Page 32 (1/2)

"Local expert?" Bruiser asked, his eyes still on Soul

"Local vamp Helps us out sometimes And no I won’t tell you the name"

As the law enforcement and vamp-dinner types chatted and metaphorically scented one another’s butts, I slipped upstairs for gear, and then out the back door and into the night I needed to get out of there There were toowhere aveaway and totally cowardly, I headed straight to Bitsa

The air was cold and sharp and a dispirited rain drizzled down, soular patterns, as if unsure whether to quit and go dry or give in and have a thunder temper tantrum and mini flood

"Let’s take my vehicle"

I started at the sound of Rick’s voice in the dark, from several cars parked in a neat row His scent reached hts "What? Where?"

I heard keys jingle and amusement in his voice "The Acheé faoing Right?"

I shouldn’t go with Rick I really shouldn’t Things are too messed up between us I spun on a booted heel and said, "Sure Let’s go" So h the sht-foot-tall fence and around front Silent, we got into his SUV, and I was buckling up when I realized Rick was standing outside with the back door open The vehicle rocked when the wolf, Brute, leaped onto the bench seat and lay down, panting, his head turned away, the neon-green Pea clinging to his back "Great," I muttered

Rick, if he heard ht, and drove into the dark, his electronic tablet glowing on the console between us with our path all plotted out I noticed that the house ere going to was in the opposite part of town frole Eli had prepared for us to search for Misha, and wondered if that h the city and out into the country, trees crowding against the sides of the road and the sht breeze We crossed over aon to a drive and winding our way in the deeper dark The live oaks branched over the narrow driveway, interlacing like fingers to keep out the ht The Acheé house was a traditional tidewater, up on pilings with a front porch that ran the length of the house, a tin roof, and chiot out, the s plants was strong To the side of the house was a circular open area uised as a sitting area with a gazebo in the center

Ithe criet there In the open space, no trees were in the way to spoil the ested that a azebo, I bent and spotted the cleverly disguised wheels used to push the structure out of the hen the family’s woes were all white quartz, and winter herbs were planted around the outside edge The scent of rosee permeated the air here, contained by the chill I walked around the gazebo, staring up at the moon The silvery orb was nearly full, and Beast pulled ather needs known

Have not hunted in ht Jane is selfish

Yeah, and you’re chained to Leo

Leo is not here Leo is far away

But his priet all hot and bothered?

Bruiser is good for onna happen," I murmured

Beast huffed and disappeared, and Rick said, "What’s not gonna happen?"

"No witch circle this fullago, I couldn’t lie worth a dang Now it came easily

"We have entrée," Rick said "Shall we?"

I wanted to say, "When and where?" but ed to keep it inside I nodded mutely and tuckedthem over his butt as I followed him up the wooden steps to the doorway The scent of blood was like a barbed fist to the jaw as Rick opened the door

The blood was va, lips parted, sucking in air over the roof ofblood I sun propellant, the stench of burned nitrocellulose And then I smelled the scent of child, witch child, her blood spilled My fingers curled and ertips, a piercing pain I hissed softly

"Jane?"