Dark War Chronicles Box Set One (91 page)

“Do you know Isaac? He’s been with the Hunters for thirty something years. He wouldn’t risk putting me on a suicide mission.”

He chuckled. “I know a lot more about the Society than you think, but never question the motives of humans. There could be many things that factor into Isaac sending you out here.”

A seed of doubt started to grow in her, but she couldn’t believe that a Master Hunter would do that. “Every Hunter swears their allegiance to the society, to break any rules or regulations means being skinned of your mark. Going against Elders could mean death.”

“They don’t strip people of their marks anymore.” He shook his head and turned to pour the coffee. “Those are now just boogie man stories.”

“They stripped someone of their mark last year.” She stated, her voice even.

He turned around and gave her a deer in the headlights look. “The last person was stripped twenty years ago.”

“And that was Michael, but no, this was a Skilled. Who went against everything his Elite told him to do.”

Ayden whistled. “Must have been a hell of a mission.”

“Rumors say it had to do with the Father.”

Ayden visibly shivered at the mention. “We don’t talk about him.”

“You’re scared of the boogie man of all vampires? That’s kind of cute.” She took her coffee from him. She studied the swirling black liquid and sighed. “You know I’m going back there.”

“Isadora, that is the stupidest thing you could possibly do at this point. You need to go home.” He met her gaze. “This is way over your head.” He motioned to the breakfast table that sat in the kitchen.

She sat and sighed. “What has you so scared? It’s a simple observation, go in and report back.”

He tapped his fingers on the mug and she assumed that he was thinking. “There are rumors that the vampires are gathering humans for breeding stock.”

Her stomach churned at the thought. “Breeding stock?”

“And slaves, food, cattle essentially. It’s an old practice, but apparently the Circle is trying to bring it back.” He wouldn’t meet her gaze. “It’s disgusting, but the Hunting Society won’t be able to take them down. There are too many rules and regulations that keep them in check.”

“So you think what? I should tuck tail and run?” She shook her head. “That’s not in my nature.”

“Damn it, Izzy, this is bigger than you. This is bigger than the revenge you want on every vampire. This is something that will get you killed, or worse, turned into a pet.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I’ve seen it happen, dealt with the aftermath, it is not pretty.”

She opened her mouth to ask, but his phone rang. He glanced at the screen. “I have to take this. I’ll be right back.” He stood and went into a different room. She couldn’t hear his words, the conversation to soft for her ears.

Who the hell was he to tell her she was in over her head? How did he know about her goal as a Hunter? Something wasn’t right in the situation and now was the time to remove herself. She grabbed her bag from the floor and crept through the kitchen and back through the living room. The door was unlocked and she opened it, holding her breath that it didn’t squeak. Silence. Of course it was, he was an Independent Hunter, he’d want to be able to sneak out in case of a problem.

“Yeah, I think I know what’s going on. I hear things are hell out there for you.” Ayden laughed as he talked to Tegan. “Tell your brother that I have it handled. You just focus on what’s going on there.”

“He wants details.” She grumbled.

“Well then maybe he should learn how to use a phone.” Ayden snorted. “But here’s what I think is going on. The Master Hunter named Isaac has set up something to put Isadora in danger, possibly a death that’s not suspicious, or a disappearance. I don’t know why specifically her, since the other Hunters seem to all just die on a regular mission.”

“What did he send her out there to investigate?”

“You know, if your brother didn’t trust me to handle this, maybe he should have sent you.”

Tegan laughed, but it wasn’t a happy one. “Yeah, because that would go over well with the local vampires. Not to mention I’m forbidden from traveling by the Circle.”

“I’ve missed something, haven’t I?” A pit of dread settled into his stomach. “Tegan?”

She took a moment to respond. “You have, but I can’t get into it. Just make sure Isadora’s safe, and my brother won’t geld you when you return.”

He didn’t like the tone in her voice. “She was sent out here to investigate what I think is a human slave trade location.”

“Get her out of there, Ayden. I have a feeling Zaaren will flip his shit if she ends up in one.” Tegan growled. “They aren’t supposed to have those any more.”

“Yeah, well until all the Originals wake, there is not a lot we can do. How is Nuala?”

Tegan sighed and he heard something shift in the background. “Not waking. Not yet. I can feel it though.”

“Soon then.” He closed his eyes. “Okay,” He paused as he heard a car start. “Fuck. Gotta go.” He ended the call and shoved the phone in his pocket. By the time he got to the front door Izzy was already gone. This could not be good. Stupid mule headed Hunter.

James leaned back in his chair as he watched the two Hunters on the security camera. Something changed their minds and they went back to the road. He never understood Hunters. His only worry was the two of them would go back and tell the Society, that could bring up some issues.

His phone rang and he picked up the device, flipping it open to answer it. “Hello?”

“I sent a Hunter your way. She’s smart, she won’t attack the first time.”

James looked at the screen. “Black hair? Tall? Slim?”

“Yeah, that sounds like her.”

“Were you aware that she was working with a partner?” James looked at the man with the female Hunter. He’d seen him before, he knew well who the bastard was. “Correction. She’s working with the human of an Original. What on earth did you send me?”

“I sent you Isadora Sidel. She’s on the list of families to take out. You should consider the other one a bonus. I’m sure he’s on the list if you know him on sight.” The man on the other line laughed.

That could be true. “If I kill him, Nuala dies. This could work to the Father’s advantage.”

“Yes, it seems to me that is the plan. Now, do what you want with her, but make sure she is not going to return here. I cannot have her telling people what she found there.”

James nodded. “I will make sure she joins us. One way or another.” He smirked and tapped his fingers against the desk. “The other one...if he shows back up, I will be killing him. I have a bone to pick with him and Nuala.”

Ayden stood outside the house and let out a frustrated growl. “What the hell, Isadora.” He knew her history, her family, but he didn’t think she’d be this rash. He assumed her parents had taught her better, but clearly the Hunting Society had brain washed her into believing that she always had to follow through with her mission. Or something about him tipped her off. Fuck.

His phone rang again and he looked down to see Tegan’s number, but somehow he highly doubted that it was her. “Ayden speaking.”

“Of course it is you speaking, who else would be answering your cellular phone.” Zaaren’s voice came across the receiver and all Ayden could do was shake his head.

“Tegan delivered your message. I’m doing what I can.” He sighed and started towards the SUV he had rented. “Isadora is stubborn.”

“I don’t care, you get her back here. If you do not, than I will make sure you suffer when you return.”

“Can you send Tegan for back up?”

“No, she told you the Circle has forbidden her to travel because of the investigation going on here.”

She hadn’t told him why, but Zaaren just did. Perfect. “I’m doing what I can. In the event that shit goes down here, what do you want me to do?”

“Stay within the laws and contact me. If I do not hear from you in three nights, then I will visit that location.”

Great. An Original on the loose in Florida, just what the territory needed. “Alright. I’ll do what I can.”

“You will bring her back here.” The line went dead and Ayden looked to the sky. “Really gods, this is what you give me to deal with? Can I at least have a clue?”

Nothing happened and Ayden climbed into his car. The first logical place to search was the mansion.

He drove and spotted her SUV. Ayden got out and followed the same path that they’d taken before. Sure enough, Isadora was crouched behind a bush, watching, waiting, like the Hunter she was.

He came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. She spun around, breaking the contact with one arm and pulling her gun with the other hand. She met his gaze. “You better be here to help me.”

“Or what? You going to shoot me?” He laughed and shook his head. “I have orders to bring you back home. I was hoping I could do it without fighting you.”

“And who are you taking orders from Ayden? You’re hiding so much from me.” She put her gun away. “I can’t trust you.”

“You can’t trust your society.”

“If that’s true, then I can’t trust anyone.” She shook her head. “I’m going in there and then reporting back. In. Out. Simple.”

“Unless they snag you.” He snapped. “Orders are orders, Izzy. Come with me or I’ll have to knock you out and take you home.”

She laughed. “Do you think you can take me?”

“Without a doubt.” He stepped back. “I could just shoot you, but I’m pretty sure Zaaren wouldn’t be happy about that.” Of course the vampire would deal, but he really didn’t want to shoot her. He really just wanted her to listen to him.

“Goes back to the secrets you are keeping.” She snapped.

“We’ve known each other for two days, I’m betting you have your own secrets. Please, Izzy, just trust me on this?” He watched her hand hesitate over the gun and took a deep breath. “Your parents were killed by Markus’ orders. They are starting to cull the independent Hunters as well as the Hunters in the society. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are working with Isaac in exchange for something.”

Izzy gave a cynical laugh. “And what could the vampire actually offer a Hunter?”

“Protection. They just raised the Father of all Vampires, things are really going to start going downhill. The only people who can put those vampires back in their place are the Original Vampires. Please, Isadora.” It was the extent of the truth he could spill. Telling her more would go against Zaaren’s wishes and that’s the last thing he wanted to do.

She shook her head. “He is just a myth. The Originals are just a myth.”

“Oh honey, your parents hid a lot from you if you think that.” Ayden shook his head. With her lineage, she should have known the true history. “Either that or the Society has brain washed you.”

A shift in the air made him spin around and he heard the click of Isadora’s gun. James stood behind them. Tall, blond, but his eyes were currently black as a wicked smile crossed his face. A shot took Ayden by surprise. His ears were still ringing by the time the vampire recovered.

James touched his shoulder and laughed. “Oh little Hunter, it’s going to take a lot more than that.” He rushed Izzy, but Ayden stepped in his way.

He drove his shoulder into the vampire and threw him away from Izzy. There was no way he was letting the bloodsucker anywhere near her. It just wasn’t happening. He drew a blade and crouched. “Stay away from her, James. She’s not yours to take.”

“She’s not bound to anyone. I can take her if I wish. The rules don’t protect Unbound Humans anymore.”

Ayden frowned. “Since when? After the Father was put away the Originals revised the rules on humans.”

“Since we raised him.” James laughed and grabbed Ayden by the throat. Ayden snarled and slammed his blade into the vampire’s wrist. James snarled and threw Ayden against a tree.

A few gunshots later his head cleared and he knew he had to focus. Izzy would be out of ammo soon and he had to protect her. He stood and grabbed his own gun. He didn’t normally carry one, but instinct had told him that he’d need one on this mission.

He raised it up and something hit him from behind, taking him down. He turned under the massive paws and looked up into the face of a snarling werewolf. His jaw snapped in warning, drool dripping down onto Ayden. He scrambled for his gun, but even with his advantages of being a Bound Human he couldn’t shake the animal off.

Izzy discarded her empty gun and stared at the vampire in front of her. Only a few of her shots had hit their marks and he was still walking towards her. She heard Ayden grunt, but she couldn’t be distracted, not by him. Not right now. She waited. James moved more smoothly than most of the vampires she had faced. Right now she had to remind herself that he was old, hand to hand was a losing option. She crouched and pulled out a throwing knife from her boot and aimed for the heart. He caught it.

Holy shit, he caught it by the handle. He threw it back at her and she dodged. By the laughter that bubbled out of his throat she knew that he had just been playing with her. She was screwed.

He rushed her and took her to the ground, pinning her there with a hand around her throat. “Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. I have special plans for a Hunter of your pedigree.”

What the hell was he talking about? She kneed him in the stomach and he grunted. His grip loosened and she twisted, elbowing him in the face. Up on her feet again, she dove for Ayden’s discarded gun. But James caught her by the hair and pulled her back.

“Oh, Isadora, don’t you know when you’re done?” James snarled.

She saw Ayden trapped under the wolf. He met her gaze and she knew that she’d screwed everything up by not listening to him. Her only question was why did Ayden know that she was out of her league? Who was giving him orders?

“Kill him.”

“No!” Izzy shouted and sudden panic rose up inside her. “You can’t.”

Ayden laughed. “You’re right, and you know exactly why. I’m here under Zaaren’s orders. You can’t kill me without anyone knowing.”

James cursed and shook Izzy. “Then I guess you’ll be joining her in the trade.”

Izzy jerked in James’ arms, but the vampire used his grip to yank her head to the side. His fangs sunk into her, and suddenly she felt like she was floating. Gone were the woods of Florida, gone was Ayden and the wolf. There was only nothingness and it was bliss.