Benjamin Read online

  After the call ended, Corbin and Cade convinced Eloise and Gracie to stay behind to help take care of the people that had to stay at the Independence ranch. The men thought it would be difficult to convince them, but the women knew it was just as important to stay to protect the ones that were too old or too young to fight. They also realized that Cade and Corbin would have trouble concentrating on the fighting if they had to worry about them. They knew the only reason Sabrina would be there was due to her angel blood.

  ●●●

  Before the sun rose, the Independence and Hurst clans made their way to Battle Mountain in Gilman.

  “Ben, I want you and your team to take care of the lab. Cade, take a group and head to the offices on the east side. Jase, take a group and follow me into the mine,” Corbin said as everyone exited their vehicles.

  “This is a scent blocker. It will only last a few hours, so we waited until we were here before spraying each other to get the maximum use,” Benjamin said as he handed the spray bottles around.

  Several feet into the mine, it split into two directions. Corbin and Jase went one way and the others took the other tunnel. The tunnel was lit sporadically, leaving large sections of shadows.

  Without warning, a vampire flew at Corbin and Jase. It moved so fast and fluidly. Corbin stepped forward, shining his flashlight. The vamp snapped a kick out. Corbin pivoted on one foot and struck with the other, aiming for the vamp’s knees. The vampire’s arm flashed out with a gleaming dagger and Corbin had to throw himself back to avoid having his leg sliced open. He lost his balance and spun as the vamp lunged, dropping the flashlight as he fell into the cave wall behind him. He quickly shoved off the wall and moved toward the vamp.

  Jase was fighting his own vampire. He drove his sword toward the vamp’s ribs. He heard it gasp in pain as the sword penetrated the skin. When it fell, Jase wasted no time beheading him.

  Corbin tackled the vamp, bringing him to his knees. Corbin grabbed for the dropped dagger. The vampire cried out as Corbin sliced through his neck. The vampire fell back onto the cave floor, clutching his throat. Corbin scrambled to his feet and grabbed the sword Jase tossed to him and swiftly lopped off the vamp’s head.

  “Thanks,” Corbin gasped, trying to catch his breath.

  “Behind you!” Jase shouted as he saw another vampire coming out of the shadows behind Corbin.

  The vampire contorted and sliced a gash up along Corbin’s back. Corbin cried out in pain, his breath coming out fast. He stumbled as he tried to move out of the vampire’s reach.

  “No!” Jase shouted as he quickly moved to Corbin’s aid.

  The vampire stood tall and steady, looking at Corbin and Jase.

  “I will make your deaths painless,” the vamp taunted as he leered at them.

  “Use this to slow the blood,” Jase said as he ripped a strip off of his shirt, ignoring the vampire. “How bad is it?”

  “I will heal as soon as I can shift. The blood makes it look worse than it actually is. You knocked him off me before he could inflict further damage,” Corbin said.

  Jase stood over Corbin, protecting him as best as he could. If Corbin could shift into his bear form, he could heal faster. Jase noticed more vampires coming from deeper in the mine. They needed reinforcements and fast. Jase used the clan bond links to call for help mentally.

  Without warning, the vampire burst into motion, his dagger slashing toward them. Jase moved closer to Corbin as he raised his sword. He prayed help would arrive fast. He cut toward the vampire’s side. He was pleased to see a deep line of blood from where the sword made the connection. The vamp leaped toward them as Jase slashed away. It fell into a heap and Jase finished it off then turned to fight another vamp.

  Oscar and some of the others arrived to help fight off the vampires which allowed Corbin the time he needed to shift and heal his wounds. If it had been worse, he would have required the help of a healer. Without hesitation, Corbin jumped back into the fight.

  Vampires grunted in pain and surprise. Shouts echoed off the mine walls. The shifters fought in their human forms— it would be too crowded otherwise. As the final vampire exhaled his last breath, Corbin looked around, pleased to see that there were no shifters among the dead. Using his clan bonds, he called out to Danielle to bring her team in to heal the wounded.

  Corbin and the shifters that didn’t require a healer left the mine to join the others that were fighting elsewhere in Battle Mountain.

  ●●●

  While Corbin, Jase, Oscar, and the other shifters were fighting vampires in the mine, Cade and his group of shifters were fighting their own vampires in the housing area.

  “We’re going to die here, aren’t we?”

  “What were we thinking?”

  “Stop it,” Cade said with a voice that knew how to be obeyed. The shifters fell silent. Cade took in their scared faces. “We will survive. Yeah, many of you will be injured, but if you keep your wits about you, you will survive.”

  A scream reached their shifter ears from somewhere in the building that was used for the vampires to sleep. The shifters looked around at each other, fear leaving their faces, determination set in. They would do this. They agreed it was time to stop Pickens. If he became successful in creating his army of super-soldiers, he would wipe out shifters all over the world.

  They moved slowly and carefully toward the building. The yellow glow of lights shone through several windows. A shadow moved across a window. It was the sign they needed to let them know that this building was occupied. Another disembodied scream tore through the building next door.

  “Dylan, take six men and take that building, the rest of you follow me,” Cade whispered.

  Cade signaled that he would enter first. As he stepped through the doorway, a soft shuffle was the only warning that someone was there. A dagger slashed in the air moments after Cade twisted away. Cade snapped a kick out and knocked the blade out of the vampire’s hand.

  Marek grabbed the dagger and swung it into the vampire’s shoulder. He grabbed his sword as the vampire grabbed the dagger from his shoulder. Using his shifter speed, Marek swung the sword, decapitating it.

  As they made their way through the building, a shifter stumbled when a vampire hit him with an open-handed blow against his temple. Another shifter dodged a spinning kick. Each shifter used their silver swords to decapitate vampires.

  “On your right!” Marek shouted to Cade.

  Cade wasn’t fast enough to avoid being slammed by a vampire and stumbled. He brought his knife hand up, ready to attack. He got on the balls of his feet then feigned right. When the vampire moved to the right, Cade shifted to the left and brought his knife up and into the belly of the vampire.

  From the corner of his eye, Cade saw Marek dart toward a vampire. The creature moved lightly, leading Marek into a darkened room.

  “Don’t follow him!” Cade shouted.

  Cade’s distraction cost him as his neck was nicked. Warm blood dripped down his neck. He spun with his sword out and saw the vampire with a victory look in his eyes. He sprang forward and went low, swiping the vamp off his feet, surprising him. Cade was on him, instantly ending him.

  Marek brought his knee up into the vampire’s groin as he slid his knife up his thigh, hitting the femoral artery, sending blood gushing all around. He moved the vampire onto the floor and backed out of the doorway to the darkened room the vampire was leading him.

  Grunts and metal on metal sounds from outside revealed that the fighting inside was done, but still raged on outside. Cade looked around at the bleeding shifters and was relieved that none were dead.

  “Galena, come on in. It’s safe now!” Cade shouted through the opened door.

  Galena and her healers rushed in and began taking care of the injured shifters.

  Outside, screams broke out. The men rushed forward, shouting. Swords clashed. Guns fired. More shouting. More screaming. More running. The attack was fierce, efficient, and deadly. Cade stood in the doorwa
y and watched the fighting for a moment to evaluate the situation. He threw himself into the middle of the battle. He quickly slammed a vampire down to the ground and dragged his sword through the creature’s neck.

  As Cade stood to prepare for another attack, an explosion rocked the ground and knocked everyone off their feet. Cade looked around and was stunned to see the lab building partially demolished and on fire.

  “Ben!” Corbin shouted as he and several others ran to the lab.

  As they drew closer, a handful of shifters exited the burning building. Corbin searched their dirty faces, but none were Benjamin or Sabrina. Devastated, he fell to his knees.

  Corbin felt a faint tug inside himself. He concentrated on it and felt it become more precise and stronger. Then it became familiar. It was Benjamin! His brother was alive and if he was, then Sabrina had to be alive, too. Hope filled Corbin. Thank the goddess they were alive.

  “I feel Ben’s bond. He and Sabrina must be somewhere around here. Spread out and let’s find them,” Corbin said.

  Chapter 10

  “Benjamin, I saw Pickens run off this way. He must have headed to the cave over there,” Sabrina said when Benjamin came to her side. She pointed to a cave opening that was partially hidden behind a cluster of trees.

  “I’m going to kill him,” Sabrina said as she ran her thumb along the silver blade, infusing it with her fresh angel blood before handing it to Benjamin. “I’m going to destroy him with this sword that was created for this reason.”

  “We got lucky. He wasn’t expecting us to take the fight to him now that Corbin and his men took care of the spy,” Benjamin said.

  They reached the opening of the cave. Benjamin got on his hands and knees and crawled into the semi-darkness, the flashlight flickering as he moved. The opening was narrow and, as he crawled, he hoped it wouldn’t be long before it opened up. He could feel Sabrina’s apprehension as she followed behind him.

  “It looks as if this tunnel widens at the curve ahead,” he said to comfort Sabrina. Sabrina was claustrophobic. He could sense her feeling like the walls were closing in on her and her fear of being buried alive. “Relax, sweetheart. I’m here. It’s going to be okay.”

  They reached the curve and relief flooded them both when the tunnel opened into a cave. They scrambled forward and stood up, looking around. Shining the flashlight around, they were pleased that the area was larger than they expected.

  “We could have died in there.”

  “I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I know but I can’t help how I feel, Ben. I wish I could stop my fears.”

  Benjamin pulled her into his embrace and stood there, holding her for a moment, waiting for her breathing to even out and her heartbeat return to normal.

  Benjamin took Sabrina’s hand and pulled her forward, following the flashlight. They stumbled over small rocks as they searched for Pickens. They saw a light at the end of the corridor. Benjamin turned off the flashlight as they neared the light. On the far side of another cave room, Pickens was standing with his back to them.

  ●●●

  Pickens strolled through the cave and took a deep breath. It would be over soon. He wasn’t strong enough on his own to kill all of the shifters in America, let alone the world. His scientist never figured out why the molybdenum formula failed to create the super-soldiers he needed. They were too wild and uncontrollable. He wouldn’t be able to use them the way he wanted.

  His body went on alert as he felt the shifters enter his section of the caves. They had come alone. This would be good. Pickens grinned before he turned around to face them. He wanted this to be over so he could move on and take over Independence and the mines. He needed a richer vein of molybdenum than what he had been able to get. His scientists wouldn’t fail then.

  “It’s about time,” Pickens sneered. “I’ve waited long enough for you to come to me.”

  “What?” Benjamin asked not fully understanding.

  “I’m going to kill you and the rest of the clans in Colorado. Those Independence shifters pissed me off more than you can ever imagine. If they gave me the mine to begin with, we could have avoided all of this. They don’t have a chance, not against me.”

  “If they gave you the mine, you would have still killed them all. We know you plan to wipe out shifters. You think vampires are better than any shifters. You will only keep humans because you need their blood,” Benjamin said.

  “I’m winning, and soon, I will see your blood spread all over this cave. Then I shall see the other shifters’ blood flow onto the ground.”

  “We won’t let you,” Sabrina said.

  “I’m going to enjoy killing you, asshole,” Benjamin growled.

  “You think you can take me? You’re nothing but a puny little bear who can’t even protect his mate. You’re going to watch as I kill your mate and there is nothing you can do about it,” Pickens taunted.

  Benjamin could sense Sabrina moving behind him. He prayed she was heading to the entrance of the cave and safety.

  “You won’t get her.”

  Benjamin felt the rumble in his chest as his bear came closer to the surface. His bear wanted to claw Pickens’ face off. He needed to stall Pickens long enough for Sabrina to escape.

  Pickens’ eyes flashed crimson and he charged. Benjamin rolled to the right, landing in a crouch, swiping at Pickens’ legs. Taking advantage of Pickens’ lost balanced, Benjamin punched him in the stomach. They went at each other, fists flying.

  Pickens shoved at Benjamin, breaking them apart. Chests heaving as they tried to catch their breath, Pickens recovered faster. He took Benjamin by the neck and threw him against the cave wall. Benjamin cursed as his head smacked against the sharp rocks. He slid down the rock wall, but then couldn’t move. Spots danced in front of his eyes as he felt blood seep down his back.

  He couldn’t scent Sabrina and prayed that she had escaped and gone for help. He struggled to stand. Pickens laughed as he got closer.

  “Can’t move, bear?” Pickens asked.

  “Fuck you.”

  “Now, that’s no way to talk.”

  Pickens dug his claws into Benjamin’s side. Searing pain flared through his body. He glanced at the blood, pooling beside him.

  Oh shit.

  His head lolled back. He tried to move and fight back but he couldn’t. His vision dimmed. He lost. Just as he was passing out, he noticed a blur cross his vision. He prayed it wasn’t Sabrina. His last thought before the black took over was how much he loved her.

  Sabrina screamed as she watched her mate slide further down and lose consciousness. She saw the blood pooling around his body.

  Oh, my goddess!

  “Get off my mate!” Sabrina shouted as she ran towards Ben.

  “Oh, I love it when you shifters get all territorial. Well, the hell with you and your mate. I’m tired of all this shit. I’m just going to kill you both. Though, it seems as if your mate is dying now.”

  Rage poured through Sabrina and her body glowed. She stood there, stunned.

  “I see you’ve come into your powers. All it took was killing your mate.”

  “Hell no!” Power pulsed through her.

  Sabrina saw a discarded sword, grabbing it, she stood straighter, ready to fight. She was part angel, she could defeat this vampire. She felt stronger than ever. She roared and lunged. Pickens didn’t move; he underestimated her. Sabrina lifted the sword with both hands and brought it down through his heart. She tore through his skin the way he had torn through so many others. She pulled out her sword and wiped the blood off on his shirt. His eyes widened for a moment, then he looked down at the gaping wound in his chest. He staggered back, breathless.

  Keeping her eye on Pickens, Sabrina bent down to check on Benjamin. She tore off his shirt and ripped it into shreds so she could wrap them around his body. He’d lost so much blood, but she still felt his heartbeat. Their mate bond throbbed.

  She saw Pickens come at her again. In her
rage, she had forgotten she needed to use the silver dagger. She grabbed the sterling silver knife that was embedded with her angel blood from where it lay next to Benjamin. Reaching for her new powers, Sabrina threw the knife as hard as she could at Pickens. The blade sailed through the air as fast as lightning and slid into the vampire’s heart. He roared in pain as blood gushed from the wound.

  “You bitch!” Pickens said as he turned into a pile of ash.

  “Ben? Benjamin?”

  He didn’t move. Tears slid down her cheeks.

  “Oh, Goddess. I’m so, so sorry, honey. I love you so much. Don’t leave me.”

  She looked around her. There had to be something she could use to make a stretcher so she could bring him out of the cave and to their Jeep. Then she could get him to Galena, and she would heal him. Not seeing anything, she let out a sob. Sabrina stood and gripped under Benjamin’s shoulders. She took a deep breath and dragged him to the edge of the cave. Though he wasn’t burdensome to her bear, he was way too big for her to carry him any other way.

  When she finally made it out of the cave, a twig snapped, catching her attention. Looking around, she let out a small whimper. A bear came out of the trees and she let out a high-pitched scream. She recognized Oscar.

  “Thank the Goddess,” she breathed.

  He quickly shifted back to his human shape.

  “Oh crap,” Oscar said, running to her side to help.

  “He’s alive but he needs Galena.”

  “Where is Pickens?”

  “Gone.”

  “What do you mean gone? Is he coming back?”

  “I used the sterling silver knife. He turned into ash.”

  Oscar nodded. Other clan members came from the trees and shifted.

  “Holy crap.”

  “Oh, Goddess.”

  The three of them picked up Benjamin and carried him to the Jeep. Keeping up her façade of strength, she walked on her own. Oscar ushered her to the passenger seat then slid behind the wheel. Sabrina closed her eyes and allowed the memories of what happened to wash over her and wept.