Werewolves Be Damned - By Stacey Kennedy Page 0,71

cubs. If I don’t do as he said, he’ll take their lives. The safety of my family is at stake.”

Now she understood the claim Lazarus had over Efren. He likely made all the wolves promises of a new life, then threatened them once he could. She had wondered why the wolves would kill for him so easily when it put their lives in danger. They had to have known there was a good chance they’d face the Council’s Guard, but what Efren said explained it.

As much as she understood that, she didn’t understand another something at all. “Why didn’t you worry about your little fluff balls in the first place? Why leave your pack, where you were safe?” Again, these wolves were so damn stupid, and she was so done with the sad story. Not letting him answer, since at this point his reasons didn’t matter, she asked, “Where is Kyden?”

Efren looked between her and Valor, clearly struggling with himself as he tried to choose his course of action. They didn’t have time for this. Nexi grabbed onto his shirt, pulled him up, then punched his jaw. He sailed across the room, and when he landed, Drake lunged forward and stabbed down into Efren’s stomach. The wound wouldn’t kill him to ignite the magic in the blade, but now he’d take them seriously.

“No. Wait.” Efren screamed in agony. “Please. Take my cubs into your safety until this over,” he cried at Valor. “Promise me you’ll make sure harm doesn’t come to them.”

Valor inclined his head. “I give my word.”

Efren grimaced from the sword stuck in his gut, then nodded bleakly. “Lazarus returned to New York City by using a portal.”

Nexi pondered how he’d managed to achieve such magic as vampire, which made her wonder if he did have a witch working alongside him. How else would he obtain a portal? But the Council and Kyden had concluded Lazarus’s gifts came from Tillie’s blood.

She had a hard time imagining that being one of his gifts, but right now, she only cared about getting Kyden’s location. She kept her questions to herself, as Efren added, “I’ve seen Lazarus and the guardian at his home at 634 Eleventh Street only an hour ago.” He looked at Nexi. “But I do know he planned to take the guardian to your home in Carson City.”

She blinked. “My home?”

The thought of the psychopath Lazarus being at her home made her stomach churn. At the same time, hope drifted up. They were closing in. Soon, Kyden would be safe, and Lazarus would die. That motivation drove her now.

“What’s your plan?” Valor asked.

She considered a moment, knowing they were kinda stuck in a hard place and only two options remained. “As crazy as this is—since it’s the one rule you never break involving dangerous missions—I think its best we split up. The longer we take to find Kyden, the less likely it’ll be that he’s alive.” She glanced to Drake as he pulled his sword from Efren’s lifeless body.

Nexi couldn’t help but feel a wave of despair for the wolf. While they’d been discussing an attack on Lazarus, he’d died without ceremony or solace. Wasn’t it possible that he’d made a mistake? Hadn’t she, herself, made mistakes?

She shook her head, clearing her mind of such thoughts. Mistakes or not, Efren had caused pain, suffering, and death to so many people and she needed to protect herself and those she loved.

“What do you think?” she asked Drake.

“I agree with you,” he replied, sheathing his sword. “It makes the most sense.”

She turned to Valor. “You two can take a trip to Lazarus’s house. If no one is there, head back to the Otherworld and grab the Council, then meet us at my parents’ home. With the portal that should take what…ten minutes tops?” At receiving answering nods, she added, “I think that’s a safe plan. We’ll find Kyden, but we’ll act quickly to get back together and bring the Council to help fight Lazarus.”

Valor nodded. “I’m agreeable.”

“All right. Time’s a wasting.” Turning on her heel, she hurried out of the now-vacant tailor shop with the men at her back. Once outside, the warm air brushed over Nexi’s skin and she exhaled, releasing the adrenaline raging through her veins.

Valor placed a hand on her shoulder, the warmth of his touch comforting her. “I wish you a safe journey.”

“You as well…and be as fast as you can.”

Valor and Briggs both gave her a quick nod and turned, heading toward the portal. Nexi