Phantom Wolf

Chapter 14

The silver stung his eyes and ate into his clothing, searing his flesh. Shay instinctively put his hands in front of his face to shield his eyes, holding the chains away.

“It hurts,” the little boy said in a singsongy voice. “But the hurt goes away after a minute. I know because I tested it on myself.”

The pain eased and Shay opened his eyes. The child shape-shifted in an eye blink. Into himself.

With all his might, Shay fought the chains.

“It’s about time you arrived. For a navy SEAL, you sure are slow.” His twin gave a cocky grin.

Shay aimed a bolt of energy at the bonds but emitted only a few sparks. His powers were bound, as well. Dammit.

“We used your DNA, figured out what could hold you. Works good, huh?” His twin gave a mocking grin. “I set others at the café to keep an eye on you. Nice touch, flirting with the waitress. She’s a pretty piece of ass. I’m sure you’d enjoy fucking her, had you the chance.”

A distressed cry outside. Kelly! Frantic, he fought the bonds. If only he could shape-shift. But the chains stripped his magick.

“You thought you could hide.” Shay’s twin laughed. “I have your DNA. I know you, Chief Shaymore. I know your scent. As for the shape-shifting...”

His twin pushed into his face. “Two words, Elemental scum. Didn’t. Work.”

Shay’s mind raced. Had to get to her...

“You can’t break free, Phantom.”

Going still, he examined the bonds. Silver, but the chains weren’t steel. Some kind of alloy laced with magick.

Finding one of the links with his fingers, he tested it. He pulled harder, keeping his gaze on himself. How weird this was, listening to the lies and bragging while looking his twin in the eye to keep his attention from Shay’s hands.

There. Pulling at a link, he felt it give slightly. He analyzed it. In layering the chains with alloy, the idiot had weakened the links.

Three men entered the room. Shay recognized the brown-haired one from the shop. “Move him into the back room,” Shay’s duplicate instructed.

Shay didn’t fight, because he couldn’t risk expending energy. The concrete floor came up hard as they tossed him into a whitewashed room. Dust motes danced on sunlight streaming from a window near the ceiling.

The room resembled a bomb shelter or a basement. The floor sloped toward a trench and a drain. His pulse kicked up as he saw the spigots jutting out from the wall. He inhaled. A sharp, coppery smell. Blood.

A slaughterhouse.

A length of similar silver chains wrapped around her body, Kelly was tossed into the room, landing on her side. Her mouth was sealed with duct tape. Shay growled at the Arcanes laughing as they hovered in the doorway.

Inching over toward her, he bent his head. “You okay?”

Eyes wide with fear, she nodded.

He wished he could touch her in reassurance. “Hang in there,” he said softly. “We can beat this.”

His twin smirked as he leaned against the doorway. “The mighty Phantom, big-shot navy SEAL. Now look at you. Trussed up like a chicken before the chopping block.” The smirk turned into a dark smile. “Except we’re not going to cut off your head. We need your body whole for the ritual. The less damage, the more pure the power.”

Shay said nothing, watching Kelly’s eyes widen as she studied the Arcanes.

“You’re a disgrace, Shaymore. You can’t stop us. We’re gathering our forces, and soon we’ll have enough power to blast the strongest Elemental to the netherworld.”

“Let her go.” Shay jerked his head at Kelly. “She’s one of you, and there’s no need to kill her.”

Something flickered in the other’s eyes. “She’s not one of us. Kelly Denning chose the wrong side when she rescued Billy Rogers and fucked up our plans.”

But a pulse jumped in his jaw. Shay’s heartbeat accelerated. Damn bastard was lying. Why?

The doppelgänger gave a chilling smile. “All it took to capture you was the right bait. You’re such a sucker for saving children. Especially little boys. I am you, and I know everything you know.”

Not going there, bastard. You think you’re me, but you’re everything I struggled to change about myself.

“Wrong, asshole. I never miss a shot like you did on the ridge. And I never wet my pants when someone’s firing live rounds at me,” Shay taunted.

A Mage standing in the doorway snickered. The doppelgänger reddened and then turned and backhanded the Mage hard across the mouth. “Shut up. All of you, turn on the water. Then get the car and head to Tegus to await the arrival of our leader.”

Vehemently, Shay hoped the bastard’s plane crashed.

“What about the tenth child?” one of the Arcanes asked. “We need one for the ritual.”

“Soon. We located one in the States.”

“What about the villagers? Kill them?” asked the brown-haired Mage.

An odd look entered his twin’s eyes. “Don’t touch them. They’ll keep existing in their dream state.”

Two of the Mages went to the faucets and twisted the spigots. Another plugged the drain. Water gushed onto the floor and ran down the trench.

Shay struggled to a sitting position, nudging Kelly to do the same.

“Have a nice swim,” his twin sang out.

The door closed behind them.

Forcing himself to relax, he waited until the chains loosened enough to give him room. Shay snapped the first link with his fingers. Then he snapped another and another until he could wriggle his fingers and then his right hand through the hole he’d made.

“Bend over and I’ll remove your gag.”

Though he tried to be gentle, she winced as he ripped off the duct tape. “Sorry, sweetheart. I know that hurts.”

Returning his attention to the links, he concentrated on breaking more.

“I guess these guys are really bad.” She gave a small, shaky laugh. “Because the triskele isn’t working against them.”

“They’ve discovered a way past our magick. Stripped my powers, too.”

“If they did that, how can you break your chains, Sam?”

“That son of a bitch may have my looks, but not my brains or strength. A baby could break these links.”

Snap. Snap. The water began rising up the trench, to their toes.

“Hurry,” she begged.

Too slow. Taking too long. With a last burst of strength, he focused and pushed with all his might.

Silver links burst apart, clinking on the floor. Shay ran to the door. Locked. Skimming the door with his hands, he looked for a weakness. None. The door was steel.

Searching the pockets of his cargo pants, he found a small tool. He picked the lock, turned the knob and pushed. They’d bolted it from the outside.

“Are you sure your powers are gone?” Kelly asked.

Without the chains binding him, his abilities might have returned, he thought. Shay closed his eyes and culled his magick. Feeling his powers surge like currents of electricity, he summoned them into his hand.

Opening his eyes, he looked at his palm. The faintest of sparks glistened and then died.

The door. But brute force wouldn’t budge it. After body slamming it a few times, he gave up. Water rose to his ankles as he went to untie Kelly.

“Try your powers. Use the triskele,” he urged.

Maybe without the silver binding her, it would work. Kelly grabbed the medallion but nothing happened. Her panicked gaze searched the room. “I don’t understand.”

Shay went to one wall and ran a hand across it, feeling a slight tingle. He swore. “Bastards lined the walls with a shield that negates all magick.”

“They planned for this,” she whispered. “They needed you and knew you’d come here to rescue the children with me. I’m sorry, Sam. If it weren’t for me...”

His heart gave a lurch at her woebegone look. Shay stroked a finger down her cheek. “Don’t. I make my own choices, and this is one I won’t regret. Help me search the room. Look for weak spots, cracks, anything that might help us get out of here.”

Kelly ran to the faucets to shut off the water, but the Mages had broken them.

His gaze shot up to the window and then to Kelly.

“I’ll give you a hand up.” Crouching, he cupped his hands as a step and lifted her up as she climbed onto his shoulders. Kelly supported herself against the wall, but her fingers barely touched the bottom of the windowsill.

Shay caught her in his arms and lowered her. Wide-eyed, she studied the room. “There has to be another way out. We can’t reach the window.”

“Then we’ll have to swim for it.”

Drowning was not a good way to die, Kelly thought as the water rose to her knees. Swim for the window? They’d die before opening it.

“I was kind of hoping you could shift into a seal. The animal kind, not the navy kind.”

“Listen, sweetheart. You’re going to have to trust me. Look at me, Kel.” He pointed to his eyes with two fingers. “Focus. Right here. Focus on me.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

“We can only reach the window when the room fills up with water. I need you to concentrate and stay calm. Panic uses up air. We’re going to float in the water until it gets too high, and then you’ll fill your lungs with air and hold your breath as the water covers our heads. Take a deep, deep breath.”

“Like Rose in Titanic?”

Shay smiled and stroked a finger down her cheek. “Just like Rose.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

“You will,” he stated. “I believe in you, Kelly. I’m your Jack and I’m telling you, hold on to my belt and swim out with me. I’ll keep you safe.”

“You can’t hold your breath that long. Neither can I.”

Kelly ran to the sunlit window. Flexing her fingers, she tried summoning her magick with a chant. Nothing worked.

Water rose to their waists now, sloshing around them.

They weren’t going to make it, Kelly thought. Despite Sam’s confidence, she knew it. Her breath came in little gasps.

“We’re going to die,” she choked out.

So strong and dependable, he looked calm.

Shay squeezed her shoulders. “No one’s dying, sweetheart. Thanks to my training, I can hold my breath for a long time.”

“So you’re giving me a crash course? Did I ever tell you I’m not a great student?”

His hands were warm against her cheeks. “You’re a terrific student,” he murmured, smiling. “I remember those lessons I gave you in the cabin and how much you learned so quickly.”

A flush heated her cheeks, and she laughed a little. Their lives were in jeopardy, and Sam made her think about sex.

Amusement and smoldering heat danced in his gaze. “I’m looking forward to teaching you more, Kelly. We’re going to get out of this, because we both have too much to live for.”

Gently he stroked her cheek as the water crept above their waists. “I’m not going to die until I make love to you again.”

Gathering her courage, she looked down. “There’s still time now. I heard sex in the bathtub is kinky but fun.”

Sam kissed her gently, almost reverently. “I’m here and won’t leave your side. We’ll swim upward until we meet the ceiling. Then I’m opening that window, and we’ll climb out. It’s a long drop, so I’ll go first and catch you.”

“I’m not a good swimmer. Remember that time when you saved me in the creek?”

“I won’t let go,” he repeated. “Strip down to your underwear. Clothing weighs you down, and you need to be buoyant.”

Following his instructions, she stripped. Sam gave a cocky grin as he removed his pants, shirt and boots.

“I lied,” he said suddenly.

Kelly licked dry lips.

“I only said that about the clothing so I could watch you undress.”

She sputtered and then splashed him. Flinging droplets from his hair, Sam laughed. “Good,” he said softly. “Now you’re smiling. Keep that smile on. I want to see it in the sunshine.”

As he instructed, she began breathing deeply, learning his hand signals for when they could no longer talk. With every breath, Sam centered his warm gaze on her. His sheer affection fed her strength.

She, too, wanted to live so they could make love again.

Together, they began to breathe in rhythm. When the water reached her chin, he motioned for her to float. At first she sank, but he grabbed her hand.

“Remember what I taught you in the creek that day? You did great. You’re doing great now, Kel. Hold on to me.”

As he treaded water, she wrapped her arms around his muscled waist. “That’s it,” he encouraged. “This is only a big pool, and I’m your giant noodle.”

Daring, she slid her hand a little below his waist. “Giant noodle. That’s a new name for it. As long as it isn’t limp.”

Sam laughed again. His attitude eased her fear. Confidence began returning. He was with her, and she could do this. As the water rose, she let go, treading water. Sam reached out and squeezed her hand.

With him at her side, she could make it.

Kelly believed it, even as the ceiling drew close.

“Remember, don’t panic and follow my lead.” Husky and reassuring, his voice was a life raft.

“Please don’t let go of my hand.”

“I have to, just to open the window. Hang on to my waist and you’ll be fine.”

Water filled the room. Now they were only a foot from the ceiling, high enough to reach the window. Sam tugged her toward it. Legs kicking hard, heart beating fast against her chest, she followed him.

Sam grasped the window and pulled upward.

Nothing happened. He didn’t have enough leverage.

Not going to panic. Sam could do it, even open a window that probably had been nailed shut. He was strong, a SEAL...

Water covered the window.

Panic pushed at the edges of her mind. Refusing to surrender to it, she clung to her belief in Sam.

“I have to let go, Kel. Take a deep breath while I open this damn thing,” he shouted.

His hand felt so strong and assuring. Oh, how she hated to let go. But she did and then watched him dive beneath the water and fumble with the window.

The ceiling approached. Sam swam upward, took a tremendous gulp of air and dived back down.

Water covered her lips, her nose. She nearly kissed the ceiling and took one last, enormous breath.

Think of something else. You and Sam making love. So good. He was tender and gentle and considerate...we never wanted to leave that cabin.

She blew out a few bubbles. The window was still jammed.

Her lungs burned. Kelly’s vision blurred. She opened her mouth to get air and gulped down water. Her airway shut as a terrible burning began in her chest.

Darkness engulfed her. She fell into its welcoming embrace.

As Shay kicked at the wooden window frame, he felt something nudge at his back. He glanced over one shoulder. Kelly floated, silky red hair wreathing her grayish face. Shay pushed back panic. Don’t think. Concentrate.

His lungs began to protest, but he grimly kicked again.

The wood cracked this time. Sam kicked harder. Aided by the pressure of the water, the window finally gave way, crashing outside.

The suction nearly pulled him outward. Sam swam back and grabbed Kelly’s hand.

No time to consider the actions of such a fall. Broken bones could be repaired. Legs first.

He’d need his arms and hands to revive Kelly.

Holding her against his chest, he spilled outside, aiming for the ground so his body hit first. Sam gasped, dragging air deep into his lungs, sputtering as he fell, never letting go of Kelly.

He hit the ground first, his body cushioning Kelly. The hard fall was broken by a stack of firewood. Pain exploded in his right leg, but Sam ignored it as he rolled off the stacked firewood and tumbled to the ground.

Kelly’s limp body followed.

He grabbed her and threw her on her back in the dirt. Adrenaline pumped through his body.

She lay pale and still, the pink lace of her bra and panties a bright splash of color against her grayish flesh. He opened her mouth and began CPR. With each compression and between breaths, he talked, urging her to live.

“Come back to me, sweetheart. C’mon, Kel, you can do it. Please, Kel, come back, come back, dammit. You’re not leaving me now. Think of the kids. You have to get to them, keep them safe.”

Tears blurred his vision. Not responding, she lay still and lifeless. One more compression. “I promised you we’d make love again, and goddammit, I don’t break my promises.”

Heartbeat.

She coughed. Sam quickly turned her on her side, letting her vomit out water. She coughed and coughed.

“Easy now,” he soothed, stroking her hair. “You’re here. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

Blue eyes the color of cornflowers met his. Kelly gulped down air as he continued soothing her.

“I drowned,” she said between coughs.

Unable to find his voice, he nodded.

“You revived me.”

Throat tight, he nodded again.

“I did it on purpose...” She drew in another beautiful, glorious breath. “Just so you’d kiss me.”

He laughed shakily. Shay wiped tears with the back of one hand and then lifted her into a sitting position and drew her into his shaking arms.

He kissed her hard, never wanting to let go again.