Beast Betrayed

BEAST BETRAYED

A Black Mesa Novel

L.L. BROOKS

Beast Betrayed

Copyright © 2017, L.L. Brooks

Published by Painted Hearts Publishing

Smashwords Edition

About the Book You Have Purchased

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Beast Betrayed

Copyright © 2017 L.L. Brooks

ISBN 10: 1-946379-09-3

ISBN 13: 978-1-946379-09-2

Author: L.L. Brooks

Editor: Ashley Kain

Publication Date: June 2017

All cover art and logo copyright © 2017 by Painted Hearts Publishing

Cover design by E Keith

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

Chapter One

He’s early this weekend, Daniel commented. Brand grunted in response. Silver hadn’t missed one weekend in the month since they’d put an end to the threat from Star.

Does he know you’re coming this early? Brand asked as Silver stepped out of his car.

No.

Daniel braced himself for what was already shaping up to a challenge of alphas. Silver’s tone and posture were offensive, telling Brand he was ready to fight if he didn’t like him being there. Brand didn’t. That was a given. He wouldn’t, however, deny Silver access to his mate no matter how much he disliked the arrogant man. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t say something to insult Silver.

In an effort to head off a clash of wills, Daniel spoke quickly. He isn’t here. He’s… His eyes shifted, drawn to what he thought was movement in his peripheral vision. Staring for a second, seeing nothing, he went on. He’s out checking the water tanks. It’ll be… His attention wandered again. I keep thinking I see something moving—

Shit, Brand retorted.

Silver, after moving to stand beside Brand, asked, What would one be doing here or out during the day?

One what? Daniel asked, that time sure he had seen something moving in a blur from tree to tree.

It’s going to burn up if it doesn’t get out of the sun, Silver commented, following as Brand moved in a dog trot to the barn.

Daniel followed them. What is going to burn up? he asked, even though part of his brain was putting together what another part refused to believe.

He didn’t ask anything more. Brand threw open the barn door and stepped inside to one side. Silver stepped in to the other. Daniel walked backward, still watching. The blur sped from tree to tree, only the tree itself wasn’t its objective. Shadow to shadow was, with the pauses between getting longer, accompanied by more smoke wafting up each time. Daniel had seen Brand move at hyper-speed. Whatever that thing was, it was supersonic. The part of his brain that refused to believe what he thought he was seeing lost, especially when the blur ran out of trees and headed straight toward them, leaving a trail of smoke behind and stopped just a few feet from him, horrifying in bubbling flesh.

Enter, Brand said

You invite it in? Silver demanded.

You were just putting me on about vampires and unicorns, Daniel exclaimed, rushing into the barn after the blur passed him and collapsed on the dirt floor.

I never said we were putting you on, Brand told him, going to a faucet and hose.

You should let it burn, Silver commented, backing far enough away to avoid being splashed while Brand sprayed the thing down.

Daniel raved. What else was I supposed to think the way you all laughed?

We were laughing at the look on your face.

Insulted, but fascinated, Daniel raised his voice to be heard over the moans coming from the dirt floor, Is there something more we should do?

It’s self-healing, Silver answered with disgust plain in his voice.

He’s a man! Daniel shouted, fighting not to puck at the sight of the burned raw face and hands. He no longer smoked, except for tiny wisps coming from the clothes, male clothes designating a male; otherwise gender would be hard to tell.

It’s a vampire, Silver corrected.

Yeah, well, you’re a shifter, but you’re still a man.

There is a big difference between—

Don’t argue with him, Brand ordered and turned the water off.

Aren’t you going to do something to help him? Daniel demanded.

"I’ve already done all I know to do, get him out of the sun and cool his body down."

Now you’re being a smart ass, Daniel accused, after the way Brand accented the pronouns. He shifted to private. Just because you’re pissed off at Silver is no reason to take it out on me.

Brand responded aloud. I didn’t invite it-him here, and once we find out why he-it is here, I’m liable to be pissed off even more.

Silver started in agreement. I’ve never heard of any dealings with one of them that—

He broke off when the object of their discussion groaned, rolled, and sat up, raising straight up from the floor from his hips in an effortless sit-up. His face was a scarlet shade, but the burned away flesh was restored. Blue eyes didn’t seem quite as startling a shade as the scarlet faded and blond hair sprouted on the bald scalp.

What the hell were you doing out during the day, and what are you doing here? Brand asked, his tone, stance, and words far from welcoming.

It was not my intention to be about once the sun had risen, the man said in a melodious voice. Despite my carefully planned journey, after a lengthy problem created a delayed flight to Denver and late arrival at the airport, my conveyance to here malfunctioned, leaving me too little time for a safe arrival.

By the time he finished he was one hell of a good-looking man in what appeared to be his middle thirties, blond hair to his shoulders, blue eyes not too far from the pale shade of Brand’s, and a slender build. Clothes, scorched and soaked, were a simple pull over shirt and designer jeans.

You want to slip into this century? Brand asked.

Blinking a few times, the man sighed heavily before answering. My apologies. When I am distressed, I fall back into old habits.

Daniel couldn’t help it. He had to ask, If this is you distressed, what are you normally? Asleep?

To display one’s emotions is vulgar.

This century, Brand snapped. What the hell are you doing here?

I come for assistance for which I am willing to pay. It would be advantageous… He broke off, rolled his eyes, and drew a deep breath. I’ll make it worth your while to handle a job for me. You can understand why I can’t use normal—human—channels, and your success in locating missing persons is well known.

I don’t work in the field anymore.

This I was told. I had hoped to appeal to—

It won’t help you to appeal to anything. I don’t work in the field anymore, and I damn sure don’t track down vampires.

He’s human.

Or your human slaves, familiars, whatever the hell you call them.

Silver said, I believe those are for witches.

Thralls, Raymond provided. They gladly give us blood in exchange for ours and the benefits from it, but he is not a thrall.

On a single-minded track, Daniel exclaimed. Now you’re going to tell me there really are witches?

Brand and Silver both turned from the man on the ground toward Daniel. Of course, Silver stated at the same time Brand asked, What would you call Star?

A fucking, twisted bitch, he retorted. She was a shifter, not a fucking witch.

Why is he so upset? Silver asked.

Brand ignored him to tell Daniel, She was a seer. Anyone with paranormal abilities have been called a witch for centuries.

Many who did not as well, came from the ground.

After seeing the way the man sat up, Daniel about half-expected him to levitate himself to his feet. He rolled and pushed up normally, brushing at the mud on his clothes, accomplishing no more than smearing it. Giving up, he bowed slightly and introduced himself. Raymond Winterhaven, at your service.

I’m not at yours, Brand retorted. You wasted a trip and got burned for nothing.

He’s my son, Raymond stated.

If he’s your son, he isn’t human, Silver countered.

I thought you’re all sterile, Brand added.

They call the ones they turn their children, Silver told Brand.

No, Raymond corrected, but then waved his hand. Some, but most of what you think you know comes from the minds of moviemakers and writers sensationalizing fiction in pure greed only.

You don’t drink blood? Silver challenged.

Yes, but we do not attack and kill to get it when our thralls are so generous. Nor do we alter our human form to change into bats.

Fascinated, Daniel asked, You don’t change into an ugly monster with huge fangs and long claw like nails?

No, he answered. With a raised eyebrow, he asked, Do you?

He’s not a wolf, Brand said, stepping in front of Daniel. You’ve said what you came for. I said no. Now it’s time for you to leave.

They kidnapped my son. They have given me two days to do as they wish. If I do not, they will sell him to the highest bidder. It would be a fate worse than de-ath. He managed to keep his voice even, but his breathing hitched with the last word. Taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly, he continued. You have a son. Would you kill someone you have no hatred for to save him?

They will either sell or kill him anyway, Silver stated with cold dispassion.

How old is he? Brand asked, shooting Silver a shut up look while Raymond pressed two fingers to his forehead.

Ten. He dropped his hand. You know what kind of perverts like that age.

How did you end up with a human son? Silver asked.

Silver! Brand growled. Stop interrupting.

His story doesn’t make sense. He says it’s his son, but you said they’re sterile, and he said he didn’t turn the kid. So how does he have a human son? After what you’ve just been through I would think you would be more careful.

I only ask that you locate them, Raymond explained in a rush. Nothing more.

Don’t you have some kind of ESP connection to him? Daniel asked.

Raymond gave him a blank look for a moment before shaking his head and saying, Someday when time is not of such importance, I must educate you on the truths about my people.

Can you put people in a trance?

Daniel, Brand growled.

Just curious, Daniel stated in a weak apology, then asked, Who do they want you to kill?

The president.

Of the United States? he asked with a start.

Yes.

Could you? I mean with all the security he’s got, could you get to him?

Of course.

And away?

Of course. He would be dead and myself gone before they even realized what happened.

Why do they want him dead? Brand asked.

Who are they? Silver asked at the same time.

To answer you both, I do not know. They did not explain, only gave orders.

Do you even know who they are?

Again, I must say no.

How the hell do you expect me to find them? Brand demanded.

I have my son’s clothing, heavy with his scent. I do know where he was taken from.

You claim we have little knowledge of your people, Silver said. Yet I do know you have enhanced hearing and sense of smell, similar to our own. Why do you not track him yourself?

I cannot go there.

Silver threw his hands in the air and asked Brand, You trust this?

Why can’t you? Daniel asked.

Raymond answered Silver’s first question. They warned me they have people watching. If I show myself, making an effort to find them, they will send him away.

Where was he?

School. They will watch for me or one of my own during the night. They would expect a human thrall during the day perhaps, but never expect me to go to an outsider, especially a wolf for assistance. You can go during the day, while none of my human friends can without being recognized, even though willing.

Are you really enemies? Daniel asked.

No, Brand retorted.

They are not to be trusted, Silver stated.

You want to go look for Cruz? Brand asked.

Why not? Daniel asked, ignoring the interchange between the two alphas, after Brand off-handedly invited Silver to leave.

We are very different, Raymond answered. I believe it is a lack of understanding those differences as well as century-old prejudices that cause the stress between the two races. He faced Brand. I was told you do not hold those feelings.

Who told you he didn’t hold those feelings? Silver asked.

That’s none of your fucking business, Brand told him.

Drawing his back up straighter than usual, Silver told him, I will be taking Cruz to the cabin.

Be back before dark.

You’re leaving? he demanded. You would go with this monster?

We are, Daniel stated. Unlike Silver, he knew as soon as Raymond said the kid would be sold, Brand was hooked.

You would betray your own kind? Silver demanded.

Unless it was a wolf that kidnapped the kid, how do you figure I’d be betraying one of our own?

Wolves and vampires have been enemies for centuries. It cannot be without a reason.

What I do or don’t do is none of your business.

It is if you bring these creatures to where my mate is.

Brand clamped his jaw, tipped his head back, and closed his eyes. Daniel knew it meant Silver was within a hair’s breadth of having Brand explode all over him. He took a step forward, fully intending to get between the two alphas when Silver turned on his heel and stalked out.

Don’t ever get between us, Brand warned, dropping his head to