“We’re heading to the north end. A pack of wolves was spotted there last night. We’re going to remove them if they’re still there,” the man explains, standing tall and never once looking in my direction.
I internally huff a laugh at his ridiculous story. Of course I know that wolves equal demons. If he’s not exaggerating about it being a pack, that’s ambitious for a group of powerless mortals to take on. This human is either extremely brave or entirely too stupid. Which is exactly why I’ve chosen to stay away. That type of unjustified bravado will get them killed.
“We’d ask you to join us, but, well, it looks like you’re otherwise detained.”
“Detained?” Zeke chuckles. “I’m in no way being held against my will.” Zeke looks at me and winks.
“Leave them to their date,” the girl barks. “I want to grab something to eat beforehand.”
The leader levels her with a glare. “We probably should go. I don’t want the d—err, wolves getting away.”
“You can speak freely about demons to Tori. She’s a hunter too.”
My head snaps to Zeke’s, and I laser him with my bestwhat the fuckface. He shrugs, which only makes my spine straighten more. Thankfully, we’re alone on the patio, save for the human hunters.
“She’s a hunter?” the tall redheaded beauty spits out, crossing her arms over her chest. “I doubt that.”
“Maeve, knock it off,” the blond guy chastises. “Your jealousy is showing.”
“I’m not jealous,” she lies. “You’re drooling enough for the both of us.”
Zeke smothers a laugh behind his closed fist, and I glower in his direction.
“My bet’s on Maeve throwing down before the night’s over,” the third guy, who looks an awful lot like Maeve, chimes in. “This one’s lethal when she’s pissed.” He gestures toward the girl.
“I might murder you in your sleep,” she threatens, and the rest of their group hoots in laughter.
While the blond and possibly brother-and-sister combo argue about who’d come out on top, I squirm under their leader’s intense gaze. I don’t know what he’s looking for, but he’s sizing me up, and based on his narrowed eyes and downturned lips, he finds me lacking.
Good. Let him underestimate me.
“Let’s join them.” The words are out of my mouth before I can even consider what I’m suggesting. Zeke’s eyebrows both shoot up in surprise.
“Are you sure? You don’t have to do this, Tori.”
I stand, straightening my shoulders. “I’ll fight with you, but if any of you do anything stupid, it’ll be the last time you hunt in New Orleans.”
Maeve harrumphs. “You going to take that sass, Danny? We are the hunters around here.”
Danny—the blond—hushes her.
The leader steps forward, extending his hand. “I’m Blaine. Zeke’s vouching for you and I trust his judgment. He’ll vouch for us too. We don’t take risks.”
There’s nothing but sincerity in his words. I’ve never been for hunting alongside mortals, but I’ll make an exception this once.
I shake his hand. “Tori. You help take down these demons and you can call me Tori.”
Thirty minutes later, we’re walking up to an abandoned house in the north end. The windows are boarded up and the paint is peeling away from the wood. It’s hard to know how long this house has been vacant, but by the looks of the entire block, this area has been shut down for years. Not a soul is in sight, which is great news considering a horde of demons lie in wait behind those walls.
“Ready for this, blondie?” Danny jests, and I smirk.
He has no idea just how ready I am. I’m powered up and ready to kick ass.
“Do you plan to use Solis?” Zeke whispers into my ear, and I shake my head.
I’m going to try not to. Solis isn’t your typical sword, and it would be hard to hide its power from the group. I have enough pent-up anger and frustration to tear this entire building down. Hopefully, I won’t need him tonight.
“Let’s do this,” I say, motioning for the humans to enter first. Even though the area seems deserted, I don’t want to take chances. I place a glamour around the house, shielding us from any passersby. There will be no human casualties tonight.
