Davina (Davy Harwood #3)(22)

“I snapped your neck. There’s a difference.”

The flame in her eyes sparked up. “Oh? Please unveil the difference to me.”

“You’re Immortal. Snapping your neck did nothing to you.” He smirked at her. “But it did me a world of difference. Thank you. I had a whole day away from you.”

The flame lit up, overtaking her entire eyes, and it burned the air. “And if you were attacked while I was gone?”

Roane drew back, startled. His eyes narrowed. “I would’ve slaughtered them like anyone else. You think you’re that needed? Trust me. We did fine without you, and we’ll do so again.”

“You have no idea—” she started.

He cut her off, shaking his head. “Don’t. You’re here as a tag along. That’s it. You need the army to rescue Davy. We don’t need you. Let’s get that straight.”

She stared at him, and as she did, the flames doubled in size. But then, they stopped. They drew back and simmered so only a light smattering of smoke showed. She said, almost saddened now, “You’re wrong, Vampire. I am more needed than you realize.”

Grass was stepped on in the distance, and both went silent, looking toward where the sound came from. A second piece of grass was crushed, then a third. Both remained silent, now on high alert as predators, as they waited for the newcomer. Whoever it was, kept coming. They seemed unheeded by the sudden lull in voices. As one unit, without looking at the other, each drew to opposite sides of where the new arrival would appear. Both moved silent, as if touching air when they moved, and drew their weapons. Saren held a sword across her chest, her head dipped low, and her eyes downcast. Roane pulled out a knife, but kept it tucked against his arm. He waited with his arms down at his side.

The person continued toward them.

Roane lifted his head, filling his nose with as many smells as he could get. It was a werewolf, but he couldn’t identify what family. If it were a Christane wolf, he’d only maim him. No wolf should be on his path, unless sent there because Christian didn’t trust him. If it were an enemy line, he’d do the same. The wolf would be brought back to camp for interrogation, but when the person stepped forward, now between them, Roane held back. It was Christian himself. But Saren didn’t hold back. She launched forward. Christian twisted and caught her. He fell back from her momentum, but tossed her over his head.

“Wolf,” she snarled, her nostrils flaring, as she hurled toward a tree, caught it, and flung herself right back at him.

Christian wasn’t ready for the quick counter-attack. She kicked him right in the chest, and he went down once again. This time, instead of being bucked off, she remained on his chest. Her feet were planted there and she knelt down, her sword immediately placed in position. The sharp edge of it pressed up against his carotid artery, and she knelt down, a warning hiss from her, “Move, Wolf. I dare you.”

Christian started to retort, but the words caught and held in his throat. He looked to Roane instead and sighed. “This is my greeting by both of you?”

Roane had tucked his knife away during their scuffle, and he held his hands up now. A slight grin was on his face. “We needed to know the hierarchy. Now we know.”

“Hierarchy?” Christian echoed, a scowl forming.

“I am above you.” Saren pressed her sword against his throat before jumping off him. She sprung backwards in the air, looking as if invisible strings suddenly yanked her from him. She lowered herself to the ground a few feet away, sheathing her sword back in place, strung across her back. She gestured from herself to Roane. “And the vampire and I are equal . . . for now.”

Christian got up to his feet, dusting off his pants. “I held back, whatever you are. Get that right.”

“Right.” She smirked, folding her arms over her chest. “Let us get on with it. Our group approaches, and we’re supposed to be scouting ahead.” She sent that last statement to Roane, a flare of disapproval in her tone.

Roane narrowed his eyes at her. “You’re making me want to snap your neck again. For a while there, I didn’t want to. Funny how that emotion is never far for long.”

Christian hid a grin.

The flames lit up again, but they were contained. They only filled half of her eyes, waving together in sync. “I’m sure we’ll have another disagreement. You can try at that point, but until then, I suggest you remember the reason you’re scouting ahead.” She stepped toward him, dropping her voice. “For Davy, remember?”

He was scouting ahead to keep the group safe, but he got her meaning. This was all about Davy.

Christian sensed the new tension and cleared his throat. “That’s why I’m here.” He looked at Roane. “Another family of wolves is coming.”

Roane frowned. “Who?”

“They come from Mother Wolf.”

Roane had killed their Alpha, but the younger wolf was second in line to the female wolf. “She’s allied with Jacith.”

Christian nodded. “More than likely.”

“How close?”

“Half a day behind us.”

Roane said, “Then we keep going. I’m going to fall behind to watch them. I want to study my opponent first.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“No.” Roane shook his head, speaking to Christian. “You keep ahead. We’ll switch our teams. You had your wolves trailing us, and my vampires were scouting ahead. I’ll pull my team to trail behind. Your guys go ahead this time.”