I Kissed a Dog (33 page)

Chapter
44
27

I couldn’t help wondering if the renewed determination I felt was reflected on my
face.

Jazmine continued to glare, while Logan and Martin made a show of enjoying the feast
(blood saturated meat) that was delivered to our table courtesy of several attractive
mutant women still remaining in their human forms.

A majority of the captives had shifted and were frolicking in the moonlight, unaware
of the inevitable conflict.

Refusing Logan’s halfhearted solicitations to tempt me with food, I allowed my powers
to roll over the area, seeking any new or concealed supernatural elements.

With no new blips on my mental radar, I turned my attention to Logan, who made Zane’s
table manners seem impeccable. “I’m ready to hear about your unholy alliance.” I glared
with venom at Jazmine, who slurped blood off her fingers.

“You are disgusting. What a pity that this is the last meal you’ll enjoy,” I said
through clenched teeth. I was banking on Logon’s promise to protect me from her sure
to be violent response.

As expected, she lunged across the table, and was subdued by her own two guards, who
now appeared to defer to Logon.

“Undoubtedly, our guest needs some attention.” Logan suggested with a smile.

Jazmine sulked, and Alcuin and Misty appeared baffled by Logan’s sudden surge of friendliness.
Martin remained indifferent, still ripping his blood-soaked dinner from a bone.

I wasn’t fooled. The Alpha was hoping to sweeten whatever deal he planned to offer
in hopes of gaining access to my powers. I’d play along to gather my own intelligence.

Scanning the faces, I noted the one empty place setting. We were minus our sixth dinner
companion. “Are you expecting someone else?”

Logan, cheery grin still intact, nodded. “A person I’m confident you will remember,
but I’ll start without him.

A purebred, loyal to our pack, was visiting your wildlife park and overheard a conversation
that piqued his interest. In response, I sent Zane to search for you and investigate
your town’s
unfortunate
increase in murders.” He gave Jazmine a meaningful look. “Regrettably, for Jazmine,
Zane fell for you in the process, adding additional complications to our already complicated
situation.”

“He’ll return to me,” Jazmine said sounding unconvinced.

Logan sneered, “You keep believing that, Jaz.
Anyway
, one of our Native American brothers discovered an ancient document, referring to
a set of coins …”

“What kind of coins?” I said hoping I sounded casual.

“Stop playing coy. You know Alcuin has kept me apprised of your house-to-house searches.
Zane, as my second in command, was also giving me detailed accounts of your activities.
Why wouldn’t he?”

“He wouldn’t if he’d known what a …”

“Now, now, let’s forget the name calling and move on.” Logan’s smile remained, but
his eyes blazed crimson. I’d hit a nerve.

“Would you like to see the coins, Ms. Carpenter?”

I turned to glare at Alcuin, the one person who could have delivered them personally
to Logan. Again I sensed his shame and doubted that he’d willingly wanted to partner
with the alpha wolf, but he had. Why?

I didn’t have time to ponder further before Logan nodded at one of the guards, who
pulled a briefcase from the podium’s inside shelf.

Eager to see all the coins together, I leaned forward.

I wasn’t disappointed. They’d been polished with professional care and glowed in the
moonlight. The magical sigils writhed across their surfaces, reminding me of the markings
on my ankle. Alone they’d seemed special, but as a set, spectacular. An almost tangible
force radiated from the case. I couldn’t help but reach out a hand.

Just missing my fingers, Logan closed it with a click; extinguishing the preternatural
flame I’d felt so powerfully only seconds before.

“What are they for?” I wanted to caress the coins. The need to have them in my possession
was almost overwhelming. I knew they were somehow central to everything I’d endured.

Logan, as Zane had implied, loved to listen to himself talk. He launched into the
details I’d been waiting to hear.

I listened with a mixture of awe and increasing terror as Logan, with a few insertions
from Martin, explained his intricate plot to rule as the unquestioned leader of all
werewolves and mutants. Something his father had aspired to, but failed to embrace
following a death match with Zane’s father.

Pretending to be appalled by his father’s devious plan, but in reality devastated
about his death, Logan had used Zane’s guilt, and his lack of desire to lead, as a
means to take over the Pacific Pack. Zane, the true heir, became second in command,
where he was content to wander for weeks, returning when he was needed.

Logan had also formed a secret alliance with a power hungry Jazmine, knowing very
well that few men, purebreds, or mutants, could resist her sexual allure. He’d hoped
she would keep Zane in line while manipulating any male they needed.

Just over a year ago, one of Logan’s Native American partners, working for Martin,
had after years of looking, located the fae document Logan’s father had been seeking.
It had been buried in an ancient Indian burial ground. The fear of angry spirits,
had kept treasure hunters away until the US government proclaimed the sites historical,
religious landmarks, off limits to outsiders.

The legendary text described a medical procedure capable of altering mutants, giving
them the ability to sun walk in their changed forms like their purebred counterparts.

In addition, a process for creating mutants out of men, without being bitten by a
purebred was revealed. The men, changed in this manner, were less likely to die from
infection or other complications. In the past, a high percentage of those who were
bitten didn’t survive the change, and it was also against the treaty to create more
bitten mutants.

The fae, or fairies, as humans called them, were the most powerful supernatural beings,
second only to God’s holiest angels. Divided into the Seelie and Unseelie courts,
they spent more time battling each other than worrying about the other supernatural
creatures, which they deemed inferior to their own ancient race.

Overwhelmed by information, I would have considered fantasy fiction two weeks ago,
I cleared my throat. “So, you were performing medical experiments on unwilling men?”
I’d seen their so-called medical procedures in the visions from David and Martin’s
dog.

Logan shrugged. “Chloe, my dear, there’s always been a price for knowledge. I need
to build an army fast. To exert my authority, and garner the respect and support needed
to rule, I had to cut corners. Besides, I’m doing them a favor. They end up with super
strength and abilities they’d never acquire in their weak human bodies.”

A jolt of anger kicked my adrenaline into high gear. I trembled with energy. “How
dare you decide for someone else who or what they should be? And you’re still lying.
Not all your
patients
are surviving, are they?”

“She’s right. Remember, Logan, she scanned Martin’s dog at the board meeting. She’s
seen the unwanted results,” another familiar voice agreed.

“You’ve got to be kidding?” I spat as James McQuillen, the man who’d saved me from
my untimely face plant at the board meeting, slid into the sixth chair, his ever present
dobby, Boss, at his side.

I almost expected Zane to join us and admit his involvement, but I knew better. He
was one of the good ones. “Who else should I expect?” Maybe the two M’s would now
appear, making the father and son duo the best actors of all.

James McQuillen grinned. “We’re all here now. I promise. No more surprises.”

“And I should believe you, because?”

“Good point,” the big Indian agreed. “I think Logan was just finishing up his story
when I so rudely interrupted.”

Still trembling, I looked around the table. It was starting to make sense. Like I’d
predicted, this was a hostile takeover. Certain purebreds, humans, and mutants had
joined forces to seize power. I doubted they’d be content with ruling over the werewolves
and mutants. Who would be next? Other supernaturals? Humans …

“The coins. I was almost to the wonderful, incredible, life saving coins,” said Logan.

“Please do continue. I’m not sure it can get any worse,” I said the words knowing
it was about to get much, much worse.

To confirm my belief, James McQuillen took over. “The coins, once translated, reveal
the formula for eternal life. Your friend here,” he nodded toward Alcuin, “was unable
to accomplish the task as promised.”

I glanced back at Alcuin. Wait a minute. Yes, they did accomplish the task, or were
close to it. Rita and the others had been working nonstop on the translation. I was
sure they’d made significant strides.

This was information I’d be keeping to myself. After all, Logan was the one who’d
implied that knowledge was worth a price, maybe, in this case, a small fortune.

“You still haven’t explained why some of your patients aren’t surviving. Why you’re
killing them when they don’t turn,” I questioned, remembering the gruesome murder
of one such man in his hospital bed on the barge.

“Some humans aren’t exactly human. At least not all the way human. Many have fae blood.
Their polluted bloodline causes them to mutate. They become hideous beasts with untamable
supernatural abilities. We can’t have them running around interrupting our mission,
Ms. Carpenter. That would be bad press,” explained McQuillen.

I thought of David. He was “bad press” waiting to happen. Just the press I needed
about now to wipe the snide expressions off a few unfriendly faces.

Shoving thoughts of revenge aside, for the moment, I determined to learn all I could
while my hosts were in the talking mood; I asked the one question that hadn’t been
answered. “Why kill the men in Plum Beach then? They didn’t turn into the bald guys.”

“That was my work,” Jazmine said with unmistakable pride. “We’d been testing the process
for months before it actually produced the desired results.

In the beginning, no one was changing into anything. We used a vampire associate’s
powers, and erased the memories of our patients’ time spent on the barge.

Unluckily, for a few of them, it came to our attention they were regaining their memories.
We couldn’t risk having news of our operation spreading. So, I eliminated the problem
and obtained an added benefit. Law enforcement was focused on solving the murders,
keeping their attention off the other unusual happenings in their town.

They kept Zane busy too, so busy he didn’t see what was right in front of him.”

“How convenient,” I muttered, sickened by her compassionless explanation. She was
beaming.

I took a quick peek in her head and was appalled to find her reliving the murder of
Josh, including the violence-laced sex beforehand. I pulled out, revolted.

A subject change was in order. “How did you learn where the coins were hidden?” I
directed my question to James McQuillen. “We weren’t the only ones searching for them.”

“We applied certain physical pressures on one of the bald abominations.”

“You mean you tortured him.”

“To death,” Logan answered.

I looked away from his gloating face.

I didn’t want to hear anything else about death and dying. What I wanted was to get
those coins away from Logan’s henchman. The possibility of Logan and Jazmine gaining
immortality was downright horrifying. They’d murder, without any qualms, anyone or
anything that got in their way.

That would include me and everyone I cared about.

I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t let it happen.

If my supporting forces didn’t show soon, I’d see exactly how and to what extent my
powers had expanded.

***

Chapter 45

Martin clapped his hands, “We’re way overdue for our evening entertainment.”

Logan moved to the podium and adjusted a handheld microphone. “I can see you are all
enjoying your night of freedom to its fullest.”

His comment was met with a strange combination of howls, yips, and human cheers. It
seemed that everyone had forgotten their captive status and the fact at they normally
spent their days on a rigorous and tightly supervised schedule inside the old school.

The unrelenting brainwashing was working.

As was the case with any minority, equal rights were deserved and desired, but Logan
had failed to explain the price they’d pay for what they thought would be equality
with the purebreds.

These mutant women would become even more enslaved. Freedom for them was a beautifully
crafted illusion that would crumble under the weight of truth. And there was a strong
possibility that I’d be the one telepathically delivering that very truth in a few
short hours. I hoped I could wait for my backup, but I’d do whatever was necessary
to stop this madness.

With any luck, the entertainment segment would end with my comrades bursting into
the mix and giving the masses a true taste of freedom. Although, I wasn’t real comfortable
counting on luck; mine had taken an unexpected turn for the worse when James McQuillen
had joined Logan’s already powerful posse.

I remembered his extensive mental capabilities; they’d rivaled my own in many ways.
I’d prefer him as an advocate not an adversary, but it was clear that the choice wasn’t
mine to make. He’d chosen his side. We were now chasms apart.

Stealing a glance his direction, I was startled to see him watching me.

Things are not what they seem, Ms. Carpenter.

Before I could answer, a group of Native American drummers and dancers entered the
clearing. When I looked back at James McQuillen, his attention rested on the dancers,
leaving me to wonder if I’d imagined the mental message.

I was sure I hadn’t.

What did he mean? Like I didn’t already know that things were not what they seemed.
That statement could be the opening line in a book about my life. What if …?

The musicians pounded their drums to life, drawing the crowd closer, stopping Logon
from any further grandstanding and interrupting my silent debate.

Dressed in traditional ceremonial attire, the group swirled into action, their musical
whoops and hollers sending chills down my spine. In the distance, a chorus of howls
complimented the performance far more than any traditional backup singers.

I’d attended a Pow Wow many years ago with my parents and had loved the theatrical
dancers and musicians. But tonight’s performance had the opposite effect. It felt
eerie, wrong somehow.

Everything was wrong tonight. Even the moon had morphed into a sphere of seducing
shadows, casting a suspicious, crimson-hued glow for as far as I could see.

Chloe, I’m here,
Zane announced into my mind, making everything, for one brief moment, right again.

Just knowing he was near, sent my libido into overdrive. I’d never believed the scientific
studies on pheromones acting as aphrodisiacs, but I was willing, when this was all
over, to reexamine the data. Maybe it was the whole mating thing, but I could swear
I smelled Zane’s distinctively masculine scent over every other fragrance, and there
were scents abounding in the night air, not all of them pleasant.

Forget the moon; I was heady with visions of my mate. Never mind the possibility of
death; I wanted my man, my werewolf. I wanted him at my side.

Together we’d defeat our enemies.

Chloe, your fanged admirer showed up and offered to transport us here vampire style.
I decided I’d kill him later. I had to get to you first.

Who’s here with you?
I couldn’t help wondering just how extensive Valamir’s teleporting abilities were.
Envisioning the vampire bringing Zane to me was difficult considering his self-proclaimed
obsession with my blood. My promise of a future favor must have provided the precise
amount of motivation.

“Mack, Michael, Valamir, of course, since he
drove,
Rita, Stryder, and several friends of Stryder. I think some of your cloaked crusaders
are here as well. I’m not sure how many. They’re harder to pick out.”

I was again aware of McQuillen’s gaze on me. He nodded just enough for me to notice.
For certain I wasn’t imagining things. Maybe he’d fight for us after all. Having him,
Alcuin, and Misty would increase our odds significantly. Factoring Connie, Deb, and
Dillon into the equation would be even better.

I sent out a mental probe, hoping to locate my newest allies, informing them the time
was now to do what we’d planned all along. There was no response. I hoped they’d found
a way to escape. If not, we’d have to attack without them.

Be ready, Chloe. Valamir’s circling around to teleport you away from the frontline.
I can’t fight and worry about you.

What?
I screamed into his mind. They needed me. My mind magic was vital to our winning.
What was he thinking? He clearly wasn’t.

It’s temporary. Just until we remove some of the danger. Don’t worry, Princess, you’ll
get your chance to blast their brains.

So not funny.

We’re already taking out mutants around the perimeter.

Zane, some of these women want out of this crazy cult. Please don’t tell me you’re
killing at random.

I already thought of that. We’re asking if they want to join us. They have ten seconds
to decide. That’s the best we can do.

I froze. Valamir was behind the platform, preparing to grab me. When that happened,
all hell would break loose.

Right now, my team was functioning under the radar. They had the advantage. In a few
seconds that would all change. And I’d be forced to hitch a ride behind someone’s
eyes to see the fight firsthand. That wasn’t good enough.

Before I could gather my thoughts enough to think of an argument that would persuade
Zane to change his mind, icy arms pulled me close and I was spinning out of control,.
If I had to choose, I’d pick Alcuin as my transportation source. I preferred his less
dramatic technique.

“I think I’m going to barf.” Bending over, I clutched my stomach.

Valamir looked at me with a strange intensity. “Please forgive me. I just teleported
your entire entourage in one trip. I am a bit unsettled. I promise a better experience
in the future.”

I didn’t tell him what I was thinking. Teleporting again, ever, with him, wasn’t on
my top ten list of things to do. I hoped Alcuin would prove to be a good guy so I
could ride home with him.

Straightening to my full height, I cautiously took in my surroundings, almost afraid
to see where he’d delivered me.

“No way, uh uh. I am not staying down here. Whose idea was this?” I demanded at the
sight of my familiar basement room/cell.

“I was instructed to place you somewhere no one would expect to find you. I didn’t
realize you had an intimate relationship with this room. Again, I apologize.”

“Don’t apologize. Move me! Anywhere but here. Please!” I’d begged Valamir earlier
to return and help me. Had I known this would be his ultimate act of kindness, I’d
have kept my mouth shut.

“I must go. They are in danger. I will return for you as your mate permits.”

As always, he disappeared in a cloud of pretty particles, leaving me in my dreaded
dorm room alone.

I knew something he didn’t.

I was no longer that timid and terrified girl Zane had dragged to Vegas.

I was a confident and cunning woman with skills. Supernatural skills that just might
be what saved all the tough guys’ supernatural asses.

Oh no, I wouldn’t be here waiting like a good little girl for Zane’s approval and
Valamir’s arrival.

I’d be on the bloodstained battlefield with the rest of my
entourage
well before my motherly mate deemed it safe enough for me to return.

No way was I missing the final showdown. I had a serious score to settle.

Not even Jazmine’s surrender would suffice.

I was seeking absolute silence.

With her mouth shut permanently, I’d be satisfied.