“Thanks.” Chaz paused. “Watch him, Flay. Work in teams of two. That one was easy to spot since it was running but I don’t want anyone attacked if there’s a smart one being very still so we can’t see them.”

“On it,” Flay responded. “I’ve got you covered, Duster.”

Veso reached up and pressed against his ear when he saw the first cabin he and Glenda had reached after leaving the mine. “We’re close.”

“VampLycans lead the charge,” Chaz ordered. “We have the air and we’ll flank you from behind.”

Veso sped up, driving in front of Lorn and Lavos, knowing exactly where to go. He stopped right in front of the mine. The truck was parked there. He turned off the motorcycle and removed Glenda’s clothing from under his shirt, laying it on the bike seat.

“The master is here,” he announced to everyone.

Lorn stepped up next to him. “He’s all yours. Anyone find him, let Veso be the one to kill this bastard. He’s owed that.”

“Thanks.” Veso flashed him a grateful look.

“I didn’t get to kill the one who attacked my Kira but I sure wanted to take his head.” Lorn shrugged. “Let’s go wipe out a nest.”

Four GarLycans landed behind them. “Are we plotting more are just going in?” Flay drew his short sword.

“We’re going in.” Veso unleashed his claws and fangs, storming toward the mine opening.

Two soldiers rushed at their group about fifty feet inside. Lorn took out one while Veso beheaded the second. He inhaled, searching for the scent of the master. It was one he remembered well. The blond bastard wasn’t going to get away. He smelled him and turned left at the first split in the wide shaft. The teams divided in half. Lorn glanced back, seeing Lavos, Flay, another GarLycan scout, and Kar with him.

Another soldier came streaking out of the dark. Veso lunged forward, right at it, and ripped his claws through its throat. It dusted an instant later and he kept on going.

“You could save a few for us,” Flay called out.

Veso nodded just as three more soldier came running at him from ahead. He obligingly shoved past them that time, letting the rest of his team dispatch them. He had the scent of the master and it was getting stronger. He also picked up fresh human blood, a lot of it. He snarled and rushed forward, not carrying if the others kept up.

The tunnels split again and he turned right, tracking the master and the blood. He came to a doorway with some light spilling through the side cracks. Veso lifted his foot, kicking in the ill-fitting wood that had been placed over it for privacy since it didn’t have an exterior lock. It went flying inward and he winced over the well-lit scene that waited.

Candles were lit in the rounded cavern that made up a room. A human was tied down on the hard-packed earth, her blood saturating the floor and her body.

The master had been drinking from her chest but he jerked his head up at the sound of Veso’s violent entry. Shock widened the master’s eyes. He must not have heard them coming, too focused on gorging from his victim.

Veso snarled, glaring at him. “I’m back, you bastard.”

The master leapt up, rushing for a dart gun placed on the floor behind him. Veso moved just as fast and caught him by the back of his shirt, impaling the Vampire with his claws at the same time. The master hissed in pain.

Veso wasn’t done. He spun, slamming the bastard face first into the rock wall, then did it a second time just to hear bones break. He flung him down and dropped on his back.

“No more drugs,” Veso growled. Grabbing the Vampire by his hair to keep him in place, he turned, staring at the human on the floor. Her eyes were open, staring back at him. No fear showed but she looked pretty out of it and close to death.

Sound by the door had him glancing that way. Lavos and Flay entered, both of them grimacing over the woman.

“She’s still alive. Get her out of here,” Veso ordered.

It was Lavos who pulled off his shirt, removed it, and covered the woman. Flay slashed at the bonds tied to the stakes to free her wrists and ankles. Lavos lifted the woman, cursing. “She’s lost a lot of blood.”

“I can fly her to a hospital,” Flay offered, opening his arms.

“I don’t think she’ll make it.” Lavos shook his head.

Another scout entered the room. He had jet-black hair, very tan skin, and dark eyes. “Give her to me.” His gruff voice revealed his identity. It was Duster. “I can save her.”

“She’s too far gone,” Lavos whispered.

Duster approached and just tore the woman out of Lavos’s arms. “I can save her, VampLycan.” He turned, striding out of the room fast.

Lavos went to follow but Flay caught his arm. “Don’t. He’s right. He has a chance of getting her to a hospital in time. He can fly faster than any of us. There’s a twenty-four-hour emergency clinic about twenty miles from here. We know where all of them are located since sometimes humans trespass and the bears get to them before we do.”

The master began to fight Veso, bucking to get free. He focused on him as he leaned in, snarling. “I have something to say to you, Charles.”

“I am King Charles!”

“You’re an asshole. Glenda will never birth anything for you. She’s safe, and you’ll never cause her harm.” Veso dug his claws into the master’s scalp, drawing blood.

Charles screamed and shrieked. Veso wrapped his other hand around the bastard’s throat and used his claws to slowly cut into him. The Vamp didn’t deserve a fast, merciful death. He wanted him to suffer and know he was about to die.

“Glenda is mine. Not yours. You should never have come after a VampLycan. We’re wiping out your entire fucking nest.”

“Hold on!” Lorn rushed into the room.

Veso snarled, glaring at him. “He’s mine to kill.”

Lorn came to a halt and nodded. “I just want to ask him one thing first.”

Veso eased his grip on the master’s throat. He was choking, bleeding. He dug his claws into the bastard’s back instead, hurting him more. “Fine.” He lifted up, yanking the Vampire to his feet with him. He held him up with his claws dug into his back.

Lorn came closer, staring at the master. “Where is Decker Filmore?”

“Fuck you,” the master choked, blood running out of his mouth.