Page 1 of Hunter

Chapter One

The Alpha couldn’t remember how many days he’d spent in Hell, but it was long enough to remind him to never go back. One week ago, Viktor Christianson had nearly been killed by a demon, and Hunter had deliberately opened the gate to Hades on a mission to save him. When he devised his plan, he never thought he’d find Ilsbeth, the High Priestess of New Orleans. The elusive witch, accused of murder by some, had been missing for over a month.

Hunter sucked a breath at the sight of her battered face. She blinked open her distant eyes and gazed toward Viktor’s lifeless body.

“What happened?” It was more a question of who. Hell was filled with a hierarchy of demons all capable of assault and torture.

Although badly beaten Ilsbeth shook her head; determination shone in her eyes. A warning to be quiet.

Jesus Christ , Hunter inwardly swore, carefully avoiding speaking out loud again. Demons. Sneaky little fuckers. Last thing he needed was for any of the bigwigs to get wind that an Alpha was loose in the underworld. They’d spike a spit through his ass just for foreplay and roast him. He had to keep his fucking shit together and get the hell out before they knew he was missing. He closed his eyes, sending a relaxing energy through his mind, calming his nerves. Viktor. The High Priestess. Get in. Get out.

Hunter rushed to Viktor’s side and scooped the ancient vampire into his arms. Barely alive, Viktor bore the marks of his torture. Hundreds of bloodletting lashes marred his skin. The Alpha released a hard sigh, aware he’d need to be fed.

Feeding was a tricky business. Viktor had been starved for so long, the scent of blood would drive him feral. Hunter glanced to the vampire’s bloodied wrists. Bound in silver handcuffs, he’d been immobilized while they’d tortured him. As much as the Alpha wanted to remove the painful device, he reasoned it would keep him restrained sufficiently while he fed him.

Getting the blood into him, however, was an entirely different matter. Vampires either bit for pleasure, inciting arousal, or pain. Hunter gave a smirk as a flash of being bitten by a hot redheaded vampire flashed in his mind, but the memory served to remind him that while lost in ecstasy, he couldn’t think clearly. Allowing Viktor to inflict pain wasn’t an option as it would call attention to his escape.

With only one logical choice, Hunter extended a claw, sucking a breath as he pierced his wrist. Goddammit. Blood dripped down his arm and sizzled as it hit the scorched earth. He’d have to move quickly. The hellhounds would scent the open wound. With one hand he clasped Viktor’s jaw, forcing it to open. Drink , Hunter silently urged as he held his wrist over the vampire’s mouth. A thick sanguine drop hit Victor’s tongue. Hunter’s heart beat faster, anticipating the awakening.

Come on, man. Let’s go. Let’s go. No, you cannot die on me. Quintus is going to kick my ass if you die. Droplets flowed freely into the mouth of the ancient one. Hunter took a deep breath and coughed. The smoke-laced air coated his tongue and he spat onto the ground. His focus faltered as Ilsbeth shifted and blinked her sullen eyes, a sad smile on her face. Although beaten, the ethereal beauty and strong spirit of the High Priestess lingered beneath her battered skin.

Strong fingers clamped around Hunter’s wrist, and he cursed as the slice of fangs stung his skin. “Fuck.”

Through clenched teeth, the Alpha grunted, attempting to pry Viktor’s grip loose. The vampire’s eyes flew open as he desperately suctioned blood from his arm.

“Look Vik, I need you to ease the fuck up. Take only what you need. We’ve got to get outta here.” The sound of a metal door creaking in the distance stopped him cold.

“Sixty seconds. I need you to get your shit together.” Hunter breathed deeply, fighting off the aphrodisiac effects of his bite. Jesus Christ, could this night get any worse? Like fuck. He was getting a hard-on from a vampire deep in the ass of Hell. He considered himself open to new experiences as much as the next guy, but this was so not happening.

“Ten seconds.” Hunter blinked away the sensations. He glanced to Viktor who wore a small smile. “Fucking vampire.” Hunter wrenched back his arm. “What the fuck is wrong with you?” He stared down at his wrist, which had begun to heal.

“About fucking time you saved my ass.” Viktor shoved to his feet and stretched his arms above his head. “It’s hotter than a demon’s balls at Coachella. What? Too soon?”

Hunter glared at the naked vampire, his skin perfectly healed. “You think this is funny? Jesus, you’re an asshole.”

“Yeah well, I’ve been called worse. Wait…” Viktor’s brow furrowed. “Where is she…”

“You get Ilsbeth.” Although Hunter felt sympathy for the High Priestess, he didn’t for one minute make the mistake that she was defenseless. Like a viper in the grass, Ilsbeth was more deadly than any creature on earth. Kill you now or kill you later, she’d strike without mercy.

“Ah, little witch.” Viktor’s voice softened as he knelt down next to Ilsbeth. “But where is the wolf?”

“Wolf? What wolf?” Hunter froze as a barely audible moan sounded from the far recesses of the cave. He brought his finger to his lips. “Shh.”

Silence. The Alpha concentrated, searching for the lupine presence. A shallow breath. A barely audible heartbeat. The fleeting energy rippled through him. Hunter nodded at Viktor and stepped into the darkness. Deep within the belly of the cave, he spied a small woman curled into a ball lying in the corner. What. The. Fuck? Slowly he approached, cautious not to scare her. “Ah, sweetheart. What’d they do to you?”

Sensing her fear, he reached for her slowly and brushed a lock of hair away from her face. His anger surged at the sight of her bruised cheek, but he shoved it away. He could sense her lupine nature but had no idea who she was or how she’d landed in Hell. Seconds ticked by and the urgency to leave mounted. He would seek answers later, but right now he didn’t have time.

“Easy, little wolf.” Without asking, Hunter gently scooped her limp body into his arms. “It’s time to go.”

“I’m sorry,” Viktor whispered, shaking his head. “I never meant to…”

“Can you flash?” Hunter’s fingers brushed over a scabbed bite mark and he immediately suspected what the vampire had done to her.

“I’m not sure yet. Let me get Ilsbeth.” Viktor reached for her, and she flinched. “It’s okay. I’m sorry…this wasn’t in my control.”

The witch silently nodded, but still refused to look at him as he lifted her into his arms.

“You go first,” Hunter ordered. The stench of demons permeated the air. Time’s up.