Betrayal, page 6
“Give me a few minutes to sort this mess out before I consider your predicament. My mind is already racing down several unpleasant avenues of thought. None of them involve me being able to fully commit to keeping your secret.”
“No,” Tawera sighed. “But maybe just those you trust?”
“That I can do.” Zale nodded.
* * * *
At Zale’s insistence, Kiley came to examine the scene. His check of the motionless Lycan Zale had fought only confirmed what Zale already knew.
“Dead. Unsurprising, given he took on an Alpha of your caliber. Let’s check the others.” Kiley visited each in turn, the unmoving bodies watched over by Lankdog and Jonski, respectively.
“Not moved since I got here.” Jonski crouched next to Kiley. “Still alive, but barely. He has a chemical scent on him.”
“You’re sure?” Kiley asked, and Jonski nodded. “Zale, come here.” Kiley pointed at the naked, prone body. “Jonski says he has a chemical scent. Perhaps the attack has more behind it than we first thought.”
That took Zale by surprise. I didn’t smell anything, but then I was preoccupied with fighting, and with Tawera so close, his scent could easily have masked anything else. Even as he approached the unconscious man, the sour tang of the chemicals hit his nose.
“He’s right. Let’s check the others.” Given the one had taken, or been given, something, Zale wasn’t surprised to detect the same scent on the others. “Get that one to one of our pathologists. We can turn it over to the police once we’ve had a chance to examine him and get our own samples.”
“What about these two?” Lankdog asked. “Hospital?”
“No.” Zale shook his head. “I have a better idea. Honoria will look after them for us. And no werewolf would dare try to breach her security.”
“Good idea.” Kiley took a deep breath. “They’re more valuable to us alive, and if the drugs were forced, rather than taken voluntarily, whoever is behind this will see them as expendable liabilities.”
“It’s getting dangerous and complex.” Zale gazed to where Tawera stood. While he wears that charm, he’s as vulnerable as any human. “Tawera needs to be with me or protected by one of your men at all times.”
“What happened to never falling for a human?” Kiley gave him a sideways glance.
“Never mind that now. If our adversaries realize that he’s…important to me, he’ll be in danger. I need to know he’s safe.”
“He has made an impression on you.” Kiley openly stared at him, all amusement in his gaze gone.
“He has. But no one can know outside this circle. I don’t want to put him in any more danger. You’re at risk, but I know you can handle a couple of wolves.” Zale rested a hand on Kiley’s shoulder. “Still, I’d feel better if we were all at my villa tonight. We can go straight there after dropping these off with Aunt Honoria. I pay a fucking big premium to have the best security. It’s time they earned it.”
“And Aunt Honoria’s are all her own people. But there’s no way that even I would want to go up against them.”
“With good reason. Let’s get this lot all cleared up.” Zale turned in a slow circle. But despite being unable to see, smell or hear anything out of place, his hackles remained raised along the nape of his neck. “I want to get away from here. I feel it’s too easy to mount another attack if we stay.”
“Come on, guys.” Kiley whirled on his heel. “We’ll put the live ones in separate cars. The body can go in a trunk. We’re going to pay a nice visit to our Aunt Honoria.”
“Why do I get the feeling this isn’t going to be the nice visit you suggest?” Jonski gave Kiley a narrow-eyed look, and Zale smiled, despite the seriousness of the situation.
“Tawera,” Zale called his…what do I call him? Lover, boyfriend? Fuck! Why now? Why when this is happening?
“What is it?” Tawera looked understandably nervous. “What are we doing?”
“I need you to stay as close to me as you can. I will only tell these men your secret and as little of it as possible. But they must know. They can’t protect you in that form if they don’t understand there are times when you’re as weak as any human.”
“Someone’s going to try to hurt you again, aren’t they?”
There was little point in trying to lie, and Zale nodded. “I believe they will. But Kiley and his men are the best. You can trust them.” Zale felt a tug at his heart as Tawera looked at the others and nodded. He trusts me implicitly. No matter what else I do, I have to make it look as if he means nothing to me. I’ll sacrifice my safety to ensure his.
Chapter Twelve
Tawera settled for staring out of the car as they sped along the narrow track. It didn’t look like a road to him and certainly seemed very unused. He wished Zale were beside him, but his lover was sitting in the front with Kiley, while he had to sit in the back beside Lankdog.
On the seat in front of Tawera were the unconscious Lycans. Neither had moved since the fight, and Tawera wondered if they would also die. If they were drugged to make them attack, it may kill them anyway. I hope Zale’s right about this Honoria being able to help. I can’t protect him while I’m human.
While Zale and Kiley whispered softly, too low for him to hear in human form, Lankdog was tapping furiously into his cell phone. Like this, I’m useless to them, but I can’t take the risk that my parents have spies looking for me. If I permanently remove the charm, I’ll easily be found. My people stay away from humans—and especially from their buildings of dead wood and inanimate materials.
He stared into the distance as they neared a forest. It didn’t strike Tawera as the kind of place humans would live. But soon a high wall came into view, and the cars came to a halt outside thick, iron gates. Gargoyles crouched on the wall on either side of the gates, and Tawera felt sure they were staring at him.
“It’s Zale Zelinski. I’ve come to visit Aunt Honoria. I respectfully request entrance.” Zale stood alone before the gates, and it took an effort on Tawera’s part to leave him there. For a few seconds nothing happened, then the gates swung slowly open.
“Let’s go.” Zale got back into the car. “She can be capricious, but I’m hoping her curiosity will allow both vehicles to pass.”
Tawera twisted to watch as Jonski’s car followed them inside before the gates swung shut. He couldn’t see anyone near them or in the still-dense forest they drove through, but he couldn’t shake the feeling they were being watched the entire way up to the house.
The house itself looked as old as the forest, and it captivated Tawera’s attention. It must have been brought here. There are no ancient homes like this in Aotearoa.
“It’s even got a drawbridge and turrets.” Lankdog leaned out of the window. “Has she got a fucking moat there?”
“She has, and I don’t advise you take a dip in it, either.” Zale glanced over his shoulder, his smile wry. “I doubt you’d get out of it alive, certainly not in one piece anyway.”
“It gives me the fucking creeps.” Lankdog sat back with a shudder.
The drawbridge lowered as they got near and Tawera tried to peer into the moat as they crossed over it, but there was too little light and the water itself looked murky. Then he sat back quickly as the water suddenly churned.
They stopped the car in front of the house, and Lankdog’s strength was shown when he hoisted an unconscious man over each shoulder without any apparent effort. Jonski came beside him with the dead man while Zale and Kiley stood in front, waiting for the doors to open.
A flurry of lights illuminated the windows as if showing there were people at home, and Tawera noticed curtains twitching before the double doors opened. To Tawera’s surprise, a middle-aged woman with long gray hair appeared, flanked by two flamboyantly dressed young men. While the men lounged against the door frame, the woman approached the group.
“Zale, my dear child, how good of you to call on your aunt. And who do we have here?” The woman’s attention wasn’t on Lankdog or Jonski but directly on Tawera.
“A friend, Aunt Honoria.” Zale’s voice was flat, and Tawera didn’t know whether to feel relieved or crushed. He said he didn’t want people to think we were a couple. I guess I should have expected it. But it actually hurts to hear him speak of me in that way.
“Indeed.” Honoria cast a disdainful glance in Zale’s direction, swept past the others and came directly to Tawera, her amber eyes boring deeply into his. “Well, it seems you are keeping secrets, just like darling Zale. Never mind… I’ll keep them for you, too. For both of you.” She leaned in close. “You smell of him, and I don’t mean his aftershave, dear child. Not only that, but I can feel the charm hiding your true form.”
Tawera felt the blush start at his toes before it crashed through him, leaving his cheeks burning in its wake.
“And these?” Honoria waved a hand at Lankdog and Jonski. “Are you going to be truthful about them?”
“Yes, we are.” Kiley hurried to take Honoria’s arm. “Lankdog and Jonski are my friends and are working with us. There’s a lot to tell, but we’d prefer to do so indoors.”
“You’re safe here.” Honoria’s voice changed, growing stronger and more authoritative. “Nothing can harm any of you. And I want truth, Zale. You know I’m trustworthy and that my minions do my bidding. No one else’s.”
“I know. It’s just very…trying, Aunt.” Zale’s stiff posture relaxed, and he glanced at Tawera. “And I have to keep him safe.”
“Let’s go inside.” She leaned in to check the bodies. “Boys, these two need to be put into the medical wing and this one in the lab in the basement. You can tell me all about it, Zale. And I do mean all.” With Kiley on her arm, Honoria led the way into her house.
Chapter Thirteen
While Zale told Honoria what had happened, Tawera gazed around. Men and women lounged or passed through the drawing room into which Honoria had taken them. Their dress was different, including how much, or little, they wore. Some sat together in couples, others in groups.
Tawera sighed. It reminds me of home. It’s not that my parents would object to my wanting a male partner, but they’re so stubborn. They wouldn’t give up so easily over the wedding—and especially with Hakau insisting it was what she wanted. My voice would pale into insignificance.
“You do seem to have gotten yourself into a tricky situation, dear boy.” Honoria waved a hand toward an ornate telephone, and a half-dressed young man hurried to fetch it for her. “Thank you, darling.” The man held the phone while she pressed a digit, then waited for her call to be answered. “Hello? Ah, good. I want you to test for a drug. Yes, all three are infected. I need a full chemical analysis. We need to know what it is and how to negate it. There’s a dear.”
“Do you think your people can do that, Honoria?” Zale leaned forward and Honoria nodded.
“Yes, of course. I have a fully equipped lab here, and my medical facility would put a private hospital to shame. But time is key. We don’t know how long you have before these enemies will strike again. You did the right thing to come to me. Why not stay here?”
“Because I’m the pack Alpha.” Zale surged to his feet and began to pace. “I can’t hide. An attack on me is an attack on all. If those men were willing assassins, then why? As far as I know, the pack was happy with my takeover. No one’s raised a single objection. Things were going well for us all.”
“Zale made sure to pay out bonuses to all the staff he took over in recognition of a job well done.” Kiley lounged back in his seat. “He’s checked on every single pack member we could find. The outgoing Alpha had become indolent and uncaring of the welfare of all. Most were glad to see the back of him.”
“So I’d heard. I may not involve myself outside these walls, but I know what’s happening out there.” Honoria toyed with the hair of the young man who’d sat at her feet since setting the phone back down. “Those of my minions who wish to can travel whenever they wish, but they always return to me.”
“You’re a generous queen, Honoria.” Zale bowed before sitting down. “We’re going to spend the night at my villa. My security may not match yours, but it is meant to be the best money could buy.”
“I suggest you switch where you stay. You have a yacht and a penthouse. Move from one to another.” Honoria looked at Jonski and Lankdog. “You’re not human, either. Shifters?”
“Bear.” Lankdog grinned. “We’re rare but dangerous.”
“Honey badger.” Jonski punched Lankdog’s shoulder. “Smaller but meaner.”
“Quite a little army, my dear boy.” Honoria smiled. “And what of this dear one?” She made a sweeping gesture in Tawera’s direction, and everyone looked at him.
“He stays with me.” Zale’s voice dropped to a snarl, and Honoria burst into peals of laughter.
“I suggest you behave far better than that, my darling.”
“My apologies.” Zale nodded at Honoria. “My nerves are a little frayed. I will behave far better when I’m not as relaxed as I am in your company.”
“Excellent, darling.” Honoria clapped her hands. “Now, I will lend you a couple of my cars and drivers. They’re interchangeable as bodyguards and very effective in either role. I’ll be in touch with any findings my medical team turn up.”
“Thanks, Aunt Honoria.” Zale stood, as did Honoria, and they embraced lightly before she patted his shoulder.
“Take care of him.” She nodded in Tawera’s direction. “He’s very special.”
“Yes. Thank you. Tawera…” Zale held out his hand and Tawera rose and went to him, a flush of joy sweeping through him at the public gesture. “You can stay here if you wish, until this is over. No one would find you.”
For a moment Tawera felt as if he stood on a precipice, but he met Zale’s gaze levelly, controlling his churning emotions.
“I choose to stand with you. I’m not as helpless as I look.” Tawera spoke loudly and clearly, wanting everyone to hear his commitment to Zale, but also to enforce his place at Zale’s side.
“I told you he was special, darling. He’s a keeper.” Honoria rested a hand on Tawera’s shoulder. “And you, my child, should have more confidence in your family. But I believe that for now your place is at Zale’s side. After all, Tawera did help you, Zale, my dear.”
“Yes, he did.”
There was a tone of censure in Zale’s words, but Tawera drew on every ounce of dignity as he’d been taught by his father and conveyed an impression of looking down at Zale, despite being shorter by several inches.
“And I shall do it again, if necessary,” Tawera said, then waited for Zale’s recrimination, but instead, Zale slowly smiled.
“I believe you would.” Zale leaned in, his breath warm against Tawera’s cheek. “Even if you were disadvantaged by that fucking charm.” The he leaned back, releasing Tawera’s hand. “Let’s go. I want anyone watching us to see that we’re not in hiding.”
“If they’re watching, won’t they know we’re here?” Tawera asked, and Honoria shook her head.
“No. The forest is also under my domain. If a car was following, they’d have been turned around and found themselves out of the woods, no matter how many times they tried to drive in. Goodbye, darling. Stay safe.” Honoria kissed Zale’s cheek, then, with a mischievous smile, did the same to Tawera. Kiley was the last recipient of such a gesture as she nodded at Jonski and Lankdog. “My cars are out front.”
Honoria remained in the living room rather than accompany them outside. Tawera stared at the big, black, sleek vehicles.
“She’s as rich as you, isn’t she?” he asked Zale.
“Probably richer. Let’s get home. I’ll order food in.” Zale grabbed Tawera and followed him inside the lead car, with Kiley, Lankdog and Jonski getting into the other.
“Isn’t it a bit late for getting food?” Tawera asked. Sitting so close to Zale, he would be more than happy for the car to take forever to get out of the forest.
“Not for me. I have accounts with a couple of the major hotels in the city. If I ring through, I can get a three-course meal delivered.” Zale pulled out his cell phone and sent a text, smiling when it pinged a moment later. “Lankdog and Jonski eat anything. What about you?”
“Fruit, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fish and shellfish.” Tawera shrugged. “We generally thank the tree, the earth or the water for its bounty before we take from it. I suppose I could do it in retrospect.”
“Easy enough.” Zale began tap in numbers to his phone and set it to his ear. “Yes, it’s Zale Zelinski, and I want to place an order to be delivered to my villa. I want five three-course meals, one of which is to be vegetarian. I also want two packed lunches, suitable for walkers. Yes, trail mix, jerky to be included. I’ll pay a twenty percent bonus if it can be at my villa within the hour.”
“Packed lunches?” Tawera cocked his head, and Zale nodded toward the silent driver.
“If Honoria has lent me two of her people to watch us around the clock, I can be sure they’re not vampires like her.”
“Vam…vampires?” Tawera knew he was staring but wasn’t aware his jaw had dropped until Zale gently closed his mouth.
“She’s one of the ancient orders from Europe. She likes to stay at her home. Her people, as she calls them, are a mix of vampires, willing human devotees and others that I have no idea about. She doesn’t tend to have werewolves, because we’re too pack orientated. But her network of contacts is likely to be even larger than mine. Our unknown enemy doesn’t realize how much they’ve tried to bite off, and I’m hoping they soon choke on it.”
“Don’t take risks.” Tawera reached out, but his rising panic subsided when Zale crushed their lips together.
“I won’t, but if you can’t or won’t remove your charm to take on your true form, then it’s your safety I fear for.” Zale rubbed a stubbled cheek against Tawera, who decided he liked the sensation.
“If I were to take it off for any length of time, I would be removed from here and forced into a marriage I don’t want.” Tawera blurted out the crux of his worry.
