The fucker’s been evading me for the better part of a year.” As Guild Master, Evzen was the leader of the sorcerers and understood what it was like to be in charge. For the first time, Hayden noticed how much that was weighing on his friend.
Braelynn ran a hand over Evzen’s arm. The tension in Evzen’s shoulders lessened and the male’s expression softened when he looked at his female. “He’s slippery and learned Dark magic from my mom. I’d bet he created his own pocket in the Underworld and is holed up there as we speak.” Braelynn had never hidden her heritage and refused to take repsonsibility for what her mother had done.
Hayden wanted to scream and curse. It wasn’t Braelynn’s fault, but his kind were suffering. “I’d bet you’re right, but it’s only a matter of time before he makes a mistake. He returns here frequently, or we wouldn’t have Angel’s Kiss on the market again.”
Evzen turned from his mate to Hayden. “So, you’ve confirmed it’s definitely the drug?”
Hayden waved a hand to the door of the mess hall and jerked his chin in that direction. “I will show you their houses on our way to the bar, but I’d say yes. The place is a disaster. I’ve only seen addicts live like that.”
He exited the building and waved to several females as he left. Evzen and Braelynn were right behind him. “I can’t believe the fucker found another source of angel blood. Illianna’s brothers continue searching for anyone that might have donated, but so far they keep coming up empty.”
They reached the cabins and Hayden held the door open then gestured for Evzen and Braelynn to enter. Evzen sucked in a breath then called his seven-foot Alder wood staff to his hand.
Evzen waved the pole in front of his body. “Seall.”
Hayden threw up a hand when bright red light filled the room. When it dimmed, he lowered his arm and sucked in a breath. There were easily a dozen spots on the coffee table and kitchen counters that glowed dark red.
“It’s definitely Angel’s Kiss. You mentioned a club? I need to know if one of mine is selling again.” Evzen’s words were a growl at that point.
Hayden nodded his head and turned on his heel with the Guild Master following behind. “There’s a human bar in Richmond the three missing shifters frequented. This might be a long shot. I haven’t been able to find any reports of humans dying from overdose.”
Evzen lifted his shoulders and climbed into Hayden’s rental car. “It’s better to follow up. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and hope this goes away. I hoped when they ran out of Ayil’s blood this would go away, but that isn’t the case. The only sure way to eliminate the drug is to remove those responsible for making it.”
Braelynn took the seat behind Evzen while Hayden jumped behind the wheel. “I just hope Sterling hasn’t taken anyone under his wing. There wasn’t anyone else she allowed close enough to teach her techniques, so he’s the only one she taught these secrets to.”
Hayden glanced at the female in the rearview mirror as he pulled onto the highway. “Did she keep a grimoire of her own? Do we need to worry about someone finding it and discovering the formula?”
Braelynn bit her lower lip and wrung her hands in her lap. “I never saw her with a journal, or anything, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t one. She saw herself as the only true leader for supernaturals. I can see her wanting to document every brilliant thought she had.” The way she said that told Hayden she didn’t think her mother was all that smart.
Evzen turned to his mate. “Your mother was demented and malicious, but she was also smart. It would have been nice if she’d applied that knowledge to making our kind safer and finding a way to impede portals to Hell rather than embracing demonic ideals.”
Hayden snorted. “How did you turn out so good when she was the spawn of evil?” The growl that left Evzen’s mouth made Hayden instantly regret his words.
Braelynn’s hand snaked between the seats and ran over Evzen’s shoulder. “He’s right. And, it’s something I considered many times. There was always this voice in my head telling me my mother wasn’t always right. Somehow, I knew she was bad. It was Evzen’s soul keeping me sane. He’s the reason I didn’t join the dark side with my mom.”
Evzen brought Braelynn’s hand