by Donna Grant
Myles gaped at him. “We have the threat of Delphine, then you’re attacked while on the phone with me, and you want to know what I’m doing here? You’re such a prick.”
Solomon wiped his arms off with a towel before he tossed it aside. “I’m fine. It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle.”
“Who was it?”
“Two demons.”
Court and Kane walked into the kitchen and hurried to them. “What the hell?” Kane asked.
Solomon turned to the row of lockers behind him and opened one to pull out a shirt. “As I told Myles, it was just two demons.”
“In the middle of the day?” Court asked incredulously.
Kane swung his head to Myles. “Did you leave Addison alone?”
“I don’t plan on being here long,” Myles said. “I’m returning now. And for the record, as I told Solomon, she’ll be fine as long as she doesn’t leave the building.”
Solomon threw him a hard look. “You told Addison that, right?”
Myles started to say yes when he paused. Had he? He wasn’t sure.
“Oh, fuck,” Court mumbled.
Myles turned and ran out the back. He didn’t bother going to the rooftops. He could get there just as fast on the sidewalks. His legs pumped hard as he went around throngs of people. He heard footfalls behind him and knew at least one of his brothers was with him. Myles didn’t slow until he reached his building.
A glance across the street showed the werewolf was gone. “Damn,” Myles muttered and quickly punched in the code to open the door.
He threw it open and raced up the stairs, Kane on his heels.
“Addison!” Myles shouted as he slid open the metal door.
Kane pushed passed him to the table. “Her phone is here.”
“As is her purse, shoes, and clothes.” Those were the only trace of Addison. “She’s gone.”
“The wolves might have seen something.”
Myles wanted to hit something. “I left one watching the door, and he was gone.”
“Griffin?”
“I don’t know who the fuck he was!”
Kane came to stand in front of him and poked Myles in the chest. “You should. They’re wolves, just like us.”
“He’s gone.”
Kane made a sound at the back of his throat and walked out. Myles followed, shutting and locking the door behind him. Then both of them walked outside.
Myles stopped at the door when he caught a strand of champagne blond hair caught in the handle. Kane marched across the street. Myles looked up as he held the strand of Addison’s hair in his fingers and saw Kane talking to two wolves. A moment later, Kane waved him over.
With a sigh, Myles walked to his brother and the Moonstone wolves. His mother had been a part of the pack, but after her death, the wolves scattered. Myles had never forgiven them for that. He hadn’t been happy when they began to return to New Orleans five years ago.
“Tell him what you told me,” Kane ordered them.
The youngest, a tow-headed teenager with eerie eyes so pale a blue they were almost white said, “We saw the woman taken by two men dressed in all white. Delphine was there, as well. Griffin followed them so he could come back and let you know where she was.”
“Did they hurt her?” Myles asked.
Another of the wolves with brown hair and deep brown eyes nodded grimly. “Delphine did something to prevent her from moving, but your woman fought them.”
His woman. Myles briefly closed his eyes as urgency pushed him. “I’m going to kill every last one of them.”
“And I’ll be there with you,” Kane said.
The tow-headed wolf said, “We all will.”
Myles frowned at the teenager. “Why? You don’t know me or Addison.”
It was the third wolf with a shaved head and tattoos peeking up from the neck of his shirt that shrugged. “Of course we do. Why do you think Griffin brought us back to New Orleans after our parents ran off? We shouldn’t have left, and we’re here to make up for the past.”
“Just help me find Addison.” Myles was in turns terrified and furious.
The emotions swirled through him with the force of a hurricane until he couldn’t decipher one from the other. Like a fool, he’d kept away from Addison, and he refused to believe he was only meant to have one day with her.
Addison was his woman. Wolves did mate for life, and though she wasn’t a wolf, his heart, his soul, his life was hers.
Myles nodded to the wolves. “Spread the word. Full moon or not, the Quarter is going to be invaded with us.”
“Delphine still needs a witch,” Kane said.
Solomon walked up with Court. “Which she already has.”
“It’s all over the Quarter,” Court said miserably. “The witch was reading palms, went to get something to drink, and never returned.”
Myles lifted his head when he heard a wolf’s cry pierce the night.
“Griffin is calling,” said the tow-headed wolf.
The wolf within Myles wanted free, to wreak havoc on those who would threaten what was his. “Then let’s find him.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Myles rounded the corner of a building a half-mile from his place and spotted a shape move away from the shadows. The dark-headed wolf he’d seen earlier walked toward him.
Griffin looked to his men and gave a nod. “I wondered if you would accept our help.”
“I told you we would,” Kane said.
Griffin stared at Myles with his green eyes. “I followed Delphine. They’ve taken your woman to a cemetery.”
“Which one?” Myles demanded.
“St. Louis number one.”
Solomon snorted. “Of course. It’s where the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau is buried.”
“She’s going to channel Marie,” Kane murmured with a curse.
Myles didn’t take his gaze from Griffin. “Delphine and her people likely heard your call. They’ll be on the lookout for any wolf.”
“Not if some of my men lead them away.” Griffin pointed to a black-haired werewolf. “Jaxon and a small group will cause a distraction for us.”
“And me,” replied the tow-headed teenager. Myles figured he was only about sixteen since he hadn’t filled out yet as weres did in their late teens.
“Colt,” Griffin said with a warning look. “I need you to return to the pack and get as many wolves as will come.” Griffin’s gaze swung to Myles. “I’m guessing the LaRues want to make an impact.”
Solomon moved forward so that he stood beside Myles. “Without a doubt.”
“This is going to cause a shit storm for sure,” Court said.
Kane shrugged. “Everyone can kiss my sweet ass for all I care.”
Myles turned his head to look at Kane. He’d missed his carefree and slightly reckless brother that had been more concerned with women and drink than their family legacy. What Delphine had done to him with her curse had changed Kane. He was still reckless, but there was a carelessness about him now, one that said it didn’t matter to him if he lived or died. One that screamed for retribution and vengeance.
Myles was glad he wasn’t on the receiving end of Kane’s fury because Kane was a man with a mission, and nothing and no one would be able to stop him.
Why hadn’t they realized it before? They should’ve recognized the lethal gleam in his eyes. Perhaps Kane had just gotten good at hiding it.
“The distraction needs to be big enough to cause Delphine to worry,” Myles warned.
Griffin smiled menacingly. “I think setting her temple on fire might do it.”
“Uh, yeah, that’d do it,” Court said with a grin.
Myles wished now that he had gone out to the Moonstone camp and seen the weres. “How many do you think you can get?”
“All of them,” Colt stated with conviction.
Griffin nodded in agreement. “They’ve been waiting for just such an event.”
“What are you thinking?” Solomon asked Myles.
Myles looked at his brothers and grinned. “I’m thinking one of Dad’s strategies. Surround and conquer.”
“Simple, but efficient.” Solomon gave a nod of approval. “It’s worked before.”
Myles looked back at Griffin. “Timing is everything. Delphine expects me and my brothers. I want your pack to hold back and wait for our signal.”
“What will the signal be?” Griffin asked.
Kane slapped him on the back. “Trust me, you’ll know.”
With a look, Griffin sent Colt and Jaxon off on their missions. The third wolf remained, rubbing his bald head and moving to stand just behind Griffin.
“Give my wolves some time to get into place,” Griffin said.
Myles looked at the sky and the growing darkness. “That might not be an option.”
“Delphine won’t start the spell until midnight.”
Court crossed his arms over his chest. “And just how do you know that?”
“I know a lot about Delphine.” Griffin looked over his shoulder at the other were. “We know a lot.” He turned back to the LaRues. “This is my brother, Gage. Delphine didn’t just turn our parents into mindless wolves that we had to kill. She has our sister.”
Myles drew in a deep breath. “No wonder you were so eager to help us with Delphine.”
“Our parents made a mistake in running away the night Delphine went on her killing spree. Worse, they shouldn’t have left the four of you behind.”
Solomon was stony-faced as he said, “We turned out all right.”
Myles couldn’t stand around talking anymore. He had to see Addison for himself, to know she hadn’t been harmed yet. “I’m going to the cemetery.”
“Not now,” Kane said with a hand upon his arm.
Myles looked from his hand to Kane’s blue eyes. “Try and stop me.”
“He’s right,” Griffin stated. “If you arrive now, it could ruin your plan.”
Solomon turned on his heel. “I think there’s another faction we need to talk to before we confront Delphine.”
Myles hesitated while Court, Griffin, and Gage followed Solomon. After a moment, Kane released him and also followed. Myles blew out a frustrated breath and fell into step with the rest.
~ ~ ~
Addison woke to the pounding of her head. She tried to grab her temples, but her arms were jerked to a stop at her sides. A look down confirmed that she was tied with thick, course rope that already cut into her skin, rubbing it raw.
She laid her head back and looked up at the clear sky after glancing from one direction to the other at the huge stone monuments. The cemetery. Great. She wondered what she was laying on, then thought it was better if she didn’t know.
Addison tried to yank harder against the ropes, but it only made her wrists bleed.
“Don’t bother. You won’t get anywhere,” said a recognizable voice.
She looked around but didn’t see Minka. “Where are you?”
“Behind you. For now.”
That sounded ominous. “How are you here?”
“Funny thing, that,” she said sarcastically. “I heard rumors about Delphine’s plan, and even shared those with Myles. I didn’t know I was the one she would take as her witch.”
Fear snaked through Addison, turning her blood to ice. “Surely you can get us out of here, right? You have magic.”
“I have visions.”
“Obviously, you have more than that,” Addison argued. “Why else would you be taken?”
“How very astute of you, Addison,” Delphine said, her voice seeming to come from all around.
Addison turned her head to the left and saw Delphine’s white dress seconds before her face came into view.
Delphine smiled and came to stand beside her. “It won’t be long now, girls. Soon you’ll be free of this world. You’ll be doing something for the good of the Quarter.”
Minka snorted loudly. “Just shut up with your crap. You’re a murderer any way you look at it.”
“That’s right, Minka,” Delphine said sharply. “Because every leader must sacrifice individuals for the good of the cause.”
“Do people actually believe that drivel?”
Addison tried to turn her head when Delphine walked behind her, but she could only catch a glimpse of white.
“I can make your death easy, or I can make it difficult,” Delphine said in a hard voice to Minka. “You choose, witch.”
“I’m not a witch!” Minka shouted. “I’d have to be able to do magic to be a witch.”
Delphine chuckled, the sound getting louder as it went on. “Oh, how your family has lied to you. Do you think you were chosen on a whim? You have untapped potential they’ve been keeping from you.”
“Don’t believe her,” Addison said to Minka.
Delphine’s laugh was as hollow as her soul. “She’d better listen to me. There are many witches to choose from, but it was you I wanted. Imagine my surprise as I plotted to kidnap you, and one of your elders came to me instead.”
If Addison was shocked, she could only imagine what Minka was feeling.
“It seems,” Delphine continued, “that she was afraid of you taking over. She offered you in exchange for me leaving your coven alone for the next twenty years.”
There was a squeak of rope before Minka said, “Liar.”
But there was no heat in her words, as if she knew what Delphine said was true. Addison knew that feeling of betrayal, of having family turn their backs.
“And you, Addison.” Delphine tsked and returned to stand beside her. “I didn’t think a phone call pretending to be Myles would work with you. How easily you were captured. Did Myles tell you his entire building was warded against me?”
Addison felt sick to her stomach. She should’ve known not to go outside. Myles would never have sent her down for food. What an idiot she was. And now, she was smack in the middle of something she didn’t want to be a part of.
“To think of the lengths he went to in order to keep me from you.” Delphine shook her head, her long black hair falling around her. “Tonight’s ceremony is going to be one remembered for ages.”
Addison glared up at the priestess. “Myles will come for me. He’ll find me.”
“Are you sure? A werewolf can’t be trusted. I know because it was one of my ancestors who cursed the LaRues into being werewolves hundreds of years ago.”
“He’ll come.” At least Addison hoped he would. They had shared their bodies only once. That didn’t constitute a commitment, and yet she felt sure Myles would at least look for her.
Delphine turned and walked away, her laughter fading with her.
“Don’t listen to a word that bitch says,” Minka said.
Addison pulled on the ropes again. “Like you didn’t listen to her.”
“Because I know what she said is the truth.”
Addison stilled, her eyes widening. “You know who betrayed you?”
“There are five elders of our coven. That narrows things down significantly. I didn’t want to be a witch,” Minka said softly. “I was unable to do even the simplest of spells, but I had visions.”
Addison was quiet for a minute. “You spoke to Myles?”
“I knew he wouldn’t tell you,” Minka said with a loud sigh. “Men can be so...stupid sometimes.”
She took exception to that. Myles wasn’t stupid. “He told me about Delphine’s plan. He just didn’t tell me how he heard of it. When did he talk to you?”
“This morning. Just in case you don’t know it, that man has it bad for you.”
That brought a smile to Addison’s face. “The feeling is mutual.”
“Yeah, I figured. Do you know who he really is?”
“He’s a werewolf.”
“Well, aren’t you the smart one of the bunch.”
Addison heard the smile in Minka’s voice. “He’ll come for me.”
“Everything you’ve heard about wolves is true, Addison. Nothing will stop him from getti
ng to you. Nothing.”
“Delphine will kill him.”
“Remember what I told you about the hunters? The ones who guard the city? The LaRues are those hunters. If there is anyone who can find a way, it’s them.”
Addison tried to swallow, but her mouth was bone dry. “I hope you’re right.”
“I am,” Minka whispered. “I have to be.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It took two excruciating hours to talk three of the five witch covens and the Blood Mark pack into joining them. The witches hadn’t been thrilled with the idea of joining two wolf packs, but the thought of Delphine gaining more power eventually swayed them.
“Stop pacing,” Court said. “You’re giving me a headache.”
Myles threw him a dark look.
Kane gave a dismissive shake of his head. “It’s the growling that’s getting on my nerves.”
“Leave it,” Solomon said to Court and Kane.
Myles leaned against the building as he stared at the entrance to the cemetery. Was this how Solomon had felt when his woman was taken from him? His heart clutched because Myles knew he wouldn’t survive if Addison were killed. How did Solomon bear the crushing weight?
“Just a little longer,” Griffin said from beside Myles.
Myles looked at the leader of the Moonstone wolves. “Do you have a mate?”
“No,” Griffin said with a laugh. “My father told us kids that we’d know when we found ours. I’m still searching.”
“I didn’t want one. Hell, I don’t even know if she wants to be mine.” Myles ran both hands down his face.
Solomon glanced at him from his position at the corner of the building. “She wants you. Trust me on that.”
“Yep,” Court said, nodding.
Kane stretched his neck from side to side. “We’ve seen it with our own eyes. She’s yours, Myles.”
“It’s time,” Griffin said and pushed away from the wall.
Myles felt his own wolf push against him. He began to remove his clothes, his breaths coming quicker and quicker. Griffin threw back his head as bones began to break and reform into that of a wolf.