Sapphire
Considering the shock that she’d just experienced, Phoenix Michaelson was handling herself well. I led her to one of the spare rooms that the girls could appropriate when working and needing a quiet place.
“Coffee? Pop? Something harder?”
“I’d kill for a Jack Daniel’s.”
“Good choice,” I said as Sparrow floated Drake in and laid him on the table. Nun disappeared and returned a few moments later. By the amount of liquid inside, she’d made Phoenix a double. Phoenix took the glass, knocked it back, and slammed it down before blowing out her cheeks.
“Right. I know the Royal Bastards in Camden, Maine, have powers. I’ve met them.”
“Yeah,” I replied with a grin as Nun reappeared with two glasses of Jack Daniel’s. She handed one to Phoenix again and the other to me.
“And I’m guessing you have too. I can’t believe what I just saw.”
“Yes. We do, and it’s not something we flaunt,” I stated.
“No, I understand why. What happened out there?” Phoenix demanded.
“Bells?” I asked Belladonna, turning to her.
“I heard Phoenix outside and was going to meet her. There was a surge of pure hate, completely unadulterated loathing. I screamed at Nun to stop Drake from leaving, because whoever sent it told Drake to jump in front of a car. They’re unaware of where Drake is, but they guessed he’s getting help. They weren’t prepared to let that happen. Heart and I simultaneously felt it. That’s why she’s knocked out,” Belladonna explained as a woman wearing a cut saying Stitch entered.
“Storm’s taken Heart to bed. She’ll be unconscious for hours. Someone wanna tell me what the fuck happened and if she’s behind this?” Stitch demanded, pointing to me.
Belladonna repeated her explanation, and Stitch frowned. “Why’s he not waking up?”
“Well, after Bells screamed, Dagger threw a monster in his path, making Drake stop. Then Tinkerbell iced his feet, and Sparrow teleported and punched him to stop him running. Finally, I think Belladonna knocked him out with a psychic punch,” I summed up.
“Yeah, that was a freaky fuckin’ creature. Where the hell did you get that idea from, Dagger?” Tinkerbell demanded, turning to the Royal Harlot enforcer.
“The cop was watching a horror movie; I planned to scare the pants off him,” Dagger replied.
My eyes narrowed before I grinned. “Do it. And when Wylde scares himself stupid, I can be the big, brave girlfriend.”
Phoenix stared incredulously. “You’re all whacked.”
“Yeah, but we’re going to help you. Belladonna, did you get anything else?”
“Whoever this is, really wants Drake dead. There was no hesitation in the order. Without scanning Drake further, there’s not a lot I can suggest, but it’s worrying. This hasn’t happened overnight. Not the way the guy punched into his brain. They meant business,” Belladonna said.
“Somebody’s doing this to Drake?” Phoenix gasped.
“Yes, Drake has definitely been targeted. There’s no doubt in my mind. And the level of hate was so extreme, it knocked Heart unconscious. She has her walls up constantly because of shit like this. I can’t elaborate further unless Drake is awake and I can examine him. Give him twenty minutes, and he should wake up. I punched him rather hard.” Belladonna shrugged.
“Oh well, he can take it,” Phoenix quipped.
I smiled. Maybe she wasn’t a stuck-up English bitch after all. I nodded in approval and tipped my glass to her.
Drake
“What the hell hit me?” I demanded, opening my eyes.
“Me,” two women spoke together.
I blinked. “Where am I? Phoe?”
Phoe appeared and held my hand. “We’re in Portsmouth.”
