Chapter 23 #2
“We knew they wouldn’t fight us. They would never take a challenge seriously from a female, so we took it into our own hands. If the Alpha died outside of a challenge, then they’d have to hold a rally for a new leader.”
Luke winced as he realized what she was saying. A rally was a series of contests that weren’t a fight. Rather, the winner was the best at a number of tallied challenges that didn’t involve an actual fight to the death.
There was only one problem with that.
“You do realize that Alphas chosen like that seldom survive for long.” Because they didn’t win it through a challenge, another would step in to fight them for their leadership. That werewolf almost always killed the new Alpha and claimed the pack.
“Things would be different this time.”
Ah, there it was. The claim of idiots all throughout history. That wishful thinking that left them with the belief they could succeed where everyone else had failed.
“Why did you kill Larry?”
“We were going to take out all the Alphas and create a bigger, better pack. One built on cooperation and community.”
Because wolves were so good at getting along and working together with strangers.
Never.
Poor woman was delusional to the extreme. Wolf nature was predatory. They kept others at bay through strength, and he should know.
It was how his mother had dealt with his father for centuries.
But he wasn’t about to try to change her mind. Allison was too convinced. No amount of reason would penetrate her delusions.
There was only one thing left to do.
“Good luck with your plan.”
The last thing he saw was the confusion in her eyes before he teleported to where Sorcha waited for him.
She gasped as he appeared in the corner of their large interrogation room.
Without speaking to her, he went over to Marcia and removed her handcuffs.
“What are you doing?” Sorcha asked.
“I have the answers I need.”
Tears welled up in Marcia’s eyes. “You killed Allison!”
He shook his head. “If you hurry, you can catch up to her before she runs.”
Marcia didn’t hesitate. She ran to the door.
Sorcha gave him a menacing glare. “What are you doing? They killed the Alphas, right?”
“They did.”
“Then why did you release them?”
Luke held up one finger to her as he pulled out his phone and called Rory.
The detective answered on the third ring. “Should I be afraid that you’re calling me?”
“Not at all. You told me to let you know when we have preternatural answers for your human-looking crimes. We have one. Two female werewolves are the ones you’re after for the beheadings.”
Rory scoffed. “That’s awesome. Any real evidence I can take to the DA that won’t get me laughed out of her office?”
“I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you.”
“Why? Did you kill them?” Rory asked.
“Can’t. I made a promise I’m about to keep.”
Sorcha continued to scowl at him.
“What promise?” Suspicion was heavy in Rory’s tone.
“I’m texting you the names and addresses of the women who killed our vics. After I send the text to you, I’m notifying Lawson’s sister. Hope you reach them before Vedrana does. If you don’t, you’re about to lower your average for case closures.”
“That makes you an accomplice to them.”
Luke laughed at the threat. “Prove it.” And with that, he hung up.
Sorcha stepped forward. “You can’t do this.”
“I made a promise, Sorcha. Vedrana is my sister’s wife. I told her I’d let her know when I found her brother’s killer. You know what I do… Rory will never make this case stick. No DA in their right mind would ever bring them up on charges.”
Pain darkened her gaze. “You’re right. He can’t tell the DA the truth and the evidence is canine.”
He nodded. “Vedrana wants exactly the same thing you do over the murder of your sister.”
“You’re fighting dirty.”
“No. I’m seeking justice.” And with that, he teleported to his sister’s tavern.
Terrabeth manifested beside him instantly, letting him know that she’d been waiting for this. “Did you find the one who killed him?”
With a nod, he pulled out a T-shirt he’d taken from Allison’s apartment before she’d arrived. “This will lead her right to the killer, Allison Graham.”
“Thank you.” Terrabeth started away.
“One more thing…”
He waited until she faced him. “What?”
“The police are after her, too. You’ll have to dodge them and make sure you leave no evidence behind.”
“Noted.” For the first time in history, she offered him a real smile. “I won’t forget this.”
“Family protects family.” And with that, he returned to Sorcha.
Sorcha jumped as she entered the apartment to find Luke there. “Dude! Make some noise!”
He laughed, then scowled as he saw the takeout containers in her hands. “How long was I gone?”
“Couple of hours.”
Luke cursed under his breath. “Someone really needs to do something about the time distortion.” He moved forward to take the containers and place them on his table in the corner.
“Did you do it?”
He nodded. “Are you mad?”
“I feel like I should be, but no. I’m not that big a hypocrite.” Because at the end of the day, she wished someone could do that for her.
If she ever found out who killed her sister, she doubted if she’d trust the courts to handle it.
Deep inside, she wanted to pretend that she would. But really, her heart knew better.
Her need for vengeance was too great.
No, not vengeance. This would be justice. Like Luke said.
To give that to her sister and her parents, she’d cross Hell’s Half Acre. And no one would be able to stop her.
Luke smiled as he saw the food. “Is this for me?”
“I can’t eat it all, but pretty sure Helly might.”
He laughed. “Indeed. Where is she?”
“Check the closet.” She jerked her chin to where he kept his feral demons.
Luke opened the door, then gasped at the sight of Helly and Trinket on the floor with his herd of demons, watching Army of Darkness.
“Shut the door!” Treacle snarled, until he saw Luke. “Uh, sorry, dominus. Didn’t realize it was you.”
Luke closed it and turned to face Sorcha with his jaw agape. “They’re all here?”
“Except Dohlar. No one’s been able to find him yet.”
He growled. “He was always a problem.”
“Yup. Always one in every family.” She scraped fried rice onto a plate for him.
There was a strange look on his face as he sat down across from her and opened a soy sauce packet. “You think of them as a family?”
“Aren’t they?”
He poured the sauce over his rice. “Guess so.”
Sorcha watched as he snapped his chopsticks. “So when do I get to go home?”
Luke paused as he realized the answer to that question wasn’t something he could ever say out loud. He didn’t want her to go home.
Ever.
He wanted her right where she was.
Especially in his bed. Just not alone.
F-u-c-k…
That one word dragged itself out as the realization of what he wanted hit him like a sledgehammer in the crotch.
I’m falling for her.
No. He couldn’t love. He wasn’t capable of it.
Yet there was no denying what he felt. Or the pain that exploded through him at the thought of her leaving.
Not that his feelings mattered. Her safety was much more important. Not just to him, but her parents. He’d promised her mother that he’d keep her safe.
Yeah. This was about keeping her safe for her parents. Nothing else.
“We still don’t know why the Necos are after you. Those contracts stand. Until we can get them dropped, the best thing is for you to stay here where we can watch over you.”
She pursed her lips as if she knew he was lying. “For my mom, right?”
“Absolutely.”
She shook her head as the door to his closet opened.
Envee stuck her head out and cleared her throat. “Dominus?”
“Yes, Envee?”
“Would you mind locking the door? We took a vote and we like being in here.”
“I don’t!”
“You were outvoted. Shut up!”
Sorcha laughed as the demons began their usual fights.
“Sure. Tell Helly she can teleport out whenever she’s ready.”
“Thank you, dominus!” She slammed the door closed. “Yay! We’re back!”
Luke let out a long sigh. “If we’re a family, does that make them our firstborn?”
She scowled at his question. “What?”
“You know, the first kid is always screwed up because the parents have no idea what they’re doing?”
The smile on her face set him on fire. “I think of them more as the siblings you can’t put on a speakerphone or let around any friend you want to keep being friends with.”
“Or you do let them around the friend you want to leave.”
“Exactly.”
Luke sat back as she ate her food and felt a peculiar peace the likes of which he’d never known before.
One he hated to admit he liked.
I will protect you, Sorcha. Not because of a random promise made to her mother.
No. Because I love her.
Damn.
There was no way this could end well. And deep inside, he suspected this would be the end of him.