Immediately a calming cool washed through my body taking with it the pain. I let out an audible sigh of relief.
“Better?” Luka whispered and pushed a sweat and blood-soaked lock of my hair from my face. I murmured and stretched out my joints, feeling them click and pop back into place. Pulling the blankets away, I tugged at the edges of the carefully-laid bandages that decorated my chest and ribs. Underneath, the skin was smooth and unmarred except for a thin angry pink line. I pulled the remainder of the bandages from my side and thigh. Luka had cleaned most of the blood off, yet I could still feel sweat and grime caking my body. I needed a shower. I needed to wash the memory of Luka’s bloodied body from the forefront of my mind.
“Help me up,” he obliged and lifted me from under my arms. Once I was standing I brushed his hands away and stumbled toward the bathroom. My body was now unmarked, but I was completely drained of power. Luka trailed behind me like I was a baby deer taking its first step. My knees wobbled every step I took. It felt like I had been collared for the last six months.
I let the door frame take my weight.
“I’m going to shower.”
“I’ll be here.” He turned from the door, facing away from the bathroom as I flicked on the light.
I didn’t argue. I didn’t have the energy to. Quickly I stripped off and moved under the hot stream of water, sitting in the bottom of the shower. The loofa rubbed my skin until it was red and raw. I scrubbed my hair viciously trying to get the sweat, blood and debris from my strands. It had grown past my shoulders now.
“Are you alright?” Luka whispered over his shoulder.
I grunted my assent and let the water rush over my finally-clean body. Once the water ran clear, I gingerly lifted myself from the floor and wrapped my body in a thin towel.
Luka held my bag out, his eyes still averted. I rifled through my belongings and slipped into a clean tracksuit. My hair was wrapped into a towel and I plodded back into the room. Loral was still snoring in the arm chair. Luka shook him softly. Loral startled awake and searched for me with frantic eyes.
“I’m fine,” I quickly placated him. “I healed myself. You can go to bed now.”
I could see Loral’s sharp eyes assessing me and I flicked on the lamp beside the bed before lifting my sweater to reveal my now-smooth skin.
Loral picked up his blanket and wound me in a tight hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Me too.”
Loral shuffled to the second room, fatigue evident in his every step. When he left, I collapsed onto the bed. Luka took the chair.
“Thank you for saving my life.” His voice was full of sincerity. “It’s not a debt which I can ever repay.”
I waved him off with a flick of my fingers and rolled over. “There’s no debt between friends.”
Were we friends now? I didn’t know. The uncomfortable knowledge that I had almost traded my life for his, settled behind all the other things I didn’t want to think of. I yawned as Luka shifted his weight in the chair. My wet hair had made me uncomfortably cold. Sitting up, I threw my feet over the side of the mattress. Using all my remaining strength, I grabbed his large hand in both of mine and dragged him into the mattress.
The bed was filled with the warmth of his magic and I could finally breathe. He kept away from me, only allowing his fingertips to trail up and down my forearm. The pleasant feeling finally lulled me into a peaceful sleep.
Chapter Seventeen
When the morning came I was feeling much better. My muscles ached but my mind was clear, and the worst of the pain was gone. Luka’s arm was flung over my waist and his nose was pressed into the crook of my neck. His breathing was even and he looked peaceful for once. The cruel set to his brows had disappeared in sleep. I reached up to rake my fingers through his black hair. It was softer than I expected. It fell easily through my fingertips. His grip around my waist tightened. I froze and raised my arm so as not to wake him.
When he pressed his face closer into my neck and threw a heavy knee over my body, I tentatively wrapped my arm around his shoulders and let my fingers fiddle with the hem of his sleeve. The gentle contact was so foreign. Not since I was a child had someone held me without expectation of repayment.
The hand around his shoulders begun to shake and my heart thudded unevenly. I could hear it pounding in my ears. Luka’s eyes flicked open and he came awake all at once. He looked at me with brows raised before jumping from the bed. He pushed his hair back behind his ears, his dark eyes darted around the room.
My mouth stayed glued shut.
“I’m going to shower,” he muttered, adjusting his pants. I struggled to keep my eyes on his face. The crease between his brows was back.
I didn’t like it.
He came out with a towel wrapped low on his waist. With a shake of my head I disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I sat in the cold shower until Luka had banged on the door threatening to come in. I dressed quickly after that, avoiding my reflection in the toothpaste-stained mirror
Now that the threat to my life had passed, it seemed Loral was giving me the silent treatment. I wondered how long I could pretend I didn’t notice. I had convinced him that we needed to go shake some trees until we found out who had betrayed us. It was partially an excuse to find out who the rebellion was supplying to so that we could cut it off at the source. Luka had insisted that Loral needed to stay at the motel. There was no way we could protect him and do what we needed to do.
Luka and I had come better prepared this time around, both carrying long swords and a number of Loral’s most potent potions. We sat in the car in fresh clothes.
“So what’s the plan?” I cracked my knuckles in front of my body. I needed to say anything to fill the heavy silence that was between us.
“Loral gave me the name of his contact - Eurice. Apparently he’s a member of the Crescent Eye Pack.”
“Alpha Giovanni,” I sneered. “If my memory still serves me correctly.”
“No doubt he will be looking for us too.”
“I have someone who owes me. They can set up a meeting.”
He cocked his brow, but I paid him no attention. I had promised Wesley I would give him another visit. It wasn’t good to not follow through on your threats. I was a better woman than that, if I made you a promise I was keeping it. I gave Luka the directions to his house. The lights were off. He was probably still asleep even though it was nearly midday. It was a good thing. I wasn’t sure I could hold a shield rune for long. His house was much the same as it had been when I had last shown up. How stupid I was to think it would be my last time in Dunlap. I wasn’t at full strength, but at least I was still strong enough to break Wesley’s shitty wards.
No potion bombs flew in our direction as we strolled in. Maybe he wasn’t home. My fist rapped on the door and I called out in a sing song voice, “Wesley darling!”
From inside his messy apartment I heard him scrambling before he flung open the door. I tried to hide the fact that I was out of breath. He was too strung out to see that Luka was holding up most of my weight.
Luka shoved his way through. Wesley was in dirty pyjamas and his greasy hair hung over his eyes. He looked like he had been on a two week bender. I shoved him against the wall and held my dagger to his neck. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had nightmares about me. I liked the thought that I occupied so much of his mind.
“I heard you had opened your big mouth Wesley. I believe I made you a little promise the last time I visited.”
“I’m sorry! Please don’t kill me, A. I’ll do anything you want. Anything!” Pure terror flashed from behind his eyes and he tried to wiggle free of my grip. It took more effort than usual to contain him. It was lucky Luka stood behind me.
“Looks like it’s your lucky day. I need an audience with Alpha Giovanni.” I leant more weight against the knife. Wesley shook his head and screwed up his face.
“You owe me.” My voice was low and dangerous.
“Okay, okay. I can request a meeting.”
“You will get us the meeting. If he doesn’t show, your life is forfeit.”
“Okay! Anything, A. Anything you want.”
“We will meet him at Fluffy’s at 8pm tonight”
I knew the owner well enough. He could be paid off.
“If he brings more than two friends, we walk, and you’re dead,” Luka demanded from behind me.
I sliced my finger on the edge of my dagger and called to my Magic. I probed at him, letting him feel my power.
“I’ll make sure he’s there,” he shouted, eager to please. I shoved Wesley away from me, unable to be near his rancid breath any longer.
“That wasn’t so hard, and Wesley—remember you’re only alive because you were useful.” I flipped my daggers and re-sheathed them. I didn’t know if I could actually kill Wesley, let alone torture him. But he believed I could.
I had to hope that Wesley wasn’t going to lob a potion bomb our way as we left. I had no power left to defend them. He scurried back inside his house and slammed the door behind us. We walked undisturbed back to our car. Luka hopped into the driver’s seat and when we were far enough away from his house I slumped in my chair. I was so tired.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.”
“I need to rest before tonight. I’m still not at full strength yet.” His Magic saturated the air. It didn’t seem likely that he needed to recoup. I eyed him suspiciously. He looked honest enough. If I didn’t feel his power, I might have believed him. Instead of arguing, I simply nodded and let him drive me back to the motel.
***
My power was nearly back at full strength as I walked into Fluffy’s with Luka at my back. Never did I think I would feel safe with the Hunter standing behind me. I strolled up to the bar like I owned the place. When I lived in the barracks with Lucia I used to spend all my free time and money at the place. My mask was back on, black kohl lined my eyes, and my lips were painted red. I felt like myself again for the first time in many months.
“Can I speak to Fluffy?” I sized up the green-looking bar hand. He blanched.
Except he wasn’t looking at me, he was looking behind me. I narrowed my eyes and swung around to see Luka looking particularly mean. He was an asshole, stealing all my scary thunder.
Fluffy came to the bar looking cranky. He was almost the size of a bear and just as hairy. I had always guessed he was some sort of shifter, but I hadn’t dared enough to ask. When he spotted me, his face softened. Even though I brought more than my fair share of trouble into his bar I had always been a generous tipper. I had won a lot of fights and spent most of my winnings on his whisky.
“I didn't believe the rumours—”
I tilted my head.
“—That you were dead.” He spoke like it was obvious and eyed Luka. “Who’s your new boy toy?”
I tried to keep my face stoic.
“He’s a friend.” I didn’t know why I felt the need to clear up our relationship to Fluffy of all people.
“He looks like your type if I remember correctly. You never had any issue getting—”
“—Fluffy! We need to use your back room.” I interrupted him before he could embarrass me further. He knew what he was doing too. There was amusement dancing behind his eyes.
“Can you pay?”
“Always.”
It was a bluff. I hadn’t brought enough cash with me. I would have to come back. He led Luka and me back behind the bar and opened the door tucked aside. The ruckus of the bar immediately quietened. Fluffy moved around in the dark and switched on the light, illuminating the private area. The walls were covered in warm timber slats and the smell in the room burnt my nose. Alcohol had soaked the floor on more than one occasion.
“Alpha Giovanni and two of his goons will be meeting us soon. Can you let them in?”
Luka pulled out a pouch of illegal money and handed it over. Where had he got that? I resisted the urge to shoot him a look. Fluffy weighted the bag in his hand, apparently satisfied he shot me a smile before motioning us to sit. I sat at the round table. It was a second before Luka dragged the chair out beside me and sat his considerable size down. Fluffy dropped two glasses in front of us along with an unmarked bottle of whisky.
“Loser cleans.”
“I remember the rules.” I waved him out and dragged the bottle toward me.
I had never met Alpha Giovanni but he would know who I was and my reputation hopefully still held enough sway. If it didn’t work we would need to find a way to stop Loral making the traxxy. Luka had guessed there were labs in the compound in places we had yet to explore, maybe in secret caverns like the one he found in the pools. Luka and I sat in silence. I didn’t know what to say. The last few days had changed something between us. We had both done bad things to survive. Both of us were victims of the Elect and also perpetrators of violence. I tipped the glass of good whisky back and relished in the familiar burn.
Before I could pour a second glass, the door slammed open and noise from the bar floated in. Shadowed against the light stood a skinny man whose black hair was like wet seaweed. There were two massive mountains of men beside him. His main enforcer, Everly, wasn’t beside him. I narrowed my eyes. She was probably lying in wait in case the shit hit the fan. He strolled into the private bar area with a confidence that rivalled Luka’s.
I leaned back in the chair and kicked my boots up on the table with an arrogance I didn’t feel. You couldn’t show weakness in front of an Alpha. They sniffed it out and went for the throat. He stared at me, his beady eyes not wavering. Our silent standoff went on for a few seconds until finally Luka broke the tension.
“Thank you for accepting our request to meet.”
With the tension broken, the waif-like man floated into the room. His two gargantuan wolves quickly pulled out his chair and took their posts behind him. He managed to look down his hooked nose at me, even though he was no taller than I. As unassuming as the Alpha looked, I knew he was a ruthless leader with no mercy. It would not do us well to provoke him.
“Where’s Everly?” I demanded, inspecting my dirty nails. They were hardly interesting enough to draw my attention.
“Ah. So the rumours are true. I don’t believe we’ve formally met.”
He had never wanted to meet me, I had always dealt with one of his lackeys. If he had hired me for the job, it had meant it was a dirty one. Werewolfs had no aversion to killing, but even Alphas had protocols and rules to follow. I was never one to tackle things gently, might as well dive right in.
“Your dealings with the rebellion have come to an end.”
“Says who?”
I could tell Luka was bristling beside me. He wasn't a man used to taking disrespect. Well… from anyone but me.
“Says me.” I lifted an eyebrow, daring him to challenge me.
“You’re no one. You don’t dictate who I do business with girl.”
Luka growled beside me. I quickly rested my hand on his thigh. Time to pull out the big guns.
“You know Giovanni,” he snarled at my disrespect. “Before my hiatus, I remember leaving pieces of your Beta strewn on your front lawn.”
The colour left his face and he dismissed his bodyguards with a wave of his hand. Silence fell over the room. I gave him a self-satisfied smirk. We had the upper hand. He eyed Luka.
“Dismiss your guard,” he growled.
I shook my head. A tinkering laugh filling the tense silence. I felt giddy with a different kind of power. It wasn’t often that you one-upped an Alpha. Perhaps I had a death wish.
“He’s not my guard.” I took a sip of the liquor. “I, along with everyone else, was led to believe that Alpha Lucian ordered the hit on your man. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that you were behind the request.” I poured myself another finger of whisky. “I imagine ordering your second-in-command’s torture and murder is frowned upon in polite werewolf society.”
I was goading him. He k
new as well as I that if word ever got out it was him that had ordered a pack mate killed he would be dethroned and exiled. All the money at his disposal wouldn’t be enough to save him. The shifters were loyal above everything else.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t play dumb, Alpha. It doesn’t become you. I’m promising my silence.”
He rose from his chair, his woody Magic swirling around his body. “You threaten me. You threaten the whole pack,” he whispered.
Giovanni swung around, his black eyes bored into Luka’s. When he didn’t flinch, his steely gaze switched to me. I could see in his gaze he had broken many a person stronger than me. Before I could kneel and beg for forgiveness, Luka closed his hand around mine. My posture straightened and the power flowing through my veins bolstered me.
The Alpha’s hands morphed into terrifying claws, his bones shifted under the leathery skin.
“I should kill you both now.”
The words didn’t sound right, like he was having trouble keeping his jaw in shape. I drew my dagger and flipped it, slicing my palm. With the power already coursing through my veins, as soon as my blood hit the air, my eyes flicked back and my hair stood on its ends. I felt juiced, like someone had given me a shot of adrenaline. My Magic was back and I loved it. The Alpha stumbled back.
“You’re welcome to try,” Luka added.
“Sorceress,’ he hissed.
I let my Magic flow out of me, my eyes draining back to their normal colour. Luka lunged over the table and in the next second he was standing behind the Alpha with a dagger to his throat.
“Apologise,” he demanded quietly.
The Sanguine Door Page 19
