Page 55 of Blood of Vengeance

“Everything good?”

He shrugged. “Mostly. She smells sick.”

“Sick, how?”

“Deep sick—she said something about arthritis on the ride over. Might want to see if there’s any old witchy women in the hills who could take a look at her.”

I grunted, knowing those women had more knowledge in their pinkies than most doctors in the human world, but recognizing that Zella might not trust us enough to let us take her to one.

“Get Mule on it—he’s been known to visit a witch or two.” I turned my back to the house, keeping my voice low. Not wanting Locklyn or her friend to hear me as I walked, “What’s this about a man watching Locklyn? Something about a coffee shop with the prospect.”

My brother frowned. “No idea. She mention it?”

“Yeah. Said it wasn’t a big deal—no interaction—but it made her uncomfortable. She couldn’t stop looking outside, as if she expected him to still be around, watching her. And she said she keeps feeling eyes on her when she’s outside.”

Rush grunted. “Never heard a fucking word about it, but I’ll inquire for you.”

“Thanks. I’d do it, but?—”

“You’ve got more important things to worry about today. Take care of her—I’ve got the rest.”

I reached out to bump a fist with the man. “I appreciate it, brother.”

“You’d do the same for me.”

“Every time.” I headed inside, surprised to find Zella alone in the living room. Almost as if she had been lying in wait for me. “Everything good?”

“She’s in the bathroom.” The little human stepped toward me, pinning me in place with her light-brown eyes. The scent of her definitely tinged with something deep and old and…sick. “I appreciate you setting all this up.”

I locked myself into place, readying for a fight for some reason. Feeling under attack from the spry human. “She needed a friend here. I made that happen.”

Zella nodded, not looking convinced. “She says she’s been fine, but that’s bullshit. How has she really been?”

Finally relaxing from the nonexistent threat, I took a moment to formulate a response, knowing this woman knew Locklyn in a way I didn’t. Knowing she would sense if something was wrong likely before I would. The only answer I could come up with was a simple one.

“Distracted.”

She huffed and looked away, releasing me from the prison of her stare. “I can’t imagine how hard this is on her. Chiggy was the last of her family—no siblings, no aunts or uncles, no one left.”

I had nothing to say to that. My only interpersonal connections were the ones I had made with the Hellions, so I couldn’t relate to the human notion of family. Not really. I mean, I had a sister, but we went decades without contact. Totally different from weekly or even monthly interactions. But Zella seemed to feel strongly that not having family was a big deal, so I went with it.

Eventually, Locklyn appeared. Heading directly for Zella and wrapping her arms around her friend even as her glowing green eyes met mine. Good god, the woman practically radiated happiness. If I had known how her eyes would light up this way, I would have flown Zella out to the desert on day one.

“You have no idea how happy I am that you’re here,” Locklyn said, her voice muffled but strong.

“You’re my best friend,” Zella said, catching my gaze over Locklyn’s shoulder. Her stare full of something that set even my wolf on edge. “I wouldn’t have missed tonight for the world.”

Eighteen

Locklyn

I had never attended the burning of a wolf shifter. To be honest, I had never attended the burning of a human either, but I had to assume the shifter version was more unusual than that.

“You okay?” Zella gripped my hand, sticking to my side like glue. She’d been physically and emotionally supporting me since she’d arrived, keeping herself available as I greeted people and was introduced to every biker of the club by Cutter. They all shook my hand or offered a fist bump, showing their respect to Chiggy’s daughter even though they hadn’t known I existed. A few had even offered hugs, but it seemed a hard glare from Flinch put an end to that. Thank goodness—I wasn’t up for so much physical affection from strangers.

“Hey,” Zella said, giving my hand a squeeze. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” The answer came automatically, but I couldn’t leave it at that. “Sorry—I’m lost in my thoughts, I guess.”

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