VampireMine (20 page)

“
Don’t.
” He thought to her. He didn’t want to see her
trampled by the pack.

“
I’ve got this.
” Her response was firm, her
determination unshakable.

He thought she’d go for her sword but she didn’t. Instead
his female faced the werewolves in front of her head-on with her weapons put
away.

“If you have a problem with the position I’m about to take,”
Sadie repeated, coming to stop a couple of feet from the women, “you’re welcome
to challenge me for it.”

“I suppose that’s easy to say.” Brandi waved at Sadie’s
back. “Since you’re armed.”

“This?” Sadie slid the strap from her shoulder and glanced
down at her sword. With a shrug she cast the weapon to the ground. “I don’t
need that. Not to take care of you.”

The prickly hum of energy around everyone shifted, tension
quickly suffusing the air. Everyone in the pack reveled in the possibility of a
fight, their animals practically begging them for it. While they were partially
human, they were also partially beast.

Brandi sized Sadie up before she started removing her
jacket.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.

“
I have to show them what I can do. You’ll never get
through to them otherwise,
” Sadie thought to him. “
And you’ll never be
my familiar. I’d never perform the ritual to make it happen. But I don’t have
time to explain that and neither do you. Don’t you dare move. Stay right where
you are and watch.
”

Before he could argue, Brandi unleashed her claws. He
couldn’t breathe, his feet weighted by invisible sand. The shifter female went
at Sadie, fangs bared. Without pause Sadie met the woman head-on and slammed
her fist in the center of Brandi’s face.

The fight had started.

There was nothing he could do to stop it.

Stupid fucking bitch.

Sadie followed her first punch with a second, landing a
solid blow to her opponent’s flared nostrils. Blood gushed, winding down to
Brandi’s mouth.

Fantastic. Even better than she’d expected.

Not even two seconds in and she’d taken the lead. She hadn’t
used her speed yet—and wouldn’t—unless she had to. The ignorant thundercunt
from hell didn’t know who she was messing with. When it came to
women—regardless of species—some things remained the same. Even if Diskant
could manage to get most of the werewolves in the pack to listen, these bitches
would cause a stink.

A constant stream of doubt and negativity could very well
turn the tables.

Fuck it all if she let that happen.

She hadn’t expected the pack to surround them but they did.
The wolves were so close they forced the women closer together. There was
nowhere to run and little room to maneuver. She tuned everyone out, watching
I’m-too-stupid-to-live Brandi shake off the lovetaps to her nose. Sadie’s
instincts kicked in, a prickle of awareness sharpening her vision and hearing.
She reached out with her mind, listening for what Brandi was going to do next.

There wasn’t much logical thought. The woman was all rage.

Sadie paid rapt attention to the woman’s wolf, who wanted to
spill Sadie’s blood. The animal had started breaking free, trying to take
control. She wondered if Brandi might actually shift. If she did it would
change the game significantly. On two legs Brandi wasn’t much of a threat.
Standing on four paws she’d be a lethal opponent.

The deranged woman charged and Sadie whipped to the side.
Brandi soared past her, barreling toward the people blocking her path. In a
second she gained her balance and turned. There wasn’t any sense in trying to
drain the crazed female. Werewolves were stronger than vampires. In order to
end the fight Sadie knew she’d have to engage the bitch and take her down.
Using her natural abilities, she could do it easily. But was it the smart thing
to do? Would she take one obstacle down only to face another?

Her temples pounded, her hands forming into fists.

It was such a thin red line to walk.

If she revealed her hand too soon the wolves around her
might pounce.

“
Do it
.” Trey’s order was loud in her head. “
Take
her down.”

She wasn’t sure how he’d heard her thoughts and didn’t have
time to question it. The certainty in the command told her he meant it. He knew
the pack better than she did. If he thought it was best to take Brandi down
quickly there was a reason. Her entire body pulsed with energy, her magic
rising. She didn’t try to push it away, allowing the power to suffuse her.

Come at me again.
She lifted her hands, taunting her
prey.
Bring it.

Brandi rushed her again, claws bared, fangs on display.
Sadie stood still, knowing she had to make her move decisively. Time slowed
down, seconds stretching out like hours. Sadie could see everything—the wind
blowing through Brandi’s hair, her pupils dilating, her claws growing longer.
It only took three enormous steps and Brandi was within Sadie’s reach.

Sadie reared back, putting all of her power into her swing.

Her fist made solid contact with Brandi’s jaw, the impact
enough to break bone.

The female flew back several feet and staggered. Sadie
watched as Brandi toppled, landing on her back. Brandi didn’t move, knocked
flat on her ass and down for the count. Blood seeped from her nose and mouth,
dribbling down the side of her face into her hair. Everyone standing around
them gasped and veered back. Sadie kept her guard up, sensing there might be
more women who wanted to see if they could do better.

“Is there anyone else?” she screamed, limbs shaking from the
adrenaline coursing through her. “If so say it now!”

Murmurs came from the crowd and she felt the heaviness of
their stares. She picked out random thoughts, darting from one mind to the
next. Some were shocked. Others were impressed. A majority thought she was
strong enough to be an Alpha’s mate but still wanted to know what in the hell
she was.

The group parted at her back but she didn’t move. She knew
it was Trey approaching her. Their connection had become so strong she could
literally feel his fury. She might have won but he did not like seeing her
fighting. The entire time he’d been terrified. He wanted her safe and felt it was
his job to settle the score when it came to physical matters.

“You heard her,” Trey announced and slid an arm around her
middle. “The same goes for me. If you want to fight for my spot say so.”

Of course it wasn’t going to be that easy.

None of the wolves trusted her, even though she’d faced a
challenger and came out on top. Several of the males sized Trey up but didn’t
speak, weighing the pros and cons of taking the man on. Sadie trembled, telling
herself she’d have to find a way not to interfere if such a thing happened. If
she tried to fight Trey’s battles he’d never be respected as an Alpha.

This is such a load of crap.

“My mate has given up everything to be here,” Trey informed
the pack. “She has turned her back on everything she knows. You should be asking
her why she thinks she’s capable of doing the job and judge her on her merits,
not by what she is.”

But the question remained and it always would.

No matter what anyone said the pack demanded an answer.

She decided to show them. In a flash she phased from Trey to
Diskant and Ava. It took the pack several seconds to find her. Once they did,
they knew. Anyone who’d heard about her kind was aware of their strange method
of travel. Ava moved next to her, so close their arms were inches apart.
Diskant had already taken a couple of steps from the barn so that he stood
slightly in front of them.

“A vampire?” someone asked, horror written all over his
face.

“Yes, a vampire,” Diskant confirmed, nodding. “One who
has—as your Alpha told you—risked everything to come here.”

“She can control him!” a woman shrieked.

“She could kill us all!” another woman cried out.

“I won’t,” Sadie replied, calling out, “I’d never do such a
thing.”

“Yes you would,” someone screamed. “It’s your nature.”

“I’ve reached a bargain with your Alpha,” Diskant shouted,
keeping his shoulders back, arms resting at his sides. “If any such thing
happens I will hunt them down and destroy them. They can run but they’ll never
hide. I’ll spread the word to every single pack until they’ve been located and
killed.”

Sadie’s stomach twisted. Thinking of the horde coming after
her wasn’t pleasant at all. But the possibility of something happening to
Trey—that they would hunt him and put him down like a dog—constricted her
chest. Breathing wasn’t easy. She had to fight to inhale, forcing herself to
remain composed. Her gaze drifted to Trey and she wanted him to get away from
the wolves and come to her side. Fear was like a spider creeping over her skin.
She had to keep her hands—limp and unthreatening—at her sides instead of
rubbing away the sensation.

“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to stay here anymore.” A
big male stepped forward, addressing the group. “With everything that’s
happened maybe it would be best for everyone to disband and find homes with other
packs.”

“I agree.” Another equally large man backed the speaker up.
“We’ve already lost too much. You can’t ask us to keep trusting you when you
bring Shepherds and vampires into the mix. There’s only so much we’ll accept.”

No one wanted to challenge Trey. They knew better.

“That’s your choice but I’d ask you to think about the
dangers you’ll face by leaving.” Diskant’s unwavering control impressed Sadie.
Aside from annoyance with the pack he’d managed to keep weak emotion out of the
conversation. “Shepherds just hit our city but they’ve been attacking others
for years. You won’t be able to avoid them as well in rural areas. They’ll hunt
you down. Here they’re not as free to move around unnoticed.”

“I think I’ll take my chances.” Andrea growled, scowling at
Sadie. The angry werewolf looked at the people around her. “How can any of you
even consider staying? You have a human mated to our Omega, a Shepherd mated to
the Alpha’s brother, and now our Alpha has taken a vampire as his mate. Think
about how much this could cost all of us. Is it worth the risk to your
families?”

“She’s right,” Brandi snarled and joined her friend. Blood
coated her nose and chin. “This is fucked. I’m packing my bags. To hell with
this shit.”

A ripple of agreement soon followed, the wolves talking
among themselves.

The alarm Sadie had for Trey changed, turning into panic for
Ava, Diskant, Mary and Emory. With everyone gone they’d have to leave as well.
That put them in a precarious position. She wasn’t sure what to do or say.
Fighting hadn’t gotten the job done. Talking hadn’t worked either. Diskant had
given the pack a generous promise in order to keep Trey around but none of the
wolves were having it.

Sadie tried to do a headcount.

There were maybe fifty people in the group. Not all of the
pack members had been able to make it, as they were guarding areas in the city.
If even a quarter of the wolves decided to leave there was a good chance the
pack would scatter and go somewhere else.

Think of something fast. It can’t end like this.

She tried to work out different scenarios, trying to find a
potential fix. Then an unexpected scream echoed from the house, conveying raw
terror. Everyone’s heads turned, their eyes focused on the source of the sound.

Mary.

Sadie knew none of them could make it to the woman as fast
as she could. She phased again, traveling to her weapon. She grasped her sword
and phased to the living room of Diskant’s residence. As soon as she landed she
ripped the blade from its casing.

It was a smart decision.

Aldon stood across from Mary, who cowered in the corner of
the room. Mary had a hand covering one side of her face.

The bastard fucking hit her.

Aldon spun, facing Sadie. “Where’s your friend? Take me to
her.”

“The hell I will. I have to say,” Sadie whispered, griping
the hilt of her weapon, unadulterated vehemence thundering in her veins. “You
are one stupid son of a bitch.”

She caught his movement before he pounced.

Lifting her blade, she lashed out at her enemy.

“Mary!” Emory roared and rushed toward the house.

“Stay here,” Trey ordered the pack, following his brother.

The wolf had risen instinctively, the harsh feel of fur
brushing under his skin an indication he’d better move fast. If he didn’t the
animal would take over. He heard Diskant talking over the chaotic group, his
voice rising over theirs as they shouted in confusion and uncertainty. Emory
didn’t bother with the gate, barreling into it with his shoulder. The metal
bent and parted, making way.

Another scream—this time from behind him—drew Trey short.

He whipped around, shocked to see Aldon appear right next to
Ava and Diskant. Then Sadie was there, going at the dangerous leech with all
she was worth.

Fuck.

He reversed course, rushing toward the battle. Diskant
swiped Ava up and moved her away while the pack backed the hell up. The growls
the pack made were angry but weak. They didn’t have faith in those who’d vowed
to protect them. Without that safeguard none of them knew what to do. So they
stood back, watching Sadie and Aldon exchange blows.

Trey’s feet carried him over the distance, the world
blurring by. He was almost in reach of Sadie, nearly able to touch her. Lashing
out with a clawed hand, he aimed at the back of Aldon’s head. As he swung the
male vanished. Trey pulled back, barely missing Sadie. Her ice blue eyes darted
over the crowd and her nostrils flared. Then she was gone.

Damn it.

Members of the pack, unable to do anything else, crouched
into defensive positions. They were under attack but didn’t understand their
opponent.

Aldon reappeared near one of gate posts. He yanked the
length of metal from the ground and sent it whipping toward the barn. Most of
the men and women in the way managed to lower themselves to the ground but a
couple of them were nailed with the beam. They went down and didn’t get back
up.

Sadie emerged behind Aldon. Dropping the sword, she went at
the vampire with her fists. She hit him in the side and followed it up with a
devastating knock to the back of his head. He pivoted, snarling at her. Trey’s
heart sank to his stomach, terror and fear swirling together. He couldn’t lose
her now. Not after he’d finally faced his darkest fears. Not when they finally
had a chance for some kind of future together.

“Damn you,” Aldon spat, throwing up his hand. “You’ll
learn.”

An invisible force lifted Sadie into the air. She flew back
several feet and hit the wooden fencing. The wood broke under her weight,
cracking in two as she crashed to the ground. Trey scented her blood, knew that
she had been hurt. The beast roared in his skull, his hackles rising. He would
rip the motherfucker apart.

“I’ll kill you!” Trey snarled, leaping at the male.

He let the wolf rise, welcoming its presence. His claws
extended, fangs dropping in his mouth. He tackled the vampire, forcing Aldon to
the grassy earth. The pent-up aggression Trey’d carried for so long finally had
an outlet. He sent his fist into Aldon’s side over and over again. An
ear-splitting crack informed Trey he’d broken several of the vampire’s ribs. A
spattering of fur erupted from his skin, the wolf trying to force him to shift.
He managed to keep his human form, using the animal’s strength.

His breath caught when something changed, a force like no
other slamming into him. There was no feeling like it—raw power and strength.
He wanted to bray in relief, finally given the one thing he needed. The pack
had finally pulled together, offering him their solidarity. Their combined
energy suffused him, making him stronger and faster. Each time Trey’s knuckles
slammed into Aldon’s side he felt the bones give. Just a little bit more and
he’d puncture the fucker’s lung.