by Arthur, Keri
It smashed into his left arm and with such force that my branch shattered. He staggered back for several steps, curses flowing across the night as his arm swung like limp spaghetti from his shoulder.
I raised the remains of the branch and stepped closer—only to see the gun in his right hand.
A gun he was pointing right at me.
He grinned. “This is going to feel so good.”
Something shot out from the darkness to his right. Something that was all silver fur and fury.
Aiden, in wolf form.
He launched at Jack a heartbeat before as the trigger was pulled, and the shot that should have blasted a hole through the middle of my body instead clipped the branch just above my head and sent a rain of bark and leaves falling around me.
The gun went flying. As man and werewolf fell to the ground in a growling, tearing, screaming tangle, I raced across to the gun and picked it up. Magic surged, and I spun around, only to see Aiden torn from Jack and flung against the nearby tree. He slithered to the ground and didn’t immediately move.
Jack, however, was up and running.
I reached for a tripping spell, but before I could either finish it or launch it, Belle stepped out of the darkness and smashed a clenched fist into Jack’s face.
He was out cold long before he hit the ground.
She shook her hand, and then glanced at me with a wide grin. “Told you all the boxing classes would come in handy one day.”
I laughed even though tears stung my eyes. We’d survived. Against all the odds—and a half-breed witch who was probably stronger than either of us—we’d not only won, but had come through relatively unscathed.
I lowered the gun and limped across to Aiden. His form changed as I approached, and he pushed upright, holding on to the tree with one hand. There was a half-healed cut near his right temple, and blood seeping down the side of his face.
His gaze, when it met mine, was slightly unfocused. “Why do you smell of raw meat?”
“Long story. And you’d better sit down before you fall down.”
“I can’t. I need to stop Jack—”
“He’s been stopped.” I grabbed his arm as he somewhat unsteadily launched away from the tree. “You, my dear ranger, are concussed. So sit down and do what you’re told for a change.”
He snorted but nevertheless obeyed. “There’s a case of the pot calling the kettle black if ever I heard one. You were supposed to be headed to my place, not out here chasing down bad guys.”
“And if we’d obeyed, the soul eater would have claimed another victim and our dark witch would have escaped.”
“That is also true.”
I smiled and carefully sat on the ground beside him, my shoulder lightly pressed against his. “Want to lend me your phone? I’ll call in your people, and an ambulance.”
“I’ve already called Tala, and I don’t need—”
“Maybe not, but I’m guessing Jack hasn’t got many teeth left after Belle’s blow.”
“Obviously my fear of her left hook was justified.”
“It was my right, actually,” Belle called out. “And you’ve nothing to fear from me as long as you treat Lizzie right.”
“That I have every intention of doing.” He winced and gingerly rubbed his head. “When this goddamn ache goes away, that is.”
“Well, I do have the keys to your apartment now. There might be no getting rid of me.”
His gaze met mine, and a slow smile spread across his lips. “How do you know that wasn’t my intention in the first place?”
“You offered me a single bed in the second room.”
“Any decent hunter knows you have to lure your prey into a false sense of security before you pounce.”
I patted his knee gently. “I’m afraid pouncing of any kind is off the menu for you until your concussion symptoms are resolved.”
“I’m sure a gentle kiss or two won’t hurt.” He unlocked his phone and then handed it to me. “But do me a favor—next time you decide to run after a bad guy, try not to lose your phone. If we hadn’t already been close enough for me to chase your scent, this might have ended very differently.”
“I know.” I dialed the emergency number and asked for an ambulance. “But I didn’t actually lose it—it was thrown from my hand when Belle saved my ass from a gunshot.”
“A statement that not only emphasizes the need for more caution on future escapades,” he said, his tone dry, “but brings us back to the point that if you’d waited for help, like a normal, sane person, you wouldn’t have been shot at yet again.”
I flashed him a smile. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not a normal, sane person.”
He twined his fingers through mine. “And I can’t say I’m sad about that, even if it sometimes frustrates the hell out of me.”
“Good, but let’s not talk about frustration. Not until we can do something about it, at any rate.”
His soft laugh ended in a wince. “Damn, don’t make me do that.”
“Are you sure you want us to stay with you?” I asked, amused. “Isn’t that like putting a plate of meat in front of a ravenous dog, and asking it not to eat?”
He grinned. “I would never call you a mere plate of meat.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Then what would you call me?”
“A banquet. One I intend to consume slowly, over many hours.”
My pulse leapt at the thought. “I was hoping for days, not mere hours.”
“You have a café to run, remember?” Amusement and desire danced in his bright eyes. “And we do have to sleep sometime.”
I tsked. “It’s a sad state of affairs when a werewolf has so little stamina.”
“That sounded like a challenge. Consider it accepted.”
“Good,” I said. “I look forward to it.”
* * *
The following morning Belle and I headed back to the café. It was a goddamn mess. The explosion and subsequent fire might have been confined the first floor, but there was debris and dust everywhere—even in the most unlikely of places, like the freezer.
With the power out—and unlikely to be restored for a couple of days thanks to the damage done to the meter box in the explosion—we were left with little choice but to throw out or give away anything stored in the fridges. The local gossips caught on to that news with great alacrity, and we had a steady stream of people happily taking cakes and slices off our hands.
Mike, Penny, and Frank all pitched in to help clean up, and by the end of the day, the café was in good shape. At least when the power was restored, we could begin trading straight away.
Once the three of them left, I went upstairs to retrieve the bottle of Glenfiddich whiskey I had stashed for emergency situations—such as bloody dreams of death and destruction, which thankfully didn’t happen all that often—then grabbed two glasses and poured us both a drink.
“Here’s to surviving another dark spirit.”
Belle tapped her glass against mine. “And to learning that we are, indeed, as special as we always thought.”
“To be honest, I’d rather we weren’t.” I downed the whiskey in one gulp. Though it burned all the way down, it didn’t calm the stirring trepidation. “It’s going to cause us grief, Belle. I can feel it.”
“Probably, but like everything else, it’s pointless worrying about it right now.” She paused, and wrinkled her nose. “Ashworth’s approaching.”
I got out another glass, poured him a drink, and slid it toward him as he strode into the room. “Thanks,” he said, surprised. “What are we celebrating?”
“Survival.”
“Amen to that.” He took a drink and then added, “Thought you might like to know that the High Council has called for nominations for the position of reservation witch.”
I frowned. “That sounds like it could take some time, and I’m not sure we can afford it given we have an unprotected and very large wellspring here.”
“Which is why I volunt
eered to remain until the position is filled.”
“Oh, I’m sure the reservation council will be so pleased to hear that,” Belle murmured.
“Positively joyous, I’m sure.” He downed his drink and waved away my offer of a refill. “I did warn you two that I intended to figure out the puzzle you present. This gives me the chance.”
Great. Not.
Better Ashworth than some unknown monkeyface from the council, Belle reasoned.
I somehow managed to avoid choking on my whiskey, and croaked out, “When you do figure us out, be sure to let us know.”
“Oh, I most certainly will.” He gave us both a nod, then spun and headed for the door.
As he left, Aiden walked in.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked. “You’re supposed to be home, resting.”
“I was. I got lonely, and then I got hungry. I figured I’d cure both by picking you up and taking you out to dinner.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are we talking about a date? A proper date?”
“It’s about time, isn’t it?”
“Hell, yeah,” Belle said. “And I just won fifty bucks.”
“So glad we could help boost your bank balance.” Aiden’s voice was dry. He glanced at me; the heat in his eyes had my pulse skipping a beat. “You ready to go?”
“Given I’ve been cleaning all day, and have grime from one end of me to the other, no, I’m not.” I crossed my arms and gave him a mock glare. “Remember that whole conversation we had about giving a girl a little warning?”
“I do, and my reply is much the same.” He held out his hand and wiggled his fingers. “Come along—I have a cab waiting.”
I shook my head but nevertheless placed my hand in his. “Where are we going?”
“There’s an evening jazz concert in the park. I have a blanket, a picnic basket, and champagne waiting—the latter being yours since I’m not allowed alcohol at the moment.” He tugged me close and dropped a kiss on my lips. “I’d much rather go somewhere secluded, but that’s probably not a good idea given the concussion and the orders not to exert myself.”
“And I do want exertion,” I murmured. “When the time comes.”
“Hopefully, time won’t be the only thing coming.”
I laughed, kissed him, and then stepped back. “Let’s go get some culture.”
“Have fun,” Belle called after us. “Don’t do anything I would do. Not for a couple more days, anyway.”
It was safe to say we didn’t. But fun was nevertheless had.
This wolf not only made me feel more alive than any other man I’d ever met, but also infinitely safer.
And that was dangerous. Very dangerous.
But right now, on a glorious summer night, wrapped in the warmth of his arms as we listened to the mellow strains of jazz, I couldn’t have given a damn.
About the Author
Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than thirty-nine novels. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won RT’s Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives with her daughter and very old Sheltie in Melbourne, Australia.
for more information:
www.keriarthur.com
[email protected]
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Also by Keri Arthur
in series order
Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace Series, 1)
City of Light (Outcast Series, 1)
Winter Halo (Outcast Series, 2)
The Black Tide (Outcast Series, 3)
Fireborn (Souls of Fire Series, 1)
Wicked Embers (Souls of Fire Series, 2)
Flameout (Souls of Fire Series, 3)
Ashes Reborn (Souls of Fire Series, 4)
Darkness Unbound (Dark Angels Series, 1)
Darkness Rising (Dark Angels Series, 2)
Darkness Devours (Dark Angels Series, 3)
Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels Series, 4)
Darkness Unmasked (Dark Angels Series, 5)
Darkness Splintered (Dark Angels Series, 6)
Darkness Falls (Dark Angels Series, 7)
Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Series, 1)
Kissing Sin (Riley Jenson Series, book 2)
Tempting Evil (Riley Jenson Series, 3)
Dangerous Games (Riley Jenson Series, 4)
Embraced by Darkness (Riley Jenson Series, 5)
The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson Series, 6)
Deadly Desire (Riley Jenson Series, 7)
Bound to Shadows (Riley Jenson Series, 8)
Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Series, 9)
With Friends Like These (Stand Alone Novel)
Destiny Kills (Myth & Magic Series, 1)
Mercy Burns (Myth & Magic Series, 2)
Circle of Fire (Damask Circle Series, 1)
Circle of Death (Damask Circle Series, 2)
Circle of Desire (Damask Circle Series, 3)
Beneath a Rising Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 1)
Beneath a Darkening Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 2)
Memory Zero (Spook Squad Series, 1)
Generation 18 (Spook Squad Series, 2)
Penumbra (Spook Squad Series, 3)
Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael Series, 1)
Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael Series, 2)
Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael Series, 3)
Kiss the Night Goodbye (Nikki & Michael series, 4)
Lifemate Connections: Eryn (Novella)
