She shrugged. “I have no way of knowing. I was kept in a darkened room and I was completely out of it because they’d shot me up with sapphire flame. I’m sure they believed it would enhance any futurist abilities I possessed. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for my very limited skill.
“The wolves got mad and I think they were scared. They kept talking about how the boss wasn’t going to like it that I wouldn’t be able to provide futurist visions for them.
“When the big man himself came in, they all got quiet. The drug had hold of me. I felt like I had lightning in my veins but mud in my muscles. I couldn’t move. I could barely think.
“He told them to get rid of me. They put me in the back of a Jeep and took me to the Graveyard. I thought they’d rape me, instead, their pleasure seemed to be in going wolf and ripping my body to shreds. I don’t know how I survived the attack. I’m having nightmares.”
Natalie could tell the recounting had agitated her. She covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. “That would be normal.”
“I know. Recovery will be a process, but I’m so angry.”
“Who was their boss?”
“Someone named Kryder. He’s an alpha of one of the Savage Packs.”
“I know all about Kryder. He’s the alpha of Grant’s pack.”
Talya glanced at her. “Seriously?”
“Kryder’s a bad man. The worst. Grant says he routinely seduces then rapes the youngest members of the packs, gender being unimportant. That’s just one of his many crimes. Grant’s only goal is to bring Kryder down, to defeat him in a dominance battle and take over the pack.”
“I hope he succeeds.”
“I do, too.”
“So, what do you think you’ll do?” Talya asked.
“I never thought I’d say this, but I think I need to have another talk with Grant.”
Talya cocked her head. “No time like the present.”
Natalie drew a deep, steadying breath. “I’ll do it now.”
She rose to her feet and moved closer to the altar. She stared at the wood and the water-like waves as she accessed her telepathy and sent a message straight to Grant. She sensed he was no longer in Savage or in Revel. The location seemed more like Elegance. She wondered what he was doing there. Grant?
I’m here.
For a moment, she couldn’t think. Even his telepathic voice had a low rumble that afflicted the back of her knees. She forced herself to take another breath. I need to see you. Um…there’s been a development.
Same here.
His response surprised her. Really?
Yes. I’ve been trying to find out more information about the presence you mentioned. In fact, I’m with a warlock right now who thinks he can help figure this out. Would you be willing to see him? Consult with him? It would mean a certain level of engagement, but he might be able to confirm and perhaps even identify your stalker.
For a second, she was disappointed, not in seeing someone else as well but that Grant had a specific reason to want to see her as opposed to just wanting to see her. She was being foolish. I’m at Agnes’s chapel in her compound. We’ve still got some time before dawn. Can you come now?
He wanted you to come to his place.
She thought for a moment. It’s safe here, Grant. Agnes’s compound is like a fortress.
You’re right. It is. Let me see if he’s willing to travel.
She waited as he spoke to the warlock. When he came back on, he said, Neil, the warlock I mentioned, is willing but he doesn’t have a lot of time, so we’ll need to get to it.
I understand. She didn’t exactly, but she could work with whatever was going on.
We’ll be there in a few. Also, we’re flying in. It might be best if you let Agnes know we’ve been invited. She knows both of us.