Sucker Punch (First Fangs Club #3) - Kristen Painter Page 0,45
He’s putting the raid team together. We’re also getting help from the New Jersey pack. Rico is the alpha’s grandson. Do you know LV Medina?”
“I know of her, but we’ve never met. Her grandson, huh?”
“And the alpha-elect is his mother. I guess the fae didn’t realize who they were kidnapping.”
“I’m guessing not.” He cracked his knuckles. The sound was like gravel crunching under a tire. “This is going to be one hell of a fight.”
Donna sensed he wasn’t human, but once again her inexperience left her without a better idea. “May I ask what kind of supernatural you are?”
He smiled. “Well, I’m a bit of a mutt, but the strongest blood in me belongs to only one kind. See, on my daddy’s side, there’s a lot of this and that, but mostly it’s human. My mama’s blood, however, was a hundred percent reaper.”
Donna squinted. “Like the reaper on your jacket?”
“Well, that’s my motorcycle club. But also, yes, like that. I’m a reaper. Which is why I ride with the Reapers.”
“You mean like a grim reaper? The being that collects souls?”
He nodded, and for a second, his eyes went completely black. “I mean exactly like that.”
Donna sat back. “Whoa.”
His eyes returned to normal. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
She shook her head quickly. “I just wasn’t expecting that. I’ve never met a reaper. I’m not sure I knew they were real.”
“I promise you, they are.”
“Do you collect souls regularly?”
“It’s not my day job, no. But I can if called into service.” He patted the hooked knife on his hip. “I never leave home without my scythe. Daisy’s got one too. She takes after me. Her sisters take after their mama, may she rest in peace.”
“So Daisy’s a reaper too? I thought all three of your daughters were witches.”
“No. She’s a necromancer with a little witch in her. Harper and Reggie are full-on witches.”
Donna made a note to find out more about necromancers. She knew they had something to do with the dead, but that was enough questions for now. “Wow. Today has been a real education for me.”
Charlie, Harper, and Daisy came back in. Will’s daughters had plates of cookies, candy, and other assorted sweets, plus drinks. Charlie had Will’s black coffee. She put it on the table in front of him, then came back to Donna. “Anything you need from me, Governor?”
“We should let Temo know the Ferrises are joining us and make introductions.”
“I’ll text him to come up.”
Jerabeth walked into the room. “Governor, we’re ready for you.”
“That was fast.”
“Reggie knows her stuff. And we were able to use a lot of what I already had on hand.”
Donna stood. “Excellent.” She looked at Will and his daughters. “If you’ll excuse me.”
“Take your time, Governor,” Will said. “And thank you for your hospitality.”
“You’re welcome.” Donna left them to walk with Jerabeth back to the salon. Heat spilled through her. She started fanning herself. “Whew. Perfect timing. Another hot flash just started.”
“That might be good. We’ll certainly know if the antidote works.”
They entered the salon, where Dr. Fox had the massage table moved to the middle of the room. The beauty cart had been transformed with a clean white towel and an array of medical instruments. An IV stand, complete with a bag of what appeared to be saline, stood at the ready, as did Jerabeth and Reggie.
“You look like you’re setting up for surgery.”
Dr. Fox smiled. “Not quite that serious, but I wanted to be prepared.” He patted the table. “Please have a seat and lie down.”
Donna hopped up and got into position. She glanced at the bag of fluid hanging over her head. “I need an IV?”
“Yes. Best way to counteract the drugs in your system is to go directly into that system. I’m going to monitor your vitals too.” He started swabbing her arm with alcohol as he finished speaking.
“Am I going to feel it?”
Reggie came over. “You might feel something. Maybe a little queasy. Maybe a rush of emotions as the drugs fight back.”
Maybe didn’t instill a lot of confidence. Donna turned to see her better. “Have you ever tried this antidote on a vampire before?”
“No. You’re the first one.”
Doubt and panic nibbled at Donna’s resolve. “How do you know it’ll work?”
Reggie frowned. “I don’t. But there’s every reason it should.”
With the arm that Dr. Fox wasn’t putting an IV into, Donna reached for her crucifix. She needed the reassurance of its presence. “Is there any reason it could go wrong?”