Fang Chronicles: Zenya's Story (8 page)

Inside the caves it was easy to forget that vampires slept during the day and awoke at night. The sun zapped their strength fast.

A couple of hours later, Nicolas and Zenya took their turn on guard duty. Both shifted quickly. They stayed within sight of each other, and Nicolas missed his ability to communicate in wolf form even more. He realized without mind-sharing that they were ineffective and unable to secure more of their surroundings. But, staying close gave him a chance to admire Zenya’s cat form. She was beautiful. The only cats he’d ever stared at were the ones he killed. Her coat was thick and golden, almost the shade of her skin. Every so often he would catch gold flecks running through her green gaze.

Her ears perked up and then she made a quick leap to a pile of leaves and branches. When she lifted her head, she held a large rat-like animal between bloodied teeth. She dropped it at his feet, but he pushed the carcass back. She caught it, she could eat it.

Within two minutes he had one of his own. It wasn’t much of a hunt, but his wolf needed a touch of wild.

Their sentry duty was uneventful. They made their way back to the sleeping cats when the sun began going down. It took ten minutes to get everyone up and moving.

Esta and Nikka resumed guard duty.

Within two hours they heard water and reached it a short time later. They used Zenya’s method of walking in the river for a mile before crossing, laying a scent trail, and then backtracking without coming out of the water. It took longer, but no one argued. They continued through the night until daylight came through the trees.

This time, Nicolas had no problem falling asleep. He was exhausted. He’d let the guards do their duty until it was his turn.

A scream woke him. He was instantly on his feet. Looking around, while the others slept through the noise, he began to wonder if it was just a dream. A cold hand settled on his arm.

Vorlyk.

“Something’s happened.” The vampire whispered.

“What?”

“I’m not sure, but I no longer have a link with Desi and Corla.”

“Fuck. Can you find them?”

“I’m not sure. I can’t track them with my nose like you can.”

Nicolas began removing his clothing. As he bent to place them in his pack, he noticed Zenya staring at him. “I’m coming with you.”

A naked Esta walked up to them then shifted.

Vorlyk looked at the three. “Okay, I’ll stay with everyone here. Esta, signal me if there’s danger so we can get out of here fast. I’ll wake everyone and we’ll be ready to move.”

The three beastkind moved out and started following the feline trail. Thirty minutes later, they heard soft whimpering. There was a large hole in the ground and it was impossible not to cringe when they drew closer.

Large spikes stood up from the bottom of the hunting trap and Corla’s impaled body stared lifelessly up at them. Desi had a spike through her upper leg, but she would survive with Vorlyk’s help.

Desi gripped Corla’s lifeless hand and even when Nicolas lowered Zenya down into the hole she refused to let go. Zenya rubbed the sweat from Desi’s face. “Come on baby. You can’t help her anymore.”

“Please let me die.”

“We can’t do that. Corla wouldn’t want you dead. I’m going to pull your leg up. I’m sorry, but it will hurt.”

Desi didn’t make another sound even when the spike slid out of her leg. Holding onto Esta, Nicolas was able to lower her enough to take Desi from Zenya’s arms. They would have no choice but to leave Corla’s body behind.

Desi’s leg bled profusely. She reached her hands up to Esta’s face and placed them against her cheek. “Please let me say goodbye.”

Esta turned so Desi was facing Corla’s body. It happened so fast that no one had time to react. Desi shoved away and leapt into the hole. She landed on top of Corla taking a spike directly through the heart.

Esta turned away and her steady gaze landed on Nicolas. “She’s better now.”

“You knew she would do it?”

“It was her choice.”

“She wasn’t in her right mind.”

Fury came through in each word. “And you think any of us are? We’re going into wolf territory and placing our lives in their hands. The wolves are no better than Raykon’s cats and they’ve been killing us for centuries. Desi had the right to go with her sister. We all have the right to choose our death. Their loss is my fault and nothing a wolf could say can make me feel worse.”

Zenya’s hand grasped his. “Esta’s right Nicolas. The two of them suffered a lifetime of abuse together. If they had to die, they had the right to do it with each other.” Her soft voice held grief.

Nicolas looked at Esta. “Would you care to explain to my
wolf
how the hunting pit is your fault?”

Esta didn’t blink her menacing eyes. “Neither of them had training as guards. They were inseparable, but I should have split them up and had one with me and one with Nikka. I carry their blood on my hands.”

Nicolas was furious. The two dead cats reminded him of his own pack. He took deep breaths and didn’t release Zenya’s hand. Finally, he looked at Esta. “Do you have a prayer for your dead?”

“No.”

“Do you mind if I say mine?”

She shook her head no.

For the first time in his life, Nicolas said the prayer of safe passage in death for cats. With the words, he felt a stirring in his frozen heart. He just might care.

Chapter Twelve

The others listened silently when Zenya told them what happened to Desi and Corla.

Nicolas saw their grief, but he also saw their quiet acceptance.

This wasn’t right. Women should not be this beaten down. No one should. Talya was the only one to let tears run down her face. The others grieved silently while they continued their journey.

During the next hour, thoughts fired rapidly through Nicolas’s brain. He reached for Zenya’s hand and pulled her close to his side. “Did you hear Desi scream when you slept?”

“No. She was too far away.”

“I heard her scream.”

“That’s impossible.”

“I need to speak with Vorlyk.”

“I’ll keep the front position.”

Nicolas checked on the women as he made his way to the back. No one complained, though they gave him curious looks, each worn out, but determined to keep a steady pace.

 “I need to speak with you,” he said when he got within hearing distance of Vorlyk.

Vorlyk stopped walking and waited for the others to get out of earshot. “What’s the problem?”

“I heard Desi when she fell in the pit. I was asleep but her scream was crystal clear.”

Vorlyk stared at him for several seconds. “Do me a favor and close your eyes.”

It took Nicolas a few seconds but finally he did.

“What are you feeling?”

“I’m not sure. What should I be feeling?”

“Open your eyes.”

Nicolas looked into the depths of the vampire’s eyes as they turned amber. Vorlyk didn’t appear angry, just confused. Then vampire fangs flashed with his smile.

“Is there something funny?”

“Only that your wolf has decided to take on a new pack with me as your clan vampire.”

Vorlyk’s mouth never moved but his voice echoed through Nicolas’s brain. It took a minute for the words and all they entailed to sink in.

“How did this happen?”

“You lost your pack. Your wolf has chosen another. I’m calling Madayah back here. She’s not an alpha, but she is the head of the pride. We need to see what her cat does.”

Leaves crinkled as Madayah drew closer. Vorlyk kissed her cheek and took her hand. “We have a slight problem, love.”

Madayah studied Vorlyk and raised her eyebrows in question.

“I need you to look at Nicolas.”

Her head turned slowly and she met the wolf’s eyes.

Nicolas’s glinted.

She lowered her gaze and took a stumbling step back.

Vorlyk spoke, “Do you have a sudden desire to sink your teeth into his throat, love?”

“No.” Her voice was shaky. “I have a desire to go to my knees and I can’t make long eye contact.”

“Speak to him in your mind.”

“How did this happen?” Her lips didn’t move and the sound of her voice was accusatory.

Nicolas shook his head. “I have no idea. I didn’t ask for it.”

“Will you accept it?” Her voice remained hard, not giving an inch.

“Do I have a choice?”

“You could leave us.”

“Is that what you want?”

“No. But I want to know that you’ll lead us like you did your wolves.”

“I don’t know any other way to lead.”

“So be it. You must be the first wolf alpha of a cat pride.”

Nicolas shook his head again, though getting Madayah’s voice out now would be impossible. “Can we call it a pack?”

“We can call it anything the alpha wishes.”

“All six of us.” Nicolas knew he sounded ungrateful.

“And one vampire.”

Madayah looked between Vorlyk and Nicolas. “What about Zenya?”

“She belongs to Amy.”

Madayah’s eyes grew almost hopeful. “Do you think she could belong to you?”

Nicolas kept his expression blank. “I have no idea.”

The she-cat’s eyes sparkled, and finally she showed some humor. “It might be interesting to find out.”

Nicolas wasn’t sure how this new turn of events made him feel. On one hand, it partially closed the hole ripped from his heart when his pack died, but on the other, it opened up an entirely new set of feelings. He looked at the vampire. “This makes you my liege. How do you feel about it?”

“I’ve never had an alpha in my pride… pack.” He grinned. “I’m not sure what to expect, but it does make communicating easier when you’re in wolf form. I also know you’ll fight for the women.”

“Being alpha won’t make any difference when it comes to fighting.”

“But Esta will feel differently. Her reaction will be priceless, and the sooner the others know the better.”

Vorlyk called a halt to the cats ahead and approached the women. Zenya looked between them knowing something was up, but she waited for Vorlyk to explain.

“We’ve always been a small clan. I know having no alpha keeps you from feeling like a pride. I think maybe you aren’t a pride at all but a pack. Nicolas can mind connect with me and you. He is now your alpha.”

Esta was the first to respond. “No.”

Nicolas slowly turned his head and let his heavy gaze settle on hers. “Yes.”