Feral Darlings

Chapter Nine

Thwap … thwap … thwap … The steady rhythmic beat of the helicopter blades filled the air. Corbin sat back while they were being transported to Buxby, Iowa. Voshon sat next to him with a nervous expression. Corbin reached out and rested a hand on his jean-clad knee that bounced rapidly in place.

“Everything okay?” Corbin had picked up on the slight hint of fear from him.

Voshon turned to him and had a sheepish look on his face.

“This is only the second time I’ve flown,” Voshon admitted. His voice came through the headsets they wore. With the loudness of the helicopter, their headsets provided a way for them to communicate.

“Flying is the safest way to travel, and the quickest,” Corbin offered.

The flight to Iowa wouldn’t take long since they were leaving Oklahoma. Nezera’s pilots were the best there was, and Corbin was sure they would arrive not only safe, but swiftly. As Nezera had promised, her team was ready to go at dusk. Their military-grade helicopters cut through the air quickly.

“That’s what I hear,” Voshon murmured, but he didn’t look convinced.

“It won’t be long before we land,” Nezera chimed in. She frowned down at her tablet in her hand. The captain was always focused on a mission. She had been handpicked by Hegna and promoted to the position as captain years ago. She was a fierce warrior, and Hegna had recognized the woman’s skill. She glanced up and eyed Corbin. “And you are ready for the discussion with the mayor?”

“Of course I am. Did you think I would not be?” Corbin smirked.

He may have been busy with his mate, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to still do his job. Hegna trusted him to cultivate relationships with humans. He had a way with them. For some reason he was good at getting them to like and trust him. He didn’t even have to use vampiric compulsion to do so. It was rare that he’d had to use that skill. He’d just learned how to talk to humans. He spent a lot of time with them and he’d learned to play to their needs.

“I’ll let you do the talking. If they don’t agree to let us protect them—”

“What will you do? Leave them to be slaughtered?” Voshon interjected.

Nezera calmly raised an eyebrow at Voshon’s interruption. He sat forward and faced Nezera who sat across from him. Cesar was beside her and was directly across from Corbin. The cabin was tight. There were a few others in the air surrounding them as they traveled to their destination.

“Of course not. They will be put under Riskel protection whether they like it or not. At least if they consent to it, they will still feel in power. If I have to take over the town, they will not like it one bit,” Nezera said with an eerie sense of calmness.

Corbin was always glad that she was on their side. This woman was downright vicious when it came to battle, and losing was not something she was used to. She had the power to overtake the town if need be, but she was being lenient to the humans.

“Are you talking martial law?” Voshon settled back.

Corbin felt the stress radiating from him. He tightened his grip on Voshon’s knee for reassurance.

“I believe that’s what you humans labeled it,” Nezera said.

“Do you think your people will comply?” Cesar, the warrior, tilted his head to the side as he studied Voshon.

“There are some things that they will need to know up front. No bullshitting. No secretive shit that will make their distrust of vampires even more,” Voshon replied.

Corbin raised an eyebrow at Cesar. Now why would he go and ask that question? The mayor may be Voshon’s uncle, but it didn’t mean he knew for certain how the leaders of his town would respond to the arrival of vampires.

“Don’t worry, miere . I will be nothing but honest with the mayor,” Corbin said. He had already formulated a plan of details to discuss what Hegna would be willing to offer them. With the lycans encircling their small town, safety for all was sure to be top priority for the humans.

Voshon glanced over at Corbin. He gave Voshon’s knee another squeeze of reassurance. He would be there with his mate to speak with the mayor. Whatever he needed from him, he would supply. Voshon still doubted how the mating bond between them worked, and Corbin was determined to do what he must to prove they were fated for each other.

“They will still be able to make their own decisions and live free?” Voshon turned back to Nezera.

Corbin remained silent. He already knew the orders given by Hegna on this matter. They’d updated her on the new information they had obtained in her absence earlier that day.

“I give you my word. We will only be there for protection and nothing else,” Nezera answered without hesitation.

Silence fell between them.

“Fine. Let me speak with my uncle first. They are going to be leery of having so many vampires there,” Voshon announced.

“Very well then. We will follow your lead.” Nezera gave a nod.

Corbin met the eyes of the captain. There was a level of respect in her gaze. Corbin was proud of Voshon. He’d been through a lot in the recent days and he was acclimating better than Corbin would have thought. Now they only had to arrive in town in time to prevent a massacre.

Voshon glanced nervously out of the window of the SUV that was heading toward town. He’d been down this road countless times, but never had he returned to town like this.

With vampires.

He swallowed hard, not really knowing how his people would react to him, knowing he belonged to a vampire now. Would they shun him? He hadn’t wanted to bring up this concern back in the helicopter. If he had, they may not have allowed him to accompany them. It would be up to him to convince his uncle to allow the vampires to protect them or risk losing every man, woman, and child of Buxby.

Randall was a levelheaded man and always put his people first. It shouldn’t matter that the ones coming to help them would be vampires. But Voshon could never be too sure. He didn’t think Randall would let pride get in the way.

He gnawed on his bottom lip as the nerves grew. He had only been gone a short time and he’d missed his parents fiercely. He hoped they were taking care of themselves.

They had entered the town and weren’t far from what was considered the center of town. Once they had landed the helicopter, there were a few vans and SUVs waiting for them. Voshon wasn’t sure where all of the warriors who had traveled with them had gone. Currently, there were only two SUVs headed into town. It might be for the better that they only arrive with a few vampires. If Randall and the others saw the full brigade of vamps who came, they would have gone into panic.

Voshon glanced over at Corbin who was seated next to him. His attention was on his tablet. The vampire had remained quiet since they had entered the vehicle. Voshon didn’t know what Corbin was thinking or what he had planned to discuss with Randall.

Voshon’s cock twitched. He tore his eyes away from Corbin. Now was not the time to be getting aroused. The vampire’s silver hair was pulled away from his face with a couple of intricate braids, the rest left flowing. He wore a dark sweeping cloak to ward off the chill.

Snow was on the ground, and there was definitely a bit in the air. Voshon was thankful for the warm clothing that had been provided to him. His wool coat was like nothing he’d ever had. He adjusted his thick hat to ensure the shaved parts of his head were covered. Buxby was known for tons of snow and chilling temperatures.

“We are here,” the driver announced.

Nezera, who sat in the passenger seat, turned around and faced them. “We will follow your lead, Mr. Rogers.”

Voshon gave a nod and glanced out the window. The driver had parked the vehicle on the main road in front of the building that served as town hall. It was a small two-story brick structure. It was the symbol of their independence from vampire rule. A familiar figure stepped out of the building and came to stand on the sidewalk.

Angelina.

Voshon opened the door and exited the truck. He ignored the sounds of the other doors opening as he made his way across the street. A look of disbelief crossed Angelina’s face.

“Voshon?” she gasped. She met him halfway and paused in front of him. She studied him for a brief moment, throwing her arms around him.

He returned the hug and squeezed her tight.

“Are my eyes deceiving me?”

He laughed at the muffled sound of her voice. He pulled back slightly and smiled.

“No, I’m really here,” he said.

It felt good to see her. She looked the same as when he’d left. Her gaze moved past his shoulder then returned to him.

“And you have not been harmed in any way?” she whispered. She took in his wool coat and ran her hands along his arms as if to be sure.

He shook his head, but before he could answer, another voice interrupted.

“Of course he hasn’t,” Corbin answered. He came to stand next to Voshon. There was a slight frown on his face that soon disappeared. His greenish-blue eyes landed on Angelina with a hint of curiosity.

Voshon may not have known Corbin long, but he could see the question in his eyes. Nezera and the other guards remained near the vehicles, giving them a little distance.

“Angelina, this is Lord Corbin Apostu, my umm…vampire mate,” Voshon said. He never would have thought he’d be introducing Angelina to his vampire. He honestly thought he would never see anyone from his town again. “Corbin, this is my best friend, Angelina Pearl.”

“Angelina is a very beautiful name,” Corbin said. He swept her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of it, offering her a bow.

Angelina’s expression softened slightly. A small smile appeared on her lips.

“I’m sure you are the one to thank for keeping my mate out of harm’s way all of these years,” Corbin said.

“How would you know that?” Angelina arched an eyebrow.

Voshon took notice that she hadn’t pulled her hand back from Corbin. A slight hint of jealousy grew in his chest.

“Well, isn’t that what best friends do? I can’t tell you how many times Hegna has saved my ass.” Corbin chuckled.

“I stopped counting when we turned fifteen.” Angelina sniffed. She withdrew her hand and tossed Voshon a wink.

He scoffed at his friend. Oh, was that how it was? Well, he could count how many times he’d saved her tail.

She immediately grew serious. “I’m happy to see Voshon is back, but if you are here then that can’t be good.”

“We need to speak with my uncle,” Voshon announced. He glanced over at the building. He was sure he was in there. A few other town’s guards had quietly come outside. Voshon knew how they worked. It wasn’t that long ago that he would have been one of them.

“You, I’m sure he will speak with. But the vampires, I don’t—”

“Buxby is in danger. There is proof that lycans are able to attack. Everyone is in trouble,” Voshon stated. He stepped in front of her, knowing she would listen to reason. If he had to beg to speak with this uncle, then he would.

“What? We can take on a lycan—”

“But can you take on an entire den?” Corbin asked.

Angelina fell quiet.

Corbin appeared cool, calm, and collected. He jerked his chin toward the building. “From our intel, an entire den will be arriving and will wipe out this town. They’ve already done it and will do it again. We are here to offer our assistance.”

“Assistance, huh?” Angelina was skeptical. She waved her hands toward the other vampires. “That’s how it starts. You come in saving the day, then we will be under your rule?”

“Angelina!” A sharp voice cut through the air.

Voshon peered over his friend’s shoulder and took in the older gentleman standing in the doorway to town hall. It was his Uncle Randall. He pulled his coat on as he walked toward them. His uncle and father closely resembled each other. Immediately, Voshon was struck with an ache in his chest. He had to go see his parents.

“I appreciate your protective nature of our town, but you are overstepping boundaries.”

“I’m sorry, sir,” Angelina lowered her gaze.

Randall stood next to her and patted her on her shoulder. “Voshon. It’s good to see you, nephew.” He moved forward and wrapped Voshon into a tight hug. “Your father has been worried about you.”

“How are they?” Voshon eased back.

His uncle kept his hands on Voshon’s shoulder. His strong hands squeezed him. “They are strong, but not a day has gone by that they didn’t miss you.” His voice grew gruff.

Voshon felt a tickle in his throat. His uncle was like a second father to him. Randall and Lucas were as close as brothers could be. He stepped back and looked at Corbin. His uncle’s face was wiped of all emotions as he took in the vampire next to Voshon.

“We will take you to them, Voshon,” Corbin said. He stepped forward with his hand outstretched. Rogers met Corbin’s gaze and took his hand. The older Black man was a few inches shorter than Corbin. “Mayor Rogers, my name is Corbin Apostu—”

“I know who you are, Lord Apostu. Your kind is not welcome here, but since you are here with my nephew, then we will allow it,” Randall said. He eyed the vehicles and the vampires by them before returning his attention to Corbin. “My questions are, why are you here, and what’s this I hear about a lycan attack?”

“If you would like to get out of the cold we have a discussion, sir. We are here to offer assistance for your people,” Corbin said smoothly. He motioned to the building just as a strong wind blew.

Even with his wool coat, Voshon still shivered. Corbin was right. They needed to take this inside.

“On who’s orders? The warden? The vampire king?” Randall’s voice echoed through the air.

“No, sir. This was a request on behalf of your nephew, my mate.”