they hung out in packs. It was rare for someone to get the drop on one. But Deric had been the exception that proved it could happen if they weren’t all incredibly careful.
Since that time, the rules had become stiffer and penalties for breaking them harsher. It was what he had to do to keep them all safe.
“I’m considering moving us out of Cary Town, somewhere where we won’t be a target. I’m not sure the danger is worth it anymore.”
One of the wolves in the back spoke up. “But what about what they’re doing? If everyone just goes along with these rules they’re setting up, supposedly for everybody’s safety from the humans, they’ll start branching into other cities. Eventually they’ll have control of everything.”
Another wolf added his voice to the discussion. “Don’t be such an alarmist, Mara. We’d still have access to the demon dimension.”
Mara turned toward the other wolf. “There’s no hunting there. No places to run. We can’t live there.”
Cole raised a hand, and the wolves fell silent. “I haven’t said we should give up the fight. Only that with Anthony in charge, it’s not as safe for us as it was under the old administration. This vampire is more ambitious than his predecessor. Even with the stronger security in place, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets caught.”
“I don’t want to leave. This is my home,” a teenage girl said. “Why do any of us even have to go into town at all?”
Cole stared at her for a moment.
“Lucy!” Her mother looked horrified by her daughter’s outburst and at the same time scared for her.
Shit. The pack was afraid of him. He’d been protecting his status to protect them, but it clearly hadn’t been interpreted that way. Jane might be the best PR he could get within the pack, assuming he could convince them she wasn’t out to destroy them all.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” He hadn’t thought of it because it hadn’t been an issue until three months ago. Deric’s capture had caused massive levels of stress for everyone.
“Thought of what?” Blake said.
Cole was glad he hadn’t been the only one. “No more going into town unless you have direct permission from myself or Blake. From here on out, if you aren’t in the hive, you are to be outside the city limits. I’ll have to get more portal charms from Cain but I think I can swing it. We can hop portals from here in the main den.”
No one in the pack knew exactly how he’d struck the arrangement with Cain. Most demons didn’t mingle with preternaturals that had humanity in their veins. But he’d helped Cain out of a bind once. Demons were unkillable, true immortals on this plane. Unlike vampires. But that didn’t mean they didn’t get into tight and unpleasant spots. Plus he thought Cain found the whole thing amusing and liked undermining the vampires. The bastard half-breeds.
***
Jane’s muscles coiled in tension as she sat in the passenger seat of Cole’s Mustang, the black wool fabric covering her eyes. How was she supposed to defend herself against a rabid werewolf if she couldn’t see it?
“Sorry, but I forgot to ask Cole about that, and I’ve never known him to allow anyone outside the pack into the hive without it.”
“No, it’s fine,” Jane said a little shakily, hoping she didn’t sound as scared as she felt. Oh hell, Rhonda could no doubt smell it on her. And if she was the weakest of the pack, it might mean she was the least in control of the change. Jane concentrated on thinking happy thoughts. Peter Pan thoughts. Whatever she had to do to make sure Rhonda didn’t sprout fur on her.
She slipped a finger into the pocket of her jeans, felt the handle of the silver knife and relaxed a bit. If she had to, she’d use it. How hard could it be after staking a vampire?
Several minutes later Rhonda spoke, popping the bubble of girlie grunge rock music that had been pounding out of the speakers. “Okay, you can take off
Since that time, the rules had become stiffer and penalties for breaking them harsher. It was what he had to do to keep them all safe.
“I’m considering moving us out of Cary Town, somewhere where we won’t be a target. I’m not sure the danger is worth it anymore.”
One of the wolves in the back spoke up. “But what about what they’re doing? If everyone just goes along with these rules they’re setting up, supposedly for everybody’s safety from the humans, they’ll start branching into other cities. Eventually they’ll have control of everything.”
Another wolf added his voice to the discussion. “Don’t be such an alarmist, Mara. We’d still have access to the demon dimension.”
Mara turned toward the other wolf. “There’s no hunting there. No places to run. We can’t live there.”
Cole raised a hand, and the wolves fell silent. “I haven’t said we should give up the fight. Only that with Anthony in charge, it’s not as safe for us as it was under the old administration. This vampire is more ambitious than his predecessor. Even with the stronger security in place, it’s only a matter of time before someone gets caught.”
“I don’t want to leave. This is my home,” a teenage girl said. “Why do any of us even have to go into town at all?”
Cole stared at her for a moment.
“Lucy!” Her mother looked horrified by her daughter’s outburst and at the same time scared for her.
Shit. The pack was afraid of him. He’d been protecting his status to protect them, but it clearly hadn’t been interpreted that way. Jane might be the best PR he could get within the pack, assuming he could convince them she wasn’t out to destroy them all.
“Why didn’t I think of that?” He hadn’t thought of it because it hadn’t been an issue until three months ago. Deric’s capture had caused massive levels of stress for everyone.
“Thought of what?” Blake said.
Cole was glad he hadn’t been the only one. “No more going into town unless you have direct permission from myself or Blake. From here on out, if you aren’t in the hive, you are to be outside the city limits. I’ll have to get more portal charms from Cain but I think I can swing it. We can hop portals from here in the main den.”
No one in the pack knew exactly how he’d struck the arrangement with Cain. Most demons didn’t mingle with preternaturals that had humanity in their veins. But he’d helped Cain out of a bind once. Demons were unkillable, true immortals on this plane. Unlike vampires. But that didn’t mean they didn’t get into tight and unpleasant spots. Plus he thought Cain found the whole thing amusing and liked undermining the vampires. The bastard half-breeds.
***
Jane’s muscles coiled in tension as she sat in the passenger seat of Cole’s Mustang, the black wool fabric covering her eyes. How was she supposed to defend herself against a rabid werewolf if she couldn’t see it?
“Sorry, but I forgot to ask Cole about that, and I’ve never known him to allow anyone outside the pack into the hive without it.”
“No, it’s fine,” Jane said a little shakily, hoping she didn’t sound as scared as she felt. Oh hell, Rhonda could no doubt smell it on her. And if she was the weakest of the pack, it might mean she was the least in control of the change. Jane concentrated on thinking happy thoughts. Peter Pan thoughts. Whatever she had to do to make sure Rhonda didn’t sprout fur on her.
She slipped a finger into the pocket of her jeans, felt the handle of the silver knife and relaxed a bit. If she had to, she’d use it. How hard could it be after staking a vampire?
Several minutes later Rhonda spoke, popping the bubble of girlie grunge rock music that had been pounding out of the speakers. “Okay, you can take off
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