Sinister Pretty (Alexa O'Brien Huntress Book 11) Read online

  SINISTER PRETTY

  ALEXA O’BRIEN HUNTRESS BOOK 11

  TRINA M. LEE

  SINISTER PRETTY

  Copyright 2017 by Trina M. Lee

  Smashwords Edition

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Manufactured in Canada

  Editor

  B. Leigh Hogan

  Cover Artist

  Robin Ludwig Design Inc.

  Published by

  Dark Mountain Books

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents and dialogues in this book are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is completely coincidental.

  Smashwords Edition, License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  EPILOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE

  “What in the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I snarled at the unwelcome werewolves outside my door.

  Finding almost two dozen Doghead wolves in the parking lot of my nightclub with a bound and gagged vampire at their mercy had my blood boiling. I’d played nice with them for long enough. I was over it. Whatever point they were attempting to make was about to blow up in their faces.

  I knew why they’d come. Just last night a vampire killed one of their wolves in retaliation for the death of her husband. These escalating attacks had become a total shit show, one that spun fast out of control.

  A tall lanky guy stepped forward, acting as their leader. “I think we’re making a point. That vampire bitch made the wrong move last night. If retaliation is what you’re looking for, you’ll get it. And then some.”

  “Do you not realize I could crush every one of you without moving?” I asked, pinning the wannabe tough guy with a deadly stare.

  “Does Hanna know about this?” Shaz spoke up, trying to draw attention from me to him. I doubted that would help. “As far as I know she’s firmly against this shit. She wants to work with Alexa.”

  The lanky asshole pinned Shaz with a scathing glare. “In case you haven’t noticed, Hanna isn’t doing the best job of handling shit without Dayne. Someone has to step up and look out for the pack. Sure don’t see you doing it. I mean, come on, Shaz. You’re fucking this crazy broad.” He jerked a thumb in my direction. “Don’t expect me to think you really give a shit about Doghead.”

  It appeared that Shaz hadn’t been accepted by everyone in his new pack. Bummer.

  I affected a bored sigh. “If only I had a dollar for every time someone called me crazy.”

  My usually calm, cool white wolf came apart under the accusing stare of his fellow pack members. Fury flashed in his green eyes. “Of course I give a shit about Doghead. I joined the pack to help unite the vampires and the wolves. Something Hanna wants too. So don’t fucking tell me where I stand, Bastian. You don’t know shit.”

  “Hanna is desperate and naïve,” Bastian said. “Dayne knew an alliance with vampires wouldn’t work. All the vampires have done is prove him right. They started this shit, Shaz.”

  Such idiocy. It pained me to have to deal with this crap.

  “Are you serious?” I let my scrutinizing stare convey how stupid I believed him to be. “You’re willing to risk the loss of more lives? I may not know Dayne well, but I can’t imagine he’d be too pleased to come home to find more dead wolves because of some stunt you pulled in his absence. How do you think he might react to that? That is, if he even makes it home at all. Without my help, the odds of that are slim to none.”

  A subtle pulse of power accompanied my reminder. It had the wolves shuffling their feet and glancing uncertainly at one another. They were acting irrationally, on emotion alone. That was no way to keep their pack safe. Logic had to prevail.

  “It’s just more vampire bullshit,” Bastian proclaimed, raising his voice as if it would make me take him more seriously. “Don’t bother. We didn’t come here to chat.”

  I grew aware of the vampires joining us. Justin came to stand close, flanked by a few others who’d drifted out to assess the commotion. By now it was news to nobody that things were shaky between vampires and wolves. Try as I might to rectify that, the odds did not seem to be in my favor.

  Bastian seemed delighted to have more in attendance for his big display. Looking smug, he produced a stake and drove it into the heart of the captive vampire. I didn’t know him, but it didn’t lessen the sting as he dissolved into a pile of ash and dust.

  Before I could decide my next move, the vampires decided it for me. They might not have even known the guy who’d just been dusted, and they might not have cared if it hadn’t been for the fact that these wolves had just given us a big middle finger. Everyone snapped into action, as it suddenly became four vampires on twenty wolves.

  Shaz grabbed me before I could leap in.

  Being restrained fed my ire, and I snapped. “They’re so fucking dead.”

  “Lex, don’t. Destroying them all won’t help anything.” Shaz clung to my arm, holding tight as I tried to shake him off.

  “They think they can come here and threaten me on my fucking property? They’re about to find out who they’re dealing with. This hybrid bitch is done playing nice. Now get off me.” Raising my free hand, I hit him with a blow that tossed him to the icy ground.

  Seeing through a cloud of rage, I raised both hands and let the power flow. I hit everyone in my path, vampire and werewolf alike. With a little energy and a guiding thought, I threw them around, taking them off their feet, sending them crashing into each other. Most of them got right back up, throwing fists, claws, and whatever power they possessed.

  Several wolves targeted me. Lunging toward me, they were met with blast after blast. I was content to toss them around with the intent to harm rather than kill. However, if they wanted to take it there, then we would go there.

  Between slaps of power, I threw fists that connected with faces in a way that deeply satisfied. Despite there being just a few vampires, we were kicking werewolf ass all over the parking lot.

  I lost track of Shaz in the chaos until his yelp penetrated the noise, drawing my wolf’s attention like nothing else could. I turned to find him on hi
s knees, held down by his fellow wolves. One arm was twisted behind his back as Bastian stabbed a claw into the side of his neck, right next to his pack tattoo.

  Fuck no. No more holding back. A flick of my wrist and I crushed the breath from Bastian’s lungs.

  Robbed of air, he promptly forgot about Shaz. Bastian hit the ground, flailing and grabbing at his throat as if that would dislodge the invisible hand choking the life from him. Power bubbled up and overflowed through my fingertips. His face turned an ugly purple, made worse by the blood that gushed from his nose.

  The wolves holding Shaz went down next. I hit them each with the same aggressive attack. They would all die for making the mistake of coming here. Doghead would learn to respect me, or they would all end up like Bastian.

  “Alexa, stop.” Shaz’s touch broke through the haze of murderous intent. He grabbed my shoulders and shook me. “Don’t do this. You’re better than this and you know it.”

  “Stay out of the way, Shaz. I’m just giving them what they want.” I gave him a half-assed shove, feeling guilty about the last one.

  “No, you’re not. You’ll just prove Dayne right about you. And he isn’t right about you. You have to stop.” He shook me again, letting up only when our gazes met.

  I relaxed in his grip. No longer did kicking werewolf ass dominate the forefront of my mind. The blood running down the side of Shaz’s neck had stolen my focus. The scent caused a twinge in the pit of my stomach. Raw and primal, it promised a ride more exciting than any human’s blood could offer. Werewolf blood had the potential to be addictive to vampires, Arys being a fine example of that. I didn’t crave the blood of just any wolf though.

  The wolves I’d taken down were a groaning, whining mess on the ground. I paid them little attention. Grasping a handful of Shaz’s platinum hair, I pulled him close and dragged my tongue over his pack moon tattoo, licking up that spill of blood before it could escape. The minor wound gave me just a taste.

  He leaned into me, silently inviting more.

  It was all I could do not to sink fangs. “God, you taste good.” I held tight to him, unwilling to let him put space between us.

  “Let me get rid of them. I should go to Doghead and speak with Hanna. You two need to arrange a meeting. Tell me where and when. I’ll set it up.” Despite his pinched expression, Shaz kept a level head. One of us had to.

  I dragged my tongue over my lips, savoring the heady taste of him. My gaze slid to Bastian who coughed and struggled to fill his lungs with air. “Alright. Just give me a sec with him.”

  “Lex.”

  Shaz’s warning tone brought a mischievous smile to my face. Crouching next to Bastian, I grabbed his face in a vicious squeeze and breathed in the aroma of fear, rage, and wolf that clouded around him.

  “Listen, you furry piece of shit.” I smiled, spilling a seductive drizzle of lusty energy over him. “We’re done here. For now. Take your friends and get the fuck off my property. Come back and I bleed you. Over and over again until I tire of you. Then you die. Got it?”

  Bastian’s eyes glazed over as he gaped at me, nodding.

  I flung him away and dismissed him with, “Oh, and one more thing. Fuck with Shaz and you fuck with me. And trust me, fucking with me is only fun for me.”

  After a moment of consideration and reluctance, the other few vampires, Justin included, followed my lead and backed off. I struggled to keep the wonder from manifesting on my face. A small victory but it counted.

  “Tell Hanna tomorrow night at midnight,” I said to Shaz. “At a neutral location. The twenty-four hour coffee shop a few blocks from here.”

  He watched me with a fire smoldering in his jade stare. “Are you ok if I take off?”

  “Yeah. I’m going to ask around about Echo and wait for Arys to come back.” Unable to deny the need to touch him again, I planted a hungry kiss on him. “Come by my house later?”

  “I’ll be there.” After another steamy lip lock and maybe a light grope or two, Shaz disentangled himself with much reluctance.

  Hoping I’d seen the last of the wolves for one night, I headed back inside. It was obvious that they felt vulnerable without Dayne and Owen. The Feds had taken most of Doghead’s muscle. It crippled them and we all knew it. Still, pulling shit like this wasn’t going to mislead any of us into believing they could handle a war.

  With a few deep breaths and more than a little effort, I stifled my hunger for Shaz’s blood. It lurked there, a constant presence, but I remained in control. For now.

  “This shit just isn’t going to settle down is it?” Justin asked as I passed through the lobby. “How bad do you think it’ll get?”

  I paused to peruse the humans that awaited his attention as he checked I.D. cards. “I’m meeting with Hanna tomorrow. If we can make that meeting without another incident, I’ll consider it a success.”

  Justin shrugged his wide shoulders. A half grin quirked his lips, revealing perfect white fangs. “Not sure I’d be willing to put money on that. I’m not one for dabbling in the strong shit, but if those wolves come back, I’m willing to make an exception.”

  “Arys is feasting on enough wolves for all of us,” I grumbled. “Let’s not add fuel to the fire.”

  Justin laughed. “Can’t make any promises.”

  “Any chance you’ve seen Echo tonight?” It was a long shot but I had to try.

  “Nope. If I see her, I’ll let you know.”

  Vampires weren’t the most tight-knit community. They were a lot like cats. Sure they could coexist and even work together, albeit begrudgingly and not without a lot of conflict and attitude. Solitary hunters, not pack creatures like werewolves, they trusted few others, though I’d been lucky enough to forge a few genuine friendships.

  Leaving Justin to the awaiting patrons, I headed back inside, knowing the front entry was safe in his hands. The back door was always locked to the outside, but I’d recently put someone on it anyway. Couldn’t be too careful.

  The place gradually filled up. As I crossed the room at a slow glide, I took note of everyone present, spying Jez getting her flirt on with the waitress she’d been casually dating. Anyone else here could be a Fed. Sizing up both humans and vampires, I analyzed each of them, searching for any sign they might be working for the FPA. The government op had slid an agent by me before.

  Making my way among the vampires, I inquired about Echo. The responses varied from forthright but unhelpful to downright aggressive refusal. I deemed fighting amongst ourselves to be counterproductive, so when one vampiress snarled at me to fuck off, I clenched my jaw and refrained from crushing her heart. It wasn’t easy.

  Her snarly reception might have had something to do with the half-drunk hottie draped all over her. Hayden had become somewhat of a regular at The Wicked Kiss. He also happened to be my first choice for a willing victim on those rare nights I partook in the party favors. This was not one of those nights.

  “I haven’t seen Echo myself since last week,” Hayden offered, trying to be helpful. Despite having already been claimed for the night, a flirtatious grin lit up his handsome face. “Anything else I can help you with?”

  Dark hair and eyes with a killer smile, Hayden was a looker. He also had a tendency to be extremely eager to please. Which would explain the vicious glower his lady vamp wore. She could have him. As much as I enjoyed a nip of Hayden, he wasn’t worth fighting over.

  “Not tonight, sweet thing.” I shut him down fast, before his lady friend could blow her top. To her I said, “Finding Echo is important for all of us. Please let me know if you see her.”

  I moved on before she could bring out the worst in me. I kept waiting for the sting to fade from the constant rejection of the vampires in this city. I wasn’t disillusioned enough to think we could all be best buddies; vampires weren’t known for their friendliness. However, my reluctance to reign with an iron fist effectively kept them from respecting me. That just wouldn’t do anymore.

  Muttering to myself beneath my b
reath, I gave up on getting any help from the undead patrons. Finding Echo meant keeping her from perpetrating another attack on the wolves. Although she wasn’t my only concern. Arys happened to be out there right now, on the prowl. His promise to refrain from a wolf hunt didn’t hold much weight. I didn’t trust his self-control.

  Someone approached from behind. On instinct I grabbed the hand that reached for me, as I spun to face whoever dared to touch me uninvited. Dropping my center of gravity, I used the momentum to spin, taking the guy off his feet.

  He hit the floor and rolled, raising both hands to fend off a further attack. “Whoa, hold up. Do you want to know where Echo is or not?”

  “You know something?” I studied the vampire as he picked himself up with a few choice expletives.

  He was young, mid-twenties when turned, which I estimated to have been about ten years ago. Power-wise he wasn’t a heavy hitter but no lightweight either. The hipster beard and man bun made it hard to take him seriously.

  “I know what I saw about an hour ago outside the Palace Garden Casino,” he said, hands up. “I watched five guys in a black SUV grab Echo. They had guns and Tasers. Probably Feds.”

  A chill crept over me. “Feds? Outside a casino owned by Doghead? Are you sure?”

  “Pretty sure. They were organized and packing a lot of gear. She put up a good fight, but they stuffed her in the vehicle and took off.” He stood out of reach, waiting for my reaction.

  “What’s your name?” I asked, as a sinking sensation settled in my gut.

  “Otis.” He offered me a hand, shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, then dropped it before I could decide to accept. “Look I’m just trying to help. It would be nice if some of these ungrateful fucks would do the same.” He flung a hand up, gesturing at nobody and everybody all at once.

  I scoffed. “What makes you think I believe that you give a shit about helping?”