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As if on cue, a second but even more distant explosion sounded toward Savage Territory. “That’ll make the shifters happy. They’ve wanted to plant more trees. Now they can.”
“Speaking of Savage, we’ve got to get going. Did you bring what I asked for?”
“Not exactly.”
Vaughn scowled. “What does that mean? We’ve only got a few minutes to get over there.” Going into Savage Territory, they had to have weapons. Wolves were vicious fighters and probably the best-equipped with illegal firearms. But they protected their supply.
Brannick’s nostrils flared. “It means I’m coming with. Simple as that. No argument. I’ve sat on the sidelines way too long and after the stunt Loghry pulled in the Graveyard, well, let’s just say my patience has finally worn thin. If I can help save some teenage girls tonight, I’m going to do just that.”
There were barely a handful of moments since Vaughn’s alter when he experienced a profound gratitude. Right now, knowing Brannick would throw in with them when he knew damn well he and Emma had a price on their heads, meant everything to Vaughn.
He extended his hand to Brannick who gripped him at the forearm in a solid hold. Vaughn returned the favor.
Vaughn nodded. “All right then. We’re headed deep into Savage.” He checked his internal clock, that critical biological timepiece all vampires had which ensured they stayed well away from the rising sun. But it also told him the exact time no matter the hour, day or night.
It was eleven-thirty and they needed to move out now.
Brannick opened the duffel and handed him an AR-15. Knowing Emma couldn’t levitate, Brannick shouldered the duffel and rose slowly into the air.
He hit Vaughn’s telepathy. Let me see what’s up here before you pass the roofline.
Good plan.
With Emma once more glued to his side and both her relatively small feet planted on his right boot, he began to levitate in Brannick’s direction, but stayed just below the roofs of the adjacent buildings.
As soon as Brannick waved him up, Vaughn hit the sky fast, speeding straight up then swinging southwest toward Savage.
Brannick took up a wing position on Vaughn?
?s left. From Vaughn’s peripheral, he could see the triplets, each keeping pace a little ahead of him and to the right. Not exactly the kind of black ops force needed to rescue half a dozen teens but it would do. Being armed helped. He had his AR-15 looped over his left shoulder.
Emma guided them into the central forest of Savage and soon enough he spotted the delivery truck. It was almost at its destination. Is that the one?
Yep. That’s it. I recognize the logo on the back. Willow Creek Office Furniture.
Seeing that the forest line stopped, Vaughn veered to the right away from the truck. The shifters were waiting for them at the point where the pines gave way to a broad vacant lot, which in turn led to the storage units. Fortunately, there were few other buildings around, most having been bulldozed and the ground left to grow desert weeds.
Adrenaline pumped through Vaughn’s system and his fangs thrummed in his mouth as he headed for Fergus and his men. Descending gradually, he slowed to land a few feet from Fergus. The powerful shifter wore his thick, black hair like a mane past his shoulders and braided on one side.
Fergus lifted his own AR-15 in greeting. Two more shifters flanked him, each rough-looking. All three belonged to the Savage Border Patrol, but faced the same issues that his own force endured. Like the other territories, at least half the Savage ranks were corrupt, just like Crescent and Elegance.
Fergus greeted Vaughn and inclined his head to Emma. Vaughn eased Emma off his foot then introduced her.
For a moment, Fergus’s jaw worked as he stared at Emma. Vaughn bristled. He didn’t know what the hell Fergus was thinking, but he looked angry. In response, Vaughn took Emma’s hand.
He was about to step in front of Emma to protect her, when Fergus inclined his head toward her and held it as if bowing to her. He stayed in this position for at least ten seconds. “You are welcome in my forest, Emma Delacey. Max was one of my best friends. I’m alpha to the Gordion Pack.” He gestured with a wave of his arm to the forest line. “This is our domain.”
Vaughn glanced in the direction of the pines and to his astonishment watched at least two dozen shifters emerge from places of camouflage. They also bowed to Emma.
She lifted her chin and nodded, then spoke in a clear voice. “I wish I’d had the chance to know those Max valued and loved.”
Fergus scowled, grinding his jaw again. “His death was tragic, another wrong I’d like to right. You have but to ask anything of me, Emma, and I’m yours to command.”
Vaughn knew he gripped Emma’s hand harder than he should, but Fergus had a lot of presence and was unmated. Emma had already fallen in love with a shifter once before. The thought she could fall for this one, raised his hackles.
Fergus turned his attention back to Vaughn. “Where do you want us?”
Vaughn drew a deep breath and switched gears. “Did you see the truck arrive?”
