by R L Medina
A fairy? Dread coiled in my gut. Did this mean the dark fairy princess did have Grayson? That she was holding him hostage under the guise of being a wizard?
Before I could question Michael, he raced away, joining his pack brothers without another look back.
My heart leapt into my throat as his words echoed in my mind. Grayson. I needed to survive long enough to get to him. I scanned the barrier where the vampires and werewolves paced.
I walked up to stand with my friends. Los Reyes gathered together, heads bowed in whispers. Seeing them all in their wolf form was still strange for me. I’d looked up everything I could find in the school library about werewolves and humans, but I still had so many questions. Because it was outlawed, there wasn’t much information on what I needed to know. Would I turn at some point? Jesse had told me I hadn’t inherited the same DNA because my mother was fully human unlike Rafael’s mother.
“They’re going after the other wolves.” I nodded toward Rafael’s pack.
Shiloh shook her head. “They won’t be able to get through the barrier. It’s pretty solid.”
I met her eyes. “But how will the rest of their pack come? And the other GRIMM?”
“When the GRIMM come, they’ll set up another barrier and trap the vampires and werewolves between. Launch an assault that way,” Javi answered for her.
Horror filled me.
“But what about the rest of the pack? If they get here before the GRIMM, they won’t have the barrier.”
Javi shrugged. “If they want our protection, they’ll have to wait then. We can’t be responsible for them if they charge ahead.”
I scowled at his callous tone. “This is our war, Javi. We can’t just abandon them either.”
He swung his sword in the air and grunted. “No one is abandoning them, Rose. We’re here aren’t we? They better be willing to help us after we’ve saved their asses.”
It was Shiloh’s turn to frown at him. “Or how about we help them without expecting anything in return. Because it’s our job. Because it’s the right thing to do, Javi?”
A contrite look passed across his face, but he didn’t respond.
If that was his attitude about helping them, what would he think when I told him the truth? About my biological father? I knew most of his prejudice stemmed from his father and the GRIMM who’d spent years thinking themselves better than the extraordinaire. Erasing a history of that mentality was impossible.
Raised voices interrupted my musing. I looked up, eyes snagging on Rafael and Tío screaming at each other. Javi and I exchanged worried glances.
It was battle of the alphas and both were too stubborn to back down.
Carrying my sword, I made my way to them. The vampires and werewolves stuck on the other side of the barrier snarled and growled as I approached. My heart hammered in my ears. Without the magical wall, they’d be tearing at our throats.
“If you won’t let my pack, come through, then open the barrier so I can get out.”
Tío glared at the wolf. “If I open the barrier to let you out, the vampires and werewolves will get in. Nobody passes through the barrier until we’ve dealt with them.”
Rafael snarled. His eyes snapped to me. The anger and rage I saw on his transformed face scared me.
“Your family has taken enough from me. First your mother the wh—”
Tío’s sword was at his throat faster than I could even blink. “Do not finish that sentence, wolf.” His voice was steel.
Fury flashed in the alpha’s eyes. “You know, don’t you? You were her brother. You had to have known.”
Nausea rolled in my gut. There was no way he could know the truth. He would never have taken me in if he knew…
Tío’s face was a mask of calm. “Shut your mouth. Or I’ll silence it for you.”
Rafael’s eyes narrowed. “Are you sure you want to start this fight, GRIMM? I could rip your head from your body and not feel the least bit of remorse. In fact, I’d relish the idea of laying your dismembered parts at your wife’s feet.”
Javi was at my side in an instant, sword raised. “You’d be a floor rug before you got the chance.”
The other wolves stood around us, eyes narrowed on my tío. Fear snaked its way to my belly. With one command of their alpha, they would attack. Sensing the oncoming fight, the other GRIMM also edged closer with their weapons. My eyes met Shiloh’s and Brady’s, both moving toward us to help.
Outside the barrier, the growls and snarls grew louder, the beasts still trying to tear through. Inside we were waging our own battle and I didn’t know which scared me more.
“I can get your pack through. Without tearing the barrier.” Miss Weatherstone’s voice broke through the tension.
She stood to the side, eyes steady on Rafael.
His gaze darted to her. “How?”
She looked to Tío. “I need a DS-180.” She turned to Agent Young. “And someone to cover my back.”
He glanced at Tío, who still had his sword at Rafael’s throat.
“We’re running out of time. Just let her help,” I snapped.
His eyes met mine briefly before he withdrew his weapon. “Fine. But the GRIMM aren’t responsible for what happens to your pack.”
Rafael glared at him. “No one said you would be.”
I watched warily as Tío cast a spell and shot it at Miss Weatherstone. My eyes bulged as her skin began to glow.
“Defensive shield. Used against vampires and wolves. It’s a hard spell to hold though,” Shiloh explained to me.
The woman turned to Rafael. “You have to wait here. The shield will only support me.”
He growled. “I don’t need a shield. I’m coming through.”
She frowned at him. “That would be stupid.”
“I’m coming through,” He insisted.
She shook her head with a snort and motioned for Agent Young to assist her.
Rafael turned to Lucian. “Stay here and defend the house.”
Lucian nodded in acknowledgment.
“We should be with you. Defending the pack,” Michael argued.
Rafael advanced on him with a snarl. “You are not alpha. Do what you’re told.”
Michael didn’t so much as flinch. He stared stonily at the bigger wolf but didn’t argue.
“Go. I can’t hold this shield all day,” Tío interrupted.
Miss Weatherstone wasted no time as she stepped over the barrier, Rafael right on her heels. I sucked in a breath as the vampires and wolves attacked.
Agent Young stood at the edge of the barrier, throwing spells at the beats. The other GRIMM including my friends and cousin joined in.
I stood with the wolves, feeling useless. My eyes tried to track Rafael and the woman’s movements, but there were too many other creatures to see them. Dread filled me.
How the Hell could Rafael survive outnumbered so badly? If the vampires and wolves didn’t get him, he could be hit with the GRIMM’s attacks. What was he thinking?
The howls and snarls filled the air and rang through me. More howls accompanied and I watched transfixed as Rafael’s pack came running up, joining the fray.
“Where the Hell is backup?” Agent Young muttered throwing a fire ball through the invisible barrier.
“On its way,” another GRIMM answered him.
“How is she going to get our pack through?” Michael stood at the edge, worry written on his face.
Lucian, Leo, and Mateo were pacing along the barrier too. Probably dying to join the fight.
“She’s making a tunnel,” Shiloh spoke up.
I walked to where she was standing and strained to see past the fighting. The street was filled with the noise of the battle. Everywhere I looked I saw monster fighting monster. The scene was horrific. How could the ordinaire be oblivious to what was happening?
No one had come out of their homes since Miss Weatherstone had gone up to talk to one of the curious neighbors. Had she somehow locked them in their homes?
“A tunnel to get everyone through?” Michael frowned.
I lowered my sword and wiped the sweat from my forehead with the other hand. Being so close to the action, but unable to participate was putting me on edge. I didn’t necessarily want to kill anyone, but I didn’t want to see anyone I knew get hurt or killed either.
Even Rafael. What if he didn’t make it out? Though he was a jerk, he was still my stepbrother and he still had answers that I needed about my mom’s past.
I glanced at Tío, who was barely breaking a sweat as he held both the barrier and shield for Miss Weatherstone.
Could Rafael be right in his assumption? Did Tío know the truth about my father? Now wasn’t the time to ask him, and judging by his reaction to the alpha, it wasn’t a topic he wanted to discuss. Maybe not ever.
“Finally,” Agent Young muttered.
I glanced at him and was about to question him when voices rose over the noise. My head whipped around. More GRIMM. A sigh of relief escaped me.
They had the barrier set up and some of the other agents were assisting Miss Weatherstone with her tunnel. I stared at it in awe. Unlike the barriers, it was visible. A thin line rippled through the air, from one side of the ground to the other in a giant arch formation. It reminded me of a paper cut out, but this was air—space she had sliced through. However, she had done it, it was working.
Rafael’s wolves, finally giving up on the idea they could outmatch the vampires and werewolves, were filing into the tunnel one by one, staying within the line. The attacking monsters that got too close to the arch disappeared. I blinked in surprise.
“Where did they go?” I asked Shiloh.
She was watching too, her eyes wide in awe. “Vanished into time and space.”
I whipped to her. “What?”
The growls and cries of pain drowned out her next words. I turned to find the vampires and wolves trying to retreat, but they were trapped between the two barriers.
Los Reyes wolves joined us, arriving from the end of the strange tunnel. Rafael and Miss Weatherstone brought up the rear. The bloody sight of him made my stomach churn. He met my gaze, a feral look in his eyes.
Despite my instincts screaming for me to run the other way, I walked up to him.
“Do you want me to try to heal you? I can—”
He snarled at me, making me jump.
I glared back at him. “Is that a no then? I don’t speak wolf.”
His eyes narrowed on me, but I refused to look away first. If he were going to be an asshole, I could be one too.
Michael came to stand beside me.
Rafael’s gaze flicked to him. He laughed, the sound harsh. “You trying to protect her from me, Michael? Some might think you’re more loyal to a GRIMM than your own alpha.” He spit the word GRIMM out like it was poison.
“You’re still in fight mode, Raf. But the fight is over.”
Rafael growled at him, his eyes flashing a dangerous yellow. “You’re weak, Michael. A pack is only as strong as their weakest member. Fall into line or find yourself another pack.”
Michael stiffened, his eyes narrowing to slits. “I’m not the weak one here, Rafael, and you know that.”
The alpha snarled, advancing on him so fast, I barely had time to register what was happening. But Michael didn’t flinch. He squared off, fists clenched by his side. The rest of the pack threw wary looks at each other, unsure of what to do.
“Stop it. We have enough to deal with right now. Get over yourselves.” It was Miss Weatherstone who stepped between the two wolves. The sight of the petite woman facing down two werewolves was almost comical.
She returned Rafael’s glare with a fierce one of her own.
I bit back a smile. I was starting to really like the woman.
“Get back! Now!” Tío barked out orders, breaking the tension.
Not knowing what was going on, but understanding this wasn’t the time to question him, I stepped back with the others.
Voices shouted from the other barrier and I looked to the GRIMM in confusion.
“Cover your ears,” Javi warned.
“Wha—”
I was cut off by a piercing, high-pitch wail that made me cringe. The wolves howled in pain, transforming into their human forms quickly. I covered my ears and grit my teeth.
Light flashed between the barriers and the cries of the vampires and werewolves drowned out the hair-splitting sound. The ground shook beneath us. My heart dropped. What was happening?
The light vanished making me gasp. All the vampires and werewolves were down. Their bodies strewn on the road and sidewalk.
Miss Weatherstone scowled at Tío. “Who gave that order?”
His face hardened. “Headquarters. You got a problem with it, take it up with them.”
Before she could argue, he walked away, through the fading barrier. I stood, stunned as I watched the GRIMM move through the fallen creatures.
“Are they…”
“Dead. Yep,” Javi confirmed.
“This is going to be a nightmare of a clean-up,” Brady groaned, walking up beside me.
I didn’t know what to say. They had attacked first but seeing the magic and power the GRIMM held was terrifying. What would Luna Negra do now that their soldiers were dead?
13
“I need all available agents with me. We’re going to have to canvas the entire neighborhood and make sure there were no sightings.” Agent Young’s deep voice boomed over a speaker.
“Someone needs to check in with all the news stations and surrounding areas. Who’s in charge of communications from Malibu?” he continued.
“They’re going to sweep this under the rug? There’s no way the ordinaires didn’t see what was happening.” I shook my head and glanced at the houses.
People were standing out on their driveways, looking right at us.
One of the GRIMM agents sighed. “Let’s go. Mind sweep. Now.” She led a team of agents toward the people.
I gaped at them. They were going to brainwash everyone into believing they hadn’t just witnessed a supernatural battle? Though I knew it was probably for the better, I didn’t like the idea of them ‘mind sweeping’ anybody.
“This is a fucking nightmare,” Miss Weatherstone muttered.
We glanced at her. Realizing we’d heard her, her face flushed. “Sorry.”
I snorted. “Like we’ve never heard worse.”
“Or said worse ourselves.” Brady smirked.
Remembering Michael’s words earlier, I turned to Brady. “Speaking of worse. I need to talk to you.”
His eyebrow arched. “Okay?”
I glanced around. “Back at the house.”
“What is this about?” Javi frowned at me.
“Not here. At the house.” I motioned for them to follow me.
Some of the wolves were already retreating, though some of them stayed behind to watch the GRIMM.
Miss Weatherstone eyed us as we left but didn’t follow. We passed Rafael, my gaze meeting his. He knew where we were headed, but he didn’t stop us. Maybe it was his way of apologizing for being such a jerk.
The wolf was an alpha hole. How could I be related to him? Was his father—our father—just as bad?
I shook away the thoughts and led the others inside. Everything felt strangely normal inside the mansion. As if the recent attack hadn’t even happened.
A familiar figure approached us. James. Anger rose up inside me. The last time I’d seen him, the bastard had tried to choke me to death.
Immediately, Shiloh and Javi had their arms and weapons raised. Brady motioned for James to wait. I watched their interaction warily.
“He’s on our side.” Brady spoke first.
Javi whipped to him. “Who is he?”
James sneered at us. “You could just ask me.”
“You’re a witch?” Shiloh cocked her head at him.
“He’s Luna Negra,” I said.
Javi’s weapon flashed.
“
Not anymore. He defected. He’s here to help us track the rest of the coven.” Brady frowned at me.
Uncertainty flashed on Javi’s face.
“Why is he hiding out here then? Why didn’t he help with the fight just now?” I asked.
James glared at me. “Yeah, show myself to a squad of GRIMM. Great idea.”
Heat rushed through me.
“If you were Luna Negra, you could help us find their hideouts,” Javi interrupted.
The witch’s eyes slid to him. “Yeah. That’s why I’m here. But I’ll help on my terms. I’m not going to be thrown into a cell and interrogated. That’s why I worked a deal with Brady.”
My fists curled. That’s exactly where he belonged after trying to kill me.
“Brady, can I talk to you for a sec, please?” I turned to my friend.
I ignored the curious looks and scowling face of James as Brady followed me to the kitchen. He opened a cupboard and rummaged through their stuff.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
He glanced back at me. “Getting a drink. Want one?”
I snorted. “Not now. Brady, what are you doing with James?”
“Why? What is this about?”
“He tried to kill me.”
Brady’s eyebrow arched. “Interesting.”
I glared at him. “Interesting? You’re hanging out with a murderer.”
He smirked as if the idea wasn’t repulsive as it should have been. “You said tried. He obviously failed and I’m sure feels very badly about it.”
I gaped at him. “The only reason he failed is because Grayson stopped him. What if he tries it again?”
At the mention of Gray, Brady sobered. “He won’t. I promise. You have nothing to worry about with him.”
With that, he grabbed a bottle of whiskey and some shot glasses and returned to the others. I followed, stomach churning.
Still not trusting the witch, I watched as Brady whispered something to him. James met my eyes and nodded. The stony stare he gave me didn’t look the least bit remorseful. No, I didn’t think I could trust him despite Brady’s insistence.
Though my friend’s choice in ally felt a little like betrayal, I sucked it up as much as I could. If I had to work with the asshole, then I’d make sure to watch my back. I sighed. The list of people out to get me was getting ridiculously long.
