A stick snapping beneath his boot startled him and sent a crackle of magic into the air.His cheeks burned in embarrassment.
“Easy, love.”
He held back his immediate retort that would’ve started a fight neither of them wanted at this moment.He had to focus on the job.Rescuing his mother and taking down this clever vampire who knew how to play victim to the council.
For a second, he wished he’d called his father and his uncles.They might no longer be bone wolves, but they were powerful fae who could make sure they got out of there alive.Maybe not entirely well, but alive.However, his father had his own problems right now, and Quentin had never depended on a father before, so why would he start now?
He opened his messenger bag and took out one of his trap balls.He made sure he had the right orb.He didn’t want to start burning things yet.A pulse of magic through his shoes let him track the path ahead.Nature whispered back with quieter tones than his usual replies.Something about this stretch of forest unsettled him.It was already deeper than the map had shown, as if magic had stretched the territory inside its natural boundaries.
More likely, it was his nerves and the pressure of tainted magic infusing the air that made the trek feel like they’d already traveled miles in the five minutes they’d walked.
A soft swoosh of displaced air was Quentin’s only warning before the vampire in front of him vanished.
“Watch out!”someone shouted.
He didn’t recognize the voice, but heeded the excellent advice.Instinct had him ducking.Seconds later, claws swooped over the spot where he’d been standing.
“What are they?”Quentin whispered, not expecting an answer.
“Harpies!”Jaks’s voice carried through the forest.“Watch the sky for harpies,” he shouted.
Quentin tried to think of everything he knew about harpies, and not much came up.Weren’t they a more northern creature?How did someone import harpies without the authorities knowing?Hafrey had told him once that harpies were a Mediterranean creature.Their claws were sharp enough to eviscerate a cow, not to mention a human or vampire.
It took several minutes before the vampires won over the flying creatures.Once they were aware of what they were fighting, it was only a matter of waiting until they swooped down before a vampire could jump up and rip out their throats.
Harpies don’t die quietly.
Their screams would follow Quentin into his nightmares for years to come.
“Be vigilant,” Jaks shouted.“We don’t want any more losses.”
More losses.They had lost someone.Already this adventure had cost one of their lives, or more.
“You okay, darling?”
Quentin swallowed.“Yeah,” he lied.
His magic flared, rippling across the forest floor.The report back startled him out of his fear.“There are werewolves up ahead.”
Jaks gave a soft hum of understanding.“Keep behind me.”
He wanted to argue, to fight, to prove that he could handle himself, but could he?His record wasn’t that impressive.Without further internal debate, he moved behind Jaks.
A howl broke the unnatural quiet.It was echoed by dozens more.
He missed the unnatural quiet.
“Hold steady!”Jaks shouted to his people.
Before he could fall into an anxiety attack, the sound of dozens of paws hitting the ground echoed amongst the trees like a furry invasion force.Why would they support a psychotic vampire?Maybe they wouldn’t do it without a bit of persuasion?
A line of wolves blocked their path as they moved further into the forest.
Jaks moved more fully in front of Quentin, keeping him from the werewolves’ sight.
Vampires streamed into the woods, swarming like a plague of locusts.Relief that they were on his side rushed through him until he realized they were hunting a vampire, too.What kind of vampire could partner with werewolves?Natural enemies working together?It only took one sight of a werewolf’s expression to understand.The slack face, the dull eyes.It spoke of mind control.Unwilling allies to an evil trying to take over the town, and possibly more.They didn’t really know Nikko’s goals.All they knew was that he wanted Quentin’s house for one reason or another.Nothing that could be positive.
“Quentin, watch out!”
