“Stryder, are you certain this is the place?” the creature standing faced the mutant called Stryder, the one whose eyes I was hiding behind.
“That’s what she said,” Stryder snarled.
I could sense his frustration with the situation and the larger beast. I didn’t blame him. The biggest mutant was a menace; more so than his companions. I could feel the difference.
The third added, “We’ve looked everywhere. Maybe someone got to it first.” You stupid mongrel, he added telepathically. Like Stryder, his irritation was directed at the mutant looming over them.
It was evident that mutant number two and three did not like number one in charge. Making matters worse for us all, number one stank like rotting fish. Had I been able to manipulate Stryder, he would have recoiled at the stench. It seemed he was immune to the odor.
“Who could have gotten here first? And what about the protective wards?” Stinky Mutant asked.
Wards and spells, there’s always a loophole, Stryder thought. No ward is impenetrable. Someone with stronger magic can break through. As if you’d think of that! His eyes flashed red, leaving no doubt where his piercing stare and degrading thought was focused — on the revolting swine in charge of their failed search.
Are you getting all this? I mind-messaged Zane, ensuring he could see the mutants as well as hear them. There’s some serious trouble in paradise.
It makes no sense. Unless the coin we found is what they’re referring to. But what does it have to do with the murders?
“The Mistress will be furious by our lack of success,” Stryder growled. I can’t wait till that bitch gets bitten. She’s the one who deserves to die.
With Stryder’s last thought, the red-headed woman’s picture scrolled through his mind; proving that everything was in some way connected to her.
Maybe she was a real witch not just a bitch. I’d seen stranger this week. Why not add a witch into the mix? If I could find a Witches and Wards Book for Dummies I’d be set. In truth, I was lacking, in a major way, the knowledge to fight effectively against my supernatural opponents.
“Do you two have a problem with me?” the massive mutant challenged his subordinates, making me forget my concerns about witches. He glared down at Stryder who glowered back, undaunted.
Faster than I imagined in such a small space, Stryder was up snout to snout with his comrade. “I have a problem with the entire situation. The Mistress is making too many mistakes, and I don’t want to suffer the consequences for her inability to clean up her messes.”
“Questioning our Mistress is not in your best interest,” Stinky Mutant (that was my new name for him) cautioned. “I realize this is frustrating, but we must follow orders. We’re done here.”
“Go!” Zane shouted, dragging my mind back to the car. “We don’t want to be sitting here when they come out.”
Slamming the car in reverse, I spun around and headed back the way we’d come. I didn’t want them to see us drive past the entrance. Zane’s Corvette was more than memorable, and Jazmine was well aware of what vehicle he drove, making it all the more probable the mutants knew too.
Taking any unnecessary risks seemed reckless. I’d already resolved Jazmine was in cahoots with the evil redhead, making our situation all the more precarious. We had more enemies than we could handle, and likely others we hadn’t met.
Zane grinned, an unexpected gesture under the circumstances. “Good driving, Princess. Ever consider racing?”
“You’re kidding, right?” It was just like him to be yelling one second and praising me the next. Besides, escaping mutinous monsters was good motivation for becoming a driving daredevil.
“Seriously, you can drive. I’m impressed.” His grin widened. “Maybe you should consider a future with NASCAR.”
Ignoring the little twinge of pride his praise ignited was pretty much impossible. Zane didn’t make a habit of handing out compliments. I knew if he said my driving was impressive, he meant it.
At last I could thank good old Bob for something — teaching me to drive like a dangerous felon was hot on my tail. His lessons had paid off today.
Today?
Uh oh … Something was very wrong.
Mutants were captive to the full moon. They couldn’t shift at will like purebreds — unless something had changed — radically. Without the daylight advantage the playing field would be leveled.
“Did you notice anything different about our mutant friends?” I asked. Afraid to blurt out what I suspected.
I stayed quiet while he mulled over today’s events.