Vampire Mine

Chapter Eleven

Fabulous. Another fucking mystery.

Sadie stayed close to Trey but she kept her gaze on the enormous male seated across from Diskant and Ava. Kinsley had dressed in black leather that matched his shoulder-length hair, his piercing emerald green eyes giving away nothing. Another feline shifter had accompanied him, standing quietly at his back. She’d seen Kinsley at Club Liminality on a few occasions—a place that catered to all things supernatural, which also happened to be the place Ava had worked as a bartender once upon a time. The owner of Liminality—Brett McGovern, who also happened to be a fucking warlocke—didn’t tolerate any bullshit. It was a safe place to venture so long as a person approached situations carefully. Due to that, she’d never gotten up close or personal with Kinsley.

Now she wished she had.

He had a mental block of some kind going on. Like Ava’s, only different.

Instead of nothingness when she tried to slide into Kinsley’s head, she found herself directed to weird thoughts. One minute she’d see a bright, sunny sky. The next an image of a child eating ice-cream would flash through her head. Since she didn’t want him to know for certain she was monitoring his mind, she couldn’t ask if he was fucking with her or if he was really that fucked up in the head.

What the hell? Has the entire world flipped upside down?

For a split second she wondered if Kinsley had been reading her mind.

He looked straight at her, his unwavering stare coming across almost amused. Breaking eye contact, Sadie glanced at Ava. If she wanted she could ask Ava if she noticed something weird about Kinsley’s thoughts. But she didn’t know if Ava would be honest or not. They hadn’t established any sort of trust.

“It’s not just you.” Ava’s thought answered Sadie’s question. The petite female didn’t turn to Sadie but continued telepathically, “I’ve only been able to get a clear line into Kinsley’s thoughts a couple of times, but that was when he wasn’t paying attention. It didn’t last more than a second or two. I think he can sense when someone enters his head. He’s able to keep people out.”

Was that so? Interesting.

“Your best bet is to find Ava’s brother,” Kinsley said, his rich Scottish brogue accenting his words. Returning his attention to Diskant, he kept talking. “If the amulet is as powerful as you say, you won’t have to worry about anyone or anything once you have it.”

“We’re working on that,” Diskant replied, placing a hand on Ava’s leg. “For now we have to deal with issues in the pack.”

“There is that.” Kinsley lips quirked. “Do you want my advice?”

“I wouldn’t have asked you to come here if I didn’t.”

“Don’t tell them about Aldon. Let them know about the mating but don’t tell them how serious shit is right now.” Kinsley’s gaze drifted to Mary and he winked. “You’ve already lost a quarter of your pack to stupidity. If you lose anyone else you’re going to have to pack up and find another city to call home.”

Shit. Sadie was stupefied. They’d lost that many people?

She knew many members of the pack—especially those who were mated and had children—had left after Emory’d mated with Mary. As a Shepherd, Mary was considered an enemy of shifters the world over. It didn’t matter that the woman was nothing like her relatives. Her presence alone made the werewolves in Trey’s pack uneasy.

And now they have to deal with me.

“There’s another option.” She knew it was going to piss Trey off but she said, “We don’t have to tell them anything about me. You can give them enough information about Aldon and Leigh to get their support. That’s far more important.”

“Sadie, darlin’,” Trey growled and snagged her by the waist. “Shut the hell up.”

In another time or place, she might have been annoyed. It wasn’t everyday she let someone insult her. But she knew Trey wasn’t trying to be an asshole. She sensed his frustration. He wasn’t going to let her step down and take a place in the shadows. Moving forward meant doing the right thing by her.

He’d marked her. He’d claimed her. It was a done deal.

She caught herself before she lifted her hand to the scar on her neck. The healing process had started, mending the tissue. Everyone had noticed it. She’d tried not to blush or react to their stares but each time she’d seen someone gazing at it she instinctively tried to cover it.

Like now.

Everyone was staring at them, curious to see how the newly mated couple interacted.

“I’ll shut the hell up when you start thinking straight.” She snorted, trying to play it cool. “My way makes sense.”

“Your way,” he drawled in a raspy timbre, “ain’t happening.”

Sadie started to reply when Ava said, “Don’t bother arguing. They’re all Neanderthals.”

“Not me,” Kinsley remarked, thickening his accent. His gaze swept over the women in the room, a gleam in his emerald eyes. “I’m all charm.”

“Yo, Casanova,” Diskant snarled, eyes narrowed. “Put your ego in check. Get back on track.”

“Fine.” Kinsley shrugged and reclined in the oversized chair, nonchalant and seemingly unaffected at the annoyance in Diskant’s request. “My official opinion is you tell the pack about the mating and keep the rest to yourself. Otherwise you’ll cause panic. Work out a plan and track down Ava’s brother.” He lifted his eyes to Trey. “Aldon’s not an idiot. Eventually he’s going to come here. I suggest you move the girl you’re hiding and take her somewhere else. In the meantime I’ll talk to my eyes and ears in the area. They might be able to provide additional information. I’ll also speak to the pride Alphas and let them know they need to tighten security.”

“And if they ask questions?” Trey asked.

“Shepherds might have been quiet for a while but they’re not gone for good,” Kinsley said, menace creeping into his voice. “You let me worry about my people.”

Sadie tried to keep her reaction to Kinsley’s advice under wraps. Everything he offered made perfect sense but she didn’t want to think about sending Leigh away. How would Leigh react if she was placed in the company of strangers? And who in the world could keep her safe?

There wasn’t a coven Sadie trusted to do the job. Not anymore.

She inched closer to Trey, taking a small measure of comfort at his closeness. He seemed to understand, increasing the tightness of the arm around her midsection. Wasn’t it strange? A couple of days ago she’d almost died. She’d sworn she’d hate him for what he’d done. Then—before she could fully wrap her head around it—she’d found herself in his bed, accepting his mark and standing by his side.

Funny how things turned out.

Unbelievable.

“Whatever you say.” Diskant sounded incredibly tired. “I think I know of a place we can move our guest. I’ll have to make a few calls.”

“Nathan won’t let her leave without him,” Trey interjected quietly, soothing Sadie by breezing his lips over her temple. With her settled, he said, “That means the pack will have double the shit to deal with. They might be fine with kicking my ass out but they won’t want to lose Nathan. He’s the primary person they’ve all been able to trust.”

“Then tell them a simplified version of the truth,” Kinsley suggested. “They’ll understand if he’s found his mate and needs time away to initiate the union. You don’t have to tell them who or what his mate is. Not yet, anyway. Sometimes small truths are blessings in disguise. The issue is,” Kinsley broke his relaxed posture, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, “who can you trust to take Nathan’s place? You’ll need a Beta who can keep everyone calm.”

Silence followed, a heavy apprehension filling the air.

Trey shifted his feet, his body bumping Sadie’s. She reached out to him with her senses, telling herself she wasn’t going to intrude on his thoughts. She had to start trusting his reasoning and stop second-guessing things. Tension wafted from him, slamming into her in waves. He had an answer to the dilemma but something caused him to hesitate.

“Everyone knows Zach was next in line for the position,” Kinsley said softly. “It can’t hurt to ask him.”

“No.” Ava looked horrified. Diskant tried to enfold her in his arms but she shook him off. “He’s been through too much. You’ll push him over the edge.”

“It might be what he needs, Pinkie.” Diskant’s reprimand was gently given. “There’s a reason he didn’t follow Katie after she died.”

“Katie?” Sadie thought to Trey.

“Zach’s mate.” Even in her head she could feel Trey’s grief. “She was inside Dougan’s Bar when it exploded.”

Sadie’s heart bottomed out. Oh Goddess.

She’d been standing outside the bar when the explosion had taken place. At the time she’d been watching Trey as she usually did—hidden by shadows, aching for a man she could never have. He’d left with the pack to face zealots who’d threatened the city. Shepherds had planned an attack, deceiving the shifters. With many of the men gone, a lone man had entered the werewolf bar with a bomb strapped to his chest.

Ava and Nathan were the only two who made it out alive.

Sadie had come across them in an alley. After she’d killed the Shepherds who were ready to attack the fallen woman and shifter she’d come to their aid. It was then that Sadie had used her healing magic and blood to give Ava the strength she’d needed to live. Diskant had arrived shortly after and almost killed Sadie, mistaking her for the enemy. She’d managed to get away before the damage became lethal. He’d been so fierce, eager to rip her head from her shoulders.

“I thought you couldn’t survive without your mate.” Her knowledge wasn’t totally limited and she was almost certain shifters didn’t last long once they lost their partners. “How’s he still alive?”

“She was human. Zach hadn’t fully sealed their bloodbond.” There was something else he wanted to say. This time he spoke the thought aloud. “He’s determined to see every Shepherd dead. The pack is all he has. They could give him something else to live for. It might be what he needs to heal.”

“He’s been to hell and back but he’s not given up. I think he’s a solid choice,” Kinsley informed Trey. “But you’ll have to tell him everything. You can’t leave anything out.” Turning to Diskant, Kinsley kept going. “If you have a safe location for the other female I suggest you move her as soon as possible. There’s no need to add fuel to the fire. Get her out of the city and take Aldon out of the equation. Shepherds haven’t struck again yet but they will. This has to be sorted as quickly as possible.”

“I’ll need to make a few calls,” Diskant said, sliding his hand up and down Ava’s back. She was still shaken and it showed. “More than one person owes me a favor.”

“Then do it.” Kinsley rose in a swift, seamless motion. “I’ll get things started on my end.” He walked over to Ava and kneeled, looking her in the eye. “It’s going to be all right, lass,” he murmured, giving her a smile. “You just take care of that wee one. Let us worry about the rest.”

When Kinsley stood, Trey let Sadie go and walked to the cat shifter. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” Kinsley reached out to shake Trey’s hand. “If I need help in the future, you’ll pay me back. That’s not negotiable.”

“Whatever you say,” Trey replied and thought to himself, fucking cats.

Sadie wanted to chuckle but she forced her face to remain expressionless, witnessing the exchange as though she hadn’t heard a thing. The man who’d stood behind Kinsley had gone to leave, stopping just beside the entranceway to the large room. It was then that Sadie noticed Nathan. He’d been lingering just outside, listening to the conversation. He didn’t look happy. In fact, Sadie was certain he wanted to beat the hell out of something.

“Sadie,” the Beta said, studying Diskant, “Leigh is asking for you.”

Shit. “I’m on it.”

She didn’t want to leave but she knew she had to. She wasn’t sure why she looked at Trey for his approval but she did. She’d expected him to nod or tell her to go ahead. He stunned her silly by striding away from Kinsley, snaking an arm around her and giving her a hard, thrilling kiss. She nearly sagged, wanting to take things to another level. Somehow she managed not to open her mouth and tease his lips with her tongue.

“I’ll be right here, baby,” he whispered. She inhaled his scent, shivering at the heat of his body against hers. “When you’re finished come back to me.”

She felt like a shameless hussy who didn’t give a shit what anyone thought. “Okay.”

It felt as though she’d lost a part of herself as she walked away from him. Nathan gave her a sideways glance as she darted past him. She increased the pace, hurrying to Leigh’s room. She had to do damage control, get Leigh sorted out and take charge. That’s what the young vampire would need right now. Anything else would spook her more than she already had been.

With a deep breath for courage, she opened the door and stepped inside the bedroom.

* * * * *

Trey had wanted to bolt after Sadie. Each time she left him he wanted to bring her back to his side. To distract himself, he’d put his focus on Nathan. Leigh’s rejection had shattered the male. The Beta looked beaten and emotionally worn down. Even so, Leigh was the man’s mate. Nathan would do anything for her. She could hate him more than anything in the world and he’d still lay down his life for her. Diskant wouldn’t be making any calls without Nathan’s approval. That much was clear.

Poor son of a bitch.

“I have a serious matter that needs my attention,” Kinsley stated, pulling Trey’s gaze from Nathan. “You need to set things up within the next twenty-four hours. After that I’ll be on a leave of absence. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

“What?” Diskant snapped in disbelief. “You’ve got to be shitting me. Can’t it wait?”

“No.” Kinsley’s mood switched, going from calm to aggressive. “I’ve helped you as much as I can. Those are my terms. Take them or leave them.”

It was rude to interrupt but Trey didn’t give a shit.

Fuck manners.

“You told Diskant this has happened before.” Trey hurried to ask the questions he needed answers for. “How do you know that?”

“I just do. I know a lot of things.” Kinsley took a step back from Diskant, although he kept his attention on the Omega. “There are shifters on the West Coast with vampire mates. Most shifters prefer not to talk about it. You have to learn when and where to ask the right questions. Timing and location are everything.”

That made sense. Even if a pack accepted a vampire due to a mating, they weren’t likely to advertise it. And Kinsley had been around longer than any of them. If anyone knew what was what it was Mr. MacGregor.

“What was the fallout?” Trey asked. There had to have been some. He wanted to be prepared.

“I don’t know the story for every situation but I can tell you about one in particular. Some members of the pack left after their Alpha mated with a vampire, but most stayed.”

“An Alpha?” Trey couldn’t believe it. News like that would travel, even if a pack tried to keep it quiet. A normal pack member might have issues introducing a vampire mate to his group but an Alpha was—at least Trey thought—unheard of.

“You’re wondering how they’ve kept it a secret. It’s understandable.” Kinsley nodded at Diskant, gave Ava another smile and turned to Trey. “They struck a bargain. Everyone swore to stay silent on the matter. The Alpha’s scent covered the female so it threw most shifters off her scent. Even if they thought something was off, they didn’t know what it was for sure. And there’s something else.”

Kinsley strode from Diskant to Trey. The big male came close, standing mere inches away. He met Trey’s gaze, relating the importance of what he was about to share.

“The Alpha agreed that if his female ever used their mated connection against the pack, they had his blessing to kill them both. He gave them serious leverage in order to gain their trust. You’ll need to do the same. Face your kin. Tell them what you’re willing to sacrifice in order to keep what’s yours. Have Diskant give his word that he’ll hunt the two of you down if things go sour. They know he’ll do it if he has to.”

Fuck. It’d never happen.

“I can’t do that.” He wouldn’t let anyone harm Sadie, no matter what she did.

“You can and will.” Kinsley’s eyes shifted to the shifter who’d accompanied him. The man gave Kinsley a nod and walked from the room. “You can’t have your cake and eat it too,” Kinsley said softly. For a moment, Trey though he saw a glimmer of pain in the man’s eyes. “I understand there are things you want to do and then there are things you have to do. You’re going to have to make your priorities clear. The pack won’t respect you if you don’t.”

“They might not respect me anyway.”

Even if Trey came to them with sincerity, the shifters in his pack could turn their backs on him, shunning him completely. He’d always been part of a pack. The thought of being on the outside looking in devastated him. And even if they didn’t want his help, they needed it. Shepherds would return and unleash their own brand of hell. Shifters would suffer mercilessly before they were killed.

Kinsley stepped to the side, dismissing Trey as he started to walk away.

“Then give them a reason to. The ball’s in your court.”

Trey remained in the same spot, mulling over Kinsley’s advice. In the meantime Kinsley exited the room, his footsteps fading as he left the house.

Could he actually promise something like that to his pack? Effectively putting a target on Sadie’s back? He knew she couldn’t survive without him, so even if he offered his own life it would end hers as well. Which was better? A quick death? Or a slow, miserable one?

“Ava, baby,” Diskant whispered. “Would you get Cade?”

“Of course I will.” There was an enormous amount of love in the words, Ava’s adoration evident. She padded over to Diskant and kissed him on the cheek. “He’s in the kitchen. I’ll make everyone something to eat while I’m there.”

Nathan hovered in the doorway and watched Ava leave. Once she’d gone he moved to the center of the room and looked at Diskant.

“If you have any respect for me,” he said, “you’ll let me make decisions when it comes to Leigh. I’m not letting her leave without me. Where she goes, I go.”

“I’m thinking she needs a bit of space from you.” Diskant wasn’t cruel, only honest. “I know it’s not easy but you need to give her room to breathe.”

Nathan’s low growl hummed through the room. “I can’t protect her if I’m not with her.”

“I sent Cade to help someone a while back. The people who asked for our aid owe me a favor. If they’ll take Leigh, they can protect her. Believe me when I say they have more firepower than we’ll ever have.” Diskant’s face softened, his compassion shining through. “You can accompany Leigh if she goes. But I’m warning you that these people don’t care much for shifters. You’re going to have to back off a little. Give your female time to heal. You’ll smother her if you’re not careful and she’ll resent you for it.”

“You called?” Cade snarked as he graced everyone with his presence.

“We have to move Leigh. It’s too dangerous to keep her here. If I can swing it we’re going to keep her hidden by the enclave in New Orleans.”

Maybe his eyes were deceiving him but Trey thought he glimpsed a flash of nervousness in Cade’s gaze. As he usually did, Cade quickly masked his emotions. The man didn’t want anyone to know how he felt—good or bad.

“What does that have to do with me?”

“I’ll need you to take Leigh there and make sure she’s settled. As soon as you get back I’ll get the information you want. You’ll be free to go and do your thing. I’m giving you my word. You can break from the pack completely or you can return. It’s entirely up to you.”

Trey’s head bolted up and he stared at Diskant in confusion. They’d planned to have Cade stay at the firehouse to calm the pack’s possible angst. Apparently Diskant felt it was necessary to change their strategy. Which begged the question—who would protect the city? The pack needed an Alpha or Beta nearby in order to feel safe.

“All right,” Cade said, nodding. The man was so eager to get the job done he was almost brimming with anticipation. He was about to get the revenge he’d wanted for so long. “When do we leave?”

“I’m not sure. Soon, hopefully,” Diskant replied, peering over at Nathan. “Come with me. We’ll need to sort out the details.”

The Omega and Beta swept from the room, leaving Cade and Trey alone.

In the last few months the men had developed a strange kind of bond. It might be stretching it but Trey felt like the man actually considered Trey a friend. On a rare occasion they exchanged jokes and barbs. Beneath his rough exterior Cade was still a man with a huge heart. Trey knew that better than anyone. After Mary had come along Cade had backed her up more than once. He’d taken the wounded woman under his wing, ready to take on anyone in the pack to protect her, even if Mary and Emory hadn’t known it.

“It’s finally happening,” Trey said. “You’re going to get what you want.”

“That’s the thing.” Cade didn’t look at Trey, keeping his eyes forward. “I’m not sure…now that the moment’s here…” Cade shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.” The smile he gave Trey was forced. “Let’s not talk about me. Are you going to be okay? Without me watching your back you’re liable to get your ass kicked.”

“I might,” Trey admitted. “But then again I might not.”

“I wouldn’t worry too much.” Cade cracked his neck and sighed. “I’ve seen what that woman of yours can do. If the shit hits the fan, take cover behind her. I’m sure she’ll demolish whatever comes at you.”

“Fuck that.” He’d never cower behind a female. “If anyone takes cover it’ll be her.”

Trey took a moment to really look at Cade. Something was bothering the male.

“What’s eating your goat?” Cade tried to blow him off but Trey wouldn’t relent, prodding, “Talk to me.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Bullshit.”

Cade narrowed his eyes, finally gazing at Trey. “Are we having a girly moment?”

“If you want to call it that.” So far, so good. Cade might look angry but he was being sarcastic. A positive sign. “You’re going to be leaving. No sense in keeping what you need to say bottled up.”

Cade averted his gaze. “It’s not easy to put what I’m thinking into words.”

“Are you worried you won’t be able to do it?” Trey knew Cade wanted to kill the people who’d murdered his family, but wanting and doing were two different things. “Are you having second thoughts?”

“Fuck no,” Cade snarled, staring Trey in the eye. “When I find them, they’re dead.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

The hatred washed from Cade’s face, his brows smoothing out. “When it’s done, I have to decide what comes after. I’ve wanted this for so long, I haven’t thought about what comes next.”

“You go on living.” Trey rested a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “You owe it to the memory of your family. Your wife wouldn’t have wanted any of this for you.”

A small laugh escaped Cade. “Andrea would beat my ass.” With a sigh, he confessed, “After she died, I took comfort in thinking she was watching over me. Then I started hoping she wasn’t. I didn’t want her to see the things I did. I never want her to know what kind of man I’ve become.” There was a slight hesitation before Cade said, “Not too long ago I met someone. I didn’t think it was possible but for a little while I was able to think about something else.”

“That’s not a bad thing.” Trey tried to think of who Cade might have met outside the pack. He couldn’t tell if Cade was talking about a man or a woman. Taking a chance, he asked, “Who is she?”

“That,” Cade straightened his shoulders and put on his hard-ass façade again, “is none of your fucking business.”

Trey had his answer. It was a female.

There wasn’t any sense in pushing. Cade wasn’t saying anything else. Trey accepted what he’d been given, pulling his hand away. “I feel sorry for her, whoever she is. You are an enormous pain in the ass.”

“Should we go find your majesty and see if he needs us?”

Cade was finished. No more talking. Back to business.

“I suppose we should.”

As they exited the room Trey let Cade take the lead. He watched him closely, wondering how things would pan out. Once upon a time he’d wanted the human to stay the hell away from the pack. Now he loathed the idea of Cade leaving. Maybe it was for the best. The tortured soul had to defeat his demons. If he didn’t he’d never find any measure of peace.

He tried to picture the woman who’d broken Caden Stone’s stupor.

She’d have to be feisty and strong-willed. The females in the pack had taken to Cade because they sensed the dominance in him. A weaker woman would likely run in the other direction.

The last twenty-four hours he’d wished for a lot of things—safety for Sadie, a way to defend his pack, the promise of a brighter tomorrow—so he wasn’t surprised when he sent another request to whatever it was that decided the future. If fate would be kind enough he hoped Cade would find his way back to the female who’d impacted his life even if only for a short period of time.

If anyone deserved a second chance, it was the human who’d lost everything.