A Mate for Griffin (13 page)

Griffin was sure to stay far enough away to avoid detection. It had been easier on the open roads but since they’d hit the more mountainous terrain it had become more difficult. He cursed as he reached another fork in the road. Although road was a loose description. It was clear that not many vehicles travelled this path and very often.

Griffin leaned further out the window and sniffed the air, relying on his sense of smell rather than eyesight at this point. There was a more distinct scent of exhaust fumes to the right of the fork than the left. The fuckers had more than likely gone that way. He set off in that direction. After half a minute he switched off the SUV and listened, satisfied when the faint sound of engine noise reached his ears. The fuckers were ahead of him. They had gained ground on him but were still moving.

Unfortunately, they had headed into the wilderness. The middle of fucking nowhere. It would be up to him to rescue Sarah. It had to be one of the groups. What the fuck did they want with his female? It couldn’t be good. His only solace was that they wanted her alive. Why take all that time and effort to grab her if they didn’t plan on using her somehow?

He needed to stick to the plan. Find out where they ended up stashing her. Assess the situation. Formulate a plan and then kill the fuckers. Everything might be a variable but that they were all going to fucking die was a given.

Griffin had been so deep in thought that he almost drove straight into the clearing. Almost drove right up to the cabin. He cut the engine and allowed the vehicle to roll back along the same path he had driven up on. There was no movement around the cabin in question. He prayed that no one had been looking down the pathway at that exact moment. His SUV would’ve come into sight, but for only a mere fraction of a second. Sloppy on his part.

Only once he was far enough away did he start up the SUV so that he could drive the vehicle into the forest. It was rough going and took an agonizing few minutes to ensure that it was properly hidden but positioned for a quick getaway.

Griffin may have dressed quickly but thank fuck he had strapped two knives to his body. One at his ankle and another on his thigh. All thanks to relentless training that he had received by his good buddy Lazarus. What he wouldn’t give to have the male at his side right now. It wasn’t because he couldn’t handle a handful of pussy humans. It was because if anything happened to him he wouldn’t have any backup. Fear rose up in him. For the first time in his life he was afraid of something happening and not for himself.

Griffin had always been respected but underestimated. He had often managed to gain the upper hand because he was fearless. He didn’t mind taking risks to come out on top. Others didn’t feel the same and it would often mean their loss. He felt doubt overtake him. If something happened to him, what would happen to Sarah?

He blew out a breath. This was not the time to turn into a yellow fucking belly. Years of training, of being willing to do anything, take any risk suddenly felt like not enough. His limbs felt weak. His mind too slow. It had been too long since he had fed and not long enough since he had died. Fuck!

Griffin sucked in a breath. It didn’t matter. He might be weak for a vampire but he was strong for human. He was a male on a fucking mission. He stalked to the edge of the clearing and hunkered down.

There was a stirring inside. He stayed perfectly still, not moving so much as a muscle, hardly even breathing. There were definitely three bodies moving within the cabin. Too big to be Sarah. Of his female, there was no sign. The movements were unhurried. They seemed to have no idea of his presence. The males talked amongst one another, but he couldn’t make out what they were saying. He was just too far away. Needed to get closer, but that would mean potentially giving up his position and putting himself in the open.

As much as it killed him to do so, Griffin waited five more minutes before he unsheathed the knife on his thigh. The movements inside the lit structure remained unhurried. Although the voices sometimes grew agitated, it did not seem that they were planning an ambush. The outside of the cabin would be dark. Where he was crouching would be pitch black. The perimeter of the clearing was drenched in shadows. Sarah was at risk. It was three human males to one. Sarah was tall for a human but she was slight and timid.

His female needed him. It was on that thought that he proceeded forward. His jeans were dark blue and his shirt grey, so as long as he moved slowly and carefully it would be difficult to detect him.

Griffin felt the pain before he heard the noise of the blast. He tried to twist his body and succeeded enough to prevent the second bullet from also penetrating his heart. He felt his rib break and his lung pierce. The third shot took him in the belly. The first shot had hit him directly in the heart. The only positive was that the bullets were of a high caliber and because of the close range, they had passed straight through him.

The pain was mind-blowing. His blood trickled from the wounds since his heart was no longer beating. His flesh wasn’t even considering knitting itself. This was the end for him. He only hoped that the tracker on the vehicle would bring help before his female was moved again.

Sarah. Precious, beautiful Sarah. He had failed her. He grit his teeth, a sound of anguish left his lips as he died.

****

Her hands were tied behind her back and her mouth was gagged. Her head pounded from where she had struck the inside of the vehicle. She had been carelessly dumped in a corner and now faced the wall.

“Earl said to carry on as normal.” It was a male voice. “I really want to look out the window.” He spoke softly.

“No way. Don’t you dare. You’ll scare the cock-sucker into hiding.” Another voice. The guy also spoke softly.

“It’s been an awful long time. No offense, Chester, but you do see things sometimes. Are you sure you weren’t just being paranoid?”

“Fuck you, Lewis.” A loud growl. Definitely human.

“Keep it the fuck down.” It was one of the same guys that had spoken earlier. His voice was gruff but he kept it down.

“Sorry, Sam, but Lewis really gets on my fucking tits sometimes. I saw the SUV clear as day. It was the same kind as those vampire fucks we blew to smitherines. I’m willing to bet anything that more of those fuckers are onto us. Is everyone ready? Silver bullets loaded?” He lowered his voice and she had to strain to hear.

Sarah’s heart beat faster at the prospect of a rescue. She was also really afraid for whomever was out there. Her only solace was that Griffin would be safely at the castle and out of harm’s way. She tried to work her hands out of the ties but quickly gave up. They were so tight that her hands were numb. Shit! She looked down noticing for the first time that her dress had ridden up around her hips. Her sheer panties did little to hide her lady bits. If she ever got out of this she was never wearing little, lace thongs ever again. It would be granny panties all the way.

Sarah had to bite back a laugh knowing that it would come out sounding hysterical and that if she laughed, that all the other things she was feeling would surface. Instead, she took a deep breath.

She’d been lights out for most of the car trip so her kidnappers had probably seen everything already anyway. No one had paid her much attention. Hopefully it stayed that way.

“Locked and loaded. I’m ready for the sons of bitches. Everyone remember the plan?” Someone asked.

There were sounds of affirmation.

“You sure you weren’t laying into the booze?” Lewis said. At least she thought it was Lewis. Sarah twisted around and dizziness and nausea rolled through her. She had to shut her eyes for a few beats.

“Fuck you, Lewis. I haven’t touched the sauce since we’re on a fucking job. I want my ten large thank you very fucking much.” It was an older guy that spoke. He had grey hair which reminded her of Mick. Poor Mick. Another sob rose up in her but she held it down. The grey-haired guy looked angry. “I saw the car and I—”

There was a loud noise. It sounded like the cracking of a whip only louder. A gun shot. It had to be. It was followed by two more in quick succession. This time, Sarah couldn’t hold back a muffled groan.

Time seemed to drag by. There was a huge commotion as the three men turned over tables, which they positioned in front of the windows. They all had guns and they aimed them towards outside using the tables as cover. They were breathing heavily, their eyes were large.

The minutes dragged by until the youngest of the men let out a huff of air. “I think he was alone. Why the fuck was he alone? Maybe it’s a trap.”

“Stupid idiot.” Chester choked out a laugh. “That one dropped like a fucking rock. I don’t think he came with others. If that dead one was supposed to be a decoy then they would’ve acted by now. That did feel too easy though. I thought these vamps were hard to take down.”

“Earl is a sniper, you nitwit. Three bullets will do that regardless of species.”

Sarah’s heart was pounding. Had they really killed someone? Since they were cold blooded killers, she knew it was possible. She prayed it was some sort of mix up.

“Turn on the lights.” Someone from the roof shouted down to them.” Must be Earl, the sniper.

Chester hit some switches on the wall closest to him and then peeked out the window. He whistled. “Looks like all of those shots hit the SOB.” He lifted his chin. “Good shooting, Earl.”

“I’m coming down.” Earl yelled, still above them. “Cover me but please don’t shoot me.”

“Come on down, Earl.” Sam looked to be in his early thirties. Medium build with sandy hair. “You did good. You too, Chester.”

The older guy beamed. “I told you I saw an SUV. I fucking told you.” He turned to the other guy, a youngster. Early twenties maybe. He was short and had dark hair.

The front door slammed open. “I shot him straight in the fucking heart.” The newcomer was tall and thin. He wore a wide grin and looked to be in his forties. His eyes zoned in on her. “I shot one of your boyfriends, sweetheart. He’s dead. Fucking done for.” The asshole added the last unnecessarily.

She squeezed her eyes shut feeling tears slip past. What the hell did they want with her? Who were these murderers?

“Oh shame! Crying, angel?” The sniper walked over to her. He had a mask thing on his head. It looked like goggles. She’d watched a movie once were an army guy had worn a similar pair to see in the dark. “He was just a filthy bloodsucker. Not worth your tears.” His eyes were blazing. Filled with hate. He shook his head. “I don’t understand why you would lower yourself and let those disgusting creatures fuck you.” He spat on the ground. “When’s the pick up?” He glanced back at Sam.

“Five o’clock tomorrow evening.”

“Put her in the bedroom.” he instructed Sam. “Tie her to the bed. I don’t want that bitch anywhere near me.”

“You heard him,” Sam barked at Chester.

The older guy walked over to her. She could feel his eyes on her and when she turned to look up at him she saw how he was looking at her. It made her skin crawl. Unfortunately her dress was still pulled up. She squeezed her legs together until her thighs burned from the effort. “Shit.” Chester groaned. “She’s mighty fucking fine.”

“Don’t even think about it,” Earl growled. “Tie her to the bed and get your ass out here. You need to bury that vampire. Lewis, you need to find and dispose of his vehicle. Sam…” He waited till the other guy turned to him. “You go with him and take these.” He tapped the goggles on his head. Sam gave a curt nod.

“Fine,” mumbled Chester. “I’m taking off her clothes though.” His beady eyes raked over her body.

“Quit it, you fucking pervert. Leave the bitch alone.” Earl’s face had turned red and his eyes bulged.

“What if she breaks free?” Chester snapped back. “At least if she’s naked she won’t get very fucking far out there.” He jerked his hand towards the window.

Earl considered this for a few seconds. “She’s not going anywhere, but fine.” He looked Chester in the eye. “Leave her underwear on and don’t get any ideas. You’re a married man. Fuck!” He shook his head, looking disgusted. “That’s vampire leftovers.”

Chester leaned down. “I loves me some leftovers.” he muttered, loud enough for her to hear but not so loud that the others would make the words out. Then he stood back up. “Wait until you’ve been married for as long as I have. A tight piece of ass like this is like dangling meat in front of a rabid dog.”

Earl gave a toothy grin. “I’m not the marrying type. If Lauren tries to tie me down, she knows where the door is. Get to fucking work.”

“We have to hand her over alive.” Chester took a step forward and Sarah’s heart beat faster. “There was no mention of not being able to fuck her.”

“You’re a sick fuck, you know that?” Earl pointed at Chester with a jerk of the hand. “What the hell is wrong with you? Have some respect.”

“She’s dead anyway what difference does it make.”

“I didn’t mean that you needed to have respect for the vampire bitch. I could care less about her. I was talking about your wife or at the very least for yourself.” Earl pulled a face.

“I’m old. I don’t care too much about respect anymore. I don’t care if she let a whole coven of vampires have her. I’m going to bury the body and then I’m going to fuck her. Who made you the boss?”

Sarah felt sweat break out on her entire body. This couldn’t be happening. This could not be happening. Please no!