Dark Wolf (Spirit Wild) - By Kate Douglas Page 0,81
ones that attacked us the other night. The same wolves whose scent I recognized from the site of that murder in Golden Gate Park.”
“Holy shit.” Alex’s gaze flashed from Lily to Sebastian and back to Lily. “You’re sure?”
She nodded. “Have there been any more murders since this morning?”
“Not that I know of, but I’ve been with Annie since this afternoon. But why? What purpose would Aldo Xenakis have for harboring killers?”
Sebastian glanced at Lily. “Maybe because my father is a powerful wizard, one who pursues dark magic. Blood magic. I think he’s using the life force of the young women to give him power for whatever magic he’s doing.”
Frowning, Alex stared for a long moment at Sebastian, before letting out a pent-up breath. “That’s sick. Really sick. But to what end? What kind of spell would require the deaths of so many young women? And rape? How do the rapes fit in? What is he hoping to gain by all of this?”
“I don’t know.” Sebastian squeezed Lily’s hand. “He wanted me to get to know Lily, though I’m not sure why. When I told him I’d lost it when she and I were running on Mount Tam and had almost raped her, he seemed disappointed, as if my not hurting her went against his plans.”
Lily stared at him. “You didn’t tell me that.”
“I know. I told your father about it, and I’m sorry but I didn’t know how to say anything to you. It’s just so damned wrong. At first I wanted to think I was misinterpreting what he said. He’s my father.” He shrugged and looked away. “It was really hard to admit he’s a murderer, but I’m convinced he’s got some kind of plan that includes you and me. I just don’t know what it is. The man’s dangerous. He’s got to be stopped.”
“Where is he? Here or in San Francisco?” Alex pushed the half-eaten plate of chicken aside.
“He was in San Francisco when I left, but if his wolves are here, he could have followed me. Unless he’s got more of them up here that I don’t know about.”
“Does he know you came to Montana?”
Alex’s questions reminded him of a cop show, only he was the suspect being questioned. “I don’t know. I didn’t hide my trail, if that’s what you mean, but I didn’t leave him a note, either. It was a spur of the moment decision. I took a cab to the airport and caught the first plane up here that had a vacant seat.”
“If he had you followed, he could know you’re here, which means that attack on Annie and me could have been aimed at you and Lily.”
Sebastian frowned. “Why would you think that?”
“Look at us, you and me. We’re like my dad and Anton. People always think they’re brothers, even though they’re not related. You and I are both tall and lean, both have dark hair. Even similar features. Someone doesn’t know either of us, they could get us confused. Hell, we look enough alike we could be related. Same with the girls. Lily and Annie are dark skinned, obviously mixed race. Annie’s smaller and she’s got short hair, but if they were looking for a tall, dark-haired guy and a mixed-race woman, she and I could be you and Lily.”
“But why would my father want to kill us? He could have done that at any time. Hell, I live with the man, here and in San Francisco. He’s had plenty of opportunities.”
“I don’t think he wants to kill you. I imagine he wants to capture you. Probably wants both of you to power some spell he’s got planned. Those wolves that attacked us today could easily have killed Annie and me without any help at all, but they didn’t go for the kill, and they weren’t alone. I’m positive there were more in the woods, waiting. I heard Anton say he recognized human scent. So maybe they hadn’t shifted. Maybe they were ready with restraints, but help showed up too quickly and they bailed.”
“That’s putting a whole new spin on things.”
Lily yawned. “It is, and like you said earlier, Sebastian, it’s making my head hurt.” She stood and planted both hands on the table. “Gentlemen. I am exhausted. It has been a very long, emotionally trying day, and I am going to bed. You may join me, or you can stay here and gorge yourselves on whatever Mom left in the fridge and talk rings around each other until morning.”