Chapter Twenty
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Vinea was bound and determined to get the hell out of there—wherever there was. The house could belong to anyone, making her location harder to determine. Given there was no furniture in the ten by fifteen foot room, it was probably some old, abandoned house. Shouting or pounding the walls would fall on deaf ears. Damn.
Normally, she would just teleport to Devon’s house. He’d untie her and all would be well. The problem was she couldn’t become invisible no matter how hard she tried. If what Brother Jacob said was true about the curse, then she was doomed forever. Though knowing that ass, he was lying. Her best hope was that Devon would round up help. How they’d find her was anyone’s guess. Jackson’s drone wouldn’t be of any help unless Brother Jacob had ten guards surrounding the place, all spaced evenly apart and standing still.
Once more the door opened, and this time both John Ernst and Brother Jacob came in. Ernst stood over her. Great. Two egotistical goons—and a type she was very familiar with. “Hi ya, boys,” she said, emphasizing the last word.
Brother Jacob loomed over her. “How did you and Devon McKinnon know to go to the Lake Steakhouse the night of the robbery?”
Her heart squeezed tight. So they were responsible for that crime. Now that they’d basically admitted it, they’d never let her go. Her stomach nearly revolted. Whether they could actually kill her was something she didn’t want to find out. Dying without telling Devon she loved him was a thought too horrible to imagine.
“I had no idea there would be a robbery. Devon said he’d lost his wallet and went to look for it. Since he’d just picked up dinner for us there an hour before, it made sense to go back and look.” Vinea was pleased she still had the ability to weave a tale.
“I don’t believe you. The restaurant was closed.”
Her heart skipped a beat as adrenaline soared through her. “Which was why he went to the back, to see if that door was open. That’s the truth, I swear. He had no idea you’d be robbing the place.” She was able to sound convincing since neither of them knew the robbery would occur that night.
Ernst looked over at Brother Jacob, probably wondering if his friend believed her. “One of the men died. We think you were responsible.”
Only one of them died? Damn. She opened her mouth to show her surprise. “Me? You think little old me was responsible? How could I harm a werewolf? I’m helpless when it comes to fighting. When I saw Devon in that bloody battle, I freaking ran.”
She’d freaked all right, but thankfully she’d had the presence of mind to find something to help him.
He shook his head. “Then how do you explain that both of my men were shot?”
“I can’t. What did they say happened?”
“One of them can’t say anything, but the other one said that when he went to attack you, you disappeared. Then he was shot.”
“Seems to me if I had shot him—which I didn’t—it would have been self-defense.” She crossed her fingers. Sure she felt bad for lying, but with both her life and Devon’s on the line, this kind of lie was for the greater good.
“Where did you run off to?”
Since she’d returned to her human form in order to speak with Devon before carrying him back down the alley, she couldn’t say she’d gone home. “I waited at the far end of the alley, out of harm’s way.”
“My man saw you return after you shot him.”
“I didn’t shoot him.” It was his word against hers. “Once the growling stopped, I came back to help Devon.”
For some reason, they seemed to believe her this time—or else they weren’t sure how to proceed. Vinea struggled with the ropes tying her hands, but she failed to loosen them. Never had she been this helpless.
“We’re not finished with you yet.”
Ooh, I’m scared. Or at least she told herself that. Except, she really was scared and just hoped she could keep that hidden from these assholes. The last thing she wanted was for them to use it against her.
No sooner had the two men left than Androf appeared before her, startling her. Vinea had to blink a few times to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.
“Well, well. I see you’ve gotten yourself into a bind.” He laughed. “Bind. Get it?”
What an ass.
“Why in the hell are you here?” she snarled. She didn’t need more horror dumped on her.
Androf folded his hulking arms across his chest, looking like Mr. Clean—only the two had nothing in common except for the bald head and broad chest.
“Thought we could strike a deal.”
He was delusional. One of his deals would only serve him. “I’m listening.”
Normally, she’d tell him to go fuck off, but given her rather precarious situation, Vinea wouldn’t mind trying to trick him into helping her.
“I can get you out of here.”
Her traitorous heart lurched. Too bad the cost would be inordinately high. “How about untying me first so we can talk?”
“I will if you agree to undergo reversion therapy.”
No way. She’d seen how he’d recruited one unsuspecting goddess over to the dark side. To complete the reversion process, he had to remove her light, and it wasn’t a pretty sight. “I’ll take my chances here. That part of my life has died, and I have no intention of resurrecting it. Thanks anyway.” She stretched out her bound legs and leaned back against the wall, pretending to look comfortable.
“You’re a fool.” Androf lowered his arms and peered down at her. “Surely, you don’t think you’ll get out of here alive? You need me.”
Acid burned inside her. So it was true. She could die. Or was he bluffing? “As I just told you, I’ll take my chances. I don’t think these men really want me anyway. They’re trying to lure my mate here.”
Telling him that she and Devon had mated was a calculated risk. However, she didn’t need Androf to gather her up and speed her back to the dark realm where she might never escape. The thought of not seeing Devon again sickened her. Her vision blurred for a moment as bile raced up her throat.
“You aren’t mated to anyone.”
Had he been spying on her? Oh, yeah. He was a god. He knew things. “Does it matter? Besides, it’s none of your business.” She nodded to the door. “If you don’t leave, I’ll yell for my captors to take you down.”
His boisterous laugh had to have alerted them of his presence—just what she wanted. Though, if Androf killed Brother Jacob and John Ernst, the world would be a better place.
“Very well,” he said. “I hope you die a painful death.” With those less than gracious last words, he disappeared.
The door burst open, and two men she’d never seen before barged in. The tall one with the unibrow and pointed chin looked around. “Who were you talking to?”
Telling them the truth might help keep her safe for a few more hours. “My old boss came to check up on me.”
They glanced at each other. “Is that so? Then where is he?”
She chuckled. “I’m a goddess, which means my boss is a god. He can appear and disappear as he wishes. Since he’s from the dark realm, he can kill all of you with a sweep of a hand.” Sure, that was a slight exaggeration, but they didn’t need to know that.
“Sure he is. Do you actually think talking to yourself will trick us into untying you?” the tall one asked, still checking out the room. He probably thought Androf was invisible, ready to take them down. Vinea scratched her nails on the wall behind her, and then smiled at the look of sheer terror on their faces.
They spun around and ran out of there, their footsteps pounding down the hall. At least Androf was good for something. Perhaps the news of his appearance would get back to Brother Jacob and keep him scared enough to stay away. Then again, he might decide she could be useful and try to court her to join his evil side. While it would bide her time, she didn’t think she was that good of an actress anymore.
*
Devon was freaking out. So far none of the leads to locate Vinea had panned out. She’d been gone two days, and the longer she was missing, the more frantic he became. His wolf wasn’t any better, pacing, growling, and snapping. He was pretty sure if he shifted, the beast would go ballistic, destroying everything in his path.
She couldn’t be dead. He’d know it! But if she were alive, why hadn’t she shown up? Hadn’t she said that even if she’d been tied down she could become invisible and float away? So why hadn’t she? Asking the same question over and over again, however, wouldn’t help him find her.
Connor knocked on his office door and entered, his brows furrowed and evidence of a sleepless night resided under his eyes.
“Anything yet?” Devon asked.
“No.”
“I’m guessing Jackson hasn’t found anything either?”
“No, but he’s looking for a room or building where a person is fairly stationary.”
“Is he thinking Vinea has been drugged or restrained?” Devon asked.
“He’s not speculating. If they have her, and she can’t reappear elsewhere, then that would seem to be the logical answer.”
“That does make sense.” Devon didn’t like that scenario, but at least it meant they were keeping her alive for a reason.
“If anyone can find her, it’ll be him.”
Devon’s cell rang, but he didn’t recognize the number. He held up a finger for his brother to stay. “Devon McKinnon.”
“Mr. McKinnon this is Charles DuPree, the owner of the Silver Lake Café.”
Devon sat up straighter. This had to be about Vinea. “Can I put you on speaker?’
“Sure.”
He pressed the button and motioned for Connor to take a seat. “Go ahead.”
“Before you ask, Vinea has not shown up for work. One of my servers said she overheard there was going to be a big party tonight up on the hill, and Vinea’s name was mentioned.”
His heart nearly stopped. “Mentioned in what way?”
“Just that she was being honored. If she is attending a party, why didn’t she let me know?”
Devon fisted his hands. This had to be a lie—a rumor—spread by the Changelings. “Did they say where this party was taking place?”
“Marissa thought it was in their community center.”
“Tell Marissa thank you. When I find Vinea, I’ll have her call you.” Devon disconnected. “What do you think?” he asked his brother.
Connor frowned. “Do you really want to know?”
Fuck. “Don’t say she’s colluding with the Changelings. She’s not.”
He held up his hand. “I would like nothing more than to agree, but why else would they honor her?”
Was he serious? “It’s a hoax to get me to go up there. They want to get back at the McKinnons. We do have a good track record for ruining their plans.”
“We do, but I don’t understand why they’d want you. I’ve been a bigger pain in their ass than you.”
“True, but you don’t have a mate—someone to draw you there.”
Connor’s shoulders slumped. “Maybe you’re right.”
“How about asking Jackson to find this community center and fly his drone over the building?” Devon asked.
Connor slapped his thighs and stood. “I’ll ask him. I just hope you aren’t crushed if we find out she really has pulled the wool over your eyes once more.”
“Don’t worry. I trust Vinea.”
“That’s precisely what worries me.”
Connor spun around and left. Devon refused to be swayed by his brother’s harsh words. Connor didn’t know Vinea like he did. She had changed. He was sure of it.
Less than a half hour later, Connor pushed open his door, his eyes brighter. “Jackson thinks he may have found something. We all need to head to the auditorium.”
Heart pounding, Devon jumped up and jogged after Connor, who’d taken off down the hallway. Inside the large room, Jackson had images from the drone up on the large screen. Kip and Sam were already seated, and Connor moved to the front.
“Tell them what you found,” Connor said.
Jackson remained on the platform behind the table that held his computer. “I’ve spent countless hours studying each of the thermal images to learn which ones haven’t moved in over a day. I had several ideas, but when Devon found out about a possible party up on the hill at their convention center, I looked closer. I didn’t see anything at their large assembly hall, but there is a house nearby that previously had been abandoned. Since I have hundreds of hours of footage from that area I’ve been collecting for months, I compared the activity between now and a month ago. Before, no one had bothered with the place. Now, the building has several people milling about in an orderly fashion around the perimeter.”
“Like they are guarding it,” Devon said, his heart banging against his ribs.
“Yes. There is one room where a relatively stationary person resides.”
As much as Devon wanted to demand the location so that he could rush to her rescue, they needed a plan. He wasn’t that foolish.
Connor looked around. “Any ideas?”
“While I think they are looking for a confrontation with us, and as much as I hate to suggest it, we can’t just charge in,” Sam said. “Since this is a recent feed, the number of men would be fairly accurate.
“I agree with Sam,” Devon said.
Sam nodded. “Furthermore, I don’t advise calling in half our Clan to take out the guards. A widespread slaughter would only make things worse.”
“I think we can handle a few guards if we’re careful,” Devon said. He then turned to Kip. “If there is power to that building, could you disable it? We don’t need to have alarms going off.”
“No problem,” Kip said.
Devon turned back to Sam. “Thoughts?”
“I can do a mind bending trick on the guards. I’ll convince them that Vinea has been moved to a different venue, and they are needed there.”
His pulse sped up at the possibilities. “Sounds good, but what are we missing? Unexpected things always pop up.”
“How about asking Dalton to join us?” Jackson said. “There seems to be two to three people in the house with Vinea at all times. Having a tiger shifter would throw the odds in our favor.”
Devon nodded. “Let’s ask him.”
“I’ll text him now and request that he come help,” Sam said, pulling out his phone.
“Good. Anything else we should consider?” Devon asked.
“What if Brother Jacob shows up?” Kip asked.
Devon smiled. “If he attacks, I’d love nothing more than to kill the sorry son of a bitch myself.”