Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(56)

Shaz was all he had to use against me. He had banked on it being enough. And it was. It was enough to make me fight harder rather than surrender.

The blood ring was a vile creation that turned the hunt into a fetish. It made children and innocents a target of torture and twisted scenarios. Every vampire involved in that deserved to die.

It took very little effort to take hold of Linden’s heart with my mind and squeeze. Falon’s power enabled me to do with ease what would have otherwise drained much of my strength.

Linden gasped and made a choking sound. I didn’t need him to find Shaz. I could still hunt down Roscoe. Linden’s heart was seconds from bursting. It gave me a rush of gleeful anticipation. Unfortunately, my amusement died before he did.

“Let him go, Alexa,” Sloane’s voice rang out above the rest. The bitch had Linden’s fallen gun pressed to Jez’s temple.

“You traitorous cunt.” Venom dripped from Jenner’s words.

“Sorry, baby. I didn’t want you to find out this way,” Sloane purred. “I took a beating last night to keep it from you. Since you survived, I suppose it would have come out eventually.”

I released Linden, having no other choice. Nobody moved except one of his guys who came forward to help him. He waved him off, getting up on his own.

Sloane’s betrayal didn’t come as much of a shock to me as it apparently did to Jenner. He was aghast, jaw dropped in disbelief. Despite their rocky relationship, he must really love her. She had gone to a lot of trouble to hide her alliance with Linden. I knew she was trouble the first moment I laid eyes on her.

“You know Jenner just because you want out of the game doesn’t mean everyone does,” Linden said, looking quite pleased with himself. “You should know by now how this works.”

“You are one evil bitch, Sloane,” Jez said. She was unafraid but smart enough not to try anything rash.

Sloane pressed the gun tighter to Jez’s head and shrugged. “I like you, Jez, really I do. I’m sorry we didn’t get to finish what we started last night. But a woman has got to look out for herself. I hope you understand.”

I exchanged a look with Arys. We could do nothing as long as Sloane could blow Jez’s brains out in the blink of an eye. All the power thrumming through me was useless with my friend’s life on the line. I could blast Sloane in a thought but not without risking a shot going off.

“Now,” Linden turned to me with a broad, satisfied smile. “What were you saying about a fight?”

Sloane didn’t give me a chance to answer. She slammed the gun into the side of Jez’s head so hard the crack was audible over the loud music. Jez went down hard, out cold. Blood stained her golden hair.

“You can walk out of here on your own free will, Alexa. Or I can put a bullet in her brain.” Sloane kept the gun trained on the fallen leopard. “Don’t even think of using that juice you sucked out of the angel either. My finger just might twitch on the trigger.”

I nodded, holding my hands still at my sides. “If you kill Jez, it’ll be the last thing you ever do.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Sloane agreed. “But she’ll still be dead.”

“Fine. Let’s go. I’m all yours.”

Arys’s wrath was tangible. Blue and gold electricity twisted and danced about his fingers. I shook my head, imploring him not to endanger Jez further.

“Let me take Harley’s place,” he announced, drawing every eye his way. “I’ll stay in Vegas and resume his supply to your organization. Just leave my wolves out of it.”

Shock and horror slapped me. Arys was either desperate or crazy. It didn’t matter though because Linden wasn’t buying it. With the confident swagger of one who knew he had won this round, he sidled over to Arys. “You tried to shut my blood ring down once. You let your protégé murder your sire. I would never make the mistake of trusting you. In fact, the sooner you get on a flight out of the country, the better for both of your wolves. I’ll consider selling them to some of my less sadistic buyers.”

“I’m not going anywhere without Alexa. I’m taking over The Wicked Kiss. Jenner has proven he’s not fit to run it. I can be a worthy partner.” Calm and cool, Arys almost had me convinced he spoke the truth. He’d damn well better be glad I could tell he was lying.

Linden nodded to his guys, and they surrounded me. Not one of them dared to put their hands on me. Smart.

“I’ll be taking what I’m owed and leaving now. Arys, you have twenty-four hours to leave my city. I’m being generous.” Linden ushered us toward the exit. I moved woodenly. My legs felt heavy.

Arys moved to stop us. Sloane cocked her weapon.

“Don’t!” I shouted. Panic echoed in my voice. “Arys, please. You have to let me go.” Silently, just from my mind to his, I added, ‘Take care of Jez. I’ll find Shaz, and we’ll get out. You know Shya won’t let me die. I’ll be ok.’

Arys backed off, but he was miserable. A storm brewed in his midnight gaze. The echo of my wolf showed in his eyes. ‘You better find a way out tonight. I’m not going home without you.’

‘I love you.’

He didn’t say it back, and in that small slight, his weakness was revealed. It was too easy to take Arys down simply by targeting me. I didn’t need his affirmation to know he loved me. His love ran deeper than mine; it had burned much longer.