Betrayal: The Unforgiven Page 9

  “Gerard.” Madeline’s eyes softened. “He's better off without me. All I want to do is go home to the family crypt. I won't harm you or anyone ever again. Please.”

  “Don’t do it, Anna.” Jack came to her side. “She doesn’t deserve our trust.”

  “I am so, very sorry, Jack.” Madeline bowed her head. “I wasn't in my right mind when you were with me. Desperation drove me to do those horrible things to you.”

  “Oh. But you’re in your right mind now?” He scoffed. “You’re still completely insane.”

  “Jack.” Anna didn’t want to do anything to upset him. But finding the cure, or if her dream about Elric had any truth to it, was more important than his fears. “There’s something different about her now. I can sense it.”

  "You can sense it?" He lowered his brows. “How do you know she won’t attack us?”

  Anna shrugged. “She's family.”

  “And that makes it all right?” He groaned. “She killed you, Anna. Threw you off the balcony of your father’s house. Are you really so desperate that you’d let her loose?”

  Anna’s heart sank as she looked into Madeline’s sullen eyes. It was true the woman had tried to kill her once and succeeded. For some reason, it didn’t seem right leaving her here in this horrible place.

  “I’ll let you out on a few conditions.” Anna lifted the key from the rusted iron hook.

  Jack took hold of her arm. “Don’t do this.”

  “It’ll be okay.” Anna pried his hand loose as she looked Madeline. “Will you take me to find the other journal?"

  "I swear it on my life," Madeline replied in an excited breath.

  "You can’t tell anyone about this either.”

  “Now who would I tell?”

  “Just don’t tell anyone that I freed you,” Anna said in a stern voice. “And there’s one more thing.” She eyed Jack as she pulled out the sharp wooden stick tucked inside her belt. “You can’t hurt anyone, especially Jack. Or else I’ll use this.”

  Madeline nodded in acceptance. Anna only hoped she’d follow the rules as she stuck the key inside the lock and turned. The door whined open on rusty hinges, sending a screeching echo throughout the prison.

  Anna gritted her teeth. “They’d have to be deaf not to hear that.”

  “Come with me.” Madeline stepped out of the cell. “There is another way out.”

  Anna followed with Jack close behind. This was crazy. She’d get into horrendous trouble if she was caught, maybe even sentenced to death. But this would all be worth it once she found what she was looking for.

  Once the journal was in her hands, they'd part ways. She'd go back to Tristan with the answers they'd sought for so long. And hopefully, after all these secrets and lies, he’d take her back with open arms.

  Chapter Ten

  Tristan stood in awe in the center of a mass grave. The scent was like nothing he’d experienced before. It was foul, like fertilized earth and bodies that had decayed over time. The stench sickened him to a point that he no longer breathed.

  They’d been out here for a week and had shut down eight camps so far without any repercussions. This was the second site they’d found with humans and vampires ripped apart and left for the scavengers of the forest to fight over. He would much rather have dealt with a group of turned humans than this disturbing scene.

  The visuals reminded him of his times in war. He’d seen plenty of death then. He’d never wished to witness such devastation again, but here he was. Arms, legs, and torsos lay scattered over the ground. Pools of fresh blood like splatters of red paint soaked into the snow-covered earth. Not one head was found. Whoever or whatever killed these people was indeed a monster, but not part of the collective.

  Edith stepped over the corpses. “These are the leftovers of a lone werewolf.”

  “Werewolf?” Tristan arched his brows. Interesting. He had heard that they existed, but had never seen one before.

  “They’re notorious for galloping through crowds, slicing off heads with a single swipe of their massive claws. They feast on their second pass then linger long enough to gnaw on bones. By the amount of body parts left over, I think this mangy mutt killed for the mere pleasure of it.” She knelt beside the corpse of a woman then traced her fingers through the pool of blood on her abdomen. “Still warm.”

  Tristan unsheathed the silver dagger from his jacket’s inner pocket. “Then he could not have gone far.”

  Edith pulled her weapon from her belt. As she stood beside Tristan, she glanced around. “A wolf high on blood adrenaline isn’t one to be messed with.” Her deep throaty voice echoed around them. “We need Gerard. And really…what kind of emergency sends him high-tailing it back to headquarters at such a crucial time in our investigation?”

  Tristan wasn’t sure what was going on with the Elders, but it didn’t matter. They had a mess to deal with here. “We need to catch this son of a bitch and put an end to his killing spree.”

  “Agreed.” Edith gave a short nod. “Can you hear anything?”

  He grasped his weapon tight in his hand and listened. Animals scampered across the snow-covered floor of the forest. The wings of an owl beat overhead. A brook babbled nearby. Clumps of ice fell from the branches creating heavy thuds around them. There was no indication of anyone or anything around. It was silent. That meant something was out there in the dark watching and waiting for the right time to attack.

  “He is nearby.”

  “Give me a sec. I’ll find out which way he went.” Edith pulled the rubber band up off her wrist then tied back her hair. She closed her eyes and drew in several deep breaths through her nose. “Oh god. He stinks. I can smell the path the rat left behind.” She nodded toward a ripped up tent on the far side of camp. “He went east toward the brook.”

  Edith took off down the blood-covered path. Tristan followed on her heels over logs and through small streams in the ice. With every step, the horrid odor intensified.

  Tristan’s adrenaline spiked. He’d experienced spectacular things in his life, but nothing compared to the hunt. To think, now he was after a creature known in stories made up by foolish people. But they were as real as the blood-soaked snow beneath his boots, and the yellow eyes that glared from the line of trees ahead of him.

  Tristan slid to a stop. He gripped his dagger as Edith scaled the tree beside him. She bound from branch to branch around the outer edge of the creature’s domain. She leapt across the gap between two Douglas Firs, and then disappeared on the far side of the meadow.

  The low, eerie moan of the wolf’s howl sent a shiver down Tristan’s spine. He’d never heard anything like it before. His instinct was to run and hide, but he stood his ground.

  “Come closer, demon.” The werewolf’s gruff voice echoed around him. Tristan had no idea how fast this creature was, or how far those powerful legs could leap, so he remained still. The werewolf growled. “Oh, never mind, I’ll come out.”

  The large animal stalked toward him on tall hind legs. The thing had to be at least eight feet tall. Its teeth were long and as sharp as the dagger Tristan clutched in his hand. The talons on his feet and hands were longer. Sharper. The creature sneered as he stopped on the other side of the brook and peered beneath shiny yellow eyes.

  It wasn’t often fear washed over Tristan, but he was frozen in place. “Who are you?” Tristan asked, careful not to let his voice waver.

  “What do you care who I am?” The wolf stomped down into the shallow water.

  Though desperate to back away, Tristan held his ground. “You are attacking our camps and killing innocent people.”

  “Innocent?” The werewolf snarled then let out a raspy laugh. “Your kind are pathetic. You spread your disease into humans like your Gods. I was merely putting them all out of their misery as I should put you out of yours.”

  “I am here to close these camps peacefully.” If Tristan had to kill the being, silver through the heart was the only way. If it came to that, he’d end its life
swift and as painless as possible. “End your vendetta. Leave now or suffer the consequences of your actions.”

  Tristan glanced up. Edith perched on the branch above him, dagger in hand, ready to pounce on the creature.

  “You would let me live after I murdered hundreds?” The creature shook his head. His eyes softened. He straightened his stance, but kept his right foot forward as a precaution. “Elric wouldn’t allow that. I am a pawn in his game. He wants me dead.”

  “But I do not.” Tristan placed the dagger in the holster. He raised his hands to show he was unarmed, though he was ready to grab it in case. “Give me your word that you will leave our camps alone, and I give mine that I will let you go.”

  The werewolf snorted a laugh. “An honorable vampire? Bah!” He switched his stance then drew a step forward. “I shouldn’t believe you, but for some reason, I do. I must be going soft in my old age.” He narrowed his mustard-colored eyes. “Promise me that you’ll end these camps and I’ll go home. I’m tired of being out here anyways.”

  Tristan gave a short nod. “I give you my word.” He eyed Edith who stood on the branch above the creature. Blue swirled in her eyes as she held her weapon before her. “We are finished here.”

  “Bullshit if we are!” She dived to the ground feet first. She plunged the dagger into the werewolf’s shoulder. It howled in pain as it fell on its knees in the snow. Edith pulled the weapon out. Blood flowed from the wound. An awful stench permeated the air as it breathed through its open mouth. Edith stabbed it in the chest, through its heart, and then stepped back with a devilish grin.

  “Ha!” She paced in front of it. “That was too easy. You could’ve at least put up a fight.”

  Tristan didn’t know what to do. The creature deserved to die for his sins, but in an honorable way. Not by the hand of evil, conniving Edith who taunted it.

  Those startling yellow eyes followed Tristan’s movement as he tromped through the snow toward it. By the way it wheezed death was imminent.

  The creature’s breath became shallow. “You…gave me your word.”

  “I meant to keep it.” Tristan ignored the awful odor as he stood face to face with the creature.

  “Don’t feel sorry for it.” Edith kicked the werewolf in the ribs. It buckled over in pain and whimpered. “The pitiful thing doesn’t deserve your sympathy.”

  Tristan sneered. “He did not deserve to die like this.”

  “Neither did the people in our camps.” Edith rolled her eyes. “Fuck this pity party. I’m going to start cleaning up the mess your pet made.” She whistled as she headed toward the camp, proud of her kill, happy she’d taken care of the problem, brute force, just how she liked it.

  “Tristan.” The creature coughed. Blood oozed from its agape mouth. “My name is Sauley.” Unable to hold its body upright, it fell back on the ground. The earth shook beneath Tristan’s feet. Its whimper sent an irrepressible chill up his spine. He shrugged it off curious of how Sauley knew his name.

  “You know who I am?”

  “I know of you. You’re the reason I’m here.” Sauley choked on blood that poured from its mouth. His tongue rolled between its teeth and onto the ground beside its enormous head. His eyes closed. “Beware of Elric and…I…” Its last gasp fogged the frigid air.

  Tristan didn’t know what to make of his confession. What had the beast meant? Beware of Elric? Had Elric sent him here to keep him busy? Was this just a test of skill? Did he need to be wary of him for another reason? Damn it! If the creature had stayed alive long enough, he could get the answers.

  Tristan’s cell phone buzzed. He pulled it from the pocket of his coat. Gerard’s name lit up the screen. As he answered, he looked at the dead creature on the ground. He should feel nothing for it, but remorse tore at his insides.

  “Gerard.”

  “You need to meet me at your house now, lad.” Gerard’s urgent voice sent globes of ice through Tristan’s veins. “Madeline has escaped her cell and now Javon and his goons are going after her. They’ll kill her if they find her.”

  Tristan’s thoughts went to Anna. Other than a few simple texts, he hadn’t spoken to her since he’d left a week ago. He hadn’t had any premonitions or sensed any strong emotions from her. He’d been so busy shutting down camps, burning bodies, and chasing this creature that he’d barely had enough time to think about anything else.

  “I will be there as soon as I can. We have matters to discuss about these camps.”

  “Forget the camps, lad. This is about Anna and her human friend too. They let Madeline out of her cell and fled the states.”

  “What?” Tristan’s growling voice echoed around him and the animals in the forest hushed. Those globes of ice in his body turned to fire as he paced through the blood-stained snow. “I am on my way now.”

  He sheathed his phone and stepped up into the sky. What the hell was going through Anna’s head? Why would she help Madeline escape from her cell? That didn’t make any sense. Unless she took advantage of his absence to talk to Madeline. He’d clearly forbidden her to do such a thing. Madeline was crazy. Vindictive. A liar. Dangerous.

  The Elders would not take this lightly. Javon already had it out for him. Once he found Anna, there was no telling what he would do to her. If Javon harmed her in any way, Tristan would set his honor aside and rip him apart.

  Chapter Eleven

  It was an unorthodox way to travel, at least for a human. For wicked creatures like Madeline, Jack imagined it was heaven—cold, dark, cozy in a box made just for her, and all done at his expense. One seat in first class and two coffins to cart to an old cemetery in Scotland wasn’t cheap.

  Madeline’s family crypt wasn’t a place he wished to return to, yet here he stood near the hearse waiting for the dock workers to unload the goods. Well. One carried goods. The other was his worst nightmare.

  At least everything was going as planned. It was a smooth ride through customs and claims. Nobody had even checked the contents inside. That was a good thing. Maybe the officials couldn’t wait to get the caskets off the plane and out of their terminal. They knew what lurked inside and wished to pass on the homecoming.

  Jack shrugged as he stood beside Franc. The tall, brut driver watched them load the coffins in the back of the hearse. Madeline had said he’d be here to pick them up, and sure enough he was here, right on time. Maybe she’d enchanted him, as she’d done to Mason.

  Mason. His face haunted Jack all the time. So much, that he slept with a nightlight on in the hallway and in the corner of his room.

  Franc ran his palm across his bald, egg-shaped head. “It’s time to go.”

  Jack nodded and hopped in on the passenger side. Franc started the engine and soon they were barreling down the city's narrow streets, weaving in and out of traffic.

  Franc didn’t say a word. He drove fast, never looking away from the road. The man didn’t even blink. He had to be under some kind of spell.

  The sun was setting. As they rolled through the cemetery gates, a horrible chill spread over Jack's skin. Why—why had he agreed to this? Why did he come back here of all places? He knew what was down in the crypt awaiting him. Torture devices. Darkness. Possibly there were new corpses never meant to be found. Or hell, since no authorities were ever involved in this, Mason’s body might still be decomposing down there.

  Jack swallowed hard. Oh god. What had he gotten himself into? The voice inside him told him to run. Madeline’s dangerous. Up to no good. No good at all. She cast spells like a witch. She looked like a vampire. Maybe she was both.

  A knock on the coffin startled him. Heart thumping against his ribs, he turned around. As Franc stopped the car near the mausoleum, Jack opened the front compartment. He lifted the casket door enough to see Anna’s peaked face.

  “I'm smothering in here, Jack,” she said in a deep breath. “Would you please get me out of this thing?” She smiled sweetly, solemn eyes beckoning him to release the lock.

  “Hang on.” He got out
of the car the same time Franc did and then made his way to the back. They met at the bumper. Franc pulled the lever and swung the door open wide.

  As Franc released Madeline’s coffin, Jack took hold of the bar on Anna’s and pulled. The box glided down the narrow metal tracks. Once it was locked in place, he lifted the lid and helped Anna from her prison.

  Anna stretched her arms above her head and yawned. “That was the worst trip I’ve ever been on. I think I’ll take a cruise ship home.”

  Jack chuckled. “Maybe they can block the sun in first class on the way back. You can ride on the plane with me.”

  Madeline stepped from her coffin with a smile on her pale face. “I’m home!” She giggled like a school girl then twirled around on her bare toes. Her long black dress waved out and kicked up dust around her. "Oh, thank you so much, Jack. I am in your debt. Whatever you want, you can have.”

  “We only want the journal.” He shuddered. “Nothing more.”

  “And maybe a drink, if you have one.” Anna folded her arms over her stomach that growled.

  “Thirsty?” Madeline purred like a cat. “If Jack offered, we could drink from him. I swear he won’t die or turn into a vampire.”

  “Absolutely not.” Anna stepped in front of Jack. “He’s off limits. To both of us.”

  “I know.” Madeline’s lips curved into a smile. “I was only kidding.”

  "I bet you were," Jack muttered. He abhorred Madeline. Maybe they could get her to reveal the location of the journal without going with her into that horrible dungeon. They’d passed a hotel at the edge of town. That’d be a much safer, less horrific place to stay while they were here.

  “I would never have done anything to hurt you if I had been in my right mind,” Madeline said with a brilliant smile. “I am better now.”

  “You said that already.” Jack leaned back against the car and folded his arms over his chest. “Excuse me for being skeptical.”

  “You’re right. For what it’s worth, I do like you very much. I hope in time you will forgive me for my flaws and become my friend." Madeline placed her palm on his arm. "In my prime I would have definitely pursued a relationship with you, and you would've loved me.”