Freeing the Feline (12 page)

“What happened?” Abby asked when Clara paused.

“Lydia went crazy. She swore bringing Amia back was the equivalent of putting a welcome sign up for the hunters. She was convinced we’d all die.”

Amia wiped a tear off her face, and Clara gripped the other woman’s hands tightly. “I wanted to bring you with me. I even thought about running with you and trying to find someplace we could both hide. But I was terrified. Finding you was my first trip away from home, and I almost got myself killed. How would I protect both of us?”

“I didn’t know you thought about that,” Amia said.

“I used to pretend you were my sister,” Clara confessed. “I’d pretend you were away visiting family and would be home soon.”

“You are sisters now,” Abby intervened. “As the mates of Reno, Logan and Tah, we’re all sisters.” She heaved a heavy sigh and leaned back on the couch. “We need to be building our mates up, not tearing them apart.”

“You’re right,” Amia said and glanced back at Clara. “I shouldn’t blame you for things you had no control over. Do you know what happened the night Lydia ran to you?”

“My father had been captured that day. Lydia admitted you could see a shifter’s glow, the warmth of the animal we hold inside. She said you told her my father glowed and so she went to try and save him. She couldn’t, though. They’d pinned him to the wall with bolts.” Clara shuddered and pushed to her feet, needing a little space before she could continue. “They’d stabbed him in the stomach. He knew he was dying.”

“Clara, my God,” Abby said with a shake of her head.

“He sent her away, but she didn’t make it out in time,” Clara continued. “There was a boy watching.” She glanced at Amia.

“Kellan,” Amia whispered.

Clara nodded. “He beat Lydia up pretty badly and left her there while he went to call Marcus. Lydia said that was when my dad told her about us and how to reach us. She said she went to get you, but Kellan was there, and she couldn’t. I think she convinced herself leaving you was the right choice to make by repeating to herself that you’re a Blane. I think she did it to try to keep her sanity and instead, it drove her insane. I really believe she loves you so much that leaving you destroyed part of her.”

Amia was crying. Abby was crying. And Clara knew she had tears on her own cheeks, as well.

“I need to tell you something. Both of you. I’ve been so unsure of what to say and how to say it and that’s why I really wanted to call my Uncle Thomas.”

“There’s nothing you can’t tell us,” Abby stated.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Clara countered. “I can tell you all the medical knowledge I know, though I think there’s someone better to get that from. I can also tell you what I know about hunters. I think Amia and I could both help with that as we’ve both been on the receiving end of a hunter’s agenda. But there are things I can’t tell you, Abby. I may not have heard of the legend you mentioned to me, but I have heard of Tah. I’ve spent my whole life searching for him, only I was looking for someone much older and better informed, someone to educate me.”

“So you have heard something of the legend. I knew it!” Abby said excitedly. “You’ve just heard it described differently.”

“I can tell you one thing,” Clara confessed. “The Tah I was expecting is not the man I met. He is, but he isn’t. I see the leader within him. But right now that leader is limited by what he doesn’t know. And that scares me. I’ve always heard of how the Tah will come and save us all. Now? I’m not sure that’s going to happen. I’m not sure of anything anymore.”

“But this is fantastic news,” Abby gushed. “I was right. We were right. This means more shifters will come. They’ll find him. They’ll have to. And together, maybe all of us can save each other. You don’t need Tah to save you, neither of you do. You saved yourselves. But Tah can be that beacon to people who need one. My mate is strong and fierce and unafraid of doing what is right, what is just. He’s smart and brave and loving. He’s everything you need him to be and so much more. He’s so much more.” She pushed up off the couch and began pacing the room. “We need to clean more rooms up, get this place in shape. Pack in more supplies. They’ll be coming, and we’ll be waiting to welcome them home.”

Abby practically gushed with enthusiasm and excitement. Tah’s blood had obviously been the elixir of life she’d required. Clara was glad she’d known to have them give Abby a transfusion.

“She’s a little scary in this mode,” Amia whispered, rising and coming up beside Clara.

Clara nodded and glanced down when Amia laced their fingers and squeezed.

“I always wanted sisters,” Amia said.

Clara blinked rapidly to keep the fresh tears at bay. “Me, too.”

“We’re going to be okay,” Amia whispered, and Clara nodded.

“We’re going to be better than okay,” Abby said, letting them know she’d heard every word they’d said. “Soon this house will spill over with people. Our family is growing, ladies. So we better get our shit together and be ready for what’s coming.”

* * * *

“Hold up,” Zane ordered, pushing Murphy back. “Go in smart, not with emotion overwhelming you. You want to get us all fucking killed?”

“You said he was dying. What the fuck do you want me to do? I’m going in there and saving my brother’s ass,” Murphy hissed quietly.

“Not half-cocked, you won’t.” Zane bent down so he was nose-to-nose with Murphy. “You will be calm. You will be smart. We are no good to anyone if we’re captured and killed. You have to think, Murphy. Open your senses. Tell me what you feel, what you smell.”

Murphy glared for a moment before closing his eyes. “Well, move back then or all I’ll smell is your arrogance.”

Zane grunted and stepped back. He was curious to see how well trained Murphy was. He knew the other man was a shifter, as well, but did he know how to link his abilities so they were accessible as man or beast?

Murphy inhaled. “I smell sweat, cigarettes and stale coffee. Blood. Theirs and his. I feel anger, hate and something else. Curiosity, maybe? Something is off. I smell.” He blinked his eyes open and met Zane’s hard stare. “I smell a shifter. A shifter is here or was here. What the hell is going on here?”

“I don’t know, Murph, and that’s why we need to be smart about this. I’ll go in there with you, and if today is the day I die, then I’m ready. But being ready doesn’t mean I’m just going to walk in blind. Now, are you ready to discuss this logically?”

Murphy nodded. “I smell so many scents, outside of the shifter and the hunters. God, the stench of blood is thick…so thick. It makes it hard to weed through. I can’t tell if the scents are fresh or older.”

“What do you feel? Are you still connected to Finn?”

“Yes. It’s weak. I’m cold and that scares me more than being numb. But he’s still here.”

“We go in low and quiet. Keep your senses open no matter how overwhelming the blood is. No more than twelve feet between us at any given time. And do not run into anything, even if you see Finn. It could always be a trap.”

“I’m good now,” Murphy promised. “My head is clear, but we need to go. I can feel him fading, Zane. My brother’s dying.”

“Go,” Zane said and moved to follow. “Jesus!” he muttered under his breath. “Tah is going to kill us if we survive this.”

They moved silently through the wooded area where Murphy’s link with Finn had led them. The pain had proven to be a better beacon than the phone. Zane still found it a little odd that the two brothers shared a connection that he’d only heard of happening with mates. But who knew? It would be something to discuss with his uncle when he had the opportunity.

Zane emptied his mind and concentrated on his surroundings and on Murphy moving in front of him. The scent of blood was nauseating. It coated everything and made Zane afraid of what they might find. He prayed for strength to help Murphy if it was as bad as he feared. Finn might only be holding on until his brother arrived.

Murphy stopped and motioned for Zane to move up and join him. Zane squatted next to him in the trees and took in the clearing in front of them. There was a cabin that looked as if it was one good breeze from falling over. There were a couple of sleeping bags out front and a fire that had burned down to embers. But something wasn’t right. This close, the scent of death overpowered that of blood.

‘Murphy,’ he mouthed and shook his head.

Murphy gave him a sad look, and Zane could literally feel the waves of pain coming off the other man. Murphy moved quickly at a low crouch from the tree line toward the closest sleeping bag. He had his hand over the person’s mouth and was dragging him out almost as soon as he reached him.

Zane followed, staying low and moving toward the bag on the opposite side. The first thing he noticed was how neither of the people moved. Then he noticed why. Murphy glanced over at him and mouthed that his guy was dead. Zane nodded and indicated to the one at his feet. The man there was dead, as well. Zane took a closer look. Hell, the cut across the guy’s neck was so deep he was almost decapitated.

Murphy crept closer to the cabin, head turning side-to-side as he seemed to pick up on a scent. A deep growl rumbled from his massive chest, and he moved around the cabin. Zane made the choice to trust him to look out for himself and, instead of following, he carefully opened the cabin door. More blood. It was everywhere. Splattered on the floor and walls. It was a fucking blood bath. Jesus! What the hell had happened here?

He found two more bodies crumpled like rag dolls just inside the door. The sparse furniture that had been inside was overturned and obscured part of the floor from Zane’s line of sight. This more than explained the scent of blood. But where was Finn? He ducked his head back out the door to check on Murphy real quick. The other man was just coming around the corner.

“Found another one back there. Neck slit deep just like these two,” Murphy said with a nod toward the sleeping bags. “One in the back has Finn’s blood on him as well. It’s strong.”

“I found two more bodies inside the door here. Looks like most of the killing took place there. I haven’t found Finn.”

Murphy took a deep breath and peered around Zane into the cabin. “He’s in here. I can feel him.” He rubbed his arms as if gripped by a cold only he felt. “Help me move some of this stuff. I thought he was behind the cabin. He must be in the back somewhere.”

Zane stepped in to help Murphy right the table and move stuff around. He noticed another body toward the rear of the cabin, shoved halfway under the bed. Murphy must have seen it at the same time. He gave a cry and headed over to it, dropping to his knees and moaning as he tugged it free. But it wasn’t Finn. It was another man with his head nearly cut off.

“Where the fuck is he?” Murphy roared, and Zane prayed luck was with them and no one was left around to hear them.

A moan sounded from under the bed. Murphy tossed it aside as if it was nothing more than kindling, which it was when it hit the wall and splintered. Finn was on his back in the far corner.

“Mur…phy…”

“I’m here, brother. I’m here.”

Zane moved to join them when he heard the moan resonate in Murphy’s throat. He caught his breath, as well. Finn was naked, his body riddled with bruises and cuts. His face was swollen and distorted beyond recognition. They’d obviously tortured the hell out of him. But then what had happened? How did they all die? There was no way Finn had been able to do it. Hell his hands were purple and swollen, and Zane would bet anything they’d broken every bone in his fingers. There was no way Finn had been able to make a cut as deep as the ones on the bodies around him.

“Jesus, Finn. What happened to you?” Murphy asked as he wrapped his arm under Finn and eased him up in his arms.

Finn groaned. “Hurts,” he slurred. “Dy…ing…”

“Shh,” Murphy scolded and Zane saw tears flowing down his cheeks. “We’re going to get you out of here. You’re going to be fine, just fine. You can’t leave me. Who’s going to watch over me? You know my temper. Besides, Molly will hunt me down and kill me if you up and die on us.”

Zane moved a little ways away and opened his phone. He thought for a few minutes and hit the number to dial straight into the lab. He knew who would answer.

“Hello?” Diane’s voice came over the line, calm and sure, just like she always seemed. Those were two of the qualities he liked most about her.

“It’s Zane. We found Finn. He’s bad, Diane. I’m not sure he’ll last the trip back.”

“How bad?”

“I think it’s safe to say he’s dying,” he whispered.

“Oh, God.”

“Diane?” Zane called. He could hear her talking to someone in the background.

“How bad is he?” the Professor asked, coming on the line.

“I don’t think he’s going to make it,” Zane told him.

“Listen to me,” the Professor said quietly. “I need you to get him in the car and get back here as soon as you can. I’ll be waiting for you. Drive straight through. Don’t stop unless you absolutely have to. Where are you?”

“New Mexico,” Zane answered.

“Damn it!” the Professor yelled. “Tell Murphy to keep him alive. Whatever he needs to do. Just get Finn here alive.”

“He won’t make it through a surgery,” Zane said.

“It’s not surgery I have in mind. I’ve been working on something. Just get him here, Zane, and I’ll do my best to save him.”

Chapter Ten

Logan took Clara’s hand and led her out of the front room where everyone not on patrol had gathered. Reno and Amia, along with Vic were out walking the perimeters and checking the alarms they’d placed. Kenzie was in the control room with Holt. Abby and the Professor were poring over the information Jess had sent them. Tah paced back and forth and Diane stood at the window, glancing between the clock and the outside. Logan couldn’t take it anymore.

“We’ll be back,” he told the room at large.

Tah waved him off and kept right on pacing. It would be a long night as they waited for Zane to get there with Murphy and Finn. Tah was blaming himself as were Reno and Amia. Here they were just starting to settle the dust from one rough patch and they were already being slammed with something else. Something even bigger. Yet again it seemed as if they could lose one of their own.