one of mine. I can personally vouch for every single one of my Pack members. Each one of them would take a bullet for any of us.”

“Don't you think I feel the same way about my men?” Tarron shot back. “No one takes on a man thinking the worst of his intentions. But clearly, one of us has misplaced our trust.”

“Okay, gentlemen,” John interrupted. His voice was quiet and even, injecting calm into the situation to prevent it from escalating into an argument. “We're not going to get anywhere by discussing anything but hard facts. We have a culprit and we
need to find out who it is so we can follow him to the source. He has fucked up and we're going to take advantage of the fact that he probably doesn't realize it yet.”

The other men blinked at him, obviously not used to the man previously known only as “Hammer” being more vocal and taking charge. When he chose to, John was and always had been a man to make other people sit up and take notice. Nick was glad to see him growing within the team.

“You're right,” Tarron agreed, backing down some. “The facts will bear out the truth, and we'll know what direction to take. Teague, where in the stronghold did the suspect use the computer? Or is it possible to tell?”

“That we
do
know. I've traced those e-mails to a computer in the main library. The problem is, those computers are used by dozens of coven members and their children every day and they aren't that closely monitored. There are also no surveillance cameras in the library, because quite frankly we've never had cause to install any.”

Tarron nodded. “That will be remedied with a few hidden cameras that are trained on the bank of computers, at least until he's caught.”

“I'll take care of it,” Teague said.