Chapter Twelve
EVE SHIFTED, and before Victor could move, she lunged toward him, propelling herself through the air to smash into his side with her shoulder.
But as she moved back to repeat the assault, Victor recovered enough to slam into her, driving her toward the nearest wall, his head crushing her against it.
Fuck, this guy is strong . If he kept this up, he’d shatter her bones, which was clearly his intention.
His eyes, remember?
His head was so massive, she could scarcely reach them.
She jammed a finger in, and he roared and backed off.
It took Eve a few moments to catch her breath, but Victor wasn’t going to give up.
He rushed her again, this time knocking her into the air.
She landed hard, and Victor was on her, using his bulk to hold her down.
Get up!
Now, woman!
“Not giving up,” she growled. “Not with this much at stake.”
It had to be the result of the adrenaline surging through her system, because no way could she move him on her own. She was able to push him far enough to get him off her.
I can’t afford to get caught like that again . If Victor got her in his jaws, it would be game over.
You’re good at this, Victor. But I’m better.
She pushed off the ground and launched herself up, her body protesting every move. It wouldn’t stop her, however. She landed on Victor’s head and dug her nails into his eyes, which caused him to bellow and shake his head, trying to dislodge her. Except now Eve had her balance.
Victor was fucked.
She rained her fists down on his head. Victor tried to slough her off but she held on, digging her fingers into his eye sockets.
He let out a strange roar that sounded more like a big cat growling, but Eve didn’t slow her attack. She stayed on his back, beating his head with her fists, delivering blow after blow until her arms ached. Blood poured from his eyes, and loud, wheezing sounds escaped his huge jaws.
When he shifted back to human, crying out for her to stop, the suddenness of the shift shocked her into stillness.
He’s lost focus. You’ve got him where you want him. Do it , Roadkill demanded.
Except she couldn’t.
Eve climbed off Victor and shifted back, panting.
Theron shook his head. “Kill him.”
Eve couldn’t believe her ears. Or maybe she could. He’d lost the fight, right? Victor wasn’t as strong as Theron had believed, and the Gerans had no use for the weak.
She gazed at him, bloodied and battered. Yes, she could kill him, but she wasn’t that person anymore.
Even if killing him would be an act of mercy?
There’s always the possibility Theron will kill Victor anyway for his failure.
She knew they were both right, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She didn’t know why, but she trusted her instincts. Not to mention that quiet little voice in her head that belonged to neither of her mates.
He has a purpose too, just as you do.
“Didn’t I make it clear enough?” Theron called out. “I said kill him.”
Eve lifted her chin and met his cold gaze. “No, I won’t. Look at him. He’s an incredible and apparently loyal asset. Killing him would only weaken your position. You have his family―”
“What family?” Theron snorted. “All but his youngest sister are dead. The promise of our protection has kept him in line—until now. He’s of no use to me anymore.”
Eve caught Victor’s strangled cry, and she really wanted to be the one to kill this bastard. Nothing too painful, merely rending Theron limb from limb or chewing off his face.
Tears streaked Victor’s cheeks, and Eve knew they were not for his loss in the fight, but for his murdered family.
“Then use him for your breeding program. That was the hardest fight I’ve ever had, and losing him would be a waste.” Eve turned her back on Theron, picked up her discarded clothing, and dressed. When she was done, she glanced toward the window, but he was gone.
So was Victor.
The guard returned. “He wants to see you.”
Apparently, Theron’s curiosity needed to be sated.
She went back into the castle to the room where she’d met Theron to find him seated on one of the ornate chairs by the fireplace.
“Now I see why you left our ranks. You fight well, but you’re soft,” he said with another sneer.
“I left because as a woman, there was little advancement possible. So I chose to prove myself in a different way. And I succeeded.”
“We’ll get to that part in a minute. First, I want to know about Fielding. You told the guard at the gate you were with him when he died. I would know more of this. I would also like to know how you knew I was here. No one knows.”
“Fielding did,” she said simply.
He studied her in silence for a moment, and Eve had the weirdest feeling that he could see into her mind.
Gods, I hope not.
Then he gestured to one of the couches. “Sit.”
Eve did as instructed. She’d been correct—the couch was as solid as a piece of marble and as uncomfortable.
“So you were in Maine. How did you come to be there?”
Her heart pounded. “I went in with a Fridan team on a mission to liberate the camp.”
He froze. “And why would you do such a thing?”
“It took me six months to infiltrate the Fridans, but I did it. They believe me to be one of them.”
“How did you manage that?”
She locked gazes with him. “Because I’m that good, that’s how.”
Theron arched his thinning brows. Then he leaned forward, his old eyes still bright. “Tell me of Fielding.”
“I tried to help him escape. I got him past the gates of the camp, but he was shot. Then one of the soldiers shifted and tore him apart.”
He winced. “All of which ties in with what was reported to me. Why didn’t Fielding shift?”
“He couldn’t, sir. He was drugged.” She swallowed. “I managed to speak to him before… before the end. He spoke of you.”
“What did he say? ”
“That I was to come here and offer my services.”
Lying had never been one of her strong suits, and she prayed Theron’s ability to detect deceit wasn’t working that day.
Theron pursed his thin lips. “You say you infiltrated the Fridans. Who was the leader of this group?”
“Aelryn, sir.”
His face clouded. “A name I am familiar with.”
“Fielding said I was to tell you… the Fridans know the location of all the Geran camps.”
Theron’s face tightened. “ All of them? How? How could they know such a thing?”
“I wasn’t taken into their confidence.”
“Then it might not be true.” His voice was tinged with hope.
Eve shook her head. “I saw the list, sir. Whoever aided them was very thorough.”
And now safely out of your reach, reunited with his mate, and protected by Aelryn.
“But I will be involved in future missions,” she confirmed. “I can still be useful.” Eve still wasn’t sure why Horvan wanted Theron to know about the camps, but she reasoned it was part of his plan.
He narrowed his gaze. “Where do they think you are at this moment?”
“Visiting relatives here in Lancashire.” She bowed her head. “My grandfather has just passed.”
Theron didn’t bother to offer condolences, but then again she would have been surprised if he had.
“Tell me more of this team. Are they all shifters?”
“No, sir. Humans too.”
He grimaced, not bothering to hide his disgust. “And why did they choose to raid that particular camp?”
“It was a rescue mission.”
Another quirk of his brows. “All that effort to free one hundred fifty shifters?”
“Well, yes, but three in particular.”
He frowned. “The information given to me about the actual raid has been sketchy at best. Which three?”
“They were tigers, all related. ”
He widened his eyes, and Eve was positive she heard a hitch in his breathing. “Would one of them be named Jake Carson?”
“Yes, sir.”
There was no mistaking Theron’s reaction. He could have been carved out of the same stone that surrounded him. “Then he’s alive?”
“Yes, sir, and his sons, Seth and Jamie.”
Those gimlet eyes narrowed. “But he was to have been eliminated. I was told he was dead. I had their assurance.”
Eve looked him in the eye. “Then someone lied to you, sir.”
Theron said nothing for a moment, and with every passing second, Eve’s nerves increased. Finally, he rubbed his bearded jawline. “Very well. You say you wish to serve me?”
Holy fuck, he bought it.
“Yes, sir.” She managed to keep her voice even, despite her racing heart.
“Then return to them. Watch them, learn of their plans—and report back to me.” He stood, walked over to the octagonal table, and pulled out a drawer. He handed her a card. “Anything you send to this address will get back to me.”
“Thank you, sir.” Eve did her best to sound grateful.
“No—thank you for attempting to save Fielding. He will be missed.”
His gratitude told Eve one thing—Fielding had been important.
Then Theron cocked his head. “This team you infiltrated. Have you heard any of them mention a shark shifter named Vic Ryder?”
“I have heard the name, sir. But he’s missing, and no one knows where he is. He was on his way back from Rome when they lost contact with him.”
“And what do they believe happened to him?” Theron’s smile turned Eve’s stomach.
“They think he was taken by your forces, sir. Someone suggested he might be in the camp in Alaska.”
His smile widened. “Let them search for him in Alaska, then.”
“You’re sure you are safe here, sir?” Eve had never acted in such a sycophantic manner her whole life, but if it did the trick….
Theron’s eyes gleamed. “My safety relies on secrecy, Duncan. I have a small force here to protect me, but to be honest, there is no need. Only a trusted few know where I am to be found.” His smile faded.
“Fielding was one of them. His murder has left a hole that I will find difficult to fill. Nature abhors a vacuum, Duncan. Soon, the clamoring will begin as leaders jostle to assert themselves, to curry favor with me, all of them seeking to rise, to take his place.” He shuddered.
“And not one of them is even close to being half the leader Fielding was.” He gripped the arms of his chair, and a moment later, Eve could see he’d regained his control.
“But enough of such matters.” He tilted his head to one side.
“You were right. You chose a different way to fight, and as such you will be rewarded for your efforts. There is a place for you, should you choose to return to our forces. Gorillas always make the best soldiers.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Eve had never wanted a shower so badly.
Theron gestured to the guard. It seemed their meeting was over.
She left the room and walked toward the main door. Her way was blocked by a gray-and-amber-striped cat who wound in and out of her ankles.
The guard laughed. “How did you get in here? Come on, kitty.” He picked the cat up and carried it to the door. As soon as he set it on the ground, the cat took off, running toward the gate. The guard straightened. “I guess he wanted to see what a castle looked like on the inside.”
The guard outside the door snorted. “If it comes back, kill it. You know what they say: Curiosity killed the cat . It should know what to expect, then.”
Eve said nothing but walked toward the road across the moat. When she reached the far side, she saw the cat sitting on top of one of the lions, curled up on its head.
She smiled. “Way to go, kitty cat.” She glanced back at the castle. Theron’s guards were pretty much like kitties too. Complacent, well-fed, relaxed—too relaxed, if they couldn’t detect that Aric was a shifter.
Score one for the good guys.
Eve picked him up, and Aric rubbed his head against her chin. “Come on, Aric. Let’s go find your mates. And mine.”
The sooner she put some distance between her and Theron, the better.
Then her thoughts went to Victor.
I hope he doesn’t stay here.
There were better forces to fight for, nobler wars to be won, and with people who would value him.