Order (Blood Moon Covenant)

by R L Medina

  “What’s the plan?” Drew spoke first, his eyes shifting from me to Elijah.

  “We have to do what he says. He’ll kill Taylor,” I answered first.

  “Let me talk to him. Make a deal.”

  I frowned at Elijah. “Deal?”

  “Maybe if we give up Sylvie and agree to leave the city and stay in our camp, he’ll let us go. Won’t come after us anymore.”

  Drew scowled at him. “What about the others? The humans? His slaves? What about us? You think he’ll let us just go when they’ve taken everyone else?”

  I shuddered. No. I didn’t think Diego would just let the humans go and I couldn’t give them up to him. To be tortured like Jen.

  Elijah sighed and shook his head. He looked to me. “We never should have gotten involved in this.”

  My anger spiked at his attitude.

  “If you let me talk to him…” Sylvie interrupted.

  I whipped toward her. “How can we trust you?”

  She flinched. “I don’t want any more violence either.”

  “You bring Sylvie and I’ll give you Taylor.” Diego’s voice echoed outside the shop.

  My pulse quickened. He was right there.

  I motioned for her to follow me.

  “Val, what are you doing?” Elijah stopped us.

  “I’m making the trade.”

  “It’s okay. He won’t hurt you. Let me talk to him,” Sylvie pleaded.

  Elijah growled and waved us forward. I glanced back at Drew and Becca before pulling the alpha outside. They stared at me with haunted eyes that filled me with resolve.

  I would end Diego’s terror. No one should have to live like they had. Like we were—in constant fear.

  The street was filled with wolves—Taylor’s pack and Diego’s. And the sky was darkening.

  Diego strode toward us, his eyes narrowed.

  “Where is she?” I demanded.

  He pushed a distraught Taylor forward.

  Anger pulsed within me. “What happened to the other alphas? Did you kill them?”

  “No. Vampires did that. I stopped them from killing the rest of their packs.”

  “What happened to their betas?”

  Diego glanced away. “Vampires.”

  The hairs on my neck bristled. Did he expect me to believe that?

  “The vampires killed the alphas and betas, but you just happened to be there to save the rest of the packs. Is that right?”

  “That’s right.” He met my gaze, his eyebrow arched in challenge.

  He didn’t think I would call his bluff.

  I blinked, still recovering from his admission. An icy fear crept up my spine. If he controlled all the packs, it was just me and my wolves left. We could never stand up to him. There wasn’t enough of us. What if he killed me and my betas next?

  As if reading my thoughts, he smiled. “There’s only one pack left now, and it’s mine.”

  A growl escaped me, my wolf’s fury rising to the surface.

  “The Shadow Wolves still have an alpha. Me. Not you.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t be stupid, Valeria. You know you don’t stand a chance with me as your enemy.”

  Elijah growled. “Stand down, Diego. We have your mate. Let Taylor go, and I won’t hurt her.”

  Diego laughed. “You won’t hurt her, Elijah. I’m calling your bluff.”

  I bristled at the haughtiness in his voice.

  He thinks us weak, my wolf snarled.

  “Let her go and we’ll let Sylvie go.” I pulled Sylvie forward.

  “Diego. Please. I’m fine. Let’s just go home.” Sylvie finally found her voice.

  His gaze softened on his mate. “We will.”

  He glanced back at me and pushed Taylor toward us. She stumbled forward with a whimper.

  Anger blazed within me as I spotted her bruises and scratches. Sylvie’s eyes fell on her, sorrow flashing on her face.

  “Go.” I released the alpha.

  She ran to Diego.

  Before I could reach Taylor, a gunshot rang out. Taylor fell limp to the ground. Shock coursed through me. No.

  Her eyes stared up at the sky, blood pooling beneath her broken body.

  My wolf howled with anger at the betrayal.

  “Val. Get out of there!” Elijah’s voice snapped me to attention.

  Around me Taylor’s pack shifted, howling with fury. Diego and Sylvie shifted in unison. His wolves circled us.

  I stood to shift as well, but someone collided with me. We landed tangled together in the dirt.

  Fury rushed through me.

  “Val. No. Please. We have to get out of here.” Elijah’s eyes were wide with fear.

  I struggled to push him off me.

  “He killed her! We had a deal and he just killed her!” My voice cracked.

  He pulled me up to a sitting position and shielded me with his body. “I know. I know. There’s nothing we can do now. We have to go. We’ll go back to the coven.”

  I gaped at him. “No. Elijah, we have to avenge her. Her pack… they can’t beat Diego’s.”

  Elijah held my face in his hands, forcing me to look into his dark eyes. “Listen to me, Val. We can’t. Even with our whole pack, we wouldn’t be able to stop him. We’re leaving. Those who want to follow us, can.”

  “I can’t. I can’t just leave them.”

  He swore and shook his head.

  “The covenant. We have to get back and make sure the covenant is signed. The witches. They can help,” he insisted.

  His words made sense, but my emotions were rolling in waves inside me. Pushing them back down, I let him lead me away. We raced back to the shop and found Drew and Becca waiting for us. Drew was armed with both their weapons.

  “We have to get to the coven. Now,” Elijah ordered.

  They followed us outside. I glanced at Becca, worried for her. She didn’t have her gun anymore and the lost look on her face twisted my heart. Would she recover from what she’d been through? Would any of us?

  The sun was nearly gone when we made it to the coven. We were a hot, sweaty, dirty mess and my emotions clashed together in a continual wave. Anger turned to sorrow, and sorrow turned to anger.

  Elijah was the first to make it to the porch. The door flung open and the witches poured out, ready for us.

  “Diego,” Elijah gasped.

  We were all breathing heavily.

  The witches talked all at once, their shock and fear echoing in their words.

  “They’re coming.” Kohl’s voice silenced everyone.

  My eyes shot to him. “How do you know?”

  He didn’t look at me. “The queen is gone and so is Prince Ryn. There’s no one here to stop them except us. Diego just took the city. This… is where they’ll come next.”

  Fear spread through me. He was right. Diego would come for us now, but did he know about the covenant?

  “Can you send word to the queen? To Prince Ryn? To my pack? They will come.”

  Elijah shook his head. “They won’t get here in time.”

  Kohl turned to another witch. “Send someone to the vampires and to the wolves.”

  The girl nodded and scurried off. Another witch rubbed her arms. It was the redheaded one from before.

  “I’ll get a message to Deepa.”

  I exchanged a worried look with Drew. Everyone fell quiet, the fear growing into a tangible thing.

  “Come on. We have to prepare. Everyone find a weapon and help me barricade the coven. We can’t let him get through,” Kohl ordered.

  I’m ready, my wolf assured me. I winced. I wasn’t so sure I was.

  24

  McKenzie

  I spent all day with my witches preparing for the barrier spell and looking through the grimoire for anything about the curse. By early evening, we’d finished scouring all the pages and tested some of the spells, but we found nothing about how to reverse the curse. Breaking the barrier spell first was still our best option.

  Doubt an
d worry crowded my mind and though I should have been more concerned about how we were going to harness enough magic to do it, my mind kept drifting back to what I’d done.

  Kissing the two vampire princes was high up there on my list of things I regretted. Thankfully, no one had seen me in my weak moment and it sure as hell wasn’t happening again. So why couldn’t I just let it go?

  “I still don’t get how she got all this stuff?” Deepa’s question broke my thoughts.

  I looked over at the table where they’d laid out the spell ingredients. The cursed key, hair from a dead queen, finger bone of a witch elder, and pure glass.

  “I’m telling you. We have a mole,” Blake answered her.

  She scowled. “But if someone knew there was a spell to break the barrier why didn’t they take it to the queen? Why side with the rogues and vampires?”

  Fane’s words replayed in my mind. They think you are weak…

  Blake grunted. “I don’t know. We’ve been busting our asses looking for a way to stop this curse and the barrier and this witch just comes along and solves everything on her own?”

  I shared his irritation. The rogue witches weren’t supposed to have that much power or knowledge—it belonged to the coven.

  “Let’s go set this stuff up before sundown. We’ll—”

  Deepa screamed, cutting me off. Blake jumped back from her with a hand raised and ready to chant.

  “What is—”

  She rolled up her sleeve with a whimper, revealing her arm. My words died on my lips.

  There carved into her skin was a message. Diego. SOS.

  An icy fear rushed through me at the bloody words. Blake swore and quickly started a healing incantation. The doors flew open, making me flinch.

  Ryn entered along with two of his vampires. His eyes widened on Deepa’s wound. He tore his gaze away and looked to me. “What is it? What’s happened?”

  Dread unfurled inside me. “It’s Diego. He’s going after the coven. I have to go back.”

  He blinked and held a hand up to me as if he meant to calm me. “Back? You can’t go back. We have to open the barrier. You said it has to be tonight. The blood moon.”

  My mind raced and my heart pounded. If someone had taken the time and energy to perform an incantation to message us this way, then it had to be serious. I glanced at my charm bracelet. Why hadn’t Kohl warned me? Was he okay?

  A thought flickered in my mind. What if Ryn and Fane had planned this? To get me away from the coven while Diego swooped in? They’d lost their rogue witch, so they thought to replace her with me—so I would do their bidding.

  I whipped toward Ryn. “Did you know? Are you helping him?”

  He gaped at me.

  “Are you?”

  He walked toward me, the movement slow and deadly. “You think I’m helping him?”

  I refused to back down now. “Someone is.”

  Blake and Deepa stood beside me. I could feel the strength of their magic in the air.

  Ryn only had eyes for me. “And you assume it’s me?”

  “I don’t know, but the vampires in the city have been pretty cozy with Diego. If you forbid them to fraternize with his pack, why would they go against you?”

  His nostrils flared. “Not everyone wants to see me become king. I’m just a prince. Some of them think they don’t have to listen.”

  “Well then you have to make them listen.”

  “Like your witches listen to you? You know as well as I do the struggle with ruling over others.”

  Anger boiled deep inside me. I’d been doing a pretty good job of it considering our circumstances. Who was he to judge me?

  “I swear to you, I had nothing to do with this. I would never help Diego. We should see to the barrier first and then, I promise you, I will help you go after him. Your coven is strong. They can hold him off long enough.”

  My stomach turned over. What if it was too late? Ryn’s words made sense—it was the logical thing, but I hated not knowing what was going on. My witches were strong though, and I trusted Kohl to protect them and the covenant.

  “I swear, Kenzie. I would never help that wolf.”

  His eyes bore into me.

  “Aww. Your first lover’s quarrel. And lucky me, I get to witness it.” Fane’s voice startled me. I turned to see him stepping from the doorway.

  I tore my gaze from Ryn and glared at Fane. “It’s you, isn’t it, Fane? You’re helping Diego.”

  He frowned and splayed a hand over his chest. “Me? Why would I help the wolf? You know how I feel about you, cariad. About us.”

  His eyes slid to Ryn, who still stood fuming.

  “Then how is he taking over the entire city?” I demanded.

  Fane snorted. “That’s what’s got your panties in a bunch? You’re jealous of a lowly werewolf alpha?”

  My lip curled at him.

  “Stop playing games, Fane. Answer her question. Did you do this?” Ryn snapped.

  Fane’s face darkened, but he didn’t respond with his usual smugness.

  He turned back to me. “I didn’t help anyone. Like they say, cariad, I only care about myself.”

  I stiffened under his intense stare. Ryn stormed toward him and the other vampires skittered back.

  “She needs a better healer,” Blake spoke to my back.

  I glanced at Deepa, who was still clutching at her arm though the blood had stopped spilling. My stomach churned. Why hadn’t they chosen to send the message to me?

  “We have a healer,” Ryn answered, turning his attention back to us.

  Blake scowled. “She needs a real healer. A witch. Not a vampire. We—”

  “No. I’ll be fine, Blake. Just need something to clean this and a bandage. Standard first aid is fine,” Deepa interrupted him.

  Ryn nodded. “Of course. Amos will take you.”

  The vampire glared at them and motioned for them to follow. Ryn waved the other one to leave as well. I stood alone in the room with the two brothers. Seeing them side by side was more than unnerving.

  Fane picked at his fingernails and glanced at me. “So, anyway. I came in here to tell you I went to the woods to investigate the barrier and to see what spooked the wolves.”

  He paused, looking from me to Ryn.

  “Okay, and?” I demanded.

  Fane shrugged. “There’s something there.”

  “Like what?”

  He sniffed and frowned at something under his nails. “How should I know? I’m not a witch.”

  “You are so not helpful, brother.” Ryn shook his head.

  Fane shrugged again. “Didn’t realize you two needed my help so badly.” He flashed a smile at me. “I believe you told me earlier today that you got this?”

  I huffed. “Why are you so annoying?”

  His smile grew. “Why does it bother you so much? Could it be because deep down you know you want me?”

  I made a face. “Gross. Hell no.”

  “Fane,” Ryn warned.

  He turned to his brother, eyes narrowed. “Ryn.”

  The two brothers squared off, matching stares that made me want to skitter back. If a fight was about to break out, I wanted to be far away from it..

  “Are you going to tell us what you saw in the forest?” I interrupted.

  Fane turned back to me. “I can take you there. You should see it for yourself.”

  Ryn scoffed. “If you think I’m going to let you go anywhere with her on your own—”

  “Then why don’t you join us, brother?” Fane’s smile grew tight, “The more the merrier, eh?”

  His eyes shot to me. “Looks like you get a special treat. Two for one. I bet you’ll just love that.”

  Heat flushed across my skin at his insinuation. “Shut up, Fane.”

  I turned to Ryn. “I’ll tell Deepa and Blake to meet us there with the spell stuff. It’s not that long until sundown. I want to get back to my coven as soon as possible.”

  He nodded. “First the barrier, and t
hen we go to your coven. I promise.”

  Ignoring Fane’s smug smile, I followed Ryn out and went to track down my witches.

  The sun was lowering as we left the city behind. Instead of riding next to Fane in the carriage, I sat up front beside his brother. My heart pounded in my ears and worry gnawed at me. What if Diego had already destroyed the covenant and my coven? What if it was too late?

  I pushed away the doubts. Kohl could handle him. Plus, the werewolves were gathering the other packs to face him.

  We bumped along the road and I scanned the empty land as we went. We’d made it to the outskirts of Savannah and the woods were getting closer. The horses whinnied and stopped, refusing to enter.

  “I guess we’re walking from here.” Fane sniffed.

  My eyebrow rose as I followed him out of the carriage. Ryn jumped down from the driver’s seat and landed beside us. I turned on my flashlight and swept it over the darkening trees. Where were all the animals? Why weren’t they making any sounds?

  “After you, Queen.” Fane bowed.

  I threw him an irritated look and walked past him. He and Ryn followed.

  “Wait. I have to tie the horses somewhere.”

  Fane snorted. “Why? Just let them return to the mansion. They know the way.”

  Ryn frowned at him but did it, anyway. His eyes met mine and his gaze softened, making me flush. The memory of his kiss was still fresh in my mind.

  Storing the details away to worry about at another date, I pressed forward. The air was colder and despite our loud footsteps, none of the animals appeared to watch us. As soon as Blake and Deepa were ready, they would come with the ingredients for the open the barrier.

  I breathed in the fresh pine smell and fought the urge to shudder. The woods at night always gave me the creeps. My flashlight bounced from branch to branch.

  “What is it you needed to show us, Fane?” Ryn broke the silence.

  “Up there. In the clearing.”

  We walked to the edge of the tree line and paused. Chills crawled along my skin and my magic swirled around us. Holes and piles of upturned dirt dotted the grass.

  “What is this?”

  “Shouldn’t you know? It’s something witchy.” Fane smirked.