Relentless (18 page)

“Maybe he got held up. Let’s give him a few more minutes.” Two weeks ago I might have been worried but that was before I discovered what Peter was. I doubted there was anything out here that could harm a werewolf.

Five more minutes passed before Roland open his door and bellowed Peter’s name several times. We both got out of the truck and stood in the rain, which had lessened to a heavy drizzle. “Peter?” I called as loud as I could.

“Wait, did you hear that?” Roland said in a hushed voice. He held up a hand. “I think I hear something.”

I listened hard but all I heard was water dripping from the trees. Roland’s werewolf hearing was a lot better than mine so I waited for him to say something.

“There, down that way,” he said, pointing the way Peter had gone. “Pete?” he called running up the road with me close on his heels. The cold rain flattened my hair against my head and drenched my light coat but all I could think of was finding Peter. Then I heard it – faint but unmistakable; Peter’s voice calling from somewhere up ahead. “Help.”

“Roland, I hear him,” I cried. “Peter, where are you?” I shouted.

“Help!” Peter called again, closer this time, somewhere in the woods to the right of the road. What the hell was he doing out there? I plunged into the trees, too wet now to care about the cold droplets showering me from the branches overhead.

Beneath the tree canopy it was almost pitch black so I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and opened it to give me a little light. It wasn’t much but it allowed me to see a foot or so ahead of me.

“Peter, where are you?” I called again and when he answered it sounded like he was no more than a dozen yards ahead of me.

“Sara, wait!” Roland shouted frantically from behind me. ‘That’s not – fuck!” he swore as he tripped and crashed through the trees. “Sara, stop!”

But I was almost there. Plunging forward, I broke through the trees into a wide clearing. I strained my eyes until I could barely make out the dark shape crumpled on the ground. “Peter!” I cried, starting toward him.

A strong hand grabbed my wrist and jerked me backwards. “What the hell, Roland!” I cried angrily. “What are you doing? Peter is hurt.”

“That’s not Pete,” he whispered urgently as he started pulling me back the way we had come. It took me a full five seconds to realize what he had said and to recognize the fear in his voice.

“Of – of course it’s him,” I stammered, trying to pull away from Roland. “I heard him.”

“I did too,” he said hoarsely. “But it’s not –”

I heard movement behind me and I looked over my shoulder to see the figure unfurling from the ground. It rose up on four legs, large and dark and in no way resembling a teenage boy. I couldn’t make out the creature’s features but I thought I saw two glowing eyes – predator’s eyes – and coarse fur covering its body. My breath caught. Nothing prepared me for the horror that lanced through me when the creature opened its mouth. “Help me. Please help me,” it said in Peter’s voice, followed by a spine-chilling cackle that set my hair on end.

“What is…?” The words died on my lips as the woods at the other end of the clearing moved and a second shape emerged. I stood on frozen legs and watched in fascinated terror as the second creature faced us for several seconds, then said, “Peter, where are you?” in an eerily perfect imitation of my voice.

In the next instant, I found myself over Roland’s shoulder, fending off the branches that slapped at me as he tore through the woods. “What was that?” I wanted to shout, but the only sound I could make was an occasional “Oof” as I banged against his hard shoulder. Peter, oh God, Peter! That thing knew his voice.

I could almost taste the fear rolling off Roland as he pounded toward the road in long strides. It filled my nostrils and buzzed through my head like a live wire as a new terrifying thought struck me. What the hell frightens a werewolf?

Behind us a high pitched giggle pierced the air, followed by a second. From off to one side came an answering giggle and farther away, a fourth one, moving closer. Four of them!

Moving in.

Hunting us.

We reached the edge of the trees and Roland practically threw me out onto the road. “Run, Sara! Get to the truck.” he yelled at me as I stumbled from my landing.

“What about you?”

“I’m going to shift. I need you to get to the truck.”

Branches snapped close by like a gunshot and spurred me into a run. I heard fabric ripping and an awful stretching, crushing sound then a savage howl that almost stopped my heart. It’s just Roland, I told myself as I skidded on the wet road toward the headlights that shone like a beacon a few hundred yards away.

The growling became a roar as two large bodies slammed together viciously, rolling over and over snarling and barking in the underbrush.
Roland!
I agonized, powerless to do anything but run. He was outnumbered four to one and I had no idea what was out there or how strong the creatures were.
Please be okay
, I begged as I swiped wildly at the tangle of wet hair obscuring my vision.

There was a thump behind me, followed by a loud scraping sound. I dared a glance over my shoulder and nearly tripped at the sight of the dark shape on the road, its claws clicking against the pavement as it slunk toward me like a lion zeroing in on its prey. I screamed and my pursuer let out a laugh so human-like that my stomach dropped like a lead weight.

The headlights blinded me when I sped inside their range. The truck’s dome light was on and the driver door still hung open just as Roland had left it when he took off after Peter. I was so close now – less than twenty feet.

Fifteen feet. The monster snarled in outrage and increased its speed.

Ten feet. I could hear the creature’s teeth gnashing as it closed the distance between us.

Five feet. I skidded past the headlights, grasped for the door, missed.

Spinning around, I got my first good look at the monster bearing down on me. I saw a large head with rounded ears and a wide grinning mouth, a thick, maned neck, a sloping back and powerful legs with clawed feet. It reminded me of a hyena, but it was as big as a buffalo.

I scrambled for the door and threw myself into the truck. My arm hooked on the seat belt and I lost precious seconds untangling it before I could grab for the door. Through the windshield I saw the hyena-thing leap at the truck a split second before I hooked the door handle and slammed the door shut. The creature bellowed in rage as it went flying past the door.

I barely had time to catch my breath before the truck shook violently and something landed on the hood in an ear-splitting screech of claws on metal. The hood buckled beneath the weight and I saw jagged scars in the metal where the creature’s six inch claws had found purchase.
That could have been me
, I realized, fighting the terror that threatened to suffocate me.
Stop it
. I had to keep my head if I was going to get out of this alive.

The hyena-thing turned and looked at me through the rain-splattered windshield like someone studying an insect under glass. Leaning forward, its face touched the windshield and its hot breath fogged the glass, its black eyes never leaving my face. The mouth opened and I gasped at the double rows of jagged teeth in a powerful jaw strong enough to shred flesh and bone.
If that thing gets in here I’m dead.

I looked around frantically and my eyes fell on the keys dangling uselessly in the ignition. A hysterical giggle bubbled from me when I thought of all the times I could have asked Roland to teach me to drive and I had to wait until tonight to do it. Even with a busted tire I have could have driven it as far as the Knolls for help.

Call 911
, said the logical part of my brain. I scrambled to find my cell phone then remembered in dismay that it was somewhere out there in the woods. “Give me a goddamn break!”

Then I spotted Peter’s phone lying on the dashboard. I leaned forward but froze when the hyena-thing’s eyes hungrily followed my movement as if it might break through the glass at the slightest provocation. Drool dripped from one enormous fang and splattered the windshield.
Don’t move, don’t move
, I chanted.

My gut twisted painfully. Roland and Peter were out there, fighting for their lives and I was inches from a phone to call for help. They could be hurt or dying while I sat here like a coward. I couldn’t live with that. The thought of losing either of them broke through my paralysis and I reached for the phone.

The hyena-thing saw my intention and it grinned at me again, its eyes sizing me up with eerie intelligence. Then it looked up at the roof of the truck… and jumped.

The creature hit
the roof and I watched in horror as four claws punched through the metal then began to move with deadly intent, opening the top like a pocket knife opening a can. My brain froze, refused to function and it felt like I was watching it all happen in slow motion. The creature moved slowly, deliberately, like it was sure of its kill. In seconds it would be able to reach in and…

Move!
Some part of me screamed. I flattened my body against the seat and searched for something to use as a weapon to fight off the thing about to come through the roof. I wasn’t going to die without a fight.

Something dug into my right side where it was pressed against the back of the seat.
The knife
. I shifted and reached inside my coat, feeling my fingers close around the leather sheath. A sob escaped me as I pulled the knife free and held it tightly, preparing to face the monster above. The polished sliver blade gleamed wickedly and I almost laughed at the absurdity of the situation. I’d told Nikolas I was not a warrior and I was probably going to die with a warrior’s weapon in my hand.

Metal screeched as the hole in the roof grew larger. A monstrous paw reached through the opening, razor sharp claws aiming right at my chest like a cat batting at a mouse.

For a split second fear seemed to short circuit my brain. Then I felt something shifting, moving in me and gathering strength. A wail issued from me as I slashed at the paw, the sharp blade slicing through fur and tissue with sickening ease. Revulsion filled me as hot blood splattered my face and hands and I gagged as a coppery smell filled my nose.

The hyena-thing let out a human-like bellow of pain and withdrew its injured paw. There was no time to celebrate because the other paw came crashing through the hole. More blood sprayed me as I hacked at the limb, desperate to keep those claws from reaching me. Another agonizing scream split the air and the paw retreated, a wisp of smoke curling behind it.

The silver burns them.

Strength surged through me and I coiled defensively against the seat, waiting for another assault. Through the hole in the roof I saw the hyena-thing crouching, moaning and glaring at me with pure hatred as it contemplated its next move. “Not so sure of yourself now, are you?” I yelled, meeting the black stare. The eyes narrowed as if it could understand me. I immediately wished I’d kept my mouth shut as the creature advanced again.

Something hit the passenger door with the force of a battering ram. The force of the blow tossed me in the air and my head struck the steering wheel on the way back down. It wasn’t enough to knock me out but I lost my grip on the knife. The impact also knocked the creature off balance and it scrambled for purchase. I flipped onto my stomach and reached frantically for the knife, which had become lodged behind the brake pedal.

“Aarrgh!” The scream was ripped from my throat as fire burned across my back, agonizing pain that stole my breath and made my sight go dark for a few precious seconds.

I couldn’t think past the pain and it was like some deeper instinct took over, making me swing around and sink my blade deep into the paw that dripped with my blood. The creature roared and lunged again and this time I felt unbearable pain shoot through my left arm. My right hand shook as I sliced at my attacker, making it pull back again. Weariness washed over me and I realized blood loss must be robbing me of my strength. Soon I would not be able to wield the knife at all and it would be over.

Movement drew my attention to a second hyena creature looming outside the passenger door. Long cracks webbed through the door window and my pain-dulled mind knew one more blow would shatter it. Both creatures let out victorious whoops.

A second later, something large collided with the creature outside the door. Above me another dark blurred shape flew over the truck taking my attacker with it. Sounds of fighting filled the air: ripping, gnashing, howling, screams of pain. Struggling to sit, I clenched the knife to my breast and stared through the rain at the two enormous werewolves locked in bloody battle with the hyena creatures.

They’re alive!
My heart swelled with hope and then fear for my friends who were fighting for their lives out there. The werewolves and the hyena creatures clung to each other, slashing and biting with claws and powerful jaws. Over and over they rolled across the road until it was impossible for me to tell one from the other.

The sound of bone snapping was followed by a sickening gurgling noise and I knew a life had just ended. I almost collapsed in relief when one of the werewolves detached itself from its opponent and joined the other against the second hyena creature. It was two against one now.

Into the headlight beams stepped two more hyena things. I cried out as the creatures bore down on my friends who were completely unaware of the new threat.

Pale gold hair flashed in front of the truck as a new shape appeared out of nowhere to land between the truck and the creatures. Armed with a long thin sword, Chris advanced on the hyena things. There was a glint of metal as his weapon moved, blurring through the air to cut into the shoulder of the nearest creature. Pulling the sword free he slashed at the second creature, the blade opening the hyena thing’s neck in a nauseating spray of blood. The creature dropped and he turned back to finish off the other one.

“No,” I sobbed as another two creatures ran out of the woods. “Behind you!” I cried weakly and the Mohiri flung his body aside just in time to avoid the surprise attack. He recovered and he and one of the creatures began to circle each other.

My warning had gained the attention of one of the new creatures and it turned toward the truck, wearing the same laughing grin as its brethern. I steadied myself and gripped the knife tightly and prayed that I had enough strength left to fight it off. The pain in my back and left arm and loss of blood had weakened me and I tried to draw on the same strength that had filled me a few minutes ago.

It wasn’t enough. My eyes were already growing heavy and the sounds of fighting seemed farther and farther away. 
Am I dying?
I wondered numbly as I watched the creature draw near.

The rumbling noise came out of nowhere, vibrating through the air seconds before a single headlight appeared around the bend ahead of us. Like a missile, the motorcycle roared down the wet road, sending up a spray of water in every direction. It slammed into the creature advancing on the truck with a grisly crunch of metal and bone. The rider leapt from the bike a second before impact, landing on his feet with sword drawn. He moved swiftly toward the fallen creature. With deadly force he brought his sword down, beheading the creature with a single powerful blow. Withdrawing his sword, he strode into the mass of flailing bodies and quickly dispatched a second creature. The werewolves immediately moved in and finished off the last one.

I saw him say something to the werewolves before they ran off into the trees. I wanted to yell at them to come back but my voice no longer worked and I sagged against the seat as tears coursed through the splatters of the creature’s blood on my face.

The crumpled driver’s door creaked and groaned as someone ripped it from its hinges. “Easy man, you’ll frighten her,” a male voice said as if from a long way off.

A warm hand lifted my chin and my dazed eyes met raging grey ones. For a moment, I forgot the burning pain coursing through me and all I could feel was the hypnotic pull of those eyes.

Nikolas’s fingers snapped in front of my face and I realized he was speaking to me. I came out of my stupor to hear him say, “Sara, can you hear me?”

“Yes,” I replied hoarsely, my throat raw from screaming.

His hand left my face and enclosed my hand that still gripped the knife. “You are safe now,
moy malen'kiy voin
. Let the knife go,” he said in an uncharacteristically gentle voice.

I opened my hand and let him take the bloody weapon that had saved my life. I knew with unwavering certainty that if he had not given it to me, I’d be dead right now.

Nikolas tossed the knife on the floor of the truck and took my hands in his. He looked at me then at the roof and his jaw clenched when he saw the shredded metal. “You fought them off? By yourself?”

“J-just one.”

His harsh chuckle seemed to fill the truck. “Just one?
Khristu!
” He shook his head at the blood splattered cab. “We need to get you out of this thing. Do you think you can stand?”

I nodded, wanting nothing more than to get away from the place where I’d almost died. I started to slide out of the seat, but cried out when searing pain shot through my back and arm.

“What is it? Did it hurt you?” There was concern and something else in his voice, something dark and violent.

I nodded and closed my eyes against the pain. “G-guess I’m not much of a fighter after all.”

His hand left mine. “Stay here,” he ordered tersely and disappeared into the rain. I heard movement and voices raised in argument, but I couldn’t make out the words. A few minutes later, Chris appeared in the opening where the driver’s door had been. In his hand was a small metal cylinder and he unscrewed the top and scooped out something that looked like green putty. Holding the stuff to my lips, he said, “Eat this. It will help with the pain.”

“Nikolas?” I murmured.

“He’s still here. Now take this like a good little girl.”

I obeyed, letting him place the putty in my mouth. Immediately I tried to spit it out as a dry, bitter taste flooded every corner of my mouth.

“No you don’t,” he said, forcing my mouth closed with his hand. “I know it tastes awful but trust me, you’ll thank me in a little while.”

Glaring at him, I had no choice but to chew and swallow the stuff, certain that I would never get the horrid taste out of my mouth. Within minutes, blessed numbness began to spread across the throbbing muscles of my back and arm. I let out a soft sigh as the pain retreated and I was able to think clearly again.

“Better?” Chris asked and I nodded. “Good. Now let’s get you out of this death trap so we can check out your injuries.” He reached around me with both arms and effortlessly lifted me out of the cab of the truck. My legs wobbled when he set me on my feet and I clung to his arm until I could stand on my own. The light rain was a cooling balm against my heated skin and I lifted my face to let the water wash away tears and the creature’s blood.

Chris examined the scratches on my upper arm through the tear in my sleeve. “These don’t look too bad. Their claws and teeth have venom in them and it makes the cuts feel worse than they actually are. The gunna paste I gave you will prevent infection and will speed up the healing process.” He moved around me and reached for the opening of my coat. “I’m going to look at your back.”

I was too happy to be alive and not hurting anymore to be embarrassed by a strange man looking under my clothes. I let him slide the thin coat off my shoulders then felt him gently prodding the scratches on my back. The foul stuff he’d made me eat must have been pretty powerful because I didn’t feel any pain when he touched my wounds.

“These are a little deeper but nothing life-threatening,” he announced a little louder as if he was saying it to someone else. I looked up and saw Nikolas standing rigidly by his crumpled bike with his arms crossed, watching us. He didn’t seem like the type to stay on the sidelines.

Chris saw where I was looking and must have read the question on my face. “I have a better bedside manner than my friend,” he explained with a wry smile.

“He looks angry. Is he mad at me?”

“No. He is upset that we were too late to stop you from getting hurt. He’s worked himself into a bit of a rage and he just needs a minute to calm down.”

“A rage?”

“Yes it happens when…” He stopped and glanced back at Nikolas. “It’s a Mori thing. You’ll learn about that stuff soon.”

“Oh.” It struck me then how quiet it was. Shouldn’t Roland and Peter be back by now? “Where are my friends?”

“They are making sure there are no more crocotta hiding nearby.” He looked around and let out a whistle. “Six of them. That is an unusually large pack. Someone is very serious about finding you.”

I shivered. “Finding me?”

“The crocotta are trackers. Someone sent them after you, probably with orders to retrieve you.”

“They… almost killed me.”

Chris helped me back into my coat. “The thrill of the hunt got the better of them. Good thing they are not as good at killing as they are at tracking.”

My teeth started to chatter as his words sank in. Nikolas’s earlier words came back to me.
“We believe the vampire is searching for you….There is more than one way to track someone.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” I moaned and ran to the other side of the road where I began to retch miserably. After a minute I straightened shakily and wiped my mouth with my wet sleeve. I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering violently as I looked away from the two Mohiri, not wanting to see them witness my humiliation.

Cloth rustled and a leather jacket slid over my shoulders.

“I’ll get blood all over it,” I protested weakly.

Strong hands turned me as Nikolas wrapped the jacket around me. It was way too big for me but it was soft and warm and smelled comfortingly of aged leather, soap, and a warm spicy scent.