by Angela Horn
Sawyer finally turned towards the camera and frowned as if scolding Lila through the screen. Lila shrugged at his silent accusation.
“Micah’s dead,” Sawyer said.
“I know a hunter who was with him when he disappeared and she doesn’t believe he’s dead.”
“Then where is he?”
“Trapped maybe?”
“And Lila would know about this how?”
“She was also with him when he disappeared and I think she can help me free him.”
“Well, buddy, I like your story. I really do, but Lila doesn’t know you or Micah and she certainly would have mentioned knowing where he was trapped. Now, you need to mosey out the door and hunt you some villains and stop stalking Lila. Trust me, that girl doesn’t play nice with others.”
Roman smiled coyly. “Oh, she’s not so bad. Lila’s a Tootsie Pop really. Hard on the outside, all chewing sweetness on the inside.”
Sawyer frowned because Roman wasn’t talking to him, but to the camera on the wall. Lila knew the men were at an impasse and knew what Sawyer would do in such a situation. Retrieving his weapon, he pointed the shotgun at Roman who didn’t even flinch.
“I knew it would come to this,” Roman said, running his hands through his dark brown hair. “I blame myself really.”
“Just go and we’ll have no trouble.”
Roman did go. In a blink of an eye, he was gone. Lila jumped back from the monitors, as startled as Sawyer who waved his gun around in a panic.
No matter how shocking Roman’s disappearance might have been, it paled next to his appearance in the room with Sophie and Lila.
Sophie cried out, frozen in her spot. Lila though moved quickly, shifting backward and pointing her gun at him. Roman waved his hand and the gun tore from her grip and onto the ground. Frowning, Lila rushed at him, blade in hand. The moment she seized him, the room shifted. Roman and Lila were suddenly outside behind the store.
Lila let go, staggering away from Roman. Finally giving into her fear, she stared at him.
“Who are you?”
“I know you were listening, so you should already know the answer.”
“No, I don’t know the answer because I don’t know you or Micah.”
“You know Sophie though.”
Lila studied him, her mind racing with attack strategies. None of those strategies seemed viable, so she gave up and slipped her knife into its holster. Frowning, she sighed.
“Okay, I give. How do I know Sophie?”
Roman frowned, his blue eyes clouded by an emotion Lila couldn’t decipher. Stepping closer, he studied her.
“You don’t remember anything at all?”
“About what?”
“About the life you had before.”
“Clearly I don’t or I wouldn’t be trying to kill you,” Lila said then added with a curious gaze. “Should I be trying to kill you?”
“I can honestly say I have no idea why you or your friends view me as a threat. I’m a hunter like you.”
“No, not like me. I can’t do what you just did. No one can.”
Roman nodded, maybe a little disappointed by her answer. Lila could read people and hunters relatively well. Too well for someone who liked to find reasons to disagree and keep her distance. Still with Roman, she was at a loss.
“Were we allies?” Lila asked, moving away slightly to get in view of the cameras.
“They can’t see you,” Roman said with a tiny smile.
Lila grinned with a shrug. “Had to try.”
“You really don’t trust me?”
“Why should I?”
“Because I could have easily killed you and didn’t. Why should you fear me?”
“That’s true, but you’ve been tailing me for days. The vibe coming off you is really unpleasant too. So no offense, but I won’t trust you until you give me a real reason to.”
While Roman might be difficult to read, Lila was sure he was hurt by her words.
“I knew you, Micah, and Sophie, huh?” she said, trying to get rid of that look in his eyes. “When was this and why don’t Sophie and I remember?”
The words Roman planned to utter were lies and Lila knew this before he opened his mouth. The moment his blue eyes lowered to the ground, she knew he was thinking up a good lie to explain it all.
“It was long ago. For whatever reason, you and Sophie can’t remember.”
Realizing something odd about Roman’s behavior, Lila smiled slyly.
“If you knew both me and Sophie, how come you’re only looking for me? And how come when you entered the room, I was the one you focused on? Were you and I allies more than you and Sophie were?”
Roman studied her, his brain churning with lies and half truths. Lila waited for his explanation.
“Yes, you and I knew each other better than Sophie and I did.”
“How much better?”
Roman smiled and Lila was sure he was going to be honest. He changed topics instead.
“You knew Micah better too.”
“Yeah, I’m sure he and I were BFFs.”
“He’s your brother.”
Lila’s confidence fizzled again. Hating how he possessed all of the answers, she fell into a comfortable state of irritation.
“You think this is funny? You claim you want to talk to me, so talk. Stop acting like what you have to say is some kind of national security secret and I need special clearance. Spill it or leave me alone.”
Roman frowned, studying her again. After a moment, he nodded.
“Years ago, when Micah decided to close a gateway, he recruited packs of hunters to build an army. You two didn’t grow up together, but he found you and your pack soon joined his army. Sophie was part of that pack.”
“Were you part of this army?”
Roman nodded. “I’d known Micah for a long time. When he wanted to create an army, my pack joined him.”
Watching him, Lila tried to dissect the truth from the lies.
“But you didn’t want to join him, did you?”
Frowning again, Roman moved away from her, clearly bothered by the question.
“No, I didn’t.”
“But he was Micah, the great warrior God sent to close the gateways. To fight against him is to be a traitor to our kind.”
Shaking his head, Roman frowned even darker now. “No, to fight against God is to betray our kind. Micah was flawed like all hunters. His plan to close the gateway was reckless. He wasn’t ready. His army wasn’t ready. I knew this and he knew I knew.”
“Why did he want you to come along and why did you go?”
Roman shrugged, again fudging his way with the truth. “He needed me, I guess. Many hunters feared Micah’s plan to close a gateway by charging into Hell. My pack was respected and I was considered pragmatic. If I was onboard, others were more likely to risk their lives on a long shot.”
“You still haven’t explained why you went along, if you thought his plan was crap?”
Roman didn’t answer, yet the way he looked at Lila was the only answer she needed. Unsure how she felt about his feelings towards her, let alone her budding desire for him, Lila switched directions.
“And Micah disappeared?”
Rubbing his chin, Roman searched for the words to explain what needed to be explained without actually telling her everything.
“Ivy said it was a recon mission. She was in your pack too. She said you and Micah planned to scout the area where he believed the gateway was located. When your pack learned of the plan, they came along. Just the six of you went out in the night and only Ivy returned alive.”
Having expected barely veiled lies, his honesty confused her. Once what he was claiming hit her, she hit him.
“I’m not dead,” she said, hitting him in the arm a second time.
“I didn’t say that you are dead. I’m saying that you were dead. Both you and Sophie.”
Shaking her head, Lila backed away. “You’re lying.”
&nbs
p; “For some reason, the Lord brought you and Sophie back. I assume He wants you to find your pack and free Micah.”
“No, He wants me to kill a rogue hunter named Joaquin.”
Roman shook his head, frustrated. “Why would He want that?”
“How would I know? He gave me a vision and I do what I’m told.”
A smile lit up Roman’s face, giving him an almost boyish appearance.
“And in this vision, the Lord showed you the rogue hunter?”
“Yes. A real big dog. That’s why I’m here. I need help from Sawyer tracking down the rogue.”
“What about Sophie?”
“She’s supposed to help me, but I’m not sure how. She’s pretty clueless.”
“She’s a quick learner.”
“Oh, yeah, you know that because we were all buddies long ago before Sophie and I died,” Lila said with an irritated snort.
Roman moved closer tentatively, wanting to douse her unease.
“I know this is confusing, but I have no reason to lie to you.”
“But you are lying,” Lila said, immediately frustrated by the slight whine to her voice.
Roman nodded. “I’ve told you what you need to know. It might not seem fair, but it’s all I’m willing to say for now.”
Lila threw up her hands and walked away, only to turn around and stomp back quickly.
“So what now? You want me to find Micah, but God wants me to find Joaquin. Hey, why don’t I look you up once I’m done with the rogue and we’ll see about tracking down your boy Micah?”
“No,” Roman said, moving toward her so quickly Lila couldn’t help stepping back in surprise. “I will come with you to deal with this rogue.”
“And why would I let you do that?”
Roman cocked an eyebrow. “For the same reason you let me follow you from LA. You really don’t have much of a choice.”
Lila glared at Roman, but his expression was too passive to hate.
“Look, guy, I get that you and I have some kind of, well, we had something. I don’t remember you though, not even a little tiny bit,” Lila said then sighed. “And while I don’t think you mean any harm, I don’t do the pack thing and I’d rather not have you come along. Now, if you want to follow me like some kind of weirdo stalker, then have at it.”
“Well as long as we’re on the same page.”
Rolling her eyes, Lila walked around the building. Suddenly Roman appeared at her side with an expression of contentment that made Lila smile.
“Can you teach me that disappearing trick?” she asked as they walked past the whining dogs.
“Not really.”
“How come you can do it and no other hunter I’ve ever known can?”
“You knew me and Micah and we can both do it. You used to be able to do some pretty powerful moves too, but maybe dying threw off your mojo?”
Lila glared at him. “Stop talking about me dying and don’t you dare tell Sophie she was a corpse. She won’t be cool about it.”
“You and I work better when we don’t boss each other around.”
“Back then, yeah, but things change. If you want to hunt with me, then you have to play by my rules.”
“Or what?” Roman said with a slight grin.
Lila shrugged, unsure of what she would do if Roman decided to stop playing nice. He was clearly superior to her as a hunter and she was finding herself increasingly attracted to him. While Lila wanted to put him in his place, Roman had the upper hand. Not that she would ever admit this fact out loud.
“What’s with the dogs?” Lila asked, changing the subject.
“They get intimidated by some hunters.”
“Why were they hot and bothered earlier? They looked ready to tear you apart, but now they’re pissing themselves.”
“They wanted to tear apart the villains hiding out here.”
“You take care of that?”
Roman nodded.
“Good. I don’t need the distractions right now.”
Approaching the front door, Roman placed his hand on her shoulder, sending a chill through her body.
“The villains are hunting you.”
“I know, but don’t care.”
“Not to start a fight, but you should care. Maybe it’s because you’re Micah’s sister? Or because you’re hunting this rogue? Either way, you’ve got a big target on your back. With enough numbers and firepower, those villains will get to you.”
“Then I’ll just have to come back from the dead again, won’t I?”
Roman clearly didn’t like this answer and the darkness in his blue eyes once again betrayed his feelings for her. No matter Roman’s unhappiness, Lila knew her biggest problem was selling this big dog hunter to Sawyer and Daisy who were now on alert.
“Let me do all the talking,” she said.
“That I know how to do.”
Lila knocked on the front door and waved at Sawyer and Daisy inside. Leveling their weapons at Lila and Roman, they headed to the door.
“We talked, Sawyer, and he’s cool.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. Now, can you help me find Joaquin, so we can head out?”
Sawyer didn’t answer immediately or open the door. Lila glanced at Roman who stood passively at her side.
“If you’re not going to let us in, can I at least get my stuff and Sophie?”
“How do I know he didn’t put some kind of spell on you?”
“Because if he did then I’d just tell him to poof himself inside and force you to let us in. Hey, maybe I should do that now?”
Grunting with irritation, Sawyer opened the door and waved them in while Daisy kept her weapon pointed at them. Ignoring their unease, Lila enjoyed how she had the upper hand now.
“Can you do whatever it is that you do and find me info on Joaquin?”
Nodding, Sawyer headed back down into the bunker, leaving Daisy to watch Lila and Roman.
“You do know him then?” Daisy asked.
“Apparently, but I have amnesia or something.”
Daisy nodded, unconvinced. She kept her gaze on Roman while Lila tapped her foot impatiently.
“Can’t we just go downstairs and wait?” Lila asked.
Shrugging, Daisy let them pass. Lila walked ahead, assuming Roman would follow which he did. Downstairs, Lila found Sophie staring at her hands, eyes full of tears.
“Buck up, Sophie, we have some real firepower now,” Lila said, motioning to Roman who nodded at the blonde.
“I don’t get it.”
“Turns out you, me, and Roman are old buds, but you and I have amnesia. Roman’s gonna come along and help us with Joaquin.”
“Is that a good idea?” Sophie said, eyeing Roman.
“Joaquin’s a big dog. Combined, you and I are like a Labrador. A really mean and deadly Lab, but a Lab nonetheless. Roman here is a big dog and that’ll come in handy since most rogue hunters work with packs of villains,” Lila said then turned to Roman. “Right?”
“About which part?”
“The rogue hunter, villain thing.”
“I haven’t heard of many rogue hunters. Most hunters who stray, just give up the Lord’s calling. They don’t usually turn against their own kind.”
Lila frowned at him, wondering if he was dumb. Leaning closer, she bumped his arm.
“These people don’t like you. It’d help if you’d just agree with me and play nice.”
“I am playing nice.”
“I misspoke. Just lie, will ya?”
“About what?”
Lila threw up her hands. “Fine, then explain to me why I need to bring you along, if you’re not really necessary to stop Joaquin?”
“I’m coming along to protect you from the packs of villains trying to kill you.”
Lila shrugged. “Okay, so that’s why you’re coming along. Whatever.”
Plopping into a chair, Lila hated the way she felt about Roman. Her vision never showed anything about Roman.
Lila wondered if she should just ditch him and keep her mind on the mission?
“Wait,” Lila said, recalling a sign from her vision that she had missed. “I saw a scythe in my vision. Like the Grim Reaper carries.”
Moving to Sawyer’s side, Lila felt a surge of excitement, totally forgetting about Roman and his lies and half truths. “Can you see if anyone knows about a hunter known for using a scythe?”
Sawyer nodded, leaning closer to whisper away from Roman.
“What does he want?”
“He thinks I can find Micah. I’m not sure how, but it’s what he wants.”
“And that’s it?”
“What else would there be?”
“He isn’t your mate, is he?”
“Who cares if he is? I’m not looking to settle down.”
“It doesn’t work like that. If he’s your mate, then he’s not going to be easy to shake and we both know you’re planning to shake him.”
“Just look up the info for me, will ya?”
“Fine, but you’re in too deep and you don’t even see it.”
Lila brushed off Sawyer’s concern then sat next to Sophie. The blonde was no longer crying or staring at hands or clueless. Lila felt Sophie’s eyes on her, but said nothing.
“Here we go,” Sawyer said. “There’s buzz about a big dog rogue who’s killed a few packs in the south recently. They call him the Reaper.”
“What else is there?”
“Not much. He’s taken out a few packs in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. They think he was behind a fire that killed a few hunters in Mississippi too. No one knows much since he kills everyone he runs into. Sound like your guy?”
“I saw him in the vision and I could pick him out of a lineup, but otherwise, this could or couldn’t be the guy. The Reaper thing sounds right though. When was his last attack?”
“Two weeks ago in Arkansas,” Sawyer said then turned his chair to look at Lila and Sophie. “The thing about these rumors is that they aren’t always reliable. I mean, it could be the Reaper in Arkansas or just some villain attack. I don’t know if rumors are enough to go hunting a big dog over?”
“Enough for me. We’ll head out and see what we find.”
Lila noticed how Sawyer turned to Roman for reassurance. This created a tight ball of anger in her stomach.
“Is there a problem?” she asked the men.
