The Vow (Black Arrowhead #1) - Dannika Dark Page 0,94
sell to anyone, including humans. Usually in big cities, Shifters prided themselves on doing business exclusively with their own kind. But out here, it was a hard way of life.
Local packs had money. But what would they stand to gain by setting up the tribe? If Shikoba’s people were forced out, the land wouldn’t automatically go to the locals. The Council would auction it off. It would be prime real estate, and Shifters from all over would come down to bid on it. Maybe it was a wealthy outsider.
Lakota shut off the water and strolled through the store, his thoughts a million miles away. Reminded of Melody’s growling stomach, he grabbed a few bags of chips and spicy pistachios. If that didn’t tide her over, he would buy her dinner, although there weren’t many bars in the area he’d recommend eating at.
His stomach suddenly soured, and he shuddered as a cold chill swept over him. It felt as if he were in a nightmare, and the only thing he could think of was Melody.
Melody. Melody.
When the knot in his stomach grew painfully tight, he dropped the snacks to the floor. Lakota tossed a wad of money at Gus and flew outside, his heart racing like a rocket when he scanned the parking lot and saw no sign of her.
Lakota jogged toward the truck and then checked the side of the building, wondering if she’d gone to stretch her legs. “Mel?” he shouted.
The pump was still sitting in the tank. Rage consumed him when he looked at the store and realized he had a clear view of the counter. How could I have let something like this happen?
In search of clues, he circled the vehicle and knelt by the passenger side. He found a Pilgrim cigarette that hadn’t been stepped on or driven over, and when he pinched the end of the paper, he could still feel the heat.
A wave of terror snaked through his gut, and he rushed back into the store. “Did you see what happened to the girl I was with?” he boomed.
Gus turned. “Nope.”
“She didn’t leave with anyone?” Lakota gripped the edge of the counter.
After a slow turn to look outside, Gus shrugged. “When you went into the bathroom, I heard someone drive up, playing that rap music, so I tuned it out. Put my invisible earplugs in. I don’t like that kind of music. That and heavy metal hurts my ears. Vampires can hear everything, you know. Crickets, birds, cars, people talking, the gas sloshing around in your tank. It’s enough to make you crazy. Crow circled in front and waved at me. He likes to taunt me sometimes, but I ignore it.”
“Was anyone else in the car?”
Gus swung his eyes upward. “No. Just him. He drove real slow, so I got a good look.”
“Does he ever come in with anyone?”
“He used to have a woman, but I ain’t seen her in a long time. He just comes by, plays that music of his, chitchats with people.”
“Who?”
Gus shrugged. “I seen him talkin’ to someone at the pump a few times. Usually it’s when my show is on, so I don’t pay ’em no mind. Do you ever watch Criminal Minds?”
Gus wasn’t bright enough to realize that Crow was using his distaste for rap music as a way to have private meetings with someone he probably wasn’t supposed to be seen talking to. Lakota gave him an impassive smile and ran out the door, his heart hammering against his chest. He quickly shifted to his wolf and sniffed the area by the car. He definitely smelled the cigarettes more, but his wolf didn’t know Crow’s scent. What disturbed him was the faint smell of blood in the air—no fear, just blood.
In a fluid movement of magic, Lakota shifted to human form and hustled to get his pants on. He threw the nozzle on the ground and hopped in the truck, careful not to hit a pump as he sped in a circle before taking off down the main road. When he reached the turnoff to the Council’s property, he screeched to a halt next to Kaota.
“Someone took Melody!”
Kaota glowered at him through the open windows. “What happened?”
“Crow. He took her. Tell the Council they’ve got the wrong man. Tell them we need backup. Did you see any cars go by?”
“Just one.”
“What kind?”
Kaota took a second to think about it. “Looked like an old clunker. One of those long models. I didn’t pay attention.”