Chapter 27
Hortense hurriedly led them through the forest, Marcus carrying Sorcia despite her protests that her energy was returning.
When he ignored her protests, Sorcia gave in and rested her head against his shoulder, and answered the elf’s question.
“My ancestors captured hundreds of demons. They use our powers to wreak havoc in the human world. When that happens, the humans turn on witches, hunting us down. We can’t afford more bad publicity. ”
Hortense nodded, her gaze dropping to the ground as her fingers sifted through the soil.
“It feels really nice now,” she murmured, her tone soft with reverence.
She glanced over her shoulder at the idling dump trucks, their engines grumbling softly in the distance.
“I didn’t realize all of that…stuff was in my forest.”
Sorcia smiled faintly. “We smelled it, and Marcus’s lab confirmed what it was.”
Hortense paused, her expression pained as she looked around at the towering trees, their silhouettes stark against the night sky.
“The trees were dying,” she whispered. “I thought…I thought if the older trees had babies to take care of, they’d fight harder to survive.
” Her neon eyes shifted back to where they’d left the trucks behind.
“I had no idea they were dying because of…whatever that toxic stuff is.”
Before Sorcia could respond, a group of wolves loped out of the shadows, their forms massive and menacing in the moonlight.
Hortense, able to handle one wolf, but not a full pack of enormous, growing beasts,S screeched, her glow intensifying briefly before she vanished, disappearing into the treetops.
Jace, leading the pack, wrinkled his nose as if to say, I hate it when that happens.
He sat back on his haunches, the moonlight catching his dark fur, and moments later, a smaller, lighter wolf appeared beside him.
Anikka. She rubbed her muzzle against his fur before sitting next to him, her movements fluid and familiar.
More wolves emerged from the shadows, forming a silent perimeter around the witches. The witches remained calm, no longer unnerved by the giant predators. The wolves sat, their watchful gazes scanning the surroundings as they waited.
Jace shifted into his human form, standing tall and unabashedly naked. “We still can’t catch your friend’s scent,” he said, his tone laced with frustration. His eyes flicked toward the idling trucks. “The exhaust fumes are masking everything now.”
Sorcia sighed and pushed herself out of Marcus’s arms. “I’ll tell them to leave,” she said, her determination overriding her exhaustion.
Before she could move further, Anikka, still in her wolf form, loped over and plopped her furry bulk in Sorcia’s path.
“Um…well, okay,” Sorcia said with a half-laugh, leaning against Marcus with a sigh of relief.
Jace chuckled softly, then tilted his head upward. “You can come down now,” he called into the trees.
Everyone followed his gaze to see Hortense perched in the branches, her glowing eyes wide with fascination as she stared at Jace—more specifically, his lack of clothing.
The elf hesitated before climbing down carefully, her hands brushing the bark of the tree in a tender gesture. “Hello!” she said nervously, her grin widening. “I’m Hortense.”
As she moved toward Jace, a low growl rumbled through the air. Anikka, previously perched by Sorcia moments ago, was now at Jace’s side, her golden eyes fixed on Hortense.
The elf froze mid-step, her glow flickering uncertainly. Sorcia, despite her exhaustion, couldn’t stop the faint smile tugging at her lips. She walked over and stroked Anikka’s fur, murmuring softly. Anikka whined briefly, then turned her gaze to Marcus, who chuckled at the wolf’s dramatic display.
Jace placed a firm hand on Anikka’s head and looked at Hortense with a mix of patience and warning. “This is my mate,” he said simply, his tone making it clear where his allegiance lay.
Hortense’s grin faltered, and she stepped back, her glowing eyes darting between Jace and Anikka. “Oh. Right. Mate.” She cleared her throat, clearly flustered. “Well, it’s…uh, nice to meet you both!”
The elf grimaced, glancing nervously at Anikka. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, offering a slight bow. “I didn’t know.”
Anikka, apparently satisfied, rubbed her head against Jace’s bare thigh. The elf gave a tentative smile before backing up cautiously.
But just as the tension began to ease, a streak of motion and a sharp gust of wind sent leaves swirling.
With a startled squeak, Hortense vanished again into the treetops.
“Hi, Viktor,” Sorcia said with a resigned sigh, leaning her head against Marcus’s shoulder. Without missing a beat, Marcus pulled her against his chest, wrapping his arms around her protectively. She didn’t even hesitate this time. Nestling closer, she soaked in his strength and warmth.
“How are you doing, Gracie?” Sorcia asked with a smile toward Viktor’s wife who swooped in next to her new husband.
“Getting better,” Gracie replied, reaching for Viktor’s hand.
Their fingers intertwined, but Viktor, clearly not satisfied with the distance, released her hand only to pull her firmly against his side.
Both vampires were dressed in sleek, black leather from neck to toe, the unofficial uniform of their nocturnal operations.
“We’re here to help however we can,” Viktor said, his tone smooth but laced with quiet authority.
“We need drivers,” Marcus replied, tilting his chin toward the idling dump trucks. “And we need to figure out who illegally dumped this toxic waste here in the forest.”
Viktor’s smile widened, flashing a glimpse of his fangs.
“Corporate research?” He glanced at the trucks.
“Ah, now you’re stepping into my playground.
” Reaching into his leather coat, he pulled out a phone and dialed one-handed.
“I need…” He paused, counting the trucks.
“Ten people who can drive dump trucks out of the forest. Have them park at one of Sorcia’s warehouses.
” He glanced at her for confirmation, and she nodded.
“Then wake the troops. We’ve got an investigation to launch. ”
He listened briefly, then nodded. “Perfect.” Ending the call, he pocketed the phone with a flourish. “The drivers are on their way. They should–”
Before he could finish, a series of rapid blurs streaked through the forest. About fifteen additional vampires appeared behind their clan leader, their movements unnervingly smooth.
“What are we driving?” asked Trent Kilkov, Viktor’s second-in-command.
Built like a linebacker and with a grin that could make a ferocious lion second-guess its life choices, Trent scanned the scene before his gaze landed on the trucks.
He froze, then looked up, spotting Hortense peering nervously through the branches. His grin widened, wickedly amused.
“Breakfast?” he asked, his voice a teasing rumble.
Another squeak. Hortense, who had been cautiously observing from the relative safety of the trees, leaped higher into the canopy like a startled squirrel.
Trent turned to Viktor, his expression one of mock concern. “She knows we can jump, right?”
A round of low chuckles rippled through the vampires.
Viktor groaned, rubbing his temple. “Trent, behave.”
Trent shrugged, still grinning.
From her perch, Hortense’s voice floated down, trembling with indignation. “I’m an elf, not a snack!”
Sorcia stifled a laugh. Marcus gave her a knowing glance but didn’t say a word.
“Well, elf,” Viktor said, his voice dry as he looked up into the branches. “If you’d rather stay up there, I’m sure Trent won’t mind offering some…motivation.”
“Not necessary!” Hortense snapped, dropping down a few branches. “I’ll come down. Just keep that one”—she pointed dramatically at Trent—“away from me!”
Viktor tilted his head, his piercing gaze cutting through the camouflage of leaves. “Enough tormenting of the elf,” he grumbled, glancing pointedly at Trent. “Sorcia needs her cooperation.”
Trent let out an exaggerated sigh and looked up again, feigning disappointment. “Pity.” He turned his attention back to the trucks, assessing them with a disinterested shrug. “So, we’re driving these beauties filled with toxic sludge to some warehouse?”
“Exactly,” Viktor replied, his tone smooth but carrying an edge of finality.
“And after that?” Trent asked, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Viktor allowed himself a small smirk, tilting his head thoughtfully. “I think it would be fitting to locate whoever is responsible for the illegal dumping and…” He paused dramatically, his smirk growing. “Perhaps return their precious cargo directly to their home. Poetic justice, don’t you think?”
He turned his sharp gaze to Hortense. “Would that satisfy you, little one?”
Hortense’s neon eyes flared indignantly. Climbing down the tree with an almost regal defiance, she stood as tall as her petite frame would allow. “I’m not little!” she snapped, her voice carrying more fire than her stature suggested.
The group collectively chuckled, and even Sorcia, nestled against Marcus, stifled a laugh. Hortense’s cheeks glowed an even brighter green as she stomped her foot. “I’m not!” she insisted.
Trent raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Noted.” With a shrug, he gestured toward the trucks. “Want to ride with me? You can fill me in on all the tree drama.”
Hortense’s neon glow flickered nervously. “Thank you for the offer, but…” She hesitated, eyes darting toward him. “Well, you’re a vampire. And you’re…scary. And I need to lead the rest of the way to their friend.”
Trent tilted his head as if considering her words, then gave her an easy shrug. “Fair enough.” He turned to the other vampires, his voice booming. “Let’s roll!”
Within moments, the vampires moved with military precision, dividing themselves among the trucks. Engines roared to life, headlights slicing through the forest darkness. One of Sorcia’s witches soared overhead, clearing a path through the dense woods as the convoy rumbled forward.
When the trucks had disappeared into the trees, the clearing fell into an almost eerie silence. The air was heavy with the scent of disturbed earth and lingering exhaust.
Hortense fidgeted, her green glow dimming slightly as she looked around at the remaining group. After a pause, she squared her shoulders and said with a determined edge, “I think we might be able to make a deal.”