Read Online Rusted Veins: A Sabina Kane Novella by Jaye Wells - Free Book Online
Authors: Jaye Wells
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“Yes, ma’am.”
If Damascus White really was behind the Reverend’s operation, he’d likely arrive with a lot of goons, like those he’d had with him the other night. Which meant things were about to get really fangy and unpleasant.
“Why would Damascus White tell Sabina about this place if he’s the one behind the operation?” Adam said.
“Probably assumed the girl would be dead and dumped before you got here.”
“Why would he assume that?” Adam demanded, his voice edged with acid.
The Rev shrugged. “Because he called me right after your meeting and asked me to kill her before you came snooping around.” He frowned at me. “Which would have worked if you hadn’t moved so fast.”
Anger boiled in my midsection. I’d known Damascus White was dirty, but he’d managed to fool me into believing he wasn’t involved. “Sorry to fuck up your plan, but we’re taking her with us.”
“Sabina, we should go,” Brooks said, his voice high with panic. The Changeling was more a lover than a fighter.
“Not just yet,” I said. “I’d like a few words with Mr. White first.”
I started to step toward the door, but Adam’s voice rang out like a shot. “Stand down, Red. We’re leaving. You can deal with Damascus later.”
“Bullshit.” I rounded on him. “They can’t just—”
Adam’s gaze was hot as he stared me down. “We can’t risk it. She needs help now!” He glanced down at Cadence, who was passed out in his arms. A rivulet of blood dripped down her throat.
Before I could answer, several things happened at once. Giguhl shouted something, and at the same time, a loud bang split the air. Searing heat exploded in my shoulder. I looked down to see blood blooming under my white tank top.
“Ouch! Godsdammit!” I shouted. “This is my favorite shirt.”
The Reverend’s expression morphed from satisfied to terrified. “But…but why aren’t you dead? That was an apple cider bullet.”
I smiled wide enough to flaunt my fangs. “I’m a demigoddess, dumbass.” I marched forward and grabbed the gun from his hand. “Fuck!”
The good news was I was fine, except for the searing pain to both my shoulder and my pride. The bad news was, the gunshot spurred Damascus and his goons to speed up their entry. The front door crashed open, quickly followed by the sounds of boots on stairs. “We’ve got to go, Red!” Adam yelled.
I realized then that if we tried to fight our way out of the drug den, we’d all be leaving with more holes than we entered with. No, walking out wasn’t an option. That left—
“Circle up!” I coldcocked the Reverend in the face with the butt of his own gun. His eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed in a heap. Behind him, the junkies slunk away like rats deserting a sinking ship.
I adjusted Giguhl on my shoulder and moved in at the same time Damascus appeared in the doorway. His gaze hit mine like a punch. My hand itched to challenge the son of a bitch. But my instinct to fight was overridden by the stronger desire to ensure the safety of the beings I cared about. “Hold on, everyone!”
Just as Damascus ran toward our small group, the vortex rose and we disappeared. His voice followed us into the void. “This isn’t over!”
He was right about that much, but his comeuppance would have to wait until Cadence was stable. Dammit.
* * *
When we got back to Zen’s shop, we materialized in her sitting room. The voodooienne was elsewhere, so I sent Giguhl off to find her. Meanwhile, Adam carried Cadence’s weight to the sofa. She was in and out of consciousness. I preferred her passed out because consciousness brought with it angry sobs that wracked her whole body.
While Brooks knelt next to Cadence and covered her with a blanket, I pulled Adam aside.
He blew out a long breath. “Gods, she’s in bad shape.”
“No shit,” I said. “Let’s hope Zen’s got the patience to get her through the detox.”
He frowned at me. “She’s a
If Damascus White really was behind the Reverend’s operation, he’d likely arrive with a lot of goons, like those he’d had with him the other night. Which meant things were about to get really fangy and unpleasant.
“Why would Damascus White tell Sabina about this place if he’s the one behind the operation?” Adam said.
“Probably assumed the girl would be dead and dumped before you got here.”
“Why would he assume that?” Adam demanded, his voice edged with acid.
The Rev shrugged. “Because he called me right after your meeting and asked me to kill her before you came snooping around.” He frowned at me. “Which would have worked if you hadn’t moved so fast.”
Anger boiled in my midsection. I’d known Damascus White was dirty, but he’d managed to fool me into believing he wasn’t involved. “Sorry to fuck up your plan, but we’re taking her with us.”
“Sabina, we should go,” Brooks said, his voice high with panic. The Changeling was more a lover than a fighter.
“Not just yet,” I said. “I’d like a few words with Mr. White first.”
I started to step toward the door, but Adam’s voice rang out like a shot. “Stand down, Red. We’re leaving. You can deal with Damascus later.”
“Bullshit.” I rounded on him. “They can’t just—”
Adam’s gaze was hot as he stared me down. “We can’t risk it. She needs help now!” He glanced down at Cadence, who was passed out in his arms. A rivulet of blood dripped down her throat.
Before I could answer, several things happened at once. Giguhl shouted something, and at the same time, a loud bang split the air. Searing heat exploded in my shoulder. I looked down to see blood blooming under my white tank top.
“Ouch! Godsdammit!” I shouted. “This is my favorite shirt.”
The Reverend’s expression morphed from satisfied to terrified. “But…but why aren’t you dead? That was an apple cider bullet.”
I smiled wide enough to flaunt my fangs. “I’m a demigoddess, dumbass.” I marched forward and grabbed the gun from his hand. “Fuck!”
The good news was I was fine, except for the searing pain to both my shoulder and my pride. The bad news was, the gunshot spurred Damascus and his goons to speed up their entry. The front door crashed open, quickly followed by the sounds of boots on stairs. “We’ve got to go, Red!” Adam yelled.
I realized then that if we tried to fight our way out of the drug den, we’d all be leaving with more holes than we entered with. No, walking out wasn’t an option. That left—
“Circle up!” I coldcocked the Reverend in the face with the butt of his own gun. His eyes rolled back in his head and he collapsed in a heap. Behind him, the junkies slunk away like rats deserting a sinking ship.
I adjusted Giguhl on my shoulder and moved in at the same time Damascus appeared in the doorway. His gaze hit mine like a punch. My hand itched to challenge the son of a bitch. But my instinct to fight was overridden by the stronger desire to ensure the safety of the beings I cared about. “Hold on, everyone!”
Just as Damascus ran toward our small group, the vortex rose and we disappeared. His voice followed us into the void. “This isn’t over!”
He was right about that much, but his comeuppance would have to wait until Cadence was stable. Dammit.
* * *
When we got back to Zen’s shop, we materialized in her sitting room. The voodooienne was elsewhere, so I sent Giguhl off to find her. Meanwhile, Adam carried Cadence’s weight to the sofa. She was in and out of consciousness. I preferred her passed out because consciousness brought with it angry sobs that wracked her whole body.
While Brooks knelt next to Cadence and covered her with a blanket, I pulled Adam aside.
He blew out a long breath. “Gods, she’s in bad shape.”
“No shit,” I said. “Let’s hope Zen’s got the patience to get her through the detox.”
He frowned at me. “She’s a
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