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    The Ice Pack: The Crush Saga, #12
    The Ice Pack: The Crush Saga, #12
    The Ice Pack: The Crush Saga, #12
    Ebook276 pages4 hours

    The Ice Pack: The Crush Saga, #12

    By Chrissy Peebles

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    About this ebook

    Julie hunts for the love of her life, not believing he's dead. New evidence shows that Grant could be alive. She's confused about what world she should live in? Does she belong with The Ice Pack? Has she found the wolf pack she should be with? When mysterious things start happening, Julie is more confused than ever.  

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherDark Shadows Publishing
    Release dateApr 16, 2016
    ISBN9781524213268
    The Ice Pack: The Crush Saga, #12

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      Book preview

      The Ice Pack - Chrissy Peebles

      Chapter 1

      Gripping a stake tightly in her hands, Julie walked into the dense woods. It was midmorning and she was ready to kick butt. She wore a flannel shirt, blue jeans, a winter coat, and black boots, her hair tied up in a tight ponytail. They were hunting a nest of vampires that had been murdering innocent people over the last six months. Myles had evidence that victims were being taken to the nest where the vamps kept them alive. These poor people. They had no chance against the supernatural threat against them.

      Julie could smell the scent of the hunt. These vampires had walked this very path last night...and it triggered a quick vision. She gasped as a vampire sunk its razor-sharp fangs into a screaming woman’s neck. The vision ended. Julie’s stomach turned. Rage poured through her blood, bones, and mind. These monsters needed to be sent back to hell.

      Her team consisted of six Ice Pack Wolves with Zach being their leader, put in charge by Myles. It was best to catch the vampires when they were sleeping. Intel said they didn’t wear daylight rings. Their team had spent over a week trying to find out where these vampires were holed up. And their hard work and persistence paid off. These bloodsuckers were going down...

      Sunlight shone down making all the snow Julie crunched over sparkle. Even still, it still felt creepy. A bird suddenly flew off and she jumped, her heart about jumping out of her chest. Zach lowered his crossbow and motioned for her to be quiet.

      The second she put this nest out of its misery, the sooner she could go back and look for Grant. She had followed some leads that didn’t pan out. It was frustrating but she knew she had to keep trying. No matter what direction in her hunt for Grant, it just kept going cold. She had no idea where he was or if he was even alive. It was like he walked off the face of the Earth. Not even Tabby could find him. And there wasn’t a person Tabby couldn’t find with all her connections.

      Julie glanced around the tall pine trees as she swiftly moved past them. Zach pointed. They’d found the vampire nest. They positioned themselves outside an old mansion. The vampires would be sleeping while they came in during the day. Julie was ready to end this vampire infestation quickly. In and out. Or so she hoped. 

      Julie knew her best friend Taylor would want to try and rehabilitate the vampires at the immortal sanctuary. But after seeing the bloody crime spree photos, she knew they needed to be put out of their misery. It’s what Tristan ordered. Destroy the vampires. Burn down their lair. Not only were they killing by the dozens, they were bringing way too much attention to the immortal community. 

      We could just burn it down, a team member said. Put all our magic together and toast it.

      They have hostages, Julie said. We’re setting free their dinner. We hit hard and fast, got it?

      What are a few human lives?

      Every life counts, Zach retorted. Unless you’re a murdering vampire pig.

      You don’t do well with murdering vampires, Jordan said. You’re impartial. Myles shouldn’t have let you come on this one.

      C’mon, sis. You know what they took from me.

      It’s too personal. You shouldn’t have come.

      You gonna hate vampires forever? a team member asked as he pushed through the vegetation.

      I don’t hate all of them. Only the freaks that hunt and kill humans. Like the ones we’re hunting now.

      THEY MADE IT TO THE basement and followed a tunnel to a large room. Julie could smell the metallic tang of blood. It turns her stomach. Zach pushed open the door and walked inside. People hung from chains inside metal cages. It was sickening that these vampires would keep them alive until they were ready for them. The vampires were sleeping in blankets on the floor. They could sneak in and easily dispose of the vamps without much of a fight.

      A man hanging in the cage met Julie’s gaze. She motioned him to be quiet as she crept over to a sleeping vampire. Zach and Jordan went over to the cages to unlock them. Other members on our team positioned themselves by the sleeping vampires.

      Help me! the man screamed. For goodness sake, get me out of here!

      His piercing voice woke up every vampire there. The element of surprise was gone. Julie lifted her stake high in the air and went to plunge it deep in the vampire’s heart when he jumped up and kicked her back. She flew into the wall, pain exploding in her back.

      The vamp with spikey hair and scary eyes pounced on her. Drool dripped from his gaping mouth. It struggled to bite Julie with long, sharp fangs. Fierce claws came at her face, coming dangerously close to slashing her face. Julie kicked its ribs with everything she had. It went flying. But it traced right back over in the blink of an eye. It smiled as it bared its teeth. The beast inside of Julie wanted to rip out its heart. Instead, she reached for the stake that she had dropped.

      Growls and snarls filled the air as the other wolves were locked in battle.

      A gunshot echoed as a vampire shot a rifle at the ceiling.

      Wait! Everyone stop fighting! he yelled. I’m Sal, the coven leader. Let’s talk this out. How about a truce so there is no bloodshed on either side?

      Every immortal stopped. No, Julie wouldn’t let them just walk away so they could murder more people. This had to stop now. Innocent people’s lives were at stake. They’d just make a nest somewhere else and the killing would start all over again in a new place.  

      The man in a black shirt and leather pants stepped toward Julie. His eyes were the most usual shade of green. He pointed his rifle at her. Julie wasn’t frightened. She could stop the bullet in the blink of an eye with her magic.

      Tell ya what, Sal said.

      Julie peered at him. What?

      Listen, we don’t want any trouble with the local wolves.

      We’re not local, Zach said.

      The vampire smiled. We’re willing to share. We’ll give you first dibbs on our prisoners. You can have all the meat you want. Just leave the blood for us. Deal?

      No! Julie shouted. 

      Why are you here? Sal asked. Because I was under the impression you wanted our food for yourself. Kind of like how hyenas surround a lion with its kill and bully him away from it, steal his prey.

      Julie would never understand vampire logic. Isn’t it obvious why we’re here? We’re the Calvary. We’re here to save the people. Not eat them.

      My mistake.

      Is it because we’re on your turf? a woman vampire with long blonde hair asked. Because we can leave. We don’t want trouble.

      If you didn’t want trouble, then you shouldn’t have made this town your feeding grounds, Julie answered. Or any town. Drink from blood bags.

      No way, a vampire answered.

      Your murderous rampage caught the attention of the Immortal Council. And now you must be punished.

      A woman’s eyes widened with horror. You’re vampire hunters?

      Julie shook her head. We’re here to take you down.

      Not happening, mutts, Sal said. And you can’t take us down.

      Wanna bet?

      He shifted his stance and studied his adversary.  

      We tracked you down, Julie said. Been following you for a few days. Your bloodthirsty rampage ends right now.

      They stared at each other hard.

      Inhaling sharply, Sal said, I smell you, wolf. You smell like wet dog.

      The wolf inside of Julie growled at the insult. It wanted to rip him open with razor-sharp claws. It took every single ounce of control not to turn into her wolf form. Julie didn’t want to be controlled by pure rage. It would override all her common sense. Her wolf was infuriated by the fact that this nest survived by committing mass murder.

      Julie scrambled to her feet and smiled. "I smell you too. Death and decay would make a lovely fragrance for all vampires alike. We could call it, Revolting."

      Cute, the vampire said. Now let’s talk this out.

      Julie took another step closer. There’s nothing to talk about. Prolonging your pathetic life by drinking these poor people’s blood just pisses me off, you rogues.

      Six vampires now backed Sal up. And even more came to join their brethren. There were now a dozen.

      The beast within Julie stirred. It feared nothing and longed to attack.   

      Sal crossed his arms. "Well, We’re not repenting and We’re not running."

      Then if I were you, I’d run, Julie said. Although, I doubt you’d get very far. 

      Fangs lengthened and his eyes glowed. "You came unprepared. No weapons. Now that was dumb. You should’ve at least come with a crossbow, darling."

      Not needed, Julie said.  

      Sal laughed. 

      No, really. It’s not. You have no idea who you’re dealing with.

      You think you’re stronger than us, little wolf. Well, you might be in the smell department... The others with him laughed and he continued. We’re not afraid of a bunch of mutts. 

      Julie met his gaze. Well, I’m not your typical mutt. She flung her hand a large gust of wind knocked back his entire group. "And that’s why I don’t need weapons, darling."

      Julie’s team came over to back her up.

      Who are you wolves? Sal said stumbling to his feet.

      We’re The Ice Pack, Julie responded. And we’re wiping this nest out!

      No, those are mythical creatures that were created to guard elite immortals, a woman shouted. "They don’t exist."

      "We do exist. And we have strength, power, and magic like nothing you’ve ever seen before. No immortal being can win against us. And as a pack, yeah, you really don’t have a choice. Surrender now or we will kill you."

      Not happening! a woman shouted.

      An arrow flew at Julie’s face. In a split second, she caught in just before it hit her face. Julie’s eyes started to glow. Nice try, she said with a growl. Now you’ve made me mad. You better run!

      Instead, the ravenous predators came at her team. The Ice Pack fought back as they charged at their enemy, dodging fists, claws, and fangs.  

      A man with a Fedora hat threw his fist at Julie. She ducked the blow easily with immortal speed of an Ice Pack member. She delivered a flurry of blows to the face, chest, and groin. He struck her with his body. Julie fell back, the man landing on top of her. Just as he went to punch her, she threw her arms up and a yellow stream of energy threw him to the ceiling. He hit so hard, chunks of concrete came raining down. He crashed to the ground as Zach staked him right in the heart. He disappeared into a pile of black dust.

      Jordan kicked another vamp’s legs out from under him. As he started to stagger and stumble, she staked him. A vampire with red hair took slow, measured steps toward her. Jordan kicked her in the chest. She flew back, but was able to catch her balance. She let out a demonic, inhuman growl.

      That was my husband, she said.

      Jordan gripped her stake tightly. Then you need to join him in Hell. She lifted her stake to strike again.

      The woman gnashed her teeth and charged. Jordan was way too fast and staked her directly in the heart. 

      A vampire with a red Mohawk charged at Zach. Zach pulled back his fist and swung at the corpse’s face. The sucker punch knocked out the creature of the night. It fell to the ground with a loud thud.

      A gothic chick with dark eye makeup hissed and leapt at her. Julie delivered a crushing blow to its throat. It fell down, sprawling across the ground.  

      Julie could hear the crunching of glass behind her. She spun around. Another female vamp rushed toward her. A kick to the chest sent her flying against the wall. Julie ran over as it hissed, snarled, and curled its lips back. She finished it off as it lurched at her with deadly intentions.

      Two more fireballs emerged from Julie’s palms.  

      Are you a witch? a vampire asked, growling through her bared fangs.

      I just might be, Julie answered.

      The vampire vented its fury. Shrieking like a banshee, she ran at Julie with a butcher knife. Julie moved faster, her Ice Pack instincts kicking in. In a blur, Julie threw a stake straight into her heart. With a guttural growl, the vampire exploded.

      Julie felt a blow to her stomach as a vampire swung a chair at her. It broke into pieces. The woman growled at her, her fangs descending. She lunged for Julie with an inhuman cry. Lifting her hands, Julie threw a gust of wind at the vampire, stopping her in her tracks. The vampire thrashed about as Julie lifted her up in the air. Julie picked up the wooden chair leg. She threw it, staking the screaming woman.

      Another vampire attacked Julie. They wrestled in a flurry of snarls and growls, punches and kicks. Julie threw her off in a powerful gust of wind. As she landed, Jordan had a stake ready and waiting.

      Please, witch, a vampire man begged as he crawled toward her, his lip bleeding. He wore jeans, boots, and a plaid shirt. Put me in some kind of sleep spell until you can fix me.

      Julie tried to remain hardened but she was beginning to soften. The poor man was newly turned. She could sense he was the owner of the house. The vamps had broken in and made him a vampire against his will.  

      Please, he said. I just want to live. I just want to watch my boys grow up. They’ll be home with their mother in a week.

      She froze. She knew what it was like to be forced into this supernatural world first hand.

      Zach came from behind and staked him. Julie gasped. She could see the need for vengeance in Zach’s eyes. A vampire had killed his girlfriend a few years ago and now he showed no mercy.

      Why did you do that? Julie shouted.

      You know why!

      Another vamp came at Julie and she hit him like a wrecking ball. A ball of red fire formed in her hand. And she whipped it at two more vamps come at her knives in their hands. They were thrown back by the blast, their weapons clanging as they hit the ground.

      As Julie turned her head, Jordan was staking another large vampire.

      Vampires were being flung left and right. In minutes, every single vamp had been staked and destroyed.

      Success. Mission accomplished.

      Julie grabbed the cage bars and peered inside. Zach ripped the door off and they both hurried inside.

      You didn’t have to kill that man that was begging for mercy, Julie said, ripping off the shackles on a scared teenage girl.

      And what were we going to do? Bring him back to Black Shadows? Babysit the murderer.

      She wanted to unleash her beast and take a go at Zach. But that wouldn’t settle anything. She couldn’t go back and change things.

      He just wanted a little compassion, Julie said. And a chance to live.

      And so did these people...they wanted mercy, compassion, and a chance to live too. But were they going to get it? No! They were going to be drained dry. And don’t think he would’ve have taken his fair share of rations.

      Grant would’ve knocked that vampire out and slung him over his shoulder. We would’ve taken him to the immortal sanctuary. We could’ve saved him.

      "You keep forgetting, I’m not Grant. And that vamp was full of crap."

      I could see the pity in his eyes. And I felt his regret and pain. He didn’t want this curse. And he just wanted help. He was different from the others. He was just as much a victim as these others.

      It didn’t keep him from feeding, did it?

      Julie could feel the tension in the air between her and Zach. They had broken up and Zach wasn’t happy about it one bit. She decided she wouldn’t go on any more missions with him.

      These vampires were a lethal breed, Zach said. We’re dealing with killing machines, not vamps who want to be rehabilitated.

      You don’t get it! He was the owner of the house. These vamps broke in and made him this way. He didn’t ask for it.

      Newbie vamps are nothing but trouble, Zach said.

      Julie huffed.  

      This one’s been bitten, Charlene said, pointing to the bite on her neck.

      Oh no, Julie said.

      What do you want me to do? Humanely kill her. She’s pretty out of it. She wouldn’t even feel it.

      Zach’s in charge, Marvin said. It’s his decision.

      Julie looked at Zach horrified. She can’t be older than twenty-one years old.

      We don’t take in new vampires. You know that!

      Please don’t kill her, Julie begged. She might not be able to stay with us, but you know there are other options.

      Zach pondered, then glanced down at the woman who was barely conscious.

      So what do you want me to do, boss? Charlene asked.

      He peered over at her. Grab her. We’ll have her flown to the Immortal Sanctuary in Big bear Lake pronto.

      So, you do have a heart, Julie said.

      No, I really don’t. You ripped it out, and it’s been bleeding ever since.

      Julie didn’t have time to hash out their doomed love life. She went to helping the other victims.

      Zach put his finger to a woman’s neck whose hands were tied from the ceiling. She’s not going to make it.

      I can heal her. Julie lifted her hands to the woman’s neck and concentrated the way Tabby had taught her in the past. Focusing her energy, she could feel it seeping out of her and healing the woman.

      The woman’s eye’s blinked open.

      What’s your name? Julie asked.

      Rhonda.

      Rhonda, everything is going to be okay, Julie said cutting down the rope. "Go with Zach! He’ll take good care of you and get you away

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