Undead Or Alive (Bad Things #3)(39)

“Can’t wait to hear it,” Cass called. Like I give a shit.

“Option two…you touch that sweet piece of ass right next to you.”

Cass narrowed his eyes on Gregory.

“You put your hand on Amber, and you kill her. She’s the person Luke wants so badly…so that means she’s the person who will hurt him the most. Kill her and strike back at Luke. His days of ruling are over. It’s time for a new power.”

Cass shook his head. “Here I thought you wanted to be Luke’s right hand man. That was just bullshit wasn’t it? You want to get close to him because…you’re just like Hycim.” And being close to Luke, getting Luke’s trust…you think that will make him easier to kill, don’t you, Gregory?

Gregory smiled. “Who do you think gave Hycim his f*cking ideas?” Then he laughed. “You killed the wrong guy so long ago. I was the one who made Hycim. He was just a wolf before I found him. I made him stronger. Just as I will make all of my followers stronger. I’ve been on this earth for thousands of years. I know all the magic out there. I’ve used the magic out there, and I’ll use it again. Again and again and again until I have everything that I desire.”

“You…” Amber’s voice rose. “You told Hycim to take the fairy wings, didn’t you?”

“Fairy wings?” Then he laughed once more. “Ah, yes, I’d almost forgotten that. He’d found the last fairy on earth. He wanted her wings and I told him to cut them off her. Fairy wings always held so much power.”

Cass saw Amber tremble near him.

“But after Hycim’s death,” Gregory rolled back his shoulders, “I lost those wings. Couldn’t find them f*cking anywhere.”

And Cass had wiped out the guy’s would-be army when Luke sent him after Hycim’s men. “You were left with jackshit.”

“I had to start all over again!” Gregory’s voice boomed out. “But I was patient. I waited…and now I have Luke right where I want him. He trusts me. His mistake. I will get killing-close and he won’t know it until it’s too late.”

“You can’t kill Luke,” Amber yelled.

“I can’t…” Gregory nodded. “But Cass can.”

Maybe.

“You can kill anyone…and with the right motivation, I know that you will.” Gregory inclined his head toward Cass. “I didn’t really think you’d go for option two. I’d hoped so…it would have made my life easier, but you’ve always been a difficult sonofabitch, you know?”

The scythe appeared in Cass’s hand. Gregory will die first.

“And there’s that…” Gregory glared at the scythe. “Luke plays favorites, doesn’t he? Giving you that lovely weapon…and, of course, your gloves.”

“I’m not wearing them right now.” Cass sent him a cold smile. “All the better to kill you.”

A crow called out behind Cass. He stiffened. That call…had it come from inside the car?

“No,” Gregory told him flatly. “All the better for me to distract you.”

Cass spun around.

Not just one crow was in the car. Two. And each crow had a glove clenched tightly in its beak.

He lunged for the birds, but they flew away.

“Tell me this isn’t as bad as I think it is,” Amber muttered.

Cass spun back to face Gregory. Right at the vamp’s side, the crows—a dozen of them—rushed together and reformed—Marguerite. She had the gloves on her hands.

Cass threw his scythe. It tumbled end over end and—

Marguerite burst into twelve crows once more. The scythe hit one crow but missed the others. Shit. It still hit the prey…but it didn’t stop her.

“I always thought you didn’t need the gloves. I mean, your whole purpose is to kill. So why not kill?” Gregory demanded. “Marguerite, love, take those gloves far the f*ck away.”

No!

But the remaining crows were already flying high into the sky, and the two werewolves were closing in. Once more, Cass summoned his scythe.

“Got the gloves,” Gregory murmured, as if checking off items on his list. “And now I’ll be taking that bounty. Amber…I do have plans for you.”

The two werewolves leapt at Cass. His scythe cut into one, sending a spray of blood and making the beast howl in pain.

Cass’s hand flew out and touched the second wolf. It dropped to the ground, dead.

Bullets blasted into him, hitting his chest, his shoulder. He reached for Amber, wanting to shield her.

No! Can’t touch her!

He caught himself just before his fingers would have touched her shoulder.

She stared at him, her eyes wide and horrified. I’ll keep you safe. I swear. Then Cass was rushing toward the men with guns. They kept firing. The bullets hit him again—one in his knee, making his right leg give way. But he was close enough…

He touched the shooter even as he went down.

The bastard died still gripping his gun.

The second shooter was firing at Amber. When Cass had run at the vampires with guns, she’d had to follow him. Fucking magical link. I’m so sorry, sweets. He had to protect her.

Cass yanked the weapon from the dead man and gave a loud whistle.