Obsessions: A Monster Squad Novel 7 Read Free Page A

Jacobs studied the ground where a set of boot prints went off toward the chain link fence. “Looks like he exited this way.”
    “Donnie, you and John track him. See if he’s still on foot or if he scavenged a vehicle. Radio back if you find anything.” Spalding turned to Jacobs and Lamb. “You two, back on security detail for the clean-up crew.”
    Spalding watched as the two sets of operators broke apart and went in separate directions. He waited a moment then stepped inside the building. He stared up into the rafters where the shooter had laid in wait. Jumping up into the overhead, Spalding suspended himself across the rafters and peered out through the missing gable. He had a clear view of the entire yard. The shooter could have taken out any of them at any time…yet, he’d chosen to only shoot Apollo.
    Spalding watched as his men provided security to the clean-up crews and considered the situation. Either the shooter had a personal axe to grind against Apollo or was under orders from somebody who did. Could Sheridan have given an order prior to shifting? Wouldn’t that mean that at least some of the men under Sheridan’s command were human and not wolf?
    Spalding slipped down from the rafters and walked out of the small building. “Too many questions, not enough answers.” He turned and headed out to the main yard. He paused as he noticed the clean-up crews placing Apollo into a body bag. He watched as the men zipped the bag shut then lifted the body and placed it into the back of a truck.
    Spalding vowed to find out who was responsible, even if it took destroying every last wolf at Simmons’ disposal.
     
    *****
     
    Kalen lay in the dark and stared at the ceiling, sleep refusing to return to him. He placed his hand back against the cinder block wall and tried to feel the leather clad woman on the other side. All he could feel was the cold cement under his fingertips.
    He rolled to his side and tried to force the thought of her from his mind. Why had these thoughts invaded his mind like this? He had never been so attracted to a female before that it left him distracted. Was it her skill? Was it her flippant attitude? Was it her defiance?
    He sighed and rolled to the other side, unable to get comfortable. He ground his teeth together and fought to force the female vampire from his mind. He tried to think of anything else. His brother Horith. His homeland. The many battles he had fought. Nothing could completely remove her. When he thought of his home, she would be lurking behind a tree, waiting for him to spot her. When he thought of the battles he had fought, she was there as well, fighting alongside him. When he thought of Horith, she always invaded his mind, sitting atop him, unzipping her top, and biting with such speed that it shocked him.
    It frightened him.
    It shook him.
    It excited him.
    Kalen sat up and went to the sink once more. He ran the cold water and splashed it across his face. He snapped on the light and stared at the reflection in the mirror, water dripping from his sharp features. Turning his head, he looked to the area on his neck where she had bitten him in his dream. He wasn’t surprised that nothing was there. No matter how real the dream felt, it was still just a dream.
    Kalen turned and opened the door of his room. He turned down the hallway toward the bathroom and ran into Brooke, heading the opposite direction. She wore the same shocked expression he did at that moment. “Apologies. I was just…” Kalen pointed behind her. “The lavatory is there.”
    She blushed and averted her eyes. “Yes. The ladies room is…” She pointed behind him.
    Kalen nodded slightly and stepped out of her way, allowing her to pass. She stepped past him and disappeared through a doorway. Kalen watched her and felt a pang in his chest as she strode purposefully through the hallway. He turned slowly and made his way to the restroom. Once inside, he pulled a towel from the rack and stripped off his