Page 56 of Hunter

Willa reached inside a hole next to a mantle and retrieved a wooden container, a horned creature intricately carved into its surface. She lifted its lid and peered inside it.

“You kept a locker?”

“It’s just a few things. I told you I spent a lot of time here. I found this artifact and I used it.”

“You should have been an archeologist instead of a doctor.”

“I may do that someday but for now it’s more of a hobby. I’ve read these types of boxes were sometimes used in rituals for the dead, often filled with gems.”

“Now you’re talking.”

“Don’t get too excited. The only thing in here is…ah…” She set the lid aside and retrieved a piece of paper and unfolded it. Her handwriting was scrawled across its surface in crimson ink. She glanced at her work, sadness in her eyes. “I had good intentions. I should have known better.”

“It’s not your fault. You’ve always had a good heart. It’s why you’re a healer. Watching the humans die. It’s never easy. But you know more than anyone it’s why we need to limit contact. At the very least we need to attempt to keep relationships purely professional.”

“I just wanted to help,” she said, a reflective lilt in her voice. “I loved working in Guatemala. Living here was perfect. Almost.”

“I know you’re trying to do the right thing but if you torch this place, the stone will hold, and you’ll leave no trace of your energy or these damn plants.”

“I’m not destroying the interior of this ancient structure. Are you insane?”

“I’m not the one who spent time in Hell. Just sayin’.”

Willa retrieved a lighter from the box and held the paper between her fingertips. “This had a small spell in it too.”

“What?” He raised his eyebrows at her.

She cringed, her nose wrinkled, the corner of her lips turning upward. “Well. It’s not like I’m a witch. It’s just an amplifying spell I’d learned a really long time ago in Peru. Whatever your intention is, it’s supposed to draw the forces from the universe. Helps give it a kick.”

“Dear Goddess above, your Alpha is going to have the time of his life with you.” Julian laughed, shaking his head as he paced. “Wolves aren’t supposed to mess with magick.”

“I’m a scientist. A healer. It’s all magick to me.”

“You’re dangerous.”

“I’m brilliant,” she laughed. “I simply made a mistake. We all make mistakes.”

“Let’s get on with it. Your Alpha will be here soon. I’m not looking to get into another fight with him.”

The pad of Willa’s thumb rolled over the rippled edge of the lighter, igniting the flame. She took a deep breath, ready to destroy her discovery. “I release the magick back into the universe with good intention.”

Willa gasped as the paper caught fire. As the flames grew closer to her fingertips, she let go of it, watching as it curled into ash.

Julian smiled and clapped his hands together. “Well that’s that. Shall we go?”

“Yeah. I guess that’s it so…” She lost her words as the earth shook beneath her feet. Rocks shifted above, raining rubble down onto the floor. “This isn’t good. We’ve got to get out of here.”

“Earthquake,” Julian explained.

“No…” Panic rose in her chest as she caught sight of black smoke billowing out of the domed sweat lodge, the scent of sulfur fresh in the air. Demons.

“We’ve got to get out of here. Now!” She dropped the lighter and ran to the wall of plants, gently uprooting a sapling. “Can you flash?”

Julian moved to Willa and set his hand on her shoulder. “It’s not working. Must have been right about those wards.”

“Could be the demons.”

“Let’s not stick around to find out.”