CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
– AZALEA –
Drexel’s body flies backwards due to my power hitting him full force. He hits a tree and crumbles to the ground. I let my fingers slowly curl inwards to gather my power, feeling the heat of the flames within me burn hotter as I channel the strength between me and my mate.
This time I will hit the fucker in the head and make sure it’ll explode. Ending his life once and for all. Ripping off his head in his human form means no growing back anything.
I’m about to blast him for a second time when I hear Triton roar, “Don’t kill him.”
Why the hell shouldn’t I kill him? The split second that thought runs through my head is apparently all Drexel needs to disappear right before my eyes. It’s exactly the same way that fucker slipped through our fingers the last time.
Anger is still running hot through my veins when I turn and snarl, “Why the fuck did you stop me?”
Triton jogs my way and points at something behind me as he barks, “I see you, asshole,” and shoots a string of electricity from his fingers.
Shocked, I follow his line of sight and notice the silhouette of a man standing in the forest. His eyes flare red when Triton’s electricity hits, and then he’s gone.
“What the hell was that?” I gasp.
It’s then I realize I couldn’t give two shits and completely ignore Triton and whatever just happened because my only priority now is Karev.
“Karev,” I croak and fall to my knees next to him.
My fingers sink into his fur to feel his warmth. His breathing is shallow, and he’s not responding at all. Crawling to the head closest to me, I gently pet him and with it open his eyes. A wave of shock and fear hits me and I quickly check the other two heads before I get up and search for Triton.
He’s walking out of the bushes where the figure was standing when I say, “All his eyes are white, Triton. White. I don’t see a hex bag. What’s wrong with him?”
“This shit is much worse than we thought.” Triton pulls out his phone and starts to rattle off words to someone.
Croc, Stingray, and Shock come running into the clearing.
Triton ends the call and glances at the three of them when he says, “We need to carry VP’s heavy ass back to the clubhouse.”
“Can’t he shift?” Croc asks. “It would be a hell of a lot easier.”
I wave my hands in an “answer the damn question because I would like to know,” move at the warlock.
Triton sighs. “He can’t because I believe he’s hexed.
A dark spell with something extra thrown into the mix and I need to get him back to the clubhouse right now so I can do some research.
I think I know what just happened, but I have to be sure.
Seriously, I can’t wing it, it’s too damn dangerous.
Now, get moving because time is of the essence. ”
I try to help, but the man is heavy. Thankfully, the four bikers are massive and able to drag the hellhound back to the road.
Once they have him next to the truck I wonder out loud, “How in the hell are we going to get his big ass in there?”
“Which is why I made a call.” Triton glances down the road. “Just in time.”
A semi-trailer truck drives up and Sevrin jumps out. They all help to get him up there and tie him down. I get into the truck with Sevrin, making the long silent ride back to the clubhouse.
To say I’m worried is an understatement.
Annetta had the same white eyes and she crumbled lifelessly to the ground before my eyes.
Does this mean Karev is dead too? How? What happened?
I saw them fight. Karev was winning until it looked like the energy simply drained away.
The fact that Sevrin stays silent is slightly unnerving as well.
Finally, Sevrin brings the semi-trailer truck to a stop when we arrive at the clubhouse, and it’s then I whisper my fear, “Will he be okay?”
Sevrin turns to me. “We’re going to damn well raise hell to make sure. He’s a strong motherfucker, Lea. Karev never gives up and neither will any of his brothers, and certainly not his old lady.”
Even if the future is unsure and it doesn’t seem as if anything will be okay...his words do give me strength.
Which is why I nod and murmur, “Thank you,” before getting out.
We’re at the back of the clubhouse and one of the bikers is standing near a large cabin. Two huge doors are opened and I can see there are a few mattresses spread out on the floor.
“Has something like this happened before?” I ask, worry lacing my voice.
Sevrin helps the other five bikers lift Karev when he says, “Let’s just say we like to be prepared, and shit does happen from time to time.”
I guess that’s fair since life is fucked-up with its ups and downs. I watch the brothers take care of one of their own while I want nothing more than help. It’s better to stay out of their way, and it’s then I notice Triton isn’t around.
I’m about to ask where he is when he comes rushing toward us. “Guys, this shit is somewhat different than we thought. More fucked-up for sure.”
The sliver of fear is back, and the hint of panic has my fingers curling into fists. I guess life always manages to throw more shit in your face.
“I don’t care,” I snap. “Just tell me whatever it is and I’ll fight.
There’s no way I’m going to let you stop me again from killing Drexel.
” Pointing at Karev I add, “This man right there is my mate and the only one left in my life I care about. If there’s a chance for us at the horizon, I’m going to damn well take the chance at a future and fight like hell. Even if it means I’ll die trying.”
Triton shakes his head and looks pissed. “There’s no fucking way I’m going to let you die trying. What if you get killed but manage to lift the spell your mate is under so he fucking lives, eh? He would wish he were dead and wouldn’t have a life because his other half would be ripped from him.”
I hear what he’s saying and yet I decide to focus on what’s important. “So, he is under a spell like my sister was. Except, she didn’t have a soul anymore and was dead...Karev isn’t dead and still has his soul, right?”
“Judging from the wound on his shoulder I’m guessing he got the toxin through a bite from Drexel. Am I right? How much of the fight did you see?” Triton asks.
I try to think back and have to admit, “I didn’t see how he got the injury. By the time I got to them it was clear they were fighting already because Drexel was missing his head again. Well, I assumed he re-grew the one Levan bit off because there was a new wound oozing black blood from his neck.”
“Fuck,” Triton mutters. “That’s what I thought.”
Frustration hits me. “Stop with the internal dialogue and only giving remarks.”
“What she said,” Sevrin says as he comes to a stop next to me.
Triton starts to pace and it takes a few heartbeats before he starts to rattle, “It’s a good thing I followed you and saw the fucker lurking in the shadows when you were about to zap Drexel. He was actually waiting for you to do it so he could own your soul as well.”
My eyes go wide. “What? The one with the red eyes? He’d own my soul? How?”
“It’s an upper-level demon. I managed to injure him and with it obtain a few drops of his blood.
When you guys were carrying Karev into the cabin I did some research and tested the blood.
He’s the one after the souls, and I’m pretty sure he has Drexel on a string.
He’s the one who needs to kill Drexel to release whatever spell or toxin Karev is suffering from.
Hell, I’m pretty sure this demon has been the one feeding him the bullshit about some legend, becoming powerful.
Which would mean the demon is doing it to become king of the underworld right here in Maryland, and with Calvania dead, he’s already succeeded. ”
“Yes, I have,” an eerie voice states.
Triton and Sevrin both step in front of me, and it’s Triton who says, “What do you want?”
I can barely catch a glance of the demon with those two massive bikers shielding me.
“Well, according to you I already have what I want.” His voice carries the smirk I catch on his face. “Though, I am willing to bargain for the alpha hellhound’s life.”
“What do you want?” I ask and step around Sevrin.
The demon’s eyes flare with a red gleam when they land on me. “You have some interesting powers. Yet, you have sadly mated with the beast dying in the cabin over there. There’s nothing you can offer I’d be interested in.”
“He’s not dying,” I grit.
The demon ignores me and turns to Triton. “I am willing to break the link with Drexel that’s poisoning the Hellhound if you’ll give me your sister’s hand in marriage.”
I can’t even process the insane suggestion while Triton snorts and instantly states, “Deal.”
I whip my head Triton’s way and want to glance at the demon, but he’s already disappeared.
“What the actual fuck just happened?” I screech.