Bait

by Kasi Blake

“I feel weird about leaving this close to your birthday,” Mike complained to Nick as they stood outside of Van’s castle, next to the limo waiting to take him and Jordan to their new assignment. The back door was open wide, waiting for them. “I don’t understand why he’s sending me with Jordan instead of having you go with me. We’re a team. Why is he breaking up the team?”

  Nick knew the answer, but he wasn’t going to tell Mike he’d asked Van to send them away. Tomorrow was his birthday and if he died, he’d die alone. No sense in getting his friends killed. “Take it as a compliment, bud. He trusts you to watch over his daughter.”

  “I still can’t believe Bay-Lee isn’t related to him, and he’s been lying to us this whole time.” Mike grimaced as he readjusted the strap hanging on his shoulder, his carry-on bag. “I guess sending you to guard Avery wouldn’t be such a great idea since she really is his daughter and the prophecy is still in play.”

  “We don’t need to worry about that anymore,” Nick lied. Then he switched gears and was completely honest. “I have the girl I want.”

  Jordan stepped forward and hugged him, arms around his waist for a quick squeeze. Upon releasing him she said, “I still don’t trust the fake daughter. Watch out for yourself. People who get too close to that girl die.”

  Mike took his turn, embracing Nick, and Nick thumped him on the back twice before saying, “Take care of yourself, elf.”

  “I think I can handle babysitting a spoiled heiress.”

  “Keep your head down and don’t get yourself killed.”

  Bay-Lee came out of nowhere, running to join them. “Hey,” she said, gasping for breath. Nick slid an arm around her waist as she spoke to Mike. “I heard Van was sending you away, and I wanted to say goodbye.”

  Mike took both her hands between his. “There’s something I need to say to you. I haven’t always liked you or trusted you, but it wasn’t anything personal. I just thought you were going to destroy my buddy here. So now I just want to say I think you’re the perfect match for him. I wish the two of you a long and happy life.”

  Jordan cringed. “My feelings haven’t changed, if anyone cares. I still don’t like you.”

  “The feeling is mutual,” Bay-Lee said, determined not to back down an inch. To Mike she added, “Good luck with your mission.”

  “Thank you,” Mike said. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “And take care of this guy. He won’t admit it, but he needs a babysitter sometimes.”

  Nick playfully punched Mike in the shoulder and joked, “You’re the one who sleeps with a stuffed bear.”

  “Liar!” Mike’s expression turned comical, eyes wide and mouth agape as he tried to look outraged. “When I get back, we’re going to spar for cash. Winner takes all.”

  “Save up your pennies, elf.”

  Mike focused on Bay-Lee. “I hope you have an abundance of patience. You’re going to need it to put up with this clown.”

  They continued to trash-talk for a few minutes while Bay-Lee giggled in the background. Jordan piped in with her unabashed opinion a couple of times, but they ignored her. She was the least of his problems. The dark truth shadowed him, always there. If they didn’t find a way to stop the wraith, he would be dead soon. Then another wraith was going to attack Bay-Lee on her birthday.

  Nick and Mike finished talking. They embraced again before Mike slid into the backseat of the long, black car. Jordan kissed Nick full on the mouth before giving Bay-Lee a challenging look. Calling her to help him stay away from Bay-Lee was the worst idea he’d ever had. He was sure the girls would have eventually come to blows if Jordan wasn’t leaving no. Maybe he’d send Van a fruit basket for helping him get rid of her.

  The limo’s engine came to life, purring as the car took off down the winding drive and past a row of beautiful trees. Bay-Lee inched closer to Nick. He put an arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head as they watched the car go. “I’m sorry Van sent him away,” she said. “I know how close the two of you are.”

  Nick admitted, “I haven’t spent more than a week away from him in years. I won’t lie. It’s going to be hard.” He smiled down at her. “But I can handle it.”

  His deal with Van sprang to mind. He didn’t have a choice. Breaking up with her was the only option. Since she was a Van Helsing they couldn’t be together. No matter what his brother, best friend, mentor, and others thought, he was not going to risk world destruction.

  “Want to come inside with me,” he asked.

  “I’d love that.” The beautiful smile on her face was his reward for issuing the invitation. If he wasn’t careful, his good intentions were going to dissolve.

  “It’s almost Christmas,” she said, “and it’s still so warm. It’s going to be odd being in New Zealand for the holidays without my uncle. You and I should do something special, start our own traditions.”

  Nick didn’t spoil it by telling her they weren’t going to be together on Christmas. His cousin’s ghost was probably going to kill him tomorrow. More than anything he wanted to kiss her one last time, but he couldn’t stand the anticipation a moment longer. “I’ve been thinking about your quest for revenge.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah.” He picked his words carefully. He wanted to sound like the biggest jerk a girl could ever have for a boyfriend. It was the only way to break up with her without hurting her. The termination of their relationship had to be her idea. He shrugged carelessly. “I think you need to let it go.”

  She frowned. “What?”

  “It happened a long time ago. Get over it.”

  “Get over it?” Bay-Lee paled. “How can you say that to me? My mom was murdered in front of me. I thought you understood how I feel.”

  “I did. I do. But you can’t live in the past.” Nick took a deep breath and set his plan in motion. “If you’re going to be my girlfriend, you have to drop the revenge idea. I can’t be with someone who is obsessed with a pack of silly werewolves. We have a whole world of creatures to fight. It’s selfish. You’re selfish.”

  The pain in her eyes hurt him like a dagger through his heart. He clenched his fists and fought the urge to apologize and launch into an explanation. Hurting her was kinder than allowing Van to break her heart by announcing her entire life had been a lie. They would eventually have to break up anyway.

  Her lower lip trembled. “I can’t believe you’re saying this to me.”

  “Grow up, Micki.” The last poison tipped dart hit its target.

  “I don’t know why you’re being a jerk and pushing me away again, but you know what? I don’t care. I’ve had it. You can’t turn on your cruel side whenever you want and expect me to stick around. I’m tired of this. Goodbye.”

  She slammed the door on her way out, and he released a shaky breath. His fingers hurt from squeezing them together so hard. She was gone, probably out of his life forever. Now he just needed to find a solitary place to celebrate his birthday. He didn’t want anyone else to be around when the wraith showed. No one knew it, but sending Mike to watch Van’s daughter had been his idea. His best friend and the love of his life were out of harm’s way, and that was all that mattered.