Cry Wolf

Chapter 6

Sin jogged back across camp to his tent, battling his conscience the entire way.

Rei was the rebel leader. Rein, son of Rebel Leader Ashton, he'd told Sin as he walked him back to the delik tree that marked the boundary between the magickally shielded clearing and the camp itself.

That was the last bit of information he'd been waiting on before he contacted Raul. But now...well...Rei was the leader. And that changed everything.

Or did it? Sin asked himself. Did it really change anything? Yes, he'd been waiting to contact Raul until he knew the leader's identity. Or so he'd told himself.

But was that the full truth? He didn't have to search hard within himself to know it wasn't. The truth was...after living amongst these people, he couldn't hate them. Couldn't fault them. And couldn't find any way to justify betraying them to Raul. He'd been holding off contacting Raul because he simply didn't want to do it.

A vision of Rei filled his mind--strong, passionate, intelligent, only wanting what was best for his people. Rei's eyes were so often filled with a humorous mischief that hinted at a genuine love for life.

That unto itself was a powerful attractor for Sin, who'd begun to realize his own zest for life had eked away years ago. He'd felt more alive and more at ease in these past few weeks with the humans than he had in years.

They had shown him an openness and acceptance he'd never received in his High Guard life. Here, he was appreciated for what he had to offer, no matter how big or small his contribution. And, selfishly, he wanted that to continue.

But more importantly, how could he turn these good, hardworking people over to Raul? It didn't matter what the humans had supposedly done in the past. And for all he knew, tales of their bloodthirsty attacks on werewolves all those many years ago had been exaggerated. Hadn't Rei said just last night that the reason Raul feared the humans so much was because they knew the truth? The truth that Raul was the one who'd started the war a hundred years ago, not the humans?

Sin's mind churned with conflicting facts and his heart with conflicting emotions. The Great Clan Leader would be expecting a report soon. What was he going to tell him?

As if some ill-humored hand of fate chose that moment to make Sin's life miserable, he felt a burst of heat emanate from the pouch on his belt.

"Gods damn it all," he muttered under his breath. Was the Clan Leader now able to read minds?

As he entered his tent, he swore fiercely again. He knew the consequences of ignoring the signal, and had no interest in losing a limb when the seeing stone exploded because he didn't respond.

After tugging the tent flap closed and tying it against interruptions, Sin reached into the leather pouch where he carried bits of herbs for medicinal purposes, leather thong, a few coins, and several other odds and ends, and pulled out what looked like a small, gray rock. He held it in the palm of his hand, and within seconds, it had grown and expanded until it was the size of a watermelon, though still no heavier than the small stone it had started as.

"Great Clan Leader ." Sin nodded in deference to the man as his black-bearded face became visible in the luminescent sphere.

"You've been most quiet, Reaper. I can be a patient man when necessary, but I'm thinking well over a month is more than long enough to wait for a report. Explain yourself."

"It takes time to gather information, my lord. It takes time to make contacts and establish trust."

"Yes, yes, yes," the old man snapped. "But my patience grows thin. Surely you've learned something worth sharing. Where are you?"

"I'm in one of the human encampments at the base of the Black Mountains." The lie came smoothly off his lips. He'd never been anywhere near the Black Mountains. "One of the humans here does monthly supply runs to the human rebels' camp. He's agreed to take me with him on his next trip."

"And when might that be?"

"Two weeks, my lord."

"And there's nothing else you care to share with me?"

Raul's gaze was steely. The Clan Leader was all too observant. The slightest flinch, the slightest hesitation before a response, even the smallest alteration in breathing would alert him that Sin was lying.

"Nothing as yet. The main human encampment is a tightly guarded secret. Only a few know its location."

"Then find someone who does know it and t*****e the information out of him. This man who does the supply run...beat it out of him."

"With all due respect, my lord...you asked me to infiltrate the rebel camp. I can't do that if I tip my hand by torturing someone for information. It would be too big a risk to my cover."

Raul swore using a variety of graphic and colorful terms. "Very well. But I'll not play this waiting game much longer. You get me my information, Reaper...or I'll make certain you rue the consequences. I remember your fondness for the health and well-being of the youngsters in the village. You wouldn't want any harm to come to them, now would you?"

Sin barely dared to breathe for fear of giving away the sudden burst of raw hatred that surged through his veins. The idea that Raul might hurt the village children to get back at him caused a red haze to form in his brain.

Careful... Stay in control.

"You'll have your information, my lord."

"Yes. I will. One way...or another."

The luminous sphere popped out of sight and the gray stone was once again a drab gray stone.

Sin tucked it back into his belt pouch with a shaking hand. The urge to hit something tore through him. He knocked everything off the small table that sat next to his cot. But he found little satisfaction in the clatter-clang of the objects hitting the hard dirt floor.

How much longer would he be able to hold Raul at bay? Not long, he suspected. And then? And then he'd have to make some choices.

But none of them, would give him any satisfaction.

*****

"I don't trust him."

"So you've said...several times over." Rein looked fondly at Jax as they shouldered packs and headed around the outskirts of the camp to meet up with Sin, Marta, and her boys at the southern edge. "But I do."

"Why?"

The question was bold, blunt. Anyone else might have taken offense at Jax's manner, but Rein had known him for too many long years and was used to it.

"Because I've worked side-by-side with him. He's strong, quick-thinking, and his heart's in the right place."

"And the fact you're attracted to him has nothing to do with it? Did you f**k him already?"

Rein gave Jax a quick glare. "I don't recall that my s*x life is any of your business."

"It used to be."

Rein sighed. "Not for a very long time, Jax. We agreed years ago that our personal encounters with others were not going to be a topic of conversation."

"And so they haven't been. But this is different. This involves the safety of the entire camp."

Low laughter bubbled out of Rein's chest. "I appreciate your vigilant concern, but I hardly think bringing Sin along with us today is worthy of that much drama. He's a good fighter. He was with me in the forest when we overheard Raul's soldiers talking. He'll be an asset to the team."

Jax stopped on the trail and grasped Rein by the shoulder. His eyes, were stormy with frustration. "There's something about him, Rein. Something I can't put my finger on, but it gives me concern."

Rein put his hand on Jax's shoulder and squeezed. "Don't take offense...but is it possible what gives you concern is the fact that I am attracted to him?"

"Are you saying I'm jealous?"

"I'm saying it's been a long time since I've had more than a casual f**k with anyone. A long time since anyone's stirred more than my c**k. Maybe what's bothering you is that Sin is different."

"So you're admitting you have feelings for him?"

"I plan to get to know him better, and I don't plan to share the details of what I mean by that with you." He tried to say it as kindly as possible, but damn it, as much as he cared about Jax, he wouldn't let his friend interfere in his relationship with Sin.

Jax's lips compressed in a thin line and he dragged in a deep breath. "Fine," he said, barely keeping the bitterness under control. "All I ask is that you be careful. Watch your back, Rein. For all the rules you've set up to keep me out of your 'personal life' as you call it, I still care. I'll always care. You can't stop that."

"I know." Rein smiled at him. "And I promise I will take your words under advisement."

Jax snorted. "Since I'm not convinced of that, I'll just keep my own eye on your new human friend."

"Fine. But don't cause problems, Jax. I mean it."

"Now when would I ever do that?" He gave Rein a wicked grin as they resumed their hike.

* * * *

Sunset was almost upon them.

In the crisp evening air, Sin crouched just behind the ridge of the steep hillock overlooking the road. Next to him on his left, Rein's body radiated heat. Their thighs nearly touched and a tingling energy arced between them.

Regardless of their location, the people with them, and the impending agenda, a slow pulse of excitement throbbed in Sin's balls. Would he ever be able to get enough of this man? Would just the simple sight, or smell, or feel of his body nearby always do this to him?

As if reading his thoughts, Rei glanced at him, and the sensuality smoldering in his silvery gaze made it clear they were once again of the same mind.

He reached over and stroked a bold hand along Sin's thigh, letting it linger for a just a moment before removing it. If any of the others noticed, they didn't let on.

"Here they come," Marta said softly.

She sat to Sin's right, surrounded by her "boys" who had, quite literally, turned out to be her boys. Her sons. She had four of them, one of whom was Wen, the young man Rein and Sin had stopped to talk to this morning.

All four were strapping lads who looked to be in their late teens and early twenties, though again Sin knew his guess at their ages could be way off. Their father had been killed not by Raul for a change, but in a simple hunting accident several years earlier.

"Looks to be upwards of forty soldiers all together, guarding two horse-drawn covered wagons." Jax's voice was low and gravelly as he squinted through the foliage.

"Forty...there were thirty in the detachment Sin and I saw, and I recognize some of them down there. There must only have been ten in the original guard."

"Forty of them. Only eight of us," Sin said. "How are we going to get those wagons?"

"Watch and learn," Marta said with a grin.

She nodded at her boys. Two of them took off at a quiet run through the bushes. Sin watched them disappear from sight, wondering what they would do. Was it their job to create a distraction?

A minute passed. Then two. The troops and wagons were almost directly below them now. Close enough Sin could see details of the men's faces. He spotted Frange and his brother Lugh near the rear.

An unholy screech filled the air. It was followed by another.

"What in the name of..." Sin whispered.

"Watch," Rein said in a low voice.

An astounding sight filled Sin's vision. In the air above them two creatures hovered, broad wings flapping, necks curved, long, spiked tails trailing behind them, holding them steady.

"Holy gods..."

Wyvern. He'd never seen anything more magnificent. Both were a pale yellowish-green in color, with eyes to match.

"Wha—"

"It's only an illusion. My boys, they did it. " she said with a proud smile.

"Oh. They're witches. And so are you."

Martha just shrugged.

"But..."

"There's always a risk. We knew that." Rein said. "But as long as they don't used their magic too much and they stay in one small area, the werekin or the other Paranormals won't know where they were."

"I thought the boys might be a distraction, but I had no idea..."

"Never seen a Witch used magic before, have you?"

"Never. Gods...that's.. I thought it was real."

Rei's mischievous smiled went straight to Sin's heart. And it left Sin reeling. It seems his feelings for this human is getting stronger as ti—

"Get ready," Jax growled. And it stopped Sin's wayward thoughts.

So Sin focused his attention below once more, to discover that more than half the soldiers had run screaming. They were scattering in every direction, some already disappearing into the scrubby brush that marked the edge of the Great Plain. Of those who remained by the wagons, most appeared completely terrified and ready to run at any moment, with only two or three others looking prepared to hold their ground and guard the wagons.

Another screech from one of the wyvern above, a low swoop over the wagons from the other, and another six soldiers took to their heels.

Sin was shocked at just how frightened these otherwise hardened werewolves soldiers were at the mere sight of the two wyverns.

"They've been raised on cities, like you, and most of them probably don't have never seen one before, or experience intense fighting with witches." Rein whispered.

"They're almost behaving as humans. Not one of them even shift to fight. Pathetic."

"Exactly. Actually, we hold no joy in using such means to terrorize others. But in situations like this, fear is an effective weapon to even the odds."

"Enough of the history lesson," Jax grumbled. "Can we work now?"

"If at all possible, aim to wound them, not kill them," Rei cautioned as he lifted his bow and nocked an arrow.

In a few short minutes, the remaining soldiers had been subdued and Rei's team had taken charge of the wagons, turning them and steering them back down the Plains Road, then turning off onto a little used path that led them deep into the forest.

Adrenaline coursed through Sin at the success of the raid. And an even deeper respect for Rei settled within him. Not a single life had been taken. It would have been so easy for them to lash out at Raul's wolves, yet, they take out their hatred and anger on them for what had been done to their race so many years ago. And instead, they'd respected the lives of those who wouldn't have done the same had the tables been turned.

Sin felt humbled by their actions. How many years had he blindly followed Raul's orders, hunted down those who'd broken the Clan Leader's rigid laws, deposited them in Raul's dungeons to be tortured or killed? How many deaths were on his hands, even if he hadn't always been the one to deliver the final blow?

He looked at Rei, knowing he didn't deserve the man's trust or high regard.

You're a liar. A betrayer. A murderer. He's going to find out and then he'll hate you.

__________________________