Page 63 of Blood Illusions

Justice inspected my work and gave me an approving nod. “If this works, we might be onto a whole new way of dealing with them,” he mused.

I sealed another shell, my movements precise. “Let’s hope it does work. And that we have enough of it.” I glanced at the small pile of grass remaining in one of the jars. “I wish Lisa would have given us more of this stuff.”

He laughed bitterly. “You’re lucky she gave us anything, especially since we didn’t get to pick any grass. If it wasn’t for your old man, I think she would have fed us to her dog.”

I gave him a tiny smile. “True.”

We worked tirelessly for the next hour, carefully filling and sealing each shell until we had amassed a stack of fifty to sixty. My forehead glistened with sweat, and I wiped it away with the back of my hand. “Do you think this will be enough?” I had a feeling we’d need five hundred of these shells to survive.

“It will have to do,” he stated, his fingers stained with gunpowder and determination. “Don’t forget, we still have your arrows as well, but we’ll need containers of salt for extra protection.”

Justice hurried from the garage, his footsteps echoing on the concrete floor. I filled a duffle bag with the shotguns and shells. My quiver of arrows and bow were already in the car. Justice came back with four containers of salt. His sword was strapped to his hip.

He zipped up the bag, then glanced at me. “We’re as ready as we’re going to be.”

I nodded and followed him out. He punched in the code again, and the door smoothly moved down. The dark sky began to lighten, but it was still a few hours before the sun would rise.

Luckily, we weren’t attacked as we got into the Ford Fairlane. I opened the trunk, and Justice tossed our duffle bag inside. This was the first time I was going on a hunt without my brother, and I missed him deeply. Besides my dad, he was the only one I ever trusted. Now, I was forced to trust a vampire. An incredibly hot one, but according to my family’s rules, still the enemy.

I slammed the trunk, then slid into the driver’s seat.

He gripped my arm. “Promise me you’ll leave if this gets too dangerous. I can’t lose you.”

I needed Justice to help me with this hunt, but I wouldn’t leave no matter what. Grants stuck together, so I did the only thing I could do. I lied. “I promise.”

Justice exhaled a gallon of air as he got into the passenger side. “Do you want me to drive?”

“Are you kidding? A vampire, drive Damon’s baby?” I turned on the ignition. “He barely lets me drive.”

He settled back into his seat and gave me a smoldering stare. “One of these days, you and your brother will have to trust me.”

I made a U-turn and headed down the gravel road. “Don’t leave me to die at the abbey, and maybe I’ll think about it.”

The winding highway leading to St. Marinus Abbey was dark and deserted in the early hours of the morning. My grip on the steering wheel tightened as we got closer, my muscles coiling like springs with each passing mile. Justice sat beside me, his tense silence matching mine.

I couldn’t help but feel drawn to him. I tried to push aside my attraction and focus on the mission, but his presence was too captivating.

With each passing moment, he grew more intense, like a predator preparing for the hunt. His strong jaw clenched with determination, and he sat upright as our destination grew near, ready to face whatever danger lay ahead. Like a fierce mountain lion, he exuded power and confidence that both intrigued and intimidated me.

The air between us was thick and heavy, like the clouds gathering over the distant peaks. Our words had dried up, leaving an empty space that crackled with tension. The tension built until it felt like a storm was about to break loose in the rumbling car.

As the morning light turned clouds orange and pink, giving away our element of surprise, I kept thinking about what happened to the witches and Justice’s team. They had the numbers, and it was only Justice and me going into hell now. But Damon and I had done this for years.

Except we had never fought anything like this before. Maybe I should have waited for Damon, but every instinct told me if I did, Dad would be dead. It was a risk I couldn’t take.

I glanced at Justice, whose eyes were glued on the road. I wondered if he was right about that apparition. Was it a shadow dragon? Damon and I had never fought a dragon, and I didn’t think our little pop-gun shells would do anything against it.

I took the highway exit to Crestwood Ridge, a quaint mountain town. We passed by a welcome sign made of carved wood and decorated with pinecones. The town was only two hours away from bustling Denver, but it felt like a different world. Charming, rustic buildings lined the streets, and the air was crisp and clean.

Despite the approaching ski season, the town was still peaceful since tourists had yet to arrive in force. As we drove, I couldn’t help but admire the scenic landscape of snow-capped mountains and colorful aspens dotting the hillside. Some trees had already shed their leaves, while others clung on valiantly against the autumn wind.

Part of me longed to stop and take in this serene beauty over a cup of coffee, but duty called, as always. There was no rest for a hunter when someone’s life was at stake.

Justice finally broke the silence. “I have to ask. Have you or your brother ever fought a dragon before?” His grim tone tore me away from the peaceful streets of Crestwood Ridge.

“No, we haven’t.”

“Shadow dragons are dangerous. Remember what Dr. Gould said. They can hide in the shadows and disappear, even in their human form. We won’t even know Maci’s there until it’s too late.”

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