Treasure Tides

Chapter EIGHT

Becki had been home all day cleaning her house. The floors positively sparkled. She was lounging on the deck drinking a glass of wine when her cell phone rang.

“Hey, you’re home safe and sound!” Becki answered.

“Yep, and already unpacked,” Natie said.

“Wow! You’re good!” Becki applauded, taking a sip of her wine. “I just called to let you know I dumped Jonah on his self-centered

ass,” Natie said without any sort of forewarning.

Becki spit her wine out all over the table. “ What? It’s about damn time!” She said trying not to choke.

“I decided the night we left and told him to get his shit together and get out as soon as we got home,” Natie said proudly.

“That’s wonderful news!”

“He whined about being tired from the drive, and I told him I was pretty sure he could find someone willing to let him into their bed tonight. But, that someone wouldn’t be me!”

Becki laughed, “Ha! I bet he didn’t have anything to say to that!”

“Oh, he slammed around, and I helped him all I could… by throwing his shit out in the front yard from the second story window!” Natie bragged.

Becki laughed as Natie gave her the details. “Oh, Nat, I wished I could have been a fly on the wall,” she said, her eyes dancing with mirth. “Speaking of being a fly on the wall, tell me about your ride home with Sean the other night. He’s such a sweet-heart.”

“I know, but I’m not ready to think about anyone other than me right now, Becki. I didn’t love Jonah anymore, but he was comfortable. I’ve never been with anyone else, so I’m just going to go solo for a while,” Natie said.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. You need to come back here now that you’ve cut the ball and chain loose. We can have some real fun,” Becki coaxed.

“Maybe I’ll be able to come back in a few months. Don’t get too excited, but I’m considering moving there permanently.”

Becki screamed in excitement, “Really?” Becki asked as she stood up and danced around in circles. “That would be so awesome!” Flopping back into her seat, she grabbed her wine glass and pressed her sister for details, “When?”

“I’m thinking as soon as this semester is over. I still have a few weeks to go. I’m getting sick of school, so I might take next semester off. I figured that would be a good time to relocate,” Natie shared. “What’s that hottie’s name, the one who owns your house? Does he have any more rental properties on the Island?”

“I’m sure he does…and he is a hottie,” Becki agreed. “I’ll be glad to make the sacrifice and find out for you,” she graciously offered.

“I’m sure you would,” Natie said, mocking her sister. “Have you talked to Jenna lately?”

“She Facebooked me just the other day,” Becki said as she poured another glass of wine. She had spit most of her other glass out. “She had some new ink she wanted me to see.”

“Tweedy Bird,” Natie said laughing.

“Yep, that’s it. She also got nipple rings, but she didn’t send me pics of those. Thank God,” Becki said grimacing. That was just way too much for her. Those had to hurt like a mother.

“Just wait. I’m sure you’ll be able to catch them on Facebook,” Natie teased.

“Probably,” Becki agreed.

Jenna was a free spirit. She was into body piercings and tattoos, liked to smoke a little pot, and ride her Harley. She reminded Becki of a chocolate covered cherry-- hard on the outside and mushy on the inside. Jenna also had a pet snake that Becki and Natie were not so fond of. She insisted that he was a real “sweet heart.” But even so, they made her leave him at home, when she visited one of them.

“You should so get Jenna to come with you,” Becki said.

“Oh God, can you imagine the three of us together on an island? That place would never be the same! Me with my boobs hanging out, her with tattoos and piercings everywhere, and you trying to get us all drunk. I’m not sure the locals could take it. And then there’s the “midnight ride”. That alone would probably get her thrown in jail!”

Jenna liked to ride her Harley in the buff during the full moon. She had tried to talk Becki and Natie into it several times but hadn’t been successful, yet.

It was nice to hear Natie so happy. It had been a long time since Becki had heard that sparkle in her voice.

“You should ask her anyway. She might be ready for a change,” Becki urged.

“I will; next time I talk to her. I have to figure out what I’m going to do before I pull her into the mix,” Natie reasoned.

A call beeped in, and Becki saw it was Clarissa. “I need to take this call, Natie. It’s Clarissa…and Kurt is out on the boat.”

“Ok, we’ll talk later. Bye,” Natie said before disconnecting the call.

Becki picked up Clarissa’s incoming call.

“Hi, Hon. What’s up?” Becki asked as she topped off her glass with just a tad more wine.

“Becki?” Clarissa began nervously.

“What’s wrong, Clarissa. Is everybody ok?” Clarissa sounded as if she had been crying.

“Yes, but these men came to the door and wanted me to ask them in to wait on my Dad. I told them I couldn’t let anyone in when my dad wasn’t home.”

Beck swallowed the panic rising in her throat as Clarissa continued, “They went back out and sat in their car for a while, just watching the house. And, then I saw these other really big guys start walking over toward their car, and they took off. Then the big guys walked all around our house. It was just weird the way they kind of left all of a sudden.”

“I’ll be right there,” Becki promised as she ran into the house to find her keys.

“I’m a little scared. We have the doors locked, but I don’t know when Dad will be home,” Clarissa concluded, sniffling.

Becki knew she was more than a little scared.

“I’m on my way now. Just sit tight and don’t answer the door for anyone. If someone else shows up, call 911,” Becki insisted. “Understand?”

“Yes,” Clarissa responded.

With her heart in her throat, Becki said, “I’m going to put you on speaker, so I can have both hands to drive. You stay on the line with me. Tell me if you see anyone at all.”

Becki activated the Bluetooth speaker system, “Can you hear me, Clarissa?”

“I hear you,” she confirmed.

Becki was more frightened than she had ever been in her life. Even if she could get in touch with the guys, they were out in the middle of the water somewhere. It would take them too long to get home. Please keep them safe, Lord.

“Where are your sisters, Clarissa?” Becki asked.

“They are right here with me. We’re upstairs watching out the windows. I’m getting a little freaked with all these strangers around. No one is usually down here that I don’t know. We are supposed to go out for dinner, so Dad should be home soon. I wish he was home now,” she finished in a whisper.

Becki flew. In the quiet little cul-de-sac everyone stuck together. There was no reason for anyone to be down there that Clarissa didn’t know. A bunch of strangers milling around was quite disturbing.

Her phone beeped indicating a call coming in, but it didn’t display who was calling. Please let it be Royce. Becki’s tires squealed as she made the turn into the addition.

“Hold on, Clarissa. I have a call ringing in. I’m pulling in to the addition right now; I’ll be there in two minutes or less,” Becki promised.

“Ok, I’m going to try to call Dad again. I’ll see you in a minute,” Clarissa said.

Becki clicked over to the new call. “Royce, where are you? Are you back yet? Is Kurt with you?” She was firing off questions without waiting for answers.

“What’s wrong, Doll?”

“Trev,” Becki said with tears of disappointment thickening her voice. “I can’t talk now. There’s trouble, big trouble. I have to find Royce.”

Becki hung up before Trevor could formulate a question.

Her phone rang again, and this time the caller ID chose to work properly. “Royce,” she choked past the lump clogging her throat.

“What’s wrong, Becki?” Royce asked anxiously.

He had just gotten out of the shower and was in the midst of getting ready for their date. He couldn’t stop thinking about her. Becki was beautiful. She was also kind and caring. She was not afraid to stand up for herself and what she believed was right. In many ways Becki was like Joanna, who had really pissed him off earlier.

Joanna had pushed too hard today. She had risked her health because of her damn stubbornness. Joanna would fight to the death to protect those she loved. Becki was like that when it came to her family.

Royce didn’t know how he was going to keep Becki out of the middle of this mess. He would never forgive himself if something happened to her, but he couldn’t seem to stay away. He found himself just wanting to be with her. To care for her… protect her.

Recognizing the concern in his voice and because she was terrified, Becki started to cry. “Royce, Clarissa called and there have been people watching the house. They even went up to the door and tried to get inside. I’m pulling up to the driveway now,” Becki explained as she jumped out of her car.

Royce heard the car door slam and then heard the girls crying. They must have run out to the car when Becki pulled in the driveway. He felt a chill as he began running toward his own car.

“Get the girls back in the house right now and lock the doors!” Royce ordered. “I’m on my way.”

“Royce says to get back inside and lock the doors,” she explained as she disentangled herself from three sobbing girls.

“Becki, do not answer the door for anyone,” Royce barked sternly. “Do you understand me? Kurt is on his way home, and I’ll be there in a few minutes. If you’re not inside, get there! Now!”

Becki heard another car door slam and turned to see strangers appearing in the cul-de-sac. They were moving quickly toward the driveway where she and the girls stood. Suddenly, Landon’s door opened. Thank God, she hadn’t known he was home.

However, it wasn’t Landon who appeared in the doorway. Bursting out of Landon’s house were several very large men. Men she didn’t know and had never met. What the hell? Those were some scary dogs the guys had. Or were they dogs? Whatever they were, the things were growling and snarling and- shit-- running toward her.

Becki pushed the girls back into the house. Without pausing to look again, she slammed the door and threw the deadbolt home.

#

Joanna had regained consciousness a few minutes ago. She was, however, strangely subdued. Her eyes were downcast, and if he hadn’t known better, Landon would have sworn she wiped away a tear.

As she surfaced, Joanna felt a rush of emotion. Royce was really pissed! She had messed up big-time. But she had been so close! Something was dancing around the edges of her mind trying to get her attention. She had almost zeroed in on the elusive whisper-like thought. She would have to be more careful because something extremely powerful was trying to reach her. She felt better but was still a little tired. God, her head was killing her. She was certain her forearms had to be streaked with blood along with her face. However, she couldn’t quite bring herself to look.

“You OK?” Landon asked softly.

Joanna jerked her head around to see him standing close, a little too close. He was watching her a little too intently as well. Then she focused on the glass of water and aspirin he held in his hands.

“You do this often?” Joanna asked as she struggled to sit up.

Landon slid an arm around her shoulders and lifted her up, leaning her against his chest. Keeping his arm around her, he handed her the pills and then the water.

“Not too often,” he answered, his breath whispering across her cheek.

Joanna swallowed the aspirin, savoring the taste of ice cold water on a hot day. It was quite stifling at the moment, cocooned as she was in Landon’s arms and leaning against his broad chest. Water dribbled down the glass and splashed onto her chest.

Landon couldn’t help watching the liquid as it rolled down between her breasts. Joanna felt his gaze on her. It seemed as if he had followed the trail of water with his fingertips rather than his eyes.

Cupping Joanna’s face and tipping it toward him, Landon said, “You didn’t answer me. Are you ok?”

How is a girl supposed to think in these circumstances? A bad-ass Werewolf, normally chocked full of mischief and teasing, was looking at her all serious and concerned. Joanna shrugged out of his embrace and scooted to the side of the bed.

“Fine,” she said as she hurried toward the head to wipe the blood away.

She turned on the water and steeled herself to look in the mirror. Her arms weren’t covered in blood, so maybe she hadn’t lost as much of it as she thought. As she forced her gaze to the looking glass, she was stunned to see that not a drop of blood could be seen anywhere on her face.

She knew, without being told, who had cleaned the blood from her face and arms. Tears threated, but she forced them back. No more tears! She had shed enough over the past few years to last a lifetime. They hadn’t helped then, and they wouldn’t help now. Joanna griped the door handle and turned it slowly. She opened the door bracing herself to deal with the embarrassment of thanking Landon for what he had done.

The room was empty. She sagged against the door frame, feeling somewhat like a coward. Get on with it, Joanna. What are you afraid of?

“Joanna?” Landon spoke from the doorway of the bedroom. He had sent a quick text to Royce letting him know Joanna was awake. They would be heading that way soon.

She stiffened abruptly, almost as if he had frightened her. He saw genuine fear pass through her eyes for an instant, and then it was gone. As she smoothed her hair, Joanna smiled brightly at him.

“I’m ready when you are,” she announced regally as she brushed past him on her way out of the bedroom

Landon narrowed his eyes and followed Joanna closely. She seemed a bit unsteady. Didn’t she get into this mess by pushing herself too hard? Now she was starting to piss him off!

“I just need to update the log before I leave. Why don’t you rest on the couch, and I’ll come to get you when I’m finished,” Landon suggested.

“I have some notes to review. I’ll jus--”

“You’ll just rest on the couch until I come to get you,” Landon growled.

Joanna narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth to argue with him. But, she decided she didn’t have the energy. She stomped over to the couch and sat down, folding her hands in her lap.

Landon nodded and spun on his heel to make his way topside. Stubborn Witch. He had to smile at the picture she presented sitting primly on the couch, acting as if her blood wasn’t boiling at being told what to do.

Landon pulled out the log book and groaned. Evidently, it had not been updated over the past few weeks. Closed within the pages of the log, were scraps of paper that needed to be permanently documented. Sighing, he pulled the cap from his ink pen and began writing.

#

Landon closed the log book and put it away. He wadded up the stack of papers that he had just spent the last fifteen minutes documenting. Joanna was probably contemplating his demise at this point.

“Noooo!” Joanna screamed.

Landon felt her anguish pulse through his body. He leapt from his chair and vaulted down the stairs. Joanna had fallen asleep waiting for him and was fighting someone, or something, in her sleep. He touched her arm as he spoke her name.

“Joanna,” Landon called softly. He didn’t want to frighten her awake, but he didn’t want to leave her in whatever hell she was enduring.

“Joanna,” he called again as she moaned and twisted away from him. “Joanna,” he spoke her name for the third time before she suddenly opened her eyes.

“Damn!” Joanna lunged forward and would have risen if Landon had not placed his hands on her shoulders to prevent her from getting up too quickly.

Pulling her hair back from her face, she took a couple of calming breaths. She felt the couch shift as Landon sat down beside her.

“Nightmare?” he asked.

“Yea, no big deal,” she said, bending to slip her shoes on. He noticed the slight trembling in her hands which told him it was a big deal.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“What-- now you’re a shrink, too? You want to analyze my dreams?” Joanna snapped.

“This must be the part Royce was referring to,” Landon observed with a frown.

Joanna pinned him with a glare. “What part would that be?”

“The part where you are a tad bit grouchy.”

Joanna glared at him for a moment longer and then covered her face with her hands.

Landon watched in horror as her shoulders began to shake.

“I’m sorry, Joanna,” he said wrapping his arms around her. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Don’t cry.”

At that moment she lifted her face and tears streamed from her eyes. But they weren’t tears of frustration or sorrow, they were tears of mirth. She was laughing!

“Are you kidding me?” Landon protested with a scowl.

“I’m sorry,” Joanna said as she wiped her eyes. “It just stuck me as funny.”

“I’m glad I could entertain you this evening,” Landon said with a grin.

They both rose from the couch finally ready to make their way home.

“I need to grab my purse,” Joanna said as she spun around to open a nearby storage compartment. She evidently moved too quickly, because suddenly the room began spinning. The next thing she knew, strong arms were encircling her once again.

Landon caught Joanna as she crumpled, and then strode to the couch with her in his arms.

“You are going to hurt yourself pretending that you are ok when you’re not,” Landon reprimanded her.

“I just moved too quickly; that’s all,” she explained.

Joanna needed to get away from Landon. He had witnessed her emotions run from one extreme to the other today. He had played nursemaid and now savior. The truth was, she had enjoyed being wrapped in his arms a little too much for her own peace of mind.

He stood watching her, again. It was as if he were trying to peer inside her head, or as if he were trying to gain access to her private thoughts and feelings. Joanna suddenly felt as if the walls were closing in on her. She needed to put some distance between them.

“I think you should rest a while longer. There’s no hurry.”

“I told you, I’m fine,” Joanna insisted as she rose quickly from the couch where he had deposited her moments ago. She charged toward the stairs intent on escaping Landon’s piercing gaze.

Midway across the room it occurred to her that she had not thanked him for interceding on her behalf today with Royce. She stopped and turned to face Landon intending to correct the oversight. However, he wasn’t where she had left him. As she spun back toward the stairs, she found her exit blocked by a seriously pissed-off Were.

Darn, he could move fast. She took a step back. He took a step forward. He was stalking her! As she continued to step back, Landon continued to move forward. Soon she felt the wall at her back. Her retreat had reached an abrupt halt.

He kept moving forward trapping her as he flattened his palms against the wall on either side of her body. As he dipped his head, she drew a quick breath and braced her heart for Landon’s blistering kiss.

Instead, he growled, “Don’t. Feed. Me. That line of shit! Play the independent, cold-hearted, untouchable Witch with someone else.”

This time tears really did fill her eyes. Joanna dropped her head on his chest as the first sob left her lungs. The arms that had been stiff with anger moments ago, wrapped around her to pull her tightly into his chest. The voice that had growled moments ago, now whispered. “Joanna, I know it hurts. I know you’re afraid. I can smell pain and fear all over you. Don’t shut me out.”

“I’m fine,” Joanna whispered. “I’m fine,” she said, a little stronger this time. “I promise. It’s getting better.” Resting her palm on his chest, she continued, “Thank you, Landon. Thank you for running interference for me with Royce. I know he’s really pissed at me. Thank you for cleaning me up, and everything else you’ve done to take care of me today.”

“Royce needed to cool down, and you needed to recover. Royce cares very deeply about you, Joanna. He would never forgive himself if something happened to you on his watch. Cut him some slack.” Knowing that it would get her blood flowing, he added, “And, if this is too much for you to handle on your own, don’t be too proud to call for backup.”

Mission accomplished. Her eyes sparked with anger; which he preferred to tears.

“You think I can’t handle it, Wolf-boy?” Joanna hissed. “You think I’m just a weak female? Let me assure you, I’m nothing like the kind of woman you are used to dealing with. I can take care of myself, and I don’t need you, or Royce, or anyone else worrying about me,” Joanna ranted as she pushed him away.

“I can take it from here. You don’t need to see me home. I’ll call a cab,” Joanna said, wishing he would just go. She had told him she felt fine, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. She felt as if she might break into a million pieces at any moment.

“There is only one problem with that. I told Royce I would get you home safely,” he countered. “That’s just what I’m going to do, even if I have to tie you up to do it.”

“Try it Wolf, I dare you.”

“Just remember, you asked for it, Jo.” Landon reached over to open a cabinet as he made his way slowly toward her. Without breaking stride or taking his eyes off her, he withdrew a coil of rope and clicked the door shut with soft finality.

Ok, so maybe things had gone too far. “Stop! Landon, this isn’t funny,” Joanna said breathlessly. At one time, being tied up by a man like Landon Smith would have been her idea of fun. But--?

Shaking his head slowly from side to side, eyes glinting he said, “I’m not laughing,” as he continued to move toward her.

Joanna backed away taking care to make sure she was backing toward the stairs rather than into a wall. As she reached the stairs, she raised her hand. A little magic could slow him down enough to give her a head-start.

“Don’t even think about it. It doesn’t work well on us, and you know it. You don’t have that much energy to spare right now anyway,” Landon warned. But, he wasn’t too sure about that. Her heart was beating rapidly, her cheeks were flushed. He smelled her arousal but also a hint of fear.

Landon’s cell phone rang, shattering the moment. That particular ringtone could only mean one thing…trouble.

Landon dropped the rope and reached for his cell.

“You win this time, Joanna. Go to the office at the marina; they will call a cab for you. I’m sorry, but I have to go…now.”

#

“Where?” Landon barked as he answered the call. He had cleared the stairs in one leap, landed on the pier with the second, and was currently unlocking his truck. He couldn’t risk shifting here. People would notice a Wolf. He had to get away from the crowd.

“Kurt’s.” His second in command confirmed what his gut had already told him.

“Are the girls home?” Landon asked. Dread settled in his stomach like a cement block. He slammed the truck in gear and sped out of the parking lot.

“Yes. Becki’s there as well. They are all locked in the house at this point. But I’ve got to tell you; it’s shaping up to be a real bitch out there, Landon. I know you don’t want the girls to know, but things are about to get loud and ugly.”

“Protect them at all costs. If anything happens to those girls, I’ll kill who ever let it happen without a second thought. I’m on my way!”

Landon loved Kurt’s girls as if they were his own pups. He did not want them to know about the darkness in the world. He didn’t want them to know that things really did go “bump” in the night.

After ending the call, Landon threw the phone into the passenger seat. Fear, frustration, and rage combined making it nearly impossible to keep his Wolf restrained.

“Ouch!” Joanna complained as the phone landed forcefully in her lap.

“What the hell do you think you are doing here?” Landon was already furious and rapidly losing ground to an increasingly agitated Wolf. This is just what he needed-- an overly-tired, stubborn (not to mention smart-mouthed) Witch to worry about.

“I’m going, too. I can help,” Joanna announced as she settled in for the ride.

“No... You’re not.” Landon swore as he turned the vehicle sharply and skidded onto an abandoned service road. “I’m shifting so I can travel faster. Joanna, I don’t have time for this. Stay put... I’ll be back for you when I get this situation handled,” he ordered.

Mistaking her silence for agreement, he leapt from the truck shifting mid-flight.

Joanna’s breath caught in her throat as an enormous Wolf shrouded in thick silver fur landed on all fours. He was beautiful! His coat practically shimmered like spun silver in the sunlight, and then in an instant he had disappeared from view.

Fortunately, Joanna had placed a tracking spell on him earlier this afternoon. She had spelled all of the divers temporarily… just as a precaution. But she hadn’t seen the need to share that bit of information as Royce tended to get pissy about those things. She had wanted to be able to locate them if something unforeseen happened during their dive.

She closed her eyes and “saw” Landon as he ran like the wind. His movements were gracefully fluid. Joanna smiled, thinking he reminded her of liquid silver. As he reached his destination, what Joanna saw made her blood run cold. Vampires were surrounded by a pack of Werewolves; in a neighborhood subdivision no less! And the icing on the cake? Royce stood smack-dab in the midst of the fight….

#

As Becki glanced out the window, her heart practically stopped beating. Royce was surrounded by both men and beasts. When did he get here? What the hell were those things? What does he think he’s doing out there? She physically stuffed the girls in the panic room, a converted closet under the stairs, and swung the door closed with a thud!

“I’ll be fine.” She spoke to them through the locked door over their loud protests. “I love you all and will get you out of there when things calm down,” she promised. Becki prayed she would live through whatever was unfolding in the front yard.

Kurt had been so insistent that they all know how to access the panic room and activate the lock. Now things were becoming clearer. Becki mentally thanked Kurt for his preparedness. The instant the lock had tripped on the panic room, Kurt would have received a text message. He would be freaking out about now and pissed as hell when he found out that she had not joined the girls in safety.

Becki was not a child; she was not going to hide and wait for someone to rescue her. She sprinted to the gun safe trying to remember the combination. Thirty-three to the right, twenty-four to the left, and…. Think! Calm down and think.

Becki closed her eyes and drew a calming breath before trying again. Thirty-three to the right, twenty-four to the left…and thirty-two to the right! Click! The electronic mechanisms began to move. As the safe door swung open, she frowned at the confusing selection of weapons. Wooden stakes, a cross bow with an assortment of arrows with varying tips, wooden bullets, vials of liquid, and a case of shiny bullets marked ‘silver’. What the hell?

Pale men, large canines, all at once it made perfect sense! The wooden stakes were for Vampires and silver bullets for Werewolves. Judging from what she had witnessed, the Wolves were on their side. This is what Royce had been trying to keep from her.

“ Royce!” Becki screamed. She snatched a wooden steak and tucked it in the waistband of her pants. With hands that shook, she loaded Kurt’s rifle and hand-gun with wooden bullets. Lord, help me, she prayed as she moved toward the front door.

A flash of silver leaped into the pack of snarling wolves. Royce knew instinctively it was Landon. As he touched Landon’s flank, the massive Wolf swung his jaws toward Royce and snarled. In retrospect, perhaps he should have patted his head instead; however, Landon got the message and signaled the pack to quiet down. The Wolves immediately broke ranks and divided. Half the pack formed a semicircle around Royce and Landon while the other half positioned themselves as a barrier between the Vampires and Kurt’s house.

“You know you can’t win this,” Royce advised the pale group. “You also know it can’t go down here. You are all risking execution at the hands of the Council for causing a public spectacle as it is. What is your interest in this place?” Royce asked.

“There is a house full of sweet smelling females,” taunted a bloodsucker with an accompanying flash of his fangs.

“Rouel,” snarled at one of his minions.

“Some are only large enough for a snack, but one in particular interests me on several levels. Adult entertainment and dessert, you might say, all rolled into one. I’ve hungered for her ever since I caught her sweet scent on Trevor,” Rouel leered.

“We need to finish this,” another nervous Vamp insisted. “Get the maps and the girl and let’s get out of here.”

“Over my dead body,” Royce promised as the Wolves began snarling.

“That can be arranged. We know you have the original maps. We know you’ve found the hidden tunnels. We suspect that you have not recovered the coin yet. Otherwise, you wouldn’t still be hanging around. That’s how it works with Special Ops, right?” Rouel snarked. “Oh, don’t worry… I’m in no hurry. You might say I have all the time in the world. I can stick around for a while after you are gone just to, shall we say, tidy up some loose ends.”

Landon growled low in his throat. His pack responded by moving in closer, tightening the circle around the Vamps. The air hummed with tension.

“You are a dead man,” Royce promised.

“I’m already dead,” Rouel reminded, allowing his fangs to drop. “You, on the other hand are still irritatingly alive.”

“Then come and get me, you bastard,” Royce tempted.

“Oh, I will. But presently I have a taste for that sweet thing preparing to bolt through the front door,” he said inhaling as he dematerialized.

Becki opened the front door just as Rouel reappeared. He leaned carelessly against the pecan tree just a few feet away.

Royce felt his heart stop as she stood in the doorway with a sniper rifle pointed at Rouel’s chest.

“Do come out and play, Darling,” The Vamp drawled.

“Go back in the house, Becki. That gun won’t help,” Royce warned.

“But, Royce. I’ve been invited out to play,” she responded sweetly.

“Go back in the house and lock the door,” Royce ordered.

“Royce, I’ve been thinking,” Becki reflected, her rifle still trained on Rouel. “These men were here earlier trying to talk the girls into inviting them in. Why would they need an invitation?”

Sliding her gaze over Rouel from head to toe, she added, “Their eyes look very strange, too-- almost vacant. And the complexion on these guys…such milky skin, almost too perfect, wouldn’t you say?”

“Becki,” Royce groaned. “Leave it alone. Go back inside and let me handle this.”

“I’ve been trying to figure it out,” she droned. “But nothing made sense. Well, that is, until I opened the gun safe.”

Releasing the safety on the rifle, she continued, “Wooden bullets, Royce. Would wooden bullets have some significance?” she pressed.

Rouel moved back toward the group as one of the other Vamps decided to make a brake for it. That was when all hell broke loose.

Werewolves and Vampires lunged at each other. Talons slicing, fangs ripping and tearing flesh. Royce was trapped. He desperately tried to reach Becki before she could do something stupid. He pushed through the brawl going on around him, avoiding both Were and Vamp. His focus was on getting to Becki and shoving her ass back inside the house.

Suddenly one of the Vampires appeared directly in front of Royce. He swiped his talons across Royce’s chest and stopped to inhale the sweet smell of fresh human blood. He grabbed Royce and extended his fangs, going in for the kill. Royce struggled. He needed to maneuver into position before releasing the spring-loaded, wooden micro-dart. He had no intention of making a donation to this blood-sucker today. Damn these guys were strong. Royce hated to pull from Joanna right now. He didn’t even know if she was strong enough to help him. But, he needed her magic… just enough to cloak him while he finished off this Vamp and got to Becki.

“Jo,” Royce called. “I need--”

Before Royce could complete the thought, two things happened simultaneously. Becki stepped out of the house, drew a bead on the son of a bitch who had Royce, and squeezed the trigger. Joanna appeared just as the dumb-ass Vamp thought about making a meal of her brother. She quickly cloaked Royce, as Becki plugged the Vamp with wood.

The bullet found its mark, and the Vamp went up in smoke. Becki began to feel some degree of excitement at having killed one of the bad guys, until she realized that Royce disappeared as well. One minute he was there, the next he was gone. Oh my God! What had she done?

“Royce,” Becki screamed as she dropped the gun.

Landon heard Becki scream and turned around to find her. The first thing he saw was Joanna, with arms outstretched as electricity enveloped her body. How the hell had she found him? Evidently she needed some clarification as to what “stay put” meant.

Thankfully, Joanna was surrounded by magic, which meant she wasn’t in immediate danger. Only a very powerful Vamp could get to her. He noted that Royce had just disappeared, and Landon suspected that was Joanna’s doing.

The girls were locked in the panic room and Becki… Becki had just plugged a Vampire with Kurt’s sniper rifle. The same rifle that now lay on the ground beside her, leaving Becki out in the open and unprotected.

Landon lunged toward Becki a moment too late. Rouel materialized directly behind her, grabbed a hand full of her hair and pulled, slamming her back into his chest.

Becki screamed and shouted, “Let go of me, you a*shole!”

As she screamed, she struggled to get away from Rouel who held her effortlessly in place. Pulling her hair once again, he jerked her head back to expose the vein in her neck.

Two Vamps attacked Landon as he prepared to deal with Rouel. His heart bled as he fought to kill them before Rouel killed Becki.

As she struggled to get away, Rouel nuzzled her neck, inhaling the sweet ambrosia of adrenalin. He closed his eyes savoring the anticipation of tasting her sweet, hot, fresh blood. He dipped his head to her throat licking her vein. A human was like a fine wine, meant to be savored and enjoyed by all senses; touch, smell, taste. Rouel tightened his grip whispering, “Sweet,” as his fangs descended.

Landon decapitated the last of five Vampires who had insinuated themselves between he and Becki. As Rouel’s fangs descended, two more Vamps jumped Landon from behind and he knew he had failed her.

Becki continued to fight Rouel, even as she realized this was the end. She prayed that the girls would remain safely inside the house, that Royce had somehow escaped, and that her death would be quick. She also hoped like hell this revolting creature wasn’t planning to turn her into a bloodsucker.

Unexpectedly, Becki felt herself being ripped from Rouel’s grasp. The next thing she knew, she was being flung, none to gently, into the nearby bushes. She watched in amazement as Trevor gripped Rouel by the neck shouting, “I told you she was off limits!”

Trevor knew this Vampire?

As Trevor pinned him against the side of the house, Rouel laughed evilly. “Why should you have her all to yourself?” he asked Trevor. “We can share her. Think about it… we will both be able to enjoy her… in and out of bed.”

With that statement, Rouel sealed his fate, and Trevor’s. As long as Rouel roamed the earth, Becki would never be safe.

Trevor heard Becki gasp and turned to see her look of horror and disappointment.

“Trev?” she whispered. As she struggled to stand, her eyes filled with tears. “No. You wouldn’t-- you couldn’t-- I love you. You are my friend.”

“See,” Rouel wheedled, “she loves you. Becki isn’t opposed to the idea; are you, Darling? We will make sure you enjoy your time with us, won’t we Trevor? We will take special care of you, separately as well as--”

Trevor didn’t allow Rouel to put his filthy thoughts into words. He moved quickly; ripping a piece of wood siding from the house and sending it into Rouel’s black heart.

Trevor dropped Rouel’s body to the ground. The Vampire began to smolder and quickly burst into flames. Trevor lifted Becki in his arms and transported them both to the safety of the roof, while the Wolves finished off the remaining blood-suckers.

Landon howled his thanks to Trevor, marking him off limits to the rest of the pack, for now anyway. It was past time to clean up this mess and then he would deal with Joanna. Landon specifically remembered telling her to “stay put”.

#

Where the hell was he? This bullshit was going to have to stop.

“I could use some help here,” Trevor said quietly as soon as Royce began to stir.

Royce jacked knifed into low crouch as he looked around. He immediately realized that he was up on a rooftop. Did Joanna really need to zap him with that much magic? After a few moments, he processed the fact that Becki was up there with him, cradled in the arms of Trevor Simmons!

“She is going to be upset when she wakes up,” Trevor spoke again.

Royce reached for his 35, the one loaded with oak bullets, just as Becki regained consciousness. His heart skipped a beat when she moaned painfully.

“What did you do to her?” Royce asked, taking aim at Trevor’s forehead. There was no doubt that he could put a bullet in the son-of-abitch, and Becki would barely feel the breeze as the bullet passed over her.

Becki opened her eyes to find herself perched on the roof of Kurt’s garage, wrapped securely in Trevor’s arms, while Royce pointed a gun at them.

All of a sudden, everything came crashing into focus. Vampires and Werewolves! She had to get to the girls. Becki had to know they were safe, and she began to struggle.

“Be still,” Trevor advised. “Lover boy might accidentally shoot you.”

“Not a chance in hell. Get away from her,” Royce demanded, his gun still leveled at Trevor’s head.

“Royce, what are you doing?” Becki asked incredulously as she flung her body in front of the Warlock. “Stop that right now! Trev is my friend!”

“Becki, honey, I hate to tell you, but he is not who you think he is,” Royce warned. “Back away, baby. I won’t let him hurt you.”

“Are you insane?” she exclaimed.

Trevor sighed and pushed her gently away. “He’s right, Doll. I’m not who you think I am.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Trev,” she said, rolling her eyes and moving back to shield his body with hers. “If you had wanted to hurt me, you would have let Rouel make me your sex-slave.”

“The hell you would,” Royce roared as he captured Becki’s arm and jerked. She fell toward Royce, as planned, leaving him a clear shot at Trevor. He was going to put this Warlock down once and for all. Wrapping one arm tightly around Becki, he checked his aim and squeezed the trigger.

Landon, who had shifted into human form, leapt to the rooftop, intentionally knocking Royce off balance. His shot went wide and he missed his target by a mile. Trevor sardonically raised one eyebrow at Royce, who had fallen on his ass and dropped his pistol.

Becki furiously scrambled to reach the pistol with her foot and gave it a good kick sending it down the slippery slope of the garage roof.

Royce watched as his gun slid down the roof, disappeared over the edge, and dropped to the ground with a soft thud.

Landon shook his head in amusement at the sequence of events. “Uh-- Royce, Trevor killed Rouel. She’s right, he won’t hurt her.”

“How do we know that?” Royce gritted.

“He just chose her life over his own,” Landon said gravely.

Becki gasped. She looked first at Royce and then Trevor.

“Is that true, Trev?” she whispered, horrified at the possibility.

Trevor dropped his head refusing to confirm or deny Landon’s proclamation.

“Why?” Becki asked. “Why did you do it, Trev?”

Trevor Simmons looked at the only person in the world he had ever loved. But he knew she belonged to the man whose arm now slid around her. The man she clung to in return.

Royce watched emotions roll across the warlock’s face.

“Doll,” he drawled adopting that familiar wicked grin, “you know I’m not a sharing kind of guy.”

“What do you mean?” Royce asked Landon.

“My Beta read the blood memory of Rouel’s second in command before he turned him to ash. The Black Swan has a sudden interest in coin collecting.”

“You’re working for The Black Swan?” Royce directed his question to Trevor.

“Who is this Black Swan?” Becki asked with a frown.

“I was,” Trevor acknowledged. “But I’m pretty sure my employment has been terminated.”

“Who-- is--” Becki began again, annunciating each word individually.

“Bad news,” Landon answered. “Trevor’s job was to locate the coin. Rouel was sent to retrieve it. His murder will be viewed as an act of treason. Therefore--”

“You knew that, didn’t you Trev? You knew it and you did it anyway,” Becki accused.

Becki glanced up at Royce silently asking him to understand and then slid out of his arms to reach for Trevor.

“I’m so sorry, Trev,” she sobbed quietly.

Trevor wrapped Becki in his arms, “You have nothing to be sorry for, Doll. I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“It seems I owe you one,” Royce said acknowledging Trevor’s sacrifice.

“You don’t owe me anything,” Trevor retorted. “I didn’t do it for you.” He dropped a kiss on Becki’s head and whispered, “Be safe doll.” He shifted her gently into Royce’s strong arms.

Royce wrapped one arm around Becki and extended the other to the Warlock. Trevor hesitated for a moment, and then accepted Royce’s hand-shake of gratitude.

“I need to get out of here. But if you mistreat her, I’ll be back,” Trevor promised.

Royce nodded his acknowledgement, knowing the Warlock would never be far away.

Trevor offered a cocky grin as he continued, “And just for the record, you and I both know I can kick your sorry human ass.” Then he was gone.

Becki buried her head in Royce’s chest and fought to hold back the tears that threatened to overtake her. She felt as if she might burst into a million tiny pieces.

Royce tightened his arms around Becki. She lifted her head from Royce’s chest. “Trev?” she whispered.

“He’s gone baby,” Royce confirmed.

“Will I ever see him again?” she asked with tears flooding her eyes. “Will he be ok?”

Royce breathed deeply, thankful to have her in his arms. “I don’t know, baby. I’m sure he will be keeping tabs on you.”

“Please get me off this roof,” Becki whispered. “I think I might be sick,” she said dropping her head to his shoulder.

* * * *