Page 61 of Wolf Trap

“The things I have to do for work these days!” Jax tutted as she climbed over the edge and waited.

Lycaon nudged me. “Hey… Whatever happens, stay safe. Promise me. Don’t try to rescue me if I get hurt. Make sure you stay alive.”

Anthony murmured, “Don’t worry. We’ll keep her safe.”

Lycaon frowned but didn’t bite.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What are you planning? No heroics. Your people need you. I need you. So, if you do throw yourself in danger, expect to see me at your side.”

He sighed, “Alright. Deal.”

“Good.” I crouched down and found the rung on the ladder, lowered myself into the tunnel. I guessed I was the only one then who’d thought to wear gloves.

Inside, the tunnel was bigger than I’d realised. Using my phone’s torch, I shone the light ahead. It was cavernous; the tunnel was made of steel. Austin covered his masked eyes dramatically as the beam lit over him.

“Hey, put that away, woman!”

“Blimey, it’s so big.”

Grinning, Austin replied fast, “Awe, all the ladies say that! Shucks…”

I shook my head, turning to watch as Lycaon climbed down.

Once Anthony and Hakon were down, Hakon held up his hand, whispering urgently. “Wait! Hold on… I can sense…” he paused dramatically and I felt a chill of fear ripple down my back as his face seemed to pale.

Anthony nudged him. “What is it?”

Nodding slowly, Hakon turned to him. “My vampire senses detect… an idiot! Turned your phone to silent Anthony? We don’t want bloody eighties rock music blaring out from your phone when you get a call? Everyone, does everyone have their phones on silent, or better yet, off?”

We all bowed our heads, murmuring as each of us checked our phones. Or put them on silent. Nodding triumphantly Hakon strode swiftly forward, before pulling out his own phone and tutting.

Waiting by the ladder, Lycaon stepped up and pulled the covering half over the entrance.

I aimed my torch further inside the tunnel. Taking a deep breath, which I immediately regretted inhaling musty, earthy air. “So, what’s our plan when we get there?”

Tapping my shoulder, Austin replied, “It’s all in the bag, my dear. Nothing to worry about. We, you have guns and ammunition, and grenades. We rescue anyone they’ve taken captive, plant the grenades, blow it up. Hopefully that will put a dent in their operations. I just hope we can get a safe distance away so I can transport us out of here. It’ll be a long walk otherwise! And, I hate walking.”

“That’s why you’re getting a pouch, mate!” Lycaon added.

Austin patted his stomach. “Don’t mock the pouch. It’s taken months to get this…”

Hakon and Anthonywalked up the rear, speaking in whispers to themselves, whilst Austin and Jax headed. Grumpy Lycaon walked beside me. I could feel his agitation.

We carried on in silence. My stomach churned as we got further in. I didn’t think it would be a good time to mention that I’m claustrophobic, but at least the tunnel was large.

Our torches pierced the darkness, and cool air tingled around my neck. I pulled my cloak tighter. Lycaon moved behind me as the tunnel narrowed, his breathing almost echoing around us.

I hoped he and Anthony wouldn’t kill each other. I don’t know why he hated him. I felt as safe as you can around the vampire, and he certainly wasn’t interested in me. But there wassomething about them. They both seemed to rub the other the wrong way. Maybe because they were polar opposites. Or maybe werewolves are just, well, grumpy?

“Are we even close yet?” Finally, Jax broke the silence. “I must be desperate doing all this for some lousy souls! There’d better be plenty there!”

My voice resounded, louder than I’d intended. “Why are you with us? Surely you can just transport there and wait out of sight with your scythe? Isn’t that what you’d normally do?”

Flashing me a glance, she sized me up. “I’m here to keep an eye on you, honey. I’m worried about you, so young and in so much danger. Much as I look forward to the day I reap your soul, that day shouldn’t be today. And I don’t trust the capabilities of this motley crew. Well, except...” she looked past me. “Except from those that I know.”

I turned to look and caught Anthony’s pale face burning red as he shot her the sexiest smile.

“Oh, my God! But you didn’t know him, you two, have you, no… none of my business.”

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