What This Wolf Wants(61)

“Why’s it so dark?” She peered around the room, hoping her eyes would adjust. Only, they didn’t. It was so dark she couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face.

“Electricity’s out. I’m taking you upstairs, so don’t move.”

Well, that was odd. Why would he tell her not to move if he was taking her upstairs?

Before she could ask, she heard a whisper of cloth and then she was being lifted up and tossed over Zan’s left shoulder. She let out a girly squeal and braced her hands on his firm back. “What are you doing?”

One hand squeezed her butt. “Told you. Taking you upstairs. This is the most efficient way.”

“Efficient?” She clamped her teeth together when she nearly bit off her tongue as he bounded up the stairs. Upside down, in the dark, and being jolted were not a great combination. Zan might think it the most efficient, until she tossed every single one of those cookies she’d snarfed a few hours ago all down his backside.

The top of the stairs led to the kitchen and when he reached it, Jackie finally heard the rain. Either the basement was soundproof, or she’d been too busy concentrating on not puking to hear it before. Now, as Zan turned to leave the kitchen, she lifted her head higher and looked out the back windows. A bolt of lightening slashed across the sky, blinding her momentarily. But it was enough to see that yes, the storm appeared to be as fierce as it sounded.

A clap of thunder followed and she tensed at the sound. Zan patted her tush, kneading the flesh in reassurance. “I’ve got you.”

She rolled her eyes. She loved the thunder and lightening. Storms didn’t scare her, but hey, if he wanted to give her comfort by rubbing his hand on her bottom, she’d go with it.

“The question is, where are you taking me? And what is that sound?” She could still hear the high-pitched noise over the rain and it was getting on her nerves. It was akin to a fly buzzing around her ear and she wanted to swat it.

“The sound is the alarm. It’s pitched too high for human ears, but not for shifters.”

“Alarm?” She turned her head back and forth, looking everywhere she could, expecting the bogeyman to jump out at any second.

The cloud cover might be thick and the rain heavy, but neither was enough to overcome the power of the full moon’s glow. In fact, as Zan moved into and through Russell’s office, Jackie saw through the window how several patches of gauzy moonlight bathed the wet ground. It reminded her of the soft affect angel hair had on Christmas tree lights. What a weird connection to make.

“Yeah. Perimeter wall’s being tampered with, but Shider’s not on the premises. Yet. It’s the initial alarm, warning us that someone’s trying to get either through or over the wall.”

“Oh, God.” Now she really was going to throw up. “Can’t you call the cops or something?” Instead of going out there and possibly getting killed, she added silently.

“He’d just make bail and try again. And then we might not be ready for him. I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life. Would you?” No, actually. She really wouldn’t. But she kept her mouth fully clamped shut.

“Here we are.” Zan bent over and carefully dropped Jackie back to her feet.

“Here” turned out to be some kind of control room, very similar to the one at Moon Haven, the wolf compound back in Woodcliff. As Jackie peered through the faint yellow light, she felt a wave of homesickness, which was ridiculous since she’d only been gone two days.

She brushed that feeling aside, noting that Russell and Marion were already present. The shifter sat in front of several lit screens that she quickly perceived to be strategic views of the grounds. Marion sat next to him and gave her a wan smile. “You okay?” She asked with quiet concern.

“Uh. Yeah.” Jackie wrapped her arms around her middle. “Still trying to wake up. So if the electricity is out, how come those are working?”

“Back-up generator.” Zan was moving toward a large steel cabinet. It was then she noticed he’d changed clothes. Black pants adorned his legs and a long-sleeved black shirt covered his torso. Both had a slight sheen to them and were so tight they clung to his body like a second skin. Yet when he moved, the fabric flowed with him.

“Where are Scott and Joe?”

“Out in the forest. The alarm will bring them back.” Zan answered as he reached into the cabinet, grabbing, checking, and then attaching various weapons to his body. Jackie tried not to grimace as he tucked two wickedly sharp knives into his black boots.

“This may be a dumb question,” Jackie turned to face Marion. “But how’d they get into the forest? This place is walled in?”