Dani Harper - First Bite

The white wolf’s eyes opened wide, and the helpless jaws worked as if to form words. I—I—you’re not Meredith!

Please don’t kill her. The new voice sounded young. And scared.

Travis had gone over every square inch of his cell from floor to ceiling, looking for any possible weakness he could exploit. There were none. He’d examined the door in particular, to no avail. If any of it had been designed for humans, he might have been able to use his Changeling strength against it. As it was, the best he could probably do was tear the grating off the window. He’d be free as a bird then—if only he could Change into a tiny sparrow instead of a wolf.

He was dozing fitfully on the hard steel bench when suddenly his blue eyes snapped open. There were human footsteps, small but purposeful ones, in one of the outer corridors. He had to strain to hear them until their owner came a little closer to the lockup area. Then he didn’t need to try at all—the person began deliberately scuffing the soles of their shoes as they approached. Obviously someone knows better than to surprise Changelings.

He rose and peered through the grated window in the metal door. Zarita Arandas was a small woman, pretty, nicely curved—and alert. Headed toward Riley’s cell with a red plastic tote, she sensed Travis watching her. She stopped still and glanced around carefully until her black eyes caught sight of him. “ ¡Hola! You must be Ms. Meredith’s latest toy.” She smiled and approached his door, where she could peer up at him. “She is very excited about working with you.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not very excited about it,” said Travis. “And I’m no one’s toy.”

“A toy does not have to be willing in order to be played with,” she pointed out. “The cat does not need the mouse’s permission.”

Zero points for her ability to cheer people up. He decided to cut to the chase and switched over to mindspeak. So what’s your story? Riley says you’ve been here a long time. Why aren’t you gone?

Many emotions crossed her face at once, and the smile disappeared as if it had never existed. Looking into her deep, dark eyes, it became obvious that Zarita Arandas was a haunted woman. She shook her head at him. Do not ask questions like that here. “I have things to do,” she said and walked away briskly. “I will be bringing food and water later. Maybe two hours, maybe three.” Reaching for the keypad on Riley’s cell door, Zarita paused for a nanosecond, her body angled just so.

Long enough for him to see the numbers she was punching in.

Travis listened, but there wasn’t much conversation after the initial greetings. He discerned the snick of scissors and rustling noises—probably removing dressings—and the tsk ing sound Zarita made. “Your wounds are not healing nearly fast enough,” she said to Riley. “Your wolf body will help you, but you need more food, more nutrition. I will see that you get it, but you must make an effort to eat it.” She whispered then, so low that Travis almost didn’t catch it. “ Por favor. If you do not regain your strength soon, Ms. Meredith will have you killed. Comprende? ” Aloud, she said exactly what she had said to Travis. “I will be back in two hours, maybe three.”

Why the repeat? Travis frowned. Zarita had shown him Riley’s combination and specified a time period. What, did she think he could somehow rescue the guy? I can’t even get out of my own damn cell.

If she heard him at all, she didn’t answer, but a growing noise in the outer corridor made him look up. He peered out of the grating and recognized the men approaching. They were the same guards who had unknowingly “rescued” him from Meredith’s underground lair earlier. Big, beefy guys, all of them, they’d make great bouncers for heavy metal concerts, or perhaps enforcers for biker gangs. Travis knew he could take them on one at a time and win, whether they were armed or not. Whether they were in human form or not. He could tackle three or four at a time and probably come out on top, even if his inner wolf didn’t show up to help him. But there were ten of them, and they weren’t stupid. One thing he’d noticed early was that Meredith didn’t employ idiots. Conclusion: they were coming to get him, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.

Of course, nobody said he had to go quietly. But then the honor guard would double up on their efforts, and he could end up knocked out, drugged, hobbled with heavier shackles—or all three. He could play along, but they wouldn’t trust him if he was suddenly cooperative, either. No, he needed to pretend he was in dire shape—maybe even act a little frightened. Christ, that wouldn’t be too hard if they were taking him back to Meredith’s underground playroom. Only a moron would go back there willingly. They oughtta believe it if I drag my heels a bit. And while he was dragging those heels, he’d be watching for anything, anywhere, that might help him escape.

I started it. I was going to kill you.

Neva’s jaws were beginning to ache, but she maintained her grip while shifting her position enough to get a better look at her vanquished foe’s partner. The other white wolf was every bit as tall as Baker’s gray form—but not as heavy. Not yet. It would fill out later, when the human who belonged to the animal persona was full grown. Crap. How old are you?

I’ll be seventeen in—

You’re a fucking kid? Baker sounded incredulous.

I’m not a kid! And I can kick your fucking ass!

Nathan! the fallen wolf interjected. Don’t hurt him, please. He thought you were Meredith. We both did. I’m sorry I wasn’t fast enough to stop him.

Double crap. As if being a werewolf and a thief weren’t bad enough, now she’d been reduced to attacking mothers who were protecting their children. Neva wanted to just let go and slink away, but she needed a few more answers before she released her prisoner. Who are you, and what are you doing out here?

Sonje Berendsen. I’ve been head chef since we were brought here a couple years ago. Nathan helps me in the kitchen. But he’s bigger now, really strong, and somebody noticed him. This week, they tell me, he’s going to be assigned to guard Meredith’s workroom. Downstairs! I had to get him out of there. Those guards—they don’t come back, you know.

I’ve heard that. Neva had never been to the lower levels of the mansion, but according to the staff whispers, anybody who worked down there didn’t last very long. As for why, there was no shortage of grim and ghastly speculations. Knowing her twin, the rumors were probably all true. She opened her jaws and drew back. I’m sorry. You can get up now.

Nathan suddenly wedged himself between Neva and the wolf she had bested, growling until his mother reprimanded him again. Sonje rose then, limping a little, and leaned against her son. That’s when Neva looked around and realized they were all wounded. Baker had a long slash across his flank, and one ear looked positively chewed . Nathan had several gashes around the back of his neck and a savage bite mark down one front leg. Neva was bleeding as well, from claws that had raked her belly and muzzle. She resisted sighing, but goddammit, the whole purpose of her disguise was so they wouldn’t have to fight their way into the mansion. Instead, all four of them looked like they’d just battled their way out of it. How did you get away? she asked suddenly.