“It has to be Charley. The coincidence is too high.” I looked down; my hands were shaking. “Fuck. We’ve found him.” Nausea churned in my gut as I realised he might be sick, or badly hurt. I had to jump out and tear the place apart with my bare hands. And yet I couldn’t seem to move.
I could hear Eleanor on the phone to Dalziel. Baxter gave me a nudge. “Are you okay to drive along the road a bit, Luc? I don’t think it’s wise to park bang outside. We’re advertising our presence if anyone comes by.”
We parked about a hundred yards from the ruined cottage, out of sight behind another bend in the road, and waited for Dalziel. He didn’t take long to arrive. Everyone tumbled out, but Dalziel gently ushered Eleanor back into the driving seat of my vehicle, and asked me for the keys. “It’s got more seats than mine,” he explained. “In case we need a quick getaway.”
I handed them over, Eleanor confirming she’d be happier behind the wheel than doing anything more physical. Dalziel surprised me by reminding her to lock the doors behind us. It was good to see he recognised her human frailty.
Pulling myself together, I asked, “What’s the plan? Destroy the shack and get Charley as far away as fast as possible, I presume?” The initial shock had worn off a little, and my fangs and claws prickled, keen to extend, rip, maim. But I’d never been a leader, and I felt an unexpected urge to defer to Dalziel.
Sorley cleared his throat. “Unless we can use him to lure in and nail whoever took him.”
Dalziel twisted to snarl at Sorley. “Donotforget whose son Charley is. We are not using him as bait, ever.” He nodded at me. “We secure Charley, assuming it is indeed him, and worry about setting traps later. He’s our priority.” He swung his attention back to the ginger vamp. “In fact, it’s a good suggestion to bait the place. You’ll do fine.”
It gave me a stab of pure pleasure to see the way Sorley flinched at Dalziel’s harsh tone. I should fucking coco; this was mymate. Fuck using him as anything. Sorley could go play in traffic for suggesting such a thing. The shed was too good for him.
We approached the cottage silently, but there was no sign of anyone around. I was alert for the faintest hint of anyone, but the only strong heartbeat I could account for was my own: the vampires’ ones barely registered. I tried not to let my anxiety cloud my focus — staying alert was imperative. Snow was still falling, albeit just a few flakes now, and still in one small circular patch. There were no marks or footprints on the snowy ground, not even from a bird. Baxter cautiously extended her arm into the area where the snow was falling, then withdrew it and shook her head. “Colder than the surrounding air, but not massively so,” she mouthed, our superlative hearing picking it up easily.
“Well, don’t step on it. I’m not sure if it’s enchanted. Best to err on the side of caution.” Dalziel’s focus zoomed in on the shack. “There’s a lock on that door.”
“Don’t break it!” Baxter whisper-yelled. “We’ll need it if we’re setting a trap.”
He rolled his eyes but slid something from a pocket, and approached the door. I followed him. “Whatcha go—Oh, Dalziel, you naughty boy.” He peered at the padlock from all angles, then inserted one of the lock picking tools.
I tried not to bounce on the balls of my feet while he wiggled it about, waiting for something to catch, or not. I didn’t know how they worked, nor did I care. I just needed Charley. “Can you sense him?” I whispered.
Dalziel paused. Then, “I’m not sure. I can smell his scent, but it’s very faint, and it might be from your car. I can’t be certain he’s in there, no.” His eyes were pained as our gazes snagged. I nodded, and jerked my head at the lock, trying to force an encouraging smile.
“It shouldn’t take long. It’s not much of a challenge.” He flicked another glance at me from under his dark lashes. “I’ve had a lot of time to acquaint myself with all sections of society. Are you truly surprised?”
The lock came apart easily. Replacing his kit, Dalziel slid the bolt across and gently pulled the door open. Then I saw him. And my control shattered.
“Oh god, Charley, what have they done to you?” I was at his side in two strides, my heart in my mouth as I contemplated the way he’d been thrown down like a broken mannequin, all awkward angles. I cupped his cheek and knew I was crying. I didn’t care. I just needed him to be okay. “Charley, please speak to me.”
Dalziel was beside me on the dirty floor. “Let me see him, please, Lucien.” He slipped an arm under Charley’s shoulders and tilted him up a bit. There was no response.
My blood ran cold. “Oh god. Dalziel, he’s not breathing.” I couldn’t see or hear his heartbeat or a whisper of breath. I could feel panic forcing a shift on me. I dug my fingers into my thighs, and winced when I drew blood. Clamping down on my emotions, I shoved my fist into my mouth to concentrate my mind on staying in control. “Dalziel…” I whimpered.
“Shh.” He patted my leg, then laid his head on Charley’s chest. I could feel Baxter and Sorley were immobile somewhere behind us, waiting for a sign.
Dalziel shuddered. “He’s alive. He’s dangerously shut down though, or I think so, for anyone not fully vampire.” He pulled a penknife from his back pocket, eased Charley upright against me, and made quick work of freeing his wrists. His expression was dark as he dropped a handful of cable ties on the floor. “Animals. His wrists are bleeding, they pulled these so tight.”
Sorley was poking about in the corners. “There’s a shit ton of assorted metals in this place, boss. Possibly some of them—”
“Iron,” interjected Baxter. “Poor little sod. No wonder he looks rough.” She came to stand next to me. “You want a hand with him?”
“No!” I got to my feet, and gulped in a lungful of the oily, damp air. “We can manage. Can’t we, Dalziel?”
Dalziel took another few moments to slice through the bindings on Charley’s ankles and around his knees. “If you could get the car please,” he murmured to Baxter. Before I could offer my assistance, he was on his feet, Charley a deadweight in his arms. He raised his eyebrows at me. “You want me to take his legs?”
I couldn’t speak. I nodded gratefully, wrapped my arms around Charley, and together we carried him carefully outside. We perched on the remains of the stone wall, huddled over Charley to protect him from the elements. “Charley,” I managed through my tears. “You made it snow, babe. You’resofucking talented. We’ve got you now. You’re safe. You’re gonna be okay.” I tore my gaze from his pale, battered face to question Dalziel. “Hewillbe all right, won’t he?”
Dalziel was taking too long to answer. I could feel cold sweat pricking my skin, and nausea rising.
Then Charley’s eyelids fluttered open. “Luc,” he rasped.
“I’m here.”
The merest ghost of a smile teased his lips before he passed out again. Dalziel exhaled heavily, and nudged my shoulder. “Car’s here.”
