The Awakening (Darkest Powers 2)

They didn’t seem drunk either. They were walking straight and their eyes looked clear, glittering in the dark like…

I shrank back.

Derek’s hands tightened on my shoulders and he leaned down, whispering, “Werewolves. ”

Thirty-four

THE TWO WEREWOLVES STOPPED a few yards away from us.

“We’re just passing through,” Derek said, voice steady. “If this is your territory—”

The blond one cut him off with a laugh. “Our territory? Did you hear that, Ramon? He’s asking if this is our territory. ”

“I know you’re werewolves and I know—”

“Werewolves?” Ramon drawled. “Did he say werewolves?”

The blond lifted a finger to his lips in an exaggerated “shhh!” and jerked his head at me.

“She knows,” Derek said.

“Tsk-tsk. That’s against the rules, pup. You don’t go telling your girlfriends what you are, even the cute ones. Didn’t your daddy teach you better than that? Who is your daddy, by the way?”

Derek said nothing.

“He’s a Cain,” Ramon said.

“Think so?” The blond squinted, his head tilting. “Guess he could be. ”

“If you’d met more than one, Liam, you wouldn’t be questioning. That”—he pointed at Derek—“is a Cain. Three things every Cain has in common. Big as a house. Ugly as a mud fence. Dumb as a brick. ”

“Then he’s not—” I began before Derek shushed me.

Liam stepped closer. “Did you say something, cutie?”

“We’re just passing through,” Derek said. “If this is your territory, then I apologize—”

“Hear that, Ramon? He apologizes. ” Liam took another step closer. “You have no idea whose territory you’re on, do you?”

“No, I don’t know you. If I should, then—”

“This is Pack territory. ”

Derek shook his head. “No, the Pack is in Syracuse—”

“You think they claim one city?” Ramon said. “Their territory is New York state. ”

“You do know what the Pack does to trespassers, don’t you, pup?” Liam said. “Your daddy must have shown you the pictures. ”

Derek said nothing.

“The pictures?” Liam pressed. “Of the last guy who trespassed on Pack territory?”

Still Derek said nothing.

“Your daddy didn’t like you much, did he? ’Cause if he did, he would have shown you those pictures, so you didn’t make the mistake you’re making right now. The last time a mutt got too close to Pack turf, they carved him up with a chain saw. Then they took photos, and they passed them out as a warning to the rest of us. ”

My stomach lurched. I squeezed my eyes shut until the image passed. They were just making this up to scare us…and it was working—at least on me. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure they could hear it. Derek squeezed my shoulder, his thumb rubbing, telling me to stay calm.

“No, I haven’t seen them. But thanks for the warning. I’ll—”

“Who is your daddy?” Ramon asked. “Zachary Cain? You’re darker, but you’ve got his look. You’re about the right age, too. And that might explain why he didn’t raise you right. ”

“Him being dead and all,” Liam said. “But if it was Zack, then you should know to keep off Pack territory. ”

“Should I?” Derek said, his voice emotionless.

“Don’t you know how your daddy died? Dumb ass decided to join an uprising against the Pack, got himself caught. Tortured to death, right up there in Syracuse. ” He looked at Ramon. “Think they used the chain saw?”

Derek cut in, “If the Pack’s so bad, why are you on their territory?”

“Maybe we’re Pack. ”

“Then you wouldn’t be talking like you were, saying ‘their’ territory, what ‘they’ do. ”

Liam laughed. “Check this out. A Cain with brains. Must come from your momma. ”

“Do you want to know why we’re here?” Ramon said. “A mission of mercy, and we’re the ones praying for mercy. See, we hooked up with this kid from down under last year. We quickly found out why he’d left home. ”

“Man-eater,” Liam said.

“M-man-eater?” I didn’t mean to say it aloud, but it slipped out.

“It’s a disgusting habit. Now hunting humans? Killing them?” He smiled. “That’s always good sport. But eating? Not my style. Well, unless you count that time in Mexico—”

Derek cut him off. “So if you’re allowed on Pack territory, I’m sure they won’t bother me. I’m not causing trouble. ”

“Can I finish my story?” Ramon said. “So this Aussie, he’s not very discreet about his bad habit. The Pack catches wind of it. Next thing you know, all three of us are on their hit list. ”

“The Aussie dude goes to ground,” Liam said, “leaving me and Ramon holding the bag. The Pack doesn’t care if we’re man-eaters or not. We’ve had some run-ins with them before so, as far as they’re concerned, we’ve used up our free swings. Batter out. They already caught up with Ramon once. Luckily, he got away. Or most of him. ”

Ramon pulled up his shirt. His side was pitted and puckered with healing scar tissue, the kind of thing I’d only seen in SFX demonstrations.

“So now you’re heading up to Syracuse to talk to the Pack,” I said. “Set them straight. ”

“That’s right. Or that was the plan. But it’s Russian roulette, see? We throw ourselves at their mercy, and we might never stand up again. Then we caught an amazing break. ”

He looked at Ramon, who nodded. For a moment, neither said a word. Liam stood there, a smirk playing on his lips, as he dragged it out.

“The break?” I asked finally, knowing Derek wouldn’t.

“I had to take a piss. About two miles north of here. Pulled off the highway, got out of the car, and guess what I smelled. ”

“Me,” Derek said.

“The answer to our prayers. A Cain?” Liam shook his head. “What did we do to get so lucky? The Pack hates Cains. Bunch of Neanderthals too stupid to keep out of trouble. If we hand them you, tell them you were the one snacking on humans…”

I felt Derek shift behind me.