On the far side stood several electric cooking rings. Rough wood shelves held an assortment of pots and pans and dry goods. A small refrigerator sat on what was obviously a homemade table. Across from it was a long plank table with simple wood chairs.
Charity was standing at the entrance of what appeared to be the living area, though, benches, a few old, beaten recliners, a couch that had seen better days, and a card table.
“We’ll redecorate one of these days. ” The hard-eyed Coyote glanced at her mockingly. “Come on, through here. ”
Another tunnel led off to the side. This one was lit by several fat candles that had been set within grooved ledges in the stone wall. Within seconds of entering the narrow walkway, Charity heard the first moan. It was low, distressed and definitely female.
“Shit,” she heard Nikki mutter behind her, and Charity silently agreed. She knew that sound. They entered a bedroom. Against the wall a wide bed had been set up, made from rough wood but holding a large mattress. On the mattress the woman was curled into a fetal position, her arms wrapped around her abdomen. Beside her sat a tall, roughly handsome male, his dark blonde hair falling past his shoulders, his eyes cold and unusually black in his weathered face. He rose to his feet, the damp cloth he had been holding in his hands dropping to the table beside the bed. His eyes went to the men behind her.
“Casualties?” he asked.
“None. The Council was attacking so we grabbed them and ran before anyone was the wiser. ”
His broad chest lifted with a weary breath.
“Oh, I’m certain someone’s wiser by now,” Charity bit out as she moved for the bed and the woman laying on it.
“I hope you at least have some medical supplies,” Nikki bit out as she followed. “What happened to her?”
Charity pushed back the long, tangled red hair that lay over the woman’s face and checked her shoulder first. The whimpers, the position of the body and the soft scent she detected assured her she knew exactly what she was looking at. She looked at Nikki.
The doctor stood back.
“Who bit the woman?” She turned her fierce gaze on the man who had moved back at they neared the bed.
Charity watched him as well. His eyes were as black as the pits of hell, though his gaze was as cold as ice.
“What does the mark have to do with it?” he bit out. “We’re not infected, woman. ”
Charity watched the tight, sarcastic smile that shaped Nikki’s lips.
“Of course you are,” she almost crooned. “If what I see is true, you’re infected with this amazing little hormone, Coyote. It’s really quite astounding. ”
The Coyote’s eyes narrowed. “Explain. ”
“You mated the woman. ” Charity wasn’t in the mood to listen to Nikki bicker with the Coyote. She was tired, sore, and by God, she was horny. She wanted to waste as little time here as possible so she could get back to Aiden, their bed, and relief.
“Mated her?” he bit out. “Coyotes don’t mate, woman. No matter the rumors…”
“Did you swell within her, big boy?” Nikki bit out. “While you were taking her, it’s more than obvious you bit her, so I’ll assume you locked inside her as well?”
“An anomaly,” he growled. “Animal instinct. ”
“I know the Council trains their Coyotes in sexual conquest,” she sneered the term the Council used for rape. “Don’t tell me this is your first woman. ”
Charity listened to the bickering going on behind her as she checked the woman’s pupils, her pulse then checked for the brand the Council placed on all its creations. She stilled when she pulled the girl’s hair back and found nothing on her shoulders. She moved to her hips, pulling the blanket aside, and still found nothing.
“Charity?”Nikki questioned her actions.
She turned back watching Nikki intently. “She’s not a Breed. ”
Nikki moved then. She didn’t speak and, like Charity, ignored the men as she began to exam the woman. She pushed at their hands, whimpering at each touch. She was perspiring heavily, her face pale, her blue eyes dazed as she fought them weakly.
“Son of a bitch,” Nikki cursed. “Now look. ” She turned on the male watching them with a glitter of fury in his eyes. “I’ve cursed for hours straight. Do you know how mad that makes me? Do you know how mad you are making me? Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Please, tell me you didn’t rape this girl. ”
Fury lashed through her voice. Charity herself was trembling at the thought as she glimpsed the small bruises on the woman’s breasts and arms.
“There was no rape,” he bit out.