September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)

It would have been satisfying if it didn’t hurt so damn much. Pain racked my brain as my mortal body acted as a channel to so much supernatural power. Every time I did this, it came easier than the last time, but it hurt a hell of a lot more too. It was breaking me down.

It was a swift assault, hard and fast, a warning rather than a true attack. The message was clear. If they wanted to challenge me, they would lose. I released my hold on the energy and stumbled. Shoving myself backwards, I hit the wall across from Kale’s door and struggled to stay upright. Blood ran steadily from my nose to stain my shirt.

Kale lay on the floor in the doorway, spitting blood and glaring daggers at me. I wiped my nose with the back of my hand, smearing blood across my face. Wicked laughter bubbled up inside me.

“Sorry, sweet thing,” I said between gasps for breath. “I’m done with secrets and assholes.”

I shoved away from the wall and, swaying like a drunk, made my way toward the exit sign glowing at the end of the hall. The high of the power rush was dizzying, leaving me feeling disoriented. It wasn’t usually this bad.

“The truth always comes out, Kale,” I called over my shoulder. “You want me to stay away from you? Consider it done. But I will find out what it is you’re not telling me.”

Perhaps I would feel bad about this later. But hell, I owed him one.

Vampires and secrets. Story of my life.

I almost collapsed on the pavement outside. Once safely inside my car, I sat there with my head back, staring up through the sunroof.

‘Want to tell me what that was?’ Arys’s melodic tone whispered through my mind. ‘Is everything ok?’

Of course he had felt my little stunt. In an attempt to practice what I preached, I was honest. ‘No. It’s not. It’s been a shitty night. Nothing I can’t handle though. Don’t feel like you have to rush home.’

‘Then what was with the power play?’ His skepticism came through just fine. I even knew the look he’d be giving me if he were here.

‘I needed to send a message. Pretty sure I accomplished that. I’ll tell you everything when you get home. Promise.’ Truth be told, I missed Arys like crazy. And he’d only been gone two days. We were made to be together, and I felt it in the worst way with fourteen-hundred miles between us.

‘I’ll be there tomorrow night. It’s killing me to be away from you.’ His admittance was colored with annoyance. ‘I’m not coming back to Vegas again until you can come with me.’

I shared his irritation. Shya grounding me to the city was not something I’d anticipated. ‘How’s everything there?’ I needed to know things were under control there. Our visit to Sin City hadn’t gone without incident.

His amusement came through strong and clear. ‘All is calm for now. I don’t expect that to last long, but for now everyone is trying to keep a low profile. Until I leave again anyway.’ After a few sappy exchanges and declarations of love, Arys slipped away to resume whatever he’d been doing. It likely involved blood.

I started the car, taking a moment to enjoy the sound of the Hemi engine. When my vision ceased to swim, I pulled out of the parking lot and headed for home. The short stretch of highway between Edmonton and Stony Plain was a blur. By the time I reached the limits of my small hometown, I realized I’d been driving on autopilot.

That little stunt had taken more out of me than I’d expected. I felt weakened and needed a pick me up. Days had passed since I’d taken blood, and I suddenly craved it with a burning hot intensity. When I turned into my driveway to find Shaz’s blue Cobalt, the bloodlust went from serious to deadly.

Shaz had spent the evening bonding with Coby, a new wolf in town and my best friend’s fiancé. The two had become fast friends, which pleased me greatly. Coby needed the guidance of an experienced wolf. I’d been the one to turn him, but I wasn’t the right one to guide him. Shaz, a male wolf and former Alpha of the local pack, was better suited to that job.

An unholy urgency had me out of the car and into the house in seconds. The scent of wolf mingled with a vanilla candle, teasing my control. I tracked Shaz’s scent upstairs to my bedroom where he had just emerged from the shower.

“Hot damn, my timing couldn’t be better,” I said, my voice a breathy whisper.

He took one look at the blood on my face, and his jaw dropped. “What happened to you?”

I was already tearing my clothes off. I needed him now. My dagger landed on the floor in a pile with my clothing and shoulder bag. “Just a little nosebleed,” I said, distracted by the heady Were blood pumping through his veins. “I need a little nip. Do you mind?”

Shaz looked me over and desire sparked to life in his jade green eyes. “Not at all.”