Aveoth

  “I’d go with Kelzeb’s theory here,” Fray said. “We all know Decker will stop at nothing to get payback on the VampLycans he hates. He’ll treat your mate as if her ass is made of glass.”

  “We’ll get her back,” Chaz stated firmly. “Decker is toying with us. He’ll contact you.”

  Aveoth pushed Kelzeb out of his way and resumed pacing. “His demands are going to be unreasonable.”

  “They always are.” Kelzeb snorted. “He’ll want his clan back, and he’ll try to push you to go to war with the other clans to take out his competition. Same as always. It might be a good idea if you put them on alert and let them know he has your mate.”

  “No.” Aveoth shook his head. “Some of the VampLycans in Lorn’s clan are still loyal to Decker. We keep this between the four of us and do whatever is necessary to get my mate back.”

  “She’s not giving off the calling. That’s the good news.”

  Aveoth stopped pacing and glowered at Chaz.

  “I apologize. I was just thinking about how things could be worse. Not all of Decker’s enforcers are mated. She’d drive them insane with her needy scent if you hadn’t strengthened the bond.”

  Aveoth suddenly stilled and closed his eyes. “I feel her!” He rushed to the open balcony. “I can sense her. She’s getting closer.”

  The three GarLycans had followed him outside. Kelzeb moved in front of him. “How far?”

  Aveoth had to concentrate hard. “It’s difficult to tell, but at this stage of our mating, she has to be less than five hundred miles away.”

  “It means she survived the drugs they gave her.” Fray raised his hand. “High five. That’s something to celebrate.”

  Aveoth rumbled at him. The enforcer dropped his arm to his side.

  “Sorry, my lord. One worry down though. Always look for a bright side. She’s alive, and closer than we thought.”

  Chaz punched his twin’s arm. “Shut up. You’re not helping.”

  “Close your eyes and try to focus on her. I know this is new but you can do it, Aveoth.”

  He listened to Kelzeb and tried to clear his mind, closed his eyes, and mentally reached out toward Jill. He wouldn’t be able to pick up her thoughts, but Gargoyles had the ability to link to a mate’s location if they were within range. The distance varied by the strength of the bond. He regretted not having her drink more of his blood, silently promising to fix that mistake once he safely got her back home.

  “She’s closer.” He turned slowly to the right but then stopped, adjusting to the left a tiny bit. His eyes snapped open and he pointed. “She’s in that direction.”

  Fray nodded. “Decker is bringing her back here. He’ll probably use the landing strip. We should go there and be waiting.”

  “Attack them when they land and take Jill,” Chaz added.

  “I can call twenty of our men to go with us. We’ll take down anyone Decker has brought with him while you go after your mate.”

  He nodded at Kelzeb. “It sounds like a good plan.”

  Aveoth’s phone rang and he snatched it from his pocket. Kelzeb stopped him from accepting the call. Aveoth growled at him.

  “Don’t seem too eager. They believe we’re cold, that we don’t bond to mates as strongly as they do. Remember what they presume to know about us and use it to your advantage.”

  He hated everything his best friend said but it was solid advice. He gave a sharp nod and cleared his throat before answering the call. “Lord Aveoth here.”

  “I have something that you lost.”

  Aveoth allowed the cold to seep into his bones. He’d played this game plenty of times in the past with Lord Abotorus and the council. “I told you to never call me again, Decker. You don’t learn.”

  “I’ll kill Jillian if you threaten me with death again. I can put it on speakerphone and make you listen as she draws her last breath.”

  His wings ripped out of his back. The pain helped to keep him from threatening to tear out Decker’s throat for even saying those words. “You don’t have her.”

  “I do. I’m sending you a photo by text.”

  “Let me talk to her if you really have her.”

  Decker snorted. “I’m not giving you that satisfaction. I want a face-to-face meeting with you and we’ll negotiate her return.”

  “Put her on the phone now or I’ll assume you’re a liar. Prove that you have her or I hang up.”

  The silence drove Aveoth crazy.

  Decker finally sighed. “I would, but she pissed off Boon. He struck her before I could stop him. My granddaughter has quite a mouth on her. She’s alive but unconscious. I sent the picture. Look at it. That’s your proof. I want to meet with you face to face. You try anything and Jillian is dead. You might be able to fly but you don’t have the ability to heal someone who’s torn to pieces. That’s how you’ll get her back if you don’t do exactly what I demand. Are you listening?”

  Aveoth had to relax his hand so he didn’t crush the phone he held. “I am.”

  The spiteful prick had the nerve to laugh and sound happy. “There’s a set of large boulders to the northwest of the landing strip, about a mile into your territory next to a clearing. Do you know where I speak of?”

  “I do.” Aveoth ground his teeth together.

  “We meet there in twenty minutes. You go there. She’s dead if you aren’t on top of that boulder. I see an aerial attack coming and she dies. You try anything and—”

  “She dies. I am not a moron, Decker.”

  “Whatever you’re planning won’t work, Aveoth.”

  “That’s Lord Aveoth to you.”

  Decker chuckled. “Perhaps I should have you call me Lord Decker, since I have what you want. We’ll be at the clearing in twenty minutes. Any aggression and you’ll never get your hands on Jillian.” He ended the call.

  Aveoth handed the cell phone to Kelzeb so he wouldn’t smash it. “Did you hear all that?”

  “We did.” Kelzeb tapped the screen and grimaced at whatever he saw.

  Aveoth had forgotten about the photo, and he wasn’t certain he wanted to see it. “Is it Jill?”

  His friend turned the phone—and Aveoth stared at his mate. She was tied to a plush leather chair, her head tilted to one side, and a red mark showed on her cheek where she’d been struck. A little blood stained her lower lip.

  “I’m going to kill them all.”

  “We will kill those fuckers.” Kelzeb sounded just as furious as he felt.

  “He’s going to force me to do his bidding. I can’t risk Jill’s life.”

  “Decker will underestimate what the four of us can do. We’ll think of a way to save her before it reaches that point.” Kelzeb held his gaze. “We’re smarter.”

  “I feel sick from worrying about her,” Aveoth admitted.

  “That’s natural. We’ll meet with Decker and get her back. Whatever it takes.”

  “Yes.”

  “They aren’t going to play fair so we lie our asses off if need be,” Fray chuckled. “I’m down with that. It might not be the most GarLycan thing to do, but look who we’re dealing with.”

  * * * * *

  Jill had woken again while she was being dragged off the jet. It was daylight now, the sun high and bright, and she got a clear view of the landing strip. It was a long, paved road with trees lining both sides about sixty feet from the pavement.

  It was Cole who kept hold of her, forcing her to move. She struggled to lift her feet as she shook herself further awake…and then a heavy weight on her chest finally caught her attention, and she looked down. “What the fuck?”

  The shark’s tone implied he wasn’t any happier about her predicament than she was when he confirmed, “It’s a bomb.”

  “Have you idiots totally lost your minds?” Her hands were tied behind her back and she struggled to catch her breath. She had a bomb strapped to her chest. “You’ll all die if this thing goes off.”

  She twisted her head, looking back to find Decker. H
e kept about ten feet of space between them.

  “I don’t think that’s far enough. Want to come closer? I’m taking you with me if I go boom.”

  “Shut up.” He waved what looked like a TV remote in his hand. “It won’t go off unless I push this button.”

  “Why don’t you wear this stupid thing if you want to commit suicide? That’s what you’re doing. Who was the idiot who built it? Did they even know what they are doing?” She really hoped it was just for show, but one glance at Shark’s grim expression made her feel even more fear. He looked scared…which mean it was probably real.

  “It’s the only way Lord Aveoth won’t attack us. He does and you end up dead,” Decker snapped.

  “I’ve been kidnapped by clowns and their crazy ringleader.”

  “Shut up,” Decker repeated. “Or do you want Boon to hit you again? I wouldn’t mind letting my enforcer drag you to our meeting place. Keep your legs moving and your mouth closed.”

  I have a bomb strapped to my chest. Oh my God. Jill wasn’t one to panic, but then again, she’d never thought she’d be a walking explosion, either. “Are you terrorists now? Maybe you watched too many Road Runner cartoons as a child, you think things blowing up isn’t as dangerous as it seems?”

  “Be quiet!” Shark hissed. “Everyone is already on edge. We’re meeting with Aveoth soon. If he wants you, he’ll agree to our terms.”

  She studied his face instead of where she was going, and it almost made her trip on a clump of dirt, causing her to stumble. Cole caught her, and the fear he couldn’t hide seemed to notch up higher.

  It gave her an idea.

  “You’re the smartest one of the bunch, aren’t you?” She kept her voice low. “Grab the stupid remote before that moron gets us both killed.”

  He ignored her and kept forcing her forward.

  “This day has completely turned to shit and it’s just getting started.” She just hoped it wouldn’t be her last. The trees thickened as they walked through the wooded area. Her hip still hurt enough to make her limp and she was pretty sure she’d dislocated her shoulder, from the way sharp pains jabbed through her every time she moved it. Yeah. This is definitely making my top ten list of absolute worst days ever in my life.

  Four shapes came into view as they left the trees and entered a clearing. Jill locked her gaze on Aveoth as he and three other winged men from his clan waited on a massive boulder above them. She felt a little safer seeing all those faces. Kelzeb and Fray were with him, as well as Chaz. Relief hit hard and fast. Chaz looked pretty great for someone who’d been shot and fallen down stairs.

  The shark released her but Boon took hold of the straps at her back, effectively keeping her in place when they came to a stop. He leaned in and spoke close to her ear. “Don’t try to escape. You wouldn’t get very far before he pushed that button.”

  “I’m not a moron. There’s nowhere to go that the signal won’t reach. We’re in an open field with big boulders in front of us.”

  “Bitches are stupid,” he huffed.

  “And you have bad breath. Back off, Fido.”

  She closed her eyes for a moment, wishing more than anything that her hands were free. She’d love to scratch out his eyes. He wouldn’t dare hit her back. One punch and she’d go down, possibly triggering an explosion. He would die in the blast with her.

  “I’m here,” Aveoth thundered, his voice deep and loud.

  “Don’t try anything,” Decker shouted back. “If any of those GarLycans attack us, you’ll get my granddaughter back in about a thousand pieces. See this device in my hand? I push the button and she dies.”

  Jill turned her head and glared at the son of a bitch who kept boasting he was her grandfather. “You’ll go with me, genius. How many times do I have to say it?”

  He glared back. “Shut up!”

  Boon gave her a hard shove but kept hold of the straps, so she just stumbled.

  She didn’t have to chastise him in any way. Decker beat her to it. “Don’t do that!”

  Boon let her go. “Sorry. She pisses me off.”

  She wanted to give Aveoth a hint of the story she’d made up, so she called out to him. “I’m surprised you even showed, Lord Ass-oth. Did you come to kill us all? I told these idiots you wouldn’t give a damn about me after I ran off with one of your hot guys. They still believe you’ll do anything to make me your blood whore. Even though I pointed out the one time you bit me, I bit back. I still smell like you. Gross for me!”

  Aveoth folded his wings behind his back and crossed his arms. He was a smart guy. She hoped he’d follow her lead. He didn’t let her down after a few long seconds.

  “I do hate to be refused. And I’m not happy that you caused one of my men to betray me. Perhaps you’ve changed your mind about giving me access to your body?”

  “Those guys on the left look like the one we shot,” Boon whispered.

  She hadn’t thought they’d recognize Chaz. “Do you see the two who look alike, standing next to each other? They’re twins. They used to be triplets. Should I tell them you’re the one who killed their brother? I bet that would make them play fetch with your throat.”

  Decker inched closer and drew her gaze. “Stop provoking Boon. I didn’t give you permission to speak.”

  “You’re going to blow me to hell anyway, so what does it matter? I hope he loses his temper, that way I take all of you with me.”

  A muscle in Decker’s jaw flexed. Jill wasn’t sure if it was from anger or fear.

  The shark stepped up. “Lord Aveoth won’t risk losing the bloodline,” he whispered. “He’s addicted. We have the upper hand. He won’t risk her life, so stick with the plan.”

  That’s the rub. It irritated Jill, too. Aveoth would do anything to protect her. She couldn’t allow Decker Filmore to win. He’d force Aveoth to let him come back to Alaska, to torment and murder VampLycans. Her mate would have to abide not only because of his honor, but to avoid losing her.

  Decker cleared his throat and faced the boulder. “I’m here to make a deal with you. I’ll trade you my granddaughter in return for—”

  “Hell no!” Jill yelled. “I’ll just run away again with the next guy who’s willing to fly me out of here!” She couldn’t allow Aveoth to make promises he’d have to keep, promises that would end up costing lives he’d never forgive himself over. “Don’t bother making that trade, bat boy. I’m never going to let you fuck me or drink my blood!”

  She inwardly winced at her words, but she needed to convince the men holding her that she and Aveoth didn’t like each other. She’d never forget the night she’d met him. He couldn’t kill Boon and Cole. He’d hated them, but he’d had too much honor to break his word. Decker Filmore wasn’t going to use a good man’s character against him to win. Not today…not if I have anything to do with it.

  Decker grabbed her by the throat with his free hand, his fingers closing tight. “Do you think I won’t push this button?” He waved the detonator in her face. “You’ll be the first to die if Lord Aveoth and his men attack because of you.”

  She couldn’t talk or breathe until he eased his hold and let her go. Air filled her lungs again as she gulped huge breaths, glaring at Decker. The crazy was written all over his face—but she also saw desperation. She mentally ticked off what she’d learned about the man. He was greedy, stupid, selfish, and had no qualms at all about fucking anyone and everyone over. He’d even admitted to killing his own mate…

  Ah ha. Bingo.

  Jill cleared her throat before whispering, “I want something out of this deal, or I’ll remind him why he doesn’t want me. You think he won’t do anything to make you push that button?” She arched her eyebrows, staring down her so-called grandfather. “You want me to cooperate? I’m looking at having to climb into bed with,” she jerked her head toward Aveoth, standing on the massive boulder, “scary dude. You think that sounds fun for me? No would be the answer. He turns into rock, does this freaky thing with his eyes like some walkin
g lightning ball, and he called me a fucking concubine. That means one day he’s going to find a wife and toss my ass aside. I’ll be broke, and probably really old, judging from his shitty personality. No woman would be eager to hook up with him. I’d rather die right now than face that kind of future. I piss him off enough and your leverage is gone. He’ll want to push that button himself.”

  Decker would understand greed, and she was good at dealing with assholes after the life she’d led in her bid to survive.

  “He keeps a treasure room. I saw it. There’s this huge diamond about the size of my fist. It has to be worth a fortune. I’ll be set for life.”

  Decker’s eyes narrowed, a calculating look in his gaze. “You want me to obtain it and hold it for you?”

  Yeah, he thinks I’m that stupid. “No! I wouldn’t trust you as far as I could throw you. Bat boy up there will never agree to give it up unless I trick him. It’s some kind of artifact that means something to Gargoyles. He wouldn’t even let me touch the damn thing, yelling about some sacred oath to protect and guard it. I want to be rich when I get free, and that chunk of sparkle has to be worth millions. I’m willing to nail anyone if enough money is involved. You want to rule the clans and get the big guy off your back. I get what I want, and I’ll promise to be bat boy’s fuck-and-suck doll until he tires of me. He’ll make whatever deal you want if I say the word.”

  Decker leaned closer, smirking. “We are blood.”

  That sickened her. She was nothing like him, but she forced a matching smile. “I was raised dirt poor. I’m not going back to that shit when I get out of here. So, do we understand each other?”

  “Perfectly.”

  “Good. Let me talk to him then.” She was the one to back away and looked upward, meeting Aveoth’s gaze. “I’ll tell you what, big guy. I’ll agree to whatever you want on one condition. And you’ll want to agree if you want me in your bed or hope to get a drop of my blood, so listen close.”

  Aveoth cocked his head, studying her. “What is it?”

  “You have to give me a gift for agreeing to let you bite and bed me. Your word that it’s mine, and that I can walk away alive and unharmed when you’re done with me. Otherwise I swear I’ll blow myself up.”