Chapter Ten
Fray stood next to Chaz, staring at the two Gargoyles who glared at them from the opening of the mine. Both males looked ready to attempt to kill them. It was understandable since they had killed off the rest of their colony.
“This isn’t going to end well for you,” Chaz warned. “Lord Aveoth has laid claim to the United States. You never should have come here and started kidnapping innocent human women. This territory belongs to him.”
Fray wished he knew the names of the two males. Chaz ended up being the one who killed their lord. Zadian had fallen under his twin’s blade the evening before. “Flee. It’s your only chance. We won’t allow you to take the women you’ve stolen.”
One of them spat something in Russian but then switched to English. “You will die if you try to take our vessels.”
“They aren’t going to listen,” Chaz muttered. “Stupid bastards.”
“Zadian is dead,” Fray reminded them. “It’s over.”
The blond one, who was slightly the largest of the two, rumbled. “I am the new lord. Bow to me.”
“He’s fucking kidding, right?” Chaz took a threatening step forward. “How about we fight over leadership? I challenge you.”
It didn’t work. The two males refused to step out of the large cave entrance. It was too dangerous if they rushed forward since the males might start killing their hostages. They just needed to keep them occupied while their father and Delbius attempted to sneak up behind them to prevent them from reaching the humans trapped inside.
Fray had an idea. “I lied before. I’m not a full-blood. Our mother was a Lycan. You should accept my twin’s challenge.” He figured the blond might go for it now that he’d feel superior. Full Gargoyles always thought other breeds were weak.
“That’s right.” Chaz drew his sword. “Let’s fight to determine who should be lord. I bet you still can’t take me despite my being half-animal.” He chuckled. “You aren’t afraid of me, are you?”
“We are not fools,” the other grumbled. “You want to draw us out to steal our vessels. We will protect our colony until the births happen and bring misery to you.”
“So you’ll take turns guarding the opening of the mine for that long? What about food? We could stay out here, too.” Fray paused, letting his words sink into both men. “Vessels need to be fed. Those females will starve to death before they birth your younglings. I’d call that bad planning on your part.”
Rage had both males rumbling threats, most of which Fray couldn’t understand. His Russian was almost non-existent. His clan in Alaska spoke English and had since he’d been born.
“You really should flee.” Fray wasn’t about to let that actually happen. They’d just find another small town to terrorize and start a colony. He just wanted them to believe they had the option to escape so the humans inside the mine could be freed.
The sight of his father striding out of the dark cave behind the two males had Fray tense. Delbius was with him. They attacked before either enemy Gargoyle sensed their presence.
“Let them have this fight,” Chaz ordered. “We only attack if they attempt to fly off. Take them fucking down before they get high enough to be seen by humans.”
Fray let his wings unfurl, ready to launch into the sky. The sound of swords clashing was loud, echoing around them. Delbius ended up fighting their self-proclaimed new lord. Their father took on the slightly smaller blond. The fight was over way too fast. Both enemy Gargoyles died.
“That was disappointing.” Delbius used the body of his opponent to wipe the blood from his blade. “You said we’d be in for a good fight.”
Hawk wiped his own bloody sword off on the dead Gargoyle in pieces around his boots. “I doubt they were highly valued by the original lord they fled from. Their fighting skills were shit.”
Fray was glad that neither male had been injured. Their clothes were dirty, though, probably from coming down an airshaft from the top of the mountain. He was glad he hadn’t had to do it. Tight spaces weren’t his favorite. “What’s the situation inside?”
Delbius grimly met his gaze. “We didn’t take the time to check. There are live females, though. Some were softly crying and whimpering.” He turned to face the mine entrance. “I’m not equipped to deal with this.”
“We’re going to wait for the VampLycans. They can take control of the victim’s minds and heal any of their injuries by sharing some of their blood.” Hawk bent, grabbed the leg of the Gargoyle he’d killed, and started to drag it inside the mine. “Let’s move the bodies to keep them out of sight.” He glanced at the air. “Satellites. Human technology is the only real terrifying thing about their race.”
A faint scream suddenly could be heard. It came from inside the mine.
“Fuck.” Fray met his father’s gaze. “I’m going in to at least check on their conditions. Those women are already afraid. What if one of them is dying? We can at least get them medical help from the Lycans.”
“I’m with Fray,” Chaz agreed. “Those women might be terrified of us, but some of them might be too injured to wait until the VampLycans arrive. We need to assess their injuries now.”
“Let them, Hawk.” Delbius gave his support.
“Fine.” Their father agreed.
Fray didn’t hesitate. It was easy to follow the sounds the females made. The first human they located was the one screaming. She was young, maybe twenty, and was manacled at her wrist to a chain that led to a boulder. One of the Gargoyles must have carried the large rock into that tunnel just to pin the chain to the floor so she couldn’t escape. The bed had a broken headboard, slats of wood missing.
She only wore an oversized shirt, parts of it torn. There were some blood stains on it from her injuries. One of her legs was bruised and bloodied, too. It might be from a scratch or from Gargoyle claws. She had no shoes on. The tunnel ended in solid rock, and only a flickering candle gave off light. A queen-sized wooden framed bed was the only furniture in the space.
The human held the chain with both hands, frantically pulling to free it from the heavy weight of the boulder sitting on top of the links. Her back was to them as she let loose another pained scream. Blood dripped to the stone floor from her damaged hands.
“Stop,” Fray ordered, rushing forward. “You’re hurting yourself.”
The human spun, lost her balance, and started to fall. Fray was faster, catching her in his arms before she could become more injured. The female struggled, crying out in terror as she attempted to get away from him.
“We’re here to free you,” he quickly assured her. “My brother and I are not with the males who kidnapped you.”
She had big brown eyes that widened as she stared at him. A dark bruise marred one of her cheeks from where she’d been previously struck. It angered him. His words must have registered, though, because she went still in his arms.
“You’re safe now. The males who kidnapped you are dead. We’re here to rescue all of you. My twin will get you free.”
Chaz strode to the large rock and bent, using his shoulder to push against the boulder. It slowly moved, scraping against the floor, but he managed to free the chain. His twin straightened, his expression grim. “Let me search the bodies for a key to release her wrist.” He left the tunnel, going back toward the cave entrance.
The human’s eyes filled with tears.
“You are safe. The males are dead and can’t harm you ever again. Please remain calm. Medical help will arrive soon. Can you sit on the bed to wait?”
“I want out of here.” Her voice was a bit raspy, probably damaged from screaming. “Get me out of here. Please! I’m begging you.”
Her terror was strong enough that Fray inwardly flinched, feeling apologetic for even asking her to remain inside what had become her prison. There was no harm in allowing her out of the cave. His father and Delbius could keep an eye on her until the VampLycans arrived. He’d want to see sunshine and breathe fresh air after captivity, too.
“I’m not certain that’s the best idea,” his twin whispered, returning. “I couldn’t find any keys. The males must have hidden them.”
“They are safer outside than to remain here,” Fray reminded him. “Grab the end of the chain. I’ll carry her, and you will follow. Hopefully the other females have been secured the same way. It will make it possible for us to move them.”
“Fine.” Chaz didn’t look happy about the plan, though.
Fray didn’t want to mention that the entire mountain could come down on top of them at any time. The caves could collapse if Len had been correct about how unstable they were. He’d hate to lose any of the females they’d come to rescue when it could be avoided.
“I’m going to carry you so you don’t have to drag the chains behind you. My brother is strong enough to carry them so the weight isn’t injuring you more.”
The human didn’t argue. It was apparent that she wasn’t thrilled by remaining so close to him. Not that Fray blamed her after all she must have endured at the hands of the Gargoyle males who’d harmed her. He adjusted her in his arms and lifted her higher, cradling her against his chest.
Chaz wound the heavy chain on one arm, at least twelve feet of thick links, and followed. The exit to that cave wasn’t far. Hawk and Delbius waited outside. Both males grimly watched as Fray approached with the human.
The female turned her face against Fray’s chest as they stepped into the sunlight. It was probably too bright for her after spending time with only a candle to see by. He addressed his father. “We’re going to bring them outside. Call Kevin and have him send healers and helpers immediately.”
“Are you sure this is the best idea?”
Fray nodded at his father. “Yes.” He bent, gently placing the female on her bare feet. “This is my father, Hawk. The other male is a longtime family friend. Both are trustworthy and will not harm you in any way. Medical help is coming soon.”
The human stood on her own, so he released her. She held up one of her injured hands to block some of the sunlight. He knew when she saw his father and Delbius. The woman gasped and stumbled his way.
Fray allowed her to slam into his body and carefully placed his hands on her hips. “Easy. They helped us rescue you. You can trust them both.”
The human made a whimpering sound but allowed him to release her and step away. She swayed a little on her feet but then quickly sat down, yanking the oversized shirt over her exposed thighs and huddled on the ground. He was grateful that she wasn’t running.
His father pulled out his cell phone, dialing the lead enforcer of Moe’s pack to bring in healers. Fray left quickly after Chaz placed the chains on the ground near the human in a pile. They entered the mining cave together.
* * * * *
Len faced off against Kevin. He’d gotten a call from Hawk that the enemy Gargoyles were all dead. Fray and Chaz were bringing the kidnapped humans out of the Morter Mines, but they needed immediate medical attention. Four women healers and Gina were loading first aid supplies into backpacks.
“You know I took first aid classes when I was in high school for my summer job at the daycare. I can help. The Gargoyles are dead. I’m going.”
“No. You’re staying here, Lenore.”
She refused to back down. “You have no idea what those women have seen, heard, or learned. I’m human. I could be of help if they are freaked out and realize everyone around them is different. Hell, I was kidnapped and taken to the mines, too.”
“I don’t have time for this.” Kevin turned away from her, issuing orders. “Let’s move out!”
Len quickly followed as Gina and the other four women rushed to exit the basement. She grabbed a backpack that contained water bottles, meal bars, and emergency blankets. That had been her idea to take those things to the women since it was unknown if their captors had thought about those necessities.
Gina shot her a frown, slowing on the stairs. “Kevin said no.”
“I’m an adult. He isn’t my boss. I’m going.”
“Moe won’t like it. He wants you to remain in the basement until he and Lisa return. That’s the safest place for you.”
“I can be of help. The danger has passed.”
“What if a sinkhole opens? It’s not safe anywhere near those mines.”
“I’ll risk it.”
“Damn it, Lenore.”
“You can’t stop me.”
“Actually, we can.”
Len ignored the threat. Kevin was already outside, climbing into the driver’s seat of an SUV. The other women were loading their backpacks into the open hatch on the back. Len didn’t do that, instead just carrying her supplies to the back door and climbed in.
Kevin twisted in the driver’s seat to glare at her.
“Hawk wants you to get there as quickly as possible. You said so yourself. I’m coming.”
“You’re not.”
“Let me come with you, or I’ll go on my own. That’s the only choice you have.”
“I could hogtie you or have one of the pack babysit you.”
“I can help. Let me. Please.” Len pleaded with him by making sad eyes. She even pushed out her lower lip. It had worked when she’d been a kid.
“Don’t give me that look. Moe will kill me if anything happens to you.”
“I’m an adult. Human.” She paused. “I make my own decisions, Kevin. Moe knows how stubborn I can be. Tell him it was take me with you, or I’d have gone on my own. I mean it.”
“Fuck,” he snarled, facing forward. “You stick close to me and do everything I say. I don’t have time to keep arguing with you, and I’m afraid you’d attack anyone I assign to babysit you to get away. You’re a pain in my ass.”
“Thank you for letting me come.” Len would follow orders as long as they were reasonable. Otherwise, all bets were off. She was really getting tired of them treating her like she was utterly useless just because she was a human and Moe’s stepdaughter.
Fray was fine. Len had been told that a few times. It didn’t mean she wasn’t worried that he might have been hurt in some way. Seeing him would make her feel better, and she really did want to help.
It had been tough finding out that the world wasn’t exactly as she’d thought it was. Werewolves, Gargoyles, and other creatures of the night were real beings. That was terrifying. She felt really bad for the victims inside the mine. The women might need to see another human to help them feel safer. It was the least she could do. Guilt also played a part. Their terrible fate hadn’t been hers. Fray had saved her from that.
Gina took a seat in the front while the four healers sat in the back seats. There were three rows of them in the SUV. The drive to the mine didn’t take long. Kevin was in constant phone contact with someone.
Len got a good idea who that was when they approached one of the gates that blocked the mine. A police officer in uniform pushed one side open to give them access.
“He’s one of our pack,” Nina informed Len.
She nodded at the older woman seated next to her on the center bench seat. “So what’s it like being a healer? What exactly does that mean?”
“I was born to tend to the injured.”
Long seconds ticked by until Len realized the healer wasn’t planning on saying anything else. The road grew rough as they bounced over the dirt and dodged a few washed-out sections until they passed some large boulders.
One of the openings to a mine came into view. Six women sat huddled on the ground, with Hawk and Delbius seeming to guard them. A pile of chains sat feet from them. It was weird to see, but she guessed that maybe they might have been attached to the women at one point. Someone had freed them and just dumped their restraints in a pile. Len craned her head, searching for Fray. He wasn’t in sight.
Kevin parked the SUV. Len was out the door as soon as he shut off the engine. She grabbed the backpack and rushed forward. One of the women on the ground met her gaze. Len hurried right to her.
“I’m Len.” She dropped to her knees, placed the backpack next to her, and opened it. She silently assessed the victim. One of the monsters who’d kidnapped the woman had struck her in the face a few times. Bruising showed on her forehead. She also had a black eye and a split lip. Another nasty bruise showed on her throat as if someone had choked her.
The victim wore a torn, loose dress, and more bruises showed on her wrists and exposed legs. There was no blood showing. Len figured that was good. The traumatized woman was hugging herself where she sat huddled in the dirt.
“Can you drink some water?” Len yanked out a sealed bottle and showed it to her. There was something familiar about the woman.
The victim nodded, tears filling her eyes.
Len twisted the lid, breaking the seal, and held it out. She suddenly remembered where she knew the victim from. “You’re a waitress at the highway diner, right? I’ve eaten there a few times. I don’t remember your name.”
The woman’s hands shook so badly that Len tenderly cupped them to help her steady the bottle to get it to her mouth. The victim swallowed. Then pushed the water away. “My husband is going to kill me.”
Len caught the bottle before it hit the ground and possibly spilled. That was the last thing Len had expected her to say. “What?” She must have heard her wrong.
“He’s going to kill me.” The woman buried her face in her hands and started to cry softly. “I said no, but it won’t matter to my husband. He’ll kill me for letting another man touch me. Harry has a terrible temper.”
Len’s heart broke for her. “Listen to me, none of this was your fault. Can you tell me your name?” Len pulled out a folded blanket.
The woman seemed to pull herself together, wiped her eyes with her torn dress, and then peered at Len with big green eyes. “No! I need to get home and clean up. I have makeup that will hide the bruises. Harry will be flying home since I missed his calls. He can’t find out what happened. Promise me that you won’t tell anyone I was here.”
Real fear showed on the woman’s face as she spoke about her husband. Mental alarms were going off inside Len. One glance at the other victims revealed most of them seemed to be in shock, nursing their injuries and whatever mental damage that had been done to them. The waitress was reacting in a way that said she may have been injured by someone before. It was just a feeling Len had.
The woman tried to get to her feet but collapsed. “I have to go now before Harry gets home,” she cried out and tried to get up again. Her legs wouldn’t hold her, and she landed hard on her butt. “I’ve missed answering his calls. He’ll be coming for me.”
“Calm down. It’s okay.” Len tried to soothe her. “Please just stay seated. You’re in shock and only going to hurt yourself more. Let me wrap this blanket around you, okay? It will help. I promise you that we’ll handle your husband if he’s upset. He won’t hurt you.”
Pure terror flashed in the woman’s eyes. “He’ll kill me.”
Verna, the youngest healer, was suddenly there. She dropped to her knees behind the victim, putting one arm around her waist. “I’ve got you. Breathe, sweetie.” She gripped a syringe in her other hand that Verna jabbed into the victim’s upper arm, where it was exposed from her ripped dress.
The human struggled for a few seconds before going limp in Verna’s hold. She didn’t pass out because her eyes remained open.
“What did you do? What did you give her?” Len was alarmed.
“I smelled her fear,” Verna whispered. “It was just a sedative, so she’ll be docile now. Two of the other humans are already asleep.”
Len turned her head, checking out the other survivors from the mine. Four of them were lying down, two of those appearing to be sleeping. The fifth one was being treated for a bad cut on her foot by Nina and Dorthy.
“Was that really necessary?” Len thought it was a little drastic.
Verna nodded. “Unfortunately. Some of the victims died in there. Bodies have been found.”
Motion from the mine opening had Len focusing there. Fray walked out carrying a woman in his arms. She appeared to be dead since there was so much blood on her exposed arms, legs, and face. She also wasn’t moving.
Verna shoved the docile, drugged human at Len. “Tend to her. He’d only bring out a survivor for medical help.” She rose fast and rushed toward the newest victim freed from the mine.
Len couldn’t see Fray anymore since she had to catch the slumped human. She’d promised to help, and that meant staying on task. She used the folded blanket in her free hand as a pillow and helped the waitress get comfortable on the ground.
“Kill me,” the injured woman whispered. “Harry will make me suffer.”
“No one is going to kill you,” Len promised. “It’s over. You’ve been rescued.” She opened a second blanket, carefully covering her up.
Gina crouched down next to her, holding one of the first aid backpacks. “This is bad. The healers are sedating them all. I wish our special help would arrive soon.”
Len could guess what she meant. The VampLycans could supposedly control minds and heal injuries with their blood. “This one is going on about her husband killing her. I think she’s in an abusive relationship. Her fear of her husband seems genuine.”
“Humans,” Gina grumbled.
The victim had slipped into unconsciousness. Len checked her over. “She feels cool to the touch. No fever.” She started to examine her. “I just hope none of them have internal injuries. I don’t want to strip her in the dirt to check. Help me get a blanket under her.”
“We’re moving them,” Gina confided. “We have three vans incoming. Stay with this one.” She rose to her feet and moved away to check on another victim.
Len looked for Fray. He no longer held the woman he’d brought out of the mine. His back was to her as he spoke with his father. She could see Hawk’s face. He appeared grim.
The sound of approaching vehicles had her twisting her head. Two white vans and a black one drove up the dirt road, parking nearby. She identified both drivers as friends of Moe’s.
Amos Willow, a plumber who’d fixed a broken pipe in her cabin a month before, hurried to her side. “I’ll take this one.” He bent, carefully lifted the waitress into his arms, and frowned at Len. “Open the side door for me.”
“You’re pack too?”
“Yes. Hustle, Lenore. We need to clear this scene as fast as possible.”
She did as told. Once Amos placed the unconscious human inside the back of his van, he motioned for her to climb in. “Kevin wants you out of here. I’m driving you and two of the humans back to the pack house. Get in!”
“But―”
“Climb in, or I’ll do it myself,” he threatened.
“I’m not―”
He snarled, flashing scary fangs. “You’re not supposed to be here. Moe would have our asses if he knew you were anywhere near these damn mines or this mess. Get in, Lenore. I’m Moe’s youth advisor. That means he’ll understand if I pick your ass up and shove you inside my work van. Now climb in.”
She gritted her teeth and looked for Fray, but his back remained toward her. He was too far away for her to even call out his name unless she yelled. That didn’t sound like a good idea to pit him against someone close to her stepfather. She shot a dirty look at Amos but climbed into the van.
Less than a minute later, Gina came to the open van door with a human in her arms. The show of strength was impressive. She placed the victim on the floor, adjusted the woman to a more comfortable position, and climbed inside, too. Amos slid the side door closed.
“I’ve been ordered to leave too.” Gina shrugged. “The healers and other humans are being driven back in the other vans. I know you only came to check on Fray, but he’s going to be here for a while. They can’t just abandon dead Gargoyle bodies.” Gina paused. “Or the human ones.”
That news devastated Len once again. “How many women died?”
Tears filled Gina’s eyes when their gazes met. “Those fucking bastards killed five of them.”
“What are they going to do with the bodies? What are they going to tell the families of the women who died?”
“We’ve been keeping a lid on the fact that women have been disappearing. Thankfully, only two missing person reports have been filed. I think most of the women taken probably lived alone or something along those lines.” Gina wiped away her tears. “We’ll come up with something to explain why they weren’t found sooner. An accident of some kind where the bodies weren’t found right away. Maybe say they were all staying at the motel when it burned down. It would take time to identify destroyed bodies. All the deceased victims need to be cremated once the sun goes down. Our pack owns a mortuary for such occasions. That would conceal how they really died.”
Amos got into the front driver’s seat. “Hold onto something. These dirt roads are in rough condition. I don’t want either of you getting hurt.”
Len focused on the unconscious waitress, trying to use her body to protect her when the van went into motion. The old roads into the mine were in horrific shape.