Page 60 of War Games

“Dirk drove off for some reason!” Landon snarled.

“He went to get more supplies to help Jacky,” Heath said quickly. “Now, I need your help with Ranger and Shamus.”

“Why are we doing these three first?” Landon asked. “Why not some of the others more likely to betray us and find the right person faster?”

“Because I need to make sure my strongest and smartest are on my side,” Heath answered. “We’re going against the Tribunal werewolves. I need them helping if they’re loyal and dead if they aren’t. The others are easier to deal with and less costly to lose.”

23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

DIRK

Dirk knew he was going to get in trouble for what he was doing the moment he had come up with the idea. He drove fast, pushing his truck to the limit and weaving around anyone not moving fast enough. He was putting the magic wrapping the truck to its limit. He was certain he’d eventually be going fast enough that even magic wouldn’t stop a police officer from pulling him over.

It’s for Jacky. I’m doing this for Jacky.

It was a four-hour drive based on the route he found to go to Olivia Kesslar, the witch who specialized in potions and healing. He could do it in two if he drove fast enough. When Jacky’s injuries escalated, he knew she would bleed out if they didn’t get the right help. With her knowledge of potions, Olivia could help Subira.

It was fucking risky, though. She was a witch. She had nothing to do with what happened in Dallas, but he knew this was going to drive a firm wedge between him and every werewolf loyal to Heath.

Fuck the pack. The family will understand. They’ll know why I’m doing this. I’m Jacky’s wolf. I hate that sometimes, but I’m her fucking werewolf.

Caught at a red light and growling, he decided it was time to call the witch herself. The phone only rang once.

“Olivia Kesslar?—”

“Olivia, this is Dirk Brandt. We met when Jacky Leon and I visited your home. I need your skills as a healer, and I’m already driving to get you.”

“Um… get me? You couldn’t bring the animal here?”

“It’s Jacky. She’s been poisoned, and something else is happening. I need your magic and skills.”

“I’m not a human doctor,” she said. “Mr. Brandt, I’m sorry, but?—”

“Don’t! Don’t tell me right now that you can’t help. You can. Even if you can identify the poison used would be a great help. We have other help coming, but by then, it might be too late.” The sun was already going down. By the time he was back with Olivia, it would be night. “There is no one else we can ask. We can’t trust any witches we haven’t personally verified aren’t involved in other things. You’re the only person I can ask. Jacky Leon is a member of the werecat ruling family, and she needs help. Do you understand what’s at stake here?”

“I’ll… I’ll call my friends at the clinic to watch the animals here,” she said softly. “I’ll be ready when you get here.”

“Good. I’ll be there in one hour.” He hung up on her and hit the gas the moment the light turned green.

An hour later, he was in front of her house. There were other vehicles there, but he paid them no mind, coming to a hard stop in front of her house. She ran down from the porch, carrying multiple bags. He reached over and got the door for her, pulling bags closer to him and transferring them into the small backseat as she threw them in. Once she was in and the door closed, hehit the gas. She got her seatbelt on by the time they got down the dirt driveway.

“How serious is this?” she asked. “What are the symptoms, and how was it delivered?”

“She’s unconscious, but something is causing injuries to her. She’s been secure at home, but she’s just… manifesting these wounds like scrapes on her hands, bite marks, punctures, bruises.”

“I see. Okay…” Olivia looked panicked. “I’ve never heard of anything that can do all of that. I know of some herbs that can be concentrated and deadly if the potions aren’t properly made, but it’s similar to human medicine. Overdosing on things will hurt someone. Many good medicines can also be poison.”

“There are no symptoms that seem to be caused by the poison itself. Nothing traditional like vomiting blood yet…” Dirk nearly bent the steering wheel as he thought of the bloody bite mark on Jacky’s half. “This is different. Even if you can’t identify the poison, we need your healing skills.”

“I can help with that. I can do that.” She didn’t sound certain, but she wasn’t lying, either.

“Hold on. I can’t be distracted while driving. We’re going to be going fast.” He accelerated, and it pushed her back into the seat.

“This wasn’t what I expected from my day,” she said, holding onto the door handle with a white-knuckle grip.

“Me neither. She was poisoned at my wedding reception,” Dirk growled out, wondering how his day went this way.

---