Kailey fumed. “What the hell, Jacob? How could you leave Brady behind?”
She formed fists and wanted to stand, but the bouncing of the boat across the waves and her dizziness objected.
“We did what he told us to do,” Jacob replied coldly.
“Is he dead?”
Jacob’s jaw tightened, and he looked away without replying. Barry kept his eyes on the water ahead of them, careful that his gaze never met hers.
“We have to go back, Barry,” Kailey said.
“That’s not an option,” Jacob said.
Luna wrapped her arms around Kailey and hugged her tightly. Although the sentiment half annoyed Kailey, she didn’t push Luna away. An embrace was something she needed during such turmoil and not too often had she received one whenever her world was torn and falling apart.
Kailey closed her eyes and leaned back against the side of the boat. The cold night wind swept around her with beads of mist coating her. She sobbed and placed a hand over her face. Luna shushed softly in her ear.
Feeling the warmth of someone’s approach, she lowered her hand and peered through the slits of her swollen eyes. Jacob had lowered himself into a crouch and was a few inches away from her.
He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Brady will be okay, provided the bullets weren’t silver.”
“And if they were?” she asked through her tear-saturated voice.
“Then there wasn’t anything that we could have done anyway. I’m sorry we had to leave him, but our priority is to keep you safe. That’s what he wanted and what he insisted that we do, regardless of whatever else might happen.”
She frowned and pain seared through her head. “When did he ever give such a command?”
Jacob’s face tightened at her choice of words, but not from evident anger. “After you moved in with him, he insisted that the pack kept you safe, especially if anything ever happened to him. He loves you more than anything else in this world. More than life itself, but I don’t need to tell you that, do I?”
He rose and sat at the front of the boat near Barry. He offered a grim expression to Barry, and both held a bit of sadness in their exchanged glances. Determined anger and revenge also stirred. If not for rushing her to safety, the two werewolves wouldn’t have abandoned Brady, making her feel guilty, as the sole reason Brady might be dead.
Fresh tears burned Kailey’s eyes. Jacob’s reply indicated that his loyalty was to Brady more than it ever had been to Micah. If the pack needed a new leader, Brady was destined to become the one to take over. She didn’t believe Jacob would even challenge Brady’s authority.
He won’t need to if you’re dead, Brady. Please be alive. Don’t leave me. She sent the wish across the water, hoping that somehow his spirit received the message.
Kailey shook with sudden chills, partially from slowly being drenched by the mist and splashing waves, but also from her growing fear. The only warmth she had was where Luna hugged her. With the knowledge that someone had gotten out of the silver limo, the person was associated with the remaining five founding vampires, so he … or she … knew silver bullets killed werewolves. There was a greater chance that Brady was dead than him still being alive. Unless … they wanted to take him hostage or torture him.
Even though she didn’t know if prayers could be answered, or if any god would bother hearing her after years of constant denial, she found herself actually praying to any higher power that might hear and grant her request for Brady to be alive. After several minutes, she realized it was a one-way conversation. She didn’t know enough about prayer, nor had she any deep understanding or experience with the topic, to know if she was supposed to receive some type of verbal reply. Probably not, but she issued the request one more time.
Please be alive, Brady. I need you, more than I could ever say. I know … for the first time in my life … I know what true love is. Her heart ached. Her stomach twisted. Cassie, where did you go? Why did you leave us? If ever I needed your help, it’s now.
She took a deep breath and released it slowly through her mouth. So much for her prayers to a higher power when it was followed by what some might have considered another prayer and one to a demon, nonetheless. But she was serious about needing Cassie’s help. She truly hoped Cassie had heard her plea.
Where are you, Cassie?
Forrest and Lydia walked past the long line composed of impatient people. They booed and jeered at him, but he ignored them and kept walking until he faced Titus at the door.
“I need to see your membership badge,” Titus said. His gaze peered past Forrest and gave Lydia a swift up and down glance, apparently trying to check her out in spite of the poncho. He gave a broad smile and a quick wink, which was ignored by Lydia. She crossed her arms and frowned in return. “Brought yourself a foxy lady tonight?”
“Yes, she’s my guest.”
“I need to see your badge. No badge. I can’t let you inside. Sorry.”
Forrest frowned and leveled a harsh stare. “I was here this morning.”
“That was this morning.”
“I didn’t need a badge then.”
“You do now.”
Forrest’s right hand formed a tight fist. “And why’s that?”
“Orders from higher ups,” Titus said, taking a step back. Titus was a huge bouncer, but Forrest was a mountain of dread and muscle, towering over him.
“You’re going to let me pass,” Forrest said.
Titus cleared his throat, trying to maintain a strict composure. He whispered, “I can’t. If I do, they will bring the hammer down on me.”
“Not if I handle them for you,” Forrest replied.
“Sorry, no.” Titus shook his head.
Forrest’s eyes narrowed. His jaw tightened. “You’re worried about how they will punish you, but what about me and what I can do to you right now? Believe me, you don’t want the humiliation of me pommeling you in front of all these people, do you? That would quickly diminish your toughness, not to mention lead others to believe they might be able to do the same. And when you go down, that leaves no one else to guard the door. I’ll let all of them go inside. How does that rest with you?”
“Okay, but work with me now, all right?” Titus said.
Forrest cocked a brow.
Titus put out his hand to shake with Forrest. Forrest glanced at it and then gazed sternly into Titus’ eyes. “Come on, go with it.”
Forrest clasped his huge hand around the bouncer’s.
Titus chuckled loudly and patted Forrest’s arm with his left hand. “Just playing wit’cha, man. Welcome to the Nocturnal Trinity.” Titus stepped aside and as Forrest and Lydia walked past, he whispered, “I hope you understand that you have officially signed my death warrant, Forrest.”
“Don’t be so melodramatic,” Forrest said.
“What?” Titus said, turning sharply. “Hell, man, you have no idea what they’re capable of at all.”
“I know exactly what they’re capable of. I’ve known it longer than you’ve been alive. What you need to understand is what I’m capable of doing. Trust me.”
“Trust you? A dead man places no trust in anyone.”
“You’re not dead yet. I intend to keep it that way.” Forrest pulled the door open and allowed Lydia to enter first.
After the door closed, Lydia said, “You have a charming way with words. You always this friendly?”
“I often have worse days,” Forrest replied.
“Me, too.”
“You saw the line?”
“Of course. Who could miss it?”
Loud music thundered from the speakers as they left the front and headed into the first dance hall. Strobe lights flashed while an assortment of various colored rays of light shot out in different directions. The smell of cigarette smoke, leather, and sweat permeated the air.
Forrest turned toward her and raised his voice. “That’s what I was telling you. Most of them want inside this nightclub so badly, they’d eagerly offer their lives to become one of the undead vampires and this is a slow night.”
“I see. Aren’t you worried about the man at the door?”
“Titus?”
She nodded.
“Not particularly,” he replied.
“So his—death warrant—as he called it, that’s not real?”
“Oh, what he said is the truth. I’m certain he was told that I wasn’t allowed to enter.”
“They’d kill him for that?”
“Absolutely.”
“And you don’t care?”
Forrest looked into her eyes and chuckled. “There are two reasons why I’m not concerned about them hurting or killing him tonight. One, they’ve not been in the nightclub in several weeks. They’ve avoided this place altogether.”
“Why?”
“Because of me. They know I’m here to slay them.”
“Okay, so what’s the second reason?” she asked.
“Unless he tells them that he’s allowed me inside, they are not going to know right away. That gives him time, and if he needs help, I will assist in getting him somewhere safe and out of their reach.”
Lydia leaned closer to Forrest and tiptoed to whisper in his ear. “You really believe there are vampires here tonight?”
“I have no doubts.”
She glanced around at the dancers in the shifting crowd. Some wore capes, pale makeup, and streaks of fake blood dried at the edges of their mouths. Others had fangs protruded from their mouths. “How can you tell the real ones from the fake?”
“For starters,” Forrest said, “those who look like cheap imitations at a Halloween party, are just that. True vampires won’t be so flamboyant. It’s not in their nature in a crowded room. They are covert, and use charm and seduction to lure potential victims.”
“So you can’t tell?”
“Not always, but there are ways of getting the proper reactions to cull them out. A silver cross or garlic is often enough to make them flinch. Then, it’s slay or be killed.”
“They don’t flee?” she asked.
“Not readily. Understand though. They are incredible fast. Never make eye contact. And as I already told you, the older vampires are the most powerful. But I don’t plan to cause a scene here tonight unless a certain two vampires happen to make an appearance.”
“Then why are we here?”
Forrest smiled. “First, I’ll buy you a drink, and then I’ll introduce you to some people I need to talk to. While we drink, take that opportunity to scout out the area and study how these people interact. You’ll learn a lot in fifteen minutes.”
Lydia shrugged. “I’ve already seen enough to know you weren’t exaggerating. If anything you were probably underselling the place.”
Forrest set his Hunter box on the floor and sat on a stool at the bar. Lydia took the stool beside him. The female bartender stood with her back to them. She wore snug tether cloth pants that outlined her form perfectly. Her spiraled hair was pulled back into a ponytail. When she turned, she gave Forrest a warm smile and then turned her attention toward Lydia with a skeptical stare.
“Cassie?” Forrest said. “You’re working here?”
Cassie grinned, coming closer to the bar, and placing her hand atop his. Her eyes narrowed at Lydia. “Who’s your … new friend?”
“An old acquaintance,” he said with his face tinting red. He tipped the rim of his hat forward to shadow his face a bit more. “This is Lydia. Lydia, meet Cassie.”
Neither woman smiled or offered a warm greeting to the other.
Cassie tilted her head and studied the hardness of Lydia’s brow, tightened jaw, and cold eyes. “She seems your type, I suppose. Icy stare and deep-seated anger. Ruthless Hunter like yourself?”
“Uh, no,” Forrest replied softly. “Nothing like that.”
“I’m not making a move on him, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Lydia said in a low tone. “When he said, ‘acquaintance,’ that’s exactly what he meant. We met only briefly before.”
“I see,” Cassie said with a smile. Her lips curled. A flicker of amusement danced merrily in her brilliant eyes.
“It’s true,” Forrest said, still slightly embarrassed and almost apologetic.
Cassie squinted, making her cute nose scrunch. She sweetened her voice in a mocking tone. “Well, if that’s true, what brings her back into your life? Hmm?”
Lydia rose in her barstool and leaned partway across the bar. “Asking too many damn questions is dangerous.”
“Careful, girl, sometimes you’re entertaining demons unaware,” Cassie replied, revealing her sharp demon teeth. Her eyes blazed crimson.
Lydia eased back. No fear showed on her face, but she had been caught by surprise. She glanced at Forrest with a question in her expression.
Forrest simply nodded. “She’s a demon.”
“She looks just like us, other than her teeth and eyes.”
Cassie reared back her head, cackling with high-pitched laughter. Seconds later, her short horns protruded on her forehead, wings unfolded on her back, and her long tail whipped around, coming remarkably close to smacking Lydia in the face.
Lydia’s hand went beneath her vinyl poncho. Before she drew her gun, Forrest placed his hand atop hers and shook his head.
“Don’t,” Forrest whispered.
“You saw that. She tried to strike me.”
“If I intended to hit you,” Cassie said, “I would have.”
“Besides,” Forrest added. “You’re only going to piss her off if you shoot her. A bullet won’t kill her.”
Lydia placed her hands over her face and rubbed her eyes.
“Why is she here, Forrest?” Cassie asked.
“She insists she owes me a favor.”
“I do.”
“And,” Forrest said, “she wants to help us.”
“Ah,” Cassie said with raised eyebrows. She offered her hand. Lydia regarded the offer for several long seconds before finally shaking hands. “Good. Why not say that during the introductions, Forrest? Why get all flustered over it?”
Forrest leveled an even stare at Cassie. “Give me two shots of whiskey.”
Cassie laughed. “Coming right up. What about you, Lydia?”
“The same.”
“Really?” Cassie asked.
Lydia shrugged. “Yeah, I think I’m going to need it.”
Cassie took two thick glasses, set them on the bar, and poured two shots into each.
Forrest grabbed his drink and turned it straight up. He slammed the glass onto the bar. “Have you seen Micah tonight?”
Cassie shook her head. “No. I arrived about a half hour ago. Why?”
“I have some things I need to discuss with him.”
“Flora and Raven?” Cassie asked.
“That would be part of it,” Forrest replied.
Cassie frowned. Her crimson eyes blazed her inner anger. “They’re the reason I am here tonight, too. I hope either one of them makes an entrance.”
Forrest straightened in his seat. “What happened?”
“Raven tried to kill Kailey.”
“When?”
Cassie did a quick run-through of the events that had occurred at the fight and afterwards.
Forrest stood and tossed a couple of twenties on the bar. “Let’s go find Micah, Lydia.”
“I’m coming with you,” Cassie said. She tossed a towel to a shorter woman. “Watch the bar.”
The woman took the towel and grumbled beneath her breath.
“If they show up tonight,” Forrest said, “we can end all this nonsense forever.”
“Nothing ever goes like you hope or plan,” Lydia said.
“Amen to that, sister,” Cassie said.
Lydia gave Cassie an odd side-glance. “Isn’t such a statement coming from a demon somewhat contradictory and hypocritical?”
Cassie shrugged. “No worse than those pretending to be holy and living more riotous than me.”
Lydia shook her head. “Seems you and I have met the same people.”