Fang Chronicles: Zenya's Story (7 page)

As Nicolas took in the misfit cats, he began to put two and two together. His thoughts played havoc with his hatred of their race. He managed to make it through the long dinner before getting a moment alone with the vampire.

“Did Raykon do all the damage to your cats?”

Vorlyk gritted his teeth. “Raykon and his men.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s all they know.”

“That’s the best answer you can give me?”

“Raykon’s not right in the head, but he’s the most dominant cat in South America. The male cats don’t let their women breed. They kill the lucky ones who are caught and mutilate the others.”

“What about children?”

“The men breed on humans and then kill the women after the babies are born. Female cats are not allowed to have children.”

“What if they do? What happens to those children?”

“They’re killed in front of their mothers. Victoria killed Zenya’s child in front of her. Desi, Corla, and Madayah’s met the same fate at Raykon’s hands.”

“They kill their own kind?”

“They don’t care. They do not allow their women to mate with humans. I’ve been told the wolf clans are different.”

“It’s not easy for wolves, but we need children. The couples work it out.”

“The cats don’t.”

“So Desi, Corla, and Madayah were mutilated for having babies?”

“Yes, and those babies killed in front of them.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“And you think because I’m a vampire I do?”

“You’re aligned with the cats.”

“Only by default.”

“How did you meet Zenya?”

“Victoria is my sire. She loaned me to the South American cats before she battled Marcus. I heard Zenya survived and lived with the wolves. When I saw the cats had you, I contacted her.”

“Why did you care?”

“You asked me that before and my answer remains the same. I don’t care about you, but I do love my clan, as small and dysfunctional as it is. I will die for them, and I will also align myself with the wolves if it saves them. The vampires here don’t trust me. Raykon doesn’t trust anyone. When my need is at an end, my clan and I will die.”

“And your ability keeps you alive for now?”

“Barely.”

“Even with your help it will only give the North American clans four vampires. They may get two from Europe, but even then chances are good they won’t survive against nine. If Canada helps the South American cats it’s not even a battle, it’s a slaughter.”

“I’m betting on the fact the Canadian cats won’t help.”

“And you know this how?”

“I don’t know it for sure.”

“But you’re still willing to come over to the weaker side?”

“I don’t see them as weaker. I see them as humane. I hate to make this as simple as good versus evil but it is. I loathe the side I’m on. I think we have a chance if I can get my cats out of the jungle. If not we will at least die knowing we tried.”

 “This is crazy.”

“That’s one thing about the cats. Every last one of them is insane, including mine. Don’t ever forget that.”

“What time are we leaving?”

“I planned to ask you the same thing. It’ll take a couple of hours to get off the mountain and into the jungle. We need to do it before daylight.”

“Two?”

“That will work. I doubt anyone will get much sleep anyway.”

“Can Esta be trusted?”

“To help us, yes. Not to stab you in the back, no.”

“Wonderful.”

“She’ll fight to her last breath and take out as many cats as she can, but she hates all wolves. I’m not making her go.”

“You expect her to live with the wolves she hates?”

“Or get safe passage to Canada.”

“If we make it, I can arrange that.”

“I’ll tell her. It might keep you from sleeping with one eye open.”

“Anyone else I need to worry about?”

“Talya slipping into your sleeping bag when you’re not looking.”

Nicolas took a short breath. “She’s a child.”

“Raykon’s men didn’t think so.”

His eyes narrowed. “Please don’t remind me.”

Vorlyk changed the subject. “I need to feed from you again and help build your strength.”

Nicolas stared deep into the vampire’s eyes. It was custom to offer an arm to another clan’s vampire. A neck bite was reserved for your own clan leader. Nicolas unbuttoned the top of his shirt and pulled the material away from his throat.

Vorlyk didn’t miss the significance and he didn’t refuse the offer.

The two men went back to the kitchen and told the women they would be leaving at two o’clock. No one argued. They went into a comfortable great room and continued preparing their gear. When they finished, they spoke quietly or tried to get some sleep. Desi and Corla stayed in human form, but curled up together like kittens.

Esta changed to cat and left to patrol the property. Vorlyk sat on a couch and Madayah lay with her head in his lap. Nicolas moved over by Zenya, who remained quiet and solemn.

“Any thoughts,” Nicolas asked softly.

“No. I want to try and communicate with Amy, but I’m afraid.”

“Who’s the vampire that hears telepathic communications?”

“His name is Morris.”

“Who’s the most dangerous vamp?”

“That would be Amelia.”

“They have a female vampire?”

“Victoria made her. Amelia hates all wolves, and isn’t so fond of females of any species.”

“But she’s female.”

“Makes little sense, but she’s the biggest threat. She also hates Vorlyk. They’re the only two left directly from Victoria’s line. One died in the attacks against you and Brandt. It was Amelia’s mate. They were members of separate teams. Amelia was in the group that went after your…” She hesitated, remembering his words about speaking of his clan.

“It’s okay. Go on.” It was easy to read her mind.

“Amelia is as sick as Raykon, maybe worse.”

“Vorlyk told me there’s a price on your head.”

“Yes, dead or alive.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was the only way.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Saving me.”

“I did it for Amy.”

“I don’t care why you did it. I’m alive.”

“You may not be for very long.”

“As long as enemy cats go with me.”

She looked straight into his eyes. “Thank you.”

His shoulders went up then down. “And why are you thanking me?”

A look of longing entered her eyes. “For giving me a chance and not killing me right away.”

He needed to kiss her again, but knew it wasn’t what she wanted. He was attracted to her and it didn’t matter that she was cat. Remembering her with salty sweat moistening her skin made his body harden. He wanted to see her in cat form. His wolf wanted to rub against her fur and absorb her unique scent that didn’t seem as harsh as before.

He shook his head slightly. She said no. He would honor that. “You need to get some sleep. Lie down and rest your head in my lap.”

That made her laugh softly.

“Go ahead. I won’t bite.”

“You say that a lot.”

“Only to you.”

Surprisingly, she didn’t argue. She stretched out and rested her head on his legs. He leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes. He didn’t sleep, just listened as her breathing slowed and became even.

Chapter Eleven

It seemed like only minutes before it was time to go. They all quietly picked up their gear. Nikka and Esta changed to cat while Desi and Corla handled the two extra bags. Sheeba placed her hand on Talya’s shoulder and their small group was ready. Nicolas and Zenya took the lead, wielding machetes with Vorlyk taking their flank. Nikka and Esta spread out and worked the perimeter.

They didn’t take the same trail as when Nicolas arrived, and Zenya explained that if the cats came for them it would be from the front of the mountain, so they were going down the side. It was slightly longer, but safer.

It was still dark when they hit the clearing at the bottom of the mountain. They entered the jungle with the first rays of light coming over the horizon.

They traveled another two hours when suddenly Vorlyk was at his side. “Our guards just communicated that three cats are about half a mile ahead. Do you want to take care of them with Nikka and Esta?”

Nicolas removed his clothes and placed them in his pack before shifting. He quickly followed Nikka and Esta’s scent until he met up with them. They shifted to human, and spoke quietly before shifting back to their animal forms and started the pursuit.

The three cats were in human form, but Nicolas didn’t recognize them. The plan was simple, but they had to get the jump on the three and kill them before they telepathically notified their vampire.

Surprise was on their side. Each took the man closest and went for their throats. It was over in seconds. Nikka made a clean kill, and then stood by as Esta tore her man’s body limb from limb. Nicolas didn’t try to stop her. He’d taken a few extra bites than necessary, giving into his wolf’s needs. He appreciated Esta’s determination to tear her victim apart.

Finally, she gave the head a last shake and it separated from the body. Admiring her gruesome work, she stared for a minute and then leapt away, heading to the others. Nicolas didn’t think any of the women would mind the blood covering Esta’s body, and he was right, no one commented.

Cats
were
slightly insane.

They ate and drank while walking and kept a steady speed without taking breaks. The women were impressive. Obviously they worked out regularly in order to keep this pace. Nicolas wondered how long Vorlyk had planned their escape.

The jungle grew hotter as the sun rose, but they continued. Finally, around three o’clock in the afternoon, Vorlyk called a stop.

“I’d rather cross the river at night. I say we rest now and start again in a few hours.”

No one argued. Nikka and Esta came in, changed to human form, and fell asleep while Desi and Corla took over watch.

Nicolas wanted to object, but Zenya stopped him. “We’ll take over in a couple of hours when they come back.”

Madayah made sure everyone drank water and ate from their backpacks. She was a mother hen with a mean gleam in her eyes if you didn’t follow her orders. Vorlyk kept himself covered and avoided the streaks of sunlight coming through the tall, heavily wooded jungle as much as possible, but his exhaustion was apparent. Madayah sat with her back to a tree and gave Vorlyk no choice but to put his head in her lap and sleep.