“You always get the heart! I want it this time!” Shawn insisted.
“You take the tongue,” Havoc offered.
“I want the kidneys, too,” Shawn bargained.
Remi shook his huge body like a dog after a bath, his body shrinking down and returning to his human form in full view of the man they’d relentlessly tracked, herded, hunted and tauntedsince they’d found him shortly after leaving Hellen’s house. “I want a leg. I’m so tired of the puny little pieces of meat and bone. I want a whole leg! And the liver!”
“It’s the eyes for me. They’re my favorite… the way they burst on your tongue… I can’t wait! And an arm!” Kiernan said, licking his lips and doing a hell of an imitation of Sir Anthony Hopkins in Silence of the Lambs.
~~~
Harland lay still, carefully controlling his breathing, the beating of his heart, and even his adrenalin responses to being chased by a herd of monsters. Thankfully, his training with the FBI had taught him to control all his body’s natural responses to stressful situations. No one had ever been able to break him during interrogation training, and he’d lied to the whole damn department for more than two years. They had no idea the skills he’d developed. Not even these creatures would be able to locate him. He was so far advanced they’d never be able to get the upper hand. He’d been elusive enough to keep two steps ahead of them since they’d picked up his trail. Several times it had been really close, but he’d managed to shake them each time. He’d had to change direction several times, which brought him back closer to the house he’d stashed Emmalyn’s body in than he cared to be, but it was that or allow the freaks of nature that hunted him to get even closer to him. And that wasn’t going to happen.
He looked down at his body, disgust pouring from his every pore. He hated working in the field. And the state of his dress was just an example. First the stupid bitch had to leave the damn cord to the appliance she’d cooked her dinner in draped over the corner of the kitchen island to snag on his hand as he walkedquickly through the kitchen. Then the contents of her Crockpot spilled out and splashed his pants and the sleeve of his shirt. Which is no doubt what attracted these freaks of nature to him. They smelled the food.
He shallowly inhaled, doing his best to keep his respiration levels so low they couldn’t be detected by the creatures. His first impulse at catching his own scent was to retch. In order to dampen the scent of the meat on his clothing, he’d found what he’d thought was a small scum covered pond and tried to submerge himself in it. After he’d gotten to the middle of it — only about twelve feet across — did he realize it was a mud hole. For swine! And the stench wasn’t just mud. Swine, especially wild swine, are filthy animals who excrete waste into their own watering holes.
He slowly released a breath, willing himself to endure these circumstances, just a little longer. Eventually they’d lose interest and wander away. Maybe one of the fucking swine would cross their paths and these monsters would take out after it, giving him the opening he needed to make his getaway.
Chapter 14
Maverik sent a message to all four males thoroughly enjoying taunting Harland.We’re here.
Who’s we?Remi sent back.
Everly. Do not protect her, let her do her thing.
Before they could ask anything else, they could hear Everly’s voice calling in the distance.
“Emmalyn? Honey, it’s Mom, are you out here?”
Of course, there was no answer, so Everly continued calling. “Emmalyn! If you can hear me, you need to answer me right now! This is not funny!”
What’s she doing? She knows where Emmalyn is,Kiernan thought in his head voice to Havoc, Remi, and Shawn.
It’s a trap,Havoc said.
Yeah, it is. Watch this,Remi agreed.Not sure exactly what they have planned, but Aunt Everly is badass, and if she wants justice for this fucker hurting her child, it’s hers.
What do we do?Shawn asked.
Just fade into the background until we figure out exactly what she has in mind,Havoc said.
Harland watched as the monsters became aware of the woman moving toward them. They seemed to come to some sort of silent agreement and shifted back into their beasts, then slipped into the shadows of the woods — all except the Dragon — who lifted into the air almost silently.
Harland watched as Emmalyn’s mother came into view. He knew exactly who she was. He’d watched her many times, practically calling to him from the windows in her home. He’d almost decided to take her for his new collection, but ultimately couldn’t shake the need to make Emmalyn pay for all the timehe’d wasted collecting the females he’d deemed worthy, just to have them all die. It was clearly her fault they were all dead. Without her interference, he’d still be happily holding them captive.
Harland’s focus shifted back to the woman still calling her daughter, when he saw the Wolf and two Foxes tentatively step into the clearing far to her left.
“Yes, that’s it. Eat that bitch instead of me. Then I’ll run my ass out of here,” he whispered to himself.
I need him to make a grab for me, Everly thought to Havoc and Remi and Maverik.
Let’s make him think we’re considering hunting you instead of him, maybe he’ll make a break for it,Remi thought at her from above.
Maverik tucked himself low to the ground, stalking Everly like she was his prey. Havoc, Kiernan, and Shawn did the same. As they got closer to her, their focus solely on her, Remi swooped down, his claws open, grasping for her.
She ducked and screamed.
