Pleasant Extortion (The Extortionists 1)

“Get that idea out of your head, Pageant. It’s not going to happen.”

“Don’t you see? You were right all along. There are two of them here. The one who attacked Bart must’ve had a physical form because the bite marks suggested as much. The reason we couldn’t capture the image on film was because we were dealing with a vampire. You’ve always believed we were dealing with vampires, Randon.”

“Did you miss the part where I also mentioned the extortionist may have ties to the MC?”

“You may be right on both counts. Right now we just don’t know, but soon you’ll discover more. After I let the extortionist have me, you’ll be able to determine what happens next. More importantly, you’ll figure out what you need to do to stop these creatures.”

“You aren’t doing this, Pageant.”

“I have to do this,” she said, stomping up the sidewalk.

He quickly nodded at the wolves and his brothers leapt forward, springing into action. Blocking her from the porch, they formed a semi-circle in front of her, keeping a tight formation. Fuck! What were they thinking! A dash of blue shot between the wolves and Pageant, but it was too late. Even as Randon screamed out his warning, the large bubbled funnel dropped down over his brothers. One by one, the beasts went into violent spasms.

Randon’s eyes met Pageant’s. But before he could make a move to save her, it was too late.

She dove inside a small transparent doorway, one the extortionist had undoubtedly placed on her side of the translucent tube. And in that moment, he stopped breathing. He stood there totally paralyzed.

* * * *

From the moment Pageant landed inside the large funnel, she felt transformed. She’d remained on the ground while the wolves fought the extortionist, this incredibly powerful force. She not only sensed his abilities, but ironically, she also became aware of his fascination with the wolves. He taunted each one of them as they tried to guard her. Each of them struggled with consciousness and ultimately fell to their deaths while trying to protect her.

With only one wolf remaining, Pageant rose to her feet, realizing she could save the last shifter remaining. Outside the thin walls, Randon pound

ed his fists against the bubble, becoming more and more visibly enraged.

He had to have known. He must’ve understood what she was prepared to do.

“Leave him alone,” she said, looking up at the blinding shade of blue hovering over them. She stood in front of the wounded wolf. She wasn’t sure how he’d been harmed, but the high-pitched squealing warned of his painful injuries. Still, he tried to protect her by pushing against her.

“Don’t do this!” Randon’s voice filled the air.

“Do you hear your lover’s voice, Pageant?” The extortionist’s wicked tone left her completely shaken. How could she let such evil into her life? How could she forfeit the life she could have with Randon for a life she would lead with a murderer, a murderer who wanted to sabotage her body, ruin her soul, and destroy her ambitions for those of his own, those that were spurned by two goals—death and destruction?

Trying to keep her wits about her, she ignored the man she loved, the man now driving himself crazy as he searched for a point of entry, a way to enter the vestibule and fight to the death only to save her. And what kind of life would she lead without him?

Determined to survive, she looked up, noticing how the ceiling looked like waves of a caving tide. She remembered something from a movie, a scene in a paranormal flick where a shifter left his lion form and somehow landed in another person’s body. It was far-fetched, but possible. When the extortionist struck, wouldn’t he try to possess her form in a similar manner?

“I’ll bargain with you.”

“You’re in no position to barter with me.”

“True, but wouldn’t you rather take the willing instead of the repulsed?”

“It doesn’t matter to me either way,” the extortionist hissed. “This is my destiny. You are my lover. You and I are one in the same. In a matter of seconds, I can take your body as my own and you can’t stop me.”

“Then what?” She spun around. “Then we have an ongoing internal battle from now on? Doesn’t sound like much of a life to me.”

A wicked laugh thrummed in her eardrums. She sensed she was losing his attention as his voice faded out. “I’ll be yours willingly.” She inched closer to the smallest fallen wolf. She shook her head at the only living wolf remaining, willing him to let her lead, to give her at least one fair shot to save them both. “Let my friend go. Once he’s on the other side, I’ll open up my arms and embrace you. We’ll start our lives together.”

The pulse of a ragged breath whipped around her, leaving the vestibule to compress with the weight of each heavy sigh. “Give me your word, Detective Keen. I know a lot about you and know your word is your bond. Give me that and your friend goes free.”

Randon slammed his body against the side of the bubble and as if he had made progress, the side collapsed then retreated like a rubber band, shooting Randon across the yard.

A dry chuckle filled the air. “He’s starting to bore me.”

“Me too,” she admitted, willing him to stay down so she didn’t have any further distractions. “Let my friend go.”

“Very well!”