Coda (Alexa O'Brien Huntress Book 13) Read online

  Kale could have asked just about anything of me right then, and I’ve have given it to him.

  “Fine,” I muttered. “But keep your people on a leash. No rogue antics or firing at will. One of these guys, Wyatt, I want him alive.”

  Because he and I had unfinished business. I didn’t plan to let him leave my city alive, but if anyone got to take him out, it was going to be me.

  Juliet rolled her eyes, casting one of those snotty little-sister glances my way. “Hey, your highness, can you still smell the roses from way up high on your pedestal? Might want to come back down to earth with the rest of us once in a while.”

  I shook my head and laughed. It tasted as bitter as it sounded. “I get that you’re in charge of the city’s FPA now—and that must be a real ego boost for you—but don’t make the mistake of thinking true leadership is so fucking easy as directing a squad of trained humans. It’s never black-and-white. Come talk to me when the shades of grey start to drive you crazy.”

  Her haughty glower beckoned for a slap in face.

  I might have done it too, if everything didn’t go to hell.

  Hunters, armed to the teeth, stepped out from the surrounding brush and trees. Both near and far, they had us covered on every side. There were so many. I saw at least twenty to our nine, including Juliet and her crew.

  Things happened fast. Several bursts of sunlight lit up the night in a blinding brilliance. The scorching pain was immediate. Kale and I dove out of the beams, seeking refuge within the trees. Smoke bombs followed. It spread fast, releasing a gas that choked the rest of our companions.

  With feline precision and grace, Jez darted through the gas and tackled the closest hunter. In mere seconds she had disarmed him and slashed a claw across his throat.

  Juliet shouted at her people to don their gas masks. Her agents produced small masks and quickly strapped them on. Two of them didn’t fumble theirs out in time, and the gas took them down.

  From beyond the strange sun beams, Kale and I hit them with a psi attack. No mercy, I brought several of them to their knees. Blood leaked from their noses and eyes. They collapsed grabbing at their throats as more crimson bubbled from their mouths.

  But there were so many. All armed with an array of weaponry, magical and otherwise. Shots went off. From the hill above us, snipers aimed for the Feds. But not Juliet. Only the humans. With their damn seeker stones, they knew who the shifters were.

  Jez whirled to take on another hunter. She kicked the gun out of his hand before feeding him a few brain-rattling punches.

  Juliet held the closest hunters at bay with a finger on the trigger of her gun. She stomped and one light went out. The nearest sunlight disc lay in pieces on the snowy ground.

  Another gas bomb went off beside Juliet. She grabbed for the mask on the back of her belt, but it was too late. This one had rolled to a stop at her feet. She wilted to the ground, gun falling from her grasp.

  Two hunters surged forward to grab her.

  Nothing could have stopped me from rushing them. My boot met the face of one. A clawed hand slashed the carotid of another. Grabbing Juliet, I dragged her into the bushes.

  “Don’t let anyone touch her,” I instructed Kale before jumping in to cover Jez’s back.

  Jez and the Feds were able to fend off the closest hunters. However, those further back and those up on the hill proved to be the real trouble. Another sunlight disc landed beside me, and I slammed my boot down on it. As unnerving as the discs were, knowing they could be destroyed brought me some relief. Of course to smash the sucker, I had to get so close my exposed skin blistered.

  The snipers on the hill ducked low in their covered positions. The hunters surrounding us stayed on the move, darting from one place to another as they threw smoke bombs and sunlight discs. Individuals proved difficult to hit as the hunters swarmed and hid.

  Jez and I stood back to back, fighting off every hunter that lunged at us. Those who dared to draw too close to me fell in a burst of aggressive energy seeking only to destroy. I didn’t go easy on any of them.

  Wyatt had to be there somewhere in the mess. Of course I didn’t see him.

  Soon the tranquilizer darts started flying. I surrounded us in a protective energy circle. Darts smacked the surface and fell to the ground.

  “Guess it’s safe to say they lured us into a trap.” Jez used the brief reprieve to dig a hair tie from her pocket and pull her golden locks into a ponytail. “You can take them all down, can’t you?”

  “Not without taking down our people alongside them. That’s why they’re staying so active. Makes it hard for me to focus my attack.” Inside the circle, I analyzed the situation. The shots kept coming, like they thought they could penetrate my shield.

  “So maybe you should just do it. Take everyone down. Just try to project the worst of it away from our people.” Green eyes wild with the beast within, Jez spoke through clenched fangs.

  For just a moment her eyes flashed solid black. I knew this time I hadn’t imagined it.

  A moment of study revealed the pattern of the hunters’ attack. Several would move in close to attempt some kind of offense and then fall back while others took their place, constantly circulating.

  Kale had left Juliet with one of her agents standing guard over her. He fought hard, moving fast to take down any hunter who attempted to throw a smoke bomb at us. My circle could stop a bullet, but formless gas wasn’t as easy to deflect.

  A sniper rose and fired. A finely crafted stake spiralled toward Kale. Too late I opened my mouth to scream his name. Yet sensing the deadly shot, he spun just in time to backhand it in mid-air, flinging it to the ground. He didn’t hesitate. Retaliating with precision and intent, he took out the sniper with a perfect roiling psi ball.

  “Time to drop the circle,” I warned Jez. “Stay close to Kale.” When she nodded I let the circle fall.

  We snapped into action. Jez covered Kale’s back. While she targeted the hunters close enough to reach, he focused on those further back.

  Every hunter with a gas bomb or a sunlight disc took the brunt of my anger.

  They didn’t seem to be trying to kill us, other than Kale. Which meant they preferred to take us alive. Something about that left me incredibly unsettled. The idea of a dead wolf trophy infuriated me. A live shifter on the auction block? That was grotesque in a much more disturbing way. Trafficking live beings, couldn’t get much more sickening than that.

  Kale, Jez, and I managed to keep the hunters at bay. We deflected the tranquilizer darts and smoke bombs easily enough, but the bastards kept us on defense. We weren’t able to run offensive tactics like this. At least Juliet’s pet agents proved helpful in watching our backs, though they too were overwhelmed.

  Just when instinctive reaction gave way to frustration and uncertainty, the first of the hunters ran, shouting at the others.

  But they couldn’t all retreat as their tactics faltered. Hunters dropped with screams that reverberated all around us. More than a few heads exploded.

  Moments before I felt his chill, I realized my dark vampire had arrived. Together he and Jenner slaughtered hunter after hunter. Power blasts strong enough to rock the River Valley dropped hunters in a domino effect.

  Stronger in Arys’s presence, a shockwave went out from me, taking down everyone stupid enough to linger. Unfortunately, it also took down Kale and Jez. Crap. Precise focus was difficult with so many moving so fast.

  When the smoke cleared, bodies littered the ground. A Fed patted Juliet’s face, rousing her back to consciousness. Jez dabbed at a bleeding scrape on her forehead. Kale helped her up from where she’d fallen.

  That small army of hunters had been effectively culled down, although several had fled. Their methods probably worked great when hunting one shifter at a time. But they’d come to trap, not to kill, and that had really been their downfall.

  I made my way through the bodies, searching for Wyatt. No sign of the rat bastard.

  Arys met me in t
he middle. A bruise blossomed on his cheek. Probably got cold cocked. He looked me over for any sign of injury. “Gotta give them credit. I didn’t expect them to man up so fast. They may know how to hunt a wolf, but they don’t know shit about vampires.”

  To be fair, we weren’t your average vampires. Hunting newbie shifters who screwed up and revealed their whereabouts was worlds away from taking us on.

  “Think they’ll stick around?” I surveyed those who’d been left behind. Anyone not already dead had met a quick end by Kale and Jenner.

  “The hard-core hunters might. Those just looking for an easy payday won’t.” Arys nodded toward Juliet. “What’s she doing here?”

  “They were tracking the hunters too.” I frowned when Arys scowled at my sister. “The FPA has been helpful. They’re keeping on top of the online video leaks, and they have some resources that might be useful.”

  Arys didn’t seem convinced. “Better hope she doesn’t screw anything up for us. She’s too young to be in charge. Too green.”

  That I agreed with. Still, she should be an improvement. “Considering Briggs’s last stunt, I doubt it can get much worse.”

  My phone rang. Smudge. Good timing.

  “Hey,” I answered. “Just about to call you. We’re going to need a cleanup crew.”

  “Got it.” Smudge spoke in a hushed tone, like unwanted ears lingered nearby. “I’ve got eyes on one of Wyatt’s buddies. Barry, I think is his name. He’s skipping town. Cleaning out his motel room right now. Want me to detain him?”

  “Hell yes, I do. What’s the address? I’m on my way.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  I tasked Arys and Jenner with pursuit of the hunters who’d escaped, to kill any who didn’t leave town immediately. The vampires were up for the challenge and more than happy to spill more blood. Of course, I had to repeat myself a few times. Anyone willing to leave and forget this city could go. I mean, I wasn’t a total monster, unlike the guys. With their emotions running high, they were pretty damn close.

  Arys lingered even as Jenner headed to their car. He wanted to say something. I could see it in the way he touched my face and sighed. But he left without argument, and I considered that a win.

  Juliet was fine after the gas wore off. She left with her people and a headache. I assured her that we could handle things from here.

  Jez, Kale, and I went to meet Smudge. Jez’s eager anticipation at seeing the watchdog vamp grew palpable. She buzzed with giddy energy. And if she was happy, I was happy.

  Yet I’d seen her eyes turn black. Again. I couldn’t help but wonder if Smudge was up for every aspect of Jez. I hoped so. I really did. Because being alone with your dark side hurt like hell. Try as you might, you just can’t escape yourself.

  I knew. I’d been trying for some time now.

  “He’s in the bathroom,” Smudge informed us when we arrived. “There’s no window. I tied his hands together, so he should be just as I left him.”

  To me Smudge was all business. The flirtatious smile she granted Jez showed a whole different Smudge. Though I hadn’t known her long, I’d never seen her look so girlish and cheerful.

  I eyed the closed bathroom door. “We’ll take it from here.” An evil grin tugged at my lips.

  Smudge had all but forgotten Kale and me. She had eyes only for Jez. “I’m going to do some recon at a few other addresses. Want to come?”

  Jez squeaked in delight before she glanced at Kale and me. “Is it cool if I take off? I assume you two can handle things here.” What she really asked was could Kale and I be alone together?

  The answer was a loud and resounding probably not. “Of course.” I waved a dismissive hand. “Go. Do recon. Have fun.”

  “Not too much fun,” Kale added with a chuckle.

  Jez rolled her eyes. “Ditto.” Then she left us to awkwardly laugh off her quip.

  When the door closed behind her, I headed for the bathroom. Lingering in the motel room with Kale could only lead to strange and wonderful things. Forbidden things.

  I flung the door open to find Barry crouched on the floor beside the tub. Hands tied behind his back with the cord from a lamp, a fresh bruise blossomed across his cheek.

  He took one look at me and muttered, “Aw, fuck.”

  “That’s right, Barry. You are definitely good and fucked.” I checked the cord holding him. Smudge did a hell of a job. The cord pressed tight into his skin, cutting off circulation to his hands. Tied so tight in an intricate knot, I doubted even I could untie it.

  “I was leaving. You made your point when you killed Mark. I came for an easy hunt. It didn’t work out that way, so I was gone. I don’t want any trouble. Please. I’m not like Wyatt.” Even though he was pleading, Barry managed to keep a calm, level tone. Like we were negotiating.

  Kale leaned in the door frame, content to let me handle this. Being there with him flashed me back to every job we’d ever done together. Every kill we’d shared.

  Focus. I had to stay on task. Barry needed an ass kicking.

  “Speaking of Wyatt, where is he?” I bent down in front of Barry, so I could stare into his eyes. He needed to see how little shit I’d take right now.

  Barry gave a vigorous shake of his head. “I don’t know. I swear. We split up last night. He called in others, and I didn’t want any part of that. I came here for an easy buck, not a war.” He wasn’t lying.

  That didn’t give me much to work with. As I pondered Barry’s fate, he shrank back against the tub, his frightened gaze flicking between Kale and me.

  I tried another angle. “How did so many hunters manage to surround us without us knowing?”

  “Cloaking device.” Barry answered fast, hoping that cooperation would save him. “Magic stuff.” No big surprise there.

  “Why so many?” Kale piped up. “If you guys just came to grab a wolf or two, why call in a small army?”

  Barry grimaced, grunting as he tried to loosen the cord holding him. “Wyatt didn’t want to leave without her.” He jutted his chin my way. Addressing me now, he added, “Once he saw what you were, he got it into his head that he just had to have you. He promised them a big payday if they helped him catch you.”

  A laugh spilled from me. I was starting to like Wyatt. The dumbass had guts.

  “You were smart to try to leave.” Grabbing Barry by the upper arm, I dragged him to his feet. “Just didn’t do it fast enough. Unfortunately.”

  I slid a curious glance at Kale. Our eyes locked. So much passed between us. A question. An answer. Were we doing this? Yeah, we were doing this.

  I shoved Barry toward him. Kale grabbed his arm and dragged him into the bedroom. Small, it offered little space beyond the bed, the dresser, and a narrow path to the front door.

  But we didn’t need much space.

  From the foot of the bed, Kale dropped Barry down hard. Aware he fought for his life, Barry shot up to his feet. Kale shoved him back down, using force to keep him seated.

  Barry panicked, flailing about and shouting. Begging really. “If I knew how to find Wyatt, I’d tell you. Once I split, I was out of the loop. Come on; just let me go. I’ll never step foot in this city again. I swear.”

  Stepping close, I touched Barry’s face. Immediately he calmed. Staring at me with mouth agape, he blinked several times. “Succubus.”

  “That’s right, Barry,” I cooed, luring him deeper. “Let’s try this again. Is there anything you know that I don’t know about Wyatt and what he’s been up to in my city?”

  Beside me Kale stiffened. Whether I meant to or not, my power at work always drew him in.

  I concentrated on Barry. Which was tough with that sweet essence of Kale teasing my senses. Luckily it didn’t take much to enthrall Barry.

  He blinked at me with glassy eyes and a dopey grin. “Wyatt… He’s a real fucker that guy. Always willing to take a risk for the right pay off. Not me though. Nope. If the odds are not in my favor, I’m out.” Barry leaned toward me, straining against the cord tha
t bound him.

  I shoved him down on the bed so his hands were trapped beneath him. It had to hurt, but he peered at me in false adoration, feeling nothing but the warm caress of my power. “Alright, Wyatt is a fucker. I agree with you there. What else? Have any of you caught any shifters during your trip here?” One knee on the bed, I hovered over him. It would be so easy to slash his throat. He wouldn’t even fight.

  Barry grunted as he struggled to sit up, anything to get closer to me. Guided by a command he couldn’t resist, he answered the call of my thrall. “Just the one we came for. The one who posted the video. We grabbed him the same night we had that run-in with you. He made the mistake of hiding at his dad’s house.”

  I coaxed plenty more out of Barry: They’d staked out the homes of Rylan’s family and friends. And their diligence had paid off. We’d checked those places, but we hadn’t left anyone there around the clock. My mistake. Lesson learned.

  “Where is Rylan now?” When Barry leered at me with a goofy expression, I punched him in the face.

  That stunned him out of my thrall, and terror took over. “Locked up in a storage unit on the edge of town. Um, West Side Storage I think it’s called. He won’t be alone. There’ll be someone watching him.” From me to Kale, Barry’s frantic gaze bounced. “Please, let me go. I told you everything.”

  Kale edged closer, ready to grab Barry, while I held him down with a hand on this throat. He wriggled around but succeeded in going nowhere.

  “You did, Barry. And I thank you for that.” With a slow shake of my head, I shrugged. “But you had to know, when you got into this black-market shit, that things could go south for you. It comes with risks. You took one. And now there’s consequences.”

  Before he could beg again, I bit him. Blood spurted into my mouth. Barry shrieked and stiffened, too shocked to react.

  I stepped back from the bed and motioned Kale forward. “He’s all yours, if you want him.”

  “No-no-no,” Barry repeated the word so fast it ran together, becoming something incomprehensible.