“We all have one. Your parents started this group. There have been others that attempted to lead it, but failed. We are all here tonight hoping you will continue your parents work and lead us, like they did,” he said softly.
“How do I know you are telling the truth?” I asked, trying to mask my anger. I couldn’t believe he was using my parents to get to me.
“I think you know I am. Your uncle never mentioned us because we stand for freedom not reform,” he said softly.
I looked over the group and I had a feeling Colin wasn’t lying. My uncle had mentioned that my father didn’t always live according to the rules. Maybe this was what he meant. “Fine, I’ll do it, but when it doesn’t turn out how you expected, don’t blame me,” I said firmly.
The crowd cheered, and I was a little startled by their outburst. Colin smiled. “They are all really excited. After your parents died, we were sure our ways were over.”
“Don’t get too excited. I am not as smart or as good at leading as you seem to think I am,” I said dryly.
Colin laughed and squeezed me gently. “You will figure it out. I’m sure of it.”
“Hopefully you’re everything Colin makes you out to be,” a man standing not far from us said gruffly. He was probably older than me by at least twenty years. I could tell immediately that he was a werewolf. I didn’t encounter werewolves often. They weren’t normally my target.
“I hope so, too. Unfortunately I was not aware of any of this,” I said curtly. I was trying to be polite, but his tone was bordering on condescending.
“From what I understand, you are intolerant of any kind other than your own.” I could see his eyes change as he spoke. He was getting grumpy. Werewolves tended to try to fight over the smallest things.
“You’re right, I am. But I’m told I need to change that. You’ll have to be patient with me,” I said softly.
A murmur went through the crowd. I was beginning to think this group hadn’t exactly agreed to me being their leader as Colin had led me to believe. “She openly admits to being intolerant. How is she going to lead us?” he growled, glaring at Colin.
“She does what is right, and she will be fair. Give her a chance, Drake” Colin snapped. I was beginning to think there was some tension between Drake and Colin.
“I didn’t volunteer for this. I will be more than happy to walk away if you think you can do the best job,” I said, watching Drake.
His eyes locked with mine, and I wasn’t sure what he was thinking. He scoffed. “I’ll let you fuck everything up yourself. I don’t want any part of it,” he said gruffly. He turned and disappeared into the crowd. I watched the others and they all watched me curiously. I knew it was going to be a long night.
***
I spent the next two hours being introduced to the people in the group. They all had the same tattoo I did. They all looked at me as if I was some sort of savior. My parents obviously had a bigger hand in the politics of our people than I thought. I didn’t really know what I was going to do. The fear that I would let them down was almost stifling. Drake’s hateful looks didn’t help me feel any more confident.
After we left the warehouse Colin brought me back to my uncle’s house. It was still early, but I wasn’t in the mood to do anything else. I needed to talk to Aubrey. I wanted to know if he was aware of the death marshals, as Colin had claimed. I walked into the house, and went directly to the main room where all the festivities were occurring. I spotted Aubrey. He was sitting next to Kate and Luca. They looked like they were talking and having a good time. Part of me wanted to know what he knew, and another part of me didn’t want to interrupt him. His turquoise eyes met mine, and he excused himself and walked toward me.
“I saw you leave earlier. You seemed flustered. Is everything ok?” he asked as he came to a stop not far from me.
I nodded. “Fine. Did you know you could die for signing the truce?” I asked, trying to keep my tone even.
He smiled and looked away for a second, then looked back at me. “There is always a chance we will die, darling. I could die by your hand tonight,” he said simply.
“Don’t bullshit me, Aubrey. The death marshals are a death sentence, and you signed your own order of execution by signing that truce,” I said angrily.
“And I don’t regret it for one minute,” he said with the same amused tone he always had.
“How could you do it? I would have never asked you to sign it if I knew,” I growled.
“But you did ask, and I did as you asked. You should be happy, not hostile,” he said dryly.
I watched him for a minute, unsure of what I should say next. I was so angry. I was angry at myself for asking him to sign when I had no idea what I was asking. I was angry because the thought of him dying made my chest ache to the point that I thought I was suffocating. I lunged forward and pressed my lips to his. I tangled my fingers in his hair, deepening the kiss. He kissed me back, as he pulled me tightly to his chest. The feel of his lips on mine only made the ache in my chest worse. I pulled away, and he watched me without speaking. His expression was hard to read. “You’re a fool,” I growled, then stormed off. I was so angry I could barely contain it. I didn’t want to feel anything for Aubrey, but I did and I hated it.
I hurried upstairs to my room. I slammed the door so hard my dresser and everything on it rattled. I couldn’t believe I had let my feelings for Aubrey get so out of control. I didn’t want to love a vampire. I didn’t want to even be attracted to one. It was against everything I stood for, and everything I had worked for. I liked my reputation as one of the most notorious hunters in the area.
I flopped down on the bed and looked at the ceiling. I had to come up with a plan. I had the hunters to deal with, the renegades who thought I was some savior. And then there was Aubrey. I didn’t know what to do about Aubrey. I knew I couldn’t let him get hurt because I asked him to sign the truce. Going after death marshals just wasn’t done, not by anyone.
There was a light knock on the door; it distracted me from my thoughts. I debated even answering it. I really didn’t want to speak to anyone.
“I know you are in there, Lily,” Luca said from the other side.
“No, I’m not,” I growled, making it clear I didn’t want company.
He tried the knob, and when it turned, he opened the door and stepped in the room. He crossed his arms and looked at me like he did when I was being unreasonable. “What are you doing?”
“Wishing this nightmare would end,” I said dryly, as I looked at the ceiling.
“Are you seeing him?” he asked accusingly.
I knew who ‘he’ was, and Luca was making sure I knew he didn’t approve. Luca never approved, so it was really nothing new. “No, I’m not,” I grumbled as I sat up.
“But you want to see him, right? I mean, that is what this is all about, right? He signed the truce because you wanted him to, right?” he asked.
“You mean his execution order? Yeah, that is my fault,” I said, annoyed, as I sat up.
“Damn it, Lily, I didn’t want this entire thing to hinge on your love life. What happens when your true self comes out and you tell him how much you despise his kind? Are you looking to start an actual war?” he asked angrily.
“He knows how I feel. I was very clear with him,” I said, glaring at Luca. He was treating me like a child, and I didn’t like it.
“Yes, locking lips with him in front of everyone is clear as day to me,” Luca said dryly.
I sighed and flopped back down on the bed. “That part was after I was clear. Did you know about the death marshals?”
“Yes, I knew it was a risk. We are all taking a risks here; it isn’t just him,” Luca countered.
I propped myself up on my elbows and looked at him. “What are we risking? What could possibly be worse than the death marshals?”
He shrugged. “Everyone takes their own losses. It isn’t our fault that his kind punish their people so severely for defiance.”
> “This is my fault,” I muttered, as I sat up and ran my hand through my hair. I had to think of something, but it seemed impossible. I knew nothing about how the vampires worked.
“All you did was convince him to do the right thing. He opened the door for other vampires to develop relationships with hunters. You can thank him by not squandering it and by helping make it work,” he said firmly.
“That sounds like what I want to do,” I growled as I stood.
“Doing what is right doesn’t necessarily mean doing what is best for ourselves. Sometimes we have to sacrifice.” He said it like it was no big deal. Aubrey was just taking one for the team, according to Luca.
I didn’t know why it made me so angry, but it did. “I am glad it is so simple for you. Why don’t we send Kate to die, and then maybe you won’t feel the same way,” I snapped.
“He’s a vampire, Lily. Get over it,” he growled angrily.
I looked at him, a little stunned by his coldness. Luca was never cold like this. He always cared about everyone, no matter who or what they were. “Get out,” I said quietly, then turned away.
He muttered something, then turned and left. I didn’t understand why everything was suddenly so easy for him. Everything used to be easy for me like that, but it wasn’t anymore. I paced the room, but the enclosed space was stifling. I needed to get away, but I didn’t want to catch anyone’s attention. I pushed my bedroom window open and slipped out onto the roof. I’d left this way when I was younger, but it had been years since I felt the need to escape this way.
I walked through the dark streets, not going in any particular direction. There was some activity on the streets, but most of it was happening inside the clubs at this hour. I had the odd sensation that I was being followed, but I attempted to shake the feelings off. After checking several times, I determined I was just being paranoid. I continued on toward a lighter section of downtown. Sudden movement to my right caught my attention. As soon as I moved to block an attack, I was hit from behind, and everything went black.
Chapter 8
The sound of loud voices and laughing brought me out of the dark. I slowly opened my eyes. I was in a sitting position, tied to a tree. I looked at the rope that was binding me; it was tied perfectly. It wrapped around my chest and arms pinning me to the huge base of the tree. My knife sheathes were empty. I wouldn’t be getting away very easily. My head hurt, and the only light in the woods was a fire burning brightly a few feet in front of me. There were people standing around everywhere, talking and laughing. They didn’t seem to mind that I was there tied to the tree.
“Well, well, the mighty hunter is awake,” a male voice said, amused. I recognized the voice, as Drake stepped out of the trees. He was a werewolf, so of course I would be tied to a tree in the middle of the woods. It was where they spent most of their time.
“I would say it’s nice to see you again, but considering the circumstances I am going to forgo the pleasantries. Now, what the fuck do you want?” I asked, annoyed.
His smile widened. “You are just like your father. So stubborn.”
I didn’t comment. I didn’t feel like discussing my father with him. “Again - what do you want?” I asked, firmly.
He knelt next to me and watched me. He looked like he was carefully considering what I was saying. “I want to know if you are everything everyone makes you out to be.”
I leaned back against the tree. I didn’t really know why it would matter. I didn’t know why he had to kidnap me to ask me a question like that. “I don’t understand what you want. Obviously you think I am some form of a threat to you.”
He shook his head. “You have never bothered my kind. I was hoping you would reassure me, and tell me everything was going to be okay,” he said, sounding both amused and sincere.
I raised my eyebrows in confusion. “You have me tied to a tree because you want me to say everything will be okay?” I started to wonder if the guy was losing his mind.
He smiled wider. “The ropes are just so you don’t get any funny ideas. I am not going to hurt you.”
I watched him trying to figure out what to do or say. I still had no clue what he wanted from me. “What do you need to be okay?” I figured I would start by finding out what he thought I could do for him and see what he said. He was being cryptic, and I hated it when people were cryptic.
“My people are having a time with the vampires. We want your protection,” he said, watching me. I thought he was being funny, but there was no hint of amusement in his voice.
I laughed, but he kept a straight face like he was dead serious. “You want me to protect a werewolf pack?” I asked skeptically. I didn’t have much experience at all with werewolves. I had met some in passing, but they never bothered me, so I didn’t bother them.
He nodded as he sat down cross legged in front of me. “My pack consists mostly of older males, older females, and children. I don’t have the young wolves I need to keep the threat away. It seems like if your name is mentioned to a vampire they think twice about what they are doing.”
I really didn’t think I had that much influence on vampires. I was one hell of a hunter, but I never thought about the kind of reputation I had given myself. “You are aware there is a truce, currently, between the vampires and the hunters?”
“I am, and I am also aware that you operate in a slightly more shaded area than your fellow hunters. You already agreed to lead a group of renegades. Why can’t you protect my people as well?” He seemed genuine, like he seriously thought I could help him. I didn’t understand why everyone thought I could offer some form of leadership or protection. I could barely keep myself out of trouble.
“I am not currently in a position to help anyone. It seems like all the decisions I make lately involve someone else getting hurt,” I said, annoyed.
“You are talking about that vampire that signed the treaty, which everyone agrees guarantees him a date with the death marshals, right?” he asked softly.
I nodded. “He is probably going to die because of me. I don’t exactly trust my own judgment, here.”
“You care, and that is all that matters. You stand up for what is right, even if it doesn’t fit your people’s agenda. That’s why you agreed to lead the renegades.” He sounded annoyed as he spoke, like he knew a lot of people who were only worried about their own agenda. I was beginning to think I did, too. My uncle only wanted the truce so the hunters didn’t have to fight, but what would happens to the vampires? I’d suddenly found myself caring, and it was starting to annoy me.
“Fine. I will offer your pack protection. Throw my name around, do whatever you have to, but I want help in return. I want to know everything that is going on. I want your pack to listen out for any mention of the death marshals or anything else the council might cook up,” I said firmly. I wasn’t going to help them and get nothing in return. I knew werewolves got around. Vampires tended to trust them, so they knew what was going on in the vampire world.
He smiled and nodded, then retrieved a knife and cut the ropes holding me. I rubbed my wrists as I slowly climbed to my feet. “For future reference, you can talk to me. You don’t have to hit me over the head and kidnap me,” I muttered.
He laughed as he stood and brushed himself off. “You can thank Ben for that. He misunderstood what I meant when I told him to convince you to come see me.”
“Great. Which way is out of here?” I asked as I glanced around. The other people around the fire were now watching us curiously.
“I’ll lead you back to the edge of town,” he said as he handed me my knives, then walked past me.
I sheathed my knives as I followed him. He seemed like he knew exactly where he was going. Wolves were hunters and trackers. I was pretty sure they would eventually come in handy. “You mentioned my father earlier. How did you know him?” I asked, as I continued to follow him.
“Through his group, of course. I have been a part of the group since it began,” he said, as he showed me
the lily tattoo. “It is only just recently that I started this whole pack master business.”
“What exactly did the group do when he was in charge?” I asked, hoping he would give me some answers. I didn’t even know the group existed until Colin showed me. Now it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. They expected me to lead them, and I wasn’t sure if I could.
He shrugged. “It varied. They protected people who were too weak to fight. They fought when they had to. There is a rumor that your father killed a death marshal, and that’s how he and your mother ended up dead. Everyone knows you don’t kill a death marshal.”
“I would if I had to,” I said quietly.
He stopped dead in his tracks, and I almost ran into him. “Are you insane?”
I shrugged as I continued forward. “Maybe. If they tried to hurt me or someone I cared about, I would make sure they disappeared. That’s all.”
“That would start an all-out war,” he said softly as he continued ahead.
I nodded. “Maybe, but I would rather go to war than have a bunch of stuck up vampires push me around.”
He looked like he was thinking about it as he walked. “I guess if it came down to it, I would do the same thing.”
He stopped at the edge of the woods, and I recognized a gas station. I would have to walk to the station, and call a ride. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to walk the entire way home. “Well Drake, it’s been fun. Let me know if you need me, and send someone other than Ben. You know someone who knows how to ask,” I said dryly.
He grinned and nodded. “I will see you around the warehouse, I’m sure. Colin isn’t going to let you out of your duties; I can almost guarantee that,” he said amused.
I sighed. “Figures,” I muttered, then waved and walked toward the gas station.
***
My aunt pulled up in her bright blue Mercedes. She waved and smiled at me. I walked to her car and slid in the passenger seat. “Where’s Uncle Carl?” I asked, as she set off.
“Oh, you know, he has all those meeting with Luca and Kai,” she said smiling.
“Trying to keep the hunters in line, I assume,” I said, amused.