Darkness Unleashed (27 page)

He would need allies, friends. When that day came, I would be there.

“
We’ll see. Maybe things have changed.” Chances were they hadn’t, but the offer was still there. “Darcy’s working with some of the others to make sure there’s enough food. Last thing we need is for tempers to run hot on empty stomachs.” Darcy had recently shared the current definition of being angry and hungry was ‘hangry’ and warned me it was a recipe for disaster. I didn’t care if we emptied every store in Woodside Hollow and the neighboring towns, there was no way I would let things get so out of control that the Master became the least of our worries.

“
She’s had plenty of experience keeping me fed.” Patting his stomach for extra emphasis, Daniel grinned. “Just tell her to prepare to feed about twenty of me and we should be fine.”

Sending her a visual image through our connection, her response was panic-filled, causing me to laugh out loud before quickly explaining. “I think I just freaked her out. She said one of you is a handful and that maybe we should take this Summit somewhere that offers slaughtered cows in bulk.”

Daniel tipped his head back and laughed heartily. “Yeah, she’s got it under control.”

Pride filled me knowing he was right. As daunting as it was to feed a large number of men, Darcy would take it all in stride. “Okay, so we’ve given notice to everyone. We have accommodations, food, and security. What am I forgetting?”

He paused to think before answering. “Nothing. That’s why I’m telling you to go rest. You’ll need to show everyone you’re at full strength.”

Cocking my eyebrow, his comment made me curious. “Are you saying I look like shit? Because I feel fine. My body’s healed from the ordeal.”

“
You always look like crap,” Daniel joked, flashing the sarcastic grin he was notorious for. “But I’m just saying I think it’d be wise to relax while you can. You’ve got everything covered and all that’s left is to wait. Whether you believe it or not, you took a hard beating, one that would’ve killed a lesser man.”

“
Well, I’m not one of those, so I’m fine.” My tone was firmer, this time.

“
You’re also a stubborn ass, but you already knew that.”

“
Look who’s talking,” I retorted. “There’ll be plenty of time for sleeping once this is over.” When he went to argue more with me, I raised my hand to stop him. “Seriously. If I lie down, I’d be staring at the ceiling the whole time, worrying. I might as well sit here and do some work. Be productive.”

As if to prove a point, my phone vibrated against the desktop as the ringtone started playing. It was Devlin calling and I answered it after the second ring. “Mason.”

“
You busy?” His voice was all business.

“
Not at the moment. Just waiting for everyone to arrive for the Alpha meeting.” I shrugged at Daniel as he watched on. “Why?”

“
We just got a tip off about suspicious activity outside of Woodside Hollow. The report mentioned someone who fits Helena’s description. You want to come with?”

This was exactly the kind of activity I needed. “Absolutely. Text me the address and I’ll meet you there.” Hanging up the phone, I was already out of my chair, grabbing the keys to my truck.

“
Where we going?” Daniel asked, rightfully assuming he’d be joining me.

“
Helena’s been sighted. Devlin’s sending me the address to meet him and whoever he’s bringing. They think they might’ve discovered her new hideout. Find her, and it could clue us in to where the Master is.”

Heading out the door, Daniel stopped, looking over his shoulder toward his bedroom. “Let me go grab something, and I’ll meet you outside.”

“
Okay. Hurry, though. Time’s of the essence,” I urged, eager to be on the road.

Five minutes later, we were both grimly seated in the truck, heading to the coordinates from Devlin’s message. There was no way of knowing what we’d find when we arrived, but it didn’t stop me from sending up a silent prayer that somehow luck would be on our side.

****

There was no other way to describe the scene that greeted us other than an absolute bloodbath and senseless destruction. After meeting with Devlin and the Enforcers with him, we’d talked strategy about what to do once we stormed the suspected hideaway. Even though there were cars outside the secluded mansion that stood amongst a cropping of trees off the highway, once inside, it was clear the premise had been hastily vacated.

Whoever had been here was, no doubt, connected to Helena and the Master. The ritualistic murders screamed of the dark witch and her preference for chaos. Before we’d even entered the home, the scent of blood filled the air, hitting Devlin and the other vampires at full force. They were highly trained in dealing with such situations, but after watching Darcy struggle with her thirst, I knew this was torture for them. Breathing through our mouths to avoid the heavy, coppery scent from overwhelming our senses, we entered cautiously, quietly hoping there’d be someone left alive.

Nothing.

My stomach churned at the sickening display of brutality. Limbs had been torn from bodies, throats slit, lifeless eyes staring back as we witnessed the destruction. There was nowhere to step that didn’t coat the bottom of our shoes with blood, morbid red footprints tracking throughout each room as we searched for survivors.

Meanwhile, evidence of magic surrounded us in pentagrams drawn and carved into the floors and melted candles forming circles around each one, covering the different surfaces in various rooms. Bowls of liquid and herbs lay kicked over, spilled so that the fragrance mixed with the pungent odor of beginning decay.

My wolf stirred, his impatience whispering for me to take action. It was all so unnecessary. While I didn’t know any of the deceased, they were no doubt innocent of any crime other than being overly trusting and in the wrong place at the wrong time. Many were human, which would prove a problem to Zane and the Enforcers because murder on this scale was difficult to keep out of the public’s eye. One or two disappearances were easier to arrange, but judging by the bodies I’d already seen, there were anywhere from twenty to thirty dead.

This was a massacre, plain and simple. The key, now, was to find out why and who was responsible. My gut told me it was Helena and, from the look on Devlin’s face as he approached, his lips drawn into a thin line of anger, he agreed.

“
Do you think this is the consequence the Master was talking about?” I asked, unable to keep from gazing about. There was so much carnage. Someone needed to acknowledge each person and mourn their passing.

He nodded brusquely, pointing to the doorway that led to the back of the house. Without saying another word, Daniel and I followed him. As we entered the large living area off the kitchen, my blood ran cold—all thoughts instantly stopping.

I didn’t need to read the large message that had been painted on the wall. My gaze was riveted to the three hanging bodies someone had nailed to the wall. All men—their faces had been carved up and disfigured, what little skin I could see caked thickly with dried blood. They were still swollen as though whatever had shattered the bones in their arms and legs, had also been used against their jaws and cheekbones. They were a mess—less human, more minced carcasses, and bile rose in the back of my throat. It was everything I could do not to vomit where I stood.

“
What the hell?” I whispered, hesitantly stepping forward.

“
Shit, Mason. They look . . .” Daniel began.

“
They look like you when we found you,” Devlin finished.

I couldn’t look away, and suddenly my wolf felt too big for my body. He was furious, demanding to be released so he could hunt down the people responsible and remove them from the face of the earth.

“
Take them down,” I murmured, my voice soft at first. When no one responded, I all but thundered in rage. “Take. Them. Down.” Racing over to where the strangers hung, dead, I started working on removing the restraints, unable to remove the nails. “Help me, someone.”

As each second passed, it became harder and harder to breathe. Finally getting all three men down from the wall, I clenched my fists, desperate to control the fury that coming here had triggered. When Daniel rested his hand on my shoulder and squeezed, I closed my eyes, accepting the strength he was offering.

I wouldn’t fall apart. This would simply fuel my already building desire to ensure this never happened, again. I would use this to convince the Alphas coming that they weren’t immune to such horrors. Each body lying dead in the house was an innocent—someone who, for all intents and purposes, knew nothing about Supernaturals and our community. They’d still been swept into the Master’s plot to seize control. It proved that no one was safe.

It also proved he’d go to whatever lengths necessary to enforce his ultimatum.

Unfortunate for him, I refused to back down. There was much to avenge—this bloodbath only added to the list of evils.

“
If he wants war, he has one,” I said, finally looking at the message on the wall.

There were three words drawn in blood—one for each victim.

I am death.

“
There’ll be nowhere for him to run once we find him,” Devlin confirmed, his jaw muscles tight as we stood there, Enforcers entered the room to gather evidence and remove bodies. “It’s only a matter of time.”

“
I’d prefer sooner than later, though,” Daniel added, an odd look in his eyes. We’d gone through a lot together, but this was something new to him. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was fighting back the urge to pound something, like I was. It was difficult to stand amongst such destruction and not hear the call to violence screaming.

“
I need to go check on Darcy,” I stated, unable to shake the building dread. In the wake of this, there didn’t seem enough time to ensure that everything was in place and everyone I loved was safe. There was too much to do, too much riding on the success of the Summit. As each Enforcer passed, their responsibilities weighing heavy on them, they knew it was up to them to hunt down Helena and the Master. Each moment wasted ran the risk of a repeat of this.

“
She’s fine,” Daniel answered, pocketing his phone. I hadn’t noticed him calling someone. “She’s at home and she said she’ll wait there for you.”

Nodding, it helped me think clearer knowing she wasn’t out in town where she could be ambushed. “Have Wade stick by her and send out an alert to Pack members. No one goes out alone. Hell, tell them to just come to the house. They can pull out the tents and sleeping bags and sleep under the stars. I need to know everyone is okay. If some feel they can, have them go visit relatives until I send them word. I don’t want anything like this . . .” I paused long enough to look around the room. “Happening to our people.”

“
Done.” Excusing himself, Daniel left, leaving me alone with Devlin.

“
Who the hell is this Master? Do we have any ideas?” I asked, impatient for more information.

“
We’re doing the best we can; but right now, his identity is a mystery. Everything we know we’ve gleaned from Darcy’s experience with Amber and yours with Helena,” Devlin answered. A young vampire approached him, whispering in his ear. Agreeing to whatever was said, Devlin’s dark hair fell across his eyes, forcing him to brush it back. “The blood is too much for some. I just hope this doesn’t trigger any of my Enforcers. They’re already working around the clock and tired. Scenes like this don’t help.”

I couldn’t begin to imagine. “Do you need me for anything else?” I didn’t have the same restrictions, but the gore and smell was wearing on my own frazzled nerves.

“
I was hoping by now we’d be bringing Helena in for questioning. That was the main reason I wanted you to join in the investigation. Give you some sense of closure.”

“
I won’t get any until this is over and we’ve destroyed everyone involved in this madness,” I fired back, heatedly.

“
We will, Mason. I won’t rest until it happens.”

No longer needed, we exchanged goodbyes, Devlin agreeing to stop by the house after debriefing Zane on this latest turn of events. As I rushed through the sordid scene and out into the clear, fresh air, part of me worried that calling the Summit, now, might end in disaster.

Joining Daniel and heading home, one truth remained.

Disaster or not, there was no going back.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Darcy

He looked exhausted when he returned, but it was the haunted expression he wore that worried me the most. I didn’t press for him to open up; instead taking him gently by the hand, I led him to our bedroom. There was no resistance—no telling me there was no time.

As I slowly undressed him, feathering soft kisses over each patch of skin I exposed, I didn’t need to ask what made him tremble. I’d seen enough through our connection before he mercifully blocked me—shouldering the devastation alone. We both knew there was so much to do, but this took priority.

If Mason stood any chance of compartmentalizing this afternoon into a box for later processing, he needed something stronger, more powerful, to cleave to.

I’d be his light—the hope to overshadow the despair I felt lurking within his mind. Sadness had become a new companion to his indignation and rage, sorrow for so many needless deaths. Life had always been precious to my mate, and he wore each loss on his sleeve, accepting responsibility to avenge them.

Humans were so frail compared to supernatural beings. They always surprised us with their resilience and ability to adapt to whatever challenge they faced. In that, we were all alike; but without the additional magic and grace our kind was innately blessed with, their bodies broke easily.

Too easily.

We were weapons, lethal when unleashed.