Dead After Dark (Companion #6.5)(11)

He shook his head, his face set by determination. “You’re part of my mother’s patria which makes you my mortal enemy. You’re not leaving here until Fury allows it.” He stepped past her to where Fury lay on the floor.

She was aghast at his actions. “You’re kidnapping me?”

Effortlessly, he picked Fury up from the floor. No small feat given the size of the wolf. “My mother kidnapped my mate and took her back to medieval England where the male members of your patria then attempted to rape her. Be grateful I don’t return that favor to you.”

Those words were so eerily similar to Fury’s that it sent a chill over her. “I just want to go home.”

“You’re safe here. No one’s going to hurt you . . . unless you try to leave.” He turned and carried Fury up the same stairs the woman had taken just a few minutes before.

Angelia watched him until he was out of sight. Then she ran for the front door. She’d only made it three steps before four wolves appeared in front of her. Baring their teeth and snapping, they blocked her way.

Katagaria.

She could tell from the smell of them. That scent of wolf mingled with human and magick. It was daylight which meant it was hard for them to appear human. Not impossible, but difficult, especially if they were young or inexperienced.

She tried to press forward, but the animals prevented it.

“Do what Vane told you.”

She turned and froze in shock. In human form, this werewolf looked similar enough to Dare to be his twin. “Who are you?”

“Fang Kattalakis, and you better pray to whatever god you worship that nothing happens to Fury. My brother dies and I will have your throat.” He looked at the wolves around her. “Keep her guarded.” Then he returned to a wolf’s form and ran up the stairs.

Angelia backed slowly into the living room. Catching the sight of another door to the outside, she started for it only to find more wolves in front of her.

Fear sliced through her as she remembered being a helpless child as the wolves ravaged her mother. Over and over she heard the screams and relived the nightmare of them tearing her parents into shreds. She tried to blast the wolves before her, but the collar rendered all her powers useless.

She was at their mercy.

“Get back,” she snarled, throwing a lamp at one of them.

The others snarled and woofed, circling her.

She couldn’t breathe, as panic set in. They were going to kill her!



Vane wanted blood as he saw the deep wounds on Fury’s body.

“What happened?”

He turned to find Fang standing in the doorway. “It looks like the Arcadians grabbed him and had some fun with him.”

Fang’s nostrils flared. “I saw one of their bitches downstairs. Want me to kill her?”

No.

Vane frowned as he heard Fury’s voice in his head. Fury opened his eyes to look at him.

Where is she?

“Downstairs. I have the pack guarding her.”

Fury turned human instantly. “You can’t do that.”

“Why?”

“Her parents were killed by our pack. Ripped apart in front of her when she was only three years old. She’ll be terrified.”

Before Vane could respond, Fury vanished.



Angelia kept swinging at the wolves with her broken lamp as they closed in on her. Terrified, she wanted to scream, but the sound was lodged in her throat. All she could really see was blood, and feel the same horror she’d had the night her parents’ screams had echoed in her head.

She couldn’t breathe or think.

The next thing she knew, someone was grabbing her from behind.

She turned, trying to hit her new attacker, then froze as she saw Fury there in human form.

His touch gentle, he took the lamp from her hand and set it on the floor. His expression stoic, his eyes were every bit as blank. “I won’t let them hurt you,” he said, his tone soothing. “I haven’t forgotten my promise.”

A sob came out from deep inside her as he pulled her against him.

Fury cursed at the way she trembled in his arms. He’d never seen anyone more shaken and it pissed him off. “Back off,” he barked at the others. “You’re acting like f*cking humans.” Angry at their cruelty, he led her toward the stairs.

“I didn’t need your help,” she snarled at him.

But he noticed that she didn’t pull away. “Believe me, I’m well acquainted with your willingness to stab and kill in cold blood.”

Angelia stumbled at those cold words that were tinged with a well-deserved hostility. It was true. He’d been unarmed when they attacked him and she’d left him to his family and their brutality.

Shame and horror filled her. “Why did you save me just now?”

“I’m a dog, remember? We’re loyal even when it’s stupid.”

She shook her head in contradiction. “You’re a wolf.”

“Same difference to most people.” He stopped before a door and knocked.

A gentle voice told them to enter.

Fury pushed it open and nudged her inside. “It’s me, Bride. I’m still naked so I’m hanging out here. This is Angelia. She’s not real fond of wolves so I thought she might want to stay with you . . . if that’s okay with you?”