I crouch down on the ground, petting my little wiggling puppy for a second before snapping off her collar. The air vibrates around us as she shifts from harmless puppy into menacing hellhound.
“Now go,” I tell the werewolf. “Before I tell her to chase you. I’m sure you’re fast, but I think my hellhound is faster.”
I snap my fingers and undo the magical binding on the werewolf’s wrist. He shuffles back, blood still dripping down his neck, and shifts from human to wolf. After one final look at Scarlet, he takes off, running away with his tail tucked between his legs.
“Fuck,” I huff, and Lucas takes my hand.
“If they know what’s good for them, they’ll leave town,” he tells me, trying to soothe my nerves.
“I know, but I don’t think they know what’s good for them.”
“Tell Tabatha in the morning. I’m sure the coven can do something.”
“Oh, they can, and they will.” I pick Scarlet’s collar out from the ground, letting her run back to the house in hellhound form. “We’ve always gotten along with other supernaturals, but over the years they’ve challenged us. Obviously, it’s a moot point. Mess with the witches and you get the, uh…fuck. I can’t think of a phrase for that either.” I rub my forehead. “I was trying to make a mess with the bull, and you’ll get the horns type of metaphor. I’m too tired to think.”
“We’re going inside and you’re going to bed.”
“I won’t fight you on that one.” I give his hand a squeeze and we all head back to the house. I hope Lucas is right. The weres will realize they are not only outnumbered and out-powered by the coven, but by our vampire allies, which is unheard of.
And scary.
As it should be. But if the last few weeks have shown me anything, it’s that people are willing to do anything, no matter the cost, to get even the smallest dose of power.
The glow of the full moon shines ahead, pouring down on my overgrown lawn. The shadow of our little brick house comes into view, and some of the tension and frustration starts to melt away. Scarlet barks, deep voice echoing through the yard. She bounds ahead, and right as I open my mouth to call her back, I see him.
Lucifer stands in the middle of the yard, half his face shadowed by the night. He’s wearing another designer suit, with a red button-up shirt under a black jacket. I freeze and lock eyes with him, heart in my throat.
Lucifer smiles, eyes searing into mine. “Hello, niece.”
Chapter 20
Lucas speeds forward, fangs flashing in the moonlight. But as fast as he is, Lucifer is faster. He holds out his hand, stopping Lucas dead in his tracks. Slowly, Lucifer curls his fingers in toward his palm, and Lucas slumps to the ground.
I stand there, rooted to the spot, as terror plagues my entire body, rendering me useless. Then I blink and feel that blind rage again. It bubbles up inside me, spilling out without my control. Energy sizzles around my fingers, and I pull as much of it as I can before blasting it at Lucifer.
He stumbles back, almost tripping over his own feet, but catches himself at the last minute.
“Impressive,” he coos, wiping blood from his nose. “I have to say, all that anger…all that rage…it’s working for you.”
“What the hell did you do to him?” I demand, holding my hands up again, ready to shove him back if need be. My familiars are by my side, and Scarlet, in her true form, is sitting between us, not sure whose side she should be on.
“Relax, kid, he’s taking a cat nap. He’ll be thanking me when he wakes up for how refreshed he feels.” Lucifer grins, and my heart skips a beat. He looks at me with such familiarity, like he knows me, and I hate it.
“Wake him up.”
“We need to get out of here first.”
I shake my head back and forth. “There’s no way in hell I’m going anywhere with you.”
Lucifer laughs, and looks down at his shirt. His bloody nose isn’t bleeding anymore, having healed instantly just like a vampire. A single drop of blood is on the collar of his jacket.
“Dammit,” he sighs dramatically, rubbing his finger over the drop of blood. “I just bought this suit. Well, I didn’t buy it. I walked into a fancy-pants store on Rodeo Drive and they just gave it to me. It’s fun, kid,