Addict (Hunter #2)(88)

Gray’s father had a flask in his hand. He stepped up. “I’ll explain. It must be difficult for someone who sees and knows everything to be left in the dark.”

“I don’t like the sensation, but I couldn’t possibly have seen this coming. What you’re trying to create is an abomination,” Jacob explained.

Gray shook his head. “I have prophecy powers. I’m not a prophet. I don’t even have particularly strong powers of prophecy.”

“Yes, you do, but you won’t use them,” his father complained. “You could be as powerful a seer as Jacob given time and proper training.”

“There are no dark prophets. None. There have never been any.” Jacob’s eyes narrowed. “It was not a power the dark ones were meant to have. You’ve bred it into some of your halflings, but a true prophet is divine.”

“Your father, as you call him, is an amazing chemist,” Winter said with a smile. “Humans have managed to emulate many of his so-called miracles. Once I figured out the formula, all it took was an accelerant. You are a prophet by your chemistry, Jacob. In the same way that we’re demons and vampires are vampires. In the end, it’s a simple thing. It’s all in the code.”

Gray’s father held up the flask. “We have to get enough of this inside Gray and his chemistry will change. It’s a plan we’ve had in place for years, but we needed the right subject.”

“You needed a royal halfling.” Jacob frowned. “With angelic blood. You raped an angel?”

“My mother was a witch,” Gray said.

“Your mother was also a companion. One the vampires hadn’t found. A strong one.” Fangs gleamed from his father’s mouth. “I purchased her soul from her father and when she was of age to have a child, I took what was mine. You have enough angelic blood inside you that this will work. Look at my son now, prophet. Look at the roads that stem from my son and tell me what you see.”

Jacob seemed to turn inward, his eyes glazing over to that odd white again. The room went silent. “I see war. I see death. Endless death and agony.”

Winter’s lips curled up. “Then all is right with my world. Force it down his throat.”

It was time for me to start kicking a little ass.

Jacob held a hand out. “Forcing it down his throat won’t work. That’s where you’re going to fail. You can’t win. Grayson Sloane has to open himself. He has to accept the transition for it to occur. It’s what you didn’t count on. He can fight it off. He already did once tonight.”

I felt a smile cross my face. We were good. There was zero chance of Gray giving in to their evil plans. Gray would fight and they could pour it down his throat all night long because it wouldn’t mean a damn thing.

Never get comfortable. If I had to write a book for up-and-coming Hunters, that would be my first piece of advice. You get a shit-eating grin on your face because you think you have the bad guys right where you want them and all their superstinky plans for the apocalypse are going to add up to a big fat zero, and that’s when everything falls apart, kiddos. So don’t get arrogant. Don’t let your guard down and whatever you do, keep your eyes on the dude with the semiautomatic weapon.

Yeah, that was when I noticed Matthew, in his brand spanking new butler body, pointing his gun at my head.

“Brother, I’m afraid I’m going to have to insist. Father, did you bring the chains?” Mathew asked.

Bellamy was so helpful. “No need. I have brand new handcuffs. They’re super high tech. They go on the market in a couple of months. They were originally made for supernatural creatures on another plane. I assume they’ll take care of whatever the hell she is.”

“Don’t,” Matthew warned as Gray stared at him. “One move her way and I’ll fire. She’s strong, but no one survives a bullet to the head. Neither Father nor I wish to kill your promised bride, but we will if we’re forced to.”

“I’ll kill the bitch in a heartbeat.” Winter took a step toward me. “I’ll freeze her where she stands.”

I couldn’t help it. I took a step back, despite the fact that brought my head into direct contact with Matthew’s gun. I would way rather have the bullet than let that man touch me.

Besides, it was past time to let other people dictate this particular battle. I had to get Gray out of here, and it wasn’t like I was some fragile flower. I also played on the fact that Papa Sloane wanted his Hunter grandbaby someday. The dude was seriously into genetics. I brought my head forward and popped it back as quickly as I could. The gun flew out of Matthew’s borrowed hands and his surprise gave me enough time to whirl around and shove the bottom of my palm up with great force. I hit his nose and felt the cartilage break. It was an angled hit and it did what I’d meant it to do. The cartilage shattered and I shoved it upward and into his brain.

The butler’s eyes widened and then he fell to the ground.

He should have found another job. Matthew would likely be back, but Winter would be looking for more help. I had that gun in my hand before anyone could think to come after me.

“Gray, it’s time for us to leave.” I stepped in front of my ex, who was still pale from fighting off his last encounter with the drug. “Stay behind me.”

Papa Sloane stepped forward, his eyes turning a pissed-off shade of red. “Where do you think you’re going, Hunter?”