TwistedRevenge (7 page)

Piper waved his hand, dismissing the issue. “While I am
working on turning these two against each other I need to you to help Aengus
ready my army. I need all of my loyal servants ready for my signal.” His hand
absently caressed the flute tucked into his belt. “One way or another I will
rule these lands and exterminate the wolves, then we will move on to the next
phase of the plan.” His eyes snapped up, causing Peter to jump backward. “Be
ready, and stay away from the wolves. You’ve had enough problems with them. We
don’t need to invite more trouble to us.”

“Yes, Piper.” Peter bowed deeply and backed away. As soon as
Piper could hear the man’s horse galloping down the road he relaxed. The last
thing he needed was to have one of his servants mess up his plans. He’d have to
find a way to drive the wedge between Luc and Rowan. “One way or another,” he
repeated to himself.

As Luc and Rowan wove their way through the thicket, Piper
trailed in the distance until he could find a suitable path leading toward the
road where he knew they’d intersect. Enough time in the Black Forest had
allowed him to memorize most of the trails and would suit his new persona well.
He straightened his back and walked with his head up, ax swung over his
shoulder as he whistled a tune.

* * * * *

Once they had made it back to the main trail, Luc held Rowan’s
hand tightly as he pulled her down the path. She enjoyed the feel of his skin
touching hers but the longer they stayed on the main road again, the more she
feared running into the wolves. “Do you hear that?”

Luc’s eyes narrowed, she could tell he heard it. It was a
faint melody, a song. He shook his head, “Must be the wind.”

“You are a horrible liar.”

“Is that a fact?”

“Yes. I can tell you hear it too. Someone is nearby.”

He sniffed at the air. “Just keep walking, it isn’t the
wolves. They don’t whistle.”

Rowan pursed her lips. What an odd thing for him to do,
sniff the air like an animal. She didn’t say anything. There was no arguing
with his logic. They’d keep walking, it didn’t matter who was on the road as
long as they didn’t mean them any harm. They rounded the corner and came face-to-face
with the man whistling his tune as he walked. He was tall, burly, dressed in
simple linens, leather boots, with a sturdy ax propped on his shoulder. He gave
them a nod, sending his shoulder-length brown hair dancing around his broad
face. “Well met, travelers.”

Rowan did her best not to laugh, but images of Ren Faire
patrons were the only thing she could think of. All the people dressed up and
talking in over-accented old English. But this wasn’t a Renaissance Faire. She
dipped her head. “Hello.”

Luc, on the other hand, glared at the man and gave no
indication of greeting the stranger.

The man cleared his throat. “Are you traveling to the border
of the pack lands?”

Luc immediately bristled. “Why would you ask that?”

“Well, it’s the only place in this direction.”

Rowan tugged on Luc’s sleeve to try to calm him but he
snarled. “And what business would it be of yours?”

The man held up his hands. “No business of mine at all, it’s
just that the road is washed out about a mile up. It seems someone dammed up
the creek and flooded out the lowlands. I heard the last remaining cottages
there were wiped out.”

She gasped. “The cottages are flooded? Luc, what about my
grandma’s house?”

Theron arched a brow. “You are going to your grandmother’s?”

“Yes, but if it’s flooded then…”

Luc rolled his eyes. “We’ll take our chances.”

The man seemed unbothered by Luc’s reaction. Instead he
turned his attention to Rowan. “And what about you, miss? Will you take your
chances?”

“I… Um… I go where he goes.”

“Well, in that case I invite you both to come with me, I
know a spot a few miles upstream where there is one remaining bridge. I am
heading that way.” He tapped the ax blade. “Besides in these woods you never
know when an ax might come in handy.”

The offer of an extra weapon to protect them was all she
heard. Rowan nodded her head before Luc could refuse the offer. “Thank you, we’d
like that.”

A sharp tug on her hand almost knocked her on her ass. Luc
snarled. “We would?”

She turned around and pushed him several feet away from the
stranger and whispered. “Look, if this person knows a spot where we can cross,
then we should go along with him for now.”

“And what if he’s a spy?”

She gave him a dull stare. “Do wolves use spies?”

“As a matter of fact they do. Remember, they had one at the
inn. You can’t afford to be gullible in this realm.”

“I am not gullible.”

The stranger cleared his throat. “I hate to break up this
lovers’ quarrel but we should get off the main road soon. There are many dangers
on this path.”

Rowan spun on her heels. “Lead the way. I’m Rowan, by the
way.” She extended her hand to him.

He clasped her hand in a friendly shake. “Pleasure, Rowan. I’m
Theron.” His head jerked toward Luc. “And who is your surly companion?”

She giggled and followed after him. “That’s Luc.” She called
over her shoulder, “Luc, this is Theron. Theron, Luc. Now that you two are
acquainted, can we pick up the pace?”

Luc slung the pack up higher on his shoulder and muttered. “Only
if I can roast him for dinner.”

She shot him a look to tell him she’d heard that but kept
walking.

Luc pushed for Rowan to practice with her blades but Theron
kept her busy talking. She could sense Luc’s agitation and when Theron
suggested they camp for the night Luc snapped, “We are not stopping. Not here
and not with you.”

Theron stopped. “What do you mean not with me? You have a
problem with me, friend?”

“A problem? Yeah, I’ve got a problem. You come out of
nowhere, put us on a detour and now want to drag your feet and camp.” Luc
pointed at Rowan. “Red, we aren’t staying here.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Excuse me? It’s
getting dark out. I’m tired and you know it’s not safe out there. We are better
off in a group.”

“You are putting yourself in danger. I’m telling you this
guy isn’t to be trusted.”

“Why?” She glared. “Give me one good reason, Luc.”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t explain it, it’s
just a feeling.”

“Then we stay. Theron has been nothing but kind to us. Can’t
you be the least bit pleasant?”

“No, I can’t be.” He turned his back to her. “If you plan on
staying then enjoy yourself. I won’t sit here and wait for the shit to hit the
fan. I’ll be out patrolling the woods. Apparently I’m the only one focused on
the task at hand.”

“Fine. Go.” Rowan kicked at the dirt, watching him storm off
through the trees.

Theron cleared his throat and she winced. His tone was kind
but it made her uneasy at the same time. “Sorry to be the cause of a lovers’
quarrel.”

“It’s not that type of a…” She paused and rolled the words
over in her head. What could she call it? A relationship? Hardly. She snapped
her fingers and looked back up. “We aren’t like that. He’s just helping me.”
The minute she said the words they felt wrong on her tongue. The way she had
dismissed whatever was between her and Luc, it was more than just him helping
her and in her gut she knew it. Even worse, the guilt from those simple words
had bile rising in her throat and it burned like acid.

Theron gathered up wood and built a fire as she paced their
little clearing. The fire quickly drew her attention with its warmth. He was
already laying out his pack for the night. “You know, I don’t think you really
need him. You said you are just going to your grandma’s house. No reason to
bring someone along who is so disagreeable.”

She shook her head. “No, I need him. He isn’t so bad.”

“Isn’t so bad? He tells you what to do, wants you playing
with knives and refuses to let you rest for the night. That isn’t my idea of a
good guy.”

“I never said he was a good guy but he’s just trying to
help.”

“Help how? What exactly are you out here doing?”

She glanced from side to side for a moment and then leaned
in to whisper, “Can you keep a secret?”

Theron grinned and leaned closer. “Of course, my dear.”

“Well, Luc says there is a crazy old wolf in these woods who
is out to kill me. So he thinks that if he can train me in time and unlock some
hidden memories, then I’ll be able to kill the wolf and then I can go back
home.”

“Home? Where is that?”

“St. Louis.” She laughed. “Sorry, I mean I live on the other
side of the Arch.”

“I know what St. Louis is. Been there a few times but I
prefer life over here. It’s simpler.”

She held out her hands toward the fire. “So do you know this
wolf?”

“Yes, I do. Ulric is crazy that’s for sure. You know he has
a son? They say the kid is even more ruthless than his dad. Definitely not to
be trusted.”

“Luc mentioned the wolf having a son, but he didn’t mention
the son being crazy. So what is the son’s name, where is he at?”

Theron shrugged. “Last I heard he was planning something big
with Ulric. They were certain that their next plan would bring an end to
whatever war they are waging.” He stirred the coals as the flames rose. “Luc
found you in St. Louis then?”

“Actually I found him.” Theron raised a brow as she
continued, “I didn’t know anything about all of this. I was trying to get my
clients into some club he runs. But then I guess he figured out who I was and
tracked me down and brought me here.”

“And just who are you, Rowan?”

She smiled big and pulled her red cloak tighter around
herself. “Can’t you tell? I’m Little Red Riding Hood.”

He laughed. “Should’ve guessed that one. You do realize that
the story doesn’t end well for the girl or her grandmother.”

She nodded. “Yeah, I know. But I have something that the
storybook didn’t have.”

“What’s that?”

Glancing over her shoulder toward the dark woods she sighed.
“I have Luc. Or…” Her shoulders shrugged as she pulled her knees up to her
chest. “At least I had him.”

“You don’t need him. He isn’t helping you. If he wanted to
help you, he would have kept you safe on the other side of the Arch, in your
home. Instead he brought you here. Have you ever thought that maybe Luc is
luring you instead of leading you?”

“What? No.” Her stomach knotted up. No. It wasn’t true. Luc
was helping her. He was keeping her safe.

As if he could read her mind, Theron spoke up. “You were
safe at home, Rowan. He is playing you.”

“I can’t believe that.”

“Then ask him who he is. Make him tell you the truth.”

She glared. “You sound like you already know something. If
you know something, then just tell me. I’m tired of everyone keeping secrets. My
whole life has been one big secret.”

He leaned back against his pack and shook his head. “Sorry,
it’s not my secret to tell. I’m not even sure if there is a secret. It’s just a
feeling in my gut, something eating at me as if something is there. I just can’t
recall it.”

“Well, if you remember what it is I’d appreciate a heads-up.”
She wished Luc would come back. Theron’s arguments had seemed unreasonable at
the beginning but the more he talked, the more she began to doubt what Luc had
told her. She rested her head on her knees and watched the flames dance. She
doubted everything except how she felt when Luc turned on his charm and how she
felt when he kissed her, touched her, held her. All of that felt real but she
wanted the truth. Her heart argued that she needed to trust Luc. He would keep
her safe, but she’d known all along that he was holding something back. Theron
pulled a flute out of his belt and her eyes widened. “You play?”

“Of course. A man’s gotta have a hobby.”

“Will you play for me?”

He nodded and held the flute up to his lips. The tune was
low at first. She was transfixed on him and the fire. The louder the flute
played the more she was pulled into a daze. She yawned and felt her eyes
fluttering shut. “Can’t sleep… Gotta stay awake…” she whispered.

Theron kept playing, she was certain he was watching her but
she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer. Sleep dragged her under, dreaming
of wolves and Luc and Theron with his flute and ax.

* * * * *

Theron’s flute lulled Rowan in and out of sleep. She clung
to the image of Luc but as the flute played longer, the image started to wrap
and distort. She could hear Theron’s words over and over again in her mind. Luc
was hiding something. She didn’t need him. But she did need him, her heart knew
that much. What if her heart was wrong? What if it wasn’t her heart at all?
Every time she opened her eyes, the flute would get louder, her eyes growing
heavier again, but something else made her keep waking up. She expected to see
Luc there by the fire, angry as usual but he’d still not come back.

She pulled herself up and yawned, resting her chin on her
knees. “What time is it?”

“Almost midnight.” Theron raised the flute to his lips
again. “Want me to play for you again? It seemed to help you sleep.”

She held up her hand. “No, thank you. I can’t sleep any
longer. You said it’s almost midnight, has Luc been back?”

“No. He doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to check up on you.
That’s odd, don’t you think?”

“Odd?”

“Yes, you said he was here to protect you and yet he hasn’t
checked on you at all.” Theron smiled. “I really do think you are better off
going it alone to your grandmother’s house, Rowan.”

In all the ways that smile should be comforting it wasn’t.
Instead it reminded her of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Theron’s voice echoed in
her head. He’d all but accused Luc of the same thing. She was losing her mind.

“I… I can’t. I need his help. I can’t find it on my own.”
She paused and took a deep breath. “Did you ever figure out what it was you
were trying to remember about Ulric’s son and why you had a bad feeling about
Luc?”

He nodded. “I did but I don’t think you will like what I
have to say.” She glared but he continued, “Honestly, I don’t even think you
will believe me.”

“Try me.”

“Okay, I can tell you this much. Ulric’s son carries the
pack’s surname.”

“What is their surname?”

“Marrok. Do you know that name?”

She gasped. Luc Marrok. She swallowed past the lump of fear
growing in her throat. “That has to be wrong.”

“Why does it have to be wrong?” Theron picked up his flute
and played a few notes. His voice grew hypnotic, alluring. “Do you know where
the name Marrok came from?” Her mind was growing fuzzy but she still had the
capacity to shake her head no. Theron continued, “Marrok was the name of a
knight. It is said he was cursed by his lover and made into a werewolf. The
name Marrok means werewolf. A man who changes his form into that of a wolf.”

Her voice was barely a whisper. “No.”

“No? Are you sure?”

“No, I mean yes. No.” She shook her head as he played
another strand of notes on his flute. “I’m just so confused. I don’t know.”

“You do know. You know he is not to be trusted. It is why
you couldn’t give yourself to him fully. You know, deep down, what he really
is.”

Her voice quivered, “What is he?”

“Go and find him. Ask him yourself.”

As if in a trance, she stood and headed into the forest.

* * * * *

Luc patrolled the woods, keeping to the perimeter of the
small clearing. He couldn’t let this man come between him and Rowan. They had a
job to do. She couldn’t fail. Luc growled, “If she fails then I fail.”

He scented the air again to make sure no one was nearby and
then leaned against a tree. Nothing more could be done until sunrise. He was
sure Rowan was sleeping by now. A snap of a twig brought him to attention. Two
yellow eyes stared at him from just beyond the line of brush. Luc straightened.
“Took you long enough.” The eyes blinked. “You might as well come out. I can
see you, Joffey.”

After several long seconds, a man emerged from the brush,
naked and uncaring about his appearance. “You have the girl with you?”

“Yes.” Luc paused and shook his head. “You are powerful enough
that you can manifest some clothes when you change back like a civilized human.
Is there a reason you insist on being naked?”

“Nothing about me is civilized. I prefer to live natural.”
He shrugged and leaned against a nearby tree. “Are you going to hand her over?”

Luc paused, tapping his finger on his chin. “What do you
think?”

“I think it’d be the smart thing to do.”

A wicked grin played on his lips. “And do I look like
someone who does the smart thing?”

“We both know you will hand her over. Why not drop the
charade and save us both the trouble?”

Luc clicked his tongue and chuckled. “I think you’ll have to
wait like a good lapdog.”

“And what am I supposed to tell your father?”

“I don’t care what you tell him.” He held up his hand. “Oh
wait, tell him to be ready because I’m coming for my rightful place as head of
the pack. One way or another.”

“Traitor,” Joffey growled.

Luc laughed. “You have no idea, Joff.”

“You will bring her to the cabin in the woods?”

“Yep.”

“And?”

“And what? What do you want me to say, Joffey? That I’ll
hand her over to the Big Bad Wolf and be on my merry way?”

“Yes, so that is your plan then? You are going to lure her
deeper before handing her over to your father?”

“Not exactly—” A twig snapped nearby. Luc and the other wolf
stiffened. Both scented the air but Luc was the first to spot her. Rowan stood
peeking out from a tree. Her hand was covering her mouth and tears gathered in
the corner of her eyes. “Shit. Red, it’s not what it looks like.” He started to
approach her but she stepped back and reached for one of the knives on her
belt. “Red, please.”

“Don’t call me that. I have a name.”

“Fine. Rowan, it’s not what it looks like.”

“And what about what it sounded like? I heard you.” She
gripped the blade and threw it before he could react, sinking it deep into his
biceps. Luc howled in pain and the sound only confirmed what she already
feared. The other man snarled and stalked closer.

Luc’s hand shot out to catch the man by the arm. “No. You
don’t touch her.”

Joffey chuckled. “The human bitch just stuck you and you
still want to play this out? Fine. I’ll let your father know you’ll be bringing
her to us soon enough.” The air crackled with the sound of electricity and in a
flash of bright light, a gray wolf stood in the exact spot where the man had
been. He threw his head back and howled before darting into the brush.

Luc yanked the dagger from his arm. “Rowan, let me explain.”

“No. Tell me the truth, who are you?”

“You know who I am. You met me in St. Louis. You think I’m a
jerk most of the time but you also trust me to keep you safe.”

“You were luring me to my death this entire time. You never
cared about keeping me safe, or my ending Ulric’s reign of terror in the
forest. You are taking me to him, to your…”

She couldn’t say the words but she didn’t have to, he
finished her sentence for her, “My father. Yes, Ulric is my father, but no, I
am not taking you to him.”