September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(19)

Tears pricked the back of my eyes. I hadn’t thought it was possible to loathe Shya more than I already did. Willow was the kindest soul I knew. Of all of us, he was the last person who deserved to suffer.

“I’m so sorry,” I choked out, blinking back blood tears that blurred my vision. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“It wasn’t the right time.”

Shaz cleared his throat, drawing both of our gazes his way. “Sorry to interrupt, but did you just say Alexa was born to stop Shya?”

“I did.” Willow nodded and gestured to the drink clutched between my fingers. “You might need that now.”

Without hesitation I slammed the shot. It went down a tad easier than the first had. “I don’t suppose you know exactly how I’m supposed to stop him.”

“I don’t. Those details are not known by many. Others have a role to play in the outcome though. We need to be ready.”

“Shya said he was desperate, last night, in my bedroom.” I recounted the details of Shya’s visit, careful not to leave anything out, even the parts I’d rather forget. “He said the power is killing me. It’s too much. I think he’s afraid I’ll die before he gets his chance to use me.”

Shaz scowled and poured himself another drink. He never said a word, but he didn’t have to. The look on his face was just another reminder that he didn’t belong here, plotting against demons in a vampire bar. Fighting with other wolves at Doghead, that’s where Shaz belonged.

“Shya’s running on limited time,” Willow said. “It doesn’t surprise me that he’s getting desperate. There’s no telling what he might do now. If you die before he can use you as a sacrifice, he’s screwed.”

Since I’d come close to death more than once recently, I could see why Shya was feeling limited. All I had to do was call more power than I could handle, and it was all over for me. “Are you sure about that? Every time I think I know what role either I or the scroll plays, the story changes just enough to make me second guess what I already know. I’m starting to get the feeling what I know so far isn’t entirely accurate. Does Shya really know what the hell the scroll is for and what to do with it? Does anyone?” My shrill tone gave away my desperate panic.

“Honestly, I don’t even know if what I know is the truth. It’s a demon relic. Demons aren’t exactly known for the truth. But here’s the kicker. If what I know is true, then this can only be done with you. Because of your twin flame connection.”

“Are you saying this is because Lilah is part of a twin flame union too?” I stared in surprise at Willow, my mind reeling. It made sense since Shya needed this scroll to take over Lilah’s throne and the unholy power that went with it.

“It’s got to have something to do with the twin flame connection. Someone knows what that is. But it isn’t me. I wasn’t told how the scroll came to be, just that I had to find it. Too much information can be a bad thing. Since Shya’s limited by time, he’s going to greater lengths to find it. I know he’s been summoning other demons for help. I don’t think it’s working out so well for him yet.” Willow appeared thoughtful. Then he said something I didn’t want to hear. “He’s gotten Kale involved in the search. You should talk to him about that.”

“Kale?” I scoffed. That name left a sour taste in my mouth. Or maybe that was the tequila. “He’s helping Shya? I can’t believe him!”

Willow held up a hand to silence my rant before I could really get rolling. “No, it isn’t like that. Shya’s got him running around, checking out places of worship that the demons can’t get into, in case the church is holding it. He’s not doing it for Shya. He’s doing it for you.”

My gaze met Shaz’s. He tried to keep a neutral expression. It didn’t work. Kale was a sensitive subject. “Why would a demon relic be hidden in a church?” I carefully tried to avoid the topic by focusing on the details.

“To keep the demons from reclaiming it,” Willow answered with a shrug, like it should be self-explanatory. “I don’t know who hid it or if it even is in a church. But Shya seems to think so. Like I said, talk to Kale.”

“Kale and I aren’t on the best of terms right now,” I said, unable to hide my bitterness.

Willow shoved the liquor bottle back my way. “Might I suggest you get over it? He’s your second, Alexa. You need him.”

“My second?”

“Talk to him, Alexa.”

One more shot, and I was ready to claw my own tongue. “You said Shya’s been searching churches. I suppose that’s as good a place as any to start.”

“I’m coming with you. I can help identify the places demons can’t enter.” Willow drank back a large swallow straight out of the bottle. He shoved the almost empty bottle aside and rose. “I was your guardian once. I’ll be by your side through this.”

I was at a loss for words. With a strangled sob, I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him close. “I’m so sorry Shya took her from you,” I whispered, blinking furiously. “I promise I will make him pay for that. Somehow.”

Willow’s embrace was tight and affectionate, a friendly squeeze that allowed me a glimpse into the lonely creature that he was. He was a victim of love and circumstance. He didn’t deserve to suffer like this.