September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(12)

“You and Jez did a good job with that minion. I didn’t expect it to be so easy for you. I’m impressed.” He changed the subject entirely. “And that message you sent to the vampires was long overdue. Good for you.”

His praise was absolutely bizarre. I stared at him, trying to keep my true feelings from showing in my eyes. “What was that thing we killed? Why was it here?” I needed something better than a litany of questions; that was getting me nowhere.

Shya perched on the edge of the bed beside me and stroked a hand through my hair that was spread out on the pillow. “That, my dear, is what happens to humans when they sell their soul to my kind. They become a slave, serving in the underworld. Minions. Nothing more, nothing less. It was summoned here. A bit of an accident I’m afraid. Gabriel is still perfecting some of his skills.”

I went cold inside at that revelation. Gabriel was barely an adult, just nineteen. He was also an incredibly powerful witch, one who had been lured in by Shya. If he continued on the path he was on now, he would become one of those disgusting flesh-eating monsters.

Shya grabbed my arm and laid it on the bed so my wrist was exposed. It was making me crazy to have to lie there and watch him.

“Please tell me what you’re doing.” I wasn’t about to beg but was feeling pretty damn close.

“Just taking some blood, my dear. Nothing to worry about.”

Oh hell no. I fought so hard to break free of his hold on me. As the dagger came closer to my skin, my panic surged.

“Shya, don’t. Please. Can we just talk about this? I know you have plans. Maybe I can help you. It doesn’t have to be this way. Whatever you want my blood for, I’m sure there’s another way.” Desperation oozed from me in the grossest way. I hated myself for begging a demon for mercy.

The dagger bit into my flesh, slicing a clean line across my wrist. Blood welled up immediately, and Shya had a chalice there to catch it. I watched in horror as my blood dripped into the metallic cup.

“Your desperation is understandable. We are enemies, you and I. Though we share some goals, like the protection of our own personal secrets, ultimately we are not allies.” He massaged my wounded arm, encouraging the blood to keep flowing. “I too am desperate. One day, Alexa, you will learn the value of your empire, and you will fight to protect it as I do now for mine. Then you will understand why I do such things.”

“What does that even mean? Don’t play word games. Is it really so impossible for you to be straight up with me?”

“No, of course not.” He smiled, a broad grin revealing toothpaste-commercial perfect teeth. Illusion. His appearance as a Japanese man was a lie. I had never seen Shya’s true face, nor did I want to.

“Chalices of blood aren’t used for tea parties, Shya. Give me some f*cking answers. Something. Anything.” My fear began to dissolve as my anger became genuine.

“You’re dying, Alexa,” he said, startling me into silence. “The power is killing you. I’m sure you can feel it every time you call it. The nosebleeds and headaches are getting worse, aren’t they? It’s only a matter of time until it kills you. Not much time I’m afraid.”

His words reverberated with the truth. It wasn’t news. Not really. This topic had come up before. But hearing him say it like that, so casual and matter of fact, it scared me.

“What’s your point?” I met his gaze head on, holding steady despite how hard it was to stare into those red eyes.

“Only that we are both running out of time to find a way to get what we want.”

I was starting to figure Shya out. If I up and died on him because I called too much power one time too many, he couldn’t use my death the way he hoped.

“You have no idea what I want,” I seethed. “Get the f*ck out of my house.”

Shya looked into the chalice and, satisfied with what he saw, released my wrist. “I know you don’t want to go dark and lose the balance of your twin flame bond.”

“You don’t know shit. Get out.” I had to keep repeating myself because if I let him talk he would say something sly and manipulative. Letting him inside my head was not an option.

“Does it frighten you? Everything you’re about to become?” He went on, unfazed by my hateful demand.

His gaze landed on the amulet I wore, and he reached for it. The touch of his hand against my chest made my skin crawl. He turned the black onyx amulet over a few times before dropping it.

When I didn’t utter a word, Shya continued. “You’re smart, resourceful. I like that. You’ll make a foe I can be proud of.”

He could have taken the amulet and robbed me of my chance to save my wolf. When he didn’t, I was both relieved and wary. The amulet would keep the wolf within me when I transitioned, but it wouldn’t save my light from being consumed by Arys’s darkness.

The pressure holding me frozen disappeared, and I was able to move again. Shya vanished along with it. He was gone so suddenly, I found myself wondering if he’d really been there at all.

I lay there staring at the window, watching the darkness fade as the sun rose. I didn’t dare close my eyes again until I knew there was no way he could return.

* * * *

“I can’t believe he was in here and I had no idea.” Shaz rubbed a hand through his disheveled shock of white blond hair before dragging it over his face where the barest hint of a five o’clock shadow was starting. “Are you sure you’re ok?” Gently he took my arm and traced a finger lightly over what remained of the cut from Shya’s dagger. It was minor, little more than a scratch now.