Trina M. Lee

by Alexa O'Brien Huntress Series Book 1-4 Box Set (Retail)

  Kylarai was softly humming a song I didn’t recognize when I re-entered the kitchen. She looked up at me with a bright smile as she stacked clean glasses in the cupboard.

  “Are you taking off now?”

  I grabbed my shoulder bag from the counter beside the fridge and rifled through it to make sure I had everything. “Yeah, Jez and I have a new Were to hunt down. There’s no second chance for this one. It’s been slaughtering prostitutes downtown.”

  Kylarai pursed her lips and shook her head solemnly. “That’s terrible. And yet, sadly typical.”

  It certainly was. The chances of being turned by a werewolf were incredibly slim because, in most cases, victims don’t survive the attack. Of those that do, very few made it through without succumbing to the urge to kill and to have fun doing so. At times, I’m still not sure how I keep from going past the point of no return. This is a thought I have heard echoed by Shaz. It isn’t something that just anyone can adjust to.

  “Well, have fun,” she said, sounding like she meant it. “I will be here doing paperwork for a case I’m working on.”

  Kylarai had a tendency to be a workaholic, using work to lose herself. A night of paperwork would likely do wonders to help her sort out her recent thoughts and feelings. Trapping herself in the office for days at a time was common self-therapy that usually had her emerging like a butterfly from a cocoon.

  “Don’t run yourself ragged. I’ll see you later.”

  The chilly October air was like a slap in the face. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t shiver. My resistance to the natural elements was stronger than that of humans. It was much colder than it had been the previous night. That was a typical Canadian fall though. I smiled to myself and paused to enjoy the quiet autumn energy.

  The moon glowed overhead, round and vibrant against the night sky, not quite full. Its energy radiated down to me, strong when I concentrated on it. The sudden temptation to throw my head back and howl was hard to resist. Instead, I savored the sensations, anticipating that, in just days, the moon would be full and I would be wolf.

  * * * *

  Just as I’d thought, Jez still wasn’t at the office when I arrived. The funny thing was that she lives closer to it than I do. The building was dark, and the parking lot was empty. I didn’t plan on going inside.

  The Blue Collar Comedy station on satellite radio kept me chuckling while I waited. I may have even snorted a little during a bit by Jeff Foxworthy. I don’t care what anybody says, that redneck humor never gets old.

  When I found myself looking at the dash clock for the second time, I decided that if Jez wasn’t here in five minutes, I was calling her. Either that, or heading home to watch scary movies and sleep. The sound of a familiar and easily recognizable engine caught my attention, and I turned down the radio to listen. I had to be mistaken.

  It sure sounded like the old muscle car to me, but I didn’t really believe it until Kale’s slick, black ride peeled around the corner at the end of the block. I watched as he turned into the lot with a squeal of tires, stopping a few yards from my car. What in the hell was he doing here?

  Kale slid from the Camaro with a strong predatory energy that I could feel from where I sat. I quickly opened my door and got out of the car. I didn’t want him approaching while I was still inside.

  He was dressed to kill in pinstriped pants and a fedora that made him look like a vampire mob boss. His long duster was part of the badass look, like always. Those two different colored eyes of his sparkled with a devious glint, the one I saw when he killed. I wasn’t sure that I liked this.

  “What are you doing here, Kale?” I didn’t try to hide the suspicious note that crept into my voice. “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  He looked at me as if deciding how honest to be. “I need to kill something, Alexa. Something that still has a heartbeat. I’m coming with you tonight.” He flashed me a look that dared me to contest his choice.

  I leaned against the back of my car and crossed my arms over my chest. It was the best casual stance I could muster. However, I was overtly aware of the power of the moon above me, and I was prepared to tap it the second he gave me a reason.

  “Alright,” I conceded. What could I do, argue with him? “Have it your way. Do you want to take my place with Jez? She should be here any minute.”

  There was no way of escaping the awkwardness that fell like a blanket over us. So, I met his blue and brown eyes evenly, ready for anything. He wasn’t prepared for a face off, and he avoided my gaze, looking out onto the street.

  “Actually, she isn’t coming. I’m taking her place. It’s just me and you.”

  His words rang in my ears, and I stared at him dumbfounded. Please, tell me he was kidding. This was so not cool.

  “Look, Alexa,” he sighed and forced his gaze to mine. “I need to apologize for what happened the other night. I still can’t believe I lost to the hunger like that. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

  I had expected his apology, knowing him the way I do. Kale is a stand up, respectable guy. I didn’t expect the vibe I was sensing from him.

  “Thank you. I understand the temptations. I’ve given in to them, too.” I glanced nervously down the street as if expecting Jez’s beat up white Liberty to fly around the corner. Of course, it didn’t.

  I wasn’t afraid of Kale despite what he’d done to me just days ago. But, the devilish look in his eyes mixed with the lusty hunger emanating from him sure had me on edge.

  “There’s more.” He took a step closer but stopped a few feet away. “When I took your blood, it wasn’t like anything I’ve ever experienced before. It woke a hunger in me like no other.”

  I was keenly aware of the subtle changes in his personal energy. It stirred the atmosphere around us, causing me to grow naturally defensive. I had a feeling that I wasn’t going to like where this was going.

  “Kale,” I began. “Let’s just let sleeping dogs lie. There’s no reason to-,”

  “I can’t stop thinking about you, Alexa.” He forced the words out in a rush, and I shut up instantly as I choked on my own comment. “The power in your blood, the combination of the undead and the wolf is like nothing I have ever felt in my lifetime. There is no living power that compares to what you hold inside you. And, it’s all I can think about.”

  Oh please, I thought. Let this all just be a bad dream. I struggled to swallow as my mind went into overdrive. I was shocked and at a loss for words.

  “I don’t know what to say to that, Kale. I don’t understand.” I swallowed hard, my breathing shaky. “We have a dangerous Were to track down. Let’s do our job.”

  “Your blood is like a drug. Ever since I tasted it, all I can think about is tasting it again. You’re drawing me like a moth to a flame, and I don’t know why.”

  Alarm rang through me, and I hissed, “Stop it!”

  “Alexa…” Kale trailed off pleadingly.

  The silence quickly grew strained as we stared at one another. I could feel the glare that adorned my features. His face remained stony, expressionless.

  My guts turned when I replayed his rushed confession in my head. A sinking sensation settled heavily in my stomach. I had to fight down the panic that threatened to launch a full-scale attack within me at the thought of Kale obsessing over my powerful blood. Was this something I should tell Shaz and Arys, or keep to myself?

  I sighed heavily. “Let’s just go do our job. We are friends, and that’s not going to change. But, we have priorities, like a bloodthirsty werewolf to stop. And, I have no coherent response for what you just said.” There, I was honest.

  “Last chance to bail out,” Kale said when I turned to his car. After what had happened last time we rode together, I wasn’t driving. I wanted both hands free.

  “Not on your life. If I don’t hunt something soon, my head will burst.” I got into the Camaro and put on my seatbelt, turning to him when he got in next to me. “I am stressed to the max right now, and I just need a good fight.”

&n
bsp; His sexy chuckle tickled the nerve endings in my spine, and I squirmed in my seat. “Careful what you wish for, my dear. I may have to remind you that you said that later.”

  As we pulled into traffic, I felt a shift in the energy inside me. Something was changing. My stomach flipped a few times, and my fangs appeared unbidden. I swore, and Kale glanced at me, his eyes widening.

  “Are you alright?”

  I had to think about that before I could answer. The power was roiling around inside me like a rumbling volcano. Closing my eyes against it caught me up in a tornado of undead energy, and I felt like I was falling.

  “I’ll be fine.” I ground the words out between clenched teeth. “It’s been worse. Arys must not have fed recently.”

  “I can’t imagine how much harder it must be for you than it is for us.” He turned down the radio, plunging the car into silence.

  “I have given up trying to figure out how it all works. I feel like a pawn to the power more often than I feel in control of it.” I sighed and stared out the window. “The stress doesn’t help.”

  He seemed to consider this carefully before tentatively asking, “Do you want to unload? I’m always happy to listen.”

  I debated telling Kale, but before I could censor myself, it was all pouring out. The past few days of fighting, blood bond talk and scary-ass vampires that wanted a piece of me were too much, and I needed to share with a friend. It was easier with someone that was outside the situation.

  The scenery outside the window flew by as we made our way downtown. I was hoping we could pinpoint this werewolf by its energy. If we had to rely on physical senses only, it would take forever.

  “That’s some heavy shit, Alexa.” He let out a low whistle. “I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what the blood bond means to mortals.”

  “No,” I murmured. “You don’t. I’m fully aware. And, of course, it’s not something I’m even considering.”

  “Why do I sense that there is more to that thought?” Kale’s attentive eyes darted from the road to me and back. “Like you left off the words ‘right now’.”

  I paused and stared at him in wonder. My tone had indicated that I was leaving something out. Not in a million years. It had taken me ten years to get used being a werewolf, to love it and embrace it as me. Vampire? No, thank you.

  It scared me that he had heard something in my tone that I hadn’t intended. Panic shot through me.

  “Kale, if you ever hear me say that I want to do it, knock some sense into me. Seriously.” I reached out to touch the cool sleeve of his coat, wanting to ensure he knew that I meant what I said. “I’m afraid of myself and what I might do in the wrong situation. I just need to know someone has my back.”

  It got quiet then, and I reached to turn the radio up a few notches. I waited for his response, aware that he was weighing his words. I trusted him. I wanted to hear whatever he had to say.

  “I’ll do my best, Alexa. I mean, I’ll try.”

  He sounded so uncertain. I smiled and gazed out the window as we went deeper into the slums. “That’s all I can ask of you. Thank you.”

  Nerves had my stomach in knots as the anticipation began to build. My fangs itched at the gum, burning to pierce and tear.

  I snuck a sidelong glance at Kale, judging his mood. He caught me and with a wry smile asked, “Yes? Is there a reason you’re peeking at me from behind your lovely blonde locks?”

  “Maybe.” I might as well ask. “How are you feeling? About the whole thing with Kylarai, I mean. I wished I’d known, the other night, but she didn’t tell me.”

  “Ah,” he nodded his dark head in understanding. “How long have you been waiting to ask that? I’ll manage, if that’s what you mean. I adore her, Alexa, but we’re not meant to be. I knew that. Wishful thinking, I suppose.”

  He sounded too casual. I didn’t want to push it, but I was curious.

  “So you’re really all good? I was worried about you.”

  The admittance felt strange in lieu of the last time Kale and I had been together, but we were friends, and I truly cared for him.

  “Not nearly as worried as I am about you.” He smiled tightly, and I had a feeling there was something he wasn’t saying.

  Well, I sure as heck wasn’t going to ask. Flashing back to the night at The Wicked Kiss was enough to get my power humming and reaching out to him. Focusing on taking deep, calming breaths was harder than it should have been.

  We parked on a side street, just off the main downtown strip. The negative energy that filled the neighborhood stung despite the fact that I was shielding hard. It was strong here. Murder, addiction and despair, all powerful in their evil.

  This wasn’t looking too good so far. Judging from the fact that we were in a rundown area, away from the business district, with little to no streetlights, houses or people, I was pretty sure this was going to be a gong show. Either that or so easy, it wouldn’t even be fun.

  “Are you ready?” Kale raised a dark eyebrow in question as I double-checked the small dagger I had secured to my left wrist.

  “You know it. Don’t get me killed, or I will haunt the shit out of you. And, my boyfriends will beat you up.” I stuck my tongue out at the absurdity of my statement.

  He gave my hair a ruffle and then shoved my head playfully before climbing out of the car. I frowned and smoothed the mess back into place. Of all the irritating things…grrr.

  “Do we have a plan of any kind, or are we just running blind like usual?” I asked, shivering slightly in the chilly night air. The cold didn’t usually bother me, which meant the temperature was really dropping.

  “Not a clue,” he replied as his large strides forced me to double time my steps. “All I know is that we’re looking for a werewolf, gender unspecified, that has been snacking on some of the downtown street folk. If they’d used a little more discretion, it may have gone unnoticed, but the slaughter fest has been drawing public attention.”

  He stopped suddenly and dug around in the pocket of his duster. “Here. I want you to take the spare key to my car. Just in case.”

  I gaped at him with wide eyes. “In case of what?”

  “After that incident in the hotel with the demon, I don’t want you left without a way to take off if it comes to that.”

  “Are you planning to leave me, Kale? That’s not what I signed up for.” I accepted the key and tugged on the sleeve of his jacket, encouraging him to keep walking.

  “Of course not. I’m sure we can handle a Were. It’s merely precaution.”

  A few months ago, the two of us had unexpectedly encountered a demon during a routine vampire kill. Kale had urged me to run, to leave him behind. I’d refused. And then, it had been too late. We’d made it out, but it was still nice to know if something came up, I wouldn’t be stranded in the ghetto without a ride.

  As we made our way to the main strip, my heart began to race. I was eager to catch scent of this shifter. Any werewolf lurking around out here couldn’t possibly be up to any good.

  The neighborhood was filthy. The street was littered with everything from cigarette butts to used hypodermic needles. I wore a disgusted grimace as we passed a series of abandoned shops, each with the windows smashed out. It got slightly better as we progressed to the next block.

  Sirens wailed in the distance. A scantily clad woman leaned against a light post, watching us as we approached. Did she have a clue how close to death she was? Of course she did. She thrived on it. Any human that could walk these streets night after night was looking for something, and it wasn’t good. Staring death in the face on a nightly basis was as close to feeling alive as some of these people got. It broke my heart.

  I was prepared for her glare when we passed, though it was unlikely she could have mistaken me for a working girl. With my jeans and hoodie, I did not look anything like someone out to turn tricks. Hopefully, we would find this rogue wolf before it found her.

  The traffic picked up slightly as we went from block to
block. I raised my face to the wind, scenting the air for anything animal. A bevy of smells hit me, automotive fumes being the strongest. Mingled along with oil and car exhaust was an assortment of greasy food, garbage and something unidentifiable. I didn’t like it though. There was a stench on the air, as if the lack of hope and dreams had grown stale and rotten over time.

  For more than an hour, we followed both physical and psychic senses, finding nothing but dead ends. We’d covered a lot of ground, miles since we’d left the car. I was beginning to get frustrated. I didn’t expect it to be easy, but my eager anticipation was fading.

  When we passed by the entrance to another side street, my senses went on full alert. Everything in me commanded that I follow my instinct. I would find our werewolf.

  “Do you feel that?” I turned to Kale with a renewed excitement. “We have to go this way.”

  I walked fast, a sense of urgency quickening my pace. Kale frowned down at me, his brow furrowed in thought.

  “I feel it now that you’ve drawn my attention to it. I didn’t before.” The weight of Kale’s heavy gaze drew my eyes to his. “I can still just barely make out that Were’s energy. Your powers have seriously grown. And fast.”

  I couldn’t be more powerful than Kale. He was older than Arys, for crying out loud. Of course, many other factors played a role in it, such as the fact that Arys killed and derived a lot of pleasure and power from it, whereas Kale was doing the willing victim thing. I turned it over in my head; the realization, shocking. I don’t think I fully realized what Arys and I really had going on together.

  The street was lined with apartment and condo buildings on either side. Additional side streets and alleys branched off between them. Though there were lights on in many windows, we didn’t see anyone. If I were a human living in this part of town, I wouldn’t be out at night either.