EnemyMine (17 page)

Chapter Eleven

Sadie.

The desperation in Trey’s voice disrupted her dream, jolting
Sadie from a sound sleep. The dream seemed so real—too real. The way he said
her name, as though he was saying goodbye, made her stomach churn. If he could
reach out to her while she slept their connection was stronger than she’d
thought. He was in danger, she could feel it.

Blessed Goddess.

She rolled from her bed and rushed to her wardrobe. During
Trey’s absence she had monitored a small group of Shepherds that had come into
the area. Some of them had taken to wearing clothing that allowed them to blend
in with the residents of the city, moving into homes in lower-class areas to
remain undetected. But most city residents didn’t wear cowboy boots, and “yes
ma’am” and “no ma’am” weren’t common phrases used in New York.

Shepherds stood out if you looked closely, even if they
tried to hide among the masses.

Could one of the groups hurt him? Take him somewhere? Had he
dropped his guard long enough to let them get their hands on him? Granted, she
hadn’t thought the delusional hunters were a threat just yet. Just shy of a
half-dozen, they couldn’t possibly take out the shifters surrounding them. It
would be suicide to try.

Damn it.
You
stumbled onto them by accident. How
could Trey have possibly known they were in New York?

Why hadn’t she warned him when she had the chance? He could
have told Diskant Black, who would have made sure the shifters under his
protection were properly prepared. Why had she neglected to share something so
important?

Because you were angry, and you ran from him like a
scorned lover.

Her blood ran cold as her fangs descended, brushing against
her lower lip—a result of her rising anger. If someone harmed him, they’d pay
in blood. If anyone was going to inflict damage on Trey’s gorgeous body, it
would be her. His words had hurt, lancing her chest, but she didn’t want him
dead.

She’d just managed to slide into a pair of leather pants and
pull a sweater over her head when one of her coven walked in. After she glanced
up to confirm the identity of her guest, she continued getting ready. Leigh
didn’t ask questions, she simply watched as Sadie went about her usual routine,
fitting weapons into the sheaths on her legs before sliding into the harness
that kept her sword in place on her back.

Sadie took a glance at her sister-in-magic, noting Leigh was
too thin, too damn pale. The newest addition to the coven was a made vampire
who struggled with her vampirism, as well as her newfound powers. Leigh had
been nothing more than a kid who happened to be of mage lineage—something she
didn’t even know until she was changed. Being converted was difficult enough
but it was something that never should be forced, not on a twenty-two-year-old
who didn’t even know supernatural things existed. That’s why the head of the
coven had invited Leigh into their home, giving her a sanctuary where she could
feel safe. Unfortunately over a year had passed and she still refused to
acclimate to her surroundings.

She fought the change. Fought her magic. Fought who and what
she had become.

Damn the maker who turned her and left her to survive on
her own. If I ever find him, he’s going to be food for the fishes.

“What’s wrong?” Leigh’s voice was as soft as her features,
the words light as a feather. She’d braided her long dark hair in a plait down
her back. Her penguin pajamas were too big for her willowy frame, hanging off
her like a sack. Like this, she looked like a teenager at a slumber party. Not
like a vampire with the power to destroy someone if she wanted to.

“I have to go out,” Sadie said and guided her sword into its
sheath. “Something’s happened.”

“To your werewolf?” When Sadie’s head jerked upward, Leigh
laughed. “Don’t be so shocked. Everyone knows. In a house this small secrets
come out.”

“I’ve been staying at the healing caverns to avoid gossip,”
Sadie grumbled.

“But you return home late last night, smelling of wolf, and
won’t talk to any of us. It isn’t difficult to put two and two together.”

Sadie took a deep breath and counted to ten. Living in a
home with five mage vampire females meant tongues often wagged. “You should be
focusing on yourself, not me,” she said, studying Leigh. There were dark
circles under her eyes, the healthy glow she’d had a month ago long gone. “How
long as it been since you fed?”

Leigh’s dark blue eyes slitted and her lips pressed
together. “I’m fine.”

“So it’s been a month then? You haven’t eaten since the
coven forced you?”

“I don’t want to
feed
,” she grimaced as she said the
word, “unless it’s necessary. I can go without for a couple more weeks.”

Poor creature.

Leigh starved herself because the thought of ingesting blood
disgusted her. Sadie remembered when they’d first brought her into their home.
Leigh was desperate to eat normal things, even though it provided her no
sustenance. After a couple weeks, when the hunger didn’t abate, she learned the
truth. Discovering she’d have to take blood nearly broke her, and it had taken
the power of the coven to make her hunt to survive.

Inspiration struck. Leigh would feed if she had a job to do
and leaving the house might seem like an escape to the girl. “Not if you’re
going to help me.”

As she expected, Leigh perked up. “Really? You want me to
help you?”

“That I do.”

Sadie strode to her wardrobe and removed something she
never
should have taken. Months ago, when Emory and Trey had fought each other,
Trey had forgotten to retrieve his jacket. She hadn’t been able to help herself
and had swooped in to take it when no one was looking. Afterward she’d brought
it home so she could wrap the material around her and pretend it was Trey’s
arms instead. On a few nights, when the need for the man was unbearable, she’d
retrieve the coat and bring it to her bed. There she would cuddle against the
garment, imagining it was his body next to her instead of buttery leather.

“We’re going to have to locate the wearer,” Sadie said. “I
need you to use it to take me to him.”

“It belongs to your werewolf, doesn’t it?” When Sadie nodded
Leigh frowned. “I’m not sure I can.”

“Because you’ll have to feed?”

A spark of temper lightened Leigh’s eyes. “Because I’ll have
to drink someone else’s blood? Yes.”

“I’d owe you a debt,” Sadie offered, trying to appeal to the
woman and not the girl who continued to resent her circumstances. “He’s in
danger. Help me find him.”

“I thought you didn’t want to have anything to do with him.”

“More gossip?” Sadie asked, cringing at how bitter the
question came out.

“No, not gossip.” Leigh’s cheeks finally took on color as
she blushed. “Everyone in the coven knows vampires don’t mate with shifters.
It’s taboo.”

“They’re feeding you bullshit,” Sadie snapped, her patience
paper thin. “It’s not taboo, it’s just dangerous. Putting a label on things
makes it easier but the coven is trying to deceive you. Once you feed on a
shifter you can’t feed on any other. You become bound to their blood—
only
their
blood. If you don’t have it, you’ll starve.”

Leigh’s eyes sparkled at the information, as though she’d
been given an enormous gift. “So that’s why they avoid shifters?”

“Yes, that’s exactly why. They’d have to put their lives
into another’s hands, something vampires refuse to do. It’s not a pairing to be
taken lightly. Once you take their blood, it’s a done deal. There is no turning
back or changing your mind. You’re in it for eternity.”

“You run from it as they would,” Leigh whispered. “You’ve
known about your mate for months yet you continue to fight what’s between you.”

Sadie fought a smile. Apparently Leigh was finally growing a
backbone. Months ago she never would have come out of her shell. She might have
thought something, but she never would have said it. Not aloud.

“It’s complicated.”

“All of this is complicated.” Leigh sighed, bowed her head
and sat on the bed. “Since I was converted, the entire world has changed. It’s
not easy.”

“Then I figure it’s time for you to use the powers you
inherited. You have a special gift, Leigh. One that none of us were granted.
With it you can help me find Trey. That’s what I’m asking you for. Help me find
him. I think he’s in trouble.”

“Trey?” Leigh lifted her head. “That’s his name?”

It was the first time Sadie had mentioned Trey’s name,
having grown accustomed to her sisters referring to his kind as wolf-men,
werewolves and mutts. With Leigh it wasn’t as hard to be open and honest. The
girl wore her heart on her sleeve.

“That’s his name.”

“I’ve never seen a shifter before.” She fiddled with the
comforter, picking nervously at small nothings on the surface. “It might be
exciting to see one in person.”

“Then you need to get dressed and we need to feed.” Sadie
saw the panic in Leigh’s eyes when she looked up, the fear. “I’ll help you. You
don’t have to do it alone. One bite won’t change someone. If you control your
fangs like we’ve taught you, your donor won’t get any of your essence. It’s
safe to eat when you need to, Leigh. I swear.”

“I want to help you. I just don’t…I don’t want to…”

“I know,” Sadie said softly. “And you won’t. You won’t
change anyone.”

Leigh nodded and sat upright, collecting her courage. “When
do we need to leave?”

“Before the rest of the coven rises.” She glanced around the
room, making sure she had everything she needed. “You’ll need to dress in the
clothing we gave you, so you can move undetected.” Guilt hit, a solid punch to
the solar plexus, and Sadie knew she had to be completely honest. “Do you
remember what we told you about Shepherds?”

“They have him?” Leigh’s eyes went wide. “That’s where we’re
going?”

Sadie nodded. “I’m pretty sure that’s what we’re dealing
with. It could get nasty. You need to know that up front. I need your help but
I’m not going to lie to you.”

“Why now?” The conflict on Leigh’s face made Sadie’s guilt
increase. “Why would you trust me with something so important?”

“Because you’re family,” Sadie said bluntly. “And it’s time
you start getting comfortable with what you are and what you can do. I can’t
give you back what was taken from you but I can show you life goes on.”

“When you find him, what will you do? From what everyone has
told me shifters don’t exist without their mates. He won’t let you go.”

The smile Sadie plastered to her face was fake but she hoped
Leigh didn’t see through the façade. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to
it.” She glanced at the hall. “You need to hurry. We don’t have a lot of time.”

Sadie didn’t release the breath she was holding until Leigh
rose from the bed and rushed from the room. What an enormous mess. Trey knew
what she was to him now—his mate. If she went into Shepherd territory he’d be
able to identify her. She shivered at the remembrance of his arms around her,
the touch of his lips against hers. That part had been glorious. What stung
came afterward, when he’d treated her like nothing more than a whore with his
words, putting her in her proper place and reminding her why they couldn’t be
together.

Despite herself, she brought his jacket to her nose and
inhaled. As always, the scent that came to her was fascinating and
debilitating. She allowed herself to take in one final lungful, imagining
things were different, knowing they couldn’t be.

Lowering the coat, she accepted that no matter what she’d
save Trey. Afterward she’d leave him alone. He didn’t owe her anything. Theirs
was a mating that was doomed from the start. Starvation wasn’t something she
was keen on experiencing and with Trey that precise thing would happen. Unlike
Leigh, she had to feed at least once a week, sometimes twice. Hunger varied for
all vampires. Some needed more, some needed less. In her case going without
nourishment for a month would likely kill her—a death that was sure to be slow
and agonizing.

That was why she had to keep her head on straight and do
what needed to be done before moving on. Regardless of if it hurt and despite
her feelings, she couldn’t have Trey Veznor.

The price was too steep.

Chapter Twelve

Ava woke with a throbbing head and a dry mouth. She shifted
her body, finding that doing so only intensified the pounding in her temples. A
musky smell invaded her nose, the mattress beneath her lumpy and obviously old.
She coughed when she got a full-on inhalation of the bedding, choking on the
scents. If there was a downside to being bloodbonded, it was sensitivity to
foul smells.

“
Ava mine
?” Diskant’s voice was loud in her head, his
fear bleeding into the words.

She managed to direct a thought back to him despite her
disorientation. “
I’m here
.”

“
Where is here
?” He was on the verge of a breakdown
and she knew it. She remembered being snatched from the store, taken although
she fought. Sadly, she had no idea where “here” was. After they’d put the cloth
over her mouth the world had faded to black.

“
I’m not sure. Give me a sec
.”

“
Ava…”
He growled the word, no less threatening when
using telepathy than he would be face-to-face.

“
Don’t try to scare me, Neanderthal. I can’t tell you
where I am until I know.
”

A string of curses ran through her mind but she ignored
them. If she wanted to get out of her predicament, she had to think smart.
Since her hands were tied behind her back, she had to shimmy from the mattress.
She remained as quiet as she could when her feet hit the ground. Anyone could
be nearby, and she wanted to make it to the window a few feet away. Lights were
shining, indicating she wasn’t far from civilization. She glided across the
floor, keeping her footsteps light. When she made it to the window she shoved
aside the curtains using her face and teeth, until she could see.

Her heart raced, echoing in her ears. She wasn’t far from
home, only a few miles. She could see the sign from Becker’s glowing across the
distance.

“
You’re not going to believe this
,” she thought,
having a hard time believing it herself.

“
Then make me a believer.
”

“
I’m near Becker’s. I can see the sign.
”

Diskant didn’t respond for several seconds. Then he asked, “
Are
you facing the front or the back of the store?
”

“
The front
.”

“
What about Trey
?”

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for a multitude of
odors that would hit her nose. Hope quickly turned to despair when she didn’t
find the smell she was searching for. Trey wasn’t in the room, and she couldn’t
detect anything that indicated he was nearby.

“
I don’t think he’s here
.”

“
I’m coming for you. Hold tight, baby. Hold tight
.”

How could Shepherds be so stupid? Why would they bring her
here? It didn’t make any sense. Fright gained hold of her senses and she
inhaled again. Shepherds had used a bomb before. Would they do the same thing
twice? She couldn’t detect anything out of the normal, which didn’t surprise
her. Her sense of smell was still new and foreign. Even if there were
components to make a bomb, she probably couldn’t identify them.

She tried to block her thoughts, to shield Diskant from her
fear. The Omega had to be crawling the walls, furious and angry that his mate
had been taken. He’d warned her to stay at home but she hadn’t listened,
determined to live a normal life. Talk about something coming back to bite a
person in the ass. She’d seen how he could be, how possessive he was. Losing
her wasn’t something he’d survive. He’d rather die.

The thought brought her up short. She wouldn’t allow Diskant
to sacrifice himself. Even if he was bossy, crude and arrogant, she loved him.
So much that it hurt sometimes. They’d only started their lives together, and
there was something important she had to tell him, something she’d hoped to
share with him as soon as he arrived home from Kinsley’s.

Certainly things wouldn’t end like this?

Just as the thought formed, the bedroom door flew open and a
man entered. He was young—in his twenties—and dressed like a normal New
Yorker…aside from his cowboy boots and Stetson hat. He held a gun in his hand.
When he lifted it, Ava froze. Panic consumed her, taking over rational thought.

“
Diskant, there’s a man here with a gun. He’s pointing it
at me
.”

“
Do whatever he tells you. We’re not far. It won’t take
long to locate and track your scent. I will find you, Ava mine
.” Diskant’s
thought was a steady growl and she knew he’d tapped into her feelings. “
When
I do, they’re dead
.”

“What do you want?’ she asked, her throat so dry her voice
was a crackling rasp.

The man didn’t answer, advancing one step at a time. A dart
hit her in the shoulder, followed by a sharp bite of pain. Her knees buckled
and she dropped to the floor, thudding against the ground since she couldn’t
brace herself. The man who’d shot her slid the gun into a holster at his side,
walked over and picked her up. She struggled to stay awake as he carried her
back to the bed and placed her on top of it.

“
Sedating me
,” she managed to think. “
He’s putting
me back to sleep. I have to tell you something. You need to know…
”

“
Sleep, Pinkie. When you open those beautiful blue eyes,
I’ll be there. I promise.
”

Despite the determination she felt in his statement, she
also felt his worry, his fear. Yes, she was close by. But Shepherds could move
her while she was unconscious and take her somewhere Diskant couldn’t find her.
She blinked, trying to shake off the effects of the drug, and managed to get
out one final thought before her eyes slid closed.

“
Hurry.
”

* * * * *

“Son of a bitch!”

Diskant’s outburst caught Emory and the rest of the pack
members assembled in the Omega’s kitchen by surprise. He was gripping the
counter, knuckles white, arm shaking. They’d all been waiting for his orders,
aware that he’d finally established contact with his female.

“She’s close, somewhere near Becker’s. She was able to see
the front of the building. She doesn’t think Trey is with her.” He let go of
the counter and stomped to the kitchen table. “I want each of you to reacquaint
yourself with Ava’s scent.” Diskant lifted random articles of clothing from the
surface of the wood—all Ava’s—and tossed them around. “We have to hurry. I
don’t know how long they’ll keep her in one place.”

“What about contacting the packs and working out a strategy
of attack on the compounds?” Kinsley asked, his dark hair unkempt, his eyes a
glowing grass green.

Emory might have thought Kinsley’s increased awareness was
due to being the only feline shifter in the room but he knew better. Kinsley
would remove the head of any shifter—cat or wolf—who crossed his path. His age
and strength were not something anyone wanted to fuck with.

“If you’re going to make your move, it has to be now,” Kinsley
cautioned. “Once Shepherds get wind of the map’s existence, they’ll pack up and
move.”

Emory stepped forward. “I’ll do it.”

He’d already told the pack he wasn’t leaving his mate. It
was too dangerous with Shepherds roaming around and he didn’t want to
jeopardize their newly formed bond. As it was Mary would need to be around him,
to take his body into hers. Their connection was growing stronger, so much so
that soon he’d have to leave the pack and return to their room. He could hear
her footsteps upstairs, knew she was growing anxious and eager. Unfortunately
she couldn’t understand why. He hadn’t exactly had the opportunity to warn her
that her libido was about to shoot through the roof.

“Nathan,” Diskant said, rising to his full six-foot-plus
height. “I want you to stay with Emory. Get the list on my desk and help him
spread the word. The sooner we make contact, the faster the packs can
synchronize a plan of attack.”

The pack Beta nodded. “How long do we have?”

“If they’re going to eliminate the threat, they need to make
their move tonight if possible. The longer they take the more likely the plan
will fail.”

“I’ll start making calls,” Nathan said and left the kitchen.

“So what’s the plan, Omega?” Kinsley rose from his seat at
the table. “What would you have us do?”

“We’re going to spread out and find her.” Diskant took one
of the two-way radios and handed Kinsley the other. “I’ll take the east side,
you can take the west.” He lifted his head, looking at the pack. “Those of you
on the left side of the room will come with me. Those on the right go with
Kinsley. He’s in charge. Follow his orders as you would mine.”

Some of the pack didn’t like it, shifting their feet and
growling, but otherwise they wisely kept their mouths shut. Kinsley’s response
to their behavior was an arrogant and threatening grin. Oh yeah, the panther
shifter definitely wasn’t one to fuck with. Even on a good day.

“For those of you who aren’t prepared, hit the basement and
gear up,” Diskant ordered and patted the guns tucked under his arms. Then he
checked the knives attached to the belt at his waist. “We leave in one minute.”

The few pack members who weren’t equipped hurried from the
room to get ready. Everyone stepped aside, giving them room.

“Make sure you wear jackets,” Diskant called after them. “We
need to appear inconspicuous.” He turned his head and looked at Kinsley. “You
need to warn your contacts at the police department something is about to go
down. If a call goes out they need to be the first on the scene.”

“Done,” Kinsley said and pulled his cell from his jacket.

“I want them dead but it can’t look like an animal attack,”
Diskant warned. “If you have to break a neck or two, be my guest. Otherwise use
the weapons at your disposal. We don’t want anything traced back to us.”

“What about the buildings?” Emory asked, taking on his
brother’s role, something that reminded him there was more at stake here than
just Ava’s life. “Do you want to keep them intact? Or are you going to erase
all the evidence police might find?”

“Shit, I hadn’t thought of that.” Diskant frowned. “If
there’s anything that can endanger the pack, use whatever means necessary to
destroy it.”

“And if there are families in the buildings?” Kinsley chimed
in. “What then?”

“Make a call to authorities about an apartment fire. Then
make damn sure you engage the fire alarm. I don’t want innocent people harmed.”

Diskant retrieved his jacket from the hook near the entrance
of the kitchen. He slid into the leather, taking deep breaths. Emory knew how
much he had to be hurting. The fear had to be suffocating.

If the positions were reversed and Mary was in trouble…

He didn’t want to think about what he’d do.

The pack members returned carrying guns and holsters. They
quickly strapped them on, checked their weapons and slid into their jackets. No
more waiting. Every second counted.

“It’s time to go. Those who are with me, let’s roll.”

Everyone followed but Kinsley. “Those who are following me,
wait in the garage. I’ll be there in a moment.”

The pack members waiting for his orders didn’t argue,
filtering past him to exit the kitchen. Kinsley waited until the shifters were
out of the room before he approached Emory. There was an odd glint in the cat
shifter’s eyes.

“This seems too easy.” Kinsley kept his voice low, so the
conversation remained between the two of them. “Something’s off.”

The hair on Emory’s neck rose and tingled. “I was thinking
the same thing.”

Why would Shepherds have Ava so close? It was a stupid move.
And Shepherds weren’t known for their stupidity.

“Keep a close eye on your mate, Emory. Don’t let her out of
your sight. When we get back Diskant’s going to have to accept that things are
going to have to change.” Kinsley started to leave.

“Wait,” Emory called out. “What are you talking about?
What’s going to have to change?”

Kinsley stopped and turned. “We’ll talk later. Remember what
I said and watch your female.”

Emory couldn’t prevent the growl that crept up his throat.
Trey had been taken as well, and it was up to the pack to find him. Ava was
Diskant’s number one priority but his brother’s life was equally important.

“Diskant isn’t thinking about Trey, he’s thinking about
Ava.” This time it was Emory who spoke softly, although there was venom in his
tone. “Find my brother and bring him back. He’s pack. He deserves the same
respect.”

“I haven’t forgotten about your brother.” Kinsley’s brogue
thickened, making his words deep. “I’ll do everything I can to bring him home.”

Emory didn’t question the feline Alpha, the strongest and
most feared of his kind. Kinsley was one of the most honorable shifters he
knew, his reputation one he had earned.

“When you leave, I’ll turn on the alarms. I won’t let Mary
out of my sight.”

Kinsley seemed to relax a bit. “Make as many calls as you
can. This has to end before more people are hurt.”

A noise in the doorway got their attention. Emory tried to
hide his shock at seeing Mary standing there, clothed in oversized sweatpants
and one of his T-shirts. The clothing engulfed her small body, hiding all of
her curves.

“I thought you were alone,” she said softly, her cheeks
turning pink. “I’m sorry.”

Kinsley took a good look, starting at her head and working
his way to her toes. She grasped the hem of the shirt, shifted her feet and
tucked her chin to her chest. She had to be scared as hell after leaving the
safety of their bedroom behind but she’d done so, showing Emory she was made of
stronger stuff than she realized.

Sweet little female. So strong yet so shy.

“Kinsley, I want you to meet my mate.” Emory walked over to
her and wrapped a comforting arm around her waist. “This is Mary.”