Sucker Punch (First Fangs Club #3) - Kristen Painter Page 0,39
was in my ex-husband’s secret stash room. His were all guns, though.”
“We have a few of those too.” Charlie pushed a button inside the closet, and the center panels opened, revealing a second layer of firearms and rifles. “These aren’t ordinary guns, however. They’re specifically designed to deal with certain types of supernaturals. Most take very specific ammo. Bullets made of wood, silver, or salt. Or some combo. We have a rifle that shoots a net, one that shoots sulfur flares meant to draw out certain kinds of demons, another that… Well, you get the idea.”
“Loud and clear.” Donna whistled and stood up. “Holy Mother, that’s a lot of hardware.” She walked over for a better look.
“Here,” Charlie said. “Let’s go back to the swords so you can pick something out.” She pressed the same button, closing the panels and bringing the bladed weapons front and center again.
Donna didn’t know where to start. “Are they all iron-edged?”
“No. Just the ones in this right panel. There are also these smaller iron-laced weapons on the side wall. Some throwing stars, a couple daggers, things like that. But your coat already has some small blades in it.”
“I remember that.”
“Oh, that reminds me. We do have a shotgun that takes iron-pellet ammo. That can be very useful, but again, I’m thinking most of your fighting this time will be done in close quarters. Not the best place to use a shotgun.”
Donna remembered a certain grandmother with a shotgun who’d nearly taken off her and Neo’s heads. “I’m going to skip that for this raid.”
She reached for a medium-size sword with a red leather handle. That was the only fancy thing about it. Otherwise, it looked pretty utilitarian, as swords went. The blade wasn’t even that shiny. “How about this one?”
“Up to you. Swing it a few times. See how it feels in your hand.”
Donna stepped back so that Charlie was safe and hefted the blade with a firm grip. “Feels all right.”
“You’ve only been holding it for thirty seconds. Give it a few practice blows.”
Donna swung the sword in a wide figure eight, then, recalling her days on the high school drill team, spun the sword around in her hand and gave it a few fancy twirls.
Charlie’s eyes widened. “I thought you didn’t have any sword skills.”
“I don’t. But I had three years on the Fighting Bulldogs drill team in high school.”
Charlie laughed. “I think you’re going to do just fine.”
“How do I carry this thing?”
“There’s a sheath for it. Straps across your body. We’ll get it adjusted for your—”
Donna’s cell rang. She glanced over at her desk where it was sitting. “I’d better grab that. It’s Neo.”
“I’ll take the sword.”
Donna handed the weapon off, then answered her phone. “Hey.”
“What’s up, mama? Actually, I already know the answer to that. Temo gave me the 411. Are you all right?”
“I’m dealing.”
“I can’t believe the fae took Rico. What are you going to do?”
Donna hesitated. “I’m not sure talking about this over the phone is the smartest thing to do.”
“Oh, right. I’ll come up.”
Donna’s brow crinkled. “Up?”
“I was gonna play like I was home, but look, whatever, I’m downstairs with Temo.”
Donna rolled her lips in to keep from laughing. “You are, are you?”
“I’m letting him work, don’t worry. But yeah, I’m coming up. Bye.”
“Bye.” But Neo had already hung up. Donna motioned toward the kitchen. “I’m going to meet Neo in the kitchen. Did you know she’s downstairs? You must.”
Charlie pursed her lips. “I’m going to plead the Fifth in the name of love.”
Donna snorted as she walked out. “I’m all right with that.”
Neo was already in the kitchen when Donna got there. She whipped her braids over her shoulder and gave Donna a big hug. “You sure are getting put through it lately. I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks, but things are mostly managed. Do you know everything that’s going on?”
“You mean how much has my man told me? Just that you got home from the party to find a video showing Rico held captive by the fae. And maybe that the fae have drugged you.”
“That’s pretty much it. And they have. As you probably also know, Temo’s putting together a team, and at dawn, we’re raiding the fae stronghold to get Rico back. The New Jersey pack is assisting us, but I still don’t know how many wolves they’re sending.”
Neo got a determined look in her eye. “I’m going with you.”
“But we’re going at dawn.”
“If you can go, so can I. You must have some kind of