Chapter 180
“Three witches, three vampires, and three werewolves...” I heard myself say.
The corpses of Carmen and Devin came to mind, both strategically placed shortly after their gruesome murders. It brought me no peace to learn that their deaths were for a specific purpose.
Learning the truth had renewed my rage, but also invoked a wave of disgust that made me nauseous. 2
I had no doubt that the witches were more than willing to knock off a few of their own if it meant getting what they wanted.
‘That’s why we’ll win in the end. Even under Tyler’s rule our pack had more loyalty for its members than the witches.’ Maya huffed, her tail swishing in agitation.
“We have to assume they’ve already sacrificed three of their own. There’s no reason why they’d wait if they have three witches readily available. Hell, they probably offered themselves willingly. We know they’ve killed more than one Vampire, which leaves...” Tristan trailed off, his voice fading but his grimace was answer enough.
“Which leaves one more werewolf.” Deacon mused gruffly, one of his thick arms crossed over his chest as he tapped on his chin. The way he regarded me wasn’t the way an uncle would look at his niece, but the way a predator would size up its prey.
‘He’s shit out of luck, then. We’ve never been prey, and if he’s stupid enough to attack, he’ll learn that fast.’ Maya chimed in, hackles raised and ready to fight.
1 anticipated Deacon’s comment and had a retort dangling off the tip of my tongue.
“We could nip all this in the bud real quick by just killing you.” He shrugged one of his meaty shoulders, “You’d be saving one of your own.”
“Go ahead and try.” I dared him.
Off to the side, Dina stiffened. She’d jump in if it was brought to a fight, that was a given. I didn’t have to divert my attention from Deacon to know Tristan was glowering at her, issuing a silent dare of his own.
For half a second, Deacon looked like he might just take me up on my offer, but after a long pause of silence, he huffed and shook his head.
“Don’t really feel like fending off a feral Alpha. I’m banking I’d kill him in the end, but not before he slaughtered half the Vampire population.”
I twisted my lips into a humorless smirk. “Looks like hiding all these years made you smart. Good to know.”
Deacon barked out an amused laugh, “You sure you aren’t my kid? Can’t see my brother removing the stick up his ass long enough to make one.”
metal shelves. His greasy hair was slicked back, giving me the perfect
the nail on the head with my assumption, because the moment Dina spotted him, she was at his side in
baby?” She
at her, though. His eyes were square on Deacon, the earthy tones bright with
his hair hard enough to tear a few strands out. “Shit, Deacon. They just pulled
Spence.” Deacon commanded, his tone firm but
sort of understanding on his face that piqued my curiosity, if only for a moment. He stared Tristan and I down, towering over us both in height and physique. I knew he was noticing how Tristan had inched closer to my side, his hand wrapped
ready to evacuate. Have them meet at the fire exit on the west side of the building. Bring the witches to me, then join the others.” Deacon growled, frowning when Spence scrambled into action, nearly wiping out on some
become even more grim and severe,
you, by the way, for not making him stick around the witches. He’s got a bad
then jutted his chin at Tristan and me. “You can
a puff of air that sounded like both a scoff and a snort, but I wasn’t sure if it was in response to my expression or Dina’s. The dark-skinned Vampire stared at Deacon like he had two heads, just as surprised as I was that he was keen on helping me
Best chance we got is if you somehow win this thing, considering you weren’t lying to my face about
to the deadly aura she was giving off. Even her eyes, which were a few tones darker than her skin, seemed to glow with the same scalding emotion on the rest of her face. She had more ferocity than any of the Vampire’s I’d met
the thought that popped into my head before I blurted it
would’ve made a
Deacon warned, his voice low and face blank, completely unaffected
under her breath and stormed over to Tristan and me, then jabbed her thumb towards the back of the warehouse. There were more of those rusted metal shelves sitting in rows, wedged so tightly together that
barked, muttering something under her breath that I would’ve
to know that the best chance for Vampire’s was in my victory. That decision came with risk on his end, and if he was willing
came with stakes much higher than his, but I knew there was a chance it might turn him to our side. Worst case scenario,
when I dug my heels into the ground and forced him to turn back. His expression was equal parts bewildered and exasperated,
pen?” I asked, my eyes darting
for this!”
snarled under my breath, feeling the faint prickle of magic ghost across
you wasting time when you could be finding me
gravelly voice called from a few
I had been snapping at one another, Deacon had quietly done as I asked. I rushed over and snatched it from him. It was a bit rougher than I intended, but the prickling sensation telling me the witches were nearing was growing stronger, putting me more and more on edge. Hastily, I glanced around for any shred of paper I could find, but there was nothing, but trampled
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