Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(60)

“Bullshit. You came to make sure Harley was dead and decided to take advantage of it. But, you never expected Alexa to be everything she is, did you? So you thought you could use her for leverage in your own city.”

I gave a small cry when Maxwell pushed enough power into me to serve as a warning to Arys. It felt like a scorching hand gripped my heart. Claire watched from where she perched on Shaz’ lap, holding a tight handful of his hair. A smirk danced about her lips, but there was a shadow of uncertainty in her eyes.

Arys fought against those holding him back, and Maxwell forced my head to the side, exposing the artery in my neck. “How long do you think it would take her to bleed out? Care to place a wager on it?”

“Not as fast as it would take to turn Claire to dust. Are you really willing to risk your other half?” Arys cast a casual glance at the female vampire, and immediately she grabbed her head and shrieked. “You know you’ll never be able to fill Harley’s shoes. It’s a little like playing dress up, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps. It’s just business, you know.” Slashing a hand across the side of my neck, Maxwell opened a wound that was just deep enough to have the effect he wanted. I yelped when he tightened his grip on my throat.

Taking advantage of Claire’s momentary distress, Shaz shoved her violently to the floor. He was off the chair and next to Arys, who held him back with a warning look. The vampires holding him got rough, shoving Arys to his knees. Shaz’ eyes were pure wolf, but he waited, knowing a sudden move could be a mistake.

Even with my life on the line, I found reassurance in their ability to be a team when it mattered. I’d remember this next time they were tossing insults at each other … if I lived to see it.

I shuddered at the chill of Maxwell’s tongue as he tasted my blood. I felt him react to me as he drew on my energy as well as my blood. I cringed inwardly, expecting the piercing pain of fangs, but it never came.

“Werewolf blood be damned,” he murmured. “This alone was worth the trip. I understand why you’re so protective of her. I would be, too. Dangerous, though, addictive.”

He didn’t taste me again. I couldn’t be sure, but he seemed apprehensive. Addictive. I flashed back to the night Kale confessed to me that he hadn’t stopped thinking about me since tasting my blood. I was walking, talking vampire heroin. It explained a lot.

Arys inclined his head, pinning Maxwell with a studious gaze. “Someone’s after you, huh, Max? You reek of desperation.”

Maxwell’s energy grew frazzled. “You know how it goes. It’s all about who has what and who wants it most.”

As if to emphasize his point, Maxwell hit me with a power push that had me screaming. Stars burst in front of my eyes. I pushed back against him, but even with Arys present, I was too weak. Blood began to drip from my nose, and I coughed painfully.

Recovered from Arys’ psychic assault, Claire gravitated closer, curiosity and hunger gleaming in her eyes. “I want to taste her.”

“I’ll drop you where you stand, Claire.” Arys looked from her to Shaz who stood tense but ready. They paid him little attention, a mistake in my opinion.

“No, you won’t.”

She struck me hard enough to throw Maxwell off balance.

Bright light burst behind my eyes, and I spat blood. The raging wolf inside me took the hit and enjoyed it. A smile crossed my face when I snarled, “You hit like a bitch.”

Unable to hold back anymore, Shaz rushed her. Together they crashed into a coffee table, smashing it to pieces. Finding a jagged piece of broken wood, Shaz aimed for Claire’s heart, but the vampire had already moved clear of the blow. She was on her feet again, delivering a swift kick that caught Shaz in the jaw, sending him into the shattered remains of the table.

She sprang at me, but I was ready. I brought a foot up into her gut with as much force as I could muster. She hit the opposite wall hard enough to knock picture frames down around her.

Everyone snapped into action at once. Arys lashed out with enough power to throw off all three vampires holding him. Two of them burst into dust.

Slamming my head back into Maxwell’s face, I heard the crunch of bone and felt it give beneath the impact. He loosened his hold on me, and I followed up with a well placed kick between his legs. Arys was just suddenly there, stopping Maxwell with a hand before he could recover. The two of them glowered at each other, and the tension in the room grew unbearable.

“You shouldn’t have come.” Arys spoke through gritted teeth.

They were testing one another, seeing who would break first. The power in the room rose to a suffocating level. I felt a twinge in my gut as Arys drew on the earth through me. Undead, he couldn’t tap into the earth without a living conductor.

“I told you. I’m here for the wolves that killed Harley.” Maxwell jerked away from Arys, shock on his face. Seeking to escape the lively earth magic, he quickly encircled himself.

“You’re out of your league.” Arys laughed, a cold malicious sound. “Harley came for her, too. And now, he’s dead.”

“He really came for you, and you damn well know that. He knew that the way to get to you was through her.”

Something in the atmosphere shifted. Even Claire remained where she was; we all watched as Arys and Maxwell shared something unsaid, something the rest of us weren’t in on.