Raining Kisses (The Opeth Pack Saga Book 2) (18 page)

All the blackness hit when he thought back about that day. Darkness so bleak, so empty, so overbearing it usually threatened to bring him to his knees, slammed into him.

One moment he'd been in his loft, the next, back home. Old home.

Andris and Andor had cornered Katarina.

Again.

“Get up and take it like you’re supposed to. If you don’t, you’ll unleash hell on all of us.”

She screamed when Andor started for her.

The instant Andor touched her, Nicholaus lost it.

Something vile had unleashed inside Nicholaus, a need he’d mistaken for protectiveness but later called murderous rage. Then the world went blank. When he woke up, he tasted dried blood on his muzzle and numerous others were in the room cleaning up the defiled bodies.

No one met his stare.

Fear didn't seep off them, it tornadoed.

“Do you remember what brought you out of your rage, Nicholaus?”

Nicholaus shook his head and found Katarina's face, body, not the young girl but the beautiful woman, and his loft.

“Krystyna came into the room and said something to you. She professed her love for you and me. Then you turned around and looked at her. I saw the painful look in your eyes,
drágám.
You were so hurt for what you’d done to me, it was almost as though you ached more than I did for my loss.”

Nicholaus frowned.

“You were so sweet to feel that way, Nicholaus. But there was a lot you don’t know about my father and brother. They were not good wolves. The Flower Maiden’s disease only amplified their pain.”

Sure he knew what they had been doing to the girls of the pack. It wasn't uncommon at that time for that sort of thing. A lot of wolves had been inflicted, touched by the Flower Maiden's disease and were beginning to show signs. Oddly, Nicholaus did what he needed to in a blind rage, blacked out from this world while he cleaned up the mess that bitch left her wolves with. He wanted to spit nails at the fact that such a deity of sorts could be related to the
Boldog Asszony.
Desperate times called for desperate measures and the Opeth Pack had been dying off slowly. The prevailing thought had little to do with logic, but stated basically that more puppies equated a larger pack

It didn’t matter if those puppies became infected via the Flower Maiden.

God damn her too. He huffed. “What’s to say I wouldn’t have come after you and Krystyna? Or Kiba? Or of the former elders?”

Katarina rested her palm against his cheek. “My heart knows best sometimes,
drágám
. You should really consider listening to me more often.”

“If I planned to be around more often, I would.”

“What do you mean if you planned to be around more often? You’re not leaving after this is over, are you?”

“I don’t plan to go back to Hungary with you two.”

“Then we shall stay here.”

Nicholaus studied her face. Her lips were set in a firm line, her eyes sparkled with determination. “I meant it when I said I’m not letting you get away this time. It’s about time I take what I want, for once.”

“You’re asserting yourself?” He crossed his arms over his chest.

Very matter-of-factly, she nodded. “I am. I will not board a plane to Budapest without you. And Krys can’t stop me. She won’t. You two have a lot of talking to do.”

He shut his eyes. “No. We don’t.”

Stepping forward, she poked him in the chest with a long fingernail. Her eyes narrowed and her face was red. “Yes, you do. You two need to get over your aggression and make up. She’s behaved just as childishly as you have, and I’m tired of it.”

Nicholaus started to say something but stopped short. She was right. Letting out a long, slow breath, he forced himself to relax. “Fine.”

Her smile returned. “Good. I’m glad. We need each other,
drágám
. I feel Savas is close, I can scent our third.”

He nodded, sniffed the air and picked up on the Turkish wolves nearby. How Katarina had grown so quickly in the last few days was a mystery to him. Apparently though, it was time.

A knock on the door disturbed them. “Who would be coming over now?” Nicholaus tensed, waited for the rush of power that came from new people.

“Probably Józsi and Selene. Even in his confusion and aggressive behavior, he supports his pack entirely.”

The door opened. Nicholaus looked down the makeshift hallway to see Selene and Józsi stalking toward them. “We’ve got trouble.” Selene sounded anxious. Her deep red mane had been pulled back in a tight ponytail, emphasizing her round face and bright eyes. The air crackled around her enough to put Nicholaus's nerves on full alert. Aggressive energy swarmed around her, making the hair on Nicholaus’ neck stand on edge.

“Józsi’s hung over and can’t fight?” Nicholaus snickered.

Józsi snorted and stepped through the door, wearing black like a second skin. His jacket fit over large shoulders and remained open, though he carried no weapons. This wouldn't be a fight with traditional weapons anyway, not unless the sword Savas carried counted. Two pairs of boots clicked on the concrete. “Not even close, pal. And she wouldn’t be freaking out if that were the greatest concern we had. Have you two seen the news?”

Nodding, Nicholaus watched Katarina walk up to Selene and give her a hug. Instantly, the anxiety around Selene died down. In fact, her clothing, black jeans and tight top that pushed her chest out, seemed to ripple until Katarina hugged her.

Nicholaus looked at Katarina. “How did you do that?”

Katarina smiled at him without answering.

“Katarina is part of our pack that does that like it’s breathing.”

“I’m just learning the same thing with Lukina and Ilona. Our women are amazing, Nicholaus.” Józsi pulled two cigars from his pocket. “I’ve been learning a lot from them both about us and it’s literally amazing. Here,” he handed the cigars to Nicholaus, “These are for when you’re done later today.”

Nicholaus took the two cigars and looked closely at them. “That’s a La Viña Eighteen isn’t it?”

“Yeah. Let’s say I have friends in China who owe me.”

“Thanks.” Nicholaus turned to Selene.

Selene stood quietly chanting while stroking Katarina’s hair. She looked up and opened her eyes. Nicholaus saw something flash across her pupils but didn’t want to ask about it. It actually looked like something had taken over Selene momentarily.

“Savas is only a few blocks away. He’s left the military vehicles down by the south valley but is traveling on foot as a wolf. So, it looks like he’s trying to intimidate this town.” Józsi lowered his gaze.

“Fat chance. There are gangs here who’d shoot him for crossing their territory.” Nicholaus settled a hand on his hip.

“And they’ll be murdered in cold blood quickly. The city of Albuquerque is trying to pass a ban on wolves. If Savas and his gang murder anyone, they’ll make sure wolves are blamed. And your little home here will be reduced to ashes if you're caught.”

“This town couldn’t give a fuck about our existence.” Nicholaus settled a hand on his head.

Józsi shook his head. “Normally you’re right. But over the last few days there have been uprisings in the gang territories by the North East Heights area. Savas isn’t as advanced as Les is but he has certain powers, I’m told. I sensed them the other day from here when he was near you.”

“That’s just great. I assume that’s why you two are here today?”

Józsi nodded. “You guessed it. I need to be at the helm of whatever fights I can be as your Alpha. And as you know, the fact that we’ve ignored so much of our heritage really is a problem.”

“Somehow I’m not sure I like the odds. How come Les couldn’t stop these guys?”

Selene smirked. “He’s not here, and more importantly, there is something wrong with Les. Ever since he fought Marco, there has been something wrong with him. He’s off his game. Yes, his magic is still strong and he can manipulate people and those of lesser intelligence. Wolves are a different matter but he still has some modicum of control over them. But the Les we knew is gone. He’s become a recluse.”

“Not entirely. We saw him turn away about a dozen hunters who attacked our village. That’s why I intended to bring the girls back here.”

She set a hand on her hip. “Yes and no. You saw Les’s shadow. The real Les hasn't left his house since Marco fought him.”

“Shadow?” What the fuck? Shit just got heavy on the Les front.

Selene clucked her tongue. “Yeah, his abilities range from being able to project himself anywhere he chooses and make that image corporeal, to even greater things we’ve yet to understand about him. But that shadow is far less powerful than the real Les.”

“Shit. So he can be in two places at once?”

“Yeah,” Józsi nodded. "I had no idea. Selene told me when I came back. Even Lukina hadn’t a clue. We do know that both existence and Shadow are weakened but for how long this will last is a mystery. Les has always had complicated designs for the world.”

“So, we're kind of fucked.”

Katarina stood beside him, took his hand in hers. She mouthed something he barely heard.

“You didn’t do anything to him?” Nicholaus wrapped his arms around Katarina.

Selene sighed. “No. After my…” She let that thought trail off, looked away, then back at Nicholaus, “He ran. I did search him just after Marco defeated him and found something of interest to those of the Craft.”

“What?”

“He wears the mark of the Maiden.”

Katarina and Józsi gasped. Obviously, Nicholaus had been out of the loop too long to know what any of this shit meant.

“I don't understand.”

“Unfortunately,” Selene coughed, “neither do I. I need to read more of my mother’s books to figure this out. This pack is not only a large mess, but an even bigger mystery. I can only tell you if Les were honest and true with what he’d said to all of us, things are about to get interesting and bloody.”

“Great.” Józsi nodded.

“Yeah. That means I'm supposed to put more things in motion. That phrase has repeated in my head more times than I care to count. What am I supposed to be doing? How are my actions going to impact our pack?”

“Sweetie, you’re going to have to trust your mates on this one. Krystyna is in danger. Worry about the rest, later. Save her.” Selene's eyes closed. “Don’t worry about the body count. Just save her. It’s vital to our existence, this pack’s existence.”

Great. More cryptic answers. Like he hadn't expected them. Something on the wind set Nicholaus’s teeth on edge. “Fuck. We’ll figure it out later. We need to get going. I smell foreigners.”

Józsi stroked his chin. “What bothers me is that they’re making an open attack on American soil with American wolves. Why would Savas do something like that?”

Selene shook her head. “Beats me.”

Nicholaus put a hand behind his head, looked away. “Maybe this is an attempt at getting to me? He said his pack doesn’t have a healer. Challenge us, take one of ours. But what good will that do if she can’t belong to his pack?”

“It’s certainly unsettling. Krystyna can heal the wolves in his pack but those who start to exhibit signs of Lunar Flower disease will not take the magical treatment as her own pack would if we detected the insanity early enough. She’ll only prolong their suffering.”

“Doesn't Savas know that?” Józsi leaned back against the wall, crossed his arms over his chest.

“No,” Nicholaus shook his head. “I’ve looked into his mind, through Katarina’s magic. He’s blinded by what he wants, what he thinks he deserves but cannot have. Why do I get the feeling shit's about to go down?”

Józsi stretched his arms out wide. Cracking his knuckles, he looked directly at Nicholaus. “That’s because they’re outside the loft.”

“I bet they won’t wait to be buzzed in.” Nicholaus snickered.

Selene and Katarina glared at him.

“What? They won’t.”

Józsi sighed. “Come on. Let’s go meet our guests.”

“I hope they brought beer.” Nicholaus led Katarina by the hand to the door.

“I hope they brought something stronger than that.” Józsi caught Selene's hand and followed them out.

T
he elevator doors
opened and Nicholaus heard the sound of glass shattering. The noise filled the hall and shards splintered everything in the walls including the paintings.

The smell of gunpowder seared the air.

“Attention ladies and gentlemen, I think we’re going to have a problem.” Nicholaus waited a beat.

“I know you’re there. Come out Magyars. Meet your death.”

Savas's deep voice couldn't help the delivery of that cheesy threat. “Corny shit from the Turk. How did you find us?” Nicholaus stepped out from the elevator. His nerves hadn't been on edge until he locked eyes on the general. Then his jaw tensed, muscles flexed. He had to remind himself a show of force would be bad if he started things off the wrong way.

Savas stood at the entry way dressed in black. His thick beard had been trimmed neatly. Light reflected off his polished boots. The sheath of his sword gleamed in the daylight.

“Savas. Couldn’t you have come up with something better than ‘meet your death’?”

“How about, prepare to die?” Savas cocked an eyebrow and tilted his head.

Józsi snickered. “Still cheesy.”

He sighed. “My English is…how do you say, it sucks?" He blinked. "Oh well. I found you through following your mate, Katarina. She led us right to you, as we knew she would. Here,” he snapped his fingers, “You want this?” Savas waved a hand and a soldier shoved Krystyna forward. Her hands and feet had been bound together. Her eyes were swollen, lips puffy and bruises marked her skin.

Clothes had been tattered and Nicholaus smelled dried blood.

A hand settled on his shoulder. Katarina.

Nicholaus clenched his fists but kept them at his sides. He planned to remain calm despite festering anger threatening his sanity. “Yes, I do.”

Savas sneered. “You can have her. She truly is tainted now that you’ve touched her before she gave me a child. And she cannot help my pack.”

Nicholaus forced himself to focus on the pain and sorrow in Krystyna's eyes before paying mind to the blinding rage that threatened to consume him.

"What have you done to her? I'll make you pay dearly."

“And you accuse me of corny lines? Nothing.” Savas chuckled. Drawing his sword, he pointed the long blade at Nicholaus. “Bring the others out of the elevator. I know your witch is there. I feel her.”

Selene stepped out of the elevator followed by Józsi.

“This is not the way to fight a battle.” Józsi crossed his arms and stared vehemently at Savas.

“I’m well aware that I should challenge the offender and his alpha, but I understand you are no alpha.”

Raising a fist, Józsi took a step forward. “On what grounds do you challenge me and mine?”

Power flowed around Savas. “On the grounds that the heathen,” he pointed his sword at Nicholaus, “soiled what was mine.”

“Nicholaus, please leave them. This is all,” Krystyna sniffled, “all wrong.”

He lifted a hand, ignoring her plea. “I did no such thing. You’d have to have actually touched her but before that, you’d have to know she belongs to me. You would have soiled what is mine by right and I’d be forced to kill you.”

Nicholaus felt the burst of energy throughout the room but stood his ground. “She was never yours, Savas. This is not a fight with the Opeth Pack. It’s a fight with me. And if that’s what you want, bring it.” Crouching, he cracked his knuckles and smiled, baring lengthening canines.

“Nicholaus, no! Don’t. He’s got an advantage!” Krystyna struggled against her bonds and fell forward. Katarina rushed with supernatural speed to catch her and bring her back to where Selene and Józsi stood.

Why had that been too easy? What was Savas’ game?

Nicholaus watched Katarina shower Krystyna with kisses then turned his attention to Savas. “It seems we have the upper hand.”

“It would seem so. But you need more than speed to defeat me.” Savas snapped his fingers and produced an energy ball just above his hand. It floated, giving off an intense heat.

“So what? Les can do that too.”

“But can your Les throw his energy?”

Selene stepped forward, coughed. “I’m not impressed.” She put her hands together and formed a ball twice the size of the one floating above Savas’ hand. Her ball glowed black and purple. Energy crackled around the ball. Nicholaus felt the heat from her energy twice as much as the one Savas held. “With this I could bring down the entire building, crushing just you, Savas.”

Jerking his head around, Nicholaus glared at Selene. “This is not your fight, Selene.”

“I know. But Savas doesn’t realize that even his pack rules prevent him from fighting you using techniques you do not possess. The idea was that if you could not fight on your own, then you deserved to die.”

“The rules govern all wolves, not just his pack.” Józsi flicked his wrist and produced a large dagger.

Savas stepped back.

Józsi sneered.

“Bah.” Savas spat the word out.

“Thank goddess for that blessing, I suppose.” Nicholaus closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Exhaling slowly, he opened his eyes and focused his attention on Savas. “I’ll tell you what, Savas. You could pack up your shit and get the fuck out of America and stay the fuck out of Hungary, or you can die with your family.”

“My family brought the Turkish wolves to a new high in respect amongst the wolf community. We are not laughed at as you are. We are feared, revered and respected. I shall not back down. Despite the fact that my pack lacks a true healer and witch, I shall persevere.”

The Turks were without a witch also?

No wonder Savas acted with desperation. But if that remained true, why not kidnap another pack witch?

Selene obviously overpowered him. Or did she?

“Taking what belongs to a great race of wolves is like candy from a baby. You think Krystyna is safe but I know where to track her and your other witch.”

There was a collective gasp from Selene, Nicholaus and Katarina. Krystyna had been going in and out of consciousness since they reclaimed her. Nicholaus tried to divert some energy to her but he wasn’t a healer. Work like that took extra energy and usually resulted in more of a drain on him and others, rather than helping them.

But he’d try for her. This was his fault in the end.

“What are you talking about, other witch? Wolf packs only have one witch.”

“Yes, but the Opeth Pack possesses some fucking gift,” Savas clenched a gloved fist, “allowing it to have more than one witch. I don’t know why, but you don’t need her.”

“You’re bluffing you blowhard.” Józsi strode up beside Nicholaus, bared fangs.

The violent nature of the wolf started poking at Nicholaus. His vision blurred momentarily. What was going on?

He swayed from foot to foot, shifting his weight nervously. He had to force himself to remain steady and focused. “The fact that you lack both is your weakness, Savas. I do not know what happened in the Turkish packs all those years ago to upset your witch or the Goddess, but I intend to make you pay for what you did to what is mine.”

“The Goddess has turned her back on us all. Worthless bitch. As for Krystyna, I was never able to have my fill because she told me she had been with another. I need a woman who is pure.”

“You should never have disrespected my lover, Savas.” Nicholaus’ shoulders tightened. Hair rose on the back of his neck, his teeth grew longer. Something inside of Nicholaus surfaced and then flowed around him. His eyes narrowed. His mind drove out all other thought except murderous rage. “You will die, Savas.”

“You are actually going to challenge the greatest fighter there is? I cannot believe you would think such a thing. Oh, wait. Does this have to do with that lame prophecy bullshit spread throughout Europe amongst the wolves?”

Nicholaus shook his head, crouched low and stepped forward, his size increasing along with the power he felt surrounding him. “I don't know. I know only that you harmed Krystyna and have been invading territories for no reason other than to conquer those less fortunate than you.”

“They need conquering; the Hungarians are a sad group who exist only because they have not been phased out yet.” He set the blade of his sword against the stone.

“They are the strongest of the packs in the region and you challenge them only for glory that matters to no one. This may be prophecy related, Savas but so what?” Nicholaus growled, tried to stop himself from dropping the magic making him appear human but found it impossible. He struggled, his body shaking before he lost the battle and stood before Savas on all fours, claws out and ready for bloodshed.
Shut up and die.
Even his own voice sounded foreign to him.

Savas dropped his human illusion and appeared in wolf form. Lime green eyes made the black of his pelt seem darker, sleeker than normal. Long canines protruded from his muzzle.
You are the one who will die. I am the last of a long line of great warriors. You will soon see Emes and Álmos.

Nicholaus didn’t say another word. He crouched low, ears back, lip curled up, baring his fangs.

“Watch yourself,
szeretőm.
” Krystyna’s voice sounded shaky to his ears. Distant.

An overwhelming flood of noise echoed loudly in Nicholaus's ears, urging him to go with his physical strength and lead with intent to kill. Shaking his head, Nicholaus padded closer. Voices in his head chanted things he could not understand. Rage swelled in his belly, traveled up his spine, and spread throughout his body, settling around him like a thick fog. If it weren’t for Savas’ lime green eye, the target would be lost to Nicholaus.

Savas growled
. Are you going to make the first move?

Something crashed behind Nicholaus, turning his attention toward Józsi.
I am your Alpha, even if only in name right now. I am behind you, Nicholaus.

Panting, Nicholaus grunted. Blood pounded in his ears. His vision blurred, then cleared. Savas was in front of him one minute, then on top of him the next, jaws snapping, snarling. Nicholaus kicked out, knocking Savas aside and then rolled and braced himself for an attack. Savas launched himself into the air.

Nicholaus lunged to meet him, jaws open, claws lengthened.

The two connected with such a force that both were knocked back.

Neither had scored a hit.

Nicholaus landed on his back and rolled over, quickly righting himself.

Savas did the same. Raising a paw to his muzzle, Savas wiped his mouth.
That could have gone better.

Indeed it could have
. Nicholaus backed up against the wall and started running, lunging himself in the air at Savas.

Savas jumped at him and the two connected.

Nicholaus managed to scratch Savas across the ribs before the two landed.

Savas hit the ground on his side but instantly rolled to his feet. He snorted at Józsi and Selene who were behind him.

Józsi barked.

Savas returned his attention to Nicholaus. Charging, the Turkish general opened his jaws. A light formed at his claws and slammed hard into Nicholaus.

Pain punched into Nicholaus's shoulders and chest, sending him flying back against the wall hard enough to crack sheetrock.

What do you know, dots and stars. Shaking his head, Nicholaus forced himself to stand. He moved to his feet, felt sticky blood on his fur from the now open wound in his stomach.

He screamed at himself, forcing himself to ignore the pain.
Kill him. Rid the world of his sickness!
Nicholaus shook his head again and felt Selene’s voice caress something deep inside. It frightened him.
Please stop me if I go too far,
he begged her on a mental pathway that only Selene could hear.

“What?” Selene picked up on the problem in Nicholaus’ head. “Something’s wrong with Nicholaus!”

“No, just let him be!” Katarina’s voice echoed in his head. Nicholaus looked up in time to see Savas lunging forward, jaws open.

Nicholaus moved but wasn’t fast enough.

Savas caught him by the thigh and sank his teeth into Nicholaus’ flesh.

Lighting pain seared him when the fangs punctured flesh. Nicholaus screamed and jerked free of Savas’ grip. Spinning around, he snapped at Savas.

Savas leapt out of the way and steadied himself.
You’re pretty tough, Magyar.

All Magyars are tough.
Nicholaus barely finished his statement before Savas jumped at him again.

Dodging out of the way, Nicholaus took the offensive and caught Savas by the throat, forcing him against the wall hard enough to nearly punch through it. Pictures fell around them, debris crumbled behind Savas.

I could end it right now, Turk.

He felt a wicked grin caress his mind. Savas.
Don’t you want to slake that blood thirst?

Nicholaus growled, bit down and shoved Savas away. The taste of flesh and blood filled his mouth.

“What are you doing?” Krystyna yelled.

Nicholaus didn't bother acknowledging her. Instead, his world narrowed down to the one thing he could see through the blackness.

“Nicholaus, kill him!”

The distant sound of Katarina’s voice echoed in his head. Nicholaus forced himself to block it out and all other distractions.
Come on, Savas. If you’re really this good, bring it on
.

I plan to.

Nicholaus felt his fur stand on edge while he blocked out the screaming. His world came into focus and colors became more vivid.

Savas crouched down but didn’t move. Instead, a black and white aura surrounded him. His eyes glowed bright green. His tail wagged back and forth slowly, brushing the ground.

“Nicholaus, don’t!” Selene’s voice wasn’t nearly as distant. In fact, it seemed almost as loud as the blood pounding in his ears.

What she said didn’t matter. Nicholaus launched himself at Savas, jaws open, claws ready to strike. Connecting with the other wolf, he felt the shock of power surging through Savas. That same surge of power rushed through Nicholaus, electrifying his entire body. His insides ached, burned. The smell of burnt flesh permeated the air.

Nicholaus thudded on the ground and spasmed for a moment, all pain forcing his thoughts on it, rather than the desire to win this fight and prove his status.