“Why?” He stared even deeper, holding the Vampire in his thrall.
“Because those are our orders.”
Atticus leaned closer. “No, I mean why not scrub his memories instead? Wouldn’t that be less dangerous and easier to accomplish?”
“The boss doesn’t want him alive. No one leaves alive.”
“What was his crime?”
“He worked at the lab. They want him dead for releasing the test subjects and fleeing.”
“He’s just a runner,” Atticus said to Tak without breaking eye contact with Randolph. “Men like him don’t make the decisions; they follow orders.” Then he redirected his words to the Vampire. “Randolph, how many men accompanied you on this mission?”
“Two.”
“Do you report back to anyone?”
“I don’t.”
Pressure built in his fangs as his temper rose. “And where are your companions currently?”
“Because I didn’t return, they would have gone back to the cabins and given me until morning to see if I completed the job.”
Tak rubbed his chin. “What cabins?”
Atticus heard the Vampire’s heart rattling like a panicked bird in a cage. Though he had no control over his actions, the Vampire realized he was divulging sensitive information.
Atticus considered what was in the area. “Do you mean Wildflower Cabins?”
“Yes.”
Atticus shifted his attention to Tak. “I’m familiar with them. It’s a bed-and-breakfast five miles south. Do you know where that alpaca farm is?”
Tak nodded. “I rode out that way once. The road forks, and all those weird critters are on the left. They spat at me and Luna.”
“The bed-and-breakfast is a mile past that and to the right. It’s Breed only, so there aren’t any signs exceptPrivate Property. How do you wish to handle it?”
“I’ll send my wolves.”
“Do you have any friends you trust who can back you up?”
Tak scoffed. “For two Vampires? Nothing we can’t handle. Plus we have Mel with her bow.”
Atticus leaned in closer to question their captive. “Were you given any other orders?”
“Kill the Shifter.”
“No one else?”
“And anyone who gets in the way.”
Atticus breathed a sigh of relief. They weren’t aware of Joy, but as long as this organization kept hunting Salem, it was only a matter of time before they found out. “If you plan to act, better do it now,” he told Tak. “I’ll finish up here.”
Tak stared daggers at the Vampire, who was oblivious to his presence.
Atticus stroked the chain with his index finger. “Do you need him alive?”
“He trespassed on my land to kill my pack. That gives me the right to decide punishment.”
