Electric Storm(103)
Raven carefully let her mind go blank, thankful for the cold metal on her ass to give her something else to concentrate on. She wasn’t up to playing word games with this man. If there was any hint of trouble, he’d finish her now.
She suspected Grandpa had a bit of paranormal in him to be able to pick others like herself out of the crowd so well. Maybe that was why he hated them so fiercely.
“Police involvement gives us a little problem. A surplus of breeds. No sense taking them with us when there are so many of you.” He dropped his hand and stepped away, his fingers looped into his belt buckle. “We’re going to make things a good deal more interesting and shackle two of you together. We’ll see if this pack business works or if you’ll gnaw off the other’s arm to escape.”
A malevolent glint hardened Grandpa’s eyes, and a shiver crawled over her skin. Part of her confidence eroded under that glare. “You and the little wolf who objected so vehemently when you were dragged in here will be paired.”
The back of her throat dried, and she willed herself not to swallow, not to react. This man would sense any weakness and ruthlessly exploit it. He grunted, obviously disappointed in her lack of response.
The animals at her core began to pace and panic brutally grabbed her throat. Please not now. She desperately needed a boost of energy to keep them at bay. Hell, she’d even be grateful to be hit with that cursed taser.
“You escape, you’re free.” He shrugged, a little smile quirking his lips. “It’s that easy.”
With the image of freedom dangled in front of them, the animals calmed. She and Taggert were well matched. He might be faster, stronger, but she could disrupt their trail and track the others when they got too close. The only complications would be managing the burnout and her animals with him so close.
“Take her and get them ready. The hunt will begin at one.”
She shot a quick glance at Solider Boy, who had entered behind the Grandpa, willing him to protest the change in plans. A muscle jumped in his jaw, but he kept quiet. No help from that quarter. She debated making a play now but stayed her hand. Everyone needed to be out of the cave. When she made her move, she had to be one hundred percent sure that whatever she did, she struck hard, fast and with killing force.
Then she saw the taser.
“Shit.” She gritted her teeth at the necessary evil, ready to swallow everything down in a faint hope that her core had recovered enough to restart.
The spark jumped from the gun to her before it even came into contact with her flesh. Pain rolled over her, the current snapping along her skin, seeking entrance. When denied, every muscle contracted in agony. She willed herself to remain conscious, desperately trying to clutch the electricity, cursing when the voltage dissipated without her being able to capture even a spark.
Darkness hovered over her awareness, and Soldier Boy pulled back when she would’ve succumbed. Not for humanitarian purposes. To preserve his precious hunt. She slumped on the table, helpless to do anything as her body continued to fight the painful effects.
The cuff snicked open, and she found herself thrown over his back, carried through a series of underground passages. He dumped her unceremoniously on the floor, knocking the breath from her lungs. While stunned, he efficiently latched an inch wide metal manacle around her wrist.
Cold bit into her ass when the man walked away, the temperature a relief after all the energy she’d handled in the last few hours. Her eyes traced the metal links to another cuff hooked to the wall just out of her reach. A light, pine filled breeze brushed against her face, and she knew the entrance had to be close. She struggled upright.
Shuffling feet drew her attention. She quickly scanned the cave for a weapon. No rocks or twigs were nearby. The stone walls were completely devoid of any power. There was nothing to use to defend herself. All she had left was the gold power Randolph left her.
Part of her hesitated to even touch it, but if it meant Taggert would go free, she’d take the risk. She carefully harvested a strand, sucking in a sharp breath when the cord nearly gutted her.
She wrapped up the unruly energy like a ball, prepared to throw it hard and fast, anything to get it out of her hold.
Sickening horror flashed through her when Taggert stumbled out of the darkness. She scrambled to swallow the current down, sucking in a sharp breath when everywhere it touched burned and became as sensitive as freshly broken blisters. Just when she thought it would kick her ass, it finally settled.
Her gaze shot to Taggert, half fearful she hadn’t stopped her attack in time. Though severely bruised and battered, all the wounds were old. They aslo looked worse than she’d first estimated.