On the Prowl (Bad Things #2)(32)

The muse didn’t seem rotten, though.

“The witch is mad,” her voice carried easily to Lila, “because the jerkoff who took us locked down her magic. She’s too weak to crack a spell and get our sorry asses out of this place.”

The witch began cursing. Very inventive curses.

The muse laughed.

“I need a fourth,” the witch muttered. “Air, fire, earth, and wind. If I could get all that, we’d be in business.”

“I’m guessing the angel counts as air…” The muse tapped her foot. “What are you, witch? Fire?”

“No, that’s you. You burn right through a man’s soul, leaving only obsession in your wake.”

The muse glanced down. “You say it like I have a choice.”

Lila frowned.

“I’m wind,” the witch said. “My power blows down my enemies. When I’m not f*cking imprisoned by a freak.”

Lila licked her lips. “What…what kind of being would be your earth?”

The muse replied, “Probably someone who’s been dead. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes and all that jazz.”

Nervously, Lila slipped back a step. “And what happens if we do get a fourth?”

The witch laughed. “I make hell come to town.”

That didn’t sound good.

“Want to know the other option, sweet angel?” The witch’s voice had dropped. “The other option is that the jerkoff kills us all. Because he is never going to let us go. He does have a plan, and for that plan to work, he’s going to destroy us.”

She stopped retreating. Her wings curled closer to her body.

“When the time comes…” the witch stared at her with dark eyes. “Will you fight with us?”

Angels weren’t supposed to fight. Her chin lifted. “Yes.”





Chapter Nine


“That little one-on-one didn’t go so well, did it?” Rayce murmured.

Julian had just marched back into the main house. He paused in the doorway, glaring at the wolf who was his semi-friend.

“I ask because well…you came back in without the girl.”

“She’s not a girl. She’s a woman.”

“Right. Yes, absolutely. I mean you came back in without the sexy vampire who—” His words broke off because Julian had lunged forward and grabbed the guy by the throat. Julian shoved Rayce against the nearest wall. Rayce’s flailing hands hit a table and a vase crashed.

Luke would be pissed. So what?

“Watch what you say about her.” He eased his hold, just enough for Rayce to speak.

“What’s wrong with what I said? The woman is gorgeous! She’s sexy as all hell. I’ve always had a thing for women with bite and—”

He tightened his hand on Rayce’s throat. “Why the hell do you push me?” Disgusted, he let the guy go. “Bugger off, mate.”

Rayce cleared his throat. Once. Twice. And he didn’t bugger off. “As I was saying…” He flashed a smile—one that showed his own lengthening canines. “I’ve always had a thing for women with bite and apparently, so do you.”

Julian nailed him with a right hook.

Rayce grunted and took a step back. “What the ever-loving hell? Dude, get control of your jealousy. Seriously.” He rubbed his jaw. “In a minute, I’ll stop being nice and I’ll fight back.”

“That hit wasn’t from jealousy.” His eyes raked the werewolf. “It was because you freaking locked her up. She hates being locked up. Rose had tears on her cheeks.” His hand lifted. He should hit the jerk again.

But Rayce’s eyes had widened in shock. “What? Shit, look, I thought I was helping. I’m a helper. That’s what I do.”

Julian snorted. “Don’t feed me that tosh.”

“Tosh?” Rayce blinked. “You’re throwing out your British shit again—”

“Crap,” Julian gritted out. “Don’t feed me your bull.” Rayce was a rogue wolf. He might put up a veneer of humor and charm, but the guy was a ravenous killer. He had no pack, so that made him even more dangerous. He wasn’t an alpha—he was one step above that power level. So all the other wolves in the world were terrified of him. And when you feared something, what did you do?

You avoided it. You ran from it.

Just like Rose was running from him.

His shoulders fell.

“Are you really going to take her back to the mainland?” Rayce wanted to know. “I mean, is that a good idea? She can stay here. You know that. She can stay here and—”

“Be locked up?” So she could hate him even more? Julian shook his head. “I said I’d stay by her side every minute. That was the deal I made, and I’ve already slipped on that deal too much as it is.” Because when they’d first returned to the island, he’d shifted and left her alone. It had only been the distance of a few acres, and that still counted as close, didn’t it? “I don’t know how much he’ll allow for the deal.”

As soon as the words were out of his mouth, Julian knew he’d made a mistake.

“Deal?” Rayce repeated as he tilted his head. “You made another deal with Luke? Didn’t you learn from last time?”