He shook his head, a determined set to his jaw. “Don’t bullshit me. You’re being less than forthcoming here, and I want to know what you’re not telling me.”
I attempted to stifle a yawn. It had been a long couple of days. Before I could respond Shaz was turning me toward my own car.
“You look beat. I’m not feeling so hot myself. But, you’re not getting out of this. I’ll meet you at home.”
Chapter Twenty
Two nights had passed since we had killed Maxwell and Claire and had lost Julian. I’d had a chance to speak with both Shaz and Arys one-on-one about where I stood with Kale. Though Arys was still keeping secrets and Shaz had his own issues, I felt relieved of some of the recent tension among us. I didn’t expect perfection in our relationships. In the world we lived in, I knew better than that. However, I did expect closeness and a willingness to work through our problems. So far, so good. Of course, I still had every intention of getting Arys’s secret out, even if it killed me. Knowing me, it just might.
It was the first night of the full moon. It would be at its fullest tomorrow when I would run with the pack. Usually, I’d be running as a wolf tonight, too, which I was counting on to throw Veryl off. He wouldn’t be expecting me.
I left Raoul’s Jag a few blocks from the office and walked. Driving right up to the door might give me away. Cloaking my presence, I stole through the night with ill intentions.
I glanced back at the sleek black car with a shake of my head. Poor Raoul. He’d have kittens if he could see how I drove that thing. I sure didn’t baby it the way I did my own car. The Jaguar was my stealth machine, the car I used when I didn’t want to announce my presence with a loud, red muscle car.
My right hand was wrapped firmly around the handle of the Dragon Claw. It felt good. Empowering. Burning deep in my core was as much power as I could possibly hold inside my mortal body. It strained for release, and I had to concentrate to make sure it didn’t escape me.
I kept waiting for the nerves to creep in. It didn’t happen. I was rock solid and ready for this. It occurred to me that this might be a mistake, but I didn’t truly believe that. Veryl had hidden my own past from me and then acted like I had no right to be pissed about it. Now he was blackmailing Lilah, someone who had never done anything to make me think she deserved it. Yep. I was ready for this, maybe even a little eager.
I slipped inside the office building with little effort. A couple of locks weren’t going to keep me out. A very weak energy barrier lingered just beyond the doorway. I wasn’t sure if it was meant for me or Lilah. Regardless, Veryl’s power was minimal compared to mine, and I walked right through it.
This wasn’t going to be a showdown. I wanted it to be quick, as fast and clean as possible. At least that was the plan. I didn’t even plan to enjoy it. Though try as I might to resist it, an element of excitement was creeping up inside me. Hunting humans was driven by my weakness and in turn it made me weak. Hunting a creature of the night was a whole different ball game. It made me feel strong and powerful, which I preferred to the former.
Veryl might have been an asshole, but he wasn’t a fool. His door was ajar, open just enough to give him a glimpse of anyone approaching. I could see him from the end of the hall where I stood. He was typing furiously, his eyes fixed on his computer screen. He glanced up with a start, cursing when he saw me.
“You shouldn’t have come, Alexa,” he called as I made my way toward him. “You don’t want to do this.”
“Don’t I?” I gripped the dagger just a little tighter and smiled.
He knocked his chair over in his haste to get up. Reaching under his desk, he produced a well-sharpened stake. Not a trace of fear came from him. Veryl had been expecting this.
“You’re a pawn, Alexa. Playing right into Shya’s hands by doing his dirty work for him. You’re better than this.”
I stood just inside the door to his office. It wasn’t all that big, and the massive desk in the center left little room for a good fight. I had to make this quick.
“Don’t talk. It’s only going to waste time.” I held my free hand up, moving it in a counter-clockwise circle. Power went out from me, pasting Veryl up against the far wall. The stake in his hand was useless.
He glared at me, still unafraid. “We’ve worked together for years. I did all I could to keep you from him. Now just that fast he has you brainwashed? Think this through.”
“You did what you could to keep a lot of things from me. You get your hands on information, and in some cases people, and you do all you can to make it work to your advantage.” I advanced on him, the dagger warming in my hand. “Now it’s caught up to you.”
“Alexa, please! You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into. He’s a demon for God’s sake! Do you think he gives a damn about you? He has plans for you. Once you stop playing along, he’ll abandon you. Or worse. Eventually, you’ll have to make a choice, and I doubt it will be his side you’ll choose.”
That made me hesitate, but I tried not to show it. I didn’t doubt that Veryl knew things about Shya that I didn’t. But, I also knew he’d do anything to save his own ass.
“You know what? I don’t care. I don’t want to hear it.”
I raised the Dragon Claw and only then did panic seep into his eyes. He fought to get free of the power holding him.
“What did he offer you? What did he tell you to get you to do this? Whatever it is, it comes with a price. You can’t trust a demon.”
“Actually, I was more than happy to do this. You’re making it easier by the second.” I wasn’t letting him plant doubts in my head. He’d done enough damage over the years. “I don’t trust demons. And, I don’t trust you. Not anymore.”
I saw myself reflected in his eyes. My mane of ash blonde hair was sleek and smooth, a direct contrast to my wild blue eyes. Arys’s eyes. It was still startling. But, what struck me was the ruthless glint I saw deep within them.
“He’ll drag you into the pits of hell if you let him. You have no idea what you’re getting involved in.” Veryl glared at me with a growing hate. “Don’t do something stupid that you’ll regret.”
Unwilling to hear another word, I slammed the dagger into Veryl with enough force that we both grunted. His mouth gaped, but no further sound came out. He simply stared at me in horror before dropping in a pile of ash at my feet. A puff of ash rose up to choke me. I glanced at the bloody dagger blade, shaken and wound up. The rush of what I’d just done hit hard, and I sat heavily in Veryl’s chair.
After letting it all sink in, I turned to his computer and thought, Why the hell not? I clicked around through his documents, finding most of them to be password protected or encrypted. A series of documents with various names caught my eye. My own name was part of the grouping. I cursed my inability to do much more than stare at the password prompt. After trying several possibilities, I gave up. Hacking into protected files was not my forte.
I was itching to know what was in the files with my name on them. The bastard sure made it hard to regret what I just did. Sorry, Veryl. Payback is a bitch.
So maybe I couldn’t open the folders, but I had no problem emailing them to myself. Veryl might have been secretive, but he wasn’t as technologically savvy as one might expect. I didn’t know anyone who could get into those folders, but I’d sure as hell find someone.
I shut down Veryl’s computer and called Lilah to let her know it was all over. As I left a message on her voicemail, I busied myself turning off the lights and locking up. The moon was thrumming in my veins, calling my wolf forth. My dirty work was done for the night. I had a pack run to get to.
* * * *
I ran through the forest, kicking up the earth beneath my paws. I pushed myself hard, reveling in the exertion of every muscle. Raising my nose to the wind, I searched the night air for the scent of my wolves.
I could smell them deeper in the forest. The scent of pine and earth mingled with the faint aroma of rain. The ground was still dry, b
ut it was coming. I could feel the approaching rainfall. Of all the wonderful smells in nature, rain had to be among my favorites.
Gradually, I slowed my pace until I trotted along leisurely, slipping through the trees with grace and ease. I was lost in thought, pondering my upcoming birthday party. In just a few days, I would be another year older, something I considered a success. Every year was worth celebrating, but I wasn’t sure I agreed with Shaz’s idea of a celebration. I wasn’t sure about having a big party. For the most part, I was going along with it because I couldn’t bring myself to crush his enthusiasm.
Twenty-seven wasn’t all that old; however, I couldn’t help but wonder how many years I would have before it all caught up to me, before I died and rose as a vampire. That concept seemed so foreign as I moved through the forest as wolf. I could no longer readily accept that fate. I possessed a deep inner fear that when that time came, my wolf would cease to exist. It had taken so long to accept that I was the wolf. To think of losing that side of me was like losing myself.
It terrified me because I didn’t know what would happen. Werewolves don’t become vampires the way humans do. Biologically, it just didn’t happen. Our bodies don’t process anything the same way a human’s does. Though Arys insisted my mortality ensured the blood bond would cause me to rise again as a vampire, I had my doubts. If it were to happen the way he thought it would, I would be the only shape-shifting vampire in existence.
Shoving the thoughts from my mind, I turned my attention to the moment at hand. I cleared a fallen tree with a bound, landing lightly on the other side. A few stray twigs snapped beneath my feet. Such simple sounds, but I loved them. The wolf was in me all the time, but only in these moments did I appreciate it fully.
The stress and pain of recent events slipped away as the night wind carried me along. I made my way through the trees to the clearing where the pack gathered on nights like this. I could feel the tiny eyes of small critters watching me from the safety of the treetops. The scent of new life was everywhere as summer flourished. It was entrancing.
I broke through the trees into the clearing with an extra bounce to my step. Abandoning my human form didn’t happen often enough, but nothing felt so good, so truly free. I gazed at the moon overhead, drinking in the silver light it cast upon me. The blanket of stars stretched as far as I could see. Wistful and happy, I lifted my voice to the sky and howled, a long gut-wrenching sound that echoed all around me.
The chorus of howls that filled the night in response stirred a warmth in my belly. My wolves answered my call, and I knew they were coming. Kylarai emerged from the opposite side of the clearing, her muzzle coated in deer blood. Her grey eyes fixed me with a calm stare, but I could feel the pain she tried not to convey. Without Julian at her side, she was lost.
Shaz appeared right behind her, his white fur also bloody from their kill. He had a goofy wolf grin as he trotted over to nuzzle me with his wet nose. I sat back on my haunches, giving in to his playfulness. We wrestled and nipped at one another until the others began to fill the clearing.
When every wolf was present, watching me with attentive gazes, I embraced the change and resumed my human form. I wasn’t ready to let the wolf slip away, but I needed my voice for this. Like usual, there was a brief burst of excruciating pain as my body reformed itself, and then splendor when I was whole again. It happened fast, faster than it had when I was a new wolf. For that I was grateful.
Letting my hair fall over my breasts, I positioned myself behind Shaz’s sitting form so that for the most part, my nakedness was minimal. I had nothing these people hadn’t seen before, but it made it a little easier to look them all in the eyes.
“I’m sure you all know that we recently lost one of our own.” It was easier to claim Julian than I’d thought. He was no less of an asshole in death, but the reality of it was, he was ours regardless.
I took a few deep breaths, hoping the right words would come to me. For so long I had kept this side of my life separate from the rest, but that had changed when I decided to take wolves on the hunt for Maxwell and Claire. I owed it to the rest of them to let them know what was really going on outside of our town and our pack.
I scanned the group of wolves sitting so patiently, waiting to hear why I’d called them together. Our pack had shrunk over the past year. Currently there were nine wolves calling this town home, myself included. Each of us so different as people and animals.
I knew danger could find them through me on a grander scale than most of them realized. I couldn’t leave them in the dark, especially if one day they, too, would be faced with the choice to fight by my side.
“I’m also sure that most of you know there is more to me than human and wolf. I can do things that tend to set me apart. Things that attract attention from creatures of all kinds. It’s time for me to tell you what that really means to the rest of you.”
Chapter Twenty-One
It felt strange to be back at Lucy’s Lounge after spending so many nights at The Wicked Kiss. It was a foreign world, a primarily human one. It was nice to sit in the large corner booth with my friends and be able to enjoy the setting instead of being on the lookout for serious trouble.
Lucy’s Lounge was smaller than The Wicked Kiss, but it had an upper floor. There was nothing special about the small town club. It had somewhat of a country feel to it even though top 40 music pumped out of the speakers and everyone was dressed in club wear. I loved something about the small town vibe. It felt like home.
I was having a hard time relaxing despite the easygoing atmosphere. I glanced down at my attire, second guessing it even though it was too late for that. It was the fourteenth of June, my birthday, so I’d gone all out. It seemed like as good an excuse as any to go shopping.
The black and white knee-length dress encased my body like a glove. Nearly all white with a stripe of black that wound diagonally across the bodice and around to the hem of the skirt, the dress had caught my eye from a shop window. I had to have it. Jez had talked me out of my usual knee-high boots and into a pair of four-inch stilettos. With my long hair pinned up, I was feeling more feminine than I had in a long time.
“Aw, Jez, no. I told you guys not to get any gifts.” I protested when she slipped a box across the table to me.
“Too bad. You know I don’t do what I’m told. Besides, I made it myself so you have to accept it.” She shrugged and tossed a golden lock of hair out of her eyes. “Open it.”
I’d never been so happy to see Jez looking like herself again. She had recovered from Kale’s attack physically, but the emotional scars were there. In a tight leather skirt and a black bustier with those amazing red-painted lips, she looked great. But, I knew she was holding a grudge, and I couldn’t say I blamed her. I’d invited Kale to the party, but he had a tendency to avoid these things. I couldn’t help but think that might be best tonight for several reasons.
Kylarai and Zoey watched me untie the ribbon holding the box closed. I felt like I was being put on the spot. I’d specifically told everyone that I didn’t want any gifts.
I lifted the lid of the box, finding the most magnificent stake inside that I’d ever seen. It was made of cherry wood and had my name etched into it. It brought a smile to my face.
“Thank you, Jez. This is so cool of you. I can’t wait to use it.”
“I’m sure you’ll get your chance sooner than you think.” She smirked and reached for her glass, finding it empty. “Dammit. Where’s that wolf with our refills?”
I scanned the crowd near the bar for Shaz. “I’m sure it won’t be long. Calm down booze hound.”
“We got you something, too, Lex. It’s back at the house. Too big to carry in here. Want to know what it is or should we keep it a surprise?” Kylarai’s smile lit up her whole face. The pain was still there, in the depths of her eyes, but she wasn’t letting it define her every moment. I was glad to see the strength that I knew was inside her.
“No, don’t tell her,” Zoey interrup
ted. “It’s one of those things she just has to see.”
I was curious to see what kind of gift those two would come up with together. I sensed Shaz’s approach and looked up to find him juggling a tray laden with drinks. My heart skipped a beat as I drank him in.
His hair was stylishly spiked so that it went every which way. He was casual but sexy in blue jeans, a black t-shirt and a leather jacket, my favorite look for him. Watching him glide through the crowd, deftly maneuvering the tray to avoid any spills, I might have swooned a little. He could still make my heart race.
“It’s about time,” Jez proclaimed when he set the tray before us. She wasted no time setting tequila shots in front of each of us. With a wry smile she raised her shot in a toast. “To Alexa, for making it longer than I ever thought she would. Bottom’s up, my friends.”
I slid over in the booth so Shaz could sit beside me. His musky wolf and pine scent hit me, and I savored it. I still felt ill when I thought of what he’d been up to at The Wicked Kiss, but I knew I had to deal with it since I had gotten him wrapped up with vampires in the first damn place. All that mattered was that I needed him. We’d overcome so much already. We were strong enough to survive this, too.
I wrinkled my nose and grimaced even before the tequila hit my tongue. Drinking bathroom cleaner had to taste better than this. A slice of lime took the edge off, but it didn’t stop me from cursing at the empty shot glass.
“I don’t know how you can drink that shit, Jez. It’s a slap in the mouth.” Shuddering, I reached for a double shot of whiskey instead.
Jez helped herself to another tequila. “Don’t be so weak. This is the stuff that’ll show you what you’re made of.”
The table dissolved into a debate over the nastiest alcoholic drinks in existence. I was content to drink my whiskey and listen to them compare everything from moonshine to absinthe. It all sounded nasty to me.
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