by Trina M. Lee
“Why do you care, Falon?” I taunted him by dropping back a step and sticking a sneaker-clad foot between his slick Italian leather boots. “Because it’s your job?”
He tripped but recovered so fast it was like it had never happened. Bummer. With a scowl he grabbed my hand, tightly shoving his fingers through mine. “Because this crap-sucking world needs you. Were you expecting a different answer? Sorry, same one as before. People like you are needed to maintain the balance in this shitty world. It’s why your twin flame balance matters so much.”
So that was all there was to it. Same story as before. I was needed. He didn’t have to like me or care about me to see that. Willow’s accusations that Falon didn’t love me and had no reason to care had caused some concern. What we had going worked for us. I didn’t want that to change. I didn’t want him to love me.
“Ok, good. That’s good.” I muttered to myself, staring at my black Sketchers as I walked. Anything to keep from focusing on the handfuls of walking blood bags we passed as they laughed and talked on their way to and from restaurants and bars.
Falon tugged on my hand. “No worries, queen bee. I’m only interested in what’s between your legs. Your vampire and wolf can have your heart.”
We found Jez and Smudge outside the goth bar. They were watchful and wary, scoping out the area. Being on task didn’t stop Smudge from leaning in to steal a kiss. Relief brought a small sigh to my lips. If anything happened to me, if Arys and I didn’t make it through, at least I could face whatever came next knowing that Jez had someone to watch out for her.
Sensing our arrival, she turned to find Falon holding tight to my hand while I all but broke my fingers trying to pull free. “Aww, look how adorable you two are. Since when do hate-fucking lovers hold hands while walking down the street?”
“Since one of us is about one cold-blooded kill away from going full dark side.” When we came to a stop next to the ladies, Falon released his hold on me. He stayed close, not trusting me for a second.
I didn’t trust me either. Too many thoughts flitted through my head. Too many voices encouraging me to say fuck it.
Jez crushed me close in a hug that filled my nose with her perfume. “I’m so sorry that evil bitch screwed you over. I wish there was something I could do.”
“You can.” I pulled back before the beat of her heart could convince me to take a bite out of her creamy alabaster neck. “Keep being happy.”
Although her heart-shaped face wore a frown, Jez’s eyes sparkled with a liveliness I hadn’t seen in a long time. “I will. And so will you. Everything will work out somehow. You’ll get your happily ever after with your boys.”
Falon made a vomit sound so unbecoming and unlike him all three of us stared at him. Unapologetic, he pursed his lips in judgment and gave his head a shake. “You all are a revolting bunch. Like an 80s sitcom’s sappy ending. Constantly. Don’t you make yourselves ill?”
“And Falon,” Jez added as if he hadn’t spoken, her tone sardonic. “I’m sure you’ll be happily hate fucking each other for years to come. It must be crazy good for you to put up with him outside the bedroom.”
“Well, yeah,” I said with a shrug. “The Circle stuck me with him. Might as well get what I can out of the arrangement. Lucky for me, he’s far from virginal. He knows things.”
Falon expertly mocked our laughter before snarling, “Are you going to stand around here gabbing all night or actually do your jobs? Pretty much anything could be going on in there. Get your asses inside and deal with that vampire.”
“We’re waiting on Gabriel,” Smudge supplied, checking her phone. “He’s on his way. Lizzy sent someone out already with a warning. If we go in without him, she’ll start killing people.”
“Any idea what she’s up to in there?” I eyed the brick building. From this side we could see nothing but darkened windows. The entry was around back, in the alley. Away from the busy street front.
Brushing her black bangs aside, Smudge shoved the phone into the pocket of her leather jacket. “As of the last update she’s holding the place hostage using magic. And she’s got Gabriel’s grimoire.”
“Speak of the blood-sucking devil.” Falon announced Gabriel’s arrival with thinly veiled contempt. “Nice of you to come clean up your mess, kid.”
No wonder he hated it so much when I called him kid. After hearing it come from Falon’s mouth, I was pretty sure I could nip that in the bud.
Gabriel sauntered up, hands stuffed in the pockets of his long black trench. He didn’t waste so much as a glance in Falon’s direction. I didn’t know what all had transpired between them during the time they’d both worked with Shya, but they didn’t seem too fond of one another.
“I’ll go in and deal with her.” Gabriel’s dark eyes met mine. Hunger sparked within them when he looked at me now. “None of you should have to. It’s my problem. I’ll handle it.”
Next to me Falon stiffened ever so slightly. Just enough for me to know he’d picked up on the new link between Gabriel and me. I could just imagine the accusations that would fly later. Wicked ol’ me entrapping all the powerful men folk.
“We’ll back you up,” I said. “She’s got your spell book. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet.”
Gabriel’s gaze fell to my throat, seeking my pulse. He spied the silver feather and his eyes narrowed. “Let me go in alone first. Maybe I can talk her down.”
“Or maybe you’ll get your ass handed to you when she breaks out demon magic all over your ass,” Falon hissed. “I’m going in. I’ll stay unseen unless it’s clear you idiots need my help.”
Smudge scoffed. “Supervising. Like usual. You lazy fuck.”
With a middle finger extended, Falon vanished. I nodded for Gabriel to go ahead and enter. The rest of us followed him around to the alley entrance but kept our distance. If Lizzy thought he’d come alone, then maybe she’d be more likely to compromise.
I needed her alive. Death’s exchange.
Did I believe that? Could I?
I couldn’t take any chances. With a muttered, “Shit,” I sprinted ahead, catching Gabriel before he could enter the nightclub. My hand on his arm made him spin around defensively. “I need her alive,” I blurted. “If death wants a vampire, I need to give it one that isn’t me.”
There was no time to explain further. He didn’t ask me to. But knowing Gabriel, he might already have seen the outcome for Arys and me.
“No worries, Alexa. I’ve got this. Give me ten minutes.” Stealthy and silent, Gabriel left me in the shadows beyond the entryway’s meager light.
This alley made a terrible place for a nightclub entrance. The strange quiet here created an eerie vibe despite us being the only ones there. Well off the populated front street, it stretched long and dark. Gaps between buildings gave the impression that someone waited in each of them to grab those who dared to venture here. Sketchy and quiet, the club was aged and unloved, adding to the creep factor. If I’d been human I’d have never stepped foot inside this place.
I watched Gabriel ease through the night like it ran in his veins. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he would surprise me yet. “You get five.”
Running a hand over her golden ponytail, Jez eyed me with curious green wildcat eyes. “You feel scary dark, Lex. How’s Arys?”
Hearing his name stung. It also struck me with a pang of urgency. I needed to go to him. I couldn’t. Not unless I was ready for the ugly truth Falon had spoken. And it was the truth. I knew it in my soul. The ragged half that was mine anyway.
“He’s locked in my basement,” I said by way of explanation. I had no easier way to sum it up. “Pretty sure things are going to get a lot worse before they get better.”
“Shit. That’s harsh.” Hands on her hips, Jez gnawed her painted red bottom lip. “You know I’ve got your back. No matter what happens.”
We exchanged a look, one of those best friend moments that requires no words. So many things passed between us. There was f
uck all she could do to help Arys and me.
“I know that, Jezzy. Ditto.”
The woman was my partner and closest friend. We’d faced a lot, together and individually. Losing Kale had been the hardest, but we were pushing through, determined not to let anything keep us from becoming who we were meant to be. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to have my back.
After several minutes passed the air moved before Falon appeared, chuckling deviously to himself. “And I thought you were crazy,” he said to me with a snort. “Gabriel managed to find himself a woman as crazy as Lilah. He definitely needs you in there.”
“What’s going on?” Sharp and alert, Smudge was all business.
Entirely too amused by the situation, Falon snickered. “Baby vampire has got herself trapped inside a circle with thirteen people she plans to use as sacrifices to summon a vengeance demon to punish Gabriel for his wrongdoing. Unless he agrees to run away with her and live happily ever after. Or some such crap.”
“He’s not getting through to her?” Unable to share Falon’s mirth, I kicked him in the shin. “This isn’t funny, jackass. She’s got a lot of civilians in there.”
“Goddammit, Alexa.” Angrily rubbing a dust mark from his pants, he gave me a shove with his free hand. “If you can call royally pissing her off getting through to her. He’s not so good at telling people what they want to hear.”
“I’ve noticed.” And I had. Gabriel sucked at sugar coating and sweet talking. It just wasn’t him. It probably had something to do with his precognitive abilities. Seeing horrible future events in advance must make it hard to fake a smile. “Ok, I’m going in.”
Smudge hung back, keeping to the shadows. Watching the alley. Watchdogs didn’t usually get involved unless necessary. Keeping the watchdogs separate from the hunters allowed us all to focus our skills where they were best used.
Both a hunter and now a watchdog, Jez fell into step with me, ready to rumble. Falon disappeared as fast as he had come, back inside to lurk unseen.
I half expected some kind of ward on the entry, but we walked right in. A dark, empty passageway welcomed us. Voices murmured in low, worried tones. Fear hung on the air, acrid and pungent. The aroma taunted me.
I swallowed hard, forcing back the blood hunger. Innocent lives were on the line. We already had one crazed vampire to deal with. We sure as shit didn’t need two, especially if I was one of them. I had a job to do. Protecting the people Lizzy had taken hostage while also protecting our secret. If I went full dark side, The Circle might not keep me around. Which I suspected was why Falon stuck so close.
We paused where the passageway opened into the club. Dimly lit, painted in all grays, the place lacked any kind of personality or flare. A large metallic disco ball hung over the dance floor, flinging shards of silver light about. Beneath it in the center of a large circle complete with an inverted pentagram stood Lizzy.
Lurking in the shadows, Jez and I scoped out the place. Someone had killed the music or perhaps the DJ. Other than fearful murmurs and the occasional frantic shout that couldn’t be contained, the joint was also eerily quiet.
The entire dance floor comprised Lizzy’s circle. Inside it with her were the people Falon had mentioned. Outside the circle, trying to talk some sense into her was Gabriel. There were other people sprinkled about, but they seemed to be held in place, gripped either by terror or magic. Most likely the latter.
“How do you want to do this?” Jez asked, a low murmur next to me.
“Let’s just watch a sec.” Shielding hard to keep my energy veiled, I grabbed Jez’s hand to cloak hers too.
Not that Lizzy had any focus left for anyone but Gabriel.
He held up an imploring hand, trying to calm her. “Lizzy, we don’t need to go down this road. You can choose better. Just come out of the circle so we can talk about it.”
“What did you see, Gabriel? What did you see of my future? Because if it doesn’t include you, I don’t want it.” Blood stained Lizzy’s face. She’d already killed. Her eyes were wide, pupils huge. Crazy eyes.
“I didn’t see anything,” he insisted, tone bordering on exasperated. Like he’d said this a few times already. “I don’t see something every time I touch someone. It’s random. So we’ll both be surprised, ok? You have to stop all this first.”
Did he lie about the precog touch? I’d never know. Regardless, I’d probably never feel totally comfortable with his ability.
Gabriel was strong enough to destroy her circle. But in her hands was his grimoire, flipped open to a page we couldn’t see where we stood. The demon summoning ritual if I had to wager.
“I thought you were different, you know? Not like the others. The ones who just want a quick screw with no strings attached.” Lizzy glided about the circle, ignoring those who cringed away from her as she neared. “But you didn’t want any strings either. Did you, Gabriel? You came here to cut them.”
“It’s not like that. Give me a chance to explain.” Frustration seeped into his demand. He cut himself short and sucked in a breath, nostrils flaring. His tone took on a sharp edge. “Just get out of the goddamn circle so we can talk.”
She flinched at the slap of his command. “Screw you. We have nothing left to say to each other. You’ve made yourself perfectly clear.”
Without another word Lizzy produced an orange dust from the pocket of her trendy suede jacket. She walked among her captives, all huddled on the floor, sprinkling the powder on their heads. A litany of Latin followed with some of the ancient immortal language mixed in.
Inwardly I cursed Gabriel and his damn grimoire. The way I saw it, it just wasn’t my problem. I’d do anything I had to in order to keep her from hurting anyone else tonight. But he could get that damn book from her.
“Lizzy, if you go any farther with that incantation, I will take over and use you as the sacrifice instead,” Gabriel snarled, fury turning his usually calm features into pure predator.
I tensed. If he lost his temper and forced her hand, he could make the situation worse. The woman was in the process of summoning a demon. A demon he himself had recorded the incantation for.
In response to his threat, Lizzy moved faster about the circle. When each head held an orange dusting, she whirled back to Gabriel. “Don’t you remember how we talked about doing something like this? The ultimate fuck you to everyone who messed with us.”
Black hair falling into his face, Gabriel eyed her with cold calculation. Seeking an opening. “That was years ago. We were seventeen. Stupid kids. Come on, Lizzy. This isn’t a game.”
She failed to keep her lip from trembling, but she didn’t cry. She was beyond tears, on a crash course with only one end in sight. At this point Gabriel could grovel on his knees, and she wouldn’t forgive him. He’d had his chance to love her, and he’d turned it down. Lizzy was going to make him sorry for it.
Jez leaned in, her scent tickling my nose. “Nothing he says is going to help this.”
I nodded my agreement, holding my breath against the tempting aroma of leopard with a little kick of something more. I’d never tasted Jez’s blood, and I didn’t plan to change that. So I gestured for her to enter on one side while I slipped around the corner in the opposite direction. It allowed us to each come up on opposite sides of the circle.
“No, it’s definitely not a game.” With an enraged shriek Lizzy spun around and slashed open the throat of the man behind her. Her hand gripped a bloody ritual knife. It had appeared as if from nowhere. Damn black magic.
She didn’t stop at just one. Four more people went down clutching their gushing throats before Gabriel smashed through her circle. Jez was a blur as she sprinted forward, ready to have his back. I came around from the other side, coming up behind Lizzy.
Gabriel tackled her, and they tumbled to the floor. She turned the ritual knife on him, slashing wildly. The surviving hostages ran for the door.
The unfortunate victims bleeding out on the floor were beyond help. Blood pooled
in puddles. Rich and dark in the dim light, it filled my nose with each breath.
The two black magic vampires threw each other around the pentagram using both physical prowess and magic. The grimoire hit the dusty floor, and Jez snatched it up.
Every shot of magic thrown fed the growing cacophony in my head. I shrank back, a hand on my temple. Discomfort in my core bloomed into agony. Darkness threatened, hungry for the last of my light. It urged me to allow the bloodlust to take me.
I fought it back. Somehow, that tiny flicker of light still proved to be strong enough to survive the onslaught.
Until Lizzy lashed out with the blade again, this time getting lucky. It nicked Gabriel’s side, drawing blood.
Blood that writhed with incubus power. Everything I wanted right there.
I must have lunged at him. I don’t remember. The next thing I knew I was flat on my back, staring at the beams in the open ceiling. Silver wings flared overhead, taking over my view. Falon’s hand tightened on my throat, holding me down.
Instinctively, I fought against him. Being held down and dominated ignited a whole new fire. My wolf came snarling forth, showing in my eyes and extra-long fangs.
“Settle your crazy ass down, Alexa.” Falon added a little extra squeeze for good measure. “Did you not think that claiming Gabriel would affect you as well? You should know this by now. Idiot vampire.”
In the pentagram behind us, Lizzy threw spell after spell, but Gabriel countered each one. She simply wasn’t as strong or skilled as him. Then she caught him off guard. Pulling a black amulet from her cleavage, Lizzy thrust it toward Gabriel.
Horror spread across his face.
“Didn’t think I’d find this, did you? Guess you shouldn’t have recorded its whereabouts. I cracked that demon language years ago.”
Gabriel backed right off, holding both hands up. He plead for real now. “Lizzy. Don’t.”
