The Hex Files: Wicked Moon Rising

by Gina LaManna

  I pursed my lips. “That’s better. What did I eat for lunch in the Golden District when we were investigating the missing elves?”

  “You slurped through not one, but two gelatos,” Matthew said. “And when we were investigating the mayor’s murder, you picked up a Hex Dog while simultaneously mocking the King Club.”

  “And how did someone get the jump on you for the attack?” I asked. “Was it someone you knew? It must have been because you wouldn’t allow anyone else to get close.”

  Matthew blinked, shook his head. “No. Whoever attacked me was the same person who attacked you the other night—or at least used the same method. All I remember is you going to the shower. The next thing I knew, the room was filling with black smoke. Then there was a flash, and someone hit me with a Fang Freeze. I don’t remember anything else until I woke up in the hospital.”

  “Okay, it’s you,” I said as a breath left my chest. “Holy smokes, you scared the living daylights out of me.”

  Matthew smiled, but still, it was somewhat distant. “I’m glad you thought to come here.”

  “I shouldn’t have had to!” I faced him, halfway wanting to rush into his arms and enjoy the fact that he was alive. But the other half of me wanted answers. “Why didn’t you Comm me when you woke?”

  “If you weren’t at the hospital, I knew you were busy,” Matthew said. “I know you, Danielle. I’m sure Nurse Anita sent you away.”

  I frowned. “That’s true, but still. I told her to call me the second you woke up.”

  “I’m fine,” Matthew said. “It would have been selfish of me to pull you away from your mission. I trust it was worthwhile?”

  I thought back to the meeting of the Elderwolves and the discovery of the second file and gave a nod. “It wasn’t information I wanted, but I suppose it’s something I needed to have. But still. I would have come home to see you.”

  “How’d you like The Isle?”

  I squinted at him.

  “I can smell it on you,” Matthew said. “Certain pollens are native to The Isle and wouldn’t survive in Wicked. And I assume Grey went with you—along with a slew of other wolves?”

  I shrugged. “I smell that bad? I already showered since I’ve been back.”

  He just wrinkled his nose. “The shower is upstairs if you want to try again. You’re exhausted. Why don’t you climb into bed, and I’ll join you.”

  “You’re still acting strangely,” I said. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he said too quickly. He read the unease on my face and relented. “Fine. There is a little matter that we should discuss, but not until after you get some rest.”

  “I don’t like this. You’re keeping secrets from me.”

  “I’ll explain everything once you’ve rested.”

  “Don’t baby me, Matthew!” I blurted. “I know what I’m doing! Do you? Why did you leave, anyway? You couldn’t have stayed in the hospital for a few more hours?”

  Matthew looked surprised. “Aren’t you glad to see me?”

  “Of course I am! I’m over-freaking-joyed.”

  “Sounds like it.”

  “But you were supposed to have an alibi this time,” I said. “A few more hours, and you would have been cleared, and Chief Newton would have had a solid reason to get us back on the case. Now, you and I are looking like Bonnie and Clyde over here. You’re making this extremely difficult.”

  “An alibi for what?”

  “The murder,” I said, then stopped. “The second werewolf murder? You didn’t hear about it?”

  Matthew rubbed a hand over his weary face. “I had... things to take care of when I left the hospital. I’ve only just returned. I didn’t take my Comm with me—I’m afraid Watters has asked for tracking on it. That’s why I didn’t tell you my whereabouts.”

  “Well, then maybe you shouldn’t be going places so secretively.”

  “Please,” Matthew said. “I want to discuss this, but I can see the exhaustion on your face. Shower, bed, discuss. Please.”

  I was too frustrated to argue with him. My fingers trembled as I rested them on the bannister and began to climb upward. Maybe I wouldn’t nap first, but I needed a breather. Needed a minute to think and cool down, especially with my frayed emotions ready to snap at a moment’s notice.

  Matthew was right—I wasn’t thinking clearly, but I couldn’t afford time away from the case. It was a lose-lose situation. To sleep or not to sleep, there was no good answer. So, I chose the shower and coffee, hoping they would perk me up.

  Neither perked me up. If anything, by the time I climbed out of the shower and grabbed a cup of piping hot coffee from the machine on Matthew’s desk, my eyes could barely stay open. I leaned forward and rested my head on the desk just for a moment.

  I woke some time later to a hand on my shoulder. Before I could open my eyes, Matthew’s arms circled around my body and lifted, carrying me to his bed. Someone, Matthew or his staff, had completely cleaned everything. Even in my foggy brain, I suspected the mattress, the sheets, every inch of blackened carpeting, was new. Somehow magicked into place to rid the smell and stains of blood.

  “Danielle,” Matthew said. “Close your eyes.”

  I knew he was using his nifty little powers of persuasion on me, but I didn’t particularly care. My eyes closed of their own accord, and again, I slept.

  THE NEXT TIME I WOKE, it was dark.

  A cool hand pressed to my forehead in the instant between the time I woke, and the time I realized I was awake. I rolled over, closer to the solid figure sitting next to me on the mattress.

  “Matthew,” I whispered.

  “Let’s try this again,” he said softly. “I’m glad you’re here, Dani. I know you were with me at the hospital until Anita kicked you out. I love you.”

  “I love you, too,” I said, my eyes still closed as I felt my chin being tilted toward Matthew. “I’m glad you’re alive.”

  He gave a light, breathy sort of laugh before pressing his lips to mine and lingering in a soft, tender kiss. A reunion of sorts.

  Slowly, my body perked to attention as Matthew’s hands pulled me against him, eventually seating me by his side as my eyes opened, and I yawned and stretched into complete awakeness.

  Then with a start, I realized that it was dark outside. “How long did I sleep?

  “You needed it.”

  “Answer the question, King.”

  Matthew flinched. “It’s nearly midnight.”

  “Ugh! What a waste of a day!” I threw the covers back and climbed from bed. “Why did you let me sleep that long?”

  Matthew didn’t bother to blink. “Oh, I don’t know. Because you drank a cup of coffee and fell promptly asleep sitting upright at my desk.”

  “Yeah, but I could have used two hours.”

  “Do you feel better?”

  “Yes,” I admitted grudgingly. “That’s basic biology. Well, for witches I guess.”

  “There was nothing you missed, anyway.” Matthew stood and moved toward the coffee machine. He started it for me since he didn’t drink ‘that junk’. “I’ve checked in with Felix, Anita, Chief Newton...”

  “Sienna?” I asked quietly. I’d been so distraught and disoriented when I’d first come into Matthew’s house that I hadn’t even informed him of our friend’s untimely incident.

  “Yes,” he said quietly. “Felix filled me in. He and Anita are still working to get her out safely, alive. They believe it can be done, but it will take time.”

  I rubbed my temples. “Maybe I should go back to bed.”

  “The rest of the day has been taken up by this morning’s murder.”

  “Did Watters come talk to you?”

  “She tried to.” Matthew gave a thin smile and didn’t expand. “I’m glad you rested. You and I are not exactly welcome in the borough at the moment, and you have me to blame. I’m truly sorry about that.”

  “It’s not your fault. Anyone who knows you should know you couldn’t have done an
y of this,” I said, then felt a small lightbulb click on in the back of my brain. Just the smell of fresh caffeine was already working. “In fact, I think the reason Sienna was iced is because she was onto the real murderer.”

  Matthew frowned.

  “Maybe she figured out something about this supposed vampire killer,” I suggested. “Maybe she uncovered some sort of spell that can act as vampire poison. Then, the murderer could have been anyone, and we wouldn’t be so limited in looking only at vampires.”

  “Only at me, you mean.”

  “Only at vampires,” I confirmed. “You just happen to be the only one of your kind in the borough.

  “Do you know why that is?”

  “The rest scattered,” I said. “Vampires in general don’t like being around us living folks and prefer dark spaces and sewers. The penalty for vampire attacks is severe, so they avoid places they might be easily caught—like in the Sixth Precinct.”

  “Do you know when they scattered?”

  I shrugged. “Before I was born.”

  “I killed the vampire who tried to use The Hex Files to take over and convert the borough to evil,” Matthew said. “At the time, the NYPD viewed that as a sign of my loyalty to good, to finding justice, over the bonds between my kind. They allowed me to stay in the borough and offered me a job. The rest... chose to leave us.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  “You don’t like secrets,” Matthew said, “and I’ve lived for so long that I have many. I thought you should know that one.”

  “Well, thanks, I suppose. But I knew that already. It doesn’t change anything for me.”

  “And I would do it again,” Matthew said, his gaze eerily iced over as he fell back into his memories. “If I hadn’t, I’d have never met you. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

  We let the quiet linger, finally returning to reality a few moments later. Arguing, fighting, disagreeing with Matthew always made me feel off-kilter. And while the world around us was still a mess, so long as Matthew and I were together, a united front, I could have faith the rest would work out.

  “About my alibi,” Matthew said. “If you’d like to speak with—”

  “Matthew!” I cursed and waved a hand for him to stop. “Don’t say what I think you’re going to say. I don’t need an alibi from you; don’t be ridiculous. I knew from the second I found your empty bed that if you hadn’t called, it was because you were doing something important. I know you better than that.”

  “Good.”

  “Is it something you want to share with me?” I sensed a strange hesitation in Matthew. “Or does it need to remain private for now?”

  Another strange smile crossed Matthew’s face. “I’d prefer it remain private, but I don’t think it can. You need to see this, Danielle.”

  “Actually, I have something you need to see, too.”

  I disappeared into the bathroom without watching for Matthew’s reaction. I’d kept Willa’s file clutched to my chest the entire journey from The Isle back home, then I’d kept it in my bag to bring to Matthew’s.

  When I stepped from the bathroom, I had the envelope loosely in hand. Matthew’s gaze met mine, and at the same time, we both realized what the other held. In Matthew’s hands was another file.

  “Where did you get that?” I murmured. “That’s where you had to go?”

  “The Goblins owed me,” Matthew said carefully. “Between that and a substantial donation, along with the explanation of why it was needed, I’ve got the fourth file.”

  I swallowed. “Am I named in it?”

  Again with that quirky, strange grin. “You’re named, but it’s not your file.”

  I squinted. “Really?”

  “Whose is that?” Matthew nodded toward me. “Which file?”

  “The second,” I said, then cleared my throat. “Willa Bloomer.”

  Matthew stepped closer. “Shall we exchange?”

  I glanced at the rising moon. “I guess we don’t have a choice.”

  “Where’s this from?” Matthew asked as he took Willa’s file. “How’d you find it?”

  “Grey and the Elderwolves gave me their file for safekeeping,” I said. “They told me I’d need it.”

  “You’ll need all the help you can get,” Matthew said. “I hope...just read the file, Dani.”

  Matthew’s words were so oddly forced that my gaze snapped down to the explosive file in my hands. Whoever’s name was on this next page would have their life changed forever—without them even knowing it. Running my fingers over the exterior, I prayed that it would be someone I didn’t know. I couldn’t bear another tragedy to a close friend for the sake of justice.

  The fourth will break from a desperate plight...

  I played the words over and over again in my head from the fourth line of The Hex Files prophecy. Who would be broken? And from what?

  I turned the page, feeling Matthew’s eyes burning on me while the blood in my veins froze at the image.

  I looked up to Matthew, the name a whisper on my lips. “Grey.”

  Chapter 27

  Greyson LeBlanc

  Transformation: 1806

  Species: Werewolf, Elderwolf

  Criminal History: Wanted in 1808, 1809, and 1813.

  I blinked up at Matthew, the expression on my face blank. There was a lot of processing going on behind the scenes, but I couldn’t get the words to form quite right on my lips.

  “Grey has a criminal history?” I murmured, not sure why that was the thing I’d fixated on from paper in front of me. “I didn’t know that.”

  “There’s a lot about Grey I’m sure you didn’t know,” Matthew said gruffly. “Continue reading.”

  “How far does this go?” I flipped through a few pages. “It’s massive.”

  “There’s a charm to automatically update history as it’s written. It should be current, or close to it.”

  I sighed. “I don’t have time to go through all this.”

  “I don’t think you need to,” Matthew said. “The point is that you now know Grey is mentioned in The Hex Files. He’s listed as the fourth protector, and you will need to work together, along with Willa and the other two —to put an end to the files once and for all.”

  “You don’t like it.”

  “I don’t have a choice.”

  I sighed. “I wish it wasn’t his name. I hate that it’s all the people I love. It feels too coincidental.”

  “Quite the contrary,” Matthew said. “Everything happens for a reason. The Hex Files were established years ago, and I believe that people are drawn to you. The five of you are drawn together and anchored here. It’s not a coincidence at all, but fate. Better if you do know the others. Your bonds will be stronger.”

  “Do you think...” I hesitated. “Do you think your name is in one of the other files?”

  “I’ve been hoping so,” Matthew said grimly, “but I wouldn’t put money on it. I figured I’d have known by now if I were to be involved.”

  I shrugged, not sure what I hoped. While I wanted Matthew to be by my side, to fight with me, I also wanted him as far away from the files as possible. After his latest stint in the hospital, he seemed a bit more human, a bit less invincible. If he was the fifth file, I wouldn’t know what to do.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” I said to Matthew. “Don’t worry so much. I’m not the last person mentioned. There are still three other spots open. One, three, and five.”

  Matthew merely nodded and returned to his reading of Willa’s file. It was my signal to get back to work on Grey’s, as well.

  I flipped through a few more pages, skimming Grey’s history. He’d come into his powers late, somewhere around age thirty-four, and he hadn’t budged in the centuries since. After learning of his true nature, he’d clearly been unhappy.

  At least, that’s what I gathered from the slew of primitive criminal reports as recorded by the charmed file. Something had happened a few years later, though
the papers didn’t specify what exactly. I imagined it had something to do with the Elderwolves because he cleaned up his act and eventually ascended to his role as a member of their pack.

  There was a lot of interesting information as to how Grey got to that point, but it was in the past, and I needed to focus on the present. I flipped further through, searching for the reason Grey had been selected as the fourth file. Supposedly, there was a desperate plight just waiting to break him, and if Willa’s file were any indication of what I’d find, the answer should be waiting in the sheaf of papers I held.

  Getting impatient, I skimmed faster, began flipping through pages and pages of Grey’s life and accomplishments. It was overwhelming to learn all he’d done and been, especially since he hadn’t shared much of the information with me himself. It felt voyeuristic to read about the private parts of his life without him knowing it.

  “You have to continue,” Matthew said when I hesitated, as if reading my mind. “You’ll speak with him soon enough. I promise.”

  Without a word, I flipped to the end and thumbed backward until I found it. The more recent updates. I read and read and read, unaware that Matthew had pushed Willa’s file aside and just watched me. When I finished, I looked up, my lips parted in shock.

  “What is this garbage?” I tossed the file to the side. “Do we even know if this is an actual prophecy? It’s stupid. Ruining people’s lives.”

  “No,” Matthew said. “It’s hard to understand why things need to be this way, but they do.”

  I pushed myself to my feet. “You’re telling me Willa’s mother needed to be on the verge of death in order for Willa to find the strength to come into her powers? That’s crap. And Grey?”

  I threw my hands up and paced around the room. Matthew waited in silence.

  “Grey’s desperate plight is that he’s falling in love with me, but I’m going to break his heart?” I turned to Matthew, a burn creeping up my cheeks. “That’s stupid. I’m sorry.”

  “Is it?” Matthew asked quietly. “I love you, Danielle. There was a time I couldn’t have you—my fault, but still—and it very nearly killed me. I understand why, and how, Grey might fall in love with you. And if you don’t choose him...”