Theyd gone through the house rather thoroughly but she did it again. It wasnt a big space, but the stench of death magic seemed to have sunk into the walls and floors.
Im not even a witch and I can sense all the bad stuff in the air. Josh kept close, though not in the way should she need to draw her weapon.
Whatever they did here killed so much of the natural energies all around. It was unnaturally silent, the air hung too heavy. I dont see any of her energy in the house at all. Just some on the back porch. They walked out the back door and she indicated a corner.
Akio came around the corner and sneezed a few times, shaking his head.
Josh spoke, Yeah, I know. Its all wrong here.
Though she didnt want to with all her heart, she needed to get back to that circle where theyd had Allie.
Haltingly at first, she headed that way. Akio brushed against her legs and Josh put an arm around her shoulders. Were here with you. Just take it as slowly as you need to.
She squeezed his hand and ran her other along Akios fur, drawing strength as she took the scene in through her othersight.
Dark, ugly smudges of energy. The stolen magic used to fuel whatever theyd done to Allie was gone, but the aftereffects of it were still smeared over the area like an ugly film.
She shielded herself the best she could. You two wait outside the circle.
Akio snorted and Josh simply ignored her.
Look. She turned to face Josh. I dont know if I can protect either of you if something goes wrong. Theres some fucked-up magic here, stuff way beyond my skill level. You can sniff from out there or were leaving.
Josh touched her cheek. I dont like you not within reach.
I dont like that my best friend was murdered. So you know, lots of stuff happens that we dont like. She sent a look to Akio who stood at Joshs side. You too. Outside the circle or Im out of here.
If anything looks remotely hinky, Im coming in there and grabbing you. Josh crossed his arms over his chest which, in addition to making him look stern, also bulged up his muscles. Damn he looked good.
One of his brows slid up which meant he knew what she was thinking. She rolled her eyes and turned around, getting to her knees in the circle, her hands hovering just above the earth there.
Akio circled where she knelt, his nose to the ground, and Josh prowled around, never getting too very far from her.
She used a spell Lark had described to her over the phone to try to discern how many different mages had been there. She could pick up two mages, along with Allie, and there was something else.
She paused, brushing her fingertips over a patch of ground, and it was like shed opened a drawer or pulled the lid off something. The power of it, whatever it was, flooded her, crashing past the shields shed erected to defend herself.
Dark.
Horrible. So horrible and overflowing with bad things, there was nothing else, only cold and loneliness. It filled her veins with lead even as all she wanted to do was move away as fast as she could.
Her senses all seemed to be jumbled up, fighting against each other as she froze, trying to run but not having the will to do it.
He was fine watching her until she brushed her fingertips over a spot in the dirt and then something wrong spilled through the area. It made him want to slip his skin and snarl. Wanted to run away as fast as he could.
He might have simply done that if it hadnt been for her. It rolled over her, and their link, which until that moment had been fully open between them, had gone from warm and vibrant to a rush of ice. The fullness of their exchange narrowed, choking, dwindling the amount of sensory exchange to nearly nothing.
Akio growled low, stalking between Josh and where Michelle crouched inside the circle.
He looked back over his shoulder at Josh and then growled louder, leaping at Josh, shoving him back and freeing him from whatever feedback loop hed been caught in.
Thanks, he called as he stepped back to her, grabbing her body below her arms and yanking her free. The energy of his motion knocked them both flying back and onto the dirt with a bone-jarring thud.
She was limp in his arms and he shook her slightly. What? What? Michelle, speak to me right now. Fear rushed through his veins. Aside from the pack, nothing and no one had been important to him the way she was. That anything threatened her well-being made him no little unstable.
So pale. Damn it. He took her cheeks in his hands, touched his forehead to hers and rushed through their bond, yanking her back from wherever or whatever had tried to take her from him.
He found it, the golden thread that bound them together, and he yanked it as hard as he could with a mental snarl, pulling her close.
A flush rose to her neck and cheeks as she gasped a deep breath and then gagged violently.
She turned to her side and threw up as she feebly tried to push Joshs hands away but he had no interest in letting her go. He held her hair from her face and rubbed a hand up and down her back.
Akio had shifted back and pulled on a pair of pants. He knelt next to them, a hand on Joshs knee as they watched her finally get herself under control.
She shook so hard he stood and picked her up. She didnt argue at all, which concerned him enough to start heading to the car. Akio followed, pulling a shirt on but foregoing shoes.
He nearly ran to the car, trying not to jostle her too much.
Akio reached around them and opened the door so Josh could put her in the front seat gently.
Im taking you to the hospital. He knew he probably stunk of fear, but he didnt care. She needed help.
She shook her head and then winced. No, Im all right. They cant help with whats wrong anyway.
Fuck that, Michelle. Youre not in my shoes. Well go to Ginas then. Someone needs to look at you.
I understand youre worried. But no one can help me. Im all right. Or I will be in a while.
Akio leaned forward, his hands moved to her shoulders. What happened, little witch? You gave us a scare. You need to cut us a break.
She reached up and squeezed his hands while she looked to Josh. She was still pale, and the stench of his fear and that wrong energy hung in the car heavily, rendering his wolf skittish and unsettled.
There is somethingelse. Not a mage. Not a turned witch. Something Ive never felt before. More than that, they took shifters too. They smelled like Pacific wolves, she mumbled as he pulled away from the curb.
They had a few MIA wolves, but that hadnt been public knowledge. In fact hed been inclined to believe the wolves they hadnt heard from were just temporarily out of pocket. Some traveled for business, some could have been on a vacation.
I didnt smell any other wolves there. Akio spoke quietly as he kept his hands on her shoulders.
She gulped water from the bottle Josh handed her.
No, not on the ground. In the magic. Inwhatever it was I felt. It took power from all sorts of Others. Not just witches. Whatever it is, its bad. So so bad.
Akio made a low, frustrated sound. We knew they were taking wolves. But this Listen, we need to go to Boston, Josh. Right now. I need her to talk to Cade about this whole thing. The wolves need to know what is happening.
The imperative to protect his people drove Josh. Filled his veins until he couldnt think straight.
She reached out and squeezed his hand. I feel it too. I guess it happened when we joined or whatever. I know you need to talk to Cade. I can call Clan Owen from the airport or whatever.
At least let Gina meet us at the airport before we go. You were out! I had to use the link to get you.
And you did. Im here. Im working on being fine again. Ginas not a doctor or a nurse. Im the one who felt it. Ill describe it to someone at Owen. I promise.
He frowned.
Id kiss you to reassure you, but I have vomit breath. Which is not romantical in the least.
Ill arrange a flight out as soon as possible. Akio leaned close enough to kiss the top of Michelles head. You scared the hell out of me. Lets not do that again, all right?
She saluted him and leaned back into the seat, closing her eyes as he plotted the ways hed kill whoever had done this to his mate.
Akio spoke low on his phone, making arrangements to get back to Boston. Internally, he was relieved to be taking her there instead of Seattle. Witch politics were outside his scope, but he understood wolf politics and he could protect her better with that knowledge. He knew the witches had their own response to this kidnapping thing, but it involved more than just them. Wolves were being taken now. And hed do whatever he had to to protect his people.
I need you to talk to Tracy, Nick and Gabe too.
She sighed. I need to brush my teeth. And I need a shower. At your place, not theirs.
He stifled a smile. If she felt well enough to say that, she was getting better. All right, Ill make you a deal.
Im not interested in a deal, Josh. I want to go take a shower and brush my teeth. Where I have my clothes and toothbrush. Then you can haul me to your Alphas and to Boston. But Im not deal-making for anything else.
Akio snorted but wisely continued his call.
All right. Josh concentrated on driving and keeping the smile off his face. Mighty wolfish of you.
She kept her eyes closed. What is?
You want your own territory. Its where you feel safest.
I dont want to be naked where another female wolfs magick is. Sue me.
He grinned. Beautiful, it makes me hot when youre like this. It appeals to my wolf. He took her hand and squeezed it.
She snorted. Everything appeals to your wolf. Hes pretty easy.
Akio laughed then. Shes got your number.
Only for you. Fine. Ill take you home. To our place and you can clean up. Ill call to see if they want to come over or if we can go on our way to the airport. Wasnt like it was an option to keep Cade Warden waiting on such key info. Nick, Tracy and Gabe would know that too.
Chapter Fourteen
After her shower and a great deal of scrubbing the stench of the death magic off her skin, shed put her hair in a quick ponytail. When she stepped out of the bathroom, Tracy and Gabe were at the apartment, waiting for her.
I know its hard, but anything you can tell us about what you felt would really be helpful. Gabe watched her intently as Josh put a mug into her hands.
Drink that. I made a call to Gage while you were in the shower, and he said tea would help you feel better. He wants you to call and fill him or Lark in on what you felt when you get the chance. Theyre going to try to send someone down, or at least have a more trained witch go to the scene. But theres something major going on, and theyve got all their powerful folks working on figuring out who this big bad is and how to stop it. They dont want just anyone going out there, especially given how you reacted to it. Josh pushed a sandwich her way. He also said protein helps after you get a shock to your magick the way you did.
Akio sat on her other side, squeezing her shoulder. Your color is a little better. You will sleep on the trip out to Boston.
Suddenly all that alpha male in the room drowned her. All that attention and concern stifled her, even as she found it reassuring.
Tracy rolled her eyes with a grin and then shrugged. I know. I grew up in a house full of them and now I have two of my own. Youll get used to it.
This is nice. I mean, thank you, Josh for the sandwich and for touching base with Owen for me. And thank you, Akio, for your concern. But all this alpha-male smothering is a lot and I need to breathe.
Akio eased back. Only a little. But enough. Gabe smiled and winked at Tracy, who leaned into his body and took up some of his attention.
On the other hand, Josh stared right back at her. Tough. You scared the hell out of me, Michelle. Its going to take me a while before I can manage to feel any better about it. I need to know youre okay. My wolf needs to take care of you. He tipped his chin. Eat while you talk.
She sighed but obeyed, eating automatically, and yes, after several bites of the rare roast beef on the sandwich, she did indeed feel better.
In between bites, she explained to Tracy and Gabe what shed felt at the scene, in the circle, and tried to make sense of the way shed sensed the energy of Pacific wolves. She was certain theyd stolen the magick from the wolves, the way they had with the witches. But who they were and where theyd gone was still a mystery. And this new and altogether terrifying presence shed picked up at the murder scene made her very concerned.
They didnt overstay their welcome after that. Only urging Josh, Michelle and Akio to stay safe and check in frequently. Michelle needed to pack a quick bag, and they were on the way to the airport where Akio had arranged for a plane to Boston. Theyd added Pacific wolves to Jacks team so Akio would be free to fly back to Boston with Josh and Michelle.
Ill be all right, you know, Michelle murmured to Josh after Akio had gone off to check in and connect with their pilot. Your job is here. Your job is protecting the Alpha trio and you cant do that if youre with me.
My job is protecting my pack. Which Im doing by going to Boston. And now my job is protecting my mate. Youre out of your fucking mind if you think Id let you fly across the country without me. Even with Akio. We just mated. Youve had an extraordinarily shitty week. Im with you and thats all there is to it, so dont waste your energy arguing any further.
She leaned against him, sensing how agitated he was, wanting to comfort and soothe. Okay then. Since they needed to wait until they got all the stuff in place to take off, she took that time to call Owen and ended up with voicemail. She left as detailed a message as she could about what shed encountered at the scene. About that other sort of magick shed sensed. Not related to the mages or the turned witches. Something shed never encountered the likes of before. Even talking about it hours later, it filled her with dread. A dread Josh must have felt through the bond because he pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her until she felt a little better. It worked both ways.
Akio returned and hustled them onto the plane where she strapped in. The melatonin shed taken just an hour before began to make her eyelids droop, and it wasnt very long until she gave in and let herself sleep.
Josh kept an arm around her as they flew. Reassured by the slow, deep rise and fall of her chest. Gage had told him once she slept, her magick would begin to heal her and replenish from the shock of what shed experienced at the murder scene.
Their bond, golden, brilliant and strong, hummed between them, and his wolf eased back. A little. Hed been in a high state of agitation since hed seen her slump over and their bond had gone pale and thin.
Shes going to be all right. Akio handed him a cup of coffee. So strong, this one. Witches have a spine of steel. Shell get along well with Renee and Kendra, the witches I know in Boston.
Renee is Jacks mate and Kendra is her sister, right?
Akio nodded. Kendra is mated to Max de La Vega, who is the Alpha of the jaguar jamboree in Boston. She took on a jaguar without being bitten. Her magick just sort ofabsorbed it. Insane how powerful these two sisters are. Id wondered if they were an anomaly. Neither of them operated within a clan or a coven. But Ive met other witches since, and the women most especially seem to have the hearts of lions.
Josh snorted. Too bad they dont have the physical strength of one. Shes so fragile. It fills me with terror. You only saw pictures of the results of what they did to Allie. My wolf is not happy at all. Keeps sending me mental images of that as he snarls.
Not like youre going to be able to manage her. Akio grinned before it faded. Well keep her safe. You have my word that I will do all I can. Do you think shed ever consider taking on the change?
Some mates who werent wolves opted to be bitten and go through the change after they were claimed. It made them physically stronger and longer-lived as well. Shed already have a longer life as she was a witch, but the physical strength was something he really liked the idea of.
I might suggest it. In the future. Shes had enough to deal with lately.
Akio nodded. Would you two consider staying in my home while youre in Boston? Its safer than any hotel. Im near the pack house and so I can easily up the number of guards. And Ill feel better, safer, if shes safer. He paused. I know this is hard for you. Shes yours. I dont dispute that. But shes mine too in many ways. I just want to protect her.
Josh understood it, though he couldnt have before Akio became their anchor. This male wouldnt ever get between Josh and Michelle. But he loved Michelle because of their bond and would die to protect her. That meant a lot. And he didnt feel threatened. Not like he did when other males came around. His wolf recognized Akio as theirs in some sense.
Josh nodded. Id appreciate that.
She woke up to Josh kissing her softly. Hello, beautiful. Well be landing in a few minutes.
She stretched, feeling a lot better after sleeping pretty much the entire flight. Im sorry, did I drool on you?
He laughed. Not that I noticed. You didnt even stir as Akio and I talked. You were out. How do you feel?
Im glad I slept. I do feel like my magick has recharged. Im not feeling dirty the way I did before. Or weighted down by whatever I brushed up against.
Good.
She stood. I could totally get used to private-plane travel.
Akio approached, smiling when he caught sight of her awake. I was just checking with the pilot. You look better. He hugged her before setting her back to look her over carefully.
Im fine. Though I will clean up a little before we land.
Bathroom is through there. Akio pointed.
She grabbed her purse and headed back. Nicely, it wasnt one of those teeny bathrooms they had on commercial flights. This one was roomy, and in the medicine cabinet, it had toothbrushes and other things shed need to freshen up with.
She brushed her teeth and washed her face, moisturized and dealt with her hair. She was going to meet the king, or supreme Alpha or whatever he was called officially, and that was important to both Josh and Akio so she didnt want to look like she just fell out of bed.
Thank goodness shed tossed her makeup bag into her purse before shed left so she could do some basic foundation, blush and some lipstick. By the time she joined Akio and Josh as theyd announced their descent and to get strapped in, she felt a lot more human.
Josh smiled as she took his hand.
Are you nervous about flying?
No. And she realized he must have felt it through the bond. No, Im justI want to make a good impression on Cade and the rest of the wolves. Its sort of like meeting the family, I guess.
Beautiful, theyre going to love you. And theyre your family now too. Nothing to be nervous about because youre wonderful. Youre going to like Cade and Grace a lot. I promise.
It seemed a lot to promise but she let it go. She wasnt a wolf, after all. But she did love Josh and she hoped they could see it.
Akio leaned out to squeeze her knee. Theyre going to love you. Josh radiates joy. Youre the reason. If for nothing else, theyd love that. But as it happens, though Im obviously biased, youre pretty amazing. And courageous. Theyre going to appreciate your coming all the way across the country to talk to Cade and Grace in person.
Michelle sucked in a breath and hoped he was right. Josh kissed the top of her head and murmured that he loved her. And for that moment it was more than enough to make her smile.
I arranged for a car to meet us with a few of my guards. Akio exited the plane with Josh just behind Michelle. They shielded her, which was silly as, hello, she was a cop for goodness sake! But it was sweet anyway, and to be honest, it made her feel better given what had happened to Allie.
A very large male raised a hand in greeting.
Akio waved back. Thats Dave Warden, Tracys cousin and Graces personal guard.
Whys he here then? Are things that bad?
Good question. I just asked for guards. I assume Dave would only leave Grace if the situation merited it.
Joshs body tightened and he got even closer to Michelle.
Hey, get in. Dave opened the door and indicated they climb up into the clearly armored SUV. He grinned at Michelle. Introductions in a moment, lets get out of the open.
Akio had Josh go first and then Michelle, Akio bracketed her other side, and Dave got in the front seat, ordering the driver to get moving.
Dave turned around once they cleared the airfield. Im Dave Warden. Im sorry for lack of a proper introduction back there, I just wanted you safe right away.
He held a hand out and she took it, his totally dwarfing hers. Josh growled low in his throat, and Akio narrowed his eyes at Dave as well. She sighed and looked to Akio, befuddled.
Really? You do it too?
Dave laughed.
Im Michelle Slattery. Mind filling us in on whats happening so theyll ease back a little?
Its what mated wolves do. Its all right, I get it. Theres been a fair bit of chatter in the Other community about that scene in Portland. What happened to the witch.
The witch was my best friend. She has a name. Allie.
Josh squeezed her hand. He didnt mean offense.
No, I apologize. I was told she was your friend, and if it had happened to anyone I knew and cared about, Id be upset if anyone referred to her like that as well. So gossip about how Allie was found is all over the place, as is talk about you coming out here. Jack called from Seattle where he and Lex, the Alpha of the Cascadia Werewolf Pack, had talked. They wanted extra people on you. Better safe than sorry. Especially after the trouble the local witches here have had with mages.
He explained that Jacks mate Renee and her sister had been targeted by some turned witches and mages. Mages with ties to some human separatist groups whod been working with the disgruntled brother of one of the local ruling members of the jaguar jamboree.
Michelle shook her head. I cant understand any of this. Why anyone would do that. I understand addiction. God knows Ive seen my share of junkies. But a shifter working with human-only bigots? To turn over family to those whod kill them? What is the world coming to?
I wish I knew, Michelle. Dave looked to Josh. Theyre putting a big dinner together at the pack house. Im sure you guys are hungry. Grace wanted me to extend an invitation to stay there if you wanted. They have plenty of room.
Akio shook his head. Theyre staying with me.
Okay. Good idea. Your place is locked up tight.
Discussion went on all around her as she leaned her head back against the seat and listened, her eyes closed. A wall of exhaustion hit her, though shed been feeling all right after shed slept on the plane.
Everything swamped her, leaving her overwhelmed and angry at herself for allowing it. There wasnt any other thing to do but exactly what she was doing.
She tried to manage it all. Because what else could she do? Allie sure as hell deserved better than a best friend who was reeling and out of sorts all while she was overjoyed and in love and at turns filled with so much grief she choked on it.
She wanted to sleep for a week. To sleep and sleep and when she woke up she wanted everything to have stopped being so painful and complicated. She just wanted to be with Josh and she wanted Allie back and for all this weird stuff to not be happening.
But she rode across town in an armored SUV with werewolves. Two of which shed had sex with. One she was bonded to and could feel his emotions like waves.
I know, Josh murmured. I wish things could be calmer too.
She opened her eyes and looked into his. He wanted to comfort her. To make her feel better, and just the thought of that made everything else better. She smiled softly and he kissed her.
We deal with the hand were dealt. And who am I to complain? At least I can complain. At least Im alive and I have you and a future that, while filled with strange stuff, is also filled with wonderful new friends and a community of people more like me than not. I just have to
The rest of her sentence was cut off as their SUV was hit from the side at a very high rate of speed, sending it up into the air and then off the road and into the concrete walls that separated the road they were on from the highway.
Her ears started ringing and blood got in her eye as she took stock, trying to wipe her face to get her vision back.
Michelle! Are you all right? Josh shouted this as he got her out of her seatbelt.
She shook herself a little to clear her head. Im alive. Are you okay? Akio?
A growl as Akio, in wolf form, scrambled into her lap, teeth bared, ready to tear anything that tried to hurt her into a thousand bloody pieces.
We need to get out. You carrying? Dave asked from the front seat.
Josh nodded and then spoke. Yes. He turned his attention to Michelle. You stay here. Let me go first. We need to take care of whoever it is that hit us.
You need all the backup you can get, she replied, grateful shed brought her weapon as she flicked the safety off. Ive had it with all this bullshit. Im about ready to blow some motherfucking heads off, she muttered, and Josh barked a surprised laugh.
Only you could make me laugh at a time like this. Keep your pretty ass down.
Ive called the pack, theyre on the way with backup. Dave kicked his door open, and she got low, her weapon in her hand. Akio leapt over her, snarling, his wolf protecting her flank.
The car that had rammed them sat a few feet away, the front crumpled, smoke and steam rising from the engine as stinky fluids leaked from the undercarriage.
It was after midnight so thankfully there wasnt a lot of other traffic, but soon enough looky lous would start to gawk from the highway on the other side of the divider. To the opposite side were several blocks of industry, so they wouldnt have to deal with civilians coming out of their homes.
No one is in the other vehicle. Stinks of stolen magic though. Of rotten meat.
Thats them. Michelle used her othersight and caught the greasy stain of the mages whod harmed Allie. She caught Joshs attention and jerked her head toward where she saw their energy signatures.
Stay back.
No.
She had been about to argue further when she heard automatic-weapon fire and started to dive for cover. Only she hit the ground because her legs just didnt work.
All around her wolves snarled. White teeth, claws. From the ground, she watched Joshs face as he took her in. Watched, amazed, as grief crossed over his features, replaced by rage the type shed rarely ever seen on anyones face. And then he was wolf.
Pain pelted her like hail. Bright, hot drops, like knives as she looked down at her hands. Blood. A lot.
Someone, somewhere nearby had latched onto her magick and was tugging it from her. It slipped through her fingers a lot like the blood.
Feebly she fought back. Trying to scream out to Josh, to Akio, to anyone. But nothing came out but the magick and blood pouring from her, and with it, her life.
She was going to die. Jesus, after all the last ten days had thrown into her life, she was going to die on the fucking street across the country from her home.
But shed be damned if she was going to make it easy. She let down her inner shielding and pulled all the magick she could from around her. She didnt know how to work blood magick, but she called on it anyway. Her control was wild, not focused, but blood was life and life was its own sort of magick and shed spilled plenty of it there on the street so she grabbed it and she used it, sending pain and hate and rage down the spell siphoning her life away, and she knew it had hit its target when the searing pain lessened to the dull roar of bleeding out on the street and organ failure.