On the Prowl (Bad Things #2)(67)

Leo glanced back toward the ocean. “Stone sinks pretty quickly. If I were you, I might try the deepest depths.”

“You’re such an *.”

Leo smiled. “I could give you more of a map, if you were…say…willing to help me find a certain angel?”

Luke just stared at him.

“Do we have a deal?” Leo prompted.

“No.”

A faint rustle of sound came from behind Leo. It was the only warning his brother got. Leo whirled—and found himself face to face with Julian.

“I wanted to give my friend a wedding present,” Luke announced. “I figured he’d like a bit of payback.”

Julian’s claws slashed, cutting into Leo. Leo screamed and his wings shot from his back even as the blood poured from his chest. Then Leo was shooting up into the air—

But Julian’s claws caught one wing. They ripped it apart. Leo fell like lead onto the ground.

Julian started to go after him again.

“That’s enough.” Rose’s voice.

Luke smiled. “Sweet Rose, ever the voice of reason.” He strode toward his brother, and, for fun, gave him a little kick in the side. “You’re lucky she didn’t come back wrong.”

Leo groaned.

“Payback,” Julian snarled. “It’s a bitch.”

Or a very, very enraged panther.

Rose twined her fingers with Julian’s and they headed back toward the house.

For a moment, Luke just studied his brother. Then he smiled. “You’re not healing as quickly as you once did.”

Leo sat up, glaring.

“I think…you may be weaker, brother. A bite from a vampire can have repercussions, especially for someone like you.” He laughed. “You were worried about her being wrong, but maybe you should worry about yourself. Claws would never do this much damage to you before.”

Leo had gotten to his feet. He stumbled a bit, glaring. Scales began to appear on his body. He was transforming fully. The best way to heal from injuries.

Luke didn’t speak again, not until his brother had flown away. For years…years…centuries…there had been talk of a battle between him and Leo. He’d worried about the day when that final fight would come. Good versus evil. Blah f*cking blah.

He’d worried but now…

Now he laughed again.

Because his dear twin was showing a weakness, and if there was one thing Luke knew how to do…it was exploit a weakness.

He turned and strolled back to the house. But he didn’t get far, not before a wolf shifter crossed his path.

“Glad you think the night is funny,” Rayce muttered. “That bastard is probably off, hunting down that angel right now.”

Luke clamped a hand over his shoulder. “Why not make this a challenge?”

Rayce lifted a brow.

“You have her scent. Why don’t you see if you can find her first?”

The wolf gave him a slow smile.

And the game was on.

THE END