Beasthood (The Hidden Blood Series) (36 page)

“
Snippets. I can't be sure.”

“
Just tell me, maybe we can work it out.”

“
He said something about Saturday. He kept saying it several times. I'm guessing maybe this Saturday they have a plan.”

“
Was Jaz mentioned?” Nik didn't look at her when he asked this but she was definitely staring at him. Looking back and forth between him and Kerk like a tennis match.

“
I didn't hear anything. Our Pack name was mentioned, that day and something else. But I'm not sure.”

“
What?”

“
I think I heard the name Dead Tree.”

             
The intensity in the room was electrified.

             
Jaz looked from one to the other with desperate confusion. She frowned, annoyed at being the ignorant one in the room. “What is Dead Tree?” she demanded in irritation.

             
The sharpness of her tone made both of the men look her way. Driver responded, Kerk still unsure of how or even if he should address her. “They're a neighbouring Pack northwest of here. They border our Pack and the Red Sword Pack. If Kerk heard correctly, it could mean the Dead Tree Pack are in alliance with the Red Sword Pack.”

“
And that's bad?”

“
Very.”

             
Jaz huffed. It was like getting blood from a stone. “
Why,
is it bad?”

             
Kerk gazed at her and then at Driver. “She doesn't know much does she?”

             
Jaz bared her teeth at him, giving him the full force of her fiery glare. “Unfortunately I'm
not
telepathic so unless someone
tells
me, I can't magically know how things work here,” she snapped back haughtily.

             
Kerk was stunned by her reaction. He eyed Driver who was smiling at them both, entertained by their exchange. Kerk regarded Jaz with surprised admiration. “You're not what I expected.” Jaz gazed at him levelly, stopping herself from smiling as she kept her arms firmly folded across her chest. “So what do you want me to do?” Kerk addressed Nik. They both suddenly looked towards the door as if distracted. After a moment they spoke in low voices.

“
I can smell his bloody cigarettes from here,” Nik rumbled.

“
Should I stay?”

“
Maybe. Let's see what he has to say first.”

             
Jaz frowned at them both, puzzled. She inhaled deeply through her nose trying to discern who they were talking about. She recognized the scent of a man close by but she wasn't sure who. It wasn't someone she was around regularly. She noticed Driver trying to get her attention with his eyes.

             
He mumbled, “I'd like to speak to you later, but I have things I need to do now. Okay?” Jaz bobbed her head, unsure of what to do with herself. “Go back to the cabin. Take this.” He lightly grabbed her hand and pressed a cold rectangular object into her palm. A mobile phone. She stared at it then back at him in half concealed astonishment. “If Edda isn't there, call Skye. Her number is in there. So is mine. This is yours from now on. It won't call numbers further than ten miles away, okay? But no one can track it either.”               Jaz's brow furrowed. “You don't trust me?”

             
Driver smiled. He lowered his voice. “I promise you, I really do. But this phone is safer. When it's the right time, you can call them again. Do
you
trust me?”

             
She looked at him for a moment, asking herself the same question.

             
Did she trust him?

             
Could you be afraid of the person you trusted?

             
Could you occasionally hate the person you trusted?

             
Could you despise how he thought sometimes and still trust him?

             
She didn't know if one contradicted the other. But right then, at that moment, she knew she trusted him. She trusted his word. And that was enough. And when she nodded her head she didn't feel any falsity in it.

             
He smiled faintly and signalled her towards the door that Kerk opened for her.

             
Just as she was walking out, a large shadow loomed over her. She found herself looking up into the square, boxer face of her Uncle Garik.

             
He eyed her dubiously for a fleeting moment before exchanging it with a teasing smile. A strange, almost sinister looking smile as if he'd caught her red-handed doing something wrong.

             
She frowned at him, biting her bottom lip, shaping it into a stubborn thin line. An expression that had been often used on her face.

             
He kept his creepy smile up until he turned his face away from her. She leaned back to see into the room, but was too late as Kerk swiftly shut the door.

             
She stared at it wondering what she had just learned and fearing how unintentionally she had become involved in something that was far above her.

             
Clearly, something very dangerous.

~
Chapter 31-
Rouse~

Friday, June 10
th
, 5:30 p.m.

“
I've had enough of this shit! It's gone on long enough!” Lisa screamed down the phone.

             
Ellie squeezed her eyes shut. “Calm down Lisa. There's no need to panic.”

“
I'm NOT PANICKING! I'm pissed off!”

             
Ellie sighed. “What do you want me to do? She called us and told us she'd be missing in action for a while, so what's the problem?”

“
The PROBLEM is that we haven't heard
anything
from her but one dodgy phone call and apparently neither has her own fucking parents!”

             
Ellie frowned. “What do you mean?”

             
Lisa huffed heavily, her boyfriend was massaging her feet on the sofa. She gazed at him, he smiled, his hazel eyes twinkling and it gave her the sense of calm she needed. “I called them yesterday. They're lying about her calling them. And about when she's coming back. They can't even give me a straight answer.”

             
Ellie stroked her fat cat Ginger's tummy. He was sprawled on her bed, purring lazily. She frowned at him, in thought. “How do you know they're lying?”

“
Because I know liars. When have I ever been wrong? They're not being honest about the whole thing. Her dad was all hazy on the details. He said her therapist -whatever they call 'em- there isn't sure when he wants her to be discharged. And that she might stay longer. He won't say anything more about it. For god sake she's been there since May! How long does rehab take!?”

“
It's not rehab it-”

“
WHATEVER
!”

             
Danny jumped a little in his seat. She rubbed his hand apologetically. He mouthed, 'Calm' and she took deep slow breaths.

             
He was the only one who could control her anger problem. Not that she'd admit aloud she had one. “Look. I need to do something before I go insane. What do we even know about that place? Nothing. We don't know where it is
exactly
. We don't know who owns it, runs it, what it's like. What are the treatments? And what exactly she even went there for? How do we know she's not been kidnapped and brainwashed and sucked into some evil cult?”

“
You watch too many horror movies,” Ellie sniggered but even she, who was the most trusting person in the world, could see the problem.”But you may have a point.”

             
Lisa smiled lightly on the other end. Danny's hands were working his way to the balls of her feet and she knocked her head back, sighing happily. “Danny massaging your feet again?”

             
Lisa snapped her head up, frowning. “How the hell did you know that?”

             
Ellie shrugged. “Only thing that seems to calm you down. Plus the sighing down the phone was a big giveaway.”

             
Lisa grinned. Danny was watching curiously as he worked between her toes. “I'm thinking of hiring a private investigator, ” she added casually.

             
Ellie sat up straighter. “And did the
police
skip your mind before you came to this weird decision?”

             
Lisa rolled her eyes. “Of course I thought about the police. I called them. They said there's nothing you can do but if you suspect foul-play and have enough evidence to issue a search warrant then come back to them. Blah blah blah.”

“
You called the police without talking to me first?” Ellie questioned unhappily.

“
What are you, my mother?”

“
No, thank god. But don't you think you're overreacting a little bit with this private investigator lark?”

“
No. All I need is to get him to find out where this place is. I can't find a number. Not one that actually
works
anyway. So I don't know what else to do. I'm not waiting around for a random call from her in a million years time.”

“
I don't think she'd want us snooping around when she's going through a delicate period right now.”

“
I don't care what she wants. I care about what she
needs
, and she needs us, just as much as we need her. I'm going to call someone.”

“
Just give it three weeks,” Ellie persuaded. Lisa groaned. “Please Lis. Don't make things worse and cause drama in case you are overreacting and nothing's wrong. Just wait. Please, if not for me, do it for Jaz.”

             
Lisa paused, sucking on her tongue.

             
It was difficult to say no to Ellie. Even harder when Ellie played the 'do it for Jaz' card. Jaz had been there for her so many times. She could wait a few weeks couldn't she? Maybe she'd find out she'd worried for nothing. Even so she'd still look up private detectives, so she'd have one ready at hand before going ahead with it. “Okay. Two weeks.”

“
End of this month.”

“
Grrr Fine! End of this month, exactly. Last day. And after that, starting from July 1
st
this investigation is on. And don't hold me back.”

“
Just keep me in the loop, Lis that's all I ask.”

“
Fine.”

~
Chapter 32-
Hurt~

Wednesday, June 22
nd
, 2:07 p.m.

“
Are you gonna ask me to sit down?” Garik announced.

             
Nik snarled in a 'don't fuck with me' tone and Garik for the first time since he'd walked in, looked uneasy. Nik glanced sideways at Kerk who bobbed his head.

“
Park it,” Nik commanded in a low growl.

             
Garik did as he was told, all the bravado had run away from him. Or in fear from Nik.

             
Nik took his place in his office chair. It was still warm from Jaz's body. He pushed the thought from his mind, only allowing the sensation to warm and calm him. “Garik. This is the point where you stop being a prick and take what I say very,
very
seriously.”

             
Garik eyed him and then Kerk on his left side, who was leaning, arms folded, against the wall with the wolf pictures, before glancing back at Nik and nodding his head in acceptance. Nik grunted,“Good. I'm gonna cut to the chase and say we know you've been sneaking around behind our backs. We know about the little deal you've got with Njord and we're not very happy about it.”

             
Garik gazed at them levelly. “Did you know this room, your room and your office were bugged, up until last night?”

             
Nik glared at him and looked at Kerk for his thoughts. He gave him a 'hear him out' glance before focusing on Garik who was waiting calmly. Inside Garik's stomach was ripping apart from the amount of acid erupting inside the lining. He needed a cigarette, badly.

“
You put it there?” Nik interrogated. Garik shook his head. “You removed them?” He nodded. “So what, does that make you a hero all of a sudden? Your betrayal forgotten?”

             
Garik frowned in disagreement.“I didn't betray you. I'm working on a project you'd be very interested in knowing about. I needed Njord's help, though he doesn't know my true intentions. He thinks I want in with the Cur Hunters. I'm only doing it, because like you, I have an interest in certain people's welfare. People who are in danger. I think you know what I'm talking about.”

             
Nik skewered Garik with his piercing, dark eyes.

             
How Garik had any suspicions about the same things he had, bewildered and concerned him. Even Jaz didn't know what he suspected. No one else could know otherwise a lot of people would die.

             
He'd made it very clear to Rufus that he'd better stop spreading false rumours around and keep his mouth shut. She had sharp nails, that was all. The damage hadn't been enough to suspect otherwise. Rufus only said what he thought he'd seen. And it had been dark that night.

             
If Jaz was killed, a lot of the people would be killed by his own hands. He knew he had the power to go down that dark path.

             
Could he trust Garik? He
had
kept his knowledge secret. If he hadn't, several people would already be dead, including Jaz. Nik would have to tread carefully and make a decision quick. “Kerk. You can leave.”

             
Kerk bobbed his head in compliance. He was quiet when necessary and never asked too many questions. He also never told anyone the secrets he knew, but Nik couldn't risk it. “Don't mention this meeting or what you've heard to anyone,” Nik added slowly.

             
Kerk's face altered with a ghost smile. “That goes without saying, sir.”

             
Nik nodded, his eyes hinting at apology. Kerk noticed before he shut the door behind him.

             
Nik's gaze was swiftly back on Garik. “So let's say I believe you. What now?”

             
Garik thought about it for a moment. He was serious and solemn, all traces of his clown side had disappeared. It made him more convincing in Nik's eyes.

“
I need you to trust me and let me do this.”

             
Nik stared at him. It took a lot of effort to conceal the disbelieving gasp of laughter he was itching to spit out. “You want me to allow you to have all this secrecy without being at all in the loop? Do you think I'm a fool?”

“
No. Which is why I know you'll understand if I tell you a few things first.”

             
Nik listened as Garik relieved some of what he knew about Njord, about the real traitor in the Pack and the growing alliances between other members of different Packs. That there were members of the Cur Hunters living in every Pack, including The Deer Creek Pack. He didn't know who but that's what he needed Njord for.

             
He also told him their plans were not just to overthrow Nik, or to conceal their identity and protect the Cur Hunters -which of course  Nik had always suspected- but to kill off anyone who risked revealing a centuries old secret.

“
Which would be?”

             
Garik shrugged. “That's why it's called a secret. It's what I'm trying to find out. Both Thorpe and I have seen a lot of strange shit in our time. Only I've bothered to seek it out whilst Thorpe looked the other way. Maybe one day I can get him to help me, but for now, whilst the waters are reasonably calm, I'm on my own. But not if you help me.” Garik and Nik locked eyes. Garik's face was genuine, almost pleading. “I need you to go along with this. If anyone finds out what I'm up to, including Njord, a lot of things will go very very wrong. Not only will I be killed, but so will all those involved. Jaz also falls into that category.” Nik's facial muscles tightened. Garik didn't miss it. “I know how much you care about her. You no doubt love her. I love her too and though I've never spent time with her, I've watched her for years.”

             
Nik's brow furrowed. “How could you? When her existence wasn't even known until over a year ago?” Garik lowered his gaze. Nik stared at him, realization setting in. “You knew she was alive all this time and you didn't say anything?” he questioned with astonishment.

“
I knew she was safe. I was always watching her. I didn't know that Lora wasn't a full Were. I couldn't be certain about anything. Not when they both had the Were scent on them. I couldn't say or do anything without putting someone in danger. You understand?” Nik nodded unwillingly. “Thorpe messed up sending her away but I understood why he did it. I promised myself I'd keep an eye on her. When I started seeing changes in her. The first signs she was ready to Change, I made little anonymous hints unknown to her aunt, to you, and anyone else on the search, just so she could be found quicker. I got hospital records, bribed and threatened my way to get the information I needed. It was difficult to hide the fact I knew where she was already.”

“
Why put up this facade? Everyone always thought you despised your brother for running and then concealing his Were child's existence.”

             
Garik smiled. “It means I get an upper hand. And speaking of the Were. There are things we need to discuss about her but we'll leave that until I'm sure I can trust you.”

             
Nik's expression showed he didn't like this. It was he who had more reason not to trust Garik.

             
“But for now, I have something I think you should know,” Garik added in a voice that made Nik uncomfortable. He sat up straighter, not liking the look in Garik's eye. Garik continued. “I saw Jaz coming out of the pharmacy looking a little secretive. I convinced Egor to tell me what she'd gone in for. Well, you're not gonna like this, but I think she's using hemlock.”

             
Nik's eyes widened in shock, and then his face turned red with fury. “You're sure?” he demanded icily. He didn't want to trust Garik's words. Not about something like this, but after being around Jaz, having ideas of what was in her heart, he knew deep down she would do something like this. It still wasn't easy to take in.

             
Garik's expression became grave. He pulled out a plastic sealed bag from his pocket. Inside was a gunky heap of damp, dark, limp roots. In a low voice he replied, “I found this in her bin. Check her cabin. My bet is the rest is hidden in her room.”

                                                                                    *

              Even after they'd had sex for the second time that night, Fraya was still furious about losing the fight with Jaz. She flopped her head back aggressively on the pillow and huffed, glaring at the wooden ceiling.

“
Just let it go Fraya,” said a deep, lazy voice by her side. She sat up, letting the sheet slip from her bare breasts. Her slender naked back facing the man next to her. His chocolate hand reached up and stroked the skin affectionately. “You'll heal soon enough.”

“
Physically. Yes,” she snarled then caressed her throbbing jaw.

             
He gave her a look that said 'Come on now'. She fought with her emotions for a good minute, keeping her unblinking eyes fixed on his. Then she gave in sighing heavily. All the anger left her face, her body loosened up.

“
Why do you hate her so much?”

             
She bit her lip. “I don't hate her.” His black eyebrows lifted in surprise. “I resent her. I envy her. I feel guilty and tormented by her whenever I see her, or smell her near me.”

“
Because of Nik?”

“
Because of everything!” she snapped.

             
Her lover's stroking hand dropped onto the mattress. He patted it, beckoning her to lie back with him. She wouldn't so he sat up. He then got out of bed, flipping the sheet from his naked body and stood up,  bearing all in front of her. His dark skin looked dramatic as the light from the fire waved across it. Even in her foul mood she could admit he looked pretty magnificent.

“
You have to stop this. Now,” he said resolutely. “You know what happened before. You made a mistake because of it and you have to move on. Every time you bring it up I feel like my heart is being ripped out of my chest for my part in it.”

             
Fraya scrutinized him.“You did nothing.”

“
Exactly!” he retorted. “I did NOTHING. I had every chance to tell someone. To tell Nik. And I didn't... I still have that chance.”

             
Fraya stared at him wide-eyed which swiftly turned into a menacing warning. “You wouldn't?”

             
He locked his eyes on her. “Stop doing this. Leave her alone. Stop
all
of this and I won't. Keep bringing this up, causing all this shit to happen and putting me in the middle to pick up the pieces and I won't have any other choice.”

“
You wouldn't do that to someone you're supposed to love.”

             
He leant forward holding her face in his hands, gently running his fingers tenderly under her fractured, bruised jaw. “I love you, which is why I'm telling you this. Stop it, or I'll do it. I'll find a way, even if you have me killed.”

“
I would never do that, Carr.”

             
He smiled sadly. “I hope not.”              

             
                                                                      *

3:02 p.m.  
Jaz's Cabin

             
Nik stormed into the cabin, his whole demeanor meaning serious business. He was moments away from losing control of his shakily contained fury.

             
Edda stood up in astonishment as he marched into the living room, his eyes scanning over her. He barely acknowledged her presence as he went over to the kitchen cupboards and began rummaging through them, not caring about spilling the contents. Edda stammered, “What the hell has happened?”

             
Nik glared at her. “Where is she?” he demanded in a deep growl.

             
He didn't wait for her to answer as he marched off into the direction of Jaz's bedroom. Edda tried to get there before him but he was quicker. He forced his way in, finding the room empty. He then began searching through the bedside drawers, under the bed, the mattress, the covers, inside the wardrobe until as he was feeling his way through her clothes, he stopped at the pockets of her leather jacket. Something lumpy was inside. It rustled as he pulled it out.

             
He stared at the pharmacy bag, opened it and looked inside. The same shaped roots as the one Garik showed him were packed inside a sealed clear bag. They were dry but he recognized them immediately. He also caught a whiff of the strange mouse smell from the same one Garik had.