Unbound (13 page)

“Let’s go, then. I want to meet up with the creep who was going to enslave me tonight since I’ve still got about twenty minutes before midnight.” She strolled through the Gate as if it weren’t there, Roo on her heel.

Gannon reached out to try and stop her. “Kayla, are you sure you know what you’re doing? It could be dangerous.”

“Yeah, for the first time in the last few days, I know exactly what I’m about. It’s a danger I’m used to. I don’t come to the Drifts often anymore.” In fact she hadn’t come in the last few years. Shrugging, not thinking about her decision, she strolled past the carcass of the MoonSkin, restraining herself from kicking it, glad he couldn’t hurt anyone ever again.

16

Kayla headed up the alley
and into one of the main streets in the Drifts. Half Past was a bustling neighborhood where anyone could get anything for a price, and where everyone had one.

Cat calls and whistles followed her down the street until she made it clear to one overly friendly guy she wasn’t for sale. It had been awhile and people tended to forget, even with a rep like hers.

She remembered the old thrill, but now she was on a mission and she headed down another alley. Gannon had her back and she went in, knowing what to expect. Or she thought she did.

Raising her hand, she knocked on a hard wooden door. Gannon stood where he couldn’t be seen.

“Gannon, I just thought, if it’s been such a short time here, how did they send those creatures over?” she asked, afraid of the answer.

“I think when you activated the magic in the bag, people were sent to catch you because you might not finish the run. Something large was trying to break through the Gate when I took you to the workroom the first time. I think the creatures were sent then and we let them through when…”

Kayla held up her finger to her lips and Gannon cut off abruptly. Silent footsteps pounded towards the door.

“What do you want?” the person on the other side demanded.

“I have a package I was supposed to deliver here before midnight,” Kayla said.

“Where’s the package?” he asked through a slot in the door. Kayla saw beady brown eyes with a yellowish tint to the whites. She held up the nondescript bag for him to inspect.

“That’s all?” he asked.

“Yeah. If you don’t want it, I’ll take it back to Keaton,” she said, bluffing.

“No, no. Come on in. I’ll ask for confirmation, and you can wait in the foyer.” He opened the door. Roo went in ahead of her and she stepped through with Gannon close behind.

He slapped his hand on the door to stop it from closing, pushing through before the guard could stop him.

“Who are you?” the guard demanded.

“This is my partner,” Kayla said offhandedly.

“They didn’t say there would be two of you.” He scratched his head.

“No? Well then, you’ve heard that I was coming. No need for confirmation, is there?” Kayla smiled at catching him in a lie.

“What? No I didn’t say that,” the guard argued, quickly backpedaling. “I need to check with the boss.” He backed away before they could draw him into anymore conversation, or catch him in anymore lies.

She watched the guard trot up the dingy hall and around the corner to the right. She’d almost laughed outright at the fear on the guy’s face when he’d realized he’d said too much.

Wondering what would come next, sure they were being watched, she schooled her face into stone and looked at Gannon as he was about to say something. Raising one hand, she nodded towards the camera in the corner up the hall. He took the hint and moved in closer.

She felt uncomfortable with Gannon so close to her, the heat emanating from his body. Not knowing what else to do, she gave her dog a useless command. Slapping her leg, she called, “Roo, to heel.”

The lackey came to the head of the hall, staying some distance from them. She could see a faint swelling beginning around one eye. This didn’t bode well for them, she thought, if the punishment was that severe for speaking too openly. She’d been correct in her assumption that they could be heard as well as seen.

“This way,” he said, walking away, giving them no time for further conversation.

They walked down the grimy hall, following it to the right. Kayla thought she heard faint cries and Roo pressed closer to her leg, almost causing her to stumble.

She looked straight ahead, noting the doors they passed and wings either right or left, so she could find her way back again if there was a need to. She knew they were walking into a trap and grew more nervous with every step.

Gannon walked at her left. She ached to talk with him, but knew there would be time for that later. The guard led them to a room with a heavy steel door. Kayla stepped through and saw a large man sitting behind an equally large mahogany desk, busy with paperwork.

Gannon followed her in, and she saw him stiffen when he saw who sat at the desk. “Covington,” he growled under his breath.

Frowning, Kayla waited until the man acknowledged their presence. She tapped her foot while they waited. Five minutes passed before the man looked up. Steepling his fingers, he looked over the top of them and pursed his lips.

“Well then, who do we have here?” Covington asked.

“I have a package from Keaton,” Kayla said.

“Ah yes, Keaton.” The man smiled evilly. “Well, let’s have it then,” he said, motioning with his hand.

Kayla glanced at Gannon before strolling to the desk and tossing the bag down. She stepped back. The man gathered the bag carefully in his hands and Kayla’s heart sped.

He looked up after a moment, glancing at her. “It appears you’ve broken the contract and opened the bag.” His black eyes flashed. He nodded at the yellow eyed guard who’d stayed behind them as they stepped into the office.

“I’ll be taking my payment for your indiscretion out of your hide,” he said as the guard lunged for her.

She dodged the man, stepping out of his way just before he reached her, throwing him off balance.

“There was a compulsion spell on the bag,” she said.

Covington held up a hand to dissuade his men momentarily from another attack. “Was there, now? No matter. You’re still standing there, breathing. I’d say you’re a far more valuable asset than the bag now.” He spoke as if explaining the cost of a side of meat.

“What are you talking about?” Kayla asked, stalling, trying to keep him talking.

“Gannon there knows of what I speak, and I suspect that, by showing up in his presence, you know as well.”

Whipping her head, she looked at Gannon, realizing that she’d missed something. “What is he talking about, Gan?”

Gannon sneered. “So, do the others know you’re a turncoat, Covington? How many of our numbers’ disappearances of late have been your fault? Is Catrine here?” Gannon glared at the man with a look of pure hatred, he moved purposefully towards Covington.

“No,” Covington said triumphantly. “You and your little pet won’t live to tell anyone, either. No, wait. I have a better idea. I’ll make you my personal slave, you and your daughter my pets. Either way, I win. I wonder, my girl, how did you get him to leave his protection? Keaton is smarter than I’ve given him credit for.”

“What? Wait. This is about Gannon?” Kayla asked, trying to keep him talking. All the time he’d spoken, she’d watched his henchman transform. The MoonSkin thought they wouldn’t notice.

Kayla felt Roo tense as he pressed into her leg, giving off a low warning growl. Before the MoonSkin could attack, he leapt into action. Kayla wanted to turn, but didn’t dare take her eyes from the man before her. Gannon joined Roo, bringing his sword down on the hindquarters of the Wer.

Nyx solidified, slowly coming into view; he wrapped himself around Kayla’s legs. Covington backed up against the desk, giving Kayla an opening. She whipped her sword out and checked her strike right under his neck. She paused and looked at Gannon out of the corner of her eye, wondering if she should end this now. Not knowing the whole story, she was reluctant. When she looked back at Covington, he sneered at her.

“You think that little knife will help you now?” he laughed.

Then she heard the rest of them coming and increased her pressure on the blade.

Roo took down the wolf, ripping a gaping hole in his flesh. The wolf fell to the floor, air bubbling in the wound.

The MoonSkin began to shift back to human form as his dying body lost control of the change. Then something heavy slammed repeatedly against the thick metal door. It was only a matter of time before they broke in. Roo sat, panting, next to Kayla as Gannon put his back into the door.

“You can surrender now, and be handed over for judgment,” Gannon said, grunting against the force of the door. “Or I could kill you now,” Gannon spat.

“I don’t think so,” Covington said before disappearing in a cloud of sulfuric smoke.

Gannon swore before turning his attention to the more urgent threat. “It’s not over with, Covington,” he snarled, leaping out of the way as the pack burst through the door.

17

Kayla hurled a blaze of blue fire
as Gannon knocked the pack flat. Roo clamped his jaws around the leader, cutting off his life force in one snap. Shaking his head to and fro, he tore out the last alpha’s throat, leaving the pack leaderless.

The pack froze mid leap, falling back, disorganized. Roo stood his ground in front of Kayla.

She watched in disbelief as the rest backed off, cowering before her beautiful dog. He’d already killed their leaders. One-by-one, the Wers transformed, blurring back to men. They knelt before Kayla and Roo.

“What’s going on, Gannon?” Kayla asked, one hand buried in Roo’s fur, the other grasping her sword.

Gannon released the power shielding them from the pack and answered, the awe in his voice apparent. “The pack has accepted Roo as their new leader. It’s rare,” he said, eyeing Roo.

“Why would they do that?” Kayla asked, confused. “Roo’s just a plain, ordinary dog.”

Roo pressed against her leg. “Yes, he may be an ordinary dog, but he’s just killed three of their leaders with barely a scratch on him. And he’s subservient to you, so indirectly, you’re the new pack leader. Isn’t that right, Roo?” Gannon asked.

The dog whined, keeping his eyes glued to the changing MoonSkins.

One of the naked Wers came forward, crawling prone on the floor. “If I may speak?” he said to the floor to show proper respect.

“Yes,” Kayla said, uncomfortable with the concept of someone asking her permission to do anything.

“I am called Karn. I speak for the pack. What is it the mistress would like of us?”

Kayla looked at Gannon, unsure of how to proceed and hoping he had some suggestions.

Gannon shrugged. “It’s your show.”

A scream sounded in the distance.

“I want to know where that’s coming from,” she took off at a run following the sound. She found the hall where they’d come in. Not knowing where to turn, she looked up and down the hall before she spun around and almost ran into a very naked Karn coming up behind her.

“If you will forgive me, mistress, for my assumption, but I thought you might want some help finding the rooms you seek.” He bowed his head so as not to make eye contact.