“Watching my every move?” Bonnie frowned, feeling guilty and hoping that he was not going to make her promise anything. She was already going to break their deal and knew it. Man, she hated herself right now.
“Raven is wearing a camera so we can watch. I’ll be in a van across the street watching everything,” Bishop said, then stopped her from looking back at Raven. “Be careful, Bonnie.”
Bonnie snorted, her throat tight with emotion. She wanted to tell him so much but knew she couldn’t. “Careful is my middle name.” She kissed him once more before pulling away. “See ya later, Warrior.”
Her legs felt wobbly as she walked toward the car. Her eyes stared straight ahead, not wanting to look at anyone in fear of them calling her out. She felt Bishop close behind her and sighed as she felt him against her back when he reached around and opened the car door for her. Without looking his way, she got in the driver seat as Raven got in the back, and Kira slid into the front passenger seat. Her eyes went to Ryker, who gave her a nod; she just looked away.
“Bonnie.” Bishop leaned down in the door. She looked up at him, doing her best to hide behind the façade she had perfected after so many years of having to play people. He was the one person, the only person she had to play, and it was going to tear her heart out. “I love you.”
“And I love you,” she whispered, and accepted his kiss. Then he was gone, shutting the door. The breath she was holding escaped, sounding loud in the quiet car. Static appeared in her ear a moment later.
“So, what’s the plan?” Kira said, turning toward her. “The real plan.”
“Yeah, was wondering the same thing,” Raven said from the back seat. “Wanna fill us in now, or we just winging it?”
Bonnie knew Kira had interfered with the mics, and obviously so did Raven. “The plan is… it ends today.” Bonnie first looked at Kira, then in the rearview mirror at Raven. So as not to get anyone suspicious, she started the car and pulled out. Vans and cars followed her, but then fell back. “Kira, you know how to trail a transport path?”
Kira snorted. “Give me a challenge,” she replied, then her head snapped toward Bonnie. “What in the hell are you planning?”
“Don’t,” Raven said, turning to look behind them. “Don’t tell us. Adam could be reading any one of us, and the less he knows, the better.”
“Shit on a broomstick.” Kira sighed, leaning her head back. “Okay, I’m stopping the interference before they freak out.”
“Raven, do you copy?” Duncan’s voice boomed in Kira’s ear.
“I copy,” Raven said calmly. “We heard you, just a little static on our end. Am I clear on yours?”
“Yeah,” Duncan said, and Bonnie wished she could pull the damn thing out of her fucking ear. It was driving her insane, and it was hard for her to focus. “Kira, Bonnie, do you copy?”
“Yes,” they said at the same time.
Sloan’s voice came over the line. “I want silence.”
“Sorry, boss.” Steve’s voice followed. “But I just want to say something.”
“Shit,” a few voices echoed, Sloan’s the loudest.
“I just want to say thank you, ladies.” Steve’s voice held a tinge of emotion. “Each one of us Warriors would give our left nut—”
A few snorts, groans of “Jesus,” and sighs came over the line, but Steve ignored them as he continued, “—to have you safe somewhere. But we all know what would happen if any one of us went in there. All hell would break loose, and we would miss this chance. Just be careful and, Bonnie,” Steve said, then the line went silent.
“Yes, Steve,” Bonnie said as she glanced in the rearview mirror to see Raven roll her eyes, but a smile curved her lips.
“You are one badass chick. Anyone who can produce a tornado that nearly blew my ass away is all right in my book.” The respect in Steve’s tone was sincere.
“Thanks, Steve.” Bonnie smiled, then added, “This is going to work. It’s for Drew, so she doesn’t have to grow up the way we did.”
The line went silent for just a second before Bishop’s voice came over the line. “Tornado?” He sounded confused.
Before Steve could go on an explanation spree, which would indicate she may not be ready for any of this, she quickly said, “Silence,” trying to mimic Sloan’s voice.
A few chuckles came over, but then nothing. “Okay, time to disguise.”
Glancing over at Kira, she saw that she had completely changed her looks. She grabbed the steering wheel. “Go ahead. I got it.”
Bonnie did the same before taking control of the wheel again. Her stomach cramped with nerves as she saw Melly’s up the road on the right. The parking lot looked full.
“Okay, that’s freaking creepy,” Raven said, then put her face in between them, looking back and forth at each of them. “Wish I could fucking do that.”
“Raven, watch for demon activity.” Charger’s voice came over their earpiece. “Use the code if you spot one. Kane and I will be close.”
“Duh” was all Raven said, gaining a growl from Charger and a few chuckles from the Warriors.
Bonnie parked, then turned to look at Raven. “They’ll know you?”
“Possibly,” Raven said, then cursed. “This isn’t really a hot spot for them, but you never know.”
Bonnie frowned, wondering if her mother’s powers combined with her own would allow her to pull off a glam spell on a full blooded vampire. Worth a shot. Glancing around, Bonnie quickly snapped her fingers, and Raven didn’t look like Raven anymore. “Holy shit, that actually worked.” Bonnie’s eyes widened before looking back at the road. “Okay, if something happens to me, this look will vanish, and you will be you again, so watch your ass.”
“So you could have done that to Blaze?” Bishop’s voice sounded suspicious and a little bit angry.
“Surprisingly, I think I could have,” Bonnie said, then frowned. “Then again, maybe not.” She did not want Bishop to make her pull the car over so Blaze could be the one going to meet Mr. Red Tie. That was not in her plans.
Raven glanced in the rearview mirror and frowned. “You gave me gray hair?”
“It looks good on you.” Kira grinned. “Seriously, it actually looks amazing.”
Looking at herself again, Raven turned this way and that. “It does look pretty cool.”
“Can we stop with the fucking beauty shit for a second and focus,” Sloan hissed, not sounding happy at all. “I swear to God, when this fucker is dead, I’m quitting. If I had a beating heart, I’d have already died from a heart attack. Get your asses in there and get this done before I really get pissed off.”
All three of them rolled their eyes, and Bonnie remembered the necklace around Raven’s neck, which was actually a camera, was pointed directly at her. She just gave it a wave, then got out of the car, with Raven and Kira following.
Paying their entry fee at the door, she walked in, gaining some attention, but not much. They headed toward the bar, ordered a drink, then waited—for what Bonnie wasn’t sure yet. She knew she would soon find out.
“Raven, move around a little bit and scan the place so we can see the layout,” Bishop said, his voice sending Bonnie’s heart racing.
Raven did just that as a man walked up to her, blocking their view. “Damn,” the man said with a low whistle, trying to be smooth and failing miserably. “Never had me a vampire before. What’s your name?”
Moans at the man’s come-on came over the line, except for one that was a low growl. Bonnie really needed to get this fucking earpiece out of her ear. Soon. Even with this idiot distracting them, she scanned the room, looking for someone with a red tie as she sipped her drink.
“Notta.” Raven sighed, her tone bored with a tinge of irritation.
“That’s a beautiful yet unusual name,” he said, then gave her a sleazy smile. “What’s your last name?”
“Chance,” Raven replied, making Bonnie choke on her drink. She glanced at the guy whose smile was fading.
&
nbsp; “Chance?” he said, his tone not so pleasant.
“Yeah, Notta Chance.” Raven glared at him. “Now get lost, asshole.”
“Boom,” Sid said, then laughed. “Damn, Raven, that was fucking harsh. Funny as fuck, but harsh.”
“Bitch,” the smooth guy said, but walked away quickly.
“You don’t even know, fucker,” Raven mumbled at his retreating back, then nudged Bonnie. “Eleven o’clock.”
“Wyrick,” Kira whispered through clenched teeth.
Bonnie glanced that way, and sure enough, it was Wyrick wearing a red tie. Good, he wasn’t on to them… yet. He thought he was meeting anyone other than them. Bonnie took nothing for granted. She waited for him to sit down, then their eyes met. She turned to set her drink on the bar, then took the earpiece out.
“What are you doing?” Raven hissed as she turned around, waving down the bartender. “Put that back in.”
“Remember what I said.” Bonnie gave Kira a sideways glance putting her hand over her mic. “Trace the transport path.”
She heard Bishop yelling through the earpiece; her name was bellowed. Using her magic, she made it disappear before turning around toward Wyrick. Making her way to the table, she opened herself up to the Bonnie no one had met, other than the sick fuckers she had spent most of her life with—her bastard of a father included. Wyrick, she didn’t know well, but he was up her father’s ass, so he deserved to meet the bitch she was about the become.
“Red tie,” she said as she walked up to the table, then sat down. Bonnie was glad he actually seemed taken aback. It was always good when you knew something the other person didn’t, and it proved he didn’t know shit. He actually looked around a little frantic. “Is there a problem?”
“No, actually, I’m a little shocked that you’re a woman.” Wyrick quickly tried to collect himself. She could tell his type didn’t like surprises. Boy, was he in for a real shocker. “I was expecting a man.”
“Careful,” Bonnie warned him with a cocked eyebrow. “Some may think you are discriminating.”
She watched carefully as he regained his composure. He studied her closely, then seemed to relax. Yeah, he was gaining his confidence back, and she didn’t fucking like it. In fact, she despised this man. He had an “I’m better than you” air about him that just rubbed her the wrong way, and he’d shot Sloan, who was growing on her. Yeah, Wyrick was a piece of shit who was going to go down, but right now, she needed him.
“So what made you decide to apply to the ad?” He leaned back in his seat, then gave the waitress a dismissive wave, not even looking at her. Yeah, she’d like to strangle him with that ugly-ass red tie. What a pompous ass.
“Why does anyone answer a job ad for? A job, dumbass,” Bonnie said, then smiled when his eyes widened. Yeah, it was time. Fuck it. She was done with the game. Glancing toward Raven, she looked straight at her necklace and mouthed, “I’m sorry” before turning back to Wyrick. “Now, let me ask you a few questions, Wyrick.”
Chapter 33
“What in the fuck is she doing?” Sloan said behind Bishop, who was sitting watching the monitor half out of his chair and ready to take off at any signs of trouble.
Bonnie had taken out her earpiece, but her mic was still attached. He watched horrified when she looked toward Raven, as if looking straight at him, and mouthed the words, “I’m sorry.”
“Stop!” Bishop shouted over the line, shutting everyone up and trying to focus on what the hell was going on.
“Who are you?” Wyrick’s voice was fainter than Bonnie’s, but still very audible.
“In about five seconds, this place is going to be full of VC Warriors,” Bonnie said as Bishop watched her change back into herself. “So I suggest you get us out of here real quick and collect that bounty. What do you say? I’m sure Daddy is anxious to see me.”
Bishop was out of his chair and busting through the back of the van, the doors flying off their hinges. He didn’t look as he crossed the street, and a car slammed into him. He jumped just in time—not to take too much impact on his legs—and rolled over the hood and landed on his feet. He heard others running behind him. Reaching the door, he knocked the bouncer out of his way, fighting through the crowd, his eyes frantically searching.
As if in slow motion, he saw Bonnie reach across the table, Wyrick grabbing her hand. His shout of “Stop” had both Wyrick and Bonnie looking his way. Their eyes met, and he saw regret before she looked away. Just before they vanished, Raven leaped through the air and grabbed onto Bonnie as all three of them disappeared.
“No!” Bishop bellowed, sending everyone scattering out of his way. He knocked over chairs, tables, and a few people getting to the table Bonnie had been at. She was gone. Fuck! Bishop pushed over the table, and even picked up a chair and threw it against the furthest wall. The place had emptied out quickly. The only ones in there were the Warriors and the owner, who was throwing a fit about her place getting wrecked.
Glancing down, he saw a folded-up piece of paper. Bending, he picked it up and opened it.
Witch Hunter,
I know that you are furious with me right now, but please don’t be. This was the way it had to be. I haven’t forgotten our promise to each other, and I still consider us a team, and what a team we make. The witch and the witch hunter. Though sometimes one has to take one for the team. This time that was me. Next time it can be you. Kira can hopefully trace the transportation path, but if not, I hope to come back to you after this is done. I don’t plan on letting saggy ass win to rule the world. How embarrassing that would be. Trust in me, Bishop, that’s all I ask. For once, I may be able to make someone proud, and if that someone is you, all the better. Please understand, that’s all I ask.
I love you,
Your Witch
Bishop stared at the note, rereading it a few times and feeling so many emotions. He even grinned at one point. Holy fuck! Folding it back up, he put it in his pocket, then turned toward Kira. “Can you trace her?”
“I’m trying,” Kira said with both hands over her ears. “Just give me a minute. It’s confusing. I lose it at a certain point.”
“Shit,” Bishop hissed under his breath. His body was wired; he could not let her do this alone. That was not going to fucking happen, but he had to find her first. His eyes spotted Ryker, who stood where Wyrick had been sitting, his eyes closed. “Ryker?”
Ryker shook his head, holding his hand up. “Shut up,” he growled, and everyone did.
Over their earpieces, they heard a weird sound, as if something was scratching at someone’s mic. Different tones, some low- and high-pitched radiated over the line, making the Warriors cringe due to their superb hearing. Without a doubt, Bishop knew it was Bonnie’s mic. A loud pop had everyone pulling out their earpiece, other than Bishop. He held his hand up to his other ear, blocking out the cursing as he listened, but nothing other than silence greeted him.
Dread and a feeling of hopelessness overwhelmed him, sending his rage to the limit of no return. He would not lose her. Rushing toward Kira, he clasped her shoulders, making her look up at him.
“Please, Kira,” Bishop pleaded, but seeing the look in her face told him that it was useless. She couldn’t trace her.
“I’m so sorry,” Kira whispered as tears filled her eyes. “I’ve tried, but I keep losing the path at the same point. I’ll keep trying.”
Bishop nodded, dropping his hands. Ronan clapped him on the shoulder as he took Kira in his arms, walking her away. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Ryker in the same position, his eyes closed. Walking that way, Bishop stopped in front of him.
“Can you trace them?” He knew his voice sounded hopeful. Fuck, that’s all he had at the moment was hope that someone could tell him where in the fuck she was. He was holding on by a thin thread.
“Yes,” Ryker mumbled, but didn’t open his eyes. “Almost there.”
It took everything he had not to shake the shit out of Ryker to hurry him up. If anyone hurt Bonni
e, there was going to be hell to pay. He had killed many witches in his time and never once with a smile. But this time… this time he would smile his way through the killings if anyone fucked with what was his.
Bishop stood as still as he could, the wait driving him insane. Once this was over and she was safe, he was going to… what? Bust her ass? Possibly. Rage at her? Doubtful. Hold her and never let her go? Definitely.
“Got it,” Ryker said as he opened his eyes. “I can only transport a few more, other than Bishop. The rest are going to have to wait until I get the exact location. I can only follow the path. It doesn’t give me an address I’m afraid.”
“I can transport a few.” Kira stepped up with Ronan right beside her. “Including Ronan.”
“Damn straight,” Ronan growled, his eyes narrowing, obviously not happy with her going, period. “You are going nowhere without me.”
“I don’t know who is going to take me, but I’m going. Raven can only handle a few demons, and I’m sure there’s a few there.” Charger stepped up.
“You know I’m going.” Viktor also stepped up, then looked at Bishop. “You ready for a blast from the past, brother? Looks like we’re going witch hunting again.”
“The question is… are they ready?” Bishop said as his eyes turned black as night. He looked at Ryker, then grasped his hand in a manly grip. Viktor put his over theirs. Then under his breath, Bishop added, “I’m coming, Bonnie. Hold on.”
* * *
Bonnie stumbled, her stomach still churning from the transport. Goddess, how she hated it. Glancing at Raven, stunned that she’d tagged along by grabbing her just before Wyrick transported them, she saw her gag.
“Son of a bitch.” Raven shook her head, then glared at Wyrick before grabbing him by the shirt and headbutting him. “That sucked.”
“You bitch.” Wyrick threw his arms out as silver chains appeared, heading straight toward Raven, but Bonnie was quick, throwing her hand out and sending them on a different path before disappearing altogether.
Bishop Page 21
