Saturday, 4:15 am
Henry and Yon sat in the limo and watched the live footage of the attack on Zina's compound.
"They are doing well," Yon acknowledged.
"Yes, they are. However, it's time for our hunt," Henry added, a feral grin spreading across his face. He opened the door and got out. Taking a deep breath, he savored the smells in the air. He would finish what Zina started thirteen years ago. She would pay for his loss.
"They are almost inside. If you want Zina, we have to go now." Yon shrugged out of his suit jacket and shirt. "No need to waste good clothes."
He watched Yon shift into a very shaggy dark brown wolf. "Interesting," was his only comment as he changed into his own black-furred body. ::Let's go!::
Yon wagged his tail and let Henry take the lead. With nose to the ground and eagerness in his step, he headed for the central building where he knew his target would be. They made good time down the hill and through the security gate. Only once did they stop to fight and he watched Yon easily dispatch the cheetah that attacked from the shadows. The scent of blood and death clung to the air.
Any other day, Henry would have stopped to relish it. But not this time. He needed to reach his quarry first. They made it to the building and found the doors wide open. Bodies were strewn about on the ground and inside.
::Someone beat us here.:: Yon sniffed a body and sneezed. ::Make that two someones.::
He trotted around Yon, got a good whiff and growled angrily. ::Impossible! After all this time, he dares to show his face?::
Yon nudged him with his nose. ::What's wrong? Are we not in the correct place?::
::No, that is not the problem. There is an unforeseen snag to my plans, but I will deal with it when it arises. It appears that Alpha Donil has been here as well. I don't smell any Council members, but many of the dead outside were regulars in the Council's court.::
Henry ran down the hall, angry that his twin had found some way to be present. He would be the one to rid the world of Zina. No one else. He growled, and Yon, still on his heels, followed as they hurried toward the building's interior.
He made a right turn, still tracking Stefan's scent when a mental scream ripped through his mind, disorienting him. He crashed into Yon who was having trouble, too.
::What was that!:: Yon demanded and sagged against the nearby wall panting.
::I don't know. No time. We must hurry or the quarry will win.::
::I think not. I never lose my prey, Henry.:: Yon boasted and surged to his feet with fangs bared.
::The scream was nearby.:: Henry changed course. They neared the end of a hallway and a giant boom rocked the building. The two Alphas yelped in surprise as the floor bucked and they were knocked off their feet.
~***~
Laylah whimpered when the first slice of Zina's knife bit into her right arm. The cut was shallow but it stung.
"Does that hurt, Little Prey? It does? Good," Zina purred. "Feel free to scream any time you want."
She kept her eyelids squeezed shut. If she looked at Zina, she might not like what she saw. Who was she fooling? Of course she wouldn't like what she saw! A mad, crazy lunatic was slicing her up like she was the main course.
"I hate it when people ignore me, especially an abomination like you. Do you think you're better than me? Because you're not. Your parents might have gotten away with breaking the rules and having you, but I will rectify that mistake by snuffing out your life!" Zina's sinister laugh filled her with terror. "Mama always told me not to play with my food. Good thing I didn't listen well," Zina cooed.
"You're sick! Let me go!" Laylah screamed and opened her eyes. She blinked and felt her heart race.
Zina's eyes narrowed and, without turning, she spoke. "Donil, my dear old friend. If you don't wish me to gut her, stop moving. Why you thought you could sneak up on me is laughable. Besides, her eyes gave you away. All that hope replacing my well cultivated fear."
Zina's sneer worried her. Yes, she was relieved to see Donil. It meant, at least to Laylah, an end to this madness. She would worry later how Zina knew him.
Zina moved behind her chair and draped herself over Laylah's shoulders making sure to place the knife against Laylah's throat.
Donil snarled but didn't move from his spot. Laylah's gaze stayed on him. If she allowed herself to think of the insane woman who could end her life, she would lose hope. That definitely wouldn't help save her from this predicament. I trust you, Donil, she mouthed to him.
"Well, Boy, I have a proposition for you. Why don't we both enjoy the prey?"
She stiffened, surprised by Zina's offer.
"I'm not like you, Zina. I don't hurt and kill innocents," he retorted.
Zina laughed and nuzzled Laylah, her warm, cloy breath blowing across her cheek. "So high and mighty. Too bad the snot-nosed, fawning kid grew up. Such a waste. Did you know, Donil, that I've tasted her blood?"
He growled and took a step toward them.
"Uh, uh. Wrong move," Zina taunted and nicked Laylah's neck. "Oh, lookie! The prey bleeds."
Laylah gasped and fought down a scream. She saw Donil's enraged glower. Calm down, please calm down, she silently begged him. Couldn't he see it excited Zina to see him lose control?
"Stop hurting her, Zina!" Donil opened his mouth again and suddenly snapped it shut.
His abrupt pause and unfocused look distracted Laylah from the knife at her throat. He blinked and, when he talked again, his reasonable tone surprised Laylah.
"Do you think, Zina, that if you injure the girl, it will bring him to you? Perhaps even make him beg for your love?"
Zina tensed behind Laylah, the knife moving closer to her skin. She prayed that Donil knew what he was doing.
"He's incapable of loving anyone except himself and his money. C'mon, you're better than that! Find a male who wants you, for you."
Zina's mocking laughter filled the quiet room. "Ah, to be young again and so incredibly naïve. You know those with power don't have the luxury of fairy tale endings. And if I can't have one, no one can. Enough talking. Come take me if you're able. Look, I'll even make it easy for you." She leaned in closer to Laylah's neck and murmured, "Pain is a great incentive."
"What? Ow!" She shrieked as Zina sank her teeth into Laylah's neck. She felt lightheaded and vaguely heard Donil's enraged bellow mixed with Zina's maniacal giggles.
She blinked and saw him charge Zina who had moved from behind the chair to meet Donil's rush. She heard the impact of bodies and winced. Another wave of dizziness swamped her. She had to stay awake and get free. She started working the knots and tried to break loose.