Chapter Fifteen
The muscles in Ash’s calves burned. If she could just press her heels to the floor, she could maybe work out the knots that had formed deep inside each one. But being handcuffed to the shower curtain rail, she couldn’t do anything besides stay on her tippy-toes.
The blood from the open puncture marks on her groin had long since stopped flowing down her leg, but was now dry and caked to her skin, making her itch.
The memory of Ricko and Rocko viciously tearing Alexandar’s limbs from his body flashed across her mind. Her eardrums still throbbed from the high-pitched screeching that seemed to have lasted for hours. The others had watched with glee, especially Clarissa. She had reveled in the twins’ massacre.
Ash hadn’t wanted any part of it. She’d never watched Clarissa exact out her punishments and, before, Clarissa had never made her. But this time, Clarissa had forced her to have a seat, front and center.
She’d thrown up more than once during the melee, and all the while Clarissa had laughed.
For the first time since taking Clarissa’s hand, she had regretted her decision. She no longer wanted to become a Vampire. She had witnessed evil at its highest form.
For eleven years, she’d followed Clarissa around like a faithful puppy, doing anything she could to make her mistress happy. Even after all the beatings, blood-letting and degrading, one smile or a simple pat on the head from her savior and all the bad times had been easily forgotten.
Clarissa had known exactly what to do and what to say to keep her as a faithful servant. She’d had hundreds of years of practice at manipulation. But Ash couldn’t play the victim role in this situation. No. She hadn’t been oblivious to Clarissa’s deception. She’d been a willing participant, pushing all the bullshit aside for the end game.
She had wanted to become a Vampire so badly because, as a Vampire, she wouldn’t have to worry about anything anymore. But even now those childhood fears that had once been the driving force behind her decision were just memories. No one was coming after her to send her back to a foster home to be abused and mistreated. And Daddy Tom would never get his hands on her again.
Ash shook her head. Clarissa probably had no intention of turning her, anyway. She’d been strung along and it was nobody’s fault except her own. She should’ve left Clarissa a long time ago. If being with the Vampires all these years had taught her anything, it was that she was strong. Stronger than she’d ever given herself credit for.
I can’t do this anymore. I have to leave. Now.
She peered at the handcuff key that Clarissa had set on the countertop instead of giving to her. That alone let her know that Clarissa didn’t trust her anymore. If she stayed with Clarissa, her days on this earth were numbered. Trust meant everything to Vampires.
She then glanced up at the shower rod. It was one of those fancy kinds that bolted into the wall. Her weight hadn’t broken it, but that was because she hadn’t been trying.
Ash bit against the pain in her legs and forced herself taller onto her toes so that she could curl her fingers around the rod. Holding on tightly, she lifted her feet off the floor and, with a grunt, used the weight of her body to bounce and pull. The metal creaked but didn’t budge. She tried again and again until finally it bowed and bent, breaking free. She fell to the floor with a thunk.
Once free, she scrambled across the floor to the sink. She lifted herself to stand. Agonizing pain rippled through her body. All of that was forgotten when she grabbed the key.
She worked quickly to free herself, letting the handcuffs slip from her bruised and raw wrists. Then she made her way to the room she shared with Clarissa, willing her tired and sore muscles to take each step.
She stopped short at the door and let her gaze settle on the coffin. Her chest hurt. It was daylight. There was no chance Clarissa was awake, but the fear that she had instilled in her over the years coursed through her veins.
Move, she willed herself.
Move your legs.
She slipped one foot in front of her.
Move the other one.
She slid the other one to meet the first.
Go!
The voice in her head pushing her forward was what she needed to hear. Ash ran across the room and straight to her small bag. She hadn’t brought much, not that she had a closet full of clothes anyway—Clarissa believed in being efficient rather than meting out luxury to her protégé. Ash grabbed an outfit and, without bothering to clean the blood from her skin or cover the open wounds on her wrists, she slipped into her clothes.
She found the flattest pair of shoes that she had and put them on. Stupid, she knew—running away from Vampires in high heels was such a B-movie cliché, but she didn’t have any sneakers or flats. She slung her bag over her shoulder and left, not looking back at the coffin.
She ran down the stairs and out of the front door. Only when she got to the empty driveway did her steps falter. How the hell would she get far without a car? She was literally in the middle of nowhere and the car service wasn’t scheduled to return until after dark.
She looked around. Nobody in sight. She listened. Nothing but the call of birds. How far is the main road? She snorted at that thought. Main road? Hardly.
The house loomed behind her. She could practically hear Clarissa’s laughter. The hair on the back of her neck stood up.
I’m doomed. She’s going to kill me.
A tear streamed down her cheek. Her one protector in the world was the very person she needed protecting from.
The Alpha. Would he protect her? Could she walk to Dark Wolf Enterprises before nightfall? She chewed on her bottom lip. It was miles away and running in heels was out of the question.
I can walk fast.
She glanced at the sky. The sun was still there, but not for long.
I can make it. But then what? Will Andras protect me? She blew out a deep breath. No. She was a nobody and not his problem.
I have to do this on my own. Leave this world behind me.
She nodded to herself. She’d had enough of the paranormal world. She could find her way to the airport, hitch a ride if she had to. As long as she stayed out of New York Clarissa would forget about her. She was replaceable. Clarissa could find some other gullible flunky to do all of her daytime grunt work.
Ash started down the road, her plan firmly in her head, determination in every step she took. By the time she finally reached the main road, her clothes clung to her with sweat and raw spots had formed on the back of her heels. The two-lane road was barren, not a vehicle in sight. Rustling from the trees across from her caught her attention. She held her breath. She was alone. She hadn’t been alone in years. A deer ran out. She squeaked. It crossed the street and disappeared into the thicket of overgrown bushes next to her.
Ash giggled. Followed by high-piercing, bordering-on-insanity laughter. I lived with Vampires for years and I’m afraid of a deer.
She took a deep breath. Get a hold of yourself. There’s probably going to be a lot things scurrying out from these woods. Buck up.
She made a right, toward the airport. Her feet throbbed with each step. Her eyes watered from the stinging pain radiating along her soles. She tried to clear her mind, think of something else. There were plenty of other things to worry about rather than her cramped toes and blisters.
Where will I live?
Right. Where would she live?
Texas? Florida? How much would a plane ticket to California cost?
Money.
She stopped in her tracks.
She didn’t have a cent to her name. She hadn’t had a need for money since that night in the junk yard. Clarissa had paid for everything with an unlimited black card.
She balled her hands into fists and shook them at the sky. “You have got to be kidding me!” she yelled.
Where can I get money?
Hunter.
He owed her for giving him time to confront Erzsebet. Unfortunately for her aching feet, Hunter lived in the opposite direction. She grumbled under her breath and turned around. She just prayed that he was home.
* * * *
Hunter wadded up a pair of jeans and stuffed them inside his backpack. He then went to his dresser and pulled three T-shirts from one of the open drawers. He didn’t need to pack much. With the jeans he had in his bag and the ones he was wearing, he had two pairs—plenty enough—and a total of four T-shirts. He didn’t need underwear. He could go commando. The only luxury item he afforded himself were his socks. He liked the way his feet felt in a nice pair of socks.
He left the bag on his bed and went to the bathroom for his toothbrush and toothpaste. A light tap sounded at his front door and he swiped up a bar of soap and a wash towel. When Andras banned him, he would have to leave his territory fast. That was fine with him. He wouldn’t waste any time looking for Ezie.
Another knock. It wasn’t Andras on the other side, Hunter would’ve felt him if it was. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t anyone from his Pack. There wasn’t a familiar pull. And, as crazy as it sounded, the sound was all wrong. A wolf’s knock would’ve been stronger, more purposeful. This one was light and tentative.
He went to the door and, without bothering to look through his peephole, pulled it open to find the last person he’d expected to see on his doorstep.
Ash.
She looked horrible. If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve thought she had jogged to his house. But she had on business clothes and heels. He pushed that ridiculous thought from his head and glared at her. “What the hell are you doing here?”
She took a step back, startled. “I-I came to ask for your help.”
“Help?” He laughed. “You can’t be serious.”
She raised her chin. “You owe me.”
He had to give it to her. The woman was a piece of work. “Owe you for what? Telling Andras that Erzsebet was the embezzler? I was close to convincing her that her lover was manipulating her.”
“I didn’t tell anyone. Well, not until later.” Ash lowered her gaze. “Clarissa made me tell her everything after that fiasco at Erzsebet’s house.”
Hunter frowned and shook his head. “But Andras knew where to find me and knew about Erzsebet before that.”
“That’s because Clarissa found one of the accounts that Erzsebet was taking money from and she followed the money trail. As soon as she found it and confirmed what it meant, she contacted Andras. I couldn’t do anything to stop her.”
“So you didn’t say anything?”
She shook her head. “Not then. But later…Clarissa could tell that I knew something at Erzsebet’s and when we left she…she pressed me for more information. I had to tell her everything. I’m sorry.”
He let out a deep breath. He’d thought the worst of her. She hadn’t betrayed him. “I’m sorry. I-I…well, I thought you sold me out for them.”
She lifted a shoulder. “Of course you did. I was their flunky. I’m so stupid.”
He wanted to hold her. “Ash.” He stepped toward her.
“Don’t leave.” The voice inside his head wasn’t his at all, but his Alpha’s. The command rocked through his chest.
Hunter buckled over.
Ash looked up at him with warm brown eyes. “Are you okay?”
He took steadying breaths, then feeling better, leaned his back against the door. “Yeah, I’m fine. I can’t leave, not without Andras’ permission. I tried to leave earlier when I felt Erzsebet leave the Pack.”
Ash opened her eyes wide. “Andras banned Erzsebet? I knew he was angry that she had an affair with one of the Vampires who had killed your parents, but I didn’t think he would ban her because of it.”
“Wait. What?” Hunter didn’t want to believe what he’d just heard.
“Th-that Alexandar Vampire that she’d been sleeping with was one of the Vampires who had killed your parents. He used her to get to Dark Wolf Enterprises.”
Hunter’s legs weakened. His chest constricted. How could Erzsebet have done such a thing? She needed him now more than ever. She was probably beating herself up about it. He leaned over. His stomach churned.
His wolf howled out in pain.
“We’ll find her,” Hunter promised.
“But maybe since Andras knows the truth now, he won’t ban you, too.” Ash’s voice was so full of hope.
“No. I lied to him and endangered the Pack. There’s no room for me anymore.”
“I’m so sorry, Hunter. Maybe if Andras had been able to talk to Alexandar, to hear him tell how he’d deceived Erzsebet and if you explained how you were just trying to protect her, Andras would understand and give you another chance. But Clarissa had him killed.”
“Andras didn’t even get to question Alexandar?”
Ash shook her head. “They ripped him apart and set him on fire. He’s gone. I don’t think Clarissa’s intentions were to ever let Andras question him. Vampires like to handle things in-house.”
Hunter sighed. This was all a big mess and he was to blame. He should’ve gone to Andras immediately when Ezie had begun changing. “Come inside.”
Ash shook her head. “No. I know what going inside can lead to. I-If you don’t mind I’d just like some money for an airline ticket so that I can get away from Clarissa.”
“You’re leaving? Where are you going?”
She shrugged. “It’s better if you don’t know. Clarissa may search your mind to find me. But I’m going somewhere far away, somewhere where she can’t get to me.”
“Stay here with me and we’ll leave together.”
She hesitated. “Then what? Stay with you until you find your life-mate?”
“Ash, I can take care of you.”
“For a little while.” She puffed out her chest. “But it’s far time that I start taking care of myself.”
His wolf sent him pictures of him and Ash together.
“She’s right. We’re not mated,” he said to his wolf.
His wolf sent him more pictures. This time, of them entwined in bed, lips on lips.