Slow Burn (5 page)

He shuddered. He had to protect Sonja.

Derrick had no intention of making things worse.

It took another three seconds for the sound of clips locking
into place to reach his ears. Then the chambers loaded with shells.

Derrick lunged forward, shifting into a puma in midair. His
large paws clapped against the shoulders of the first intruder. He stood on his
hindquarters and snarled.

Derrick tore the man’s throat out, silencing the
scream-turned-gurgle. In this form, his only thoughts were primal, dangerous.
Protect, eat, fuck, repeat.

Now someone threatened the puma’s territory.

Before he could leap away, a bullet pierced his hindquarter.

He yelped and roared. Then a boot kicked him in the ribcage,
sending him flying back against the wall.

His massive strength blunted some of the pain. He rolled to
his side. Quickly, Derrick flipped to his feet and prepared to leap at his
attacker.

A woman screamed.

Derrick froze. Suddenly, the click of a bullet loading into
the chamber of a piece echoed in his head.

Derrick closed his eyes.

Russian voices spoke in hushed whispers. The dampened sounds
of a female crying and struggling against her captors caught his attention.

With the gun pressed to his temple, he didn’t dare move.
Shifters were stronger than humans, yes, but a bullet to the head could stop
just about anyone. Even the puma had enough sense to know the attackers
outmaneuvered him.

“Very good,” spoke a deep, rich voice filled with a heavy
Russian accent. “You do not move, kitty. Or she dies.”

Derrick’s heart pounded against his chest yet he didn’t so
much as blink. The feel of the barrel against his skull gave him a clue about
what type of weapon it was. The puma wanted to strike out in rage, but enough
of Derrick’s human mind permeated the animalistic haze guiding him.

It was a large enough caliber that it would splatter his
brains all over the shattered humidor if he moved.

Pumas weren’t quick enough at this range.

He cursed.

Erick, Rocky, and Max must have been knocked out or
preoccupied because he didn’t smell them here.

The press of the barrel against his forehead eased up. Then
like the wind, the intruders vanished.

Derrick shifted back into human form, bones broke and
reformed, fur disappeared, and his vocal cords became human again. The wound in
his leg would leave a nasty mark, but shifting managed to shove the bullet out.
Preternatural healing would kick in.

He had failed to protect his territory. Then he’d failed to
protect Sonja. He clenched his fists, ground his teeth together, and started to
turn around.

A hand caught him on the shoulder.

Derrick spun around quickly, meeting Max’s silver eyes.
“It’s okay. We know who they are.”

“What?” Derrick’s jaw dropped.

“Yeah.” Max nodded again. “They left this.” He held up a
familiar looking shell casing. “The organization is the group that wants her
and is the only one I’ve seen that uses these outdated rounds.”

Derrick took the round, rolled it between thumb and
forefinger, and picked up the scent of gunpowder. “I thought we took them out
before my last mission.”

Max sighed heavily. “So did I.”

“So how could it be them?”

“I’m sure someone’s paying them a lot of money to kidnap
Sonja. I’d guess they’re funding the re-grouping of the organization in order
to perform whatever fucked-up agenda they had prior to our dismantling back in
’03. But I’m certain this is a shell from one of their guns.”

Derrick nodded. “So we can get Sonja back?”

Rocky emerged from the rubble, dusting himself off. “Has
anyone seen Erick?”

Max shrugged. “No, he disappeared quickly, though I can’t
tell how. He’s always moved too fast for even my eyes to keep up with. What the
fuck was up with that?” Max turned to face Derrick, his eyes expressing
unspoken fears. “I expect one of us will receive a phone call soon telling us
what the ransom is.”

Derrick’s jaw ticked. “You seem to know a lot about
ransoming and this situation.”

He grinned wide and set a hand on Derrick’s shoulder. “I
told you last week, it’s what I do. Besides, we started tracking her a few
months back when the band grew in popularity.”

Derrick sighed. “I have to ask…” He didn’t want to know the
answer, didn’t want any involvement in being a spy anymore. That part of his
life had ended and nearly cost him what humanity he was born with—what little
the shifter arm of the CIA left him with when they trained him. But he had to
know. “Did you orchestrate this meeting with her brother?”

Max shook his head. “Nope. Just dumb luck you’re a regular
in his bar. No surprise the two of you hooked up.”

Derrick snorted. “I’ll ignore that bit. We haven’t hooked up
yet. It’s all been a flirtation, a game designed for a cover ID.”

“Lie to yourself all you want. Bottom line? You’re out, man.
You wanted out, you’re out.”

Derrick looked hard at Max, narrowing his eyes. “I wish I
could believe that, Max. I really do.”

“Trust me.”

Derrick didn’t like putting his trust in another when it
came to an innocent woman, especially one with Sonja’s abilities. What choice
did he have? He shrugged and faked a smile. “I hope you’re right. So what’s our
move?”

Max shoved his hands in his pockets. “We wait.”

Chapter Three

Sonya woke, her temples pounding. Somehow, she’d been
greeted with the blunt end of a bat.

She moved her head carefully. Her temples throbbed so much
that the pain threatened to blind her. Exhaling slowly, Sonja closed her eyes
and envisioned a healing white light. Starting around her head, it seeped into
her skin, warming her as it surrounded the rest of her body and cleared her
thoughts.

Discomfort subsided but there would be a bruise for a few
hours afterwards. Sonja let out a careful sigh then opened her eyes and studied
her surroundings. She noticed the iron manacles clinging to her legs.

At least her arms were free.

A fraction of light from the tiny window high up in the wall
showed just how dismal the room truly was with peeling gray paint, a small
wooden table beside an iron cot that held a lamp, a glass of water, and a first
aid kit probably lacking anything remotely usable as a weapon.

She needed to get out of here. Of course she had no idea
where
here
was. Or who had kidnapped her.

The last thing she remembered was being shoved against the
puma with silver-tinted eyes and short, black hair.

Then the emotional wall slammed into her. Anger focused on
one goal, along with mixed feelings of sorrow, had knocked her off balance and
into Max’s arms. She didn’t like that as much as being held by Derrick but it
didn’t really matter now, did it?

Max had whispered something in her ear she couldn’t
remember.

Overwhelming sensations of focused anger hit her a second
time, pounding into her with the force of a gale. Then something else happened,
probably the bat to the head, and she blanked out.

Would Derrick come for her?

Did he know he became a part of her destiny when she first
laid eyes on him? The first time she saw him was at a metal show—one of her
favorite nu-metal bands had come to town—and she spotted him from across the
bar. She sensed something different about him and realized when she got closer
that she smelled earth, raw power, and cats. Feral, primal, and sleek, she
found the puma inside him right away by searching his aura.

He had worn a black trench coat that night and lingered by
the bar. Hair hung down in curly waves past magnificent shoulders perfect for
gripping. His rugged jaw, cat-like stare, and the hard set of his body
frightened her, but arousal eclipsed the fear.

Then he knocked back a drink and went head first into the
mosh pit to pick a scrawny kid up off the floor before he got trampled, or
worse.

His actions conveyed who he was: a trustworthy man who
looked out for the weak.

She hadn’t seen him since then, until her show two nights
ago. She’d accidentally used the power of her voice to call him to her. The
frenzy of how much energy she’d taken from the crowd gave her a rush. Combined
with her unstable nature, that burst of lust-filled energy went out into the
crowd, searching for Derrick.

Luckily, her brother had stopped him, otherwise she’d have
control over yet another shifter; she certainly did not want that. She’d have
to learn to better control her power, or else she’d end up with a small fan-boy
and -girl army. Sonja didn’t possess the drive for such nonsense.

She didn’t even know if Derrick had noticed her until she
saw the way he looked at her. For a brief second while onstage, she’d been
distracted enough while making eye contact with him to notice just how she
captivated his attention.

She yearned to explore the potential between them.

First, she had to escape. Sonja looked around the room,
listened, waited.

Footsteps thudded against the wood floor outside the door
and hushed voices spoke.

She couldn’t make out the words.

Then the footsteps ebbed as quickly as they arrived.

Perhaps her assailants figured they had knocked her out for
longer than they had. Did they know about her witchcraft?

They had to. Anyone who heard about her unique abilities had
an agenda for her. It always came down to this. She’d been kidnapped before,
but she wasn’t about to tell her brother that.

Nor would her band need to know.

She couldn’t quite erase her band mates’ minds but she could
alter their thoughts slightly. She’d done it after the last time someone
kidnapped her when they were on tour in Norway. A rabid black metal faction
took responsibility for the incident after she lambasted their form of metal.

People were so stupid.

Sucking in a breath, Sonja exhaled slowly and relaxed her
shoulders. A slow buildup of power could bend the metal around her ankles and
free her. It’d take a few minutes; she hadn’t learned to be as quick as her
brother yet. But she could free herself and find a way back to civilization.

If she ran into trouble, she could throw a spell at her
assailants and catch them off guard, make them forget what they were doing and
who she was. It’d be temporary, but it would buy her enough time to get away.

Sonja concentrated. Within seconds, power built around her,
stirring nerves and senses. The air took on a different weight and became
tangible. Pressure changed, reality began to alter. The steady creak of metal
let her know that her power was concentrating on the right spot in the alloy,
the weak point that all metal had.

She began to worry it with magic. In a few seconds, it’d
snap and free her.

Just…

A…

Little…

More.

The door flung open, shattering her concentration.

Sonja screamed, but a hand quickly covered her mouth.

“We’ll have none of that,” the tall Russian said in a thick
accent. “You’re special, gifted, and our employer warned us of your vocal
talents, Miss Sonja. So you’ll talk when we tell you to. Otherwise, you’ll say
nothing. Or you’ll die.”

She met his gaze and nodded. Beady eyes narrowed. Thick
eyebrows furrowed together in worry as his lips pursed together in a thin line.

The black shirt clinging to his chest gave away his scrawny
figure, but a quick read of his aura told her he would follow through on any
threats he made.

“Now…” He eased his hold on her. “You’ll only repeat what we
tell you. We’ve decided there is more to this case than just stealing you for
what powers you may possess. There are others who would pay us for you—more
than our current employer—so we have contacted them and left a message.”

Her shoulders slumped. No one needed to rescue her. She
would save herself. Besides, she had to keep this quiet.

Another man stepped into view, saluting.

The Russian returned his salute was and handed him a phone.
“Dial this number. Then tell them we have what they want.”

The second soldier nodded and obeyed. Within seconds, he
spoke in a Russian dialect Sonja didn’t recognize.

She read the soldier’s aura, too—picked up on all the
sadness surrounding his family. She hated that men like him were forced to make
these choices. But they were, and she had to deal with it.

Her captor mouthed something in Russian to the soldier then
turned to her. “We will escort you to a video room where you will give a
statement, proof that you are alive and so far undamaged. If you do not
cooperate, we cannot guarantee your well-being when returned. Nod if you
understand.”

The angry spirit in Sonja wanted badly to rebel, to stand up
and fight, but she had to comply. It was in everyone’s best interest.

Slowly, she nodded.

“Very good.” He reached into dark green camo pants and
pulled out a key. “We will undo your chains, but hear me now. There are guns
trained on you. You may be as powerful as they say, but not even a so-called
witch could take a direct shot to the head. Do you understand?”

He didn’t believe her powers, not quite. Interesting. Again,
she nodded. What could she do? He stood before her. She couldn’t heal from a
direct wound to the head. Nothing on this planet held that much power.

“Are you cold?”

She nodded.

He sighed. “Fine. This will warm you, I suppose.” He reached
for Derrick’s coat and helped her into it.

The man pulled out a piece of cloth and tied it around her
head, blindfolding her.

When the time was right for her escape, she’d have to guess
her way out and work her magic fast.

The metal unlocked around her ankles. Slowly, she stretched.
Blood returned to her feet, prickling her skin. With a firm hand, the man
helped her off the bed and held her against him when she swayed.

Another reading of his aura showed something akin to
compassion.

“You and I are not that different,” he said, putrid breath
blowing against her ear.

“How so?” Her hand went to her mouth when she realized she’d
spoken.

“According to what they say, your voice is how you change
the moods of those who hear you. I do the same thing.”

She frowned.

“Some of us just use necessary violence as our means of
changing minds.” He shrugged and grabbed her by the arm. Yanking her out of the
room and past the doorway, she bumped into the frame before stumbling out. They
took a left and headed down what seemed like a long hallway.

“You don’t have to do this, you know.”

“I was not kidding about killing you. If you speak without
being spoken to, this gun will go off.”

She wanted to look bored, wanted to show him just what she
thought of his bullshit, but the spiteful Sonja had to take a back seat to the
smarter one that played nice with others until she escaped.

Besides, he may get off the first shot, but she’d still take
them with her.

Footsteps echoed on the concrete floor, revealing the age
and condition of the structure. Sonja filed this information away for when she
would make her escape.

Another door opened, sending a draft past her. Stale life
and sweat carried on the breeze from the door. Someone shoved her inside.

“Sit.”

Again, she did as she was told despite the anger beginning
to boil in her.

She had to keep a clear head.

That became more difficult as the threat of violence
intensified around her.

She reached out and felt for the seat: wooden chair, poorly
constructed, hard bottom.

The blindfold disappeared and she faced a concrete wall with
a hole in it.

“There is a camera facing you. In a moment, you will be told
what to say. We will get the highest paying bidder on the line, and perhaps…do
some different business that may see you somewhere else.”

Again, she nodded.

“We have cards for you. I will hand you one. You will read
it and nothing else. And if we detect anything weird…” He paused. “Well, let’s
hope we don’t.”

Sonja swallowed hard. She didn’t want to know who they were
calling. There was no need to involve any large organizations over her
kidnapping.

Hands gripped her face and forced her to stare forward. A
red light started blinking.

“Now, you will do us the honor of reading the cards.”

A TV screen came to life, and after a moment of static, an
image became visible.

Please don’t let them turn this into a big deal.
She
prayed silently.

The image cleared.

Her jaw dropped and she gasped.

* * *

Max flipped open his laptop and answered the incoming call.

Derrick’s mouth went bone dry with worry and his body grew
tense. Each nerve ending stood primed. His puma rallied behind him with one
goal. Find this woman and mate with her.

He shifted uneasily in the leather seat in Max’s office. The
cigar he’d lit up earlier had been chewed to hell and was pretty much
un-smokeable. Max offered him another one, but he declined.

Not even the shot of bourbon calmed his nerves. He needed
Sonja back safe. The men who had her were going to use her to start a war and
create bigger problems.

Rob nearly went ape shit when Derrick called him to inform
him of his sister’s kidnapping.

After Derrick calmed Rob down, he gathered what Intel he
could and passed it to Max since he still had high-level government
connections.

Unfortunately, he left Special Ops after his last
assignment. Too much red tape, too many bodies, and too few sleep-filled nights
were not something he wanted to deal with any more.

Derrick groaned.

The connection they shared last night and the remaining
spark they’d started to ignite before the extraction team came for her, created
a deep-seated need to protect Sonja.

A man with dark skin came into view on the screen. His curly
hair was mussed, probably from lack of sleep. His icy stare did nothing to
scare Derrick. This man had something both Derrick and Max wanted, so
negotiations would begin.

“Hello,” the man said. He crossed his arms over his chest.
The tattered black shirt and camo pants he wore appeared outdated and in need
of a good tailor. “You have something we want to exchange for the life of this
girl.”

Derrick started to speak but Max raised an arm. “We might.
We need proof the girl is alive. We won’t pay for damaged goods.”

“Understood,” responded the man through a thick Russian
accent. The camera panned to Sonja.

Derrick’s heart leapt in his throat. She appeared to be
fine. Ruffled messy hair hung down the sides of her round face. Her eyes held
worry yet remained fierce. She still wore his coat.

The idea seemed endearing.

“I am fine. They have done nothing to me other than give me
some water—”

“No poisons.” Max interrupted.

Sonja continued. “And a few pieces of bread. I am unharmed.
Give them what they want and I’m free. Please, do as they say.”

Derrick stood with clenched fists and swallowed hard. If he
understood correctly from the little time they’d spent together, her power
might become unstable and something bad could happen resulting in Goddess only
knew what. He tapped Max and mouthed to him. “They can’t make her upset. She
can’t fully control her power.”