“Decker doesn’t give a shit about your laws. Do you know what happens if you send someone after him? He’ll wipe their memory and make them forget it all. Or kill them outright. He’s insane, and human law doesn’t apply to him.”
“Fine. Give me keys to your car and a GPS with his address. I’ll go there myself and take care of this mess. I’m getting my sister back.”
Kraven scowled. “You’re forgetting he’s not human. What are you going to do to him, Bat? Beat him up? He’s got claws.” He suddenly grabbed her around her waist, hauling her off her feet, lifting her so they were face level. “You couldn’t even get away from me, and I’d never hurt you. He would. He doesn’t give a shit about you. You’re fodder for this war he wants to start. He’d chain you up and send you to Aveoth.”
“Better me than my baby sister. I’ll deal with this Aveoth. I’m sure he can be reasoned with.”
Kraven shook his head. “No.”
“Fuck you.” She braced her hands on his shoulders. “Put me down!”
He lowered her to the floor and let her go. “Calm down. Drantos will bring your sister back. In the meantime, there’s something we need to do. Do you want Dusti to be safe?”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s lead Decker on a merry chase away from here. Drantos will bring your sister to our village. Decker doesn’t care about Dusti, right? You admitted they don’t get along. He’d think nothing of killing her and the people who live here. We want him to come after you instead.”
She tried to calm down. “What are you saying?”
“You want the enforcers to stay away from your sister? That means not being anywhere near her. I have a plan, if you’ll listen.”
It was tough to do when she was worried sick about Dusti. “You have my attention.”
“I’m going to pack a bag and borrow a car that’s well known to other clans. I want to drive close enough to Decker’s territory that his scouts will see us. They’ll report it to him and he’ll order his enforcers to go after us. Let’s lead them away from Dusti and my clan. We’ll go to the airport and fly out of Alaska. He’ll be able to find out where we went but we’ll drop from sight once we hit the lower fifty. They’ll start looking for us there instead of here.”
“I’m bait to lure them away.”
He nodded. “I won’t let them capture you. We need to move fast though.”
“How do we know Drantos will get my sister back? I need to do something to save her, Kraven. She’s my entire world. She’s all I have.”
“I’ll keep my cell phone on until we hear word that Dusti is safe, Bat. You don’t know my brother, but he’ll do whatever it takes to get her back. She’s his mate.”
“Excuse me?”
“That’s a discussion for another time.”
“No, what do you mean, she’s his mate?”
He paused, taking a deep breath. “I don’t know how else to say it. But he’ll kill to get her back, tear apart heaven and hell to find her, whatever it takes. Drantos will protect her at all costs. I have absolute faith in that. He loves her and she belongs to him.”
“She can’t be his mate. We’re not animals.”
“Do you want to debate that or do something useful, like make Decker come after you instead of your sister, who his enforcers think is you right now? We need to get them off Drantos and Dusti’s trail.”
“If he even found her.”
“You don’t know my brother.”
“You’re right, I don’t.”
“You didn’t see him when he found out she’d been taken. He was enraged, and there’s nothing more dangerous than a VampLycan whose mate is in danger. He will find her and he’ll bring her home. The best thing we can do is give Decker a big target to go after instead. You’re the one he wants.”
“Fine.”
He grabbed her hand. “Help me pack.”
“No.”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight. You’re upset. Besides, it will go faster if we do this together.”
“You should have told me the truth right off.”
“I’m sorry. I wanted you to shower and eat first. There was nothing you could do but worry, Bat. You’re going to need your strength since we’ll be the ones running. I did what I thought was necessary.”
“Don’t lie to me about my sister ever again. Got it?”
“Yes.” He tugged on her. “Come on. The longer we waste time, the longer Decker’s enforcers are focused on the wrong sister.”
“This better work.”
“Decker is going to come after you. He needs you to make a deal with Aveoth. He knows his plan is out in the open now. He’s got to be desperate.”
“What the hell does that mean?”
“It means he pissed off three clans. He’d lose if we all attacked his. He needs the GarLycans on his side or he’s screwed. Understand?” He led her into the bedroom. “Grab a duffle bag out from under my bed.” He crossed to the closet, throwing open the door. He began tossing things on the bed.
Bat dropped to her knees and dragged out the large black bag. She started rolling his clothes and shoving them inside. It made her feel better knowing she was at least doing something, anything.
“I don’t have clothes.”
“We’ll buy you some once we hit Washington State. Right now it’s about making a show of leaving the area and giving them something to follow.”
“I need my damn purse. It costs money to travel and I have no ID. They ask for that at the airport. Did you think about that?”
“Of course. We’re avoiding large airports with heavy security and cameras. We’ll only use the smaller airports.”
“They’ll still ask for money and identification.”
“Stop worrying. I know what I’m doing, Bat. I have a plan.”
“Right.”
He growled and stopped grabbing clothes. “I do. I’m not an idiot. I’m also not poor. I’m old enough to have made some good financial decisions.”
“Right.”
“I’m older than you think.”
“Really? How old are you? Thirty-something? A young thirty-something?”
“I’m eighty-one.”
She stopped rolling his duster, glowering at him. “Right. And I’m the Pope.”
“Don’t you dare call me nuts again. I’m eighty-one years old.”
She stared at his face, looking for any indication that he could be that age. “You’re old enough to be someone’s grandfather? That’s disturbing.”
“Goddamn, woman,” he snarled. “Stop picking fights. I’m sorry I told you. The point is, I have money and I know how to get us to Washington.” He stormed over to the wall and grabbed a painting of a forest scene, taking it down. It exposed a wall safe. He’d opened it less than a minute later and began pulling out stacks of cash. He had to move a few weapons to do it.
“Are you a drug dealer?”
He spun, glaring. “What?”
“No one keeps that much cash on hand unless they got it illegally. Hidden safe, weapons, and tons of cash?”
“I don’t trust your banks. And no, I don’t sell frickin’ drugs.”
“What do you do for a living?”
“Lots of shit but nothing illegal. Now let’s go.” He slammed the safe shut and dumped the money into the bag.
“Do you want to get dressed first?”
He looked down and cursed. “You drive me nuts.” He stomped across the room and entered his walk-in closet.
Bat turned around to give him privacy. She glanced at the still open bag, guessing he had at least thirty grand in there. Maybe more. It made her wonder once more how he’d gotten it. In the end, she supposed it didn’t matter. Dusti was her priority, and doing whatever it took to keep her safe. Kraven could bribe airport officials with enough cash. The best thing she could do was get away from her sister.
Kraven came out a few minutes later sporting black jeans, another black tank top, and he had one of his leat
her dusters over his arm. The kickass black boots were nice. He zipped the bag closed and hoisted the strap over his shoulder. “Let’s go.”
“What about your cell?”
“I’ll grab my spare on the way out.”
“Drug dealer,” she muttered, following him.
“I heard that.”
“You have lots of cash, weapons, and spare burner phones? Give me a break. Who do you think I defend?”
“I lost my personal phone while we were being pursued. This is my work one for clan business.” He had a cell phone plugged in on his counter. He removed it and the charger, shoving both into a side pocket of the bag. “Move your ass, Bat.”
He walked outside and she was stunned to see a bright red classic Nova parked in front of his house. It hadn’t been there when they’d entered. He yanked open the passenger door and tossed the bag over the seat into the back. “Get in.”
“Nice wheels.”
“Thanks. It belongs to my mother.”
That had Bat arching her eyebrows. “Okay.” She took a seat.
Kraven slammed the door and rounded the car, climbing into the driver’s seat. The keys were in the ignition. She opened her mouth to tell him how easy it would be for someone to steal it but changed her mind. He’d just tell her again how VampLycans didn’t steal from each other. He twisted the key and the engine roared to life.
“Seat belt,” he demanded.
She had to put on two. One was a lap belt and she guessed the shoulder strap had been later added to the car. Kraven didn’t put on his before he threw it in drive and punched the gas. She cursed, grabbing hold of the seat.
“Maniac. We’re in town. You’re going to kill someone.”
He laughed. “They know to get out of the way.”
She was glad when he turned away from most of the houses and drove on a dirt road. The ass end of the vehicle slid a bit when he took turns and she clenched her teeth until she couldn’t hold back anymore. “Are you trying to get me killed?”
“It’s been a while since I drove this baby. I want to get a feel for it before we hit Decker’s territory line.”
“Unless you wrap the car around a tree and get me killed first.”
“Can’t you just enjoy this?”
“No. I don’t find it fun to drive at excessive speeds on dirt roads and have my life flash before my eyes.”
He snorted. “Your life sucks, my little hellion. You’re all work and no play. That’s about to change as we spend time together.”
She closed her eyes, gripping tightly to anything she could hold on to. It made it worse when she could feel the car skidding around, her brain imagining them slamming into a tree or going airborne. She opened her eyes and muttered curses.
“Your language is offensive.”
“So is your driving.”
He laughed. “It won’t be long before the scouts spot us. Roll down your window.”
She stared at the crank handle. “Why? So you can choke me on dust? It’s tough to bitch when I’m unable to breathe.”
“Tempting but not the reason.” Kraven accelerated. “I want them to pick up our conversation. I can take a hand off the wheel to roll this one down if you want?”
“Don’t!” She released her death grip on the seat and reached forward, opening the window halfway. “Don’t you guys have real roads out here?”
“Not between our borders. Decker’s is coming up. I’m going to start talking loudly when I spot his scouts.”
“Why?”
“So they can hear your name and report it to their leader. Don’t take it personal.”
“Take what personal?”
“Hang on.”
She stared ahead and her mouth opened, a scream trapped inside her throat. There was a gap in the road where it dropped off to a lower section. It looked as if part of it had washed away at some point.
The car left the ground and flew across the small gap, landing hard on the other side. The belts dug into Bat.
Kraven swerved the wheel and they skidded a good twenty or so feet before he recovered, straightening it out to avoid striking a tree. “That’s what I’m talking about, Bat!” he yelled. “Come on. Don’t be squeamish. I swear you’ve got no sense of humor, Batina. What kind of lawyer are you if you can’t handle life in the fast lane?” He paused. “Stop moaning, Batina. It’s fucking annoying.”
He lowered his voice. “It worked. They’re on our ass. They heard.”
She peered into the rearview mirror and spotted two of those ugly beasts running after them. They looked like demented mutant dogs.
She said something she was sure she never would since getting in the car.
“Drive faster!”
He laughed. “Hang on, Batina. I’ll get you out of here.”
She couldn’t take her eyes off the beasts following them. It was tempting to lean over to glance at the dash, check their actual speed, but those things were almost on their bumper. She could even see their open mouths and sharp fangs as they panted in the side mirror, hauling ass to keep up with the car.
“Oh shit. They can run.”
“Yes, we can.” Kraven almost sounded proud. “We’re about to hit a paved road. Close your eyes, I don’t want you to scream. I’m just hoping there isn’t any cross traffic. We’ll lose them then. Pavement is going to hurt their feet after a good mile.”
She should have listened. The trees thinned and she saw a paved two-lane road ahead. She could also see a big truck barreling down it, toward the dirt road they were on—and Kraven accelerated more. Pure terror filled Bat when she realized the truck would probably slam into them if he didn’t hit the brakes.
He twisted the wheel when the tires hit pavement, sending them skidding again. The truck blared its horn and tires screeched in protest as the driver hit his brakes.
The truck barely avoided hitting them as they slid into the other lane and Kraven got control of the car, taking off in the opposite direction.
Bat panted, tears blinding her. It took her a good minute to recover enough to remember to look in the side-view mirrors. Only one of the beasts followed, and Kraven was putting distance between it and them.
“It’s okay.” Kraven reached over and patted her leg. “I’m a great driver. One of them was almost hit by the truck but they didn’t collide.”
“It’s not okay.”
“I’m sorry that frightened you. I was hoping there wouldn’t be any traffic at all. Only truckers and the random tourist use this road as a shortcut from the main highway.”
“Don’t ever do that again.”
“Look. He’s giving up.”
She glanced in the side mirror and the beast slowed even more, seeming to stop pursuing them. “You don’t get it. That’s how my parents died, Kraven. A big semi T-boned their car.”
“Ah shit. I’m sorry.”
She reached up and wiped at her tears. “I think I know how they must have felt now. I always hoped they never saw it coming but I can’t see how they didn’t. That truck looked huge.”
He rubbed her leg. “I’m really sorry. The good news is they heard me saying your name, they followed, and they’ll report back to your grandfather that we took off toward the airport. Dusti will be safer now.”
“If your brother manages to get her back.”
“Have faith.”
She stared out the window, deciding she really hated vacations and Alaska, and she regretted ever boarding that airplane. The prospect of inheriting a lot of money hadn’t been worth it.
Kraven hated the way Bat had grown silent. He glanced at her every few seconds. She seemed lost in thought. He felt guilty for scaring her, and for making her think she might die the same way her parents had. He promised to make it up to her somehow.
He kept alert as he drove. It was possible Decker might have thought about assigning a few of his people to the airport in case the sisters made a run for it. He should have put the cell phone in his pocket but he knew it would tak
e hours for Drantos to reach the village, even if he’d found Dusti right away. He’d have to walk her there.
He hadn’t lied to Bat. Drantos was driven to get her sister back safely. His big brother would stop at nothing to protect Dusti. He had no doubt he’d succeed. Drantos wouldn’t settle for anything less.
He watched his speed. State troopers usually didn’t patrol this far out but he couldn’t risk being pulled over. Even a few minutes to deal with wiping the human’s memory of ever seeing them and ordering him to go away were minutes he couldn’t afford to waste. He needed to get Bat to the airport and in the air before Decker could launch an attack.
“Why don’t we just drive and not fly? I really don’t look forward to getting on another plane after the last one we shared.”
He was grateful to hear her voice, and that she seemed to have recovered enough to complain. “GarLycans can fly. They’ll be in the air by nightfall if they’re working with Decker. This car is fast but traffic will slow us down. We’d hit plenty near the cities we’d eventually pass through.”
“We could switch out cars so they don’t know what to look for.”
“Or we could just play it safe and go by plane. You’re going to need to trust me, Bat. I know what we’re dealing with. You don’t.”
“Aren’t they afraid to be seen? You know. Like someone stargazing and then there’s a big freaking guy with wings flying overhead?”
“They can change their flesh tones to dark gray and their wings are black. You’d be surprised how well they can blend into a night sky.”
“How fast can they fly?”
“Fast. I’ve never exactly clocked one but I’d guess about seventy miles an hour if they’re motivated. Maybe faster.”
“How is that even possible? Are they super skinny or something so their wings can support their weight?”
“They’re about my size, for the most part, and they have large wingspans. They don’t stone-out completely while they’re flying but they can control their coloring if they need to. It’s how they’ve never been detected. They just have to watch out for radar devices in bigger cities.”