The Beta

Chapter 10

The warehouse door swung closed behind Robert. It echoed inside the empty building and shut out the fading sunlight, leaving him entombed in darkness. He flipped the switch, and the neon lighting came on.

The Vasi used to gather as a pack here. Now, they met at a bar owned by a member in the downtown district. The warehouse held too many bad memories. When the Ayumu held Chicago the place was utilized for challenges and punishment. Frequently.

Those things didn’t happen often anymore. Robert paced around the empty floor where Eric, his best friend, had taken a huge risk by facing the old alpha in combat. Eric had killed him. Continuing his tour down Nightmare Avenue, Robert passed the empty bleachers. He’d accompanied Eric that night into the arena as his beta, but he didn’t know what that responsibility had entailed at the time.

Tonight, he finally got it. He needed to do the things to protect the pack no matter how it affected his conscience.

Talon wasn’t leaving Chicago, and Robert needed to take care of this problem before Eric got home, for the pack, for himself, and for his best friend.

Glancing at his phone, he considered checking on Sam and reminding him to offer Esther a meal. When he got home later this evening he’d probably need to wear some armor before confronting her. She’d been pretty pissed when he dumped her in the bathroom, and she didn’t like him meeting Talon alone or at least, she acted like it. Who knew with Esther? She may have been looking for an escape when she offered to accompany him.

The sound of a click made Robert spin around. Talon stepped into the warehouse holding his hands out to his side. “Hey, Bob.”

Robert sighed at the name. So Talon would choose the hard way of dealing with him. No truce would be found tonight. “What problem do you have with me, Talon?”

“Not you specifically, runt, but the whole damn pack is turning into a bunch of pansies because of you and the Omegas. How long before some other pack comes in and takes over this city?”

“Only if you consider law abiding as weak.”

“We’re not human, Bob.” Talon crossed the room and confronted him. “Why should we follow their rules?”

Robert hated the skip of his heartbeat as he met Talon’s glare. Fear had a distinct smell, and if his pack mate caught a whiff of it he’d think he won.

According to Daedalus, a healthy dose of fear kept most warriors honorable, especially if doing wrong made them afraid. The fearless needed to be watched since they corrupted easily.

Talon never carried the scent of fear.

“I never said human laws. We follow the Accords like our ancestors did.”

A sneer emerged on Talon’s face, a werewolf of few intelligent words.

“If you called me out here for a challenge, then we’ll need some witnesses to make it official. I beat you once, I can do it again.” Robert kicked off his shoes and removed his t-shirt. Clothes became expensive when his beast tore through them every time.

“I brought witnesses.” Talon whistled. The warehouse door opened, and two werewolves Robert recognized stepped in. They’d been chased out of Chicago last year for not conforming to the new laws and alpha.

“Hey, Joshua and Charles. Long time no see.” Robert eased away, trying to assess the area for an escape.

They spread out, blocking the only unlocked door. Each began to strip, a bad sign.

His gut clenched. Three against one seemed like old-fashioned Ayumu strategy. “Eric would never consider you as a beta by using these tactics. Stop being a coward and challenge me properly.”

Laughing, Talon removed his clothes as his companions transformed to beasts. “This isn’t about becoming a pack beta, Bob.” He grinned. “This is a message to the Vasi. The Ayumu didn’t die with Michael. We’re gathering.” With this statement Talon transformed.

Robert didn’t wait for an invitation. He allowed his beast free reign and it exploded forth, tearing out of his body. This fight required speed and agility, not controlled change like he was used to. The pain of the sudden transformation almost blinded him.

Someone tackled his legs from the side, and he hit the concrete floor like a sack of potatoes. His head rebounded off the hard surface and Tweety Bird paid him a visit before he got twisted into a pretzel on his back.

A set of teeth tried to clamp around his neck, but his reflexes saved him by tucking in his chin and rolling. With teeth and claw, they attacked him as a group.

All those sparing sessions with Daedalus beating the crap out of him finally made sense.

He never heard or saw the door open, not a footstep, or even a shadow. The first Robert knew of Esther’s presence was the sound of a skull getting cracked.

Movement in the room stopped for a split second as the males counted heads and stared at one mean looking slayer wielding what looked like a—tire rod?

She didn’t hesitate as she hit Joshua on the back swing with cold professionalism.

Speechless by her appearance and inspired by her courage, Robert found the strength to heel kick the swaying Joshua, then roll onto Talon. Blood oozed from a multitude of wounds on Robert’s hide. He’d already lost a great deal when Esther wounded him and the healing had taken a lot of energy. One good night’s sleep and a sandwich hadn’t replenished his reserve, yet he still pinned the mangy mutt to the floor.

All of Robert’s reluctance about killing disappeared as he watched Esther defend herself against the two other werewolves who’d recovered from her attack. He needed to keep her safe. With a roar, he launched himself, placing his body between them and Esther. He couldn’t bear it if she got hurt, and every instinct in his DNA cried to protect her.

As their opponents circled them she placed herself at his back. “Stay close,” she whispered.

They fought, attacked, and defended as if they’d been partners for years. Her speed and aim complimented his strength and agility. Together they weaved through their lethal dance, her with a tire rod and him with claws. Swing, thrust, block, and pierce. Their bodies knew each other, sensing the other’s next move until only Talon remained.

Joshua and Charles had deserted him and Talon turned to follow.

Robert watched his female block the door with her slim, fragile human body. Pressure squeezed his chest as his heart stopped.

Legs apart, Esther took a swing at Talon’s head as he sped toward her.

With unnatural grace he managed to duck and caught her around the waist. Twisting, he pressed her back to his chest, pinning her arms to the side. The clang of the tire rod hitting the cement echoed. Heavy breathing became the only sound to fill the silence as Talon glared at him. The fiend bent slowly until his intentions became clear.

Esther screamed and struggled, unable to break free. Their eyes met, and for the first time Robert saw terror in them.

No amount of speed or magic could have gotten Robert there in time, but he tried. Damn, he tried.

Talon bit her shoulder.

The scent of blood filled his nose and her cries of, “No, no, no—” filled his ears.

It made his soul cringe knowing that pain didn’t cause her shouts but her awareness of the infection Talon gave her. Robert reached them before Talon could make the kill, grabbed his jaw, and pried it from her flesh.

Wrestling to the floor, Talon’s claws dug into Robert’s back, a spur of force driving him as he pinned Robert. Suddenly Talon slumped against his body, a dead weight crushing him.

He shoved the beast off and saw Esther looming above them, a bloody tire rod back in her hands. Robert shifted to his human form and scrambled to his feet, then removed the blunt weapon from her clenched fingers. “Esther?”

“The—the bastard bit me.” She kicked the unconscious Talon. “Rabies filled cocksucker.”

“I’ll take you to the hospital. I heard that General is offering an experimental vaccine to treat the infection.” He dressed in his discarded clothes.

Watching Rob pull his shirt on inside-out and cram his feet into his shoes, Esther’s distress eased. Things like this happened. Getting turned into a monster was one of the many risks slayers faced, but most died when it happened, some at their own hand. She owned a special bullet to use in this type of emergency, but watching Rob made her doubt she’d need it.

She removed her jacket and glanced at the wound on her shoulder. Blood seeped into her black shirt, leaving a dark wet spot. No way would she avoid being infected. The punctures were too deep.

Crap.

“Let’s go.” Rob picked her jacket off the ground, wrapped her in it, and lifted her in his arms. Worry lines creased his forehead.

“He bit my shoulder, not my legs. I can walk.” If he got any sweeter she’d get a cavity.

He shoved the door open using his elbows and knees.

“We’re just going to leave Talon here?” She tried to get a glimpse of the inert werewolf on the floor before the door closed.

Rob stomped toward his sedan when he did a double take. “Did you take Daedalus’s car?”

“Yes.”

“Better not take you home after the hospital. He’s going to skin you alive.”

“No, he’s not.” A familiar male voice spoke from behind them. “You’ve both been busy bees while I slept. Theft, assault, breaking and entering… Anything I’m missing?”

The vampire looked less than pleased, and Rob only clutched her tighter.

“Oh yeah, I forgot stupidity. What the hell is going on?” Daedalus planted his feet firmly on the pavement and crossed his arms over his chest. His pupils dilated, making them appear black. “I smell blood.”

“She’s injured. I’m taking her to the hospital.”

The vampire stared at her, and for a split second she feared she’d be getting a second bite. He shook his head as if coming out of a dream.

“You’re hungry.” Rob made it a statement, not doubting what they’d both witnessed.

“Robert?” Esther used his full name for the first time and finally got his attention. “I’m not going to any hospital.”

“Esther, you’re in shock. You’re going to at least get—”

“I’m not getting used as some lab rat.” She raised her voice. “Put me down.”

He blinked, then set her feet on the ground as if she were made of glass. “What about the virus?”

Her gut clenched. She pictured the special bullet she kept just for this occasion, then stared into Rob’s concerned gaze. “I’ll deal with it.”

He frowned yet nodded. “Okay.” Rubbing his chin, he glanced from her to Daedalus and back. “How did you both find me?”

Daedalus shrugged. “Easy. I have a tracer on my car. What I’d like to know is how Esther stole it. I have every security device known to man on it.”

Quirking an eyebrow at him, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Not many vamps his age converted to modern tech. “I took your keys.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” He grinned, flashing fang.

“Last I checked you already are.” She faced Rob. “I do this for a living, remember?” Then she poked him in the chest with her finger at each word. “You always take back-up.” She dropped her hand. “They would have killed you.”

He stared at her, his expression softening. “You could have left the city or gone after him.” He gestured to Daedalus.

“I know.” She cleared her throat. “But I already watched you almost die once. Couldn’t stand the idea of Talon finishing the job.” Her gaze roved the ground going from discarded gum to pebble to crack until she felt a set of strong arms wrap around her. She lifted her face to find Rob close, his piercing green gaze boring into hers, then she winced as he tightened his grip. Searing pain shot through her shoulder.

“Sorry.” He loosened his hold.

She touched under her jacket, and her fingers came out covered in blood.

“Fuck.” Daedalus’s fangs extended and he spun away, pacing as if caged. “Take her home already.”

The door to the warehouse opened and Talon in beast form filled the space. A growl rumbled from him as he rubbed his head.

Rob shoved her behind him. “Talon, I’d like to introduce you to my buddy, Daedalus.” He gestured to the hungry vampire. “Daedalus, I’d like you to meet dinner.”

The Nosferatu’s ears perked up. “Really? What happened to no killing?”

“I changed my mind.” Rob turned to face her. “Let’s go home.”