Paranormal Magic (Shades of Prey Book 1)

by Margo Bond Collins

  He wanted to tell her that if they kept running, and if she kept fighting, things would be all right. But she had dark bags under her eyes, and Huck could see the weight of the past month on her shoulders. She deserved better than this. Bradley loved her without reservation and would follow her to the ends of the earth.

  Huck knew she needed rest. He had the sudden urge to wrap an arm about her shoulders. But no, he decided, that would be weird, and he was way in over his head with things he didn’t understand. So he swallowed down the words he wanted to say, turned the car on, and drove out of the parking lot.

  They had a little over an hour to go.

  The sun was sitting lazily on the horizon, irritatingly cheerful despite their shitty night. Bradley started playing a road trip game with them, and eventually nodded off to sleep in his seat, oblivious to the world.

  Annie looked like she could fall asleep at any point, yet she somehow kept her eyes open out of the fear that Huck would be so tired that he’d accidentally run them off the road. He noticed that her swollen eye had miraculously healed. She looked completely fine.

  That was when he realized how strong she actually was—she might seem timid and reserved, but that was born out of her place in her werewolf society. She was stepping out of her shell to protect Bradley. She was one of the strongest people he had ever met. Always had been.

  “So, how have the past twelve years been for you?” she finally asked, irony filling her voice. She kept her eyes trained on the road as he tried glancing over at her.

  Huck wished he could see her full expression. He laughed, despite himself.

  “Well,” he started, “after you disappeared, Jim beat me up a hell of a lot.”

  Annie started laughing, a genuine, full laughter. Huck had forgotten how she used to laugh. It was nice, something he could listen to for a long time.

  “Ah, that asshole,” she murmured. “Whatever happened to him?”

  “He’s in prison. Decided to become a meth dealer.”

  Her face fell, and Huck momentarily regretted telling her the truth.

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “Don’t. It’s his choice. After you disappeared, all the guys split up, and I was a loner. So, I picked up the guitar. Started playing twenty-four-seven. Got kind of good. I graduated high school and studied guitar at Florida State. Although I’d always been a singer.” He gave a self-conscious laugh. “I dropped out though when I was ‘discovered’ and brought to Austin to get teamed up with a band called Half-Brained. Including Mark.” He sighed and put his chin in his hand. “Fuck me. You’d think for how long it’s been, I’d have made it by now.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip before she spoke. “I listened to you, you know,” she said. “After I found your poster. Your music is very good.” She gave him a warm smile. “You’ve got at least one fan.”

  He glanced over at her. “The music’s okay. A bit unrefined.”

  “Seriously. I enjoyed it. It kept me awake when Bradley and I were driving late at night.”

  Huck laughed out loud at her comment. Yeah, it was pretty loud music. He reached over and turned on the CD player, flicking through the tracks to a slower, more melodic song that he had written late one night after waking up from a bad dream. To his surprise after a few chords, Annie started to softly hum along to his voice. He had been around “fans” before, had even slept with a few of the hotter ones. Had any of them actually paid attention to his lyrics?

  “I’m missing you, your face, your smile

  Your love’s the only thing

  That made life worth while

  Can’t you hear my soul scream?

  Over and over again

  In our lives of broken dreams?”

  He sounded like he was really trying to melt into the microphone, his voice cracking with emotion like a boy going through puberty. Listening to himself was always embarrassing.

  “See?” she said. “Not bad at all.”

  Huck had the overwhelming urge to put his hand on her lap. He had even lifted his hand to do it, but he clenched his fist and lowered it back onto his own leg. His knee started bouncing up and down, something he did when he was nervous.

  They continued driving, with Annie singing along to the lyrics. Huck couldn’t concentrate on anything else other than her lovely voice.

  I’ve missed you, he wanted to say.

  How many happy memories had they missed, being apart all these years? He’d had a crush on her when they were twelve, maybe even earlier. That was why he had kissed her that day. And if she hadn’t left, would they have continued from there? Would they have gone further? Dated? Possibly even married?

  Marriage was honestly something he hadn’t considered ever before. Sure, as a singer in a band, he’d had girls fawning all over him, but he had never been serious about them. He’d never wanted to get close to anyone after Annie left so abruptly.

  And here Annie was, like a blast from the past, stirring up those feelings. He rubbed his eyes. He felt hollow and dead inside. Desoto couldn’t come soon enough. He needed time to sit and sort out what was happening to him.

  Then, the turn off came up and he took it, following the directions from the GPS on his phone. Pretty soon, he’d leave them in the apparently capable hands of this Carmichael fellow and go back to his rockstar life. The idea made him sad suddenly.

  They pulled off the highway and headed towards the orange Hooters building. The parking lot was empty. Annie shifted in her seat. She looked uncomfortable at the sight of the barren patch of concrete.

  “Roll the windows down,” she commanded. “Just enough for me to smell what’s out there.”

  So she can smell things like a bloodhound? He was reminded of how weird this all was. He complied, although he didn’t know how much “just enough” was. Annie turned around and gently shook Bradley awake. The kid jumped at her touch, as if waking from a nightmare.

  “Hey, dude,” she gently told him. “We’re here.”

  “We’re meeting the nice guys?” he asked. His baby blue eyes were tired and confused, but the kid was all business.

  “Yep,” Annie said.

  Then the door to the passenger side of the cab was torn open and a monstrous arm grabbed Annie, throwing her into the parking lot.

  CHAPTER 6

  David and Julia had masked themselves with some sort of powerful room sanitizer. They must have bathed in it because Annie couldn’t smell them, even as David threw her from the truck. Annie wasn’t surprised by the turn of events—it wasn’t the first time she had been ripped from a truck in broad daylight.

  They really wanted Bradley. And over her dead body.

  She turned into her werewolf self, ignoring the nagging thought that this was her last change of clothes and she’d be naked from here on out with Huck and Bradley to gawk at her along with the rest of the world. She’d worry about that later.

  If there was a “later.”

  She landed on all fours, skidding to a halt on the concrete. She was facing the large gray hulk of David, who was snarling at her.

  Lookee here, David taunted her. A coward who never finishes her fights.

  Annie’s heart was pounding in her ears. How did you find us? she asked him.

  Poor little Annie. Don’t know who to trust.

  She growled and launched herself at him. There really was no way she’d be able to win—he was way too big and too fast for her. But, she had to try for Bradley’s sake, and for Huck as well.

  It was a brutal fight. For every blow she landed on the big monster, he’d land five, greatly outmatching her in speed and strength. Her wounds that had only just finished healing reopened, accompanied by more. Did they have an escape plan from here? Would they be able to get out?

  Somehow, she managed to wrangle David off of her, and they separated for a moment. Her shoulder was stinging where he had clawed her and she couldn’t see out of her left eye from the blood that kept pouring over it from a cut on her forehead
. She struggled to catch her breath.

  Do you concede, Gamma? David asked. Are you ready to admit defeat?

  No, Annie told him. The only way she’d admit defeat is if she died. Which was probably going to happen soon.

  Where’s Julia? she asked David, panic rising in her stomach.

  The Beta laughed.

  WHERE’S JULIA?! Annie cried.

  It didn’t usually take this long for that female wolf to show her hairy face. Wherever David was, his mate wasn’t far behind. Julia specialized in attacking while her mate distracted their enemy. Annie couldn’t keep an eye on David and look at the truck. But wasn’t the cargo in the truck more precious than she was?

  David eyed her. She’s going to take care of your little problem, Annie. You won’t have to worry about taking care of Bradley for much longer.

  NO! Annie screamed. She ran towards David with renewed vigor.

  A gunshot rang out, halting her in her tracks. She chanced a glance back from where it came from. Huck was standing in front of the truck, his feet shoulder-width apart, a handgun aimed directly at the beast that was David.

  He fired another two shots.

  The bullets hit David square in the torso. They were two shots that would have killed a human, but as they weren’t silver, they would only serve to piss off the bigger wolf. Huck wouldn’t know that. David swelled with fury.

  He’s tenacious, David admitted with a menacing laugh. But he’s only human.

  Too late, Annie saw the bulk of a black wolf appear behind Huck and seize his shoulder in her teeth. The gun fell from his hands as he sank to his knees. The black wolf reared her head, tearing skin, muscle and sinew from his shoulder. Blood was everywhere, staining the concrete. Suddenly, Annie didn’t care about David. She just wanted Julia away from Huck. He was never supposed to be a part of this world. And now...

  Now her world was going to kill him.

  Annie raced towards the black wolf, determined to make Julia pay. She hoped that Bradley was where he couldn’t see her tear apart another wolf. In the world of werewolves, it was wolf-eat-wolf. And Annie was going to remind Julia of that.

  She growled and swiped at Julia, clipping her in the jaw. It got Julia’s attention.

  Awww, the little ginger wants to play, Julia said to her mate.

  David let out a low, rumbling laugh. Go ahead, he told her. Play with her.

  Annie didn’t care if they were taunting her or going to really kill her. Just so long as she made them pay. To Annie’s surprise, David wasn’t trying to advance towards the truck where Bradley remained. They were so sure in their success, they were enjoying seeing Annie fight.

  Suddenly, Annie leapt on top of the black wolf, pinning her to the concrete and grabbing her by the throat. Julia cried out to her mate. David roared and took off towards the pair.

  This is it, Annie thought. This is when I fail them all.

  The killing blow never happened. A huge gray wolf, far quicker than David, intercepted the peppered gray wolf in the air, throwing him to the side. David yelped as the Alpha snarled a challenge at him.

  Annie looked down at Julia. She could rip out the female’s throat right now and be done with her. Then she wouldn’t have to worry about dealing with her ever again. But Annie wasn’t a ruthless psychopath like David or Julia. She didn’t relish bathing in her opponent’s blood. And what’s more, she had to show Bradley that despite all of the violence, she could still show compassion for those who didn’t deserve it. Even after a month of being on the run and being scared, she couldn’t bring herself to kill Julia.

  Do you concede? she asked the black wolf. Do you admit that I win?

  The other wolf’s eyes were rolling back into her head, showing the whites. She nodded, barely, but it was enough.

  Annie released her throat and stepped back. She had actually never won a fight before, as she had always been comfortable in her born role as a Gamma. She didn’t care to celebrate though. Julia was just subdued for now.

  And Annie had far bigger things to worry about.

  She transformed back into a human and ran to Huck’s side. He was pale from blood loss and the wreck that was his shoulder nearly made her sick with fear for him.

  “Huck!” she cried. She tried pressing a hand to his ruined shoulder. The bleeding wouldn’t stop.

  He managed a chuckle and spat up blood. His breathing was so labored and shallow, he seemed that he was fading from her then. “Finally...get to see you...naked,” he managed, giving her a wide grin. Then he sighed and passed out.

  She screamed his name, trying to wake him up.

  “Y’all should really learn th’ art of stretchy shorts ‘r somethin’,” an older man’s voice said.

  Annie managed to tear her eyes away from Huck and saw a big man in his fifties crouch down next to her. He was wearing a pair of black spandex shorts, reminding her somewhat of the Incredible Hulk. Underneath a hefty beer gut his body rippled with muscles and tattoos.

  “Carmichael Hoffman?” Annie asked in disbelief. This was the leader of the Dallas pack? Now she had seen everything.

  He gave her a grin. “At yer service,” he said, tipping an imaginary hat.

  Protocol went out the window with this guy. Because Annie was in his territory, she should be bowing to him or something. Yet she was dumbfounded.

  “Let’s see what’s wrong wit’ yer boyfriend,” he said peering down at Huck.

  “He’s not my boyfriend,” Annie said, the words slipping out before she could stop them.

  Carmichael snorted derisively. “If he’s not yer boyfriend, then this guy just risked his life fer a friend? Doubt it.”

  Annie was about to protest further. What was Huck to her? Furthermore, why should it matter now? They had to do something to save his life.

  “Annie?” Bradley asked.

  “Stay in the truck,” Annie commanded, waving him back to the cab.

  “Ah, he’s fine—it’s Annie, innit?” Carmichael said. “Th’ danger’s passed. Ya did well.” He nodded over his shoulder. “We just need t’ figure out what t’ do wit’ these two.”

  Annie turned her attention across the parking lot where five Cadillac Escalades were parked. David and Julia had both transformed back into their human forms, their hands and feet bound by silver chains. Some other wolves were standing idly next to them, keeping watch. Both were battered and scratched, and Julia’s neck still showed Annie’s bite marks. She wouldn’t look at any one, ashamed that she had lost to a Gamma.

  David, however was glaring at them with pure rage. “It’s my right to challenge the boy, Carmichael!” he yelled. “You can’t stop me from what’s rightfully mine.”

  Carmichael nonchalantly waved his hand. “Not while yer on my territory, boy,” he growled. “Take ‘em away. We’ll deal wit’ ‘em later. Now,” he added, with a grin. “Let’s get y’all cleaned up. And get ya some clothes.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Although it was probably rude, Annie refused to leave Huck’s side, even when Gemma, Mark and Adam arrived with reinforcements. She couldn’t bear to tear herself away from him while he was unconscious and could die at any moment.

  They had repaired his shoulder as best as they could and relocated him to a suite in the mansion that served as the pack’s headquarters. Now it was up to Huck to decide whether to pull through or not. If he woke up, however, he’d now be part of the werewolf world forever. Of course, being a werewolf would be preferable to death. But he wouldn’t have been in this mess if Annie hadn’t contacted him.

  Annie shut her eyes. She couldn’t think about it. She wouldn’t blame herself for dragging him into this mess.

  Bradley had stayed with her through all of it. They made small talk. He asked if the whole thing was over. Annie had to smile and say “hopefully.” Unfortunately, her optimism was a lie.

  Bradley eventually fell asleep in her lap. She played with his hair, wondering about the future. The next few days were going to be critical for all
three of them.

  ***

  After some time, there was a slight knock at the door.

  “Go away,” Annie said, her voice hoarse.

  “You’ve been through a battle with two wolves far bigger than you, and you haven’t eaten a single thing yet,” a familiar voice said. “So I’m bringing you dinner. And I won’t take no for an answer.”

  Annie turned her head and saw a petite, elegant woman in her late twenties enter the room with a tray of food. Her shoulder-length brunette hair was pulled back to reveal hazel eyes flecked with brilliant gold. She wore a simple white t-shirt over a pair of jeans. For a moment, Annie was speechless. The woman was stunning. And an Alpha. And she was serving Annie dinner.

  The woman smiled. “Hi, I’m Gemma Branford.”

  “Annie Knowles.”

  “And that must be Bradley.” Gemma nodded to the sleeping boy.

  Annie accepted the proffered tray of food, settling it on the nightstand next to Huck. Even though she didn’t have any appetite, she mechanically started spooning food into her mouth. And after the first three bites, she realized how hungry she was. Transforming always took a lot out of her.

  “How are you holding up?” Gemma asked, sighing as she settled into a chair at the end of the bed. She was careful not to get too close to them, Annie realized. She was giving them their space.

  “I’m really exhausted,” Annie admitted between mouthfuls. “It’s nice just to be able to rest.”

  “I looked up Emily and John’s obituary,” Gemma said. “Have you and Bradley really been on the run for a month?”

  “Yes,” Annie said. She paused, considering her next steps. “Everywhere we went, werewolves wanted to take advantage of his age to become pack leader. He’s not old enough to lead, but it is his rightful place. I’m not going to let anything happen to him until then.”

  “He doesn’t deserve to have anything bad happen to him,” Gemma said. “He’s already been through so much.”

  Annie scoffed. “You can’t possibly know.”

  “Actually, I can,” Gemma said with a wry smile. “My parents were the leaders of the Austin pack. They died when I was twenty-one. There was a while there when Mark and I were asserting our dominance—so many fights and so many friendships broken. It was awful. I tried leaving the pack because of it. And then I got a whole bunch of suitors that wanted to mate with me to become an Alpha. It was terrible.”