by G. K. DeRosa
I threw her a scathing glare, and she returned her attention to the countless vials littering our coffee table.
After she organized the potions around the small stone cauldron, she finally looked up. “How long do you need it to last?”
“A few hours at most.”
She grabbed another vial filled with a neon green liquid. “Okay, no problem. I’ll make the potion now, and you can take it right before you go. The effects will be instantaneous. One more question, do you want to be a blonde or a brunette?” She winked, and I couldn’t help a chuckle from spilling out.
“Definitely blonde,” Ransom interrupted.
I whacked him across the chest, and he sat back on the couch, muttering. Turning my attention back to my friend, I watched as she worked, mixing potions in the stone bowl, all the while her lips fluttered to a barely perceptible rhythm.
Dozens of questions flickered across my mind as my eyes trailed my friend’s movements. How was the rest of the team? What missions had I missed out on? How was Spark? Thinking about him ate away at my insides, so like all things I didn’t want to deal with, I buried the thoughts, relegating them to the murky corners of my battered psyche.
I’d fix things with Spark when I was done with this mission.
Him and Kenna. I’d sent word to my sister through Deacon that I’d be unreachable for a while, and I knew it would only be another nail in the coffin of our precarious relationship.
I blew out a breath almost at the same instant that Vera said, “Done.”
“That’s pretty impressive, little witch.” Ransom gave her a lazy smile as he sat up.
“You haven’t seen anything, little vampire.”
He wagged a finger at her, grinning. “I think I like this one, Red.”
“No one cares.”
Vera handed me a small vial filled to the brim with a thick brownish sludge. My stomach turned just looking at it. “Take it at the very last minute. It’ll last for up to three hours, okay? It’ll change your appearance, your scent and even your magical signature. No one will know if you’re a human, wolf or otherwise.”
“Perfect.” I squeezed my friend’s hand.
Her pale green eyes met mine, and worry flashed across her light irises. “I wish you could come back already. We really miss you.”
“Hopefully it won’t be much longer now.” A twinge of emotion tightened my throat. “I miss you guys, too. Maybe you can tell the others after this is over.”
She nodded slowly. “Of course. Now you be careful.” Then she turned her gaze to Ransom and pointed a long, slender, perfectly manicured finger. “And you, you better have my friend’s back, or you’ll have me to deal with.”
He lifted a finger and motioned over the left side of his chest. “Cross my heart and hope to die. I’d never want to mess with a witchy sister.”
“Good.”
After Vera collected her belongings, shoving them all back into her backpack, she turned to me. “If you need anything, all you have to do is call. We’ll be here faster than Olivier can open a portal.”
“I know. I’ve got this.” I eyed bardy leaning by the door. It had been too long since I’d been in a good fight. My blood sang with the need, desperate for the rush.
With a quick hug, Vera pivoted toward the door. I couldn’t help the twinge of sadness as the dark timber slammed shut behind her. I needed to get back to my team. The more time I spent in the Darklands, the more screwed up I was getting. Everything was twisting in my mind, and I couldn’t tell up from down, wrong from right anymore.
As I trudged back to the couch and sank down beside Ransom, I let out a sigh.
“Don’t be sad, Red. I’ve got just the little pick me up you need.” He reached for my thigh, but I batted his hand away.
With a rueful smile, he turned his wrist and bit into the soft flesh. He held it in front of my nose and leaned closer. “To help me track you tonight.”
My mouth watered, the exhilarating high that followed a taste of his blood ghosted through my memories. I wanted to say no, I should’ve said no. The more time I spent with the vampire, the more gray seeped between the black and white.
We’d exchanged way more than the suggested five drops a week. And still, I found my fingers wrapping around his forearm. My tongue was heavy in my mouth, my tastebuds already primed and ready.
The two drops of crimson called to me. I swallowed thickly and brought his wrist to my mouth. My fangs descended, and he let out a groan as my teeth grazed his flesh.
“Hey, take it easy, Red.”
Reining in my wolf, I slid my tongue between my incisors and licked the intoxicating crimson droplets. A faint moan rumbled deep in Ransom’s chest as I sucked. His arm snaked around my shoulders, and he crushed me against his side as I lapped him up.
Sparks of energy sizzled across my veins with each swallow. My mind raced, hurtling at ridiculously high speeds, faster than a runaway rollercoaster.
I hazarded a glance through slitted lids and caught Ransom’s head tip back and nostrils flare, his whole body going taut. I focused my thoughts, concentrating on all the training I’d endured on the island. Mental blocks. Mental walls. It took all my willpower, but I finally dragged my mouth from his skin.
Once I released him, he let out a haggard breath and slumped back against the couch cushion.
I curled my arms around myself as a surge of unexpected embarrassment flushed my cheeks. Gods, this blood exchange thing was getting more out of control each time.
A long minute later, Ransom finally moved. His eyes flitted to mine, and a lazy grin curved his lips. “Gods, Red, that was hot.”
The burn of my cheeks intensified as he adjusted his jeans drawing my attention to the significant bulge beneath the zipper.
Mother fanger. I shot up from the couch and raced to the bathroom as Ransom’s dark chuckles echoed behind.
Chapter
Thirty-One
Ransom
* * *
Letting Red leave the safehouse without me was one of the hardest things I’d had to do for as long as I could remember. She’d portalled to shifter territory over an hour ago, and I’d spent the last sixty minutes counting the cracks on the ceiling. I rubbed at the void in my chest to ease the ache. She was a highly trained sicari. She’d be fine. Plus, I had the quickly forming blood bond to track her. I’d meet Dinah in a few minutes, and we’d be on our way to the border. We’d catch up with Phoenix in a few hours at most.
I eyed the clock on the wall, willing the second hand to speed up. My knees bounced up and down, and I let out a growl. Shooting up from the couch, I darted to the door. I couldn’t just sit here anymore. At least outside, I could burn some nervous energy.
So many things could go wrong. My fingers flexed as I clenched and unclenched my fists at my sides. Assuming the suped up magical cloak held, what if Dinah realized it was a trap? She wasn’t the smartest of all vampires as I recalled, but there was always the chance. Then there were the serviles, the bloodthirsty immortals were completely undisciplined and uncontrollable. What if one of them attacked Red?
I wouldn’t be able to control my reaction. This thing between us was growing stronger with each blood exchange. I could feel her inside me. And I wanted to be inside her. Not just my blood but all of me.
Thanatos, it had taken everything from me today not to toss her on the couch and take her as she drank from me. Her eyes were glazed over, the lusty haze from my blood racing through her system. Her scent, that heady, intoxicating perfume had no bounds. It beckoned my inner beast and was only magnified when mixed with mine.
I sped across the barren streets, the cool air whipping through my hair. I went faster, faster, anything to get her out of my mind. But she’d buried her way in deep, into the empty, yawning crater in my chest. And now, it didn’t feel so vast.
But to what end?
We could never be together. I laughed at the ridiculous thought. She hated me. Even if she knew the truth about our
wolves, it wouldn’t matter. My lupine half was dead and gone. Mostly. I rubbed at the spot in which he used to reside, the echoes of his spirit still lingering.
Shaking my head out of the absurd notions, I vamp-sped toward the meet-up spot. Maybe Dinah would be early, and we could get this charade over with. Assuming everything went well, what would be the next step? Once I’d infiltrated the Children of the Night, when would Carmen Rosa move against them? I longed to be free of this, to disappear and forget everything. I’d simply turn it off, just like I’d done in the beginning.
That switch was the only bright side to eternal damnation.
It made everything so easy…
As I moved deeper into the Darklands, the decrepit buildings gave way to more crumbling structures, and even more starving vamps. My mind flickered back to the alpha trials, to the time when my heart still pumped by nature instead of an ancient god’s dark magic. To the hordes of sickly vampires who’d attacked us and nearly took my best friend’s life. I squeezed my eyes shut, chasing away her memories. I’d had to contact her mate, the new supreme alpha, to arrange a big public meeting with all the shifter alphas to get Deacon away from the borderlands. If Ronin ever looked further into this failed attack, Red and I would prove free and clear. At least there were some perks to having friends in high places. Former friends.
It had been the first time I’d reached out to the supreme alpha since I’d been turned. Maybe one day, I’d return to Moon Valley, but not in his lifetime. It would take me more than a few to return to my old home. To bear seeing a life that was no longer mine.
As I prowled the center of the Darklands, moving between the desperate serviles, my stomach churned with unease. If all these creatures were unleashed on the rest of Azar, the results would be catastrophic. To none more so than the shifters along the borders of our lands. But it wasn’t my problem. I had one job: infiltrate the Children of the Night and provide information. The queen and her Royal sicari teams could do the rest.
I circled the meet-up spot for the third time, and my eyes finally landed on an approaching Dinah. The tall blonde marched at the center of the mass of hissing, writhing serviles. Good gods, she’d brought more than I’d imagined—nearly fifty at least.
I hoped Deacon had prepped his men.
Dinah’s mouth curved into a smile as I sauntered over, her eyes alight beneath the pale moonbeams. “There you are, handsome.” Her hand curled around the back of my neck, and she pressed her lips to mine.
It was like kissing a cold, dead fish. After Red, I wasn’t sure anyone would ever taste as sweet. Damned mate bond. I pulled away after waiting an interminable minute.
She cupped my cheek, her eyes intent on mine. “You ready?”
“Always.”
“Wonderful. Let’s move then. It should take us less than an hour to cross into Marlwoods, which will get us there a little after midnight. According to our scouts who trailed them until this afternoon, there are only two guards on duty at night. That’ll make easy pickings for us.”
“Great.” I forced a smile. “And Deacon?”
“Scouts saw him this morning. His hut is the one smack dab in the center of camp. We’ll go there first. Once we’ve taken him out, the rest will crumble.”
“Sounds like a solid plan.”
She eyed me, her curious gaze raking over me. I inhaled imperceptibly, slowing the mad flutter of my heart. Dinah might not have been the sharpest stake in the hunting kit, but she wasn’t a fool either.
“Ronin sends his regards,” she finally said. “He hopes you won’t disappoint. He’s got big plans for you.”
I wrapped my arm around Dinah’s shoulders and tossed her my trademark grin. “I hope you told him Ransom De La Sangue never disappoints.”
She giggled, weaving her arm around my waist. “This is going to be fun. When I first saw you the other night with that bloodwhore, I thought you’d changed. I’m glad to see the old Ransom’s still here.”
“Let’s get going, and I’ll show you just how fun I can be.” I unraveled my body from hers and signaled at the serviles. “Do they just follow us?”
Her head dipped. “All they need is a little motivation.” She tugged a small glass bottle from her pants pocket and uncorked it. The scent of fresh blood wafted up my nostrils—not just any blood, human.
Growls and snarls rang out within the mass of vampires, and they snapped and clawed at Dinah.
“It’s time.” Holding up the vial, she took off, and the serviles raced behind her.
Steeling my nerves, I darted behind the horde of murderous creatures. I closed my eyes as I ran and pictured the sassy redhead. My body hummed, drawn to her. The call of my own blood running through her veins was strong. It would always lead me right to her. I wasn’t sure if that was a bad thing or a good one.
Chapter
Thirty-Two
Phoenix
* * *
I stared at the note from Deacon, blinking back tears I refused to shed in front of his beta. I didn’t know Hardy well, but if Deacon had sent him in his place, he must’ve trusted the tiger.
Nix,
This is a one-time deal, kid. I don’t walk away from a fight. Ever. You take care of yourself and my pack. And do me a favor? Once this is over, come visit, all right? I don’t know what you’re tangled up in but remember to keep yourself safe. There’s no point killing fangers if you get yourself killed in the process. I love you, kid. Send word as soon as it’s over.
Deacon
* * *
After I finished reading it for the second time, I neatly folded up the note and placed it in my pocket. If everything went to hell today, at least Deacon would be safe.
Shoving the thoughts aside, I glanced up at Hardy, his bulky flame alight by the roaring fire. The tiger was huge, with brilliant golden eyes and a jagged scar across his cheek. He sure looked like he could handle some starving serviles. “Everyone’s where they’re supposed to be?” I asked.
“Yes, ma’am. I’ve got the children hidden up in the caves, and each hut has a male of fighting age. One weapon a piece, nothing too flashy, just like you instructed.”
“Good. We have to make sure this doesn’t look like a set up.”
He scratched at his beard, eyeing me. “Deacon told me, but he didn’t explain why. I trust my alpha, but I don’t like the idea of a bunch of hungry fangers invading my camp. If it were up to me, we would’ve gotten everyone out of here and moved further east.”
“I understand that, and I appreciate you trusting me. Just know that if everything goes smoothly today, it’ll be a big step toward putting an end to these attacks for good.”
“I sure as hell hope so, little lady.”
The sound of footfalls jerked my head toward the hill. I tightened my hold on bardy until a small figure emerged from the darkness. A little girl. She couldn’t have been more than five or six.
“Daddy!” She hurled herself at Hardy, and my heart constricted.
“Bekka, what are you doing out here?” The massive beta hugged the girl to his chest. “You know you’re supposed to stay in the caves with your momma and the others.”
“I had to make sure you were okay.” She turned her wide-eyed gaze from her father to me, wild blonde ringlets tumbling over her forehead. “Are you her? The vampire slayer?”
My head bobbed up and down as the little girl’s scrutinizing gaze raced over me.
“You don’t look very tough.”
A nervous laugh burst from my lips. I didn’t feel very tough at the moment. I buried bardy’s shaft deep into the dirt so it stood beside me and bent down in front of her. “This is bardy,” I said pointing at my weapon. “He’s super special. He’s going to make sure that none of the vampires hurt anyone in this camp.”
She stared up at the glistening blade, the silver ablaze beneath the moonlight.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about, okay, Bekka?”
The little girl leaned into her father and finally n
odded.
“I’ll watch out for your dad too.”
“You promise?”
I held out my hand, and her small fingers wrapped around my palm. “I swear to the goddess Luna.”
Hardy hoisted her up into his arms and tossed the squirming girl over his broad shoulder. “Time to get you to bed, young lady.” Then he turned to me, the softness in his eyes as he watched his daughter a second ago now gone. “I’ll be right back.”
I ticked my head beyond the circle of huts, to the encroaching forest. “Hurry, they’ll be here soon.” I didn’t know exactly how, but I knew Ransom was close. It must have been from the last blood sharing. The electrifying crimson in my veins sang for him.
After securing bardy to his sheath at my back, I clenched my hands into fists at my side and marched toward one of the tents on the outer circle. With my luck, Ransom would lead them straight to me, and I’d kill those mother fangers before they knew what hit them. I couldn’t break my promise to that little girl.
I moved silently through the camp, glancing into the tents as I passed. As instructed, everyone was pretending to sleep. Not a sound broke the tense silence. When I reached my assigned hut, I peeled back the roughhewn fabric, and my eyes settled on the two cots lining the outer wall. Then to the toys scattered along the floor and the small clothes hung from a drying rack. My mind tumbled back in time, thoughts racing back to that night. To Kenna.
She was so little. So scared.
Her wide eyes flashed across my vision, tear-filled and swollen. She’d been trembling when I finally found her in the woods. It had taken me too long to track her. After I’d killed that vampire and escaped, I’d remained in fur, racing through the dark forest trying to find her. But my brain had been so scattered, my heart so broken, it had taken me over an hour.
I’d found her curled up against a towering banyan, nestled within the massive root system, covered in leaves and dirt. Her eyes had nearly bugged out of her head as they landed on me—well, my wolf. Her panicked expression had chased my girl away, the shift coming on almost instantaneously. I’d stood before her completely naked and pulled her into my arms. She’d cried for a while, and I just held her. Somehow, she’d already known our parents were gone. She’d either read it in my face or understood that there was no other way they wouldn’t have come for her.
