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He ended the call, mind racing. This was a complete clusterfuck. The one thing they feared more than anything was a paranormal getting loose in a situation so big the entire world would find out they existed.
“What’s wrong?” Tarron asked, rising.
“We’ve got a basilisk loose in downtown Dallas. Five dead, ten injured—probably more by now. Shit!”
He started out the door, Tarron following. The vampire exclaimed, “A basilisk, you said? Those things really exist?”
At any other time, the irony of that statement would have been funny. “We have one living at the Pack’s compound, in fact. Belial is being rehabilitated.”
“You don’t think—”
“No. It’s not him,” Nick said, hurrying down the corridor. “They’re lethal yet solitary creatures typically, which begs the question of how one got deposited into the middle of a championship celebration in one of the largest cities in the U.S.”
“Foul play?”
“That’s my guess. I think someone put him there on purpose, and we’re dealing with a frightened shifter who has no idea what’s happening and is about to become just as tragic a casualty as his victims.” The prospect was a grim one.
“That’s all kinds of fucked-up.”
“Tell me about it. But it won’t be the first time something similar has happened.”
“I don’t envy you that job. Although I suppose I’m involved now, since we’re family, and my warriors will be sent to assist yours.”
Nick came to an abrupt halt and faced Tarron. “No. I can’t ask you to risk your men in battles that aren’t theirs. Your people likely resent our presence enough already.”
“You’re kidding, right? We were allies first and now we’re family,” Tarron said staunchly. “We’re bound and you have our loyalty. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for you, especially after you and your men have come to our aid in a fight that isn’t yours.”
Nick knew Tarron wasn’t going to budge, and relented. “All right. I’m grateful to accept any help you want to send; just know I don’t expect it or take it for granted.”
“Noted.”
After taking a moment to send an urgent text to his team, Nick continued on to the grand foyer in the entrance to meet them. They were fast, as usual, every one of them waiting before him in moments, ready to fight. Quickly, he outlined the situation, much to their shock.
“I’m not taking everyone, in case this is an attempt to make us leave the stronghold unprotected.” He made a fast decision. “Kalen, I need you and your Sorcerer’s talents with us. We’ll need some major damage control.”
“Yes, sir.”
“John, Ryon, Aric, and Micah, you’re also with me. The rest of you stay here and protect the stronghold.”
Tarron chose his men and then turned to Nick. “We’ve been to Dallas. We’ll teleport you to the city to save valuable time.”
“Thank you.” Quickly, Nick tried sending a mental message to Calla.
Baby, I’m sorry but our team has been called out. Your brother and some of his men are going with us. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
He didn’t know anything about shifter-vampire bonding, but he hoped she could hear him the way a human mate could. Even so, what if she couldn’t answer until he’d allowed her to claim him in return? Another thing to feel guilty as hell about, denying her a basic right of mates—to be able to communicate freely.
There was no answer, which could mean several things, none of them good. With a heavy heart, he joined his team and the vampires, psyching himself up for the battle with the basilisk.
“A few last things,” Nick told the group. “Don’t shift. We’ve got enough trouble trying to cover up a mythical snake, much less a pack of wolves and a panther. Next, don’t look him straight in the eye. His gaze will immobilize you; then he’ll kill and eat you. Last, take it alive if you can. We need information.”
“Jesus, as if,” someone muttered in response to the last directive.
Then they were off. Landing, they found themselves in the heart of the city, in someplace called the West End. There were trendy restaurants and shops lining the streets, which were mostly empty except for a few screaming people rushing past, presumably in the opposite direction from the big snake.
“That way.” Nick pointed.
He took off and the others joined him, following the ominous sounds of crashing, and a high-pitched bellow that made his hair stand on end. As they rounded a corner, a terrifying sight met their eyes. The basilisk was almost as big as Belial, but not quite. Even so, it was huge, rearing up high, whipping its great head from side to side, screeching, snapping at everything that moved. A barricade of police vehicles surrounded the beast, the police taking cover, some firing. Their bullets bounced right off the tough hide and served only to frighten and piss it off more.
