Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(37)

“It’s confidential.” Her eyes narrowed, and for just a moment, her wolf lurked behind her eyes. “Stay out of my way, and I’ll stay out of yours. Agreed?”

I shook my head. “I can’t make any promises. Not until I know why you’re here.”

“I’m looking for someone. That’s all I’m sharing. I’m sorry, Alexa. I’d just rather not do this,” she gestured from me to her, “if that’s ok.”

I was stunned. And, I’ll admit, more than a little hurt. My sister was giving me the brush off.

“I’m not your enemy, Juliet. The FPA has poisoned your mind.” My tone was snide, more so than intended. “Do you even think about the things they ask you to do?”

“Poisoned?” She spat. “They took me in when I had nowhere to go. They tried to help you, too.”

“They recruited mom and dad to get to me.” I shouted the words at her without a second thought. The loud music quickly swallowed them up, but she had heard. “You’re just a walking, talking weapon to them, Juliet. You can’t trust them.”

Her irises began to bleed across the whites of her eyes. She fought back the wolf with a worrisome desperation. “Who I can’t trust, is you. You kill monsters to keep a secret. We kill them to protect the public.”

“Is that so?” I challenged, my wolf bristling for a fight. “Is that why the FPA is holding several of them in the basement? Along with humans. For the protection of the public? I suppose that’s what the lab is for, too.”

Juliet paled, her gaze darting around for her partner. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Then maybe you’d better take a look in the basement sometime.” I started to walk away, then paused for a parting comment. “If you’re here for Gabriel, you’re wasting your time.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but I beat a hasty retreat outside to find Brogan. I’d just reached the door when I slammed into someone’s chest and went down hard on my ass. Falon stood over me wearing an amused grin. Son of a bitch.

“Looking for the witch?” He extended a hand as if to help me up but pulled it away before I could accept. Stepping over me, he surveyed the room, his gaze landing on Juliet. “This will be interesting.”

I scrambled to my feet and rushed after him. “Falon, did you do something to Brogan?”

“Of course not.” He scowled at me as if I were a stain he’d suddenly noticed on his jacket. “I merely suggested that if she wanted to live through the night, she would be better off leaving well enough alone.”

“Don’t threaten Brogan,” I snarled. When he walked away from me, I grabbed his arm and refused to be budged. “I’m talking to you, Falon.”

His silver gaze dropped to my hand. He stiffened and I froze. Void of humanity, Falon’s expression chilled me to the bone. If looks could kill, I’d have been dead several times over.

“Just because you’re Shya’s pet wolf doesn’t mean I won’t hurt you,” he said, calm, cool and oozing menace. “I’d love a reason to. Go ahead and give me one.”

My temper flared, and the power rose within me in response. “I’d love a reason to tell Shya that you’ve been f**king Lilah. Looks like you just gave me one.”

I didn’t know why the fallen angel wanted that tidbit of information kept from Shya. However, I was counting on Falon’s secret to give me an advantage that a straight up power struggle wouldn’t. I spun on my heel to go.

“Wait… bitch,” he conceded. “What’s it going to take to shut you up?”

I beamed a bright smile at him, confident in my victory. “Stay away from Gabriel.”

“Out of the question.”

“Fine.” I turned away again, and this time he grabbed my arm hard enough to bruise.

“Shya needs him to work a spell. What am I supposed to tell him? That you wouldn’t let me bring him?”

“Tell him the FPA was here looking for Gabriel, too, so you thought it best to lie low and wait.” I was keenly aware of Juliet’s eyes upon us. Watching me converse furiously with Falon wasn’t going to change her opinion of me. “You know what? I don’t care what you tell him. You owe me a favor. Leave Gabriel alone. Deal?”

Falon stared at me in disbelief. “I owe you a favor, and you want to call it in over some kid? You’re going to regret that. You’ll probably never get another chance like this.”

I considered this. “You’re right. I don’t need to call in a favor over this. I’ll just blackmail you. Stay away from Gabriel or I tell Shya you’ve been diddling the demon bitch. Works for me. Have a nice night, jackass.”

It wasn’t the most mature approach though it was effective. Falon let me go, watching me in silent fury. If he ever got his chance, I didn’t doubt he’d make me very sorry for this. I couldn’t afford to care just then; I’d made a vow to myself to do whatever I could to help people like Gabriel. People like me.

Neither the FPA nor Shya had our best interests in mind. They were in it for themselves. Lesser beings playing God, I wanted no part of it. Now, I had my own agenda, and it didn’t include trusting either of them.

I found Brogan outside trying unsuccessfully to convince Gabriel to go home. He was clearly inebriated if his bloodshot eyes and slurred speech were any indication. Brogan’s shoulders slumped in relief at my arrival.