Chapter 9
“Where is she?” Rafe asked as they materialized inside the cabin. He glanced to a note on the desk and shook his head. “She’s gone. We need to go get her.”
“No we don’t. Let her go,” Greyson told him. “She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t belong to you.”
“This is fucked.” Rafe pounded his fist on the desk. Though frustrated, he knew the vampire was correct. “I need my phone. I’m gonna call her.”
“Give it a rest, would you? She’s gone. We need to focus on what’s going on in this town. Why the fuck was Thorn with you?” Greyson roared.
“A simple thank you would suffice.” The half-demon brushed ash off of his deep purple velvet suit jacket and rolled his eyes. “This is why I don’t usually help people. Ungrateful shits. Things happen.”
“Things don’t just happen, Thorn,” Rafe shot back. “Someone. Something is doing this.”
“He’s right,” Kenji interjected. “I don’t know much about what’s going on here in Vegas, but I do know Hell. This is demonic.”
Rafe turned to Greyson. “Who did this?”
Greyson shrugged. “There are many bad people in this world. You of all people should know that.”
“Skylar mentioned a name.” Rafe’s mind spun searching for the word. “Zyaire. Who is it, Grey? I saw that look on your face earlier when she mentioned it. You know, don’t you? What vampire kills another vampire? Doesn’t take over but unleashes some weird zombie shit?”
“It could be anyone. I can look into it,” he hedged.
“Are we really doing this again? You do know it wasn’t that long ago one of these things from Hell almost killed me?”
“You didn’t die though, did you?” Greyson plowed his fingers through his salt and pepper wavy locks.
“And now…now,” Rafe’s voice grew louder in anger.
“Now she’s gone. This whole thing is fucked to a level that I can’t even comprehend.
How am I supposed to keep these wolves safe?
They need an Alpha. Where’s Jake? Where’s Hunter?
He was supposed to be here. The Alphas should find an upcoming wolf to take the pack.
And it’s not me!” Rafe’s fangs descended.
“He’s not wrong.” Xavier pointed at Greyson. “This is a vampire issue of a higher order. I’m telling Kade. This rogue coven is into some dark stuff. You ancients need to help fix this shit.”
“Stay out of this Xavier,” Greyson growled, flashing his fangs. “You best remember who you’re talking to.”
Rafe yelled at his mentor. “Leave him alone. Xavier is right. What I saw tonight? That’s black magick. You could just feel it. That sacrifice? Those things? Are you kidding me? You call Viktor. Ask about this Zyaire.”
“I’ll ask Kade, too. We must find the things behind this,” Xavier insisted.
“Someone’s lying. Someone knows the truth. They always do. It’s time to set the truth free.” Rafe’s stone-cold stare landed on his friend, suspecting the ancient held secrets about Zyaire. Rage coursed through his veins.
“Stop it!” Kenji stepped between Rafe and Greyson. “This evil has us fighting each other. It stays on you. Seeps into your soul. Take a breath. Shake it off. Come on.”
“I can tell he’s lying,” Rafe accused the ancient. “Who’s Zyaire?”
“Not every secret is yours to know,” Greyson growled.
“See, that there.” Rafe took a step toward him. “I don’t want to fucking be here. I did this for you. Fucking Kade doesn’t command me. Neither does Hunter. He’s not my Alpha anymore.”
Greyson crossed his hands over his chest and glared at Rafe. “Did you hear a word Kenji said?”
“We should consider asking Ilsbeth. Maybe she knows of Zyaire?” Rafe suggested. Ask her about removing the vampire.
“You must stop with this!” Greyson roared.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do, vampire.” Rafe waved his hand and shook his head. “I need a fucking break. Alpha or no Alpha. I’ve got to get my fucking life back. If the witch wants to help me a second time, I’m hearing her out.”
“I already told you I’d go. But it’s a bad idea.” Greyson released an audible sigh.
“It’s my mistake to be made, my friend. I’ve come this far. No matter how accustomed I’ve become to the strength of my wolf, that bloodthirsty beast inside him will never allow him to be Alpha. Not in the true sense of the word. No. I’m going to see her. I’ve got nothing to lose.”
“You’ve got a good life,” Greyson countered.
“What would you know about my life? About having your entire life turned to shit?”
“I know more than you think. I just don’t wallow in it.”
“Ilsbeth is getting better. She might help us find Zyaire. I think that should be our next step. She can help figure out where the demonic energy is coming from. Then you and Xavier can go back and fix it. The wolves will be with Hunter.”
“Okay, okay,” Greyson shook his head.
Xavier crossed the room to the kitchen and opened a cabinet. “Where’s the tea?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” Rafe stepped toward Greyson. “I know you care about me. And I appreciate you. But this thing with Ilsbeth and me is my decision. If things go south, it’s on me, not you.”
“Before you get rid of the vampire, which I’m not convinced is possible. I’d like to point out that you might have had a shot at the human as a vampire.”
“I have a shot at nothing. It’s not possible. And it’s not about her. It’s about me. If I somehow separate the beast, remove it, I can go back to my pack. And if I really am an Alpha, I can have my own pack one day. Whatever happens, this is my life.”
“Fine. We’ll go to Ilsbeth, but you damn well better ask Samantha first. She’s just as powerful these days. And she won’t take your life.”
“I agree with Greyson. Don’t underestimate Samantha,” Xavier told him. “While she doesn’t weave the trickery of Ilsbeth, her magick’s potent. She protects her circle.”
Rafe turned to Xavier. “But I’m not technically in her circle. No, for good or for bad, Ilsbeth’s my witch.”
The whistle of the tea kettle cut through the tension, ending the discussion.
Rafe looked to Greyson who sighed. He supposed even the most ancient creatures, especially ones like Greyson, who was first created human, held onto a sliver of their humanity, the goodness, the knowledge and memories that only time can gift one.
Rafe reckoned the vampire had earned grace. He pulled out a seat next to him and sat down, resting his arms on the aged oak table. Kenji nodded at him and sat across from him. The demi-demon crossed the room, with flair that only Thorn could display.
“Tea’s a good, idea.” Xavier set mugs onto the table and tossed packets of teabags onto the table. “No cream but it’s all good.”
Rafe laughed. “You know what’s funny. I was planning on stopping in Vegas on my trip. Before all this.”
The table erupted in laughter.
“They say there is good hiking,” Kenji offered as he reached for the electric pitcher and began to pour. Steam billowed into the air as each man reached for a packet.
“In one-hundred-degree heat? Nah, I’m good.” Rafe ripped open a peppermint packet.
“It’s hotter than hell here,” Thorn commented as he fingered a pack of cinnamon.
“The demon doesn’t lie.” Greyson selected an earl grey then tossed it back in favor of chamomile.
“Nothing wrong with heat. It’s good for you.” Kenji chose black tea and ripped open the bag.
Rafe lifted his steaming cup into the air. “You’re right Xavier. Tea is always a good idea.”
Silence filled the space as the men drank their tea. Vampire. Wolf. Dragon. Demon. Each with their own weaknesses, strengths. All still committed to fighting evil.
Rafe felt the Alpha before he saw him. A knock sounded at the door, and he rushed to answer it. His heart pounded as Hunter came into sight.
“Alpha,” Rafe averted his gaze out of respect. Though his wolf asserted dominance, he urged him to relent.
“Rafe. You look…tired.” Hunter gave a small chuckle and reached for him.
As his Alpha took him into a bear hug, Rafe fought the emotion rising in his throat. He missed his old friend. Though it had been months since he’d seen him, it was as if nothing had changed.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Rafe offered as he stepped outside. He wanted to talk to Hunter alone without the group. Instead of inviting him inside, he stepped onto the front porch and closed the door. “Greyson’s inside but can we just have a minute?”
Rafe caught him up on the developments of the previous night. Hunter had also sensed few remaining wolves. He needed to get them out of town.
“Maybe you’d consider running your own pack one day,” Hunter suggested.
“You know I can’t do that right now. That’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about.
” Rafe sat down, gesturing to another Adirondack chair for Hunter to sit.
“I don’t want you to freak out. The decision is already made.
We haven’t really talked about this, but I can feel the wolf inside me.
The Alpha.” Rafe locked eyes with Hunter who he suspected always knew.
“But as long as I’m vampire, I’m never gonna be able to be in a pack, let alone run one.
This hunger for the blood…it’s too much some days. ”
“I’ve always known. I’m sorry Rafe. I wish I could take back that day you got hurt. I should’ve never let Viktor take you.”
“Don’t say that. If he hadn’t taken me, I wouldn’t be here.
I wouldn’t be here without Ilsbeth.” Rafe watched Hunter roll his eyes.
“Look, I’m getting to the part of this where I need you to trust me.
I know how everyone feels about Ilsbeth.
I know why. But I also know that she’s connected to me somehow. I know she won’t hurt me.”
“I don’t know about that—”