Desired by Shadow (A Shadow Walkers Novel) (20 page)

The clock was ticking and not the bloody alarm clock. Head pounding, Monroe stumbled to the shower, detouring to the kitchen for a Guinness to kick-start the day. Smacking his lips, he at least threw the can in the bin instead of on his now clean floor. Amy had done a great job, and he’d try to keep it tidy, but she’d be fighting a losing battle.

Was nice to have proper soap in the shower. He let the hot water cascade down his tight shoulders, down his back and over his arse. Every muscle ached. Guess passing out in a chair would do that to you when you crossed into your thirties. Stepping out, he dried off and slung the towel towards the hook on the wall. It missed, sliding down the wall and landing in a heap on the floor. Shrugging, he took a hard look in the mirror. Bloodshot eyes with serious circles gazed out at him. Should probably shave…naw, why bother? Death stared back at him. Sighing, he palmed four aspirin and chewed, chasing the bitter taste with the remains of the Guinness. Padding naked to his room, he reached for what he thought of as the uniform. Now that he was an investigator he could dress as he wished.

Worn jeans, a red sweater and his shit-kickers completed his new look. Grabbing grape Pop-Tarts and a cold Pepsi—thanks to Emily he’d also gotten addicted to her favorite breakfast. It was portable and got you going in the morning, well, the brew probably helped. Not chasing that thought to ground, he snagged his keys and jacket, walking out of the flat and getting into his baby.

Two voice mails were waiting. The first was his old partner telling him the Corporation he’d been looking into was called Mors Omnibusa or ‘death to all’, nice. Shamus wanted him to be careful and not do anything since he’d been warned off looking into them. Guess spending a boatload of quid made those in charge look the other way.

Robert was his next call and the guy couldn’t help him. He was knee deep taking care of his own problems so he’d had to make a call he swore he’d never make. The guy was such a prick. Punching in Colin’s number, he waited, fingers drumming out a beat on the steering wheel.

“Cop.”

“Seriously, Colin. I know Robert gave you the deets. You bloody well know I’m no longer a cop so how about using my name—Monroe.”

“What do you want?”

Resisting the urge to throw the mobile at the windshield, he took three deep breaths. Colin wasn’t worth destroying his phone over. Hell, until his new endeavor took off, he’d have to watch his expenses. He had plenty saved, but nowadays you had to be careful.

“As much as it pains me to say it—I need your help.”

“Sorry, I didn’t catch that.”

Yep, there was a smile in that sentence. “Really, you should get your ears checked. I thought you ‘live forever’ boys had perfect hearing?”

Silence greeted him. The guy had no sense of humor. “Fine. Colin, I need your help. Okay?” Monroe filled him in. They agreed to meet behind the foster home in the alley. It was a Saturday, and if there were still no kids there, the place should be quiet as a church.

Cutting across back alleyways, he managed to avoid the tourist traffic and make it to The Wallace School for Children in record time. He parked two blocks over, got out, hit the locks and jogged to the alley behind the building. Of course Colin was already there. He was a huge sonofabitch. The guy was six five and built like he could tear your head off with the flick of his wrist. Course he’d heard the big guy in charge had given Colin some kind of power boost when he married Emily so the bastard was even more dangerous. They’d rubbed each other the wrong way from the moment they met. He thought of Colin as a nothing more than a rich, spoiled aristocrat and Colin thought he was a nosy, obnoxious cop. The dislike was still mutual, but he’d try to put his feelings aside if it meant finding Amy’s kid brother.

The aristo inclined his head. “Monroe.”

Maybe Emily had told the ancient warrior to play nice today. Nodding back, he jumped in. “The kid, Mark, was last seen here teaching some of the kids how to read. Like I said, Mrs. Potts is involved or knows something.” He paused to take a swig from his flask, offering it to Colin. He surprised Monroe by accepting.

“Ah, the good stuff. Is it Ravensmore Whisky?” Monroe wanted to smack the grin off his face but he’d probably find himself fried by a bolt of energy.

Grudgingly he admitted, “Your estate does produce the best whisky, in my opinion.”

Colin’s eyebrows hid in his hairline. “I’ll have a case sent over to you.”

Now it was Monroe’s turn to be shocked. “Appreciate it.”

“It’s awfully quiet for a foster home. Emily and I haven’t visited this one yet.”

He couldn’t help it, Monroe burst out laughing. “In other words, the little monsters are overrunning the place and you couldn’t wait to get away. No wonder you said you’d help me.”

“I’ll deny it to my last breath. ‘Tis nice to be out and about, helping the humans.”

And there was the arrogance again. “This ‘human’ is ready to kick down some doors but let’s take a look at the alley first. I’d guess they take the kids from here rather than the front.”

Colin had already begun looking around. He raised his head scenting the air. Man he wished he had the abilities these guys had. And Colin walked straight to the dumpster at the end of the alley.

“Blood. Maybe a day or two old.” Flipping open the top, he leaned in, swearing. When he turned to Monroe with a sweater, part of a navy school uniform, wadded in his fist, Monroe’s stomach hit the cold ground. “Fuck it all. That’s the kid’s uniform.”

Colin’s voice was quiet. “Do you have anything of his? So we’ll know for sure?” Reaching in his jacket pocket, he pulled out a plastic zip top bag and handed it to the warrior. It contained his hairbrush and a pajama top. Opening the bag, Colin inhaled. He gave it back to Monroe while bringing the sweater to his nose. The look on his face said it all.

“It’s a match. Doesn’t mean he’s dead, but the kid’s hurt.”

“Not calling this one in. I’m going to take this place apart.”

“I might be starting to like you a bit after all.” Colin bared his teeth in a chilling smile. “Shall we invite ourselves inside?”

Colin wrapped his hand around the padlock on the back door in the alley. The air seemed to glow bluish silver and a popping noise broke the silence of the alley. The useless lock hit the stone with a thunk. The halls were empty, their footsteps echoing on the worn floors. Leading the way to Mrs. Potts office, Monroe stopped. A tangy copper smell overlaid with burnt electricity hit his nose. Colin grimaced at the same time. “Methinks we’re a bit late, aye?”

Blood was spattered on the scarred wooden desk and walls. Mrs. Potts sensible loafers were sticking out from behind. Stepping over her feet, he leaned down. The matronly woman looked about ninety. Drained. “Damn it. We’re too late. Why do those bastards get away with killing humans while you’re forbidden? It’s bollocks.”

“I don’t make the rules, just enforce them.”

He was disgusted. Following Colin out of the office and down the hallway, they came to the stairs. He took them two at a time while the cheeky bastard dematerialized to the top of the staircase. Breathing strained. Damn, he needed to get some kind of exercise other than lifting a glass or fork. Catching his breath, hands on his knees, he gave Colin the one-second motion. Walking the corridor, every door was closed, padlocked on the outside. Nice. The kids were kept locked in their rooms. Colin blasted each one. All were empty. There was evidence the children had been there recently. Unmade beds, a shirt or pants left on the floor. The padlock was already hanging open on the last room. Nudging it wider with his foot, his mouth hit the floor. The cell had no windows and was padded on all four sides to silence any noise. He felt sick to his stomach. Colin did his bloodhound thing.

“He was here, recently. Along with at least fifteen others.”

Monroe nodded. “Can you track them?”

“Aye. I’ll be dematerializing, ye canna follow me. Give me the photo of the boy in case I find anyone. I’ll call when I know something.”

Nodding he handed over the picture, “All right. I’ll be ready—” before he could finish his sentence Colin had dematerialized. The guy might be a pain in the arse but if he could find Mark and the others, he’d do his best to get along with the arrogant aristocrat.

Cranking up the tunes, he listened to
The Peatbog Faeries
, drumming on the wheel, sipping from his flask. Thirty minutes later his mobile rang. “Remember the town where everybody up and left? Some bollocks about the people moving to better places?” Monroe vaguely remembered. “Kessock?”

“Aye. Get out here as fast as you can. There’s a farm up ahead. Three men posted as guards, what a joke.” With that, he disconnected. Great, bloody fantastic. He’d never make it in time without breaking numerous laws. Sending up a prayer to whoever was listening, he put the vehicle in gear and hauled ass.

Colin wasn’t going to wait for the ex-cop. The farm was in the countryside, in a decimated town, perfect cover for all kinds of illicit activities. This reeked of Solien’s handiwork. He’d like nothing better than to kill all three of the hired henchmen. Yes they were human but on the wrong side. Therefore, fair game. But maybe a little chat first.

Dematerializing to the northwest corner of the farm, Colin appeared directly behind the first man. He’d just rounded the building out of sight of the others providing perfect cover for what he had in mind. Lifting the man up by the back of his coat, he cranked his other arm around the guy’s windpipe cutting off any call for help. “Answer my questions and I will let you go. Nod once if you understand.”

The man nodded.

“I want to know about the children held captive here.” Releasing his grip enough to allow his feet to touch the ground and for him to speak, Colin waited.

“Yeah, there were kids here. What do you want to know?”

Excellent. Cooperation was a good sign. “Tell me about this place, where the kids were moved to and if you’ve seen this child in particular.” Colin pulled Mark’s photo from his inside coat pocket. Releasing him, he faced the minion, pushing the image into his face. “Look closely.”

“Aye. I seen the lad.”

“Before you tell me about him, answer my earlier inquiries.”

The man put his hands on his knees, taking great breaths of air into his aching lungs. “We were sent here to guard the kids. It’s a temporary holding location. Once we have a good number they get sent someplace in Edinburgh. That’s all I know about this place, I just work here.”

“Of course you’re not responsible for anything. Tell me about Mark.”

“I didn’t know his name, but I seen the kid in the picture. I remember because he and another boy got shot—” Colin punched the man in the gut, doubling him over.

“Not by me!” He gasped. “Was one of the others. Happened yesterday. The kids were hit trying to escape, they’re dead. We told Solien we checked but it was raining and none of us wanted to go out in the muck. By the way they fell when shot, was obvious they were gone. Why traipse all over to tell them what we already knew?” He pointed away from the building towards a house in the distance. “Please. I told you everything you wanted to know, let me go.”

Minions. He hated them. If he let this one go, he’d tell Solien about this little visit. Couldn’t do to have word get out. Colin blasted an energy bolt through the man’s spine, killing him instantly. The man’s body went rigid, then limp. Dragging him out of sight, Colin dematerialized to the front of the farmhouse where the second man was standing guard. Manifesting an ice dagger, he stabbed the man through the eye, the blade penetrating into the brain, dropping the man like a stone. A mobile rang. Probably the third loser checking on his mates. Ah, no need to go to him, he was headed this way. Not waiting, he shot another bolt of energy, catching the man, lifting him off his feet and slamming him to the ground. With one last look back, Colin sent a bolt of energy to the barn, igniting the hay. The place would burn to ashes, covering the evidence of the three dead men.

Dematerializing to where the first man had pointed about a half mile away, he landed in some kind of small garden. It was surrounded on all sides by a thick hedge. He could smell blood and the stench of infection. Scanning the hedge, he spotted a flash of color. There. Within the bushes he could see the two boys.

“Mark? Can you hear me?”

The boy furthest away from him, moved. “You’re all right now. I won’t hurt ye, lads.”

He heard a muffled cry and a weak voice answered him. “Are you the police?”

“No lad, I’m Colin. A friend of Amy’s. She’s been worried about ye. Can ye come out?”

The boy moaned as he crawled towards Colin. “Aidan. Can ye follow me? He knows Amy, we’re goin’ ta be all right.”

Moving slowly, both boys wriggled their way out of the hedge. They were filthy, their shirts crusted with dried blood. Neither could stand. Colin caught Mark as he struggled to get to his feet. “Easy lad. I’ve got ye.” Easing the boy to the ground, he heard a car engine. A large Mercedes SUV pulled up next to them, heedless of the bushes crushed beneath the tires. Monroe jumped out, slamming the car door.

“Nice fireball, Colin. Made it easier to find you.” Catching sight of the boys, Monroe squatted on his haunches. “I’ll be damned. You found him.”

Both boys were flat on their backs. Mark had been shot in the shoulder, through and through. The other boy, Aidan, took a bullet in his side. The hole in his back telling Colin the bullet had exited the boy’s small body. He cursed. “You were verra brave lads to run away and hide in the hedge. Ye’ve both been shot, aye? How long have you been out here?”

Mark answered, “Almost two days. We haven’t eaten anything. I’m so tired.” Aidan simply laid on the ground, his brown eyes staring up at Colin.

“Hold on, we’ll get you fixed up.” He spoke in a low voice to Monroe. “They’ve lost a lot of blood, there’s no time to get them to hospital. I can heal them.”

He wasn’t surprised to see Monroe start. He hadn’t seen this little trick. Oh well, Robert trusted him, guess he’d have to see what the guy was made of. “I’m going to assume you know to keep this to yourself?”