The Keeping (55 page)

“So I made a wrong
turn. With the fumes down here, I can’t scent which direction fresh
air is coming in from.”

“But I said we
should have gone right. If you’d listened to me we wouldn’t be
crawling backwards out of a dead end right now. We might even be
out of here.”

“It was only a
short detour and besides usually werewolves have an impeccable
sense of direction.”

“Yeah, if they
know where they’re heading in the first place. We have no idea
where this tunnel might be taking us.”

“So, in other
words, you think you could do a better job leading us?”

Mel hesitated.
Could she? “Maybe... It probably couldn’t be any worse.”

“Fine. When we get
back to the junction you’re in charge.”

“Oh.” She hadn’t
really expected him to agree, but wasn’t about to back down from
the challenge. She kept crawling in reverse until they reached the
relatively more roomy ‘T’ where the tunnel branched off. Wiggling
herself around, Mel headed to the right and Ryne followed behind.
He was soon muttering under his breath.

“Now what are you
complaining about?” Mel peeked under her arm to look at him.

“Your feet are
splashing this muck up into my face.”

She smiled knowing
he probably couldn’t see. “Oh. So sorry. It’s not like I had to put
up with that when our positions were reversed and you were in the
lead.”

Ryne grunted, but
kept quiet after that.

They crawled along
in silence for a while. Mel mulled over the idea of turning into a
werewolf, still not totally convinced, but realizing that perhaps,
just in case, she should try to be open to the idea. It surprised
her that she hadn’t freaked out more when Ryne changed in front of
her, but she supposed the clues had been there all along. Her
subconscious must have been processing and accepting them for a
quite a while so that when she was told, it wasn’t too big of a
leap to acknowledge werewolves existed. As for turning into a
werewolf herself, if she did actually have those genes within her,
then there was no use crying and complaining about it. It was a
done deal.

Mel was, if
nothing else, practical and decided she’d just make the best of the
situation. In a way, it was sort of sexy, the idea of shifting
shapes. She wondered if her strength would increase to a level
similar to Ryne’s, or if being a werewolf with mixed blood created
certain limitations. Hopefully, it would tone her muscles and
increase her metabolism so she could eat as much as she wanted
without any adverse effects. A smile spread across her face at the
idea of being able to add whipped cream to her cafe mochas and not
feel even the slightest twinge of guilt.

Lost in that happy
thought, she suddenly let out a shriek as something cold and slimy
grabbed at her ankle.

“Shh! Are you
trying to let everybody within a ten mile radius know where we
are?”

She looked back
realizing that it was Ryne’s hand grabbing her lower leg, not some
sewer monster. “What?” Frowning in irritation, she jerked her leg
away.

“We’re getting
near the end of the tunnel!”

Mel peered ahead,
but saw no sign of light. “How do you know?”

“The air’s
different.”

She sniffed. It
still stunk to her. “Are you sure?”

“Yep. It’s
slightly fresher which means an exit is coming up.”

For a moment she
contemplated gloating that she was the one to lead them to the
exit, but Ryne continued speaking, and the opportunity passed.
“When we get out, I have to find a telephone fast. It must be past
my check-in and Kane will be worried sick. I don’t want him doing
anything rash.”

She furrowed her
brow, trying to recall all that Ryne had told her. “He’s your
brother, right?”

“Uh-huh. And if I
don’t contact him soon, he’s going to assume the worst. He’s
probably already dispersed most of the pack. I have to tell him to
hold off on phase two. There’s still a chance I can fix this
mess.”

“Phase two? That’s
where they all...” She hesitated to speak the words. “Take
poison?”

She could almost
make out Ryne’s grim expression. “Yes. The pack self-destructs so
when outsiders come looking for a bunch of werewolves, they’ll only
find dead bodies.”

“But wouldn’t
autopsies show that they weren’t human?”

“No. When a
werewolf dies, within minutes the trace elements of magick that
make us what we are disappear.”

They were both
silent for a moment then Ryne sighed heavily. “Anyway, as we near
the entrance, be as quiet as possible just in case anyone is
about.”

Mel nodded and
resumed crawling as quickly as possible, all too aware of the
deadline they were operating under.

*****

Helen wrapped her
arm around Kane’s waist as the last of the vans drove out of sight.
She patted the Alpha on his back, offering what little comfort she
could. He’d just watched most of his pack leave, including his mate
and unborn child. The feeling of loss must be incredible, even
worse than when her Zack had died. It had been difficult—for weeks
she’d been inconsolable; the aching void within making her wish she
too were dead. But at least she’d still had her daughters and the
rest of the pack. For Kane, however, he was on the verge of losing
everything. It was an Alpha’s worst nightmare. Sworn to protect his
pack, the feeling of failure would be overwhelming.

“Kane?”

“Hmm?” His gaze
didn’t leave the driveway, despite the fact that it was now
empty.

“Do you want me to
go around and hand out the vials?” It was a grim job, handing your
friends a packet of death, but she’d do it, to spare him. Kane had
been good to her and she owed him. When she’d found herself widowed
and no longer Alpha female, Kane could have insisted that she
leave, but he hadn’t. Instead he’d let her stay in the pack house
and keep many of her previous duties. The familiarity had been a
great comfort to her until she’d found her feet again.

“No, I’ll do it.
It’s my job.” He finally looked at her and gave a half smile. “You
know, Helen, I keep thinking that if I stay here and look hard
enough, I’ll still be able to see them; that they won’t really be
gone.”

Helen gave him a
one armed hug. “I know. When we buried Zach, you had to drag me
from the cemetery. As long as I stood there, he seemed nearer. By
walking away, I had to admit to the fact that we were separated
forever.”

Kane looked down
the road once more. “Helen?”

“Hmm?”

“Do you believe in
an afterlife?”

“I think so. I
can’t believe that a love as strong as mine was for Zach can just
disappear. I like to think that it somehow lives on and we’ll be
together again.”

“I hope you’re
right, Helen. I hope you’re right.”

Chapter
39

Ryne watched the
darkness of the tunnel slowly dissipate as the entrance approached.
Apparently the sun hadn’t set yet. Melody gave a tiny squeal of
excitement and crawled even faster, the movement of her feet
kicking the filthy water into his face more than ever. He slowed
his pace, dropping farther behind her to avoid the splashing
sludge.

When she reached
the end of the tunnel, a relieved sigh echoed back towards him.
Ryne smiled watching her climb out, while thinking she really had
been a trooper throughout their underground journey, especially
since he strongly suspected she didn’t like dark, enclosed
places.

He could see her
legs as she stood at the tunnel’s entrance. She lifted one foot as
if to step away, but then stopped mid-stride. He paused, somehow
sensing all was not well though unsure what it might be. The answer
came soon enough as he heard Aldrich’s self-satisfied voice.

“Well, well, well.
What do we have here? Why, it’s my runaway werewolf bitch. Very
naughty of you to try to escape me. Where’s Taylor? Hiding in the
tunnel behind you?”

“No! Um, I mean he
was behind me for a while, but...” Ryne could almost hear Melody’s
mind sorting through various scenarios that might explain his
absence. Keeping his ears tuned to what was going on outside, he
slowly began to move deeper back into the pipe.

“Speak up girl?
Where is he?”

“Well, he started
to follow me, but he’s scared of small dark tunnels and rats so he
went back.”

Ryne bit back an
oath. He was not afraid of the dark! Still, it was quick thinking
on her part.

“You won’t mind if
I check out your story will you?” There was definitely doubt in
Aldrich’s voice.

Ryne heard
footsteps approaching and scooted even farther back into the pipe.
A sliver of light played off the walls, but didn’t reach where he
was. Aldrich must have had a small flashlight with him, perhaps the
type that also served as a keychain given the fact it wasn’t very
powerful.

“See? I told you
he was too chicken to follow me.” Ryne could just picture the smug
look on Melody’s face.

Aldrich’s laugh
was tinged with derision. “I should have known. Those artsy types
are usually nothing but insipid weaklings. Never mind, I locked the
door of the safe house so he can’t get out that way. I’ll finish
him off later.”

Melody spoke
again. “Listen, Mr. Aldrich, I don’t have your stupid report with
me, but if you let me go back home, I can print a copy for
you.”

“Even if I still
wanted the report, it wouldn’t be a wise move. I imagine the area
is cordoned off as a crime scene by now.”

“Crime scene? What
do you mean?”

“Didn’t I tell
you? Your friend—I believe she said her name was Lucy—surprised me
when I went to your apartment. Unfortunately for her, I have very
quick reflexes. When I left, she was next thing to dead, lying in a
pool of her own blood.”

“No!” The pain in
Mel’s voice was undeniable.

Ryne had to steel
himself not to rush out and comfort Melody. He hadn’t told her
about the waitress, wanting to spare her the grief for as long as
possible. Damn Aldrich! The fucking bastard sounded almost happy to
share the news with Melody. Maybe it was even a strategy on his
part, delivering bad news just to unnerve her so that she’d be too
shocked to think. Soundlessly, Ryne moved closer to the entrance
again, trying to assess where Melody was in relation to the lawyer.
The man probably had some kind of weapon, so just rushing out might
be dangerous. Melody could get hurt and, in her newly transforming
state, she probably didn’t have sufficient healing abilities to
deal with any kind of serious wound.

“So you see we
can’t go back to your apartment. However, the report is of no
importance to me now. That was Mr. Greyson’s project. Mine is quite
different. You, my dear, are what I’m after.”

“Me? Why?” From
his new location, Ryne could just make out Melody’s shocked
profile.

“Aldrich!” Another
voice entered the mix. It sounded winded, as if that person had
been hurrying. Ryne had to restrain himself from poking his head
out to see who had arrived.

“Mr. Greyson, sir.
I wasn’t expecting you.”

“Dammit, Aldrich!
Have you gone mad? I gave you orders that no one was to be here and
now I find you traipsing all over my property! I’ve killed people
for less and you damned well know it. Now what are you up to?
And... That’s Ms. Greene isn’t it? Why the hell is she in the
middle of the woods with you?”

“I—” It seemed
Aldrich was about to explain when Greyson interrupted him.

“Don’t give me any
of your bull crap, Leon. I’ll deal with you later.” Greyson’s tone
softened when he spoke next. “Ms. Greene, I’m happy to finally meet
you in person. I take it you have my report on Taylor?”

“Not really, Mr.
Greyson. You see—”

This time it was
Aldrich who interrupted. “Both of you shut up. Greyson, stay where
you are—she’s mine. I don’t know what your plans were for her, but
she’s going to make me a very rich man.”

Obviously unused
to such disrespect, Greyson blew up at the lawyer. “How dare you
speak to me like that? If you’re not careful, I’ll have you
terminated, just like your predecessor. Now, put that damned gun
away and watch your impudence. And what do you mean rich? You told
me she was basically penniless!”

There was a
certain quality of delight in Aldrich’s voice. “So you really don’t
know? Curious. Who would have believed a coincidence like this
would occur? She’s a werewolf, you old fool. The first damned
werewolf ever captured.”

Ryne chanced a
brief glance outside. Aldrich hadn’t put the gun away, though it
was partially lowered as he glowered at Greyson. Greyson was
staring at Melody with what could only be described as excited
interest. “Really? She’s a full werewolf?” He swung his head back
to look at Aldrich. “How do you know?”

“I saw her start
to change.” The man seemed so self-satisfied that Ryne had to grit
his teeth.

Greyson sounded
urgent, almost desperate, as he addressed Melody. “Ms. Greene, I
have to talk to you! I knew you had at least some wolf in your
background, but I never suspected this. There are things I need to
know, things you have to tell me!”

The sound of a gun
being cocked had Ryne tense. Aldrich issued a warning. “Lay off,
Greyson. She’s mine. Any information she has belongs to me.”

Melody began to
move out of Ryne’s field of vision. He frowned for a moment, but
then realized she was walking away from the drainage pipe in a slow
circle. A smile spread across Ryne’s face. Without their knowing
it, Melody was manoeuvring Aldrich and Greyson so that their backs
were to him! He mentally congratulated her on the plan. It would
make it much easier for him to take Aldrich by surprise. His smile
faded however, as he noted the quavery sound of her voice.

“Listen, I don’t
know what the hell either of you are babbling about. For the last
time, I’m not a werewolf! I’m just a reporter—a student reporter at
that!”