before he destroys the city, looking for me.” I was unable to tear my eyes away from the sight. There was a lot of power brewing in those clouds, but I knew Levi’s weaknesses. I just needed a chance to take advantage of them.
“Absolutely not,” Raphael said quickly, grabbing my wrist as I started walking away. “You are not going out there to hunt him down. It sounds like a great way to get killed.”
“Someone has to do it, and it’s my job,” I reminded him, looking down at where he was touching me before looking up into pitch-black eyes. “I have to do whatever is necessary to protect this city and the supernatural world as a whole. I have to be willing to put my life on the line.”
“Kaliya, please. You don’t know where he is. Do you even know how to find him?”
“No, but I can track him,” I said, knowing he had a point. Always with this man. “I’ve tracked harder to find people in a short amount of time. It’s about knowing who to ask for help.”
“And who would you go to?” he demanded.
“A local witch coven. They would be able to prod the storm with their own powers and find the source. Most witches who can do weather magic of any degree need to be at the center of the storm, but Levi is a special guy.”
“What exactly did he do? If we’re going to hunt this guy down, at least tell me about him.” I saw the defeat and resignation on Raphael’s face, and it was prominent in his voice. I was most surprised he was still willing to help me. He’d been serious about that. He’d have my back.
“He was always a strong weather-based witch, but one day, he was expelled from his coven. Only a few months later, a storm brewed over the town where the coven was based. There were no survivors by the time he was through. As they died, he took their eyes and their lives, transferring their innate power to himself. He’s as strong as thirty witches at this point. That’s why he can call storms this big. Luckily, he’s still just a human. He’s vulnerable.”
“How many people did he kill?” Raphael asked softly, looking back out at the storm, black spreading through the veins of his face.
“Twelve people that night. He wasn’t caught for a while. Humans have the tendency to get drunk with power, and that sort of theft of magical power gives them an insane rush. He went on a killing spree.”
“What did he want?”
“No one ever really figured that out. Some say he was trying to make himself a god. Some say he was learning how to steal the power of supernaturals, and that accelerated his power. They found dead werewolves, fae, and others in his hideout. Whether he got power out of them, no one really knows.” I finally pulled my wrist out of his hand while he was distracted with the thought of Levi out and about.
“See why we need to deal with him? If he’s out hunting for me or anyone, really, he’ll probably only get more powerful. We would have to go out there, eventually. I need to deal with Nakul’s memory problem if we want any more answers.”
“Yeah, I get it,” he said softly.
We both changed into better clothing and grabbed ample rain gear. I checked out weapons and ammo, replenishing the ammo, even though I hadn’t used much at the prison. I shoved the car keys in my pocket and started walking out the door, just in time for me to hear the ding of the elevator at the other end of the hall. Before Raphael was able to react, I shoved him back into the condo and slammed the door closed, leaving me alone while the elevator door opened. Before I could turn back around, a body slammed me, threatening to crush me.
13
Chapter Thirteen
Can’t catch a fucking break tonight, can I?
I struggled as furred arms wrapped around my core and squeezed, forcing the air out of my lungs. I felt the distinct crack of a rib beginning to give way to the pressure. My arms were pinned to my sides, so I reached for my firearm in the holster. I managed to pull it out and fire a shot, feeling a hot burn down my thigh. The brute roared and let go, stumbling back. I fell to the ground, barely catching myself before my face hit the