rub together when I get home.” We used potion darts on a regular basis, because supes were wild and unpredictable and getting them down was half the battle. Marcy did most of ours for the firm, and they worked fine, but she was only a minor witch. Tallulah Talbot, her aunt, was another story. Tally ran the supernatural community here—and by “ran” I mean
ruled
. I’d never laid eyes on her, but we were extremely lucky Marcy worked for us, because Tally didn’t sell her power to just anyone. Having a witch of that magnitude in our corner was like having the Terminator as backup.
I rolled up the cloth and handed it back to Nick. He placed it back in the backpack along with the phone kit and lifted it all carefully into the trunk.
When he was done, I reached over for a goodbye hug. My eyes misted without my permission, an unfamiliar experience for me. I hadn’t had many goodbyes since I’d left the Compound seven years ago. “The spells will be invaluable. Thank you,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him. “I’ll be in touch when I can.”
“There are a few other little surprises inside the bag too,” Nick said as he gripped my back hard. “Please, just do me one favor and don’t get killed, okay? I don’t think I can handle the world without you in it.”
“I promise I’ll do my best.” I pulled back, breaking our contact. “I love you.”
He nodded and stepped out of the way to make way for my next goodbye. “I love you too, Jess. Stay safe.”
“Hello, Jessica.” James came up and planted a chaste kiss on my cheek. “I came to see you off and wish you well on your quest.”
I hadn’t seen him since we’d gotten back from New Orleans. “Thank you, James. But we both know the real reason you came—so you could report back that all looked well and good.” My father and I had said our goodbyes privately before I’d left the office. If he’d shown up here and had a last-minute change of heart and didn’t want me to go, it would’ve been too hard. We’d both agreed it was better for him not to come.
As stated, emotion and wolves didn’t mix.
James laughed, his Irish lilt affecting it ever so slightly. “You’ve got me there, but I do wish you well. I hope you’re adequately protected. From what I can see here, Tyler and Danny have it well covered.” James was one of the tallest wolves in the Pack; he was all brawn and incredibly sexy, with short dark hair and mossy green eyes. He wore his usual black T-shirt and cargo pants. I angled my head toward him for a moment. Ourwolves had engaged in a brief interaction a few nights ago, and my wolf barked now acknowledging him, but other than that there was nothing else of note. Life would’ve been so much easier if fate had given me a wolf for a mate. My wolf growled.
I know. I get it. We don’t do easy.
“Tell my father I’m in good hands,” I said. “We’re as prepared as we can be.” As I finished the sentence there was a loud
swoosh
behind me, and then another. I glanced over my shoulder.
The vamps had arrived.
6
Eamon and Naomi, the brother and sister vamp pair, stood statuesque on the small hill behind the parking lot, their enamel features shining brightly in the darkness.
They started forward at the same time, appearing both confident and wary. I wasn’t aware vamps could look wary, but they definitely achieved it with their identical drawn eyebrows, both faces pensive and lined with small frowns. Being required to do their Queen’s bidding like good little vamp soldiers had to chafe, especially being forced to interact with wolves. But they had no choice. It was either follow orders or die a permanent death via some horrible means, most likely involving gnashing, cutting, and a whole lot of blood.
As they came forward, James stiffened beside me. Danny, Tyler, and Nick moved in to form a semicircle around my back. It went against our natures to collaborate with each other. Vamps and wolves were enemies of ages
ruled
. I’d never laid eyes on her, but we were extremely lucky Marcy worked for us, because Tally didn’t sell her power to just anyone. Having a witch of that magnitude in our corner was like having the Terminator as backup.
I rolled up the cloth and handed it back to Nick. He placed it back in the backpack along with the phone kit and lifted it all carefully into the trunk.
When he was done, I reached over for a goodbye hug. My eyes misted without my permission, an unfamiliar experience for me. I hadn’t had many goodbyes since I’d left the Compound seven years ago. “The spells will be invaluable. Thank you,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him. “I’ll be in touch when I can.”
“There are a few other little surprises inside the bag too,” Nick said as he gripped my back hard. “Please, just do me one favor and don’t get killed, okay? I don’t think I can handle the world without you in it.”
“I promise I’ll do my best.” I pulled back, breaking our contact. “I love you.”
He nodded and stepped out of the way to make way for my next goodbye. “I love you too, Jess. Stay safe.”
“Hello, Jessica.” James came up and planted a chaste kiss on my cheek. “I came to see you off and wish you well on your quest.”
I hadn’t seen him since we’d gotten back from New Orleans. “Thank you, James. But we both know the real reason you came—so you could report back that all looked well and good.” My father and I had said our goodbyes privately before I’d left the office. If he’d shown up here and had a last-minute change of heart and didn’t want me to go, it would’ve been too hard. We’d both agreed it was better for him not to come.
As stated, emotion and wolves didn’t mix.
James laughed, his Irish lilt affecting it ever so slightly. “You’ve got me there, but I do wish you well. I hope you’re adequately protected. From what I can see here, Tyler and Danny have it well covered.” James was one of the tallest wolves in the Pack; he was all brawn and incredibly sexy, with short dark hair and mossy green eyes. He wore his usual black T-shirt and cargo pants. I angled my head toward him for a moment. Ourwolves had engaged in a brief interaction a few nights ago, and my wolf barked now acknowledging him, but other than that there was nothing else of note. Life would’ve been so much easier if fate had given me a wolf for a mate. My wolf growled.
I know. I get it. We don’t do easy.
“Tell my father I’m in good hands,” I said. “We’re as prepared as we can be.” As I finished the sentence there was a loud
swoosh
behind me, and then another. I glanced over my shoulder.
The vamps had arrived.
6
Eamon and Naomi, the brother and sister vamp pair, stood statuesque on the small hill behind the parking lot, their enamel features shining brightly in the darkness.
They started forward at the same time, appearing both confident and wary. I wasn’t aware vamps could look wary, but they definitely achieved it with their identical drawn eyebrows, both faces pensive and lined with small frowns. Being required to do their Queen’s bidding like good little vamp soldiers had to chafe, especially being forced to interact with wolves. But they had no choice. It was either follow orders or die a permanent death via some horrible means, most likely involving gnashing, cutting, and a whole lot of blood.
As they came forward, James stiffened beside me. Danny, Tyler, and Nick moved in to form a semicircle around my back. It went against our natures to collaborate with each other. Vamps and wolves were enemies of ages
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