“I think you may be right, Lance. This changes things. Let’s follow their tracks, I want to know what they were up to.”
“I assure you there isn’t much to see. They entered, walked for a few hundred feet under cover of the trees, turned and made their way back. Exiting through the same cut in the fence.” Lance gestured to a long belt of thick forest that wound its way as far as the eye could see.
It wasn’t lost on her that the forest was the very same one that she had looked on earlier from Zane’s tower at the castle. The werewolves and elves would be able to hide in the thick foliage Were they really planning an attack? Tanya shivered not liking the answer that formed in her head. Surely they couldn’t be doing this over little old her. Then again, if what Zane said was true, by taking her out of the picture it would mean the end of the vampire line. It would be a very good reason to remove her from the picture. Tanya couldn’t help it, she suddenly felt vulnerable, exposed out in the open like this. She stepped in closer to Zane who instantly put an arm around her, pulling her in to his side. He and Lance were discussing ways to fortify both the castle and the perimeter. Zane put his hand up to Lance midsentence, silencing the tall vampire. He turned his dark, concerned eyes on her. “Are you okay? Cold maybe? You’re shivering.”
“I’m a little cold. I’m not as thick skinned as a vampire.” The sun was setting, streaks of pink lined the horizon. Even with the sun disappearing, the weather was mild. A warm breeze tickled her skin. She wasn’t cold, rather she was scared shitless of becoming a werewolf snack. Or possibly a new pair of pixie boots.
Zane removed his coat and slung it over her shoulders. He wore a black t-shirt and had an array of weapons attached to his body. Even in this setting, and in this moment, he was a sight to behold.
“You stay in the vehicle. Ross and the others will protect you in my absence.”
The thought of leaving his side sucked. She shook her head. He must have seen or sensed her panic because he added. “My men will protect you with their lives.”
Tanya looked down. A thin summer dress and sandals, hardly correct attire for traipsing off into the forest. When they got back, she would be having a little chat with him about what she did and didn’t wear. Panty-less with little summer dresses was fine for the castle, but she had to draw the line at outdoor adventure.
“I won’t be long.” He wrapped both his arms around her and squeezed. Tanya nodded.
Zane took the time to tuck her back into the vehicle before setting off with Lance and three others. The rest remained with her. Ross sat at the driver’s seat with two men flanking each side of the vehicle. The rest spaced themselves at regular intervals in the clearing.
“Why are the other species doing this?”
“Power,” was Ross’s only response.
“What does wiping out the vampires gain them?”
Ross shrugged his big shoulders. “The various species have always been at war. This would be a simple way of gaining the upper hand.”
She couldn’t help but smile at his politically correct answer. “And by this, you mean my death.”
“Or worse, young human.” He turned to look at her, his expression grave. “You will need to speak to Zane about such things. I am not at liberty to discuss such matters.”
“Why not?”
“Zane is your mate and king, besides, I like my tongue where it is.” Ross smiled.
“You’re joking right?”
The smile turned into a wide grin and he shook his head. “Couple of days, a week maybe, it would grow back. Although we regenerate from most wounds, we still hurt.”
Would Zane really do such a thing? She remembered how he’d had the dead elves put up on spikes in order to send a message. Unfortunately, the answer was a resounding yes. Zane was ruthless. He seemed cold hearted at times, yet there was a definite…vulnerability about him as well.
The sun dipped a bit more, skirting the horizon. Zane and the others had been gone for ten or so minutes. Ross and the rest of the men surrounding her were a bundle of fun. She sighed, crossed her arms on the seat in front of her, and rested her head against her arms. She lay like this for a few minutes.
Movement. On the other side of the fence. Their side. Tanya leaned forward trying to discern what it was. With the light fading fast, shadows could be playing tricks. Another definite shift in the foliage. There was something out there and none of the vampires seemed to have picked up on it. They seemed more focussed on her and the direct surrounds. At least half were facing in the direction Zane and Lance had left in. Tanya was about to say something when the shifting shadows took shape. It was a man astride a giant wolf. No, not a man, an elf. The elf had a bow at his back. The beast was a charcoal smudge of color that blended perfectly with the shadows. Now that she could see him more clearly, the hairs on her neck stood on end. She knew she should scream but it was if the air had evaporated from her lungs. The creature had massive jaws. It was muscled and fierce looking. It was five times the size of a normal wolf. Anyone with any knowledge of folklore would be able to tell that the creature was no normal wolf. It was just too darned big. She’d bet money that its eyes would have a human quality.