“Winter Varik, at your service.”
Philippe’s mouth dropped open, but no words came out. This was the dark specter that haunted all vampires. Winter Varik was a legend in his own right. Or maybe more like the boogieman. He definitely wasn’t what Philippe had expected. His face was so young and open, so very inviting. But there was a cold shrewdness to his eyes that left Philippe wondering if he could read thoughts.
“I happened to be in the vicinity when I got Rafe’s call. He and Marcus should be behind us by only minutes,” Winter continued when Philippe still couldn’t speak.
“Have you seen Ezra or the vampire pursuing him? Do you know where he is?”
“I haven’t seen them, but there are a cluster of vampires in the building under construction about half a block down.” Winter jerked his head toward the left, indicating the direction they should head. “There are also wolves there.”
“Wolves?” Philippe repeated, sure he’d not heard the vampire correctly.
A small smile spread across Winter’s lips, but it held no warmth or even amusement. It did nothing to put Philippe at ease. “Yes, I thought that was strange too. By your reaction, I take it that Ezra doesn’t run with wolves.”
“No. I—no. Of course not. We’re in the city. How would anyone have wolves with them?”
“That is a question I’m very interested in answering,” Winter admitted.
Philippe gave a little shake of his head, leading the way out of the park and toward the building he could see bordered by a chain link fence. The place was little more than steel beams and concrete. It stretched about five stories and was surrounded by various pieces of large machinery.
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Winter following no more than two steps behind. The strange smile was still there, and his blue eyes were narrowed, concentration intense. It was an odd thing to have Winter ready to fight alongside him, but Philippe didn’t feel the same level of trust and comfort he did in having Rafe at his side. In fact, Philippe almost felt as if he had his own wolf at his side. One that could so easily turn on him at a moment.
Shoving the worry aside, Philippe shifted his attention to the fence rising up before him. He found where the links had been cut and carefully slipped through the opening. His heart had risen to his throat, and a chill was skating down his spine that had nothing to do with the cold night air. The construction site was silent, but Philippe could feel the presence of vampires. At least five of them. One of them was Ezra. His power was strong and steady, giving Philippe hope that he hadn’t been injured yet. They weren’t too late.
Before he could enter the building, the screech of tires tore through the quiet night air. Philippe jerked around to see a black BMW scream to a stop in front of the building. Rafe and another vampire jumped out of the vehicle. He was shorter than Rafe, but his chest and shoulders were broad. There was something controlled and powerful about his carriage. This had to be Marcus Varik. Not exactly the circumstances Philippe wanted to meet the Varik clan, but he appreciated the assistance.
“Subtle, Rafe. Very subtle,” Winter mocked as both of the Variks reached the fence.
“Shove it, Wee One,” Rafe snarled.
“Enough,” Marcus said in a low, forceful tone that surprisingly silenced both brothers. He held the fence open to allow Rafe through first, though his slender form didn’t really need the assistance.
Rafe walked straight up to Philippe, his hands gently clasping his shoulders. “Are you all right? Has anyone attacked you?” Rafe demanded.
“I’m fine. Winter and I just arrived.” He was proud that he managed to get the words out without a stammer. Relief poured through his body at the sight of Rafe, leaving his knees weak. He forced his eyes away from Rafe’s worried gaze and found Winter watching them with a strangely inquisitive look that didn’t make Philippe feel comfortable at all.
He looked over at Marcus, who gave a brief nod in greeting.
“What’s the situation?” Marcus asked, pulling Philippe’s brain back to the problem.
“Five vampires. Four attackers and one Arsenault. Feels like one or two floors up. And wolves,” Winter succinctly listed.
“Wolves? Seriously? Like fresh out of the woods pack of wolves?” Rafe said, his hands squeezing Philippe’s shoulders a little harder.
Winter smirked. “Oh, I doubt these are your run-of-the-mill wolves.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Did Bel make some motherfucking superwolves in the lab?”
“Doubtful.” Winter rolled his eyes.
“I suggest we split up,” Marcus interrupted before Winter and Rafe could continue sniping at each other. A part of Philippe longed to continue watching Rafe and Winter’s unique dynamic, but each second that passed was another second that Ezra was in danger of being killed. They needed to find him now.