Bloodrose (33 page)

“The side door will bring us into the kitchen,” Shay said. “We’ll be on the back side of the house. We can make our way to the library from there.”

My skin crawled beneath my fur. That meant we’d be slinking through the halls of Rowan Estate, passing all of those horrible paintings and ghastly statues. Any of which could come alive should Bosque Mar already be waiting for us.

I could still hear the battle raging at our backs, but as we approached the far end of Rowan Estate, the sounds of war seemed to be swallowed up by the walls of the manor. The immense building cut us off from the conflict, separating us from enemy and ally alike. Though I’d known it had always been the plan, I felt a sense of dread wash over me as I realized our small party would face the horrors on our own.

“There’s the door.” Shay strode forward and I saw the dark shape bloom within the shadows.

I barked at the same moment Connor shouted, “Shay! On your right!”

Shay had his swords ready as the wraith attacked. But it wasn’t only the wraith that was moving. From around the back of the manor four wolves appeared, bearing down on us in a storm of fangs and furious howls.

The first wolf leapt, knocking Connor down. Adne pivoted, her steel whip flying out. The wolf squealed as sharpened steel tips lodged in its body. It yelped again when Ethan’s crossbow bolts thunked into its flank. The wolf twisted, trying to pull the bolts out. Its final cry died in a gurgle as Connor plunged his dagger into its chest.

My father had thrown himself into the second wolf. They were tumbling across the ground, snarling and tearing at each other. A few feet away Ren was facing off with the other two wolves. None of the three had attacked, but instead they all stared at each other, bristling, filling the air with low, threatening growls. Bryn and I stalked up to flank Ren.

My pulse buzzed through my veins as I realized why he’d hesitated. Dax and Fey glared at their former alpha. Their muzzles twisted in frustrated, furious snarls.

Don’t do this.
Ren’s mind opened to all of us.
We shouldn’t fight.

I ran to his side.
Listen to Ren. Please.

Why?
Dax ignored me, barking at Ren.
So we can bow down to your bitch too?

Don’t ever talk about her that way.
Ren took a menacing step forward.
You know nothing about what’s going on here.

Really?
Fey sniffed the air disdainfully
. I think you’re just afraid to be the alpha you should be. You’re weak.

You’re an idiot, Fey.
Bryn snarled.

At least I don’t let Calla think for me.
Fey glanced at Ren and Bryn.
You’re both weak.
Her muscles quivered.

Fey, don’t!
I braced myself. But she was already lunging.

I was ready when she slammed into me, but the force of her leap sent us sprawling through the snow. Bryn rushed after us, sinking her teeth into Fey’s side. Snapping jaws and savage growls told me that Ren and Dax were fighting alongside us.

Our best fighters. I remembered what Ren had said about Dax and Fey. Like attracts like. But now their skill in combat was working against us. We were their alphas, but would we be able to best them?

I rolled to my feet. Fey was faster. She landed on my back, sinking her teeth into my shoulder. Ignoring the pain, I bucked hard, flipping us over so she slammed into the ground beneath my weight. Bryn leapt at her, crushing Fey into the snow. Fey twisted and kicked up, sending Bryn flying.

I scrambled up, knowing what I should do. Fey was still on her back. The soft flesh of her belly was exposed. Two bites to open up her gut would be fatal. But I had to do it now.

My breath caught in my chest. Fey squirmed on the ground, about to roll over. I couldn’t wait any longer.

Something buzzed past my ear. Fey’s bark of pain became a yelp as a second and then third crossbow bolt entered her abdomen. She rolled over, snarling but trying to limp away. A trail of blood soaked the snow beneath her as she tried to flee.

Ethan was beside me, raising his crossbow. “I’ve got this.” He jerked his chin to my right. “Help him.”

I pushed away regret as Ethan took aim, turning to see Ren and Dax circling each other a few feet away. They were both panting. Blood darkened their fur, dripping onto the snow. I rushed at them, throwing myself into the air and locking my jaws around the back of Dax’s neck. Even with the force of my attack, he was too big to take down. I bit down harder, struggling to hang on.

He snarled, spinning in a circle as I clung to him. Finally he reared up. I knew he would come down on me just as I’d landed on top of Fey. I couldn’t afford to be knocked down. I released him, twisting in the air as he fell backward.

Feeling my weight vanish, Dax spun in the air and landed on his feet again. He pivoted around, snarling at me.

God, you’re a pest.
His eyes were full of hate.
Time to squash you for good.

I’m waiting.
I dug my paws into the snow, bracing myself for his attack.

He snarled but then barked, twisting his head around as Ren’s teeth tore through his hamstring.

Now, Calla.
Ren’s shout filled my head.

I knew what he meant. Forcing any doubt from my mind and moving on pure instinct, I lunged. My jaws locked on Dax’s throat. I bit down hard, ripping through muscles and finally crushing his windpipe. His blood poured into my mouth as his body stiffened and then went slack. I dropped his deadweight, backing away from the hulking wolf’s unmoving form. My muscles were shaking.

Ren limped up beside me.
It had to be done.

I whined, leaning my muzzle against his shoulder. I knew he was right, but I felt sick.

You’re hurt.
He pushed against me.
Take some blood.

You first.
I turned my shoulder to his muzzle. His teeth pierced my skin. I stood still as he lapped up blood.

I’m good.
He licked my muzzle.
Go ahead.

I bit into his chest. The smoky sweet, wild taste of his blood slipped over my tongue. The sparkling warmth of healing poured over me.

Thanks.
I lifted my muzzle to press my nose against his cheek.

Looks like we’re clear.
My father padded over to us. His muzzle was bright with blood, but I could see no sign of injury on him. Behind him the corpse of an elder Bane lay sprawled on the ground.

He looked at Dax’s body and then at Ren.
Your packmate?

Ren lowered his head.
My second.

I’m sorry.
My father rested his muzzle on Ren’s shoulder.

Ren whimpered softly, leaning into my father.

I dropped to the ground, grief heavy in my bones, and stared up at the night sky. Bryn, covered in snow, snuggled in beside me with a low whine. I rested my head on her back, catching the scent of Fey’s blood in her fur. The moon was gone now, covered by thick bands of clouds. As tiny silver flakes drifted down to settle on our bodies—both the living and the dead—I thought perhaps the moon had hidden her face from us, as full of sorrow as we were. But she couldn’t stop her tears from spilling out in the form of silent snow.

CONNOR STOOD BEFORE THE DOOR,
reaching in his pocket for lock-picking tools. Ethan shook his head.

“Logan was supposed to leave it unlocked.”

Connor shrugged and tried the door. It swung open.

“That’s a good sign,” he said. “Right?”

“It’s a sign that Logan is at least pretending to be on our team,” Ethan said. “Let’s not read anything else into it.”

“Agreed.” Connor had his swords drawn and moved slowly into the kitchen.

We followed him into the cavernous room. In the darkness I could make out pots and pans hanging from the ceiling. A long prep table stretched nearly the length of the room, and a huge brick oven took up most of one wall.

“You could cook for all of Vail in here,” Adne said. “How many big parties does your uncle host? Like one a week?”

“None,” Shay said. “At least not that I’ve seen.”

“Does anyone even use this kitchen?” Connor asked.

“I came down here for snacks,” Shay said. “They keep the fridge stocked.” He pointed to a walk-in refrigeration unit beside an equally huge pantry.

“You ever find bodies in there?” Ethan muttered.

Shay didn’t answer, but he shuddered. I was sure he hadn’t ever considered that possibility before he learned the truth about his uncle. I wondered if coming back to Rowan Estate was as frightening for Shay as it was for me. The more I thought about it, the more I became convinced it was probably much worse for him. He’d lived here, called this place home without knowing what lived in the walls, the tortured prisoners trapped in paintings. He’d laughed at statues of incubi that he now knew could come to life and attack. He must have felt as if the very ground was constantly rolling under his feet.

I trotted to his side and licked his fingers, hoping I could lend him some comfort. He smiled down at me.

“Home sweet home,” he said, but the haunted quality of his gaze let me know I’d been right about his feelings.

This has to be the creepiest house of all time.
Bryn stayed closed to my heels.

I glanced over my shoulder.
It’s definitely in the top ten.

I bared my teeth at her.
Speaking of focus, now is not the time to be asking about my love life.

When we were about to exit the kitchen, Shay paused. “Do yourselves a favor and don’t look at any of the paintings.”

Connor nodded, moving quietly into the hallway.

The corridor was dark. Connor led us at a cautious pace. I knew it was wise, but creeping forward set my teeth on edge. A stifled gasp hit my ears. Ethan’s head was bowed. Adne laid her hand on his arm, leaning in to him to whisper in a calm voice. When he lifted his face, I saw his jaw clench and the veins in his neck throb.

Shay glanced at him. “I told you not to look.”

“Just keep walking, Scion,” Ethan snarled, but his voice shook. “He wasn’t your brother, he was mine.”

I made the mistake of glancing over my shoulder at the painting Ethan had just passed. A man in tattered clothes lay stretched out on a table, agony etched on his face, his mouth open in an eternal cry of pain. Dark shapes loomed in the shadows at the edge of the painting, watching him. I wished I didn’t recognize the man, but I knew Ethan’s brother, Kyle, the moment I looked at the painting and I felt sick. It was my fault he was trapped forever, his torture feeding the wraiths. I’d thought I was doing my duty, protecting Shay, when I’d killed his partner, Stuart, and handed Kyle over to the Keepers for questioning. How many other choices had I made while serving the Keepers that had destroyed the lives of people I now called allies and friends?

A hand brushed my fur. I turned to find Shay watching me, his eyes bright with concern.

He offered me a thin smile. “I’m not trying to pet you. I just want to say that the past is the past. You didn’t know. Neither of us did.”

I pushed my nose against his palm as I tried to erase the horror of the painting from my mind.

We had turned the corner to enter the manor’s central corridor when Connor gave a shout. His blades flashed out, hitting something solid and then clanging off as the blow was deflected.

He spewed curses, stomping his feet and kicking the wall. “Statues! For the love—” He began to swear again.

“Connor, you’re making me blush,” Adne said, stepping forward to inspect the marble succubus.

I barked at Shay, wagging my tail. He flashed a grin at me, sharing the memory of my first visit to Rowan Estate. I couldn’t blame Connor for his reaction. The statues were just too realistic.

“You’ll have to watch out for that,” Shay said. “The statues are all over.”

“A ready-made army,” Connor said. He glared at the statue. “Just waiting.”

“An army that we fought during our last visit,” Ethan said. “Remember? How come these aren’t outside playing with their friends?”

“Rowan Estate’s creatures are still dormant.” Shay rapped his knuckles on the succubus’s stone forehead. “The minions outside must be the Keepers’ pets from Eden. That means Bosque isn’t here. He hasn’t summoned them.”

“Or he wants us to think he isn’t here,” Connor said.

Shay frowned. “I don’t think so. Only the wolves are fighting. Bosque had all his creatures in the mix in the last fight. He’s not here. Not yet.”

“Only one way to know for sure.” Connor made a rude gesture at the statue and then continued down the corridor.

My heart seemed to be stuck in my throat, beating hard as we stepped into the grand foyer of the manor. Suits of armor and more hideous creatures cast in marble circled the room, standing like guards before the immense staircase.