Page 22 of Pitch a Witch
“Danika took it down,” Alex informed me as he finally noticed River and turned to offer his hand in greeting. “As soon as we could go through, we rushed to find you so we could see for ourselves that you were unharmed.”
“Where is she?” Free of the wild mess that was Amber’s hair, I craned my neck to look through the opened door. The older woman’s scent of vanilla and freshly baked pastry lingered in my nose, although she had moved to join her mate.
“She came to meet us soon after we arrived and helped hold the vampires back until the rest of the pack arrived. After that? We don’t know.” It was Amber who answered, and Alex tucked her under his arm. “There was no one in the hallway either when we rushed to find you. I followed your scent to the office.”
“You just said she took the wards down.” My forehead puckered in confusion, but understanding dawned when the Alpha tapped his nose. Of course, he could smell Danika’s magic with his heightened senses, so he didn’t need to see her.
“How bad is it out there?” River spoke at last, his tone conversational but his body language anything but. His attention was divided between the couple and Sissily, who darted to stand beside me.
“They brought an entire kiss, fledglings and all,” the Alpha spat in disgust. “There is no honor in killing newly made vampires, despite their penchant for bloodlust. They act on instinct, and whoever gathered them hoped they would be able to breach the ward. If we didn’t arrive when we did, this would’ve been a massacre.”
What he said nagged at me. “Unless they followed me through the stores, which took a couple of hours, there is no way I was the reason for the attack. They couldn’t organize themselves that fast for this level of attack.”
When the pity on the shifter’s faces hit me, bile burned its way up my gullet.
“We found the team Ace left behind when he whisked you out of pack lands.” Rage pulsed out in a wave from Alex. “All of them were killed and left for me to find. Whoever is behind this, they had enough time to prepare themselves because they knew you’d be coming here.” His mismatched gaze flicked to Sissily, who stood behind my chair.
“This is not on Hazel.” My best friend spoke in a low, level tone. “If I had her back like I should’ve instead of acting like I didn’t know what kind of person she was, none of this would’ve happened. She sneaked out to come see me. I should’ve stayed with her.”
“The blame for all of it is on whoever is behind the attacks.” Amber’s vehemence surprised me. “Not on you or Hazel. No one has the right to play with people’s lives, and they will pay for it sooner or later.”
“My mate speaks the truth.” Alex had his gaze locked on River. “Did you …Was I mistaken …” The Alpha fumbled for words as a line formed in the middle of his forehead. All of us could tell he was not used to picking words when he wanted to ask anything.
“They know, and yes I did.” Blondie tucked a hand in the pocket of his slacks nonchalantly. “There were too many demons to fight off with just magic, plus a handful of soul eaters. I had to use everything at my disposal, or they would’ve entered the coven and had everyone cornered.”
A memory bloomed in my mind’s eye from a week or so ago when all of us were in the Alpha’s office.
Seeing Danika rub a hand down her face was like finding a unicorn. “I asked Mr. Blackman to join the coven personally. He agreed to join me so we could protect you better, Hazel.”
“I had no coven until I answered your grandmother’s request.” River had a quirk at the corners of his full lips that rubbed me wrong. Like he knew something I didn’t, and I was too dumb to figure it out. “I assure you, I report to no one but myself, and her.”
“Are yours ever going to join this clusterfuck they left us to deal with?” Alex addressed River, but Blondie just shrugged without comment. That earned him a disapproving shake of a head from the Alpha.
That last part made a lot of sense now unlike at the time. “You knew.” I stared at Alex. “From day one you knew what River was.” It sounded like an accusation because it was.
“I paid the Alpha a visit the moment I stepped foot in his town.” It was River who answered. “Your grandmother is powerful beyond measure, but I’d rather not step on toes if I can avoid it.” Alex nodded in approval, but I was far from impressed.
Everyone and their mother knew what Blondie was apart from me. That was the main reason I sounded like a squeaky wheel. No one bothered to tell me anything, damn it.
“The coast is clear now, I take it?” Tired to my bone marrow, I sagged in the torture device. “I have about ten minutes left in me, tops, before I curl up wherever I am and fall asleep.”
The invisibility bubble—or whatever it was—that my magic created in the ritual room to hide us from Shadowblood and cancel all the curses he flung our way, drained me more than I expected. Ever since I’d lowered into the uncomfortable chair, every second that passed had dragged on me until I barely felt my arms and legs. My eyes were as dry as sandpaper, and it was an ongoing battle to lift my eyelids each time I blinked.
“Clear for now,” Alex confirmed. “We better get you out of here before they decide to give it another try.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself, Mr. Greywood.” Danika scared the shit out of me when she spoke. For the first time, I did not feel her coming.
“Great. See ya. I hope you and Mr. Pigeon here don’t miss me too much.” I jumped to my feet. My sarcasm received a firm, unimpressed press of my grandmother’s mouth, but Blondie grinned at me.
I was on alert the second I saw that infuriating smile.
“Mr. Greywood, Sissily, and Mr. Blackman will accompany my granddaughter while she is under your protection. I hope you don’t mind given the new development.” Danika’s cold, emerald glare dared me to argue with her before it swung to my friend. “A nurse will be here any moment to take young Josh to the infirmary, Sissily. We will take good care of your cousin.”
When I sucked in a breath, Sissily pinched my forearm so hard I yelped and saw stars. My mouth stayed shut, though, because her intentions were very clear to my mashed-potato brain. With a simple nod and no words, Alex scooped Amber and made an exit. I was right on his heels, wanting to get as far away from Danika as I could, but my shoulder blades itched from a gaze pointed there. One quick glance confirmed that Blondie had his eyes locked on me as he sauntered after us.
“If you know what’s good for you, wing man, you’ll stay away from me.” I found it imperative to tell him that.
“Whatever you want, firefly.” With a maddening curl to his lips, he winked.
