“Understood,” they all agree at once.
“My name is Josiah Akecheta.” The pack leader extends his hand and I take it.
“Obviously, you already know me,” I tell him. “This is Elijah Hawthorne.”
Josiah releases my hand and turns his full focus to Elijah. “Yes, I’ve heard quite a bit about you from the Immortal Council over the years and none of it good.”
Elijah grins. “If it was good, I’d be doing something wrong.”
Josiah laughs and shakes his head. “Spoken like a true renegade. I am pleased to meet you, Elijah.”
“You too.” To my surprise, Elijah relaxes beside me.
“Here’s coffee,” Jane says, arriving at the table with a tray holding five white coffee mugs and a stainless-steel carafe. “Let me know if you guys need anything else. I have some spaghetti to devour.”
“Thanks, Jane,” I say.
More murmurs of thanks follow as I start pouring coffee for everyone. As soon as Jane is out of earshot, I clear my throat. “Captain Reynolds said you had some information for me.”
“I do. I’m afraid I don’t come bearing the best news, but it’s all things I believe you need to know.”
“Then let’s hear it.”
He sighs. “I can tell you that there have been quite a few promises of fortune sent out by someone who wants your head.”
Beside me, Elijah growls low and deep in his throat. Josiah studies him curiously, head cocked to the side.
“I already knew that.” I cross both arms and lean back in my chair. “They’ve tried to kill me multiple times already.”
He nods. “Paloma told me about that on the way here. I’m afraid it’s not going to stop any time soon. Someone high in the ranks of the council wants you dead, and a couple of days ago, they told us the situation was dire. That it was kill or be killed.”
I glance over at Elijah. It can’t be a coincidence that a bunch of shifters and a witch die at our hands within days of them making an order like that.
“I thought it was strange, especially as they’re making it sound like you’re slaughtering any supernaturals you cross paths with, and I’ve only ever known your recent line to go after those killing innocents.”
I straighten in my chair. “You’ve known other Astors?”
He smiles, his soft brown eyes kind. “Oh yes, I’ve known the head of your family for the past three centuries.”
“What do you mean?”
“I try to make it a point to introduce myself, let them know there will be no trouble from my pack. Keep the peace, so to speak.”
“Did you know my parents?”
He nods. “Your grandmother as well. I met her when she came to town the day you were born. They were such good people.” His eyes mist. “And…” he says, meeting my gaze directly.
“You knew Delaney too,” I whisper, knowing what he was going to say before he’s said it. “And you knew she wasn’t my sister.”
“Your cousin was a kind soul, she deserved better than what was done to her.”
“Do you know who killed her?”
He sighs. “I have my suspicions.”
My heart thuds. He might have answers, I might finally be able to get vengeance for her death. “Who?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it,” Elijah warns.
Josiah looks from him to me. “I believe it was a witch by the name of Lucy McClough who ordered it.”
The coffee mug shatters in my hand, but no one at the table moves, not a single one of them surprised by my outburst. I grab a cloth and start wiping up the coffee, and beside me, Elijah stiffens, his body going from mildly lax to completely rigid instantly.
When I look down, I see why. Blood soaks the cloth, the porcelain mug having sliced my palm open. “Shit, I’m sorry. I’ll be right back.” I get up and hurry toward the back as Jane steps out.
“Oh crap! Come on, I have a first aid kit back here.” I follow her into the back and wait while she retrieves the red kit from beneath the sink.
“I’ll take care of it in the bathroom.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, I grip the kit with my good hand and step back out into the dining room. Elijah is watching me, nostrils flared as he inhales the scent of my blood. His eyes are nearly solid black, but the ring of blue around the edges gives me hope. Here’s hoping he can contain himself. The last thing I need is to have to explain to Jane why my boyfriend lost his shit and destroyed the inside of her shop.
I wash and wrap the wound quickly, finally taking a moment to breathe deeply. Lucy McClough. I haven’t heard her name in years, but I know it—and her—well. She’d been to every one of my birthday parties spent in Salem, every one of Delaney’s. She watched us grow up until the falling out she had with my grandmother after my parents died.
My vision blurs, rage taking root in my heart as I repeat it over and over again.
Lucy McClough killed my sister. She may not have been the one to pull the trigger, but if what Josiah is saying is true—she might as well have been holding the gun.
Glancing up at the mirror, I stare at myself as I attempt to slow my racing heart. The attempt only speeds it up though as I realize that something about me is different. Leaning in closer, I focus on my eyes. “What the hell?” A thick ring of black surrounds the caramel color of my irises.
I know there’s been a hell of a lot going on, but there’s no damn way that’s normal. Voices echo in my brain, whispers with a handful of phrases I can understand.
We are you.
You are us.
We are one.
Someone knocks, and I shake my head, attempting to clear the fog.
“Rainey? You okay?” Jane’s feminine voice carries through the wood, so I pull the door open.
“Sorry,” I say with a hesitant smile, my mind still on the physical change. The way I feel? The exhaustion? Even the lapses in time? Those can all be explained, given everything that’s been going on. But a physical change like that?
That’s not something that will be so easily explained.
“Are you okay?” She narrows her gaze on my face. “Your eyes, they’re different now.”
“I’m really tired.” I offer her a smile. “Sorry about your mug.”
“Don’t worry about that.” She brushes it off. “Maybe you need to get some sleep, Rainey. Take a day off.”
“I took an entire week off. I’m fine.”
“I think you need more than a week.”
“Soon,” I promise. “Everyone still in there? Or did I scare them away?”
“They’re still in there,” she confirms.
“Great.” Moving past her, I walk back into the dining room, grateful to see the blood has been cleared and Elijah looks a bit more relaxed, but if the dilation of his pupils is any indication, he’s still fighting the urge.
“You okay?” Captain Reynolds asks as I take my seat.
“I am.” I turn to Josiah and do my best to push the change in my eyes aside for now. “You said you believe it was Lucy McClough who ordered it. Why?”
He studies me curiously. “Do you know her?”
“I do. Which is why I’m having difficulty understanding why she would want my sister dead.”
“Lucy is now the head of the Witch Council. She oversees any and all matters pertaining to them and reports directly to the Immortal Council. She’s quite a powerful enemy.”
“But why? Why would anyone target Delaney?”
“From what I gathered, the Immortal Council was very concerned about a hunter who was stepping into witch business she needed to leave be.”
The Lunar Divide. “You’re on the Immortal Council?”
He shakes his head. “I have my ways of hearing things though. And my money is on that hunter being Delaney. She was always seeking to understand more. I tried to warn her,” he adds sadly. “But she told me she already knew she was not long for this world.”
&nbs
p; “She knew she was going to die,” I say darkly, the fresh grief over that particular shred of knowledge still eating me up inside. My sister knew she was going to die, and I was, apparently, the only one in her circle she didn’t tell.
“It certainly seems that way.”
My throat tightens, and I swallow hard. “Do you know who’s trying to kill me?”
“I would place my bets on it being the same person who wanted your sister dead.”
“Do you think it has anything to do with the Lunar Divide?” I ask quietly.
Josiah narrows his gaze on my face. “I wondered if Delaney told you about that.”
“You knew that she had evidence of witches being murdered?” Elijah asks.
“A horrific practice,” he says, the disgust evident in his voice. “Killing innocent women because of a bunch of superstitions. Delaney wanted to put a stop to it. She was determined to figure out how they find the women and stop whoever was ordering their deaths.”
Probably so she could keep them from killing me. “She never found anything?”
“Not that I know of. But in the last month of her life, Delaney was secretive. I got the faintest impression she knew something but didn’t want to divulge it. Whatever it was, though, I can tell you that it weighed on her…heavily.”
Since I can only guess what it might have been, I move on. “Did you know of her alliance with another hunter?”
“Jack?”
I nod despite the anger surging to the surface over the hunter who lied to me. He told me he was new to town, here because of an increase in activity, and really, he’d been here the whole time. Worse than that? He’d known Delaney. Hell, according to him, he loved her.
“I know Jack. Good man, good hunter.”
“Damn good liar, too,” I add.
At my words, Josiah’s brow lifts. “Liar?”
“Long story. He’s not on my shortlist of favorites at the moment.”
He chuckles. “Well, I can tell you this much. Jack Keller loved Delaney. It was plain as day on his face. And if I had to place my bets on her? I’d say she loved him too, though she was more afraid to take that step than he was.”
Afraid of love? It’s nearly a laughable concept, Delaney was open-hearted, trusting, and fell fast. “The Delaney I knew was always looking for love.”
Josiah’s expression darkens. “I fear Delaney knew for quite some time that she would not survive to see it.”
“Why do you say that?” Elijah demands.
“The evidence is in the words she said, the way she spoke from the moment we met. I always assumed it was natural, given the dangers of her—of your—legacy. Though now I wonder if perhaps she didn’t know and was preparing for it. After all, leaving behind a cousin you considered a sister would be hard enough. To leave behind a man you loved too—”
“How long did you know her?” I interrupt.
“Since the night your parents were killed. Your grandmother introduced us.”
My heart aches. How much did I miss by refusing to be a part of this legacy? How many nights did I push Delaney aside, blow off going to Salem with her, and the whole damn time, she was just trying to make sure I was prepared.
What a selfish bitch I’d been.
“There’s a witch who lives in a neighborhood bordering the national park. Your sister saw her from time to time. I imagine she will have more information for you.”
“What’s her name?” Elijah demands.
“Stella. As far as I know, she only goes by her first name.”
“We know her,” I reply.
“I don’t believe Stella would have had a hand in Delaney’s death. As it stands, she steers clear of everyone. Supernatural and human alike because the pain is overwhelming for her.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s an empath,” Captain Reynolds says. “And a damn powerful seer. I’ve met with her a few times when she’s had information for me—on police matters.”
“Aren’t empaths rare?” I ask, referring to some of the things Delaney taught me after our parents died.
“Extremely. She may well be the last one in existence.”
I glance over at Elijah for confirmation. He nods.
Something crashes in the kitchen, and I glance back as Jane waves through the window. “Sorry!” she calls out.
“I’m still not entirely sure I understand why you’re willing to offer this information up.” Elijah leans back and drapes an arm over the back of my chair.
“I have my reasons for not wanting a war with hunters,” Josiah replies. “That being said, my daughter is being held by the Draco pack, and she will be forcibly married to the eldest son on All Hallows Eve.”
“You’re looking for help?” I ask. If getting answers about my sister means lopping off some shifter heads, I have no problem running that particular rescue mission.
“Unfortunately, no. Rescuing her would be condemning us all to death.”
“Then why tell us?”
“Because the Dracos are one of the packs who want to come after you, and I don’t want Willa caught in the crosshairs. I’m giving you this information so that, should you go up against them, you spare my daughter.”
“I won’t hurt your daughter,” I promise. “And should the opportunity arise, I will do my best to get her away from them.”
He smiles softly. “Then, this information exchange was more than worth the risk.”
“Risk?” Elijah asks.
“We’re in hiding,” Captain Reynolds’ husband says. “Our pack went underground after the Dracos nearly wiped us out the night they stole Willa.”
“Why are you here then?” Elijah questions. “The Dracos are local to this area, so why risk staying?”
“Because if Willa ever manages to escape, I want to be close enough to help her.”
The defeated set of his shoulders tells me everything I need to know about how likely he thinks that particular scenario is. He doesn’t believe she’ll ever escape, but I’m going to make damn sure that as soon as I figure out what’s going on with this Lunar Divide, I set an afternoon aside and march my ass into the Draco estate to free Willa Akecheta.
15
Elijah
The moment we step into the security of the house, I reach for Rainey’s shoulder, turning her to face me. “Your eyes,” I whisper, cupping her face and taking in the midnight ring surrounding the chocolate. I noticed it the second she came back in the dining room, but bringing attention to it in front of people I’m not sure we can trust seemed like a foolish move.
Especially when we have no clue what’s going on with her. The only thing we can agree on is that something has changed since we found that damn box back in Salem. Her blackouts are coming more frequently even if she’s seemingly maintaining more control during.
Fuck, I wish I could just rebury it and be done with it.
“I know. I noticed them in the bathroom back at Jane’s after I broke the mug. I don’t think it was there before.”
“It wasn’t,” I reply tightly.
“How are you? I know my blood—”
“I managed. Though I don’t think I could have if you hadn’t left the room. It took everything in me not to lose it, Rainey. And that scares me.”
“You didn’t lose it though. You kept it under control.”
“Barely. And the only thing that kept me from chasing after you was the one rational thought I had to keep watch over Jane. Leaving your friend in a room with two shifters didn’t seem like a smart move.”
Rainey smiles, though it doesn’t reach her eyes. “And that’s why you are a hero despite what you might think.”
I shake my head and do my best to calm the panic clawing its way up from my chest. “We need to refocus on the box. Tackle one problem at a time. Whatever fucking battle is coming can wait until we figure out what’s going on with you.”
“You think it’s what caused the change in my eyes?”
He nods. “I th
ink whatever is causing your blackouts is linked to it as well.”
“But I’ve been having them off and on since Delaney died,” she insists. “Why would now be any different?”
I don’t tell her my fear, that I’m worried somehow opening that fucking box released black magic and it somehow settled inside of the vacancy caused by her being born during a full moon on All Hallows Eve.
But logically? I know it has to have something to do with it. The problem here, though, is that we don’t know for sure whether what’s going on is, in fact, caused by the box or by the effects of the full moon happening in a mere couple of weeks.
This is the first time since she turned nineteen and was able to access her full powers that there will be a full moon on Halloween, and I can’t help but feel like that has something to do with it too.
So many moving pieces and no way of fitting them together yet. The not knowing is frustrating as fuck.
“I had a dream about Delaney last night.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was standing in a dark room. Or, at least I think it was a room. There wasn’t any light so I couldn’t quite tell. There was nothing for a while, just me wandering aimlessly in the dark, but then this thing appeared directly in front of me. Instead of being black, it’s—” She sighs. “I don’t know how to explain this without sounding insane.”
“You’re not going to sound insane, Rainey.”
Pursing her lips together, she nods. “It’s as though the space ahead is void of all color. Where it was just black around me, the spot that appears has nothing. Or at least it didn’t at first.” A line forms between her brows, and she bites down on her bottom lip. “I heard her first. She called for me to come see her, to come closer. When I walked toward the sound of her voice, she appeared in the center of the void. She was the only color, the only thing I could see, and she reached for me.”
“What happened next?” My attempt to keep all concern from my tone fails, but I do my best not to show it on my face. If Stella hadn’t told us she believes a soul is actively trying to rip Rainey from this plane, I never would have considered her dreams to be anything but a woman missing her sister.
Blood Captive: A Paranormal Vampire Romance (Vampire Huntress Chronicles Book 2) Page 13
