Page 3 of Jackal's Pride

Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Let’s hear it.”

My lips thinned into a half-snarl as I leaned forward. “If I win, you’ll no longer be allowed to bet with me. This will be the last time we gamble.” He knew I couldn’t turn down a wager. My pride wouldn’t let me. Nor would pride let me lose. Pride was a bitch, and she burned me up.

“Now hold on—”

I cut him off. “Afraid of losing for the hundredth time?”

“Take it or leave it, vamp. She placed her terms and so did you.” Newt had my back.

Gavin’s jaw tightened. We shook hands. “Fine. Deal.”

“Do we have a problem here?” Fear crept into the room and stood between Gavin and me. Gavin had the smarts to avert his gaze. But me? I glanced up and smiled at my so-called uncle we called Ryan. He was my parents’ best friend as well as Payne’s dad so that sort of made him my uncle. When I was little, I had the biggest crush on him. Fear’s evilness thrilled me. He married a woman just as crazy as he was, and they opened this place. It was why I came all the time. Plus, I enjoyed their company.

“Not at all,” I told him.

He nodded and gripped Gavin’s shoulder roughly until I saw the pain in his eyes. “You should choose something other than vultures to hang out with,” Fear muttered. He glanced down at Gavin and then back at me. “Want in the cage?” he asked. I revealed every tooth I had in return. “Got it. I’ll holler when we’re ready for you.”

My body thrummed with excitement at the idea of cutting loose in the ring. The only reason Fear even let me inside the cage was because he knew my ass was immortal, otherwise, there was no way he’d let me. He tore The Den apart one night I was here when his wife climbed into the ring. She was a total badass, and never had a problem, but one fatal hit and he would lose her forever.

Once Fear left us, I turned back to Gavin. “So, who’s our target?”

Newt materialized a plastic jar full of letters. “I’ve placed the names of every strong being in the Underworld, including your siblings.” His gaze roamed to a spot behind me. “Fear and even Harvest.”

My teeth clenched together at the sound of Harvest’s name. We were all off our game the night Harvest unleashed the vortex and subsequent shit storm we were dealing with now. None of us wanted to hurt Isabella. Even though I had been an ass to her—thanks to her god-awful touch—I was happy that things turned out the way they had.

Sebastian loved her deeply. He deserved the same kind of love our parents had, and as much as I respected that type of love, I didn’t understand it.

My loyalty was to my family, which included Ryan, Molly, and even Payne.Buthow did you trust someone you were fucking? How did one even trust themselves with a curse? I didn’t care to find out.

Okay, I was getting dramatic.

And maybe I knew a little girl that thought differently long ago. So very long ago.

“Just pull a name out already,” Gavin hissed.

With a grunt, Newt complied and pulled out a name. He tilted his head and gave the card a funny nod. “Hmm, this will be harder than either of you anticipated since the name I got hasn’t been seen or heard from far longer than any of us has even been alive.”

I frowned. “Who?”

“Jackal.”

“Jackal,” I repeated.

“The entity Jackal?” Gavin asked. “I thought he was a myth.”

Shit. I didn’t have time for this. Time was literally of the essence, and I just roped myself into searching for an entity who hadn’t been seen in thousands of years. “You gonna help us find him?” I glanced at Newt.

He rubbed his bald head before grinning. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Newt was the best for tracking spells. As a Reaper, I could literally find anyone. I just had to conjure up a name inside my head and there they’d be, but sometimes, demons could hide themselves from our senses. Considering no one had seen Jackal for years, I knew I needed Newt’s help. The fact that our target was an entity only made it worse. Being immortal, he had no death date in which I could track him with.

“Maureen!” Fear called me for the fight.

“I’m afraid I won’t be finishing this poker game.” I glanced at Newt. “Let us know when you find him.” I rose to my feet. “Fellas, I believe it’s time for me to go kick some ass.”

I dematerialized the collar somewhere safe as I strode toward the ring.

Then a wicked gleam touched my lips.