Unleashed (24 page)

“Why are you doing this?”

“You are a freak just like your father.”

“My mother was human.” She glared at him, daring him to deny that much at least.

“She was his
whore
!” he screamed, looming over her. “She let herself be touched by one of those…those things.” He stuttered, spitting as he spoke. “My grandfather told me all about it. He taught me. He told me that it was all up to me now. I am the avenger now.”

“You're Caedo,” she whispered. The implications of his heritage dawned on her, and she looked over at Kerry.

“Anthony James Caedo, at your service.” He bowed again, and then quick as a snake, knelt next to Sam. He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “But you can call me Tony.”

Sam shrank back from him, and her expression twisted in disgust.

His face grew dark, and he roughly grabbed her chin. “What's the matter? Don't like to be touched by a real man?” Then inching closer, he licked the side of her face.

A rage and disgust that she'd never known before boiled up inside of her. She felt her eyes shift harshly as a guttural menacing growl rose from her throat.

Tony jumped in horror and hid behind the sights of his crossbow. He kept it pointed at her, backed up, and shuffled around the giant pool at the center of the room. He was sweating profusely and breathing heavily as he glared at her with fear and hatred. “See. You are an animal.”

Samantha struggled through the mind-splitting pain and forced herself to sit up. She gritted her teeth through dizziness and nausea. She broke out in a cold sweat and leaned against the cement wall.

Tony took a few more steps back and then pointed his crossbow at Kerry. “You come near me, and I'll kill her.”

She knew he was afraid of her and had to stop herself from smiling. Good thing he didn't know she had no idea how she'd just done that. She glanced at Kerry and nodded toward her friend. “She's your family, AJ.”

“Stop calling me that,” he screamed. “I hate that fucking nickname. No one calls me that anymore. It's Tony!”

“Okay. Sorry,” she apologized. Sam wanted to keep him as calm as possible, but more than anything she had to keep him away from Kerry. “But she
is
your family.”

“
No
,” he shouted. “She's not. She's adopted. She's not Caedo blood. Grandfather wouldn't tell her the secret. He didn't even tell her mother or my father. He knew they were weak. He only told me.
I'm
the one he trusted.
I'm
one of God's soldiers.
I'm
his avenging angel, and I'm going to help wipe every single one of you abominations from this earth.”

He ranted and punctuated each word with vehement hatred as strings of spittle clung to his chin. She could see why his grandfather had chosen him. He chose Tony for the same reason certain people get sucked into cults. He'd always been a bit of an outcast and considered something of a loser. This was his chance to be special. The fact that he was crazy was probably considered a bonus.

“Now,” he hissed. “You are going to call your boyfriend with that special mental telephone.”

Sam licked her lips, and she struggled to think of a way to distract him. “From what I understand you have some psychic abilities of your own. Malcolm told me that you were able to block his mental probe. You're obviously talented in your own right.” Sam hoped to distract him and appeal to his vanity while she loosened the bindings on her wrists.

His face twisted in a sickening grin of self-satisfaction. “Yeah, that's right.” He snorted. “I am special. You know, it's not just anyone that can learn to do that.” He puffed up his chest with pride.

“How did you learn how to do it?” Sam continued to work the duct tape around her wrists. The sweat dripping down her arms helped loosen the adhesive.

“A friend,” he said smugly. “Definitely not someone I thought I'd ever work with, but it seems we have a common enemy.” He glared at her.

“What friend?”

“No more questions,” he barked. “Now, call your boyfriend, or I am going to put a nice big silver arrow through her brain.”

He calmly pressed the crossbow against Kerry's temple, and she moaned softly.

Sam felt a momentary spike in her energy, and it raised her hopes. Kerry would be okay. She had to be.

“We can find out if there really is a brain in that pretty little head.” He taunted, poking Kerry harder, which elicited another groan of pain.

“
No!
No please,” Samantha screamed more desperately than she wanted to. Tears welled in her eyes. She squeezed them shut, not wanting him to see it. He was a sick bastard. He was making her choose between her best friend and the love of her life. In that moment, Samantha realized that she was completely and irrevocably in love with Malcolm. The tears flowed now beyond her control, and her breath hitched in her chest. She loved him, and if she called him here, he would probably die. She knew by the violent look in Tony's eyes that he would kill Kerry without hesitation. She lay there helpless and bleeding, unable to fight back. Malcolm, however, was another story. “All right.” She sniffed. “I'll call him.”

“Good.” Tony removed an enormous jagged knife from a sheath at his waist. He placed the crossbow down and leaned it against the wall between Samantha and Kerry. Slowly, he stalked over to Sam with the knife.

She lifted her face defiantly and blew her hair out of her eyes. Her gaze landed sharply on his and with a small smile, she said, “But you know what they say, Tony. Be careful what you wish for.”

Malcolm went back down to the living room and found Steven with a weak but conscious Dante. He could see the wound in his chest was already starting to heal, but he was extremely pale. Steven looked equally exhausted from his healing efforts as they both sat in the wreckage of the destroyed room. Dante looked up at his cousin with eyes that pled for forgiveness.

“I am so sorry, Cousin,” he said weakly.

Malcolm squatted down and laid a hand on his shoulder. “Can you tell us what happened?” He struggled to be patient and fought the urge to shake the information out of him.

Dante took a deep breath, and his face twisted in obvious pain. “I sensed that Kerry was in trouble. When I got here, I found her passed out on the floor.” Dante grimaced at the memory of it. “I went to her immediately. She was so fragile, lying there and bleeding.”

Malcolm and Steven exchanged curious looks. It was clear that Dante had come here to help Kerry, not Samantha. His gaze flicked back to Dante. Rage filled his eyes as they shifted into the deep amber eyes of his fox.

“I've never been so careless,” he growled. “I was so worried about Kerry I didn't even know he was hiding here in the room.” Dante ground his teeth against the pain in his chest and the shame of failure. “He shot me from behind and then hit me on the head with something.” He touched his head, and his fingers came away bloodied. “That's the last thing I remember,” he said quietly with downcast eyes. “I'm sorry I failed you, Malcolm.”

“No apologies needed, Cousin. You almost died to protect Sam and her friend. I think I know where he's taken them.” Malcolm assured him with an encouraging squeeze to his shoulder and then turned his attention to Steven. “Take him to the Council for further healing, and tell them what has happened here.” He stood. “I am going to get my mate.” He gave a reassuring glance to Dante. “Her friend as well.”

Dante gave a small nod of appreciation, his face still a mask of pain. “Thank you, Cousin.”

“You're not planning on going alone I hope,” Steven cautioned.

“Oh no.” Malcolm gave a smile that promised vengeance. He uttered the ancient language and vanished into the air.

Moments later, Malcolm arrived in the living room of his home. He was about to open a link to his uncle Brendan when his body was flooded with relief. He sucked in a sharp breath as every single nerve ending came alive, and the blood pumped faster through his body as Samantha touched her mind to his
.

Malcolm. I'm in trouble.
Her voice trembled as it rippled over his soul.

I will come to you,
mia piccola lupa
. Are you all right?

A little banged up, but I'm okay. Kerry is here too, but she's hurt pretty badly. I think she's dying, Malcolm.

Malcolm knew she was trying to be strong, but he could hear the fear and desperation that wavered under the surface, and it broke his heart.

Kerry's cousin, AJ. He's Caedo. He's the one who's been after us. We're somewhere in the aquarium where he works. He's crazy, Malcolm. I think he killed Dante. He's not working alone. He mentioned having a partner.

Malcolm sent her reassuring energy as he spoke with her.
Dante is going to be fine. You are who I am worried about. I am coming to you now. Keep your mind open to me. As long as you do that, I can always find you.

When Sam touched her mind to Malcolm's his whole body was reenergized. It was like getting hooked up to a battery for the soul
.
He could only hope that it had the same effect on his mate.

Malcolm, you shouldn't come. He wants you to come here so he can kill you. Please, I couldn't bear it if you got hurt because of me.

He laughed softly in her mind.
I will be fine, my love.
His voice grew somber.
The only thing that would kill me, Samantha, is losing you. Keep your mind open to me, and I will be there shortly. Be brave,
mia piccola lupa
.

He withdrew his mind from hers but maintained a connection to her energy signature. It killed him to delay going to her for one more moment, but he couldn't go in there alone. He needed the help of another Amoveo, one who was older and stronger, someone who could get Samantha and Kerry out of there quickly while he took care of the hunter. He didn't care for his own safety. All that mattered was getting her to safety. He'd finally found her. The fates couldn't take her from him now. The very thought of losing Samantha brought instant dread. He felt like an elephant was sitting on his chest. No. She would not, could not die.

Malcolm took a deep breath, his nostrils flared, and his eyes shifted brightly. He concentrated on connecting with the one man he knew could help him.

I need your help, Uncle.

Within seconds, Brendan materialized beside the fireplace. His smile faded as soon as he saw Malcolm. He was completely disheveled. His clothing was damp and stuck to his body. His hair was in more disarray than normal, and his eagle eyes were glowing bright yellow. His face was a mask of rage.

“It seems that the fellow you captured was not working alone. He not only captured my mate and her friend, but…Dante came to investigate and was badly wounded in the process.”

Brendan's eyes shifted into two glittering black diamonds. “My son,” he seethed. “That bastard harmed my son.”

“Yes, but he's going to recover,” he added quickly. “Steven was able to get to him in time, and he's brought him to the Council for further healing.”

Brendan's body relaxed somewhat, but his eyes burned with anger. He nodded his understanding. “Thank God.”

“However, Samantha has been taken by the Caedo and so has her friend,” Malcolm seethed through clenched teeth. “I need you to come with me. I'm quite sure that he will come after me right away. I need you to get Samantha and Kerry out of there safely.”

“I would be only too happy to clean up this mess,” he said in a voice that promised retaliation. “Do you know where they are being held?”

Malcolm nodded somberly. “She opened her mind to me, so I'll be able to find her. But she's hurt and frightened.”

“Then we'd better get moving and finish this,” Brendan said.

Malcolm whispered to his mate,
I'm coming Samantha
.

The two men grasped each other by the forearms, uttered the ancient language “Verto,” and shimmered into the air.

In the blink of an eye, they were standing in the dank cavernous room just a few feet from his mate. Malcolm's heart stopped when he saw Samantha. She was on her knees and tied up. A large purple bruise marred the left side of her beautiful face. The Caedo hunter he'd seen at the restaurant that night was there. He had her by the hair and held a knife at her delicate throat. Malcolm wanted to rip him to shreds, but Brendan held him back.

You won't reach her in time, Malcolm. That blade is right above her jugular. She'll be dead before she hits the floor.

Sam smiled and breathed his name. Tony tugged her hair and pressed the knife against her throat.

“Shut up.” He pushed the blade harder still against her.

Malcolm's rage reached a new level as a small rivulet of blood trickled down her lovely neck.

“You are making a grave mistake,” Malcolm said in a low deadly voice. He didn't take his gleaming yellow eyes off Tony.

“You're the one making the mistake.” Tony laughed. “How do you think I learned how to keep your kind out of my head? How do you think I was able to stay a step ahead of you all the time and keep my plans from you? Huh?”

He yanked Sam's hair viciously. Her frightened eyes squeezed shut, and pain flashed across her face, but she did not cry out.

“My people have captured the one you were working with,” Malcolm said steadily.

“Oh yeah,” he said smugly. “Not from what I see.”

Malcolm's look of confusion only made Tony laugh harder.

“He is a trusting fool. Isn't he?” He giggled.

The air thickened, and Malcolm felt a light breeze next to him as Brendan disappeared. In the next instant, he was standing next to Tony and trained his ebony eyes on him as a slow smile crept across his face. “Not as foolish as you are,” Brendan murmured.

With lightning fast reflexes, he grabbed Tony's head and snapped his neck with a sickening crack.

Sam screamed and launched her body away from the violent attack. She landed with a grunt as the breath was knocked from her.

Tony made a gurgling sound as his eyes rolled back in his head. His limp body crumpled in a heap at Brendan's feet.

Malcolm rushed to Samantha, scooping her into his arms. He waved his hand, and the binding at her wrist vanished.

With a soft sob, she gratefully wrapped her sore arms around Malcolm's neck and buried her face in his chest.

He tangled his hands in her hair and breathed her in, as if to make sure she was really there with him. “Thank God. Please never close your mind to me again. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you, Samantha,” he whispered into her ear. He rained small kisses all over her face and captured her mouth with his as they knelt there together.

Sam greedily kissed him back.

The sudden sound of clapping echoed through the room, breaking up their intimate reunion. They turned to see Brendan clapping. He walked slowly over to the crossbow that was leaning against the wall. A sick smile spread across his face as their obvious confusion rippled over him. Effortlessly, he picked the weapon up and pointed it at them. His cold black eyes glared at them with a hateful look of disgust.

Malcolm protectively pushed Samantha behind him as they stood up slowly. Sam's fingers dug into Malcolm's arms, and she leaned on him for support, her body weakened and shaky. Realization slithered through her. This was the partner that AJ had mentioned. Her heart beat rapidly, and tears stung at her eyes. Malcolm's uncle, a member of his own family, had been behind all of this.

She gripped his arms tightly as he held her behind him. His entire body had gone rigid, and his biceps quivered beneath her fingers. She could feel his confusion and reached out to him as gently as possible.
AJ said he had a partner, Malcolm. I'm so sorry.

“Uncle…I don't understand. What…” Malcolm trailed off, unable to wrap his brain around the enormity of the betrayal before him.

Brendan merely laughed.

It was a deep sound that sickened Sam to her very core. He kicked AJ's body toward the giant pool at the center of the room. All the while, he never took his eyes off Malcolm and kept the deadly crossbow pointed directly at them.

Sam noticed that Brendan's eyes had shifted. They were completely black and spoke of nothing but death.

With one last shove of his heavily booted foot, he pushed AJ's body into the massive pool. A flurry of activity followed the splash, and within seconds the water turned blood red. As the body was devoured by the sharks, the entire room became tinted with crimson light.

Sam swallowed hard.
Sharks, great. Can't you blink us out of here now?

No. Not unless you want to leave your friend behind. I have to be touching her in order to take her with us.

“Well, that ought to give the tourists something to talk about tomorrow,” Brendan said in a low voice laced with twisted amusement.

“Brendan, what is going on? Why are you doing this?”

“Did you really think that we would just accept this?” Brendan asked incredulously. “That we would allow it? Let a
human
mate with our people? Breed with us?”

Sam shrank back as he spat the words out. He said
human
as though it was the lowest form of life.

“It's bad enough that you would betray me, your nephew, but your own son,” Malcolm accused.

Brendan's face grew dark and somber, his voice dropped. “That was not part of the plan. My son was meddling in something that didn't need to involve him. Perhaps this will teach him a lesson. He was becoming far too fascinated with these humans.” He sneered and cast a quick glance at Kerry. “That one in particular.” His face twisted in disgust as he continued. “We thought it was a fluke when Lucas mated with that human wretch. At first we let it go, figuring he just had odd tastes, but when she conceived…well, we knew that had to be stopped. I would rather see you both dead than mating with humans and creating half-breeds like Logan did.”

A look of horror and realization came over Sam's face. “Oh my God,” she whispered as tears blurred her vision. “You…you killed my parents.”

“No,” Malcolm said with disbelief, shaking his head and looking from Samantha to Brendan. “No. It was the Caedo.”

“No, my boy.” Brendan laughed a low evil sound. “Oh, we blamed them of course. They are after all the perfect scapegoats. They have killed hundreds of our people over the years, but that…” He sighed dramatically. “That was one they did not do.”

Brendan had a smug, satisfied look on his face that was turning Sam's grief into rage.

He let out a sound of exasperation. “Really, Malcolm, you can't tell me you're surprised by this? Did you honestly believe that we would let you breed human weakness into our race?”

“Does Richard know about this?” Malcolm seethed.

“Please,” he spat. “He's weak and soft. He's so desperate to keep our race going that he's willing to allow you and others to muddy our bloodlines with humans.” Brendan's calm facade disintegrated as he ranted. “You can be assured I am not the only one. There are many of us who want to keep our race pure. If it means that some of our own have to die, then so be it.”

“So you teamed up with our enemy to kill and betray your own people?”

“Well, I'd prefer not to kill you,” he said casually. “Join us, Malcolm. If you were able to mate with this thing, then you will probably survive once she's dead.”