Page 28 of Hunter

“Talk about a deal with the devil.”

“No, there was something different about her. She wasn’t Zella or whoever she’d said she was down in New Orleans. She was the high priestess. As real as you and I are sitting here. She whispered a spell upon Willa.”

“Jesus Christ.”

“I don’t think it was a curse or anything like that. Willa simply fell into a deep healing sleep. Then she offered her blood and I took it. I can’t explain it. I don’t know how she got there.”

“Samantha said she’d escaped the coven. But she also said that there was no way she could have left on her own.”

“There you go. She’d been beaten when she’d come to me. She gave me her blood, but I’d given her my blood too.”

“Jesus. You know better than to give that witch anything. What the fuck were you thinking?” Hunter shook his head. “Don’t answer that. You weren’t thinking, because you were in Hell.”

“Nothing can be done about it now. I’ve had her blood and she’s had mine. No harm no foul.”

“Says you now. Next week when she turns you into her love slave, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I’m not daft, wolf. Ilsbeth is clever all right. She’s literally danced with the devil and his demons. But she’s not quite as old as I am. The truth of it is that sometimes your enemies become your friends when there is a greater enemy who is set on destroying both of you. You adapt. Survival of the fittest.”

Hunter downed the rest of his whiskey and set his glass on the table. “Look, Vik. What do you need to tell me about Willa before I go up there? Because I’m getting ready to lock the wards down on this house and go to bed. You’re welcome to the guest room.”

“She’s in your bedroom. Not that I’ve had the pleasure of being in your bed, but a man’s dominion is quite easy to determine.”

“You’re never going to be in my bed either. Why are we even talking about this?” Hunter stretched his neck from side to side. “Willa. Tell me what happened.”

“She remembers.”

Hunter’s stomach tightened, his lips drawn tight together. “Fuck.”

“Yes, well. Before you panic…”

“I’m Alpha. I don’t panic.”

“Before you go storming into your bedroom.”

That was exactly what Hunter planned on doing but kept silent, listening.

“She…um…well…”

“Spit it out.”

“She was a little upset with me. You see she seems to have a bit of trouble with me dematerializing. So, this is an issue. We got to talking about this. She wasn’t exactly pleased about her condition or leaving you. And I happened to mention that it could have been…maybe something to do with blood.”

“Did someone drop you on your head while you were in Hell? Because for a thousand-year-old vampire or however old your ass is, you don’t seem too smart.”

“Don’t be an asshole. Correct that. A big asshole.”

“I’m pissed off. That you’ve had her blood. That you just told her what happened.” Hunter snatched his glass and stood, walking over to the bar.

“I didn’t tell her everything. Her memories. They’re coming back on their own. It was inevitable. I may have filled in a few pieces but not all of them.”

Hunter poured another drink and shoved it aside. He flattened his palms on the cool granite bar, reminding himself that Willa didn’t belong to him. She was a rogue wolf he’d found in Hell, not one of his own. Still, anger coursed through his veins.

“I don’t want anything happening to her.”

“You saved me, yes?” Viktor strode to the bar and stared at the Alpha. “I owe you. And because I owe you, you will have the truth.”

“What is it?”