Page 74 of Cultivating Caden
“They’re all good men, Quade.” Peter’s voice softened. “Sometimes a soldier dies.”
“Not this time.” He knew all the wishing in the world wouldn’t help Perkins. Only the doctor’s skills could save him. Quade wasn’t even sure where Ten pulled the name of the demon. He couldn’t recall ever hearing it before. Then a thought struck him.
Ten?
Don’t tell Poppa. He doesn’t want me using my abilities for a while. I… may have done something bad.
Which we’ll talk about when I get home. How do you know about Tsuchigumo?
I know things.
Yeah, so I hear constantly.Howdo you know these things?
Could you hear a mental sigh? Because Quade was certain he had.
The scent of the Tsuchigumo was stronger now, and the blood spatters were more pronounced. As Quade came out of the forest and near a stream, he found the thing in the water, splashing its mangled face.
I just do.
He’d almost forgotten Ten was in his head. He didn’t need his son to see what was about to happen.
Get to Caden and tell him whatever his punishment is, I approve.
But, Dad!
Quade chuckled. He’d heard other parents complain about their kids whining, but to experience it firsthand was… amusing.No ‘buts.’ Caden wouldn’t punish you if you hadn’t deserved it. We’re going to be discussing this. Now get out of my head, I have work to do.
Ugh. Fine!There was a pause.Dad? Be careful. They can be nasty if they’re threatened. Don’t let it spit on you.
Will do. Tell Poppa I love you both.
The thing didn’t so much as turn around when Quade rushed it. He slammed into it from behind, taking them both into the cold mountain stream. Quade was up first, his claws flaying the monster’s skin, causing the beast to wail. Quade and his wolf were in agreement. They both wanted to kill this thing for what it did to Perkins and what it had planned for Caden.
“I was told to bring you back alive. Well, alive covers a lot of ground.”
He lashed out, scoring his claws over the things face. Dark eyes opened wide, and then it stood to its full height. The creature shimmered and limbs began to push their way out of the body.
“Well, ain’t you an ugly fucker?”
It spit, but Quade was able to dodge it. When the expectorant hit the ground, it sizzled. Now he understood why Ten said not to let the shit touch him. Diving under a swing, Quade knocked the thing off its feet. He pounced, straddling its chest, where he started slamming his fists into the beast’s face over and over.
When at last it finally lay still, Quade tapped his earpiece. “One to extract, complete with bug.”
“Roger. Team is on the way.” He paused. “Quade, about Perkins.”
Fuck.“Go ahead.”
“Doc knew nothing about this Tsuchigumo thing. He didn’t even find it in the database. Yer boy? He told Doc what to look for. They’re working on Perkins, but it’s not looking so good. Still, what Ten told them gave him a chance.”
That’s my boy.Though it still left Quade with more questions than he had answers. Not that he cared right now. Perkins would be okay. He had to be.
And now there was a demon to interrogate.
* * *
Quade moved slowly,walking around the table, keeping up a constant stream of chatter. He had no idea if the thing could understand him, but it would damn well figure it out by Quade’s tone.
“Do you know what a lycan is? We’re apex predators, the top of the food chain. We don’t care who we have to gut, as long as blood is involved.” Quade ran his finger along the torn flesh of the demon’s lip, then licked it off. It was bitter and acrid, and he wanted to spit, but this… thing needed to see that Quade was dangerous. Instead, he stood there, glaring at the monster. “Tasty. I wouldn’t mind hacking off a few hunks of your flesh to have for a sandwich.”
