Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(73)

Jaxon didn't lose the grin when Phoenix's hands balled into fists, and he actually laughed when Phoenix rushed him and slammed his body against the rear of the Surburban.

"Hey! Watch the paint, asshat! Heather will be pissed if I have to file another claim," Brad said, but Phoenix's concern wasn't focused on the lecture the wolf would get from his wife about a body-sized dent in their family vehicle, nor was he much bothered by the fact that he could almost feel Rhodes' wide eyes on both of them; he sensed by the sound of the rapid beating of the cop's heart that nothing about this scene looked normal or seemed human to him. It was going to be a bitch to explain. No, his main vexation was caused by the actions of a vampire who had been loyal to him for over a hundred years. Being demoted shouldn't have had this much of an impact on the guy; he had dealt out far worse punishments to him before without so much as an ill word from the guy.

With torture on his mind and in his steely glare, he loosened the fingers gripped tightly around Jaxon's windpipe enough so Jaxon could answer the question that was tearing its way out of his own throat. "What the f*ck was that about? Are you trying to expose us all?"

Jaxon blinked a few times, and then confusion, followed by a large amount of fear, filled his widening eyes. The grin vanished immediately as he stared at his master. Nervously, his gaze flitted over Phoenix's shoulder to the gawking crowd of onlookers. He shook his head as his eyes closed. "Please, Master," Jaxon whispered, "I have no idea what I've done, or even how I got here, for that matter."

Stunned, Phoenix released him and took a step back. There was truth in his words; there was no doubt in his mind about that. "What's the last thing you remember?" he said, the volume of his voice just as low as Jaxon's had been.


"Pulling up at Mena's residence. What happened? What have I done?"

Phoenix's thoughts were conflicted and full of frustration, but something was telling him that Jaxon spoke only the truth. Which left only one other explanation of why this had occurred: magic. But why would the sisters try to out them in front of the detective? It didn't make any sense. Regardless of the reason why, they were the only witches he knew. He would handle this, but he had to do it alone.

Without responding, Phoenix turned on his heel and marched toward the witches' house. Pointing a finger at the rest of the group, he demanded, "Stay out here until I tell you otherwise."

Skipping the step full of silver spikes, he bound up the remaining ones until he was pounding on the door with the side of his fist. It swung inward without anyone to greet him on the other side. Wasting no time, he walked in and slammed it behind him.

"Magnalayna! Morgana! Meridia! Stop toying with my people or I will make sure the Salem Witch trials make a grand comeback in Montgomery, Alabama!"

Meridia emerged from the shadows first, an expected solemn expression adorning her pretty face. "Do not come into my home and threaten me, vampire. I could end you where you stand."

He swallowed a few times, knowing she wasn't lying, and that she had waited decades for an excuse to do just that. "What did you do to Jaxon?"

"I'm not certain I understand what you mean. Try being more specific with your questioning. I am sorry to admit that telepathy isn't one of my gifts."

"He nearly exposed Mena for Dana's murder in front of the detective. He only snapped out of the spell when I confronted him about his betrayal a few moments ago in front of your home."

"And you think we three are the only witches who exist in Montgomery?" Meridia said.

"You are the only ones we know and have had dealings with, so, yes; the blame is all yours until you prove your innocence."

Meridia sighed dramatically as she unseeingly glided across the room and sat in a high-backed chair. "Come, sisters. We have guests. The vampire means us no harm."

Magnalayna and Morgana stepped from the same shadowed corner of the room Meridia had and took their seats on the couch closest to the fireplace.

Phoenix wanted to tell them that he was still undecided about that, but he knew Meridia was right; he had already calmed enough to realize his assumption was a false one. These particular witches weren't to blame for what had happened to Jaxon. But if they weren't, then who the hell was? She'd also been right about there being other witches in Montgomery, but he knew of none as powerful in their magic as these three.

"Before your friends join us, there is something you must know," Meridia said. As she gestured to the chair across from her for him to sit down, she continued, and he sat as she began talking again. "Only part of the spell was successful—"

"I know the nexus was," he interrupted. "We've had quite an eventful day."

Morgana smiled as she turned her head in the direction of Morgana, then Magnalayna giggled. Phoenix's eyes narrowed at the two women before turning his attention back to Meridia.

"I warned you of what could happen," Meridia said.

"I'm not blaming you for any of it. I was the one who asked you to do it. What part of the spell didn't work?"

"The location spell for the dagger and the rogue shifters. There is a very powerful blocking spell around them that is preventing me from seeing what needs to be seen. I have no idea who the caster is."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? That's the most important part!" He leaned forward, lowering his voice as he continued. "We need to know where they are, Meridia. Mena can't sense them anymore. It's like they've disappeared."