Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(55)

Linden strode through the crowd with a relaxed gait. He held no visible weapons nor did he possess any great metaphysical power. The confidence oozing from him was unsettling. His dark stare fixed on me. Whatever he was thinking, he did a good job of hiding it. I couldn’t hear his thoughts.

He stopped several feet away, keeping a safe distance as he looked me over. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Alexa. You’re nothing like how I imagined. I’m pleasantly surprised.”

“I’m afraid I can’t say the same.” My response was ice cold. The only thing stopping me from setting the bastard on fire was Shaz. I needed to know he was alive.

“I’m sure you’d like to know how the white wolf is doing. He’s surviving. And he’ll walk away alive if you make the right decision.” There was grim amusement on Linden’s face when he appraised the dagger in my hand. “Pretty blade you’ve got there.”

“Thank you.” I tightened my grip on the black jade handle. “Would you like a closer look?”

Linden chuckled, a self-satisfied sound that tested my nerves. “We both know you’re not going to use that. Not if you want to see your wolf again, which I assume you do. So let’s talk business.” He spared a glance for Arys and Jenner. “Nice to see you boys again.”

“No armed attack tonight, Linden?” Jenner spoke up. “Did you lose too many crew members f**king up my club?”

Linden clapped his hands together once before spreading them wide in a gesture of not giving a f**k. “I’m not here for you tonight, Jenner. Though seeing as you escaped the sun, we apparently do have unfinished business to settle. You,” he continued, pointing at me. “I’m here for you.”

I steeled myself, ready for ludicrous demands. “Because I killed Harley.”

“Because you put a hole in my business. You owe me.” It was so cut and dry according to Linden. “I assume you’re willing to do what it takes to keep your wolf alive. Are you willing to take his place?”

I laughed. Excitement gripped me as my borrowed power guided my actions. I took a few steps toward Linden, just enough to make his lackeys bristle. “I’m willing to consider letting you walk out of here and carry on your business. After you bring Shaz to me.” I caressed the flat part of the dagger blade with a palm. It hummed with a melody only I could hear. It couldn’t wait to taste Linden.

Arys was a silent shadow at my side. If he disagreed with my choice of response, he didn’t let on. Smart man.

“I see.” Linden nodded knowingly. “You think you have leverage here merely because you’re the most powerful one in the room. Power comes in many forms. I have it too. Just like I have your wolf. So you can make a choice. Surrender or fight.”

I pretended to consider my options. Linden gave the impression that he always got what he wanted. I would have believed it if one of his guys hadn’t been thinking very ugly thoughts about him. Someone in Linden’s camp didn’t enjoy his role in Linden’s successes.

Casting a glance around at Arys and Jez, I found them both awaiting my lead. They trusted me to make the right call. It was a lot of pressure. I had to follow my instinct.

Shaz would never have wanted me to give in to demands. I twirled the Dragon Claw in my right hand and held a flaming psi ball in the other. The flames were a nice touch. I hadn’t meant to do that.

“Well, Linden, I think we’re going to have to fight.”

He nodded his dark head as if he’d expected as much. “Kill me, and you’ll never find the wolf. At least, you won’t find him alive.”

I was done talking. I let the psi ball fly, aiming not for Linden but for the big vampire to his left. It exploded against his chest, and he went down beating at the flames.

We all sprang into motion. Linden rushed to meet me. Drawing a gun, he aimed it at my head but never had a chance to shoot before I kicked it out of his grasp. He swung a heavy fist, and I was quick to avoid it.

Arys and Jenner took on Linden’s men while Jez watched our backs. I didn’t want to kill them all. Not until I dragged Shaz’s location out of somebody. I’d never be able to find him the way I had Arys.

Linden was light on his feet and, like most vampires, graceful in his movements. He made a hell of a dance partner. Having no psychic power didn’t stop him from being a good opponent. He kept me moving, always defending myself. It gave me little opportunity to focus the overflow of power slamming around inside me.

An attempt at slamming him with a blast missed the mark and hit a nearby table, causing the tablecloth to erupt into fire. Oops. I took a punch to the jaw before catching his arm and twisting. I slammed my foot into the back of Linden’s leg, and he went down on his knees.

I held the Dragon Claw to his throat. “Careful, Linden. If you get so much as a scratch from this thing, it’s all over for you. Now you’re going to tell me where Shaz is.”

To his credit, Linden refused to utter a word. Jenner and Arys were throwing Linden’s guys around with ease. I took advantage of those vital seconds and shoved power into Linden. I’d force my way into his thoughts if I had to.

His resistance was strong. Too strong. Clearly, this was not the first time he’d taken a metaphysical beating.

“You can’t kill me,” he chortled, finding humor in near death. “I’m a god in this city. An organization like mine doesn’t die if I do. But your wolf does.”