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“It was a setup,” he says. “He must have known he had a mole because they were ready for us. Taka was nowhere to be seen when we got there, but a whole bunch of big nasties were. I didn’t ever see Emerson though. Leland shoved me out at the last second, and I ran the whole way here.”
A smug smile crosses his lips. “Had to take out a few of his guys on my own. They won’t make it back to tell him I got here, but in a few hours I’m willing to guess he’ll know.”
“He’s got people reporting to him. None of them are exactly stellar citizens. I recognized a couple of serial killers. I’m sure there are other murderers and rapists in there too. The kind of company he likes to keep, you know.”
I nod. It’s not surprising that he would find the scum of the earth to rule over.
“He’s also got Wren,” I say, watching as his eyes go wide. “Signs of a fight, her blood and teeth.” I have to choke out the last bit, rage beginning to consume me. How dare he touch Wren. She is mine. I know that’s precisely why he took her, to lure me. I had to play this smart.
“Let’s go,” I call to the rest of the house. “We’re heading out.”
The sun is up, and though it isn’t like us to move at noon, I still need to find the bastard. We leave for the city, grabbing some all too willing food and set up shop at one of our many safe houses. A few calls from contacts throughout the city let me know where Emerson is really hiding out. A factory near the outskirts of Callery.
He is smart.
I’m smarter.
The run-down house ten blocks from there had been a decoy to lure us in. This is perfect though. We are less likely to have to deal with human police when the shooting starts. Hardly anyone lives out there and those that do have no care what goes on around them as long as they aren’t involved.
I manage to get my hands on the blueprints for the building as the afternoon wears on, and we plan our attack—a group in the front, a group in the back. Our best marksmen set up to take snipes at any windows they could, and a final team will start on the roof and work their way down. Finding Leland and Wren and getting them out is the top priority.
We aren’t taking any prisoners.
Stirring,I'mnotsurehow much time has passed, but I am still the wild thing. My arms are chained behind my back, seemingly shackled to the same chair I sit on. Blinking slowly, I realize we are in a concrete room. The door to my right is the only entry point. The only source of light is a bare bulb above my head, not even a single window along the walls. I toe a broken tile beneath my feet and see the dinginess of the entire floor. In the center of the room, metal crosses over a hole into darkness, a drain that produces the sweetest blend of blood, sweat, and fear that makes my mouth water.
At least they didn’t fucking gag me.
Finally, taking in the chair across from me, my heart jumps when I see Leland alive and well. He is staring off into nothing, probably trying to think of a plan. We desperately need a plan. The wild thing doesn’t do the whole ‘planning’ thing, and she wants to get her freedom by force. I feel my–ourarms tug at the bindings. I try calling out to Leland for his wisdom and comfort, and she is having none of it. Growls escape our throat as we thrash and fight against our bindings.
His eyes fly to mine now that I am moving. Now thatweare moving.
Studying me, absorbing the change in my behavior, I see realization blooming in his eyes. He can tell I’m not in control, that I have given in and let the darkest part of me take over.
“Wren.” Leland’s voice is filled with authority, and I watch as our gaze snaps into focus on him. The growling ceases. “Struggling right now is useless, and we’ve been drained. You would do better to conserve your strength.”
I feel our body relax.
“Emerson,” she grumbles in question. I didn’t even know she could speak separately from me. Snarl and roar, sure, but speak? We’ve only communicated in thoughts before, but I suppose I thought I would still maintain control of my speech.
“Yes, it is. Wren, I’m so sorry. I am a stupid old man, and I think it will cost my children everything.” Despair flows through him, so strong I can feel it. Something has gone terribly wrong, and he blames himself for it.
I don’t know his mistake, but I know he would never endanger us willingly.
Other Wren didn’t seem to care much about what had happened. She only cares about what happens next. “I will shred him.”
I try to sense if the sun is still up. It could be. Maybe it is setting. Our eyes wildly search the room for anything useful but quickly become distracted. The drain’s scent is almost overwhelming us.
She is hungry.
Weare hungry.
A low grumble escapes our mouth. She’s annoyed, and I am busy trying to put it all together. Was it a set-up? Had Emerson discovered the mole? Where is the rest of the team?
My heart sinks.
What happened to Rolando?
I don’t want to think about what happened to him. About why he’s not sitting here with Leland. I’m happy that I’m not driving my body right now.
