Death Wish (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #5)(77)

Graffiti covered the walls and fence. Everything from gang names to satanic symbols decorated the place. It did nothing to ease the foreboding look and feel of the hospital. I so did not want to go in there.

“Why the hell would the FPA want to set up shop in there?” I wondered aloud.

“Simple,” Arys spoke up. “Who would ever dare to bother them here? Other than you, of course.”

“Of course.”

The hospital was huge, seven or eight floors high. Not a single light could be seen from outside. The government had to be out of their tree to think it was ok to set up shop in a place like this. It crawled with a deep, dark energy I could only describe as malevolent.

“Where do we even begin?” Brogan sounded reluctant. “Should we all go in? It feels bad in there. Scary bad.”

“It does,” Arys agreed. “It feels like they’re waiting for us.”

“They?” Jez echoed.

“The spirits. They know we’re not all human. They’re intrigued.” Arys was looking a little intrigued himself. Perhaps too intrigued.

“If we all go in, it could seem too aggressive,” I spoke up. “I want this to be as peaceful as possible. There are two people in there I care about. I’m not looking for a fight.”

Arys met my gaze with a spark of excitement in his blue eyes. “Someone should wait outside. It would be wise to leave two people out here. If we run into trouble in there, having backup would be nice.”

“Volunteers?” I asked.

“I’d be happy to wait out here.” Jez raised a hand. “This place scares the ever loving crap out of me.”

“Ditto. I’ll stay here, too.” Quiet and apprehensive, Brogan volunteered with a small wave.

I left my car keys with Jez but kept my phone with me. I stared at the Dragon Claw, unsure whether bringing it would be in my best interest. In the end, I left it with Jez. Having that kind of weaponry on me wouldn’t help my attempt to come in peace. The FPA was made up mostly of humans. Any supernatural help they may have inside wouldn’t be more than the three of us could handle… I hoped.

“Aw hell, let’s get this over with.”

“Call or text me if you need us,” Jez called after us as we left the car. “If you’re not out in an hour, we’re coming in after you.”

“If I’m not out in an hour, call Shya.” I wasn’t sure he’d be much help, but it was all I could think of.

Arys and Shaz were on either side of me as we approached an opening in the fence. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and despite the leather jacket I wore to hide the dragon on my wrist, I broke out everywhere in goosebumps. Something horrifying dwelled in this place.

The closer we drew to the hospital, the thicker the negative energy became. I shielded hard against it, but it slapped against my shields, seeking a way in. Shaz shivered slightly in the warm night air, but Arys seemed entirely unaffected.

We crossed the expanse of lawn, and I searched the upper windows for the beings I felt watching us. I saw nothing.

We reached a small side door. It was locked, but Arys had no trouble getting in. He went first, and I followed with quickly growing trepidation. My instinct screamed at me to turn back. Only the steadily humming cross kept me going.

“Feel that?” Arys’s voice echoed inside. “The energy in this place is wild. The FPA probably has no idea how massive it is.”

I paused to take in our surroundings. My eyes easily adjusted to the dark. I still would have given just about anything for a light. We stood in a long, white hall. It was littered with broken boards, fallen beams and glass. Graffiti marred the walls, but it was messy and hard to make out.

“It’s insanely cold in here,” Shaz said in a loud whisper. “It feels like we’re being watched.”

“It feels like something is trying to shove its way inside me.” With gritted teeth, I pushed back against the unwelcome spirit. It was a human spirit and no match for me.

“They’re attracted to us,” Arys mused, “because we are so in tune to them. They can feel it.” His vampire energy was lively and hot. He was vibing off the building and its long deceased occupants.

“Are you enjoying this?” Shaz muttered in disdain, picking his way along behind me through the debris. “Good Lord, this place is a health hazard.”

“I am actually.” The low chuckle that echoed around us was creepy, even for Arys. “Don’t worry, pup. I imagine the FPA have had the asbestos cleaned up. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be making this their Edmonton home base.”

“That’s reassuring.”

We reached the end of the hall where the elevator was. In a sketchy building with no power, it wasn’t a viable option. I glanced around, looking for the stairs. As I passed the elevator, the doors slid open.

I shrieked and jumped straight into Shaz who swore. Arys’s laughter quickly turned my fear into anger.

“If you can’t stop being creepy, then stay down here while we go up,” I snapped at the smirking vampire. “The fact that you’re enjoying this place is really making my skin crawl.”

Arys sobered, his smile fading. “I’m a vampire, Alexa. Are you not used to it by now? This place reeks of death and power. I feel at one with a place like this. It’s… comfortable.”