Page 9 of Bold Mercy

Chapter Seven

I put the vest on, then pulled my shirt on over it and at last, I buckled on the holster that would hold my demon blade. Something settled into my soul with a sigh when I lifted the blade from its bed and slid it into the sheath. I resisted wearing it when a fight was coming because I would need to shift, and it was a matter of time before I lost it. And for reasons that were more emotional than logical, that thought terrified me.

I was as addicted to my blade as I was to my alpha, or very nearly—and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing either one of them. It wasn’t just because the blade was so powerful, and it wasn’t just because Jared was my alpha.

I’d contacted Sixten and asked him to send over two of the best ballistic vests he could find. Lennon could weave protection into them when she arrived later tonight, and I had silver chokers with crucifixes ready to wind around their necks. No vampire could enter my apartment, but Avis wasn’t really a vampire. And even if they didn’t come into my house, Avis would be patient—I couldn’t keep Lucy or Zach behind spelled doors forever. I also couldn’t force them to wear the vests every time they walked outside, but I’d do what I could to keep them safe.

And then there was the matter of Lucy’s dreams and the serial killer who had her in his sights. A vest and crucifix wouldn’t protect her from him, and when I’d suggested she get out of the city for a while—the country, even—she’d refused.

“Then I’d just end up with a killer and you wouldn’t be there to rescue me,” she said, and though she’d smile serenely and her voice was light, I’d seen the worry lurking in her eyes. Lucy was brave as hell, but she was scared, and rightly so.

When I called Rick, he didn’t answer. I didn’t want to leave a voicemail warning him about vampires potentially coming for him, so I made a mental note to call him back. They’d taken him once and they could take him again, but Rick Moreno wasn’t the type to let me lock him in with Lucy and Zach and try to protect him.

Finally, when dusk came, Bastien returned my call.

Frederick Axton’s half-brother had changed since he’d become the most powerful vampire in the city—I could hear it in his voice. “I am aware of Avis and her madness, Kait. I have people looking for her, including Farrow, whom I trust more than anyone else in the world. They will find her, and they will bring her to me.”

“Maybe,” I said. “But maybe she’ll get to my people before she’s caught. I need to kill the bitch before she hurts anyone. You have to have some information you can give me.”

“She has a weakness,” he said, his voice so smooth I thought for a second that he was trying some sort of magic on me. “All human servants who have become…twisted up with dark magic are imperfect in their composition. She will have an Achilles’ Heel.”

My heart leaped. “What is it?”

“I do not know,” he told me. “And it may not help you at all, but it’s all I have to give you. And we both know I owe you everything.” There was a smile in his voice. “The weakness is there. Only Frederick would have known what that weakness was. Even Avis may not be aware. But if you discover it, you will defeat her—if, of course, she comes for you before I can contain her.”

“Give me an idea,” I said, impatient and a little deflated. “What sort of weakness? Physical? Mental? Magical?”

“I am sorry, Kait. I simply do not know.”

“Not helpful,” I grumbled. “Find her, Bastien.” I ended the call.

Max and Joe were waiting in the kitchen with Lucy and Zach, and Ash padded from person to person, getting a pat and a bite of food from each one. He craved attention—and food—which wasn’t surprising considering he’d been deprived of both when I’d found him.

Lucy was feeding everyone, because that was Lucy. Not that I was complaining. I’d never eaten so well in my life, and my wolf was always hungry. I watched them all for a moment, realizing how attached I’d become to each one of them. The snarky Max, a hunter in his own right, though he hunted information instead of supernaturals. Joe, ex-military, fearless and intense, as determined to protect me as I was to protect him. Zach, full of nightmares and pain, a vampire hunter who’d lost his way, maybe, but in time, I was sure he’d regain his confidence. And Lucy, the psychic with a big heart and a gift for turning any sort of food into something amazing.

My friends.

I’d been alone for so long, alone in my hobbled pain, that I hadn’t realized how much I needed people. I was a wolf. Of course I needed people. Now that I had them, I was a little feral in my need to keep them. To keep them safe.

It was the same with the detective. And at the thought of him, my stomach once again tightened with worry. Before I could pull my phone from my pocket and call him, someone knocked at the front door.

“I’ll get it,” Joe said immediately, shoving his chair back. He glared at me as though I’d threatened to answer the door myself, then hurried past me, his fingers brushing his holstered gun.

We were all on high alert.

Zach pulled a chair out for me as Joe escorted Lennon into the little kitchen, and Lucy placed a cup of coffee and a plate of dinner—mostly meat—in front of me. Lennon refused food but accepted a glass of water, smiling at Zach when he offered her his chair. He went to stand by the sink, just a little separate from the rest of us. I imagined I could see signs of his withdrawal taking hold, and it worried me. I couldn’t trust that his addiction wouldn’t get the better of him, but I had to trust that he’d do the right thing if it did.

He looked up and met my gaze, and likely my concern was written all over my face because finally, his stare softened and he gave me a nod. He wouldn’t hurt my people, and if his pain began to overwhelm him, he’d let me know it was time to restrain him.

“—because guess what?”

I took my attention from Zach and put it on Lennon, catching the tail end of her question. Luckily, she wasn’t expecting an answer.

“Because our world is dangerous. If you’re associated with us in any way, you are vulnerable. You are at risk.” She pointed at me. “And that is why Kait sent for me. I will somewhat lower your risk.”

Joe folded his arms and cocked an eyebrow. “How?” he asked. “Are you going to teach us a supernatural’s weak points?”

She pulled her wand from her dress pocket and waved it gently. “Wards and spells. The rest is up to you.”