by Trina M. Lee
Exchanging a look of uncertainty with Shaz, I reached for the door and pushed it open. I was surprised to find it unlocked after dark.
It blew my mind to think that there was an angel here with us, unseen yet very much present. Somehow, it was also reassuring, despite my unease, which grew with every step.
I paused in the entryway, letting my gaze sweep over the impressive ceiling. It was like a giant dome, covered with paintings. Candles burned on the altar at the front. I saw no one, but I felt the human presence within.
“Hello?” I called out. My voice echoed in the silence. “Father Andrew?”
A moment later he emerged from a back room. He wore an expression of disbelief. “Welcome,” he said, spreading his hands in an open gesture that matched his greeting. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Alexa. What can I do for you?”
“Honestly, Father, I don’t have a clue.” I made my way down the aisle between the pews with Shaz at my side. “I’m looking for the scroll. The one Shya seeks. I need to find it first.”
With his grey hair brushed neatly into place and brown eyes shining with an inner joy I couldn’t fathom, Father Andrew reached to shake each of our hands in turn. I couldn’t help but look for the dragon he bore despite it being hidden by the long sleeves of his shirt.
“You certainly do, my dear,” he agreed. “I wish I could point you in the right direction. I do not know where the scroll is nor do I wish to. But I will help you in any way I can.”
Shaz gazed around the vast interior, and I could almost see what he was thinking. If the scroll wasn’t here, then what was the church’s angel protecting?
“Shya’s running out of time to find it,” I explained. “He’s resorted to desperate attempts. I’m afraid of what he might do.”
“It’s been several months since he’s paid me a visit. Not that I mind of course. I long for the day his reign of terror is over.” Father Andrew began to put out the candles using an elaborately decorated candlesnuffer. “I can make some calls, reach out to my fellow brethren, those I know are still trustworthy.”
The scent of candles tickled my nose. I held back a sneeze. “That means a lot to me. Thank you.”
“I wish there was more I could do.” Father Andrew paused, then added as if it were an afterthought, “Your vampire friend came by not so long ago. He said he was the one you took the demon mark for. I can’t imagine what would make a Hound of God willing to pay the price for a vampire, but whatever it is, it must be special.”
Awkward. I suddenly couldn’t bring myself to meet Shaz’s gaze. I cleared my throat and managed to squeak out, “Nobody deserves to be marked by Shya.”
Before I could change the subject, there was a loud bang, as if something had hit the front door. Hard. The sound of angry muffled voices was audible.
I was off and running through the church to throw open the door. Willow was on the front step, and he wasn’t alone. Brook stood there smirking, his black wings flared wide. So one of Shya’s demons had found us already. Fantastic.
Brook’s black gaze landed on me and a devilish smile crossed his face. He watched me emerge from the church with open satisfaction.
“Well isn’t this interesting?” He taunted. “Shya is going to be thrilled to hear I found you here.”
“So you were looking for me?” I challenged, striding right up to face him head on.
The demon stared down at me, trying to intimidate me with his size and wings. It didn’t work. Nobody could be more intimidating than Shya. At least, nobody I had met so far.
“Aren’t there other places you should be?” Brook sneered. “Like your bordello of blood, for instance.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s my God given right to attend church any time I damn well please,” I hissed, emphasizing God so that the demon flinched. “Care to join me?” I waited for a snide remark but received only a deathly glare. “Where’s Falon? He’s much more entertaining while being a major pain in my ass.”
“It would be wise of you to remember that we can watch you unseen, wolf. Even if you get your hands on the scroll, we’ll be watching. Be warned.” Brook followed his threat with a flap of wings and a burst of power that threw me off my feet.
The impact of my ass against the ground rattled my teeth, but I was otherwise unhurt. Still, it didn’t stop Willow from launching himself at the demon. There was a boom of sound, like thunder, and the two of them tumbled down the steps to the sidewalk below.
This wasn’t the first time Willow had gotten violent with Brook. I wasn’t sure if they had personal history or if the demon was just an easy target for Willow’s inner pain and rage. Shaz pulled me up, and we watched the two immortals trade blows. They didn’t hold back, unleashing assaults on one another that would have destroyed any one of us mortals.
I cringed, feeling like a helpless spectator. They could beat each other bloody repeatedly, and it wouldn’t accomplish a damn thing. Shouting their names seemed only to encourage them.
Father Andrew appeared outside, his face twisted in an expression of utter disbelief. “What’s going on?”
Brook immediately forgot Willow. His attention turned to the priest, and he aimed his attack precisely. Without thought, I threw myself at Father Andrew, knocking him down and taking the demon’s blast myself.
It tore a cry from me. I was on the ground, curled into the fetal position, whimpering and wailing. It felt like fire washed over me, through me, and all around. The burning sensation was beyond agonizing. Tears streamed from my eyes, scarlet fountains that exposed the darkness inside me. I gasped for breath, finding each lungful took great effort.
Shaz sprang into action. He shoved the priest back inside the church, shouting at him to stay within the consecrated walls. Then he placed himself between Brook and me, but it was unnecessary. Brook had backed off the moment he saw me take the hit meant for the priest.
All at once the pain subsided. I lay there trembling and gasping.
“Did Shya’s instructions include wounding his sacrificial wolf?” Willow shouted.
Brook lifted his chin defiantly. “What are you going to do about it?”
The two of them glared into one another once again. I shook my head and stood up slowly, waving off Shaz’s offered hand. I couldn’t afford to look weak in any way in front of Brook.
“No more of this,” I said, raising my voice to be heard.
Before I could spit out the nasty threat brewing on the tip of my tongue, Falon appeared and ruined it. He stepped between the two immortals and shoved them apart. Spreading his silver wings wide, he used them to keep Brook and Willow at a safe distance.
“Father Andrew,” Falon gushed at the priest lingering in the doorway as if they were old friends. “How nice to see you again. I apologize for the disturbance.”
Father Andrew said nothing. He merely stared in stony silence at the asshole angel. There was definitely some history there. Couldn’t say I blamed the priest for his reaction, or lack thereof.
Falon turned his attention to Brook. “Shya would like a word with you. Better hurry. He’s not in a good mood.” To Willow he said, “Settle down, guardian. Nobody is going to harm your precious Hound. Yet.”
“Why am I starting to feel like I can’t go anywhere or do anything without having one of you foul things tailing me?” I asked, leaning on Shaz while I regained my bearings.
“Because you can’t,” Falon said with a twitch of his lips that looked more like a grimace than a smile.
Brook disappeared in a cloud of sulfur. One down. One to go. It wasn’t looking promising.
“Are you going to follow me everywhere all night?” I was exasperated with Shya and his lackeys. Part of me was ready for this to all go down and be over with.
“Of course not. How pathetically boring would that be?” Falon made a face of disgust. “You know there are others you could be stuck with other than me or Brook.”
I sighed and said with a sarcastic drawl, “Oh, Falon, don’t get
my hopes up like that.”
After uttering an apology to Father Andrew, I marched back to the car. We left Falon standing there, glaring after us. When I glanced back, he was gone.
I burned with a raging hot fury. Shya thought he could have his demons stalk me as I searched for the scroll too. Screw that. Having Shya put an end to my hunt for the scroll as soon as it began was not an option.
* * * *
I was reluctant to bring my search to an end. But a sudden surge of strength and a shiver down my spine told me that my dark vampire was almost home. When Arys touched my mind to tell me he had just landed at the airport, I was relieved and unsurprised. He wanted to meet at The Wicked Kiss. The search would have to wait.
It had only been a few days, but I couldn’t wait to lay eyes on Arys. During the drive back to the club, the familiar flutter of butterfly wings beat a steady rhythm in my stomach. I felt like a lovesick teenager. How ridiculous.
In the parking lot of The Wicked Kiss, I fussed with my makeup before heading inside. Shaz followed Willow in, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
Pulling my fingers through my hair, I stared at my reflection in the visor mirror. I thought about Doghead. It was important to form an alliance with Dayne and his wolves though I couldn’t blame him for wanting nothing to do with me or the vampires tied to me. Maybe it was better for the wolves to stay in their own little world.
I glanced at the front door of the club where a queue of people waited to get in. Shaz didn’t belong in there with the vampires. He belonged at Doghead. He just didn’t know it yet.
I headed inside, breathing a sigh of relief at the absence of Kale’s Camaro. Avoiding me was probably best for both of us right now. Willow was right. Kale and I did need to talk, but it would have to wait until we could be rational. That could be a long time.
I bypassed the line and strode inside. Arys wasn’t there yet. That gave me a few minutes to consider my next plan of action. Shya had been searching for the scroll for years. I had a lot of catching up to do.
Willow and Shaz were at the bar. I joined them, slipping behind the bar with Josh, the bartender, to help myself to a glass of whiskey. Every time I sipped the deep gold nectar, I was reminded that my time to enjoy my favorite human vice was running out. My enjoyment of the drink was marred by thoughts of Falon who had happily pointed out my impending doom.
“What do you think, Alexa?” Shaz asked, startling me out of my thoughts.
“Sorry, what?” I flashed him an apologetic smile. “I’m just a little distracted. What were you saying?”
“Tomorrow before sundown. We should get an early start on the rest of the churches on our list.”
I nodded. “We might have to split up so we can cover more ground. We’ll need more people too.”
Willow eyed me thoughtfully. “If Shya tracks anyone, it’ll be you, through his mark. You need to find a way to use that against him. Lead him away from where you’re really searching. Send someone else to those places.”
“Good call,” I said, savoring the whiskey burn as it slid down my throat. “What would I do without you, Willow?”
He nodded and squeezed out a tight smile. “One can only imagine.”
The two of them chattered on about the scroll, discussing possible locations. Shaz was certain we had to think bigger, outside the obvious. A cramp in my brain made it hard to follow. There was just so much to consider.
I scanned the club, admiring the recent renovations and changes. One of the few local bands that were brave enough to play here rocked the new stage. People clustered around the stage and spilled over onto the dance floor. Humans partied their asses off while vampires moved among them.
The activity at The Wicked Kiss had always been excessive, but these days it was especially wild. Patrons were pushing the boundaries, breaking the rules. As I watched a couple dry humping on the dance floor, I shook my head and sighed. I still didn’t know what went on there while I’d been away in Vegas, but I was pretty sure Kale had hosted one hell of a party.
Before I could ponder ways to find out, a cool breeze flowed through me, and Arys walked in. In jeans and a t-shirt with that sexy black mess of hair, he made the world stop for just a second as all I saw was him. My heart stuttered, and my breath caught. Then I flew into action and dodged people as I tried to get to him.
Arys grabbed me in a hug that lifted me off my feet. A spark of light lit up the space around us as our power collided. Being in his arms, I felt safe and strong. How had I missed him so badly in just a few days?
When my feet touched the floor again, Arys tipped me back and planted one hell of a kiss on me. His lips moved on mine, commanding and passionate. Several sets of eyes were upon us, but I didn’t care. Damn I had missed him. I melted into his kiss. It was the perfect greeting, ruined only by the sarcastic observation that drew me out of the moment.
“And you say that I’m too dramatic for my own good,” said a familiar voice. “Really, Arys, you live for drama.”
I looked up to find Jenner standing there, watching us with absolute disdain. Average height and build, arms covered in tattoos, Jenner was a looker for sure. He was also one of my biggest haters and Arys’s brother through a shared sire. I hadn’t anticipated seeing him so soon after what had gone down between us in Vegas.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I blurted. “Don’t you have a city to protect?”
Jenner had taken over Las Vegas after the death of his sire, the previous ruler of the city. Arys had gone there with every intention of taking over, and to some extent we had. Leaving Jenner in charge in our absence had been our only choice. He hadn’t been too happy with the rules we’d made for him.
“I came to help. But hey, if I’m not welcome, I’ll happily grab a flight home.” Jenner’s ice-blue eyes flashed with annoyance. He pinned Arys with a fierce glare. “I told you she wouldn’t want me here.”
“Help?” I gaped at Jenner, then Arys. “Are you kidding me?”
“Alexa, you can’t afford to be picky. Jenner has power and the willingness to show loyalty to his bloodline. I’m sure you can find a way to make him feel welcome.” Arys’s deep-blue gaze sparkled with unspoken amusement. He seemed to be enjoying my surprise.
“How do we know we can trust him?” I cast a glance back at the bar where Willow and Shaz watched us with thinly veiled interest.
“You don’t,” Jenner said, moving in closer so he could really peer into my eyes. “You may not know it yet, but you need me. So I’ll pretend you didn’t greet me with such contempt and give you the chance to try again.”
Crossing my arms over my chest, I plastered a blank expression on my face. My tone was dull, forced, and as fake as my words. “Oh, Jenner, thank you for coming all this way to help out little old me. I can’t imagine what I would do without your giving nature to help me through this difficult time.”
“That’s more like it.” Jenner shoved past me, knocking me aside with his shoulder.
Power flared between us as the link we’d formed surfaced. It brought a scowl and a scoff from Jenner who quickly vacated my personal space. He walked through the room, scrutinizing everything before finally pausing at the bar to speak to Shaz. I watched him with growing suspicion.
“So what did you promise Jenner to get him to come?” I asked, flashing Arys a warning look. “And more importantly, why exactly do you feel it’s necessary for him to be here?”
“I promised him we would owe him a favor. We need him, Alexa. When everything goes down with Shya, a guy like Jenner can be vital. He’s our blood. He will strengthen us.” He pulled me close for another kiss. Knowing how to get a reaction out of me, he nibbled my lower lip. “Just try to play nice with Jenner until this all blows over. Well…not too nice, of course.”
I sighed, enjoying his teasing kisses. Then I gently pushed him back so I could search his intense gaze. “Arys, this isn’t going to blow over. Not until I’m dead.”
“Don’t talk like that.
”
“It’s true. You saw it yourself. Don’t get all soft on me now. I don’t think you need Jenner’s help to kill me.” Putting up a tough front was the only way I could discuss it with him. Sometimes I thought I was ready to just get it all over with. Other times just the thought was enough to send me into a panic attack.
Arys winced as if I’d sliced him with the Dragon Claw rather than just words. “Don’t talk like that,” he hissed with a viciousness that scared me. “You’re not the only one living in fear of that moment. We are in this together. Trust me when I say we need Jenner here right now.” He paused to scan the room. “This isn’t the right place to talk about it.”
I stared stonily at him, feeling successfully rebuked. It wasn’t fair of me to take my worries out on him. “I’m sorry. I know this isn’t going to be easy on you either.”
All the talk of Shya and the scroll in recent weeks had resulted in either strained silence, violent arguments, or wild sex. Anything to keep from acknowledging the inevitable: my death was coming. No matter what role Shya played in that, Arys would be the one to kill me. He had seen it in a vision shown to him by a witch. But I had felt it deep within me long before I knew that. What made it hardest was that Arys wanted it. He desired my death. And he would have it.
He kissed me again, on the lips and then the forehead. He lingered, breathing in my scent. I held tight to him, allowing myself a brief moment of helpless clinging.
“I missed you,” he murmured, stroking a hand through my hair.
“I missed you more.” I smiled, reveling in the comfort I found in his presence. “But do me a favor? Get Jenner out of my club.”
Arys followed my gaze to where Jenner stood by the bar, eyeing up the women on the dance floor. “Why? I thought he could stay here in Harley’s old room.”
“No way,” I said before I could stop myself. “I don’t want him lurking around here making everyone uncomfortable.”
“Or you don’t want him here where Sinclair will run into him.” Arys nodded knowingly, a frown creasing his brow.
