Holocaust (The Deadwood Hunter Series Book 3) (13 page)

Careful, Lexia, push her so far and you’ll have no one left to fight for…leaving room for me. On second thought, push away.

Maura’s voice crept over her skin like a thousand tiny claws. She couldn’t suppress the shudder down her spine.

“Either way, if you’d like your friends to live, play by my rules,” Lucy snapped, her smile dropping to a hard line.

Lexia didn’t answer Lucy’s retort. However unwanted Maura was, she’d been right; Lexia had to tread carefully, push her too far and Lucy would strike before Lexia was ready to intercept.

Lucy kept Lexia busy for most of the day. It was a little after two in the afternoon by the time she escaped. Lucy had been called to an urgent matter and Lexia had a feeling she knew exactly what it was. Most of her time with Lucy, she’d stood silent while she went from one meaningless task to the other. Lexia couldn’t find any other motive for Lucy’s insistence she accompany her, other than simply showing a united front.

Derrick ran into her on her way back to her room. “Lex, I was looking for you. Something big has happened. I was on my way back from seeing Alice when I heard screaming. From what I can gather, someone has escaped Lucy’s cells. One of her experiments.”

Lexia put the key in her door making Derrick frown. “Since when do you lock the door?”

“Since I broke out the
experiment
,” she whispered, pushing the door wide.

Sahara jumped awake, scrambling from the bed.

“It’s all right,” Lexia soothed.

“W-who’s that?” she stammered.

“This is Derrick. He’s going to help.”

“I am?” Derrick asked, his back pressed against the now closed door.

“Yes. We’re going to use Sahara to convince the wolf pack to help us.”

“The wolf pack who have killed a number of our men and Lucy has been unsuccessful in locating?”

“Lucy is a moron. They’ve been under her nose the whole time. I know where they are.”

Derrick was shaking his head before she’d even finished her sentence. “Lexia, this is the craziest idea you’ve ever had. They’ll either kill you, or Lucy will along with us when she finds out.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take. I need help. They can help.”

“Help with what?”

“Ending this.”

“Lex, I know I said to play the game, but this, you’re running head first into war,” he sighed.

“Derrick, you’re the one who said a war was coming. Whether I run toward it makes no difference. I’m going to win. Lucy’s reign is coming to an end.”

“What about the rest of us? What happens to every lost solider inside these walls?”

“I’m going to save them, too!” Lexia snapped defensively. Already feeling wholly inadequate in the task she’d been given, Lexia needed Derrick to trust her.

“How, Lex?”

“Sarah is working on a cure.”

“The scientist who’s being taking samples from us all week?”

“Yes.”

“How’d you know all this and why haven’t you told me?” Derrick snapped.

“Are you going to help or not?” she replied, hands on hips and her patience slowly slipping.

He ran his hand through his hair looking suddenly weary. “Not got much choice, have I? What do you need?”

A huge smile lit Lexia’s face. “Not much. Just figure out a way for her to leave the compound unseen while I go pay a little visit to our friends.” Lexia headed to the door.

“Wait. You’re going now? What will you even say to them? I’m not even sure we’ll get her out. Maybe you should wait?”

“I’m going now, Derrick. Shift change is in ten. It will be the only opportunity I have until nightfall to leave, plus Lucy is occupied with Sahara missing.” She paused, her hand on the door handle. “When shall I tell them to expect her?”

A frown line appeared between his eyes as his mind worked over her question. “There’s a supply run going out at dark. Maybe I could get her on that. But how’s she getting off?” he pondered, staring at the floor.

“You take the supply run,” Lexia answered as if it was that clear cut.

Derrick looked up. “I’m not sure, Lex. I…I could maybe swing that, but still, it’s a long shot.”

“It’s the only shot. I need to go now. I’ll tell them to expect you after dark. See you back here.” Lexia walked from her room leaving Derrick to his feeble protests.

Chapter 15

Caden walked out of the apartment as quietly as possible. After all that had happened since he’d met Lexia, his leopard lived nearer to the surface then it ever had before. This was handy for sneaking around without Lincoln’s knowledge, not so good though for the profession he’d chosen; the last thing he needed was his leopard taking control in a stressful medical situation.

Caden missed his old life, his practice, his home. Lincoln had told him numerous times to go back, but he had no intention of leaving Lincoln. Plus, it would be hard to rebuild knowing any moment hunters could attack.

“Caleb,” he murmured as he closed the apartment door.

“Can you talk?”

“Yeah, I’ve slipped out. Lincoln isn’t up yet anyway. Probably still sleeping off the drink he consumed yesterday.”

“Listen, I’ve got some news. Not sure if it’s any use, but I’ve found out where she is, where the hunters live. It’s underground, deep into the Black Hills, genius really. It’s hard to spot unless you’re looking. There’s no marked road to the place, and the trees are so dense they obscure the fence.”

“Have you seen her?” Caden asked, his grip on the phone tight. He dared not breathe as he waited for the answer.

“Yes. It’s strange, Caden, I’ve been watching from a distance and every morning she leaves before light. She’ll run up, away from the place…and the way she runs, it’s as if there’s something chasing her. When she reaches the top, she climbs this tree; it sits right on the peak of the hill; has a fantastic view of the forest. She’s gotten so good at climbing, Caden; might as well be a shifter.”

“I wish I could see her,” Caden whispered into the cell, smiling as he imagined Lexia swinging into the tree.

Caleb continued, “The sun rises, and for just a moment, Caden, it’s like looking at the girl we first met, but then she jumps down, walks back and builds up her walls. By the time she slips back inside undetected, it’s as if I imagined ever seeing Lexia…there’s nothing left but Maura.”

Caden was silent, unsure what to say or do. He just held the cell, listening to Caleb’s steady breaths on the other line.

“You need to come here, Cade. Lincoln is the only one who can stop her from going back.”

“I can’t tell him, not yet. The way he is, if she refuses to go with him, he’ll run inside that place before we can stop him.”

“Caden, you can’t protect him forever.”

“I know that. Just watch her, okay? I’ll tell him when I’m sure she really is back.”

“Why does she go back? If she can leave undetected, why not just keep running?” Caleb asked, speaking as if just to himself.

“Well, if it really is Lexia, then there’s someone inside that place who she’s protecting. That’s what she does, sacrifices herself for others.”

“Well, whatever is going on, there’s more than just me in these forests. I’ve caught the scent of wolves. Things are going to come to a head, Caden, whether you’re ready to tell Lincoln or not.”

Caden ended the call feeling suddenly ill. He walked back into the apartment and slumped into the nearest chair. He kept telling himself Lincoln wasn’t ready to hear all that was happening, yet when would he ever be ready? He wasn’t getting better. He’d only become worse. Not only was he dealing with Lexia’s absence, his grandfather’s death had opened old wounds and unearthed things Lincoln just didn’t have the strength to deal with at the moment.

I’ll tell him soon,
Caden promised.
I’ll tell him soon.

Chapter 16

“Interesting,” Lexia murmured as the pack of wolves surrounded her, each snarling and snapping their teeth, just waiting to rip her to shreds.

The dark grey wolf directly in front of her shifted. “What about this situation is interesting, hunter?”

“That a pack of alpha wolves would band together. I presumed you were a normal pack.” She smiled as his face turned to shock. “Yes, I can tell you are all alphas. Just like I’ve known you’ve been living around our base for the past week.”

“Then why would you walk to your death? Is that what you want, hunter?”

Lexia feigned a laughed, both bored and amused. She needed to wear her mask here. Bringing shifters into the play could work either in Lexia’s favor or against. “I’m not afraid of death, but I did not come here seeking it. I came to make you a deal.”

“We do not make deals with hunters,” he growled, his jaw clenching.

“Yes, I thought you might say that but I think you should listen to what I have to say before we fight. It has been a while since I’ve had a worthwhile opponent, but I really would rather work with you than waste your lives.” Lexia suppressed the repulsive shiver threating to travel down her spine; her words were so like Maura, she felt her stir within. The awakening darkness hoped to take hold again.

He smiled at her and Lexia sighed
. Do I really have to do this? Why can’t things be easy for once?
As the wolf behind her crept closer, she kept her eyes focused on the two black wolves at her front.

“It really is impressive you’ve banded together to take down the hunters. My mother is quite pissed off with you.” The wolf was a few yards away from her back. “No families to protect, no weaker pack members to be held as threats. Ten strong, top of the pack wolves ready and willing to die for their cause.”

She moved, whipping around in a blur, her leg curling into the air, kicking out into the wolf’s side. He flew across the ground as the other two leapt. Twisting toward the floor, Lexia missed the first wolf as it sailed over her head and met the third full on. They crashed to the floor, soil flying up into the air. Lexia didn’t try to get away. Instead, she ignored the sharp teeth that ripped her flesh. Wrapping her arms around the wolf, she squeezed, hearing one, two, three ribs crack. The wolf whimpered, his grip on her flesh loosening until he was pinned beneath her, a knife to his throat.

The urge to release the wolf and run coursed through her. She looked into the wolf’s eyes seeing the monster she’d become, the monster her mother had made. Only the need to see her mother’s demise kept her together.

“Impressive. You’re strong, but you all still have your humanity. I may not have your mate, child, brother, or friend held at knifepoint, but you still care. You’d all feel something if I sliced my knife into his throat. Someone once told me your humanity was your strength. Maybe it is. If I killed this wolf now, you’d all fight with a strength powered by loss, revenge, and maybe I wouldn’t get out of it. First though, will you listen to me? Just hear me out, and then by all means, try to kill me.”

Lexia stood up, backing away from the wolf at her feet, palms up and looking at the man who remained in his human form.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Maura, or maybe you’ve heard of me by the name Lexia?” Her choice to use Maura purely so Lincoln wouldn’t find out she was back. She might be Lexia again, but never could she be
his
Lexia,
his
Wildcat
.

By the widening of his eyes and sharp intake of breath, he knew. “You’re Lincoln Turner’s mate.”

“No, I’m not. I’ll never be her again. I am a hunter and I’ll die a hunter. First though, I plan to kill my mother and destroy her plans.” Lexia was surprised by the calm, level tone she upheld. Just the mention of Lincoln’s name caused her insides to lurch.

“You’d kill your own mother?” he asked surprised.

“Do not mistake me for someone who cares. I feel nothing for her. I
feel
nothing.” The lie rolled easily off her tongue. It was days like today, when she so easily slipped on Maura’s mask, that she wondered who she truly was. She wanted with all of her soul to be Lexia, but the name didn’t quite fit anymore. She’d spilt too much blood, and Maura; Maura represented the darkest of her days, a darkness she never wanted to visit again.

“But why would you want the hunters dead in the first place?”

“My reasons are none of your concern. Will you help me or not?”

“Why not just kill her yourself?” he asked, standing firm.

“Oh, don’t worry. I plan to kill her, but she is not the only problem. There is more than one head to this monster and not all are so easily within my reach. It appears some of the humans are behind this program.” Lexia wasn’t sure of everyone who needed to be eliminated. All she knew was it would be an impossible task to take on alone.

“Human?” he whispered, looking horrified.

“Yes, shifter, monsters come in all shapes and forms.”

“How do I know you’re telling me the truth?”

“You don’t, but I’m hoping one of you is called Adam?” Lexia silently pleaded with the universe for her hunch to be right.

A white wolf fidgeted to her right. “I’m also guessing what brought the ten of you together was your hatred for the hunters. You’ve chosen to fight instead of hiding, which means you’ve either a death wish, or have nothing left to live for, other than revenge, and the grief of those you’ve lost.”

Still the wolves seemed unaffected by her words. Lexia decided to put her cards on the table. Turning, she looked at the white wolf she hoped was the Adam who belonged to the shifter woman locked in her room. “Adam, Sahara is still alive.”

He shifted, anger and desperation evident on every line on his face. Stepping forward, his body language screamed of aggression. “Where is she? How do I know you are telling the truth?” His words were savage, etched with the growl of his wolf.

Lexia held her hand toward him. “Here. I rubbed my hand through her hair before I left.”

The other shifter stepped out, his arm blocking Adam’s path. “Adam! She could just be tricking you. You’ve seen how fast she moves. Her knife could be in your chest in seconds.”

Lexia pulled her sword from its sheath and her knife from the holder on her thigh. Throwing them to the ground, she inhaled deeply, hoping she’d not just made a grave mistake. “I mean you no harm.” She offered her hand again.

Adam walked slowly forward, his grey eyes never leaving hers. Slowly, he took her hand and brought it to his nose. The second he caught the scent of his mate, his whole body relaxed and he clung onto Lexia’s hand breathing deeper.

“Sahara,” he whispered.

Lexia felt the pain in his words as if they were her own. For a second, she imagined it was Lincoln in front of her. For a second, she longed to be with her mate again.

“She’s alive, Adam, and I’m willing to get her out in exchange for your pack’s help,” she said dully. Her words no longer sounded like Maura’s. Just being around shifters brought her so much pain, so much longing.

“Anything,” he whispered, releasing her hand. Emotion filled eyes.

“Now wait, Adam, you can’t decide for us all. She might never follow through, and Sahara could be dead,” the shifter ground out through clenched teeth while the rest of the wolves grew visibly restless.

“Grey, if there was a chance your mate was alive, you’d have us all walk to our deaths for her,” Adam stated.

“Just so you know, I don’t have long. Leaving the compound isn’t the easiest of tasks, and Sahara doesn’t have long either. The reason my mother is capturing shifters is because she’s experimenting on them. I broke Sahara out earlier, but her disappearance has been noticed.”

They all growled in unison, closing in.

Lexia held her ground when her every instinct said
run.
“Kill me now and there is no one to help her. My mother will stop at nothing to get what she wants.” She took a small step toward Grey, grounding out, “Will you help me?”

“Why not ask your panther to help you?” he spat.

Lexia paused, as she silently struggled with an explanation that wouldn’t give too much away. Lincoln would do anything for her but she knew they could never be together again. She’d done too much to deserve that happy ending.

“I do not want him involved,” she snapped.

“So you still do care?” Grey stated smugly.

Yes, so so much.
Though Lexia would never admit that. “You are all the same, grasping at any sign of hope, of emotion. If Lincoln were involved, he’d be too busy trying to save me, but I was lost a long time ago. I may not come out of this alive, and I don’t care, but he does. That will jeopardize the mission and he’d end up dead. I joined my mother so he could live. I gave up my life, my humanity for him. It would all be pointless if he died.”

Grey smiled and Lexia wasn’t sure why; wasn’t sure what secret she’d given away.
Do you see through the mask I cling to so precariously?
“We’ll help you once we’ve received Sahara.”

“Good. Sahara will arrive after dark today. She’ll be hidden inside a truck on a supply run. Do not show yourself until you are sure it’s her. She will be with a hunter. Harm him and our deal is off. Sahara must be taken far away from here. Lucy Hunter can never know I helped you, not yet anyway.”

Lexia turned, walking away with an emotion she’d not felt in a long time swirling within her. Hope.

“Lexia, how will we get the information from you?”

Looking back as she walked, Lexia called, “I’ll find you.” Her pace quickened, ready to run. “Oh, and, Grey, tell no one of this meeting. Not even Linc.”

Derrick was pacing her room when she walked in. “Finally! I’ve been out my mind with worry,” he said, dragging her toward him.

Lexia went into the unexpected hug, the contentment she felt surprising her. “Sorry, getting back in proved harder than getting out.”

Derrick released her, his expression suddenly going blank. “So, how’d it go.”

“They’ve agreed to help if we deliver Sahara. They’ll be waiting. They’ll approach when they see it’s her. Is everything ready?”

“I’ll be doing the supply run, but we’re running out of time,” he said with a glance at his watch. “Getting her into the truck will be the hard part.”

Lexia looked at the wooden crate on a trolley near her door. “I’m guessing that has something to do with it?”

“Yep and then we need to get from here to the cargo hold unseen.”

“W-wait a minute. Y-you want me to g-go in-inside that?” Sahara stammered.

“Yes,” Derrick replied.

Sahara took an unsteady step backward mumbling, “No, no, please.”

“I thought you might say that.” In one smooth movement, Derrick stepped forward, inserting a needle into Sahara’s arm.

“W-wh-what…” Her words trailed off as her eyes rolled back into her head.

Derrick caught her as she slumped toward the floor.

“Jesus, Derrick,” Lexia gasped. “What did you give her?”

“Sedative, I hope. Quick, help me get her in. We’re low on time.”

With Sahara secured inside the crate, Lexia led Derrick through the quieter sections of the compound, her mind open, looking for the energies of those around her.