Taken By Diablo

By C. M. Hubbard

Running From A Cage
Jesse found out the hard way that she was different from her brother when she turned eighteen. Now, almost three years later, he wants to lock her away. For her safety and those around her, he says. She runs away from him trying to avoid that fated cage and finds herself standing naked in a strange man’s cabin at his mercy. Fate, she soon finds out, will not be denied as she wakes up in a strange place, caged.

Living In A Cage
Kade felt he had to atone for past sins he had committed against his friends. His isolation was his punishment, his cage. Or so he thought. When he comes back to his cabin he encounters a naked intruder and his complicated life takes an unexpected turn. He thought his days of sin were over, but cruel fate has turned the tables on him once more and his sinful days are just beginning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C. M. Hubbard
• Release date: Jun 23, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310480874

C. M. Hubbard

C.M. HUBBARD was born on August 28, 1974 in Ft. Hood, Texas, to a military family. She grew up in many different places. She has traveled across the United States and has been to Germany, Poland, and Czech Republic. She is the wife of an Army Veteran, the mother of two children and the owner of four dogs. She enjoys reading books and has found a new love of creating her own stories for others to enjoy.

Book preview

Prologue

Take your sister and go hide in the tunnels like we have been practicing for the last couple of months. You know that after twenty four hours if we haven't come for you that you are to head out to Connal's place like we planned.

But...

No, son. There's no time. Now go!

The boy took his baby sister from his father and headed into the secret tunnel that he helped dig over the last couple of months. He looked back over his shoulder, taking a last long look at his father, wondering if he'll ever see him or his mother ever again.

The father watched his son and daughter disappear into the tunnel with a desperate longing to go with them. They had been training for months, preparing him for this exact moment in time. He knew they would eventually find them and he had to protect his children at all costs. He moved the bookcase back into place and then headed out of the room, going back upstairs to his wife, where she was waiting and watching for his return. It had been only a few hours since she'd given birth, but she knew they were coming for her and the baby.

Did they make it into the tunnel okay? she whispered tiredly as her strength slowly left her fragile body. It had been a very difficult delivery. She had bled a lot during and now after the birth of their daughter. She knew she didn't have much time left in this world.

Yes, they are safe. Mack knows to wait and then take Jesse to Connal. He'll find a safe place for them, he said quietly, his voice cracking at the end. He gave Mack false hope that they would come for them, but he had needed to. He didn't want them being exposed to any more danger than they already face by staying around longer.

We shouldn't have done the ritual, then you could have been with them. Watched over them as they grow, she cried softly. The tears running down her face to mingle with the blood on her nightgown.

I wouldn't change that for anything, he said, gathering her gently into his arms and pulling her close. I am sorry I wasn't able to protect you better. They shouldn't have been able to take you. This is all my fault, he murmured, as tears ran down his cheeks and into her hair. Hair that was once a lustrous vibrant black, but was now dull and stringy from giving birth to their daughter.

I love you, and it isn't your fault. I'm the one who left after our fight. I don't even remember what it was about. I'm just glad you were able to find me, she said, looking into his pain-filled, grief-stricken silver eyes.

But not before they experimented on you and our daughter. The hardest part of all of this is not knowing why or even what the consequences of what they did will do to Jesse.

She will be alright. She is our daughter and she's a fighter. She proved that just by surviving her birth two months early. She started coughing uncontrollably, the force of it making her whole body tremor. She covered her mouth and when she pulled her hand away there was blood on it. I'm scared.

Me too, darling. But we are together. Always and forever.

He felt her body suddenly jerk and stiffen up and he looked down at her concerned. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was shallow. She opened her eyes and said softly it's okay, but before she could elaborate on what she meant her last breath left her body, and as per the ritual, his did as well for the last time.

The ritual was a wondrous thing. It combined two souls as one. And where one soul went the other would follow. As in life, two hearts beating as one. When one stopped so too does the other.

Chapter 1

Jesse carefully made her way down the stairs, trying to be as quiet as a mouse. She didn't want to wake up her brother. He'd been acting overly protective lately and it'd been driving her nuts. She hadn't been able to go anywhere by herself since they got to Scotland about a week ago and she's had enough of it. Treating her like she's a little girl again. She was almost twenty-one for Christ's sake. Old enough to be on her own at home, but not here? She snorted, and then covered her mouth as she paused on the stairs. She tilted her head to the side, listening for any movement from the rooms above.

When she didn't hear anyone stirring, she started making her way down the stairs again. She made it to the bottom without any further mishap and inhaled a sigh of relief. She turned to the left and headed towards the kitchen and the back door that led to the outside grounds of the house. She paused at the closed door and listened a few minutes, just to make sure no one was in there. She slowly opened the door and looked around the room, not seeing anyone, she hurried over to the back door. She carefully opened it up and stepped outside, closing it just as quietly. She inhaled another deep breath, this time breathing in the wonderful new smells that Scotland had to offer. She could feel her soul connect with them, like she'd found home.

The small town in Canada where she'd lived all her young life hadn't really felt like home to her. This place did though. No wonder Connal and Marcy loved living there so much. She took in another deep breath as she adjusted the pack on her back, and then took off running across the back yard toward the trees located about five hundred yards from the house. It's time she started exploring Scotland, Jesse style, she laughed softly.

She ran for about a mile before she stopped to rest at a small creek. The moon was shining down from above and its reflection could be seen on the surface of the water. She knelt down on the pebbled shore and dipped her hand in the water. It was cool to the touch. She cupped some of it in her hand and brought it up to her nose to smell it. It didn't have a nasty, fishy smell so she slowly stuck out her tongue to taste it. It tasted just like bottled water, sort of, only crisper, better. She cupped her hands together and collected more water to drink. Once she had her fill she sat back on her heels, closed her eyes, arched her back, and tipped her face up towards the moonlight.

She was at peace. One with the night.

She didn't know how long she stayed like that but her peaceful pose was interrupted when she heard an animal lapping up the creek water just a few feet from her. She slowly opened her eyes and lowered her head so she could see what it was.

A very large black panther was drinking the water just feet from her. She wasn't frightened, just fascinated. She'd never seen one from that point of view before. Its fur was midnight black with a glossy sheen, and it looked like it had spots, such as those found on a leopard. It raised its head and looked right at her. Its eyes were silver-grey, and it looked almost human in the curious expression it had upon his face. It's almost as if he was trying to figure her out as well.

He'd probably never seen a human that close before. He turned his head to the side, like he'd been listening to something and then he suddenly turned and took off, back into the security of the woods.

Jesse turned her head and listened carefully to the surrounding woods to see if she could hear what he did that had spooked him. But after awhile she didn't hear anything. She checked her watch and saw that about two hours had passed since she had left the house. She decided that that was enough time for her to be outside without causing a ruckus. So she picked up her bag and reluctantly headed back to the house.

When she reached the house she saw that all the lights were still out, letting her know that her secret escape had not been detected. She carefully made her way back up to her room, changed her clothes, and then climbed into bed; all the while thinking, she couldn't wait to do that again.

Chapter 2

Jesse had been in Scotland for two weeks now and she still had to sneak out every night just to make her run. She had hoped to see her panther again but he had been elusive. She sensed that he was still out there though, watching her, but he hadn't shown himself to her again. She believed that tonight would be the night that he did and so she had decided that the time was right for her to show him something. She hadn't been interrupted at the creek and felt confident that things would be okay. She had to do it soon anyway because they were leaving soon and she would have missed her chance.

She headed back into the house after being outside playing with Connal's and Marcy's two year old daughter, Marcail. At one time she thought she would be the one to give Connal children but it wasn't meant to be. He had been trying to tell her that for years but she just didn't get it. She finally realized what he had been trying to tell her for years when she met Marcy and saw how Connal looked at her and how she looked at him. She just knew they were meant for each other. She didn't love Connal in that way.

Up, Marcail yelled at her, breaking into her morbid thoughts. She looked down at her and she's holding her arms up in the air, with an expression of impudence upon her face.

Jesse reached down and picked her up and she wrapped her small arms around Jesse's neck. She then laid her head down upon Jesse's shoulder. Jesse squeezed her tightly to her chest. Marcail was a precious child and in just two short weeks she had stolen Jesse's heart. Jesse made it inside the house with Marcail still in her arms and she saw Marcy standing in the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel.

Marcy chuckled at seeing Jesse cradling her daughter so tenderly. I see she wore herself out. What about you? Are you ready for a nap too?

A nap? Jesse wrinkled her brow, confusion written all over her face.

Marcy pointed to her daughter and Jesse looked down at her. And sure enough, Marcail had fallen asleep in her arms.

Jesse carefully released Marcail to Marcy's arms so she didn't wake her up. Jesse followed Marcy as she carried Marcail out of the kitchen. She watched as Marcy headed upstairs to Marcail's room. Jesse paused at the bottom of the stairs in indecision. Should she follow her up or go find Mack? Jesse finally decided to go find Mack. She headed towards Connal's study hoping to find him there since it was usually where he spent his time.

As she got closer to the study door she could hear voices raised. It sounded like Mack and Connal were arguing. She leaned towards the door and pressed her ear to it. Connal's doors were made of thick oak and it was hard to tell what they were saying but then all of sudden she heard Connal yell quite clearly you have to tell her before it's too late.

Jesse pushed the door open after that comment and enquired tell who, what? as she walked further into the room.

Mack stiffened up and turned around slowly towards Jesse. It isn't polite to listen at closed doors.

I wasn't. I just happened to come along at the right time. Now what are you two arguing about? Jesse declared, crossing her arms over her chest and giving Mack a stern look.

You, Connal replied, pointing at her.

Mack sighed in disgust Connal.

No. She needs to know and you know it. Either you tell her or I will.

Mack reluctantly agreed. Fine, I'll do it. Close the door Jesse and take a seat, he waved his arm, motioning for her to close the door and then pointing to the sitting area.

Jesse didn't think she was going to like what he had to say, not at all. She slowly closed the study door and made her way over to the couch and chairs where Connal and Mack were standing. She plopped her butt in one of the chairs and Connal took the other one, leaving the couch for Mack to sit on.

Well, what do you have to tell me that is so important? Jesse pressed him for an answer once they were all seated.

Mack inhaled a deep breath and then let it out slowly, stalling for more time. Jesse wasn't a patient person and she was done with waiting.

Just tell me already! What the hell could be so bad anyway?

Alright, alright. You don't have to yell at me. I'm just trying to decide how to tell you, is all, he said, while rubbing the back of his neck, a little agitated at her impatience. Okay, the only thing I can do at this point is just to tell it like it is.

He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. He looked her straight in the eyes and blurted out we weren't born in our small town in Canada, like you were told. Tuck and Buck aren't any relation to us at all. We were born here, in Scotland. We had to leave when you were just a baby. He paused, she assumed, to let her absorb all that he had just revealed to her so bluntly.

Jesse was a little shocked by that news. No. Floored was more like it. She flopped back into the back of the chair thinking, if they were born there why did they have to leave? And where were their parents?

So... what you're telling me... is that we were born... here in Scotland?

And he nodded his head.

Where are our parents? And why did we have to leave? she asked getting straight to the heart of what mattered the most to her right then.

Our parents are dead, he said so quietly that she almost didn't hear him.

She sucked in a deep breath, feeling as if her lungs have a hole in them and the air is escaping at a rapid pace. She had an inkling that was the case, but hearing it out loud still shook her up.

And we had to leave because your life was in danger. Jesse's head snapped back up with a look of disbelief upon her face and it didn't encourage him to go on.

What? She started shaking her head.

Connal leaned forward in his chair now and answered it's true Jesse. One night, shortly after you were conceived, your parents had an argument, and no I don't know what it was about either, he shook his head before she could ask him that question. Your mom left the house and your dad didn't go after her right away. She was taken by some scientist, who we later learned, thought she was just an ordinary black panther.

Jesse started to hyperventilate. What? she gasped, trying to inhale air into her bruised lungs. It seemed that was all she could say lately.

We are shifters. Panther shifters to be exact. Connal is a wolf shifter. Marcy too, Mack told her quietly.

Okay... but... black panthers? Not... white? she looked at Mack and then at Connal for clarification.

Mack laughed. White? No, definitely not. Who ever heard of a white panther?

That's not the point, Connal said trying to get them back on track. What's important is what happened to your mother after it was discovered she was a shifter.

What happened? Jesse whispered. She didn't want to hear what he had to tell her because she believed she already knew.

She said they took some blood from her and gave her drugs. Injected her with some other type of blood. They were especially excited about you. Couldn't wait for you to be born. They tried to accelerate your birth but your dad found her with my help and with the help of others. We killed everyone that was there but your mother told us later that some of them weren't there and they would be coming for her and you. Connal took a steadying breath. It still upset him, even after all these years, that what they did wasn't enough to save his friends.

Mack took over the story from there. I was eight years old when they brought mom home. She'd been gone for four months. We spent two months preparing an escape plan just in case she was right and they came for you both. Mom went into labor with you, way too early. There was a lot of blood. I wasn't supposed to watch, but I did, through the key hole, he struggled to hold his tears at bay. Reviving the old memories was very painful to him. But they just kept coming. It's why he didn't want to tell Jesse. He didn't want to relive that day over again.

Jesse got up out of her chair and went over to sit on the couch next to her brother. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. He hugged her back, burying his face in her hair.

Dad put you in my arms and told me to take you into the tunnels and hide. I never saw him or mom alive again. I was to wait twenty-fours and if they didn't come for us I was to take you to Connal. And that's what I did, he said raggedly, calming down after a few minutes.

When he showed up with you by himself I knew the worst had happened. I took you and your brother away that day, out of Scotland. Before I did though, I sent others to bury your parents, Connal said softly. Jesse, I know how shocking all of this is to you right now, but that's not all. We don't know how, whatever they did to you, will effect you. Most shifters will change for the first time on their twenty-first birthday and yours is just around the corner.

So you brought me here... to do what? Jesse asked skeptically, still trying to understand all that had happened.

We have a facility here we have established, where those who are close to the change can go to ensure a safe transition, Connal started to explain to her but he was interrupted by Mack.

In his urgency he wasn't very careful with his choice of words. We need to make sure that whatever they did to you, doesn't endanger you or anyone else.

So...what? Are you going to lock me in cage or something? Jesse joked, starting to laugh. When neither Mack nor Connal joined her she retorted angrily that's why you won't let me out of your sight for more than five minutes isn't it? You think I'm going to hurt someone. She jerked herself out of Mack's arms and stood up. You really do want to lock me up? she yelled at them, furious that they would think she would hurt anyone.

Now, Jesse, Mack said standing up too and then reaching for her, but she jumped back away from him.

Don't you now Jesse me, you jerk. I can't believe you'd think that, my own brother. Him, she said, pointing at Connal, I can understand acting like an ass, but you. She was so mad that she was shaking all over.

I never said... Connal started to say but she interrupted him.

Well let me put all your worries to rest, big brother. You don't have to worry I'll change into a black panther and kill everyone around me. You see, I've already experienced the change. It happened when I turned eighteen, shortly after I met Marcy. So if I had wanted to kill someone I could have done it long before now, she screamed at them and stormed out of the room while they were both frozen in shock at what she had just said.

She ran down the hall and flung open the front door. She ran towards the security of the woods and thought what the hell, it wasn't a secret anymore so she shifted into her panther form. Except she wasn't just any black panther, she was a white panther. She now understood why she was a white panther and not a black one. It was because of those asshole scientists and whatever they did to her. She thought she was special, as it turned out she was just a freak after all.

What the hell just happened in here? Marcy asked them as she rushed into the room. I just saw Jesse storm out of the front door.

Jesse, Mack bellowed anxiously as he ran out of the room with Connal running closely behind him. He just made it to the door in time to see Jesse turn into a white panther, and he tripped over his own feet as he stumbled to a stop. Connal barely stopped in time to avoid a collision. White, he said softly in disbelief. He turned around and saw that Connal was just as shocked as he was.

A white panther? Was that Jesse? Marcy asked curiously peering around Connal to just catch a glimpse of her. I didn't know there were white shifter panthers.

There wasn't, until now. I guess now we know what those bastards did to her, Connal said, rubbing his hand over his eyes tiredly.

Yea, they made her a freak of nature, Mack said disgustedly and then he said ouch, when Marcy punched him in the head. What'd you hit me for? he whined at her and rubbed his sore head.

That's your sister. She can't help what they did to her and I'll not let you or anyone else call her a freak of nature. She's still the Jesse we know and love.

I should go after her, she could still be in danger, he said still rubbing his head where Marcy had punched him. Man, she could do some major damage when she wanted to. She hadn't held anything back when she punched him. He knew he deserved it too.

"I say give her some time to cool down. Connal