AllFreeNovel
Share Us
FINN
The wolves are on the move through the Quarter. Rune says they’ve entered Tremé territory, and I have a sinking feeling I know what they’re after. Or, more accurately, who they’re after. It has to be the woman from yesterday.
My witch.
The Algiers pack hasn’t crossed the river in years, and they choose now of all times to break that streak? It’s too much of a coincidence not to be her.
I should fill Rune in on what I know.
It’s the right call, but I don’t say anything as we get ready for the fight to come. I don’t say anything when the sun falls, or when we emerge onto the streets, and it reeks of dog.
If I’m wrong, I don’t want Rune, Sebastian, or anyone else sniffing around my little mystery tourist. Honestly, I don’t want them near her even if I am right.
But fuck, I hope I’m wrong.
That seems less and less likely as we traverse the streets, sticking to the darkened corners and alleyways with Rune’s street rats leading the way.
It’s annoying to move at the limited speed of human legs, but until we have a lock on the location of the wolves, we’re stuck relying on relayed intel from our human recruits. But once we can track their stench through our streets, all bets will be off.
With each block we travel, I hope Aiden will make a turn that will steer us away from the tug I feel toward my witch. He doesn’t. I predict each turn he’s going to make with an accuracy that has my stomach twisting.
It takes everything in me to not break away from the group and run as fast as I can to make it to the mystery witch before the wolves.
“Hold.” Rune’s order comes sharply, and he raises a fist that halts the procession of vampires in tow.
The smell of wolf is worse.
We’re close… really close, if my connection to the witch is any sign.
“Horace, Leo. You two go with Fintan and close off the other end of the alley. Naomi and Brand, you’re with me.”
“Where do you want me, sir?” Aiden asks.
“Gone,” Rune says, barely giving the kid any attention.
Normally, I’d feel sorry for him, but we have bigger things to worry about right now.
“But I can help,” he insists.
“Yes, you can—by fucking off.”
We have the scent now. Rune’s humans will only get in the way if they stick around.
“Ye’ve been as much help as ye can be for one night, lad,” I assure him. “Unless ye want to play the role of distraction and slow us down, take yer friends and get gone.”
Aiden huffs but doesn’t put up any more of a fight. He wants to prove himself and earn his spot in the horde—it’s obvious how eager he is. He will make a good addition when the time comes for him to make the transition.
There’s no sense in throwing away his years of growth to die at the hands of the werewolves tonight.
Aiden takes the humans and makes a quick retreat. The rest of our troupe follows Rune’s order, getting into position on either side of the trespassing wolves, poised to strike.
Horace is mumbling away about the reek of wolf burning his nostrils. Black as the night sky and carrying a roid-droid frame of a professional wrestler, the guy is a beast. Still, after all the hits to the head he took as a human, he’s a little bashed in the brains category.
Not that he was blessed with brilliance to begin with.
“Focus,” I hiss, trying to do that myself.
Horace balls his fists at his side. “The mutts are hunting on our territory. It’s been too long since we asserted our dominance and taught them their place. Sebastian has grown complacent.”
