Junkyard Queen (Alexa O'Brien Huntress Book 12)

by Trina M. Lee

  He sat on the other end, angled to face me, his black wings absent from sight. “Before we start, I just want to remind you that I love you, Alexa. And whatever happens from here on out, I want you to remember that.”

  What in the fuck?

  That threw me for a loop. I had to process that, choking down the rising panic. Willow and I had hung out here and there since our last serious conversation, but our visits had become stiff and routine. We visited, he drank, and that was that. Since the night he warned me to stay out of his business, things had changed.

  I suspected they were about to change again.

  “I love you too, Willow. That’s why I’m so damn worried about you.” Maintaining eye contact was difficult with those demon eyes boring into me. I searched them for the Willow I adored and found barely a spark of him. But that was enough to keep me fighting for him.

  He settled back into the corner of the couch and slung a leg up on the middle cushion separating us. “This is about Father Andrew. So let’s jump right in. You want to know why I killed him? I did him a favor. Shya had him so twisted up in his corrupt world. He never would’ve escaped, regardless of where Shya is now.”

  Father Andrew had been marked with Shya’s sigil, as had I once. Now I stared at the smooth, unmarked spot on my inner forearm. “Father Andrew was a good man, Willow. You had no right doing what you did.”

  “I put that man out of his misery. It may not appear that way, but only now can he find peace.” So casual and calm, Willow could’ve been talking about the latest hockey game or the chilly weather. But instead he spoke of murdering a devout preacher like it had been no big deal.

  “You fought an angel to get into that church.” It wasn’t a question. I wanted some kind of emotion from him. Some show of regret. “How? Why?”

  He regarded me with a pensive stare, as if wondering how much to share. “Because I could, because I wanted to. Needed to. I had a mission to complete, and I would not be stopped.”

  “You couldn’t get in there when you were fallen.”

  “Things have changed. My dark power is just as great as it was when it was light.” Willow took in my crestfallen expression and the nervous way I wrung my hands. “Look, Alexa, please try to understand. I fell from a place of beauty and purity to a realm of wickedness. It’s what I know now, what I am. And for some reason it drives me to purge evil from this earth more desperately than I ever longed to as an angel. I must do what needs to be done. Just like you.”

  That last remark was a weapon thrown with precision. It struck its mark.

  I understood one thing with agonizing clarity: Willow felt the need to banish wickedness because he had become wicked. Perhaps I was no different. Who were we to decide who lived and who died? Playing God like we had the right, we were no better than those we killed. Arys and Willow might try, but there was no justification for the deaths in our wake. There was only acceptance.

  Had I reached that point by watching Willow deny it?

  “Please, don’t do this. I know you’re working up to something with this planetary alignment coming. Whatever you’re planning, Willow, just don’t.” Pleading with demons had likely never worked for anybody. I didn’t expect it to work now, but I had to try.

  His expression stone cold, Willow dropped his voice. “We’ve discussed this already. Let’s not rehash that conversation. It wasn’t pleasant for either of us.”

  So he did feel something still. After our last conversation, when we’d pretty much agreed that we now stood on opposing sides, I’d been heartsick, afraid he didn’t care, that maybe he couldn’t care. Unable to meet my eyes he stared at the salt line on the floor, and I realized that our estrangement hurt him too.

  Sadness overwhelmed my relief. Still, my determination lingered, refusing to go without a fight. At a loss, I too stared at the salt circle, wondering what else I could say or do to convince him to abandon his plan. I came up empty.

  A knock at the door startled me. I hadn’t sensed anyone approaching. I rose to answer the door.

  Willow affected a deep, exasperated sigh. He waved a hand, and the door opened to reveal a man I’d never met standing in the threshold. No, not a man. The spark within me burned a little brighter in his presence.

  An angel.

  His amber-gold eyes echoed the sunset on a clear night. His blond hair shone in a shade all its own, not quite like any I’d seen on a human. He was tall, clothed in a white warrior’s robe. A sword hung on his hip.

  “Ah, Serene.” Willow greeted him with a glower. “I wondered when you’d show up.”

  “You know this is not how I prefer we meet.” Serene entered the room with a gait so smooth, no sound accompanied his footfalls. “Father Andrew didn’t deserve such a gruesome death. Willow, what have you done?”

  Willow regarded our guest with disdain. “Don’t do this, Serene. Not here. Not now.”

  Serene turned to me with a hand extended. “Alexa, so nice to finally meet you. I apologize for the intrusion.”

  Enchanted by his eyes, I merely nodded, tongue tied. Accepting his offered hand, he settled his other over mine. A pleasant surprise, warmth emanated from him. It spilled over me, filling me with a warm glow of peace and joy.

  “I’m sorry about Salem,” I said when I found my voice. “I didn’t mean for that to happen.” The stone where we’d trapped Shya had been entrusted to Serene at Willow’s suggestion, until Salem demanded Shya’s cage.

  “Think nothing of it.” Serene’s friendly smile put me at ease. “That had nothing to do with you. However, your former guardian seeks destruction, and I’m afraid that may affect you.”

  Willow made a noise of disgust. “Don’t involve her, Serene. Do what you came here for and leave Alexa out of it.”

  “I’m already involved,” I insisted. “You know I can’t just walk away from this.”

  “Nor can I.” Serene bowed his head as he addressed Willow. “My friend. My brother. You know it wounds me to see you this way. I must warn you, we can’t stand back and watch while you destroy yourself and others.”

  We, as in, the angels. I swallowed hard.

  Willow didn’t look nearly concerned enough. In fact, he appeared downright apathetic. “Then don’t watch.” His tone rang hollow.

  Serene remained unmoved. Slow to anger, he regarded Willow with something akin to sadness or regret. “I’m here to warn you. You’re being watched, and we cannot allow your deeds to go unpunished. It’s not too late to abandon your wayward cause, my friend.”

  Willow rose from the couch in a fast, fluid motion that had me stepping closer to the desk. He faced Serene head on, rising to a challenge that hadn’t been issued.

  “It is though, I’m afraid. I’ve fallen to a point that I can’t return from. This is the role I must play now. I understand that you must play one as well.” The air around Willow crackled. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared hard into Serene’s calm face.

  No way was he going to start shit with someone near and dear to him. Not in my friggin’ nightclub. I gripped the edge of my desk to steady myself against the rising swell of power in the atmosphere. Demonic and heavy, it felt oily against my skin and created a near painful pressure in my head. And Willow hadn’t done a damn thing yet.

  “I don’t wish to fight you,” Serene replied. “I’m here because I care.”

  “You’re here because you were sent. Doing your duty like the fine, upstanding white lighter you are. I’m just another demon. Another job. So let’s spare one another the bullshit, hmm?” With a boom that shook the room Willow’s wings flared wide.

  Still Serene didn’t give him the reaction he sought. I admired his confidence and self-control. I was ready to crawl under my desk.

  “I’m here because they’re going to come for you, and I don’t want to see that happen.” The sword at Serene’s hip glowed pale purple in its sheath.

  “Let them come.” Fearless, Willow held both arms out, welcoming the consequences he’d
reaped.

  “No,” I shouted. Scrambling away from the desk I shoved between them, stuffing down my own gripping fear to confront Willow’s impending doom. A hand on his chest, I pushed him behind me so I could plead with Serene. “Please, don’t let them come for him. Not yet.”

  Serene regarded me with solemn, sad eyes. They were just so golden and mesmerizing. “There isn’t much I can do. He’s crossed too many lines. Broken too many laws.”

  “What will happen to him?” I didn’t want to ask, didn’t want to know. But I needed to understand.

  “Imprisonment. For a time. Possibly forever. I don’t make that decision.” To Willow, Serene added, “You’re blessed to have someone care so very much for you after all you’ve done.”

  Despite the hard set to his jaw Willow didn’t argue. He stared at me as if wishing me away. I imagined I was really starting to piss him off.

  “Give me some time,” I tried again, eyes wide, hoping Serene saw the depths of my desperation. “I can do something. I know I can. Please, don’t take him yet.”

  The silence that settled over the room weighed heavy upon me. I begged an angel for a lenience that Willow didn’t deserve. Hell, I begged for a chance that I didn’t deserve.

  Sounding more curious than caustic, Willow asked, “What do you think you can do, Alexa? I’m beyond the reach of your talents. And I’ll never stop. Why would you wish to save me anyway?”

  Ignoring him, I grabbed hold of Serene’s hand. Latching onto an angel uninvited might have been bad form, but I didn’t care. “The night of the alignment. Give me until then. Please. Tell the angels… Tell them I just need a chance. That’s all I ask.” I risked a glance at Willow, fearing what I might see on his face. “He saved me. Now it’s my turn to save him.”

  Willow’s shoulders slumped, and he turned away, ducking his head of dirty-blond hair. “There’s no saving me now.”

  His response didn’t matter. Only Serene’s did right then.

  The angel patted my hand. “I can’t make any promises. However, you are a Hound of God and a Light Flame. So I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, and I’ll do my best to see that my brothers do as well.”

  “Thank you,” I murmured, my voice cracking. “Thank you.”

  Relief crushed me. I wanted to collapse beneath the weight of it and cry bloody tears all over the new hardwood flooring. Later. First I had to figure out just what the hell I’d do to save Willow. Deep down I believed I could. Somehow. Failure simply was not an option.

  Because it was Willow. And he had not failed me.

  CHAPTER TEN

  For a long time I sat on the couch after Serene and Willow left. I alternated between staring at the wall, lost in thought, and letting a few bitter tears stain my cheeks.

  The full moon approached at a terrifying pace. In just two nights I’d be sucked into the stone with Shya. Again. And more than likely I’d also be horribly assaulted. Again.

  As much as I dreaded what would surely come, I didn’t dread it nearly as much as what lay ahead with Willow. I’d rather take a beating from Shya any day than have Willow imprisoned. His greatest crime had been taking the fall for me so that I would stay balanced with light and dark.

  I had to fix this.

  Racking my brain, I went through every emotion. Somehow I’d solve this. I couldn’t let myself believe otherwise. I owed great debts to many people but none so great as what I owed Willow.

  The door opened without a knock, and Falon sauntered in.

  Rude.

  I hurried to swipe a hand through my tears, but they’d already dried. I could only imagine the mask of blood I wore. No hiding that. “What the hell are you doing here?” I muttered, feeling vulnerable, having been caught by him with tears crusted on my face.

  The door slammed shut behind him, and he paused, looking perplexed. Taking in the salt circle on the floor and me crying on the couch, Falon became as awkward as I’d ever seen him.

  “Is this a bad time?” He rocked uncertainly back and forth on his heels. Hands shoved in the pockets of his long coat, he nodded. “Yeah, this is a bad time.”

  Our relationship consisted of nothing more than insults and sex. And now business to some extent. Emotion of any kind played no part, nor should it.

  “Ya think?” Huddled on the couch with my knees drawn up, I wished I’d just gone home.

  Falon kicked the edge of the salt circle. “What’s with this? Don’t tell me you summoned Willow. Was he furious?”

  Ok, he wasn’t going away. With an annoyed huff I tucked myself into the couch corner. “He showed up before I got the chance.”

  Perching on the arm at the opposite end of the couch, Falon studied my bloodstained face. “Want to tell me about it?”

  What I wanted was for him to get lost. My inner response might have been triggered by my frustration over the Willow situation or by having one of my least favorite people catch me crying. Either way, irritation had me in its hold.

  “Not particularly.” I met his frown with a sassy but forced, fang-flashing grin. I hoped it looked as evil as it felt on my face.

  Not to be outdone, he slid off the arm onto the couch and slid over so close we almost touched. “Tell me about it anyway. He’s the reason I’m here. I have a message from the angels of The Circle.”

  “No, you don’t. I don’t want to hear it.” Letting my head drop back against the cushion, I swore. It didn’t help. “Serene was here. I’m done with angels today. You included.”

  “Ouch. I’ve been here for all of two minutes. I don’t think I’ve earned that kind of scathing remark just yet. Give me a few more minutes.” Falon leaned back beside me. Clasping his hands behind his head, his elbow knocked me in the temple.

  I scowled. “Willow is unapologetic. Serene is going to try to get the angels to give me some time to figure out how to stop his insanity before he ends up imprisoned. What do the angels of The Circle want to dump on me?”

  “They said pretty much the same thing: deal with Willow before they do.” He stretched his lengthy frame out, propping his feet on the wooden coffee table.

  I wanted to snarl at him to get his feet off my stuff. Knowing he sought to aggravate me, I choked on it. “So two factions of angels want me to handle Willow. Yeah, ok, no pressure. I’ll get right on that, just as soon as I finish up having my ass kicked by Shya.”

  “Oh, right. Shya.” Falon graced me with a lazy grin. “You know I’ll be here for you when you get out.”

  “Lucky me.” My tone oozed sarcasm. Last time Shya spent a whole night abusing me, only Falon’s immortal power had restored me from the bag of frail bones Shya had created.

  “Or maybe I’m busy that night. And the next night. In fact, I think I may be too busy for several weeks. Your lack of gratitude wounds me.” He was too close. The masculine scent of him teased my senses.

  “That’s horse shit. You’re too insensitive to be wounded.” I rubbed the heels of my hands over my eyes and pressed closer to the arm of the couch. But I’d run out of space.

  Everything Falon did, he did to drive me crazy. It usually worked. His proximity taunted me. Did he have to smell like a mix of male musk and lavender? Was that lavender? I caught myself about to lean in to check. Dammit.

  He slid a sidelong glance my way. “You look like hell. Have you seen yourself after a cry fest? Scary.”

  “Oh? What’s the scary part? The blood tears or the fact that you can’t understand emotions anymore?” That blow hit lower than I’d intended. Me and my big mouth.

  Falon would never let on that I’d struck a nerve. His expression never changed. He even went so far as to fake a yawn, as if my meager attempts to fire back merely bored him.

  Knowing his history gave me an unfair advantage in our game of barbs and insults. Because he didn’t know that I knew. His heart had been damaged. Worse than broken, it had been dragged through hell and back. Cursed to watch his lover die again and again until she ended it all by choosing the one w
ho’d cursed them.

  Every time it came to mind I felt so sad for him. And I knew one day he would see it in my eyes.

  I shoved off the couch and went to the attached bathroom. One glimpse in the mirror and I had to laugh. Shit, that was a gruesome sight.

  Falon’s voice followed. “It’s a good thing you’re a great lay. Makes up for the ghastly appearance and irritating voice.”

  A little warm water and the blood tears washed away. I patted my face with a towel. “Too bad I can’t say the same about you.”

  When I emerged from the washroom, Falon smirked. He’d stretched out along the couch, taking up the whole thing. “So what do you plan to do about Willow? Please tell me you do have a plan. Because he certainly does.”

  Unwilling to cram back onto the couch with him, I leaned against the desk. “Honestly? I have no fucking idea. Not yet. What would you do?”

  “Me? I’d stay the hell out of his way and hope I didn’t get caught in the aftermath of whatever he’s got planned. Of all the demon rituals that will go down that night, I’d be most concerned with Willow’s.” Falon pointed at the empty wall beside the door. “You could use a TV in here.”

  “Helpful,” I muttered, crossing my arms. When his gaze strayed to my pushed-up breasts, I uncrossed them and held the edge of the desk instead. “There’s got to be a way to stop his streak of twisted justice without just locking him away.”

  Brows lifted, his face a mask of skepticism, Falon scoffed. “How else do you deal with a raging maniac? The human world locks them up. The supernatural does the same if they can’t be killed.”

  I shook my head, unwilling to accept that as the only option. “No, there has to be a better way. Willow isn’t some run of the mill demon. He’s better than that.”

  Falon sat up, looking at me like I’d finally lost my mind. “No, he isn’t. Not anymore. Willow is a demon. You need to accept that, Alexa, or he’s going to take you down with him.”

  His grim tone made me uneasy. Perhaps he was right, but I didn’t want him to ever be right about Willow. “Well,” I said after a moment of searching for the right response. “At least we wouldn’t have to work together anymore.”