Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(41)

Jez gaped at me in shock. “What? Are you serious?”

I took a deep breath and told her about my visit from Shya as well as Veryl’s attitude regarding Lena. “He’s driving me to do it, Jez. And, I can’t help but want to.”

“You can’t trust a demon though, Lex. You know that.” Jez fixed me with wide green eyes. “I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard enough to know I don’t particularly want to.”

The Charger was hot inside from the afternoon sun. I wasn’t used to being awake at this time of day, and the stuffy interior wasn’t helping me stay alert.

“I don’t trust him, but I don’t trust Veryl, either.” I put the key in the ignition but didn’t start the car. I faced Jez, seeking some kind of understanding. “I have to admit, I like the idea of taking on bigger kills, people that pose a serious threat. The challenge kind of excites me. Of course, I don’t want to make a mistake either. And, with everything else going on, it’s all pretty confusing.”

Reaching over to grab my hand, Jez gave me an encouraging smile that did nothing to hide the worry in her eyes. “Be careful, Alexa. Remember who you’re dealing with and just think things through before you agree to anything a demon says. I don’t want you to rush into anything. I don’t think I can support you on the Veryl thing. It’s just too personal for me. Do what you gotta do. I’ll still love you, but I can’t condone it.”

I gave her hand a squeeze. A swell of emotion brought tears to my eyes. It had been a trying day. “Fair enough.”

Chapter Twelve

I turned the small amulet over in my hands, feeling the pure earth energy humming through it. Warm and lively, it felt pure in a way that other forms of power were not. It called to my wolf, and I found myself comforted simply by touching it. I couldn’t be sure what Lena had intended in giving it to me. For now, I was content just to have a part of her.

Stuffing the amulet into my purse, I scanned the crowd. The blood whores seemed to be getting younger all the time. I didn’t like that. The flash of strobe lights over the dark dance floor briefly illuminated the couple against the wall. The vampiress with the ebony hair held a human male in a firm grip as she fed from him. The scent of blood mixed with sweat, a myriad of perfumes and other human smells was stomach turning.

Several couples were locked in embraces bordering on explicit. The Wicked Kiss was a living, thriving organism of its own. I was quickly accepting that I couldn’t control it, I could only survive it, which I had every intention of doing.

I hadn’t seen much of Arys in the past twenty-four hours. Every moment the sun was down, he was trying to get a lead on where Maxwell and Claire were hiding out. They’d been lying low since Lena’s death. It wouldn’t be long before they resurfaced. I fantasized about all the ways I’d break them. I couldn’t take back what they’d done to Lena, but I could share her pain with her killers. I itched with anticipation.

Shaz had taken the night off. I’d insisted. He needed more wolf time. I worried that too much time in this place was starting to affect him. Shaz was my wolf, and I needed him to stay that way. I was vampy enough for the both of us.

Neither Shaz nor Arys had wanted me at The Wicked Kiss alone. Sure it was dangerous, but they couldn’t constantly be hovering over me. If Claire tried to take a shot at me, Arys would know. I could open the telepathic door between us in a heartbeat.

When my phone vibrated in my pocket, I jumped. No, I wasn’t edgy at all. I half expected to see Veryl’s number; the guy didn’t know when to give up. So when I saw that it was Jez, I was relieved.

Until I answered.

Her words came in a rush, the hysterical shrieking made it hard to understand her. Adrenaline crashed over me, and I hurried through the noisy club to the quieter back hall.

“Jez! What’s wrong?”

“Alexa, it’s Kale. He f**king bit me! I couldn’t fight him off. I tried.” Another pained moan followed, and I ran blindly out the back exit into the parking lot.

“Where are you, Jez? Take slow, deep breaths. You have to calm down. I’m coming!” My own voice had risen to the point of hysterical. I almost choked on my panic.

“The office,” she gasped. “I’m at the office.”

I put my phone on speaker and tossed it on the passenger seat. “Stay with me, Jez. Keep talking.” With a squeal of tires I flew out of the parking lot, leaving the stink of burnt rubber behind.

I heard a noise, like her phone had fallen, seconds before the call was lost. I’d given Kale too much credit. Having been so caught up with the Claire situation, I hadn’t treated Kale like the threat he was. Unpredictable and self-starved, Kale had been well on his way to snapping. After finding the dead prostitutes in his room, I should have known better.

I feared the worst when I screeched to a halt in the office parking lot. Every precious second was slipping away too quickly. Leaving the engine running and the driver’s door open, I skidded on the loose gravel in my haste to get inside.

A bloody handprint on the wall caused my panic to surge. I flung myself beyond the entry, shouting Jez’ name. I found her unconscious on the floor in the kitchen. Blood pooled beneath her. Though her breath came in shallow bursts and her heart still beat, she was fading fast.

“Jez! Talk to me, Jez.” I slapped her face, receiving no response. I glanced around frantically, uncertain.