Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(69)

I was intrigued by the power a skilled witch could call. It was not unlike my own. However, the manner in which they accessed it was much different.

Watching Brogan reminded me of all the times I’d done the same thing with her mother. I hadn’t let myself truly feel Lena’s loss. It was too hard. But, it would come. It had to. I didn’t want to let her go. Though it wouldn’t bring her back, today there would be retribution for what had happened to her.

A satisfied but sad smile crossed Brogan’s dainty features, and her eyes snapped open. Motioning me over, she called, “I’ve got a location.”

Hopping off Kale’s car, I almost skipped over to her. The wolf inside me was readying for a fight. I was almost excited.

“You were right.” Brogan began blowing out the candles before extinguishing the stick of incense. “They moved pretty far from the last address you had for them. They’re on the outskirts of town, a farmhouse to the east. I’m coming with you.”

I paused during the text I was typing to Ky. “Um, no way. I can’t risk you, Brogan. Your mother would never be cool with that.”

“Well, she’s not here, and these are the people who killed her. You have to let me come. Would you have it any other way if you were in my position?” Her jaw was hard set, and a challenge was in her eyes. “I know they’re dangerous, Alexa. I’m not powerless. I’ll let you call the shots. Just … let me be your backup.”

I finished typing the text before answering. I was torn. I would refuse to be left behind if I were her. She did have power. It’s not like she’d be defenseless. Shit.

“Fine. But, you follow my lead, and don’t you dare get yourself killed. This is completely against my better judgment.”

She nodded solemnly, but there was a glimmer of light in her small smile. “Thank you.”

It wasn’t long before Shaz’ car turned into the lot. A small thrill of anticipation shot through me. It wouldn’t be long now. Any remaining doubt I’d had was fading fast.

For a moment, I felt heavy discomfort when Shaz stepped out of the car. I swallowed hard and pushed the negative thoughts aside. Whatever was up with him, with us, it was irrelevant right now. It had to be if I was going to stay focused.

Much of the awkward apprehension slipped away when he pulled me into his arms as if nothing had ever happened. Was I making it out to be more than it was? If he could put it aside, then I could do the same.

“Are you ready to do this?” His jade orbs shone with enthusiasm. He was eager for this.

“I think so.” I glanced over at his car where the others waited. “How’s Julian? He’s not going to be a liability is he?”

With a shake of his blond head, Shaz grinned. “Not on my watch.”

“Then let’s go.”

* * * *

Brogan had been right about the farmhouse. The evidence of the death of the occupants verified that our vampires were inside. The sun shone down brightly, trapping them effectively. The golden light stung my eyes but, otherwise, didn’t harm me.

We had to drive two cars to fit everyone. It was also safer, in case some of us didn’t make it out, the others could still leave. If Maxwell was as clever as I thought he was, he would know we were coming for him. He’d be ready. Yet, he wasn’t smart enough to skip town. Typical.

With the Dragon Claw in hand, I faced the four wolves that sat ready and keen before me. Both Shaz and Julian wore matching expressions. They were looking forward to this. Somehow, I didn’t entirely find that reassuring. Their eagerness to kill vampires was helpful for the current fight but alarming in its implications. There was no love lost between vampires and werewolves.

“You guys know the drill. Don’t leave anyone alive, and don’t give them a chance to fight back if you can help it, especially the male with the power. He’s extremely dangerous. But, if you can incapacitate him without dusting him, leave him alive. I have a few questions for him.”

I had nothing more to say. We had three vampires to kill, one who was deadly. Hesitating would weaken us. It was time to do this.

I could feel Arys in my head, observing the only way he could. He was thankfully quiet, allowing me the illusion of being alone with my thoughts. Knowing he was there enhanced my concentration; I would think of nothing while he was in my head but the task at hand.

Striding up to the front door of the old but well-kept farmhouse, I kicked the door open. I wasn’t surprised by the angry swarm of energy that greeted me. I was ready for the attack. Drawing on my bond with Arys, I absorbed what I could of the blast and deflected the rest.

I paused in the doorway, the dagger in one hand and a psi ball in the other. The windows had been boarded up haphazardly, preventing the light from penetrating the interior of the house. Maxwell stood in the open foyer right in front of me, his face absent of any real expression. I couldn’t see either Claire or their remaining vampire lackey yet.

The wolves swept past me, two on either side. The sound of snarls and growls quickly filled the eerie silence. Both Shaz and Julian lunged at Maxwell who quickly lashed out at them with a blast of power which I intercepted with my own. The two wolves almost collided in their frenzy to get to him. He was fast, moving to avoid them in a smooth motion that left them scrambling to regain their footing.

“I knew you’d come. I didn’t think it would be so soon after we broke you though.” Maxwell smirked and pulled his power tight to him, forming a circle.