Amanda Carlson - Hot Blooded

We should have more answers when we return.”

“Excellent.” Footsteps echoed on the pavement at the other end of the parking lot. I turned to see

Nick and James approaching as I lifted my duffel on top of a bed of coolers, tents, sleeping bags, and supplies. My brother was indeed prepared.

While I arranged it, I glanced into the interior at Ray’s silhouette. He sat slumped to the side in the backseat. The ends of his gag were visible and I heard breathing, but he was out cold. He must have given Danny some trouble.

Nick reached me first. “Is that Ray Hart I smell?” He peered into the backseat and took a few more sniffs to be sure.

“Yes. It’s not ideal, but I couldn’t kill him,” I said. “It might be my weak human side talking, but my dad says if he can assimilate, he lives. I know he’s dogged me for years, but other than his being a hard ass, I can’t find any real reason to end his life.”

“You’re not weak,” Nick replied, his voice filled with confidence. “I view your humanness as a gift. In our world compassion is rare. I admire it.” Nick slipped off the backpack he was wearing and set it on the ground. “I took the liberty of gathering some things I thought would be useful. At Tyler’s request, I bought these.” He pulled out a small black box with a sturdy handle. There was a main lever on the side and a bunch of metal buttons across the top. “There are four satellite phones in here”—he pointed to the backpack—“along with this docking kit. They’re all wired with remote GPS, fully charged and ready to use.” He set the box on the ground, then unzipped the front pouch and pulled out a soft black cloth tied with a thick satin ribbon. “I also procured several throwing darts, loaded with various spells. There’re a few for sleep and a couple freezers—no kills, just in case they happen to land in the wrong target.” He untied the ribbon, carefully unrolling the concoctions. The spells were in thick glass vials attached to sharp metal tips, hooked in the carrying case by two elastic bands apiece, each potion shining a different vibrant color. “Marcy and I didn’t think her spells would be strong enough for a goddess, so we paid Tally for them. Well, Marcy did anyway, with funds from the firm.

She said, because she was family, she was able to get us a two percent discount.” He chuckled.

Witches never gave away anything; everything had a cost. It was how their system worked.

“Wow.” I reached out to take the bundle Nick was offering. I cradled the package carefully in my hands. Spells on the whole were incredibly expensive, and Tally’s spells would break the bank, but they would also be super powerful. “I don’t want to know how much you spent, because I’m grateful as hell and I don’t want to ruin my happiness high knowing we won’t have two nickels to rub together when I get home.” We used potion darts on a regular basis, because supes were wild and unpredictable and getting them down was half the battle. Marcy did most of ours for the firm, and they worked fine,

but she was only a minor witch. Tallulah Talbot, her aunt, was another story. Tally ran the supernatural community here—and by “ran” I mean ruled . I’d never laid eyes on her, but we were extremely lucky Marcy worked for us, because Tally didn’t sell her power to just anyone. Having a witch of that magnitude in our corner was like having the Terminator as backup.

I rolled up the cloth and handed it back to Nick. He placed it back in the backpack along with the phone kit and lifted it all carefully into the trunk.

When he was done, I reached over for a goodbye hug. My eyes misted without my permission, an unfamiliar experience for me. I hadn’t had many goodbyes since I’d left the Compound seven years ago. “The spells will be invaluable. Thank you,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him. “I’ll be in touch when I can.”

“There are a few other little surprises inside the bag too,” Nick said as he gripped my back hard.

“Please, just do me one favor and don’t get killed, okay? I don’t think I can handle the world without you in it.”

“I promise I’ll do my best.” I pulled back, breaking our contact. “I love you.”

He nodded and stepped out of the way to make way for my next goodbye. “I love you too, Jess.

Stay safe.”

“Hello, Jessica.” James came up and planted a chaste kiss on my cheek. “I came to see you off and wish you well on your quest.”

I hadn’t seen him since we’d gotten back from New Orleans. “Thank you, James. But we both know the real reason you came—so you could report back that all looked well and good.” My father and I

had said our goodbyes privately before I’d left the office. If he’d shown up here and had a last-minute change of heart and didn’t want me to go, it would’ve been too hard. We’d both agreed it was better for him not to come.

As stated, emotion and wolves didn’t mix.

James laughed, his Irish lilt affecting it ever so slightly. “You’ve got me there, but I do wish you well. I hope you’re adequately protected. From what I can see here, Tyler and Danny have it well covered.” James was one of the tallest wolves in the Pack; he was all brawn and incredibly sexy, with short dark hair and mossy green eyes. He wore his usual black T-shirt and cargo pants. I angled my head toward him for a moment. Our wolves had engaged in a brief interaction a few nights ago, and my wolf barked now acknowledging him, but other than that there was nothing else of note. Life would’ve been so much easier if fate had given me a wolf for a mate. My wolf growled. I know. I get it. We don’t do easy.

“Tell my father I’m in good hands,” I said. “We’re as prepared as we can be.” As I finished the sentence there was a loud swoosh behind me, and then another. I glanced over my shoulder.

The vamps had arrived.

Eamon and Naomi, the brother and sister vamp pair, stood statuesque on the small hill behind the parking lot, their enamel features shining brightly in the darkness.

They started forward at the same time, appearing both confident and wary. I wasn’t aware vamps could look wary, but they definitely achieved it with their identical drawn eyebrows, both faces pensive and lined with small frowns. Being required to do their Queen’s bidding like good little vamp soldiers had to chafe, especially being forced to interact with wolves. But they had no choice. It was either follow orders or die a permanent death via some horrible means, most likely involving gnashing, cutting, and a whole lot of blood.

As they came forward, James stiffened beside me. Danny, Tyler, and Nick moved in to form a semicircle around my back. It went against our natures to collaborate with each other. Vamps and wolves were enemies of ages old, going back to prerecorded history. If the Vampire Queen hadn’t wanted something from me so desperately, there wasn’t a chance we would all be standing here tonight.

As they continued forward, my wolf’s unease changed to agitation. They are not the enemy today.

We have to do it this way. There’s no other choice. She swatted her tail and kept a steady growl. I guess it didn’t hurt to be on the lookout for trouble. Remember, they are bound by their Queen. They won’t risk her displeasure—unless, of course, we force them to by being rude.

She wasn’t convinced.

I’m not sure I was either.

The siblings were clad in jeans and matching dark knit tops, which beat the French period outfits they’d worn when I’d seen them last. I didn’t know which outfit was more ominous—looking appropriately dressed for the Renaissance or looking deadly normal.