Page 108 of Hunter

Willa’s energy penetrated the air and danced over his soul. In spite of the danger, instinct told him she was correct. “Willa keeps the book.”

“This is never going to work!” Ilsbeth yelled. “You wolves. You’re always messing up everything. Just because you’re an Alpha doesn’t mean you know what to do.”

“And we’re supposed to trust you?” Hunter laughed. “You landed in Hell.”

“To be fair. We all have our bad days.” Viktor shrugged.

“She was in Hell,” Hunter repeated. “And she’s no longer the High Priestess of New Orleans.”

“I will always be the High Priestess!” Ilsbeth held up her hands. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled throughout the house. A painting to the left of Hunter shook. A pair of crystal candlesticks toppled off a bookshelf, shattering onto the floor.

“Stop it!” Willa screamed at her.

“You’re nothing but a wolf!” Ilsbeth shot back. “Your royalty means nothing. You are nothing.”

Hunter sensed his mate’s rage but before he had a chance to speak, Willa extended her hand. With her newfound power, she sent a vase of flowers hurling across the room. Petals flew into the air as it smashed into a wall.

“Wills…” Hunter began.

“No,” Willa protested with a sharp tone. “This witch. This bitch. She thinks this is some kind of joke. That she has power over me. Over you. She may have saved me, but she didn’t do it for me. She doesn’t even know me. But she knew this secret.” Willa waved the book. “That a wolf had to call it. To use it. You didn’t see her ass down in Belize.”

“The drama.” Ilsbeth rolled her eyes but didn’t deny the accusation.

“I see you, witch. I don’t care what your game is down here in New Orleans. I just want my freedom. Don’t mess with me.” Willa glanced to Hunter and Viktor. “Or my friends.”

Hunter’s chest swelled with pride. His mate dressing down Ilsbeth sent a rush of blood to his cock. Fuck yeah, she’d kick some ass when they got home. He tamped down the flicker of excitement.

“It’s settled. You want your freedom? Willa keeps the book. Now what else?”

Ilsbeth blew out a breath and set her hands on her hips. “The knife. Someone must stab it with the knife.”

“Who is going to get close enough to stab it?” Willa asked.

“I will.” Viktor stepped up and extended his hand. “Here. Give it to me. I’m the only one who can get in and out fast enough. Once the deal is declared out loud, Willa is safe. There’s no way anyone else can get that close.”

“I’ll distract it. Keep it talking,” Hunter told them.

“I want the spells,” Ilsbeth repeated.

“Are we ready to do this?” Hunter asked, ignoring the witch’s demand. He glanced at Willa, who nodded. The Alpha reached for her hand, sending his calming energy to his mate. Within the hour, they’d be free of the demon. “Let’s go.”

Chapter Fourteen

Willa stood on the porch and glanced up at the enormous pentagram that loomed above their heads. The ancient pagan symbol represented protection, yet the inversion reeked of dark intentions. The irony wasn’t lost on Willa. Ilsbeth had sacrificed herself, saving her from death, but she’d also summoned demon magick to alter the very nature of the universe, nearly destroying the wolf she supposedly loved. A blended aura of both wickedness and a dash of misplaced justice best described the High Priestess.

An ominous energy sizzled in the air, reminding Willa of Ilsbeth’s true nature. The only way to survive the High Priestess was to avoid the lethal slice of her potent dark magick.

As they descended the stairs and reached the edge of the patio, Willa drank in a deep breath of the cool dewy air. She ran her fingers down the spine of the skinbook, tendrils of a sinister yet familiar energy seeping from its pores. Willa was convinced that whatever lay between its covers should burn for eternity, where no one could ever release the spells. Spawned by murder, it belonged in Hell.

Willa lifted her gaze to find Ilsbeth staring at her. She shivered as a chill blanketed her shoulders, but she never broke eye contact. Willa’s beast growled in response, itching to shift and demonstrate to the witch who was truly Alpha.

“Form the circle,” Ilsbeth called out to her witches, who reached their palms into the air. A white neon light flickered around the pentagram. From large pits of wood, flames flared high into the sky. “I call on the elements. Air. Fire. Water. Earth. I command you, demon. You shall surface before the High Priestess.”

Lightning flashed in the distance. The low rumble of thunder violently shook the wooden planks beneath their feet, and Willa reached for Hunter’s hand.

It’s ok, sweetheart. You’re not going anywhere .

Promise?