by Deanna Chase
“I know it’s hard,” Dax said, clamping down on his own emotions. Phoebe wasn’t physically gone from this world, but the one he knew and had fallen for appeared to be lost. “Can you tell me if she’s ever had any trouble? Any enemies or tumultuous relationships? In other words, is there anyone we should be looking at closer as a suspect?”
“No,” Drake said, frowning. “No one. Everyone loved her.”
Including Drake. Since Dax already knew who’d killed her, he didn’t expect this kid to come up with anyone new, but he continued the line of questioning. “What about her date? The guy she was supposed to have drinks with?”
He shook his head. “No way, man. He’s my cousin, another shifter who just moved to town right before the semester started. They barely knew each other.”
Another dead end. Dax had been pressing to uncover acquaintances that might be involved in Seth’s death, or a secret past. But there was just nothing there. “Thanks for your time. You’ve been very helpful. Is there anyone else here we can talk to? Just to be thorough?”
Drake nodded and disappeared into the back to fetch his boss.
By the time Dax and Leo left the office, Maci Masterson had been painted as a sweet angel with zero skeletons in her closet.
With his last shred of hope that maybe Phoebe wasn’t the villain in this nightmare completely shredded, Dax ducked his head and was silent on his way back to the Trooper. Leo was too, and Dax knew the kid was thinking the same. Now the only thing left to do was rip his own heart out while he brought down the one woman he’d ever cared about.
His phone chimed, giving the go-ahead to pick up the other three shifters on the list. Since Lincoln Frost had already been attacked and he knew where that shifter was located, that meant he only needed to track down the other two. Without a word, Dax put the Trooper in gear and headed to the Lakeview neighborhood.
“I’m not going,” Gerry Coster said. He was standing in the doorway of his Gothic-style two-story Tudor home. “I’m not afraid of a witch.”
Leo raised his eyebrows. “That witch has already taken down two of your pack.”
He shrugged, squinting back at them as the afternoon light illuminated his bald head. “I have a family to protect. If she’s targeting me, what’s to say she won’t go after my daughter if I’m hiding at the Arcane building?”
Dax had to admit the guy had a point. It would take an act of God to get him to leave his own family vulnerable… if he had one. He peered past the round, middle-aged man. “Is your daughter here? We can probably request security to keep an eye on her and the rest of your family.”
“No, she isn’t. She lives with her mother in Mississippi.”
Dammit, Dax thought. He’d just used his kid as an excuse. “I really think you should consider our offer, Mr. Coster. Agent Kilsen is deemed very dangerous. If you don’t—”
“I’m not going with you. End of story.” Coster slammed the door in their faces.
Their reception was very much the same at Prim Masterson’s home a few miles away.
“I’ve fought witches before, Mr. Marrok,” Prim said, standing with her shoulders back and her head held high. “I used to be in law enforcement.” The woman appeared to be in her late thirties, early forties, and was dressed in linen pants and a silk camisole. Her auburn hair was twisted into a smart bun, and she looked like she’d be at home running a multimillion-dollar business.
“I understand, but she’s already attacked two of your pack. Are you sure you want to take that risk? She’s a highly trained agent,” Dax said.
“I’m a highly trained judo master. While I appreciate your concern, I’ll have to decline your protection.”
She couldn’t be budged. When the door was slammed in their faces for the second time that day, Dax muttered a curse.
“Idiots,” Leo said under his breath.
Dax let out a snort of agreement. He understood their pride. Shifters were convinced they could take care of themselves, but they didn’t know Phoebe like he did.
At least Frost had been willing. After his brush with the poison, he didn’t even out up a fight when Dax visited him at Imogen’s clinic.
“Good. We’ll move you today,” Dax said, relieved at least one of the targets would be safe. With the approval from the higher-ups, Phoebe Kilsen’s clearance at the Void offices had been revoked. She wouldn’t even be allowed in unless she was being incarcerated. Frost would be safe there.
Once Frost was settled, Dax turned to Leo. “Are you up for a stakeout?”
“Always,” Leo said.
“Good. Because you’re taking Coster. I’ll take Prim Masterson. If Phoebe shows up, do not engage. Call for backup first,” Dax ordered.
“What if she goes after Coster?” Leo asked.
“Pray backup gets there sooner,” Dax said solemnly.
“But—”
“I’m serious, Leo. Phoebe is a powerful witch who’s beyond reason right now. Coster refused protection. I will not have you risking your life because he’s a stubborn bastard.”
“Okay, boss,” Leo said. “But I need a car.”
Dax secured one of the Void vehicles for Leo, and the two split up to spend the night keeping an eye on Prim Masterson and Gerry Coster.
But just as Dax pulled up to Prim’s house, he got the call. Gerry Coster was dead.
19
“Hey, Phoebe. There you are,” a tinkling feminine voice called as I was walking down the hallway from Willow’s work station.
I turned and found Genevieve smiling at me. “Hey, Gen. What can I do for you?”
“I need a favor,” the club manager said. “Can you stick around for a while?”
The clock on the far wall indicated it was just after six in the evening. I’d already been there for roughly twelve hours. Not that I minded. It was better than being back at the plantation, playing the Southern belle to Eadric Allcot. “Sure. I’m not in a hurry. What do you need?”
She let out a visible sigh of relief, her shoulders sagging. “Oh, thank the gods. I have an errand to run for Allcot and no one to cover the bar for the next couple of hours. Can you take it for me like you used to?”
“Sure. No problem. I’m really rusty, but it’ll all probably come rushing back once I get into the groove.”
“Thank you,” she gushed. “You’re a lifesaver. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I watched the petite redhead hurry out of the club and wondered what it was Allcot needed from her. But then I caught a glimpse of Dax disappearing up the stairs and I hurried after him. I caught up to him just before he stepped into the large office that had become Allcot’s.
“Hey, Dax,” I said.
He paused, his hand on the doorknob. When he turned, his dark eyes were soft and welcoming. “Hi.”
The rough sound of his voice combined with that all-too-familiar look he was giving me made me suddenly ache for my Dax back home. My mouth went dry as I gazed up at him, and I had to lick my lips just to get them moving again.
His gaze moved to my mouth, and his soft eyes turned heated. Before either of us said anything, he glanced away. “I’m supposed to be stocking the fridge in there.” He pointed to Allcot’s office. “Is there something you need?”
“Huh?” I asked like the idiot I was.
“You wanted something?” he asked again, his eyebrows raised.
“Oh, right.” I let out a startled laugh. What the hell was wrong with me? “Let’s talk inside the office.”
“Sure.” He used one of the master keys to open the door. After flipping the light on, he waved me in. “What’s up?”
I slipped my hand into the front pocket of my jeans and produced the small container of the potion Willow had made earlier in the day. “This is for you.” I pressed it into the palm of his hand and leaned in close, whispering, “It will break the spell that binds you to the Red Door. Willow made it for you, so it’s pretty much guaranteed to work.”
He jerked back and stared dow
n at me, his eyes wide in shock. Willow made it? he mouthed.
Clearly we were both on the same page. Neither of us wanted any curious eavesdroppers listening in on our conversation. I nodded and whispered, “We’ve got it worked out. She won’t be blamed. Take it when you’re ready.”
His hand circled around my wrist as he closed his eyes and said, “What about you?”
“I’ll be fine,” I insisted. “Trust me.”
He opened his eyes and stared down at me, emotion swimming in his dark depths. “I can’t leave knowing you’re still tied to him.”
“You can. And you will, Dax,” I said earnestly. “You gave up eight years of your life already. There isn’t anything else you can do. Please, take this and find happiness, live, be kind to yourself. Ph—” I cleared my throat, having almost referred to my doppelgänger. “I have Seth. He’ll watch over me.”
“You’re sure. Are you really safe, Phoebe?”
“I’m as safe as I can be, Dax.” I pressed a soft hand to his chest and gazed up at him. “All I want is for you to be happy and free from Allcot.”
His lips curved down as he frowned.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to get out of this town. It’s not like I’ve been paid these last years.”
“Dammit. Really?”
He nodded solemnly. “I can probably hitch a ride up to Baton Rouge and catch some work there, but—”
“No.” I cut him off and shook my head. “I’ll find some money for you. Or something to sell. Don’t worry about that. Just give me until tomorrow. Okay?”
“I can’t let you—”
“You’re not letting me doing anything. I’m just doing it. Now drink up, got it?” I nudged his hand.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, his lips twitching again. “I always did like it when you were bossy.”
Welcome to the club, I thought. “I know. And you always knew how to shut me up too.”
Silence hung heavily in the air between us, each of us lost in thought. It had been a stupid thing to say. This Dax wasn’t my Dax, and I had no business strolling down memory lane with him.
I stepped back. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right.”
I shook my head and removed my hand from his chest. “No, it isn’t.”
“It is,” he said with a small smile. Then he lifted the potion to his lips and downed it. The effect was immediate. A single pinpoint of light appeared and then zoomed around his wrists and ankles as if shackling him, then moved to encircle his entire body, coiling around him like a rope.
I took a step back, my hand covering my open mouth. “What did Willow do?” I whispered, having no idea how to stop the alarming light that seemed to be tightening around his core.
Dax’s eyes went wide, and he let out a grunt as he winced.
“Oh my god, Dax. I’m so sorry. This isn’t what’s supposed to happen.” I started to run for the door, intending to grab Willow wherever she was.
My hand had just hit the doorknob when Dax grunted, “Wait.”
“But I—” I turned just in time to see the rope of light constrict, squeezing him so tightly that his face turned red. “What, Dax?”
He lifted his head and wheezed, “Just. Wait.”
I did as he asked, hating every minute of it. The light pulsed, seemingly only to torture him, tightening each time just a little more. “Dax, please. I need to get Wil—”
There was a small boom, and the light dissipated all around the room.
Dax let out a whoosh of air only to quickly gasp for more, trying to fill his exhausted, battered lungs.
“Oh my god,” I said in a hushed tone, gingerly moving toward him. “Are you okay?”
He sucked in one more deep breath and straightened, holding his arms out, inspecting them.
“Dax?”
A huge grin broke out over his face, and he reached for me, scooping me up into a giant bear hug and twirling me around the room while letting out a giant whoop of excitement.
“Dax,” I said again, laughing. “Shhh. Someone is going to hear you.”
He stopped twirling and just stared down at me. “It worked, Phoebs. It really worked. When the rope of light burst apart, my invisible chains disappeared too. I’m free. Finally, after all these years, I’m free.”
Happiness bubbled up in the form of delighted laughter, and I hugged him so tight I thought we might just meld there together as one.
But it didn’t take long for me to become aware of his breathing, his woodsy scent, and the fact that he felt so damned good as I rested my head against his shoulder, still suspended in the air by his strong arms.
“Phoebe?” he whispered.
I lifted my head and looked up at him. “Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
His husky, gruff voice was like a caress to my weary soul, and I couldn’t help myself as I reached up and pressed my fingertips to his lips. He kissed them tenderly, just as I knew he would, and then I dropped my hand, intending to ask to be put down, but Dax leaned in closer and suddenly his lips were on mine. I melted right into him, getting lost in his warm vanilla taste. Without my even realizing it, he slowly lowered me back down until my feet hit the floor, and then one hand was in my hair while the other was caressing my back.
The kiss was hot, full of fire and need and desperation. The way two people come together when they’ve been longing for each other for far too long. My hands were in his thick dark hair, caressing his shoulders, his back, and were headed south when the sound of a door opening made us both freeze.
I held my breath and waited, praying it was Willow or even Genevieve. But no. My blood ran cold when I heard Allcot’s low, rumbling voice behind me say, “Step away from my wife.”
20
“Wait!” Prim Masterson ran out of her house, her arm in the air. The linen pants and silk camisole had been replaced by jeans and a T-shirt. The blood had drained from her face, and fear shone in her light eyes. She yanked his passenger door open and climbed in. “I’m coming with you.”
Dax didn’t say a word as he took off toward Castor’s house. The minute he’d gotten word about the other shifter’s death, he’d walked to her door, given her the news, and then offered to take her in again. She’d immediately refused. It had pissed him off, but he’d just nodded and jogged back to the Trooper.
It hadn’t taken long for her to change her mind, which was good, because he wasn’t slowing down for anyone. The Trooper came to a screeching stop in front of the Gothic Tudor home. Void agents were milling around everywhere while Leo sat on the front steps, his head in his hands.
“Hey,” Dax said to him. “What happened?”
Leo jerked his head up and grimaced. “She was here, Dax.”
“I gathered that since Coster is dead,” Dax said, his stomach churning. “Did you see her?”
“I saw her fleeing. She was wearing a blond wig and was dressed in scrubs like she’d just gotten off a shift at a hospital, but I know for sure it was her. She looked right at me. There was no mistaking those bright blue eyes. She jumped into her Charger and I tried to follow, but her car was too fast. I lost her after two turns.”
“Fuck,” Dax said, his insides churning with rage. His heartbreak was long gone and the only thing left was pure determination. “Meet me back at the Void. It’s time to go witch hunting.”
Leo was silent as he stared at his mentor.
“There’s no time for hesitation, Leo,” Dax said. “We’ll get Prim into custody at the office, but then we’ve got a job to do.”
“Okay, Dax,” Leo said, his expression grave.
“I don’t like it any better than you do, kid,” Dax said. “But this is the job. Get used to it.” Even though Dax delivered his lines with no room for argument, he felt the words turn to ash on his tongue. It was true that sometimes agents went rogue, but it wasn’t true that he could or should ever be okay with having to hunt his own girlfriend. With every muscl
e tensed with pure frustration, Dax returned to the Trooper and the shifter waiting for him.
“Is it true?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Did she really kill my cousin?”
Dax clenched the steering wheel and nodded once. There was nothing else to say.
Leo and Dax spent the next three nights patrolling the rest of the Masterson pack. There were only four names on the list, but being in the same pack was their only connection. They were family and not much more. They didn’t even hang out together unless it was a giant family gathering like a wedding or reunion.
Dax sat in his Trooper, eating a po’boy from a local neighborhood place, and suddenly stiffened. The hair stood up on the back of his neck, and he knew he was being watched. He sent a quick text to Leo. Where are you?
Uptown. Maci’s parents are attending a charity ball.
Already? Dax thought. Their daughter’s death had only been a week ago. It was hard to imagine them out at a charity ball. I’m in Lakeview. I think something’s about to go down.
I’m on my way.
Dax shoved the phone into his pocket and jumped out of the Trooper. The street was darker than he remembered. He glanced up, noting the lack of the moon and the fact that the light was out in the nearby lamppost. It had been lit the night before. He remembered it illuminating the old VW Beetle still sitting in the same spot. Thick humidity clung to his skin, making it harder for him to breathe. It was the kind of night that was made for trouble.
The stillness unsettled him. He hadn’t forgotten that someone was watching him, but who? Was it Phoebe? One of the pack members? A vampire? He didn’t know. There wasn’t anyone on the street. No one he could see anyway.
Dax pressed a hand to his belt, his fingers running over the hilt of the dagger he’d been wearing since he suspected Phoebe of going rogue. Three days ago, he’d added a tranq gun and a stun gun. He’d left his handgun in the safe. When the shit hit the fan, he didn’t want to be the one pulling the trigger. Phoebe was dangerous, but he didn’t want to see her dead. He wanted answers.