September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(39)

He slammed back the three tequila shots in front of him before following me out. I didn’t stop until I reached my car and sat safely inside. It was blessedly free of human scents, and I took a few deep breaths to steady myself.

“Is everything ok?” Willow asked as he slid into the passenger seat. “You look pretty shaken up.”

“I was just reminded of how dangerous it is to be in the same building as two Vegas vampires while they’re on the prowl.” I dug my keys out and started the car. If I didn’t focus on the real goal, I’d end up in a room with two vampires and a shitload of bad choices.

Willow studied me, the light in the parking lot shining through his dirty-blond hair. He looked so human in jeans and a t-shirt; his silver wings, absent from sight.

“You know, Alexa, it’s ok to be afraid. You’re facing something huge. It would be more worrisome if you weren’t.”

His presence was an immediate comfort. I nodded, grateful to have such a voice of wisdom in my life. “I keep thinking I’m ready. The bloodlust and the power, it’s been part of me for so long now. I keep expecting it to get easier, but it never does. I’m afraid of how much it will change me when there is no light left to balance out the dark.” It was what I feared most, what I would not say to Arys. When I turned, the yin yang balance of light and dark would shift, becoming unbalanced.

“So you were never really meant to be a vampire. That doesn’t mean you can’t still be you. Fear focuses on what has yet to come. You need to be at home in the present. It’s all you’ve ever really got. It ain’t over til it’s over.” Willow’s hand was warm on my arm as he gave it an encouraging squeeze.

A voice in the back of my mind enticed me to go back inside. So I put the car in gear and drove away. “You never cease to amaze me, Willow. What I wouldn’t give to have the wisdom and insight you have.”

“It’s available to all. Seek and you shall find.” He beamed a bright smile at me and reached to mess with the radio. “So, you and I will take downtown tonight?”

I nodded, finding strength in his positive outlook. Willow had every reason to exist in a state of sorrow and rage, yet he didn’t. I couldn’t blame him for spending a hell of a lot of time drinking himself numb after what he’d suffered. Still, he continued to serve his purpose. I had to do the same.

Willow kept me talking as I drove. From Shya to Jez, I vented out my thoughts and fears while he nodded and encouraged me to continue. I knew what he was doing, but the therapeutic moment was cleansing, and I needed that.

When we pulled up in front of a small but quaint church, I was in a better mood, ready to tackle the task set before me. I got out of the car with a spring to my step. I didn’t know what the hell I was looking for, but I was going to do my best.

I fell into step beside Willow, eagerly approaching the little church. “I can’t help but feel this is all some kind of ruse,” he said. “Having us all run around the city without a real goal seems like a good way to keep us all busy.”

“Agreed.” I nodded. “I’ve had a similar thought myself.”

I strode up the front step and waited for Willow to open the door from inside. He disappeared, a moment later tugging the door open. When I saw how easy it had been for him to access the place, I assumed there was nothing there to find. Of course, maybe that’s what someone wanted us to think.

I went to cross the threshold, and the demon mark on my forearm burst into flames. A heavy force jerked me from my feet, throwing me clear off the church’s front step. I hit the ground hard and rolled with a shriek. The flames went out, leaving my arm raw and aching. I took a deep breath and shook the hair out of my eyes. What the f*ck?

“Are you hurt?” Willow helped me up, grabbing hold of me so he could scrutinize the black dragon. “Your arm seems fine.”

“I don’t think I’m hurt. Much. What the hell was that?” I stared at the church door, which slowly swung shut with an ominous thump before examining the scraped flesh on my elbow. I’d left my leather jacket in the car. Hitting the concrete walkway that hard, wearing just jeans and a tank top, friggin’ hurt.

Willow shook his head and swore. “That was what Shya took your hair and blood for. A curse. He really doesn’t want you finding this thing first.”

“That motherf*cker,” I seethed. “I’m fed up with that bastard demon dictating where I can and cannot go. Who the f*ck does he think he is? I can’t take this shit anymore. I’m done with it.” While I ranted and raved, Willow stood quietly by, waiting for me to get it out of my system. His silence seemed to fire me up even more. “You know what? I’ve got to do something. He can’t get away with this.” I stormed back to the car spewing obscenities. My mind raced, concocting a hasty plan. I was done with Shya pulling my strings.

“It’s just a run of the mill demon curse, Alexa. It’s not permanent. Don’t let it get you so worked up. It’s a waste of energy.” Like always, Willow was the voice of reason.

“I can’t let him get away with this anymore. It’s got to stop. I’m going to go see him.”

“No.” Willow was just suddenly in front of me, shutting the car door as I pulled it open. “Running straight to him in a rage could be exactly what he wants. There is not a damn thing you can do until the scroll makes an appearance. Until then, it’s best if you stay away from Shya.”