The Hunter’s Protector (Death Hunters Book 3)

by Bryce Evans

  She shook her head.

  “Are you sure? You may be immune. Lots of witches who have your kind of energy can fight off the poison.”

  “Check, dear. Minerva knows about this stuff. You may not have felt it, but the mark would be there,” Scarlett commented looking down at her leg.

  “Leo, hold his head.” Greer waited for him to sit and hold his back to his chest, holding his head up.

  Not caring who was looking at her nakedness, Greer held her arms out and allowed Scarlett and Minerva to check her. Both shook their heads at each other, then bent down to check her legs. “Look at this, Minerva.” Greer pulled her leg up to the couch trying to find what Scarlett was pointing to. There was a place on her skin that looked like something stabbed her. A small hole still in her skin. Red all around it, but no black veins showing.

  The breath she was holding blew out in pants. If she didn’t calm down, she would hyperventilate. It happened one time before when her aunt was killed. She ran away after the incident and finally stopped deep in the woods, shifting back into her human form, then started crying. It was so bad that she was on her hands and knees dry heaving.

  Greer slowed her breathing. Reed needed her right now. She had to stay strong and help him get better. “Why did it affect Reed and not me?”

  “Like Minerva said, sometimes it doesn’t. You are immune to wolfsbane. Nothing is wrong though. Now we know what to do,” Scarlett said. Before she could ask any questions, the two women were in conversation, walking toward the kitchen. “Quinn, I need my bag.”

  “Got it.” Quinn ran out of the room.

  She went back to Reed, grabbing his hand putting it up to her face. She held on, praying he would live. Leo laid his head on a throw pillow and got up so she could get closer to him. “Keep talking to him. He hears you.”

  His color did look somewhat better, but he was still very pale. He never moved a muscle and that was freaking her out the most. For the short time she has known him, Reed had always been active in everything he did. Always seemed to be working on some type of project.

  This wolfsbane was horrible if his bear couldn’t shake it off. Most shifters had unbelievable healing abilities. She glanced at her arm and the scratches were already disappearing.

  Scarlett came back with a small bottle in her hand. “Greer, he needs to swallow all of this. Pull his head back and let’s get this down his throat.” She did exactly what Scarlett told her. As the liquid went down, she whispered to him, “Drink it, baby. It will help you. Please, do it for me.”

  She smiled to herself as Reed swallowed. “I think he hears your voice, Greer. Keep talking to him.” Scarlett rubbed up his leg staring at the black veins.

  “Is he going to be okay?”

  “Only time will tell. Now let him rest. Let the medicine do its work, child.” Scarlett smiled at her as she stood. “His body will heal faster now that we have stopped it from spreading throughout his whole system.”

  She had a million questions, but the one that bothered her the most was, why? Why did the witch try to kill Reed? None of this made since and now she had almost gotten her...her, what? What was Reed to her? A friend? But she had heard what Leo said earlier not to touch another shifter’s mate. Was Reed her mate?

  No! It was impossible. Shaking her head, she hated the fact that if they were true mates, then she would only get him killed.

  “What happened?” Raven rushed into the room. When she saw Reed lying motionless on the couch, Greer could see how much Raven cared about him. She got on her knees beside her and touched his hand. “Is he okay?” Her voice cracked as she asked the million-dollar question.

  “They think they got to it in time. He was poisoned with a dart. Someone shot both of us, but apparently I’m immune to it,” Greer said, looking away from Raven’s knowing eyes. “But I’m the one who almost got him killed. If he hadn’t been with me, none of this would have happened. Everyone wants this magic. I hate it. I hate that it took so many people that I love away from me.”

  Raven was staring at her when she finally looked back. “Did you shoot him with a dart?”

  Greer’s eyes widened. “No, of course not.”

  “Mark that off your list. Because you didn’t put the poison in his body. Somebody else did.”

  “But if I hadn’t been here, Reed would be okay. Now he’s lying here on this couch and look at him. He’s almost dead.” Greer stared at Raven then pointed to her own chest. “I did that to him. I did.”

  “Nah, but if you want to continue this pity party maybe you can tell me what they poisoned him with. Nobody blames you, Greer. The only person who is playing the blame game is...you.”

  Greer blew out a deep breath and stared at Raven. “You are such a smart...a smart.”

  “Ah, thank you, Greer, you are so sweet. I know I’m very smart and a smart ass too.”

  “Look…it’s just. If something happens to him, I won’t be able to stand it. I…” Greer’s hands start to shake as she touched his face. She could feel the magic inside her wanting out. She wanted to hurt someone for what they did to Reed.

  “Hey,” Raven grabbed both of her hands. “You listen to me. This man right here loves you, Greer. Figure out what the hell is going on, so we can kill the bitch. Because he would run through hell for you. Let’s find this witch and handle them, once and for all. Whoever it is can camouflage themselves. That’s a tough one. We need to find out how they are doing it and what we can do to make them visible again. Even if it just for our eyes.” Raven narrowed her eyes, “Hold on to that anger for when we need it. Control it. Put it away until that one moment when you will need it. Okay?”

  Greer shook her head at Raven. “You are so crazy.”

  “Yeah, but I’ll have plenty of friends at the crazy farm,” the hunter said, smiling at her.

  “You really do think of me as a friend, don’t you?” Greer asked, pushing the anger away. Raven was right; she would need that anger for another time. Right now, they had to get some answers and she knew two witches who would give it to her.

  Jade walked back in the room with a white cloth. “I thought I would put this on his head. He felt hot to the touch. I know it’s the fever, but it will help him.”

  Greer nodded and motioned for Raven to follow her. “Watch him for a minute, Jade.”

  “Sure, hun.” She sat on the couch as they walked into the kitchen.

  Scarlett and Minerva were sitting at the table going over something in a book. She sat across from them. Quinn was mixing something at the stove. Whatever it was smelled terrible.

  When neither of them noticed her, she slammed her hand on the table. “I think we need to talk.” Both of the old witches stopped and looked at her.

  “All you need to do is ask, dear,” Scarlett said.

  “This was a witch and both of you knew that, but what I want to know is how this witch can hide in plain sight. She or he was fast. I was running toward her as fast as I could go. What kind of witch can do that? Who? You’ve both been around a long time and if anyone could do that, you would know.”

  Scarlett looked at Minerva, who nodded. “After your aunt Jean was killed, we knew there were more who were in on her capture. So we started looking into this ourselves. We kept it among the Old Ones. Whoever it was knew magic that only we knew. It had to be someone we trusted. At first, we thought it might be someone on the council, but we eliminated each of them. Whoever it is has inside information. We realized the mistake we made when we let all the Old Ones in on it.

  “After Natalie Reez died, we eventually eliminated everyone. She became sick when we started. It wasn’t any of the Old Ones. To be honest, hun, we don’t know who it is, but whoever they are, I’m afraid they have more power than we could ever imagine. But to answer your question, the only way they can hide themselves is to take the magic from a lot of paranormals. That’s why they wanted your magic and every witch’s that didn’t fit into their coven.”

  “She wants my magic?
Just like the rest of them. Well, they can’t have it. That belongs to me and me only. I’m so sick of everyone trying to steal something that's not theirs. I’m so sick of it.”

  “Uhh...Greer.” When she turned, Raven’s eyes were wide as saucers as she stared at the chairs floating in the air. “You think you can make those go back to the floor?”

  “Sure…” She closed her eyes trying to calm herself. Her heart thumped as she told the magic to put the chairs down.

  “You just…” Quinn stuttered as she watched the chairs. “You found your control.”

  “Just a little,” Greer said, standing. “We have to find this witch. I want to stop them, and I don’t know how to do that. I need your help.”

  “We agree, but what do you have in mind?” Scarlett asked.

  “You said the vampire, Calum O’Keefe, might know how to help us. Can’t we call him?”

  “Greer, come quick. Reed’s awake and asking for you,” Jade said, running into the room. She glanced around at everyone. “What’d I miss?”

  She ran into the other room to see Reed. He was sitting up and talking to Lennox. She kneeled in front of him. “Reed, are you okay?”

  “Just seeing you makes me feel a lot better,” Reed said, smiling. “Come here.” He motioned for her to sit next to him. “I’m fine. I feel better. The alpha was telling me what happened. I didn’t feel any dart. Apparently, you didn’t either, but we were very riled up. So, no wonder. But are you okay?”

  Greer smiled. “I’m fine.”

  “Okay, tell me, what do we know so far?” Reed asked.

  “Nothing new, but I’m working on it.”

  “Greer…look I don’t want you to get hurt. I couldn’t take it if something happened to you.”

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Lennox said, nodding at him as he got up.

  “Nothing is going to happen to me. They need me alive,” Greer said.

  “That doesn’t make me feel better. Let the hunters deal with this.”

  “No, they tried to kill you today and I’m done running, Reed. They’re not taking anyone else I love from me again.”

  “You love me?” Reed rushed out, grabbing her face, holding it close to his.

  “Of course, I do, you idiot.” Smiling, Greer leaned over and proceeded to kiss the man who meant the world to her. She could tell it shocked him but not for long as he pulled her into his lap and deepened the kiss. His tongue touched hers and that’s when she felt something underneath her. But she needed to know if he felt anything for her beside lust. Pulling away, Greer muttered, “But...you don’t have to say it back. I’m sur—”

  Reed didn’t let her finish, pulling her head in, he started kissing the side of her face. “I’ve loved you since the moment I saw you. Then when you said hello to me, I fell in love with you more, then when you let me touch you.” He closed his eyes, smiling. “I knew you were the one.” Opening his eyes, he kissed her forehead. “The only one. You’re my mate, Greer.”

  Tears leaked out of her eyes as she asked, “Are you sure?” Her bear bristled inside of her. She knew Reed was her mate, but she had so much self-doubt inside her that she needed to hear him say it.

  “One hundred percent, my love. I will wait forever for you. If you’re not ready, that’s okay. I can’t explain this feeling, except to tell you that I love you.”

  Greer wrapped her arms around him, snuggling into his chest. “I love you too.”

  “Then it’s settled. No more going anywhere without me. At least,” he smiled, pointing his finger over her lips, “until we catch the witch. I can’t think straight if I believe you are not safe, which means I won’t be at my best. I don’t want to make a mistake.”

  “I will try. That’s all I can promise.” Deep inside she knew how worried he was, but she couldn’t make a promise she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep.

  “Good enough. I’m starving. We missed the fried chicken.”

  Shaking her head, she got up. “Let me see what I can fix.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “Hello, old friend. I need to call in that favor.”

  “What’s in it for me?”

  Scarlett tingled, listening to his voice. Even over the phone, he made her insides quiver. Too bad she knew him all too well.

  “It involves some unique shifters and…”

  “And?”

  “A very nasty witch that I’ve never seen. Literally, my friend.”

  “See you soon, Scarlett.”

  “Oh, Calum, you don’t know where I’m living now.”

  “Sure, I do.”

  The phone clicked and Scarlett couldn’t help but laugh.

  “What did he say?” Lennox asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

  “He’s on his way.”

  “When will he get here?” Lennox asked.

  “Well, that’s what I don’t get. He never said before he hung up. I would expect him soon. I don’t know where he’s living. Nobody ever does and that’s the way he likes it.”

  “I couldn’t care less what he likes or wants. You just remember, old friend, that if something goes wrong and he tries to take a bite out of any shifter or human here...well, let’s just say the three of us will make sure he never takes another bite again. So, you better know how to keep him in line. His mistakes will be on you. Understand?”

  Scarlett laughed. “That’s why I chose you, Lennox. You’re vicious. I understand, but you won’t have to worry about him biting anyone.” Getting up, Scarlett walked to the door and stopped. She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Except if they ask him to.”

  Lennox glanced at Cosmo leaning against the wall. “What you want me to do?”

  “Put the word out to the hunters that they need to keep their eyes on Calum. I don’t trust the vampire. He’s too fascinated with our kind.”

  “Stop smiling, Beta. You’ve never met this vampire. He’s…”

  “What?”

  “He’s different. Sophisticated. Not like the other vampires we’ve come across. Don’t underestimate him either. He’s very smart and dangerous.”

  “Why don’t you like the guy?” Cosmo asked with a smirk on his face.

  “I’m going to enjoy this once he meets your mate. Oh, he will want to talk to her and--”

  “Enough,” Cosmo said, holding his hand up. His face turned so red, Lennox thought he might explode. He needed his beta to understand that vampires were dangerous creatures. Most of the time, they kept to themselves in their own clans. Except the most notorious vampire he knew. Scarlett was right that if anyone knew how to help them it was Calum, but he didn’t like the guy and he sure as hell didn’t trust him. “Okay, I get it. Nobody will be talking to my mate.”

  “Exactly. That’s my sister. You keep him away from her.”

  “Don’t you worry about that. Like I said, nobody will ever touch my mate.”

  The problem was that this vampire had magic in him and women flocked to him even if they were mated. His ability to make women interested in him was one of his biggest powers. Lennox still didn’t know what he could do or how long he had lived on this earth.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Oh my.” Jade slammed her hand into Quinn’s side.

  “What?” Quinn turned and gasped as the man in her store looked around at all her products. They watched as he touched all the bars of soap, bringing each to his nose, inhaling the scent with a smile.

  Jade and Quinn glanced at each other and then both started pushing the other, trying to see who could get to the man first. He smiled at both of them as they slammed into the table. “Are you okay?” Even his voice made them want to just sit and listen to him talk.

  “Yes,” they both said in unison. Jade could hear the guards coming closer, but she just couldn’t take her eyes off this man. This gorgeous man with black hair. She had to pull her hand back before she touched the groomed god of pure beauty.

  “These scents smell wonderful. I would love to buy some of these,” the m
an said.

  “Get away from my mate.” Lennox stood in front of her. She shook her head as she glanced up at her mate’s back.

  “Lennox, baby, what are you doing?” Jade asked. Then she glanced around at all the guards. Some of them were hunters, other members of the Dixon pack. She rubbed up against her mate wanting to be near him. This overwhelming feeling of need came over her. She needed Lennox now.

  “Scarlett said she would meet you at the restaurant. Why did you come in here?” Lennox demanded. She peeked around her mate at the man who just smiled back at her. “Don’t get any ideas, vampire.”

  “Don’t worry, Alpha. She was just being nice to a customer. I love these types of mom and pop stores. I always come inside and find the best gifts. I hope that’s why she works here. Yes, I heard that your mate was a very famous jewelry maker. I would love to see her work.”

  “Of course,” Jade motioned to her counter.

  “Absolutely not.” Lennox’s voice was harsh as he pushed her back behind him.

  “Lennox? I’m okay, baby. Really. This is what I do. Trust me,” Jade demanded.

  “It’s not you that I’m worried about, baby. You don’t know him. He’s a--”

  “Vampire,” Jade said. She felt stupid for fawning all over him. Why was she acting like that? She only had eyes for one man and that was her mate and she wanted every piece of him, now.

  “Yes Jade, but he has the power to make you feel…sexual toward him.”

  “Now, Alpha, you shouldn’t tell all my secrets. I would never try anything with any of these women. Especially your mate. I know who she belongs to. I can smell you on her a mile away.” The vampire leaned forward and smiled. “I will always remember how sweet your blood smells.”

  Ben Crenshaw caught Lennox in midair before he ripped the vampire's head off. “Baby, it’s okay. He can’t help it. Now stop. Your blood does smell good.” Her words were low but filled with love and lust. She didn’t know what it was, but she needed to be with her man.