“Yeah, girl, I know it’s weird as hell,” I acknowledged when she sped up. Inching closer, I was reminded of anothertoo. Toohot. It had nothing to do with his physical appearance. It was like standing in front of a heat lamp. Running this warm couldn’t be good for anyone, no matter their supernatural classification. Werewolves did run warm, but should it radiate? I speculated that he ran warmest because of his ability to change the quickest. Being in the perpetual state of ready to shift had to generate a lot of energy.
“Terran,” I greeted through a tight-lipped smile.
“Whisperer.” This was a nomenclature he used whenever he requested I set up a meeting with Belham or Corrine. Neither of them ever wanted a one-on-one with him. I couldn’t determine their reasoning behind it, whether it was a safety concern, or they believed it was beneath them, or honoring his request would violate some tacit quasi-hierarchy where the vampires had installed themselves at the top.
When the shifters organized an assembly for the heads of the supernatural factions that included the Alphas of the Midwest territories, the Archanist witches of the covens, and the Elites of the vampire houses, neither Corrine nor Belham questioned it and handled the mandate for their attendance better than I expected.
“Should I be concerned that you’re looking for wolfsbane?”
I received another flash of the ominous glow that made me feel like it was the precursor to a hunt. The last thing I wanted was an interrogation or for him to waste more of my time.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I can smell that lie from here. So, Whisperer, what should I do about this situation?” he growled, clearing the limited space between us. I slipped one hand into my jacket pocket where I had a stun gun stowed. Kept the other hand relaxed at my side, where I kept a Taser. Depending on the distance, I’d choose whichever gave me the advantage. Despite my jacket’s slim fit, it did an exceptional job concealing my weapons. I preferreda Taser, but the stun gun was an advantage if my space was invaded. Where I lacked in strength and speed, I made up with exceptional reflexes and protective instincts.
Employment with the vampires had made me innumerable enemies. The job came with a nice paycheck but not protective detail. Contrary to what Corrine’s and Belham’s egos led them to believe, their reputation didn’t offer adequate cover. Instead, I was a constant target.
Not wanting to give him any hint of the knife hidden in the back of my pants, I waited for him to move. He ignored the hand in my pocket and focused on the bracelet signifying my position with the houses. Studying it for a long moment, his eyes traveled to my face where he scrutinized it. “They’ve grown to care quite deeply for you. I wonder who will come to ensure your safe return if I take you into my custody?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. I wonder which of your pack members will visit me once it’s discovered I’m the one who kicked your ass so thoroughly you scuttled away to live alone with your shame.”
An Alpha’s ego and pack politics would never allow an Alpha to return to his pack if he were bested by someone who didn’t have the benefit of preternatural speed, strength, or magic.
My stance changed to a defensive one. I was prepared to lose a fight to this shifter but not without treating him to a shock from my stun gun and a thorough battering to his crotch and any other area I could reach to give me a chance to escape. Admittedly, I was optimistically brave too many times, but hand-to-hand fighting with a werewolf, especially an Alpha, wasn’t bravery—it was foolishness. And I’d never be accused of being a fool.
Terran’s lips twitched as if he was resisting a smile. But the intensity in his eyes didn’t waver. It was all predator: sharp andcalculating. “That’s a bold statement, Whisperer. You think you could take me?”
His expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought I’d pushed him too far. But then he smirked, and the tension eased enough for me to relax. “You’re funny,” he said in a light tone with an edge of warning. “But not everyone will find your humor as charming as I do.”
“Charming?” I raised an eyebrow. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”
Terran’s body stiffened. His eyes glowed. The muscles in his neck distended before he fell to his knees and bowed his head while covering his ears.
Taking short, ragged breaths, he frowned at the effort it took to lift his head. His eyes narrowed as he scanned the area. I followed his search, looking for what had caused such a reaction.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a woman wearing large sunglasses. Windswept strands of hair across her face obscured parts of it. I wondered if it was intentional. But I quickly dismissed the thought when she waved at a man approaching on the same side of the street. Turning around just in time, I saw a figure wearing a baseball cap with their head lowered. When they lifted it, I noticed a mask seemingly attached to their hoodie. Although it was chilly, the weather wasn’t cold enough to justify a hoodie. I couldn’t recognize them by their eyes alone, which was always difficult. Judging by build and frame, I assumed it was a man. There was something about his build and height that reminded me of the man who hurried past us the night Amelia was cursed.
This wasn’t a coincidence. It was confirmed when he sprinted toward me, coming to a clumsy halt at the sight of the Taser in my hand. A flicker of indecision danced in his eyes. He turned, bent at the car parked two spaces from mine, and released something that clattered to the asphalt. Then he racedaway. Rushing to the car, I found a glass cylinder that pulsed with magic. It was undeniably the source of Terran’s reaction. I shattered it against the concrete. A glance over my shoulder showed Terran still curled into himself, his hands covering his ears. At my signal that it was safe to uncover them, he tentatively eased his hands away. He stood, gave me an appreciative nod, and with a powerful burst of speed, tore after the stranger in a blur of speed.
Terran’s powerful strides ate up the distance between him and the fleeing figure. I sprinted after them, my heart pounding in my ears as we raced through tree-lined streets. The assailant darted between parked cars, vaulting over a low wrought-iron fence with surprising agility. Terran followed suit, his muscles bunching as he leaped the barrier in a single bound.
Just as Terran closed in, the hooded figure reached into their pocket and hurled something to the ground. A thick plume of acrid smoke erupted, engulfing the street in a hazy gray cloud. Terran growled, frustrated at losing sight of the man.
“Dammit!” His eyes were watering as he stumbled out of the smoke. Twice his heightened senses had been incapacitated. Closing my eyes, I pushed forward, running until I thought it was safe to open my eyes. Feeling the heat wafting from Terran’s body next to mine, I opened my eyes to find that his were still closed. The smoke had dissipated but there was still a haze over the area. Traffic had slowed and people on the streets were looking around for the source.
Terran finally opened his eyes, his gaze now filled with predatory alertness as he continued his search. He sniffed the air, frowning slightly as he brushed the back of his hand across his nose before pressing on. A menacing gleam sparked in his eyes and he suddenly dashed down the street, narrowly avoiding an SUV while racing along North Damen Avenue, weaving around surprised pedestrians. I struggled to follow him. Pushingmyself to the brink, my lungs burned. My frustration mounted as I lagged ever farther behind.
We pursued the witch through another residential area of charming vintage brownstone homes. The hooded figure darted between houses, leaping over fences and cutting through backyards. I broke away from Terran with the hope of cutting the witch off. Rounding another unfenced home gave me an edge on time. I waited for him until I saw a haze of smoke and a silhouette that wasn’t the witch. His eyes lit with the eerie glow, confirming it was Terran.
Remnants of the smoke lingered, irritating my eyes. I replaced the Taser in my jacket before moving through the narrow space separating neighboring houses.
“What happened?” I asked, looking around, nudging Terran away from the property when he didn’t respond to my voice. His face was vacant as he trailed me to the sidewalk. Terran appeared more irritated by the mundane tactics the witch had used to avoid capture than his escape. His eyes screwed closed, his jaw clenched, and he inhaled sharply through his nose. He attempted to manage his anger. And failed miserably.
“Terran,” I began softly, “relax your jaw.”
He was at risk of cracking his teeth if he applied any more pressure. His wolf was close to the surface, fighting to emerge. He was at risk of shifting. Terran opened his eyes. There wasn’t a trace of humanity in them. It was all predator. Pissed-off predator.
I touched his hand. He quickly grasped it, intertwining his fingers with mine with a surprising gentleness. His warmth coiled over my skin. He moved closer, resting his cheek against mine. Inhaling, his body sank against mine. Then, the tension melting from him, his breathing smoothed out.
