Hour of the Lion

Chapter Eighteen

Calum floored the gas pedal, and the car screeched around a logging truck. The oncoming car’s horn blared as he whipped back into his lane.

Irma had been alive, a wretched lump handcuffed and lying in the corner of the bedroom. Blood everywhere and discarded syringes. Tortured. Drugged.

She’d opened her eyes when he touched her, staring as he’d called for an ambulance. Then had motioned him closer. “He wants your people, child. And…” Her brows had drawn together. “My head is all foggy. I think I told him about you. And Jamie.”

Jamie. They were going after his child. The car skidded around a corner, tires squealing. No one answered at home.

He’d just passed the first houses in Cold Creek when his cell phone rang.

Vic staggered to her feet and rubbed her bruised butt as she scowled at the god-help-me shortcut she’d come down. Under all the snow, the slope had been steeper than she’d realized. Like a damn ski jump, and she’d skied the last half on her ass.

Brushing her jeans off, she squinted into the blizzard to get her location. Not bad. The path on the ridge led to the public park behind Thorson’s Books. By abandoning the trail and sliding straight down, she could circle around town and get her car without being seen.

Her chest squeezed at the thought of running into Calum or Alec. Maybe when she’d put an ocean between her and the men, she’d not anticipate seeing them every moment.

Shaking her head, she pulled a cookie from the sack in her pocket. As she stuffed it into her mouth, she tried not to remember the warmth of Helen’s house. At least the sugar revved her up, something she damned well needed, considering she’d run out of coffee two days ago and other food yesterday. She’d better not meet anyone, or she was liable to bite their head off. Cranky much?

So, she just needed to get to the car-damn thing better start-and head out. Her walk quickened as she remembered the next town over had a Starbucks. Yes!

A noise caught her attention. Running footsteps. Sobbing?

With a huff of exasperation, Vic stepped behind a tree. Honestly, couldn’t a person take a quiet walk in a nice blizzard without being interrupted? She edged out far enough to stare up at the ridge high above her. Someone was running up the trail from town. Through the trees and snow she could see the flash of a girl’s shape. Naked?

Vic choked on a laugh. Alec had mentioned how young shifters tended to pop back and forth before they established some control. This little shifter’d freeze her ass off if she didn’t get into animal form. But why was she headed away from town?

A minute later, the smile froze on Vic’s lips.

Jamie?

Crying and whimpering, Jamie staggered up the trail. Somehow she’d gone back to being a girl, but using two legs didn’t work after having four, and she kept falling. Snot and tears ran down her face. Daddy. Alec. Help. Please help me. She shivered, her feet burning with the cold, as she grabbed a tree. The rough bark scraped her palms as she pushed off, trying to run again.

She looked behind her and a whine broke from her. No no no. The men were gaining on her. Two of them. She was breathing too hard to scream.

A black van had chased her through town, and she’d run and run and finally come to the park. Thinking the van couldn’t go up the trail, she’d gone into the forest, but two men got out and followed her. One a blond. And the man with the pitted cheeks whose jeans she’d clawed. Blood had turned his pant leg dark red, and he was so mad, his face was scary-ugly.

They were so close. She staggered forward. Too slow. No choice, I have no choice. Have to go faster. She closed her eyes, forced herself to open the door. Tingling. Trawsfur. Dizzy. She shook her head, tripping on her feet. Paws.

“Jesus, we have her! Shoot, dammit!”

Something stung her shoulder like a wasp, and she snarled, the sound horrible. She sprang forward up the trail. Almost to the top. She could… The trees spun in a circle around her. Her legs-too many legs-tangled, and she crashed into the ground. She tried to stand, scrambling uselessly with her paws, but her head felt like a boulder.

With blurry eyes, she saw a pair of boots walk up to her. When the man kicked her hard, she could only snarl helplessly.

Daddy-I want my Daddy…

They shot Jamie! Climbing frantically, Vic was only halfway back up the steep slope. She stopped to listen, cursing silently. The trail that Jamie was on curved out of sight. Thank God the two men following Jamie hadn’t gotten close enough to the cliff’s edge to spot her, but they’d surely hear her scrambling up to them.

Vic slowed, moving more quietly, every muscle screaming to hurry. Okay, okay. Jamie’s down, but she isn’t dead. There’s time. She pushed up to the next step. Her foot slipped. What a cluster-fuck. Stay the fuck calm, Sergeant.

Where the hell were all those shifter townspeople? What were they thinking, leaving Jamie alone? Where the hell was the kid’s backup?

As the wind died for a moment, she heard them.

“Swane said, on these beasts, the tranq wears off in ten minutes or so. Way before we can get it down and into the cage.”

“Then shoot her again when she wakes up, dumbass. Fuck, she’s heavy.”

“That was the last dart, dirtbag. You got rope?”

“Hell no.”

“Jesus. The guy wants it alive.”

“Fuck that, I’m not going to let that hellcat claw me again. Bash its head in. The daddy don’t need to know that his kid’s dead-he’ll still do fuck-all to get her back.”

Silence. “Yeah, that’ll work. I’ll find a fuckin’ rock.” Footsteps. “You s’pose they change to people when they die?”

Vic looked up at the distance remaining to the top. It was too far. Too steep. I can’t make it in time. She closed her eyes in despair.

And there, in the back of her mind, the little door glowed.

The patrol car bounced as Alec drove it up and over the curb, across the snow-covered park, following the new boot marks in the snow that led directly into the forest. He braked to a skidding stop at the tree line and jumped out. As he ripped his clothes off, he heard a heavy engine start up-and a black van raced away down the street.

He hesitated. One would escape. But he could smell more here. And Jamie. Fear. Ahead in the mountains.

Calum’s car roared up behind him as Alec shifted. He didn’t wait. Fresh blood made garish red marks on the white snow. With a low growl, he sprang forward.

Not a minute later, Calum shouldered past him. As they tore up the trail, from the mountain above them came the high shriek of a female cougar.

The door almost begged for her to open it. Vic hesitated, and then stripped, fear bitter in her mouth. If this doesn’t work… In her mind, she pulled the door open and mentally stepped into the blinding glow.

Fuuuuck! She dropped forward onto her hands and knees…onto her paws. Those were her golden-furred paws. She shook her head, unsettled by how close her face was to the ground. The brightness of the world blinded her, the noises sounded too loud, and everything smelled. Too much.

“Here’s a rock, but I got to dig it out,” came one man’s voice from the ridge. “The bastard’s frozen into the dirt.” Thumping noises.

Her muzzle rose, and her top lip curled in a snarl she barely managed to suppress. Fury buzzed in a red cloud around her, tightening her muscles. Her first spring took her over ten feet upward, another and another, her paws silent in the snow.

Suddenly, she reached the top and scrambling over it.

“Holy shit!” A man on the trail jumped back, and she ignored him. The other stood over a small panther with a rock in his big fist. Vic screamed and launched herself across the distance. She hit him in the chest and knocked him over, landing on top of him. Her front claws ripped out his throat, cutting off his yell. A fountain of blood spurted up.

The remaining man tore down the path. Vic sprang after him, then halted, although everything in her wanted his flesh under her claws. With a growl of frustration, she paced back to guard the panther. Her little Jamie.

The sounds of the man’s flight diminished, then he yelled, “No, no!” Horrible snarling raised the fur on Vic’s spine, and the yelling changed to a scream and abruptly stopped.

Silence. She nuzzled the little cat, licked an ear. Jamie?

A second later, two huge mountain lions appeared, side-by-side, running full out. Her anger was unabated, and the scent of blood heavy in the air. Vic snarled at them, showing her fangs. She felt her fur rise. Her front paw lifted, claws unsheathed.

Both cats snarled back, but they stopped.

Fuck, what was she doing? These were shifters, here for Jamie. Her brain couldn’t convince her body. My cub. Mine to protect. Nothing will hurt my Jamie.

Suddenly, the lions blurred. Calum. Alec. The men rose to their feet.

“I do not know you,” Calum said, his voice so controlled, she could barely hear the underlying violence, but his pupils were completely black, and the air around him seemed to ripple. “That is my daughter who I love. I would care for her if you permit.”

With his husky voice, his careful words, her anger drained away. Her paw dropped, and she forced herself a few steps away from Jamie.

Calum ran forward and fell to his knees beside his daughter.

Feeling herself sway, Vic shook her head. This being a furry-thing was majorly bizarre. And how the hell was she supposed to shift into a people-thing again? Had any of those bozos mentioned the way to get back? God, would she stay stuck like this for… She spotted it, up in the corner of her mind. The door.

She hurled herself through. Whoa, major dizziness. Blinking, she saw bare arms buried elbow-deep in the snow. Her arms. “Fucking-A.”

When she looked up, Alec was staring down at her, his green eyes almost glowing. “Vixen? You shifted?”

Beside Jamie, Calum raised his head. “Victoria. I caught your scent, but didn’t believe it.”

With an effort, Vic pushed to her feet. Her legs wobbled like half-melted Jell-O as she dropped down beside Calum. The little panther’s eyes were open, but glazed, and it was panting. “Oh, God, is she okay? They shot her-a tranq, I think.”

Calum ran his fingers through Jamie’s fur and yanked out a feathered dart. “Just one?”

“Yeah, their last. They were scared she’d wake up before they got her caged.” Vic couldn’t keep her hand from stroking the snow-dampened fur, needing to feel the warmth underneath and the comforting beat of the child’s heart. She was growling under her breath-as was Calum. She jerked her chin at the rock lying beside the dead man. “He planned to bash her-” She choked, couldn’t even say the words as the horror washed over her again. The absolute wrongness of the act.

Alec’s gaze touched on the bad guy, followed her leaping trail back to where it disappeared over the edge of the ridge. “You were below, weren’t you,” he stated. “That’s why you shifted?”

“Yeah. Too far away.” She shivered at how close she’d come to being too late, and then shivered again at the bite of snow and wind on her bare skin.

At the sound of voices coming up the trail, Vic rose, placing herself in front of Jamie. The door flickered in her vision, reminding her she had other options. Alec stepped beside her, his shoulder brushing hers.

But the people that appeared through the swirling snow weren’t more thugs. The grocery store owner, Baty, trotted in the front, carrying a pistol. Behind him, Kevin Murphy lugged a double-barrel shotgun, his brother, a deer rifle. After that came Kori and Angie, and they had, halleluiah, blankets.

Baty stepped over the dead man’s body as if it was a log on the trail and halted in front of Calum. “Cosantir, what do you require?”

Calum kept one hand on his daughter, unable to stop touching her, reassuring himself she was alive. Across from Jamie, Alec did the same. Bless the clan members who had arrived. He and his brawd could stay beside Jamie and still discharge their duties.

He glanced at the corpse behind him. The claw marks on the slashed throat were too obvious. The same on the man he and Alec had savaged and killed. Deaths from mountain lion attacks always made the news. The bodies must not be found. “Go through the wallets and get their information, then replace everything. Don’t leave fingerprints, just in case.”

Baty held up his gloved hand. “I’ll take care of that.” He knelt beside the dead body, calling to the women, “Kori, do you have a pen and paper?”

As Kori bustled forward, Angie spread a blanket over Calum’s shoulders, then did the same with Victoria and Alex.

Victoria wrapped herself in it, shivering so hard her teeth chattered. Calum put his free arm around her and pulled her against his warmth.

“Cosantir.” A man of few words, Kevin waited for orders.

Calum glanced at Alec. “Suggestions, cahir?”

“Cold water might preserve them too well. Best let the forest animals clean up the mess.”

Calum nodded, then said to the Murphy brothers, “Wrap them in plastic to prevent a blood trail. Drop them from the steepest cliff into Dead Mule Canyon.”

Cody gave a short nod. “I know the one you mean.”

Alec added, “Take as much of the bloody snow with the bodies as you can manage. No need to leave extra evidence behind.”

Kevin glanced at the gory mess around Victoria’s victim and grimaced. “Gee thanks, Alec.”

“Got your information,” Albert Baty said, returning to stand beside Calum. “What next?”

“Thank you, Albert. I think Victoria abandoned her clothing and probably a pack, down below.” Calum nodded at the tracks leading over the steep cliff.

Baty’s eyes widened. He bobbed his head at Victoria. “Nice job of climbing, missy. I’ll get your stuff for you, don’cha worry.”

She smiled her thanks.

“Thank you, Albert.” As the little shopkeeper bustled away, Calum bent over Jamie. Her eyes focused on him, and she was breathing normally. He stroked the fur on her neck. “Jamie. It would be best if you trawsfur. Do you remember how?”

Her muscles tightened under his hand, but he felt no tingle of magic. His mouth went dry. If she couldn’t find the way back… He looked at Alec, unable to speak.

“Parents, so quick to panic.” Alec stepped to where Jamie could see him. “Look at me, baby, not that ugly thing you call a daddy.”

Jamie’s gaze shifted.

“You’re safe, sweetie. All the bad guys are gone. Find the door, and let’s go home.” He waited.

Jamie’s muscles didn’t loosen, and she was panting again. Fear whipped at Calum’s control. The first few trawsfurs needed to be calm and quiet so the youngster wouldn’t panic. A bad experience while an animal could make a child subconsciously avoid the vulnerable human form…and be unable to find the portal.

Although his brother’s hand fisted, Alec’s laugh was normal. “Guess you want us to carry you, eh? Now, isn’t that just like a teenager?”

Calum bent to pick up his daughter, letting go of Victoria. Instead of rising, she elbowed him out of the way and took his place. She cupped Jamie’s muzzle. “Hey.”

Jamie’s eyes fixed on Victoria’s.

“You’re scared,” Victoria said. “Well, hell, that shows you’re not stupid.”

Calum growled. “Victoria, that-”

“Shut up, this is girl talk,” Victoria snapped. She bent closer to Jamie and whispered, “Those guys were scary and big, and they had you trapped. I know the feeling.”

Calum frowned at Alec, but his brother motioned for him to wait.

“Thing is,” Victoria continued, “you can let your fear keep you from doing anything else in your life-yeah, I’ve seen that happen-or you can have the guts to move on. Isn’t easy. Nope, it’s hard as hell. But you know, if you shove the fear over to one side, you’ll be able to see that fucking door.”

She made a face. “An’ looks like we have some studying to do on being furry things. God knows, I’d rather there were two of us doing it, so get your ass in gear and shift.”

Before Calum could yell at her for the language, he felt the sparkle of magic under his fingers, and his little girl suddenly appeared. “Oh, thank Herne,” he choked, his gaze blurred with tears. He managed to remain still long enough for Alec to wrap a blanket around her before he yanked her into his arms.

“Daddy, I was really scared,” she whispered into his neck.

“Me, too.”