Page 102 of Hunter

“I was a young buck.” Hunter released a reflective sigh. “It was a shit show. Pa was fucking pissed.”

“Meet human girl. End up in Hell?”

“Girl gets dragged to Hell. I go after her. But she was too far gone. Evil does that to you. You can’t make deals with demons and not expect to get burned.”

“True.”

“It was the first and last time I ever got involved with a human. But Hell?” The Alpha closed his eyes, refusing to allow the painful memories to rise to the surface. The torture had nearly killed him, but his father had found a way in and out of Hell to save him. “I can’t go back either, Vik. I won’t. The last time I got lucky. We all got lucky. No. What’s gonna happen is that we’re going to go back to the witch, get her to summon up the demon owed, shove this book up his ass and go on our merry fucking way. If I have to order up an exorcism from the Pope himself, I will. It’s time to put this shit to rest.”

“Sounds like a generic plan. A million things could go wrong. Good on the shoving something up its ass, though. Yeah, that’ll work.” The vampire laughed. “I like it. I’m down.”

“Trust me when I say I plan to deal with the Priestess. If that bitch as much as waves her little finger the wrong way, she’s losing her head. She fucked Dimitri and she’s not going to fuck me. Us .”

“There is something you need to know.” Viktor’s smile fell flat.

Hunter’s gut tightened, his intuition warning him that whatever the vampire had to say, it wasn’t going to be good. He clenched his fist and stretched his fingers, easing the tension that thrummed through his body. “I’m afraid to fucking ask. What is it?”

“Ilsbeth. She cannot go without consequence for her actions. She needs to be brought to justice.”

“What exactly does that mean?” Hunter paused and shook his head. “It’s not that I don’t know what she did to Dimitri. She’s no friend of the pack right now…Acadian or mine. But in Hell…”

“She’s been dealing with demons.”

“All witches aren’t white. They dabble in dark magick.”

“Demons have been brought into this world. Summoned by the witch. She cannot contain them. Dimitri. The incident in New York. They are after your mate.”

“Who seeks this justice besides us? You know what? It doesn’t matter. I’m sorry, Vik, but if you’ve got some plans to go after her, you’re on your own. I can’t risk any more time away from my pack. My beta’s fucking AWOL. He attacked Willa. I’ve gotta deal with him and the rogues still. But taking down the High Priestess? No. I’m out. Logan can deal with her and get her back. Jax fucking Chandler. Get his ass back down to Louisiana. He can do it. She’s not my problem. Once Willa gets whatever dispensation from Hell she’s gonna get, we’re outta here.”

“I hear you, brother. But it’s Samantha who calls on my assistance. I can’t say no.”

“It’s always the quiet ones that are the toughest.”

“She is engaged to Luca.” Viktor raised an amused eyebrow at him. “We both saw her that day at their house.”

“How do you know? You flashed in and out.”

“I was slightly incapacitated but still. Red wields some of her own tough love.”

“I don’t know her that well, but clearly she’s a High Priestess and she can deal with it. I get she’s probably not happy that the bitch is back.”

“This is a favor to Kade. He’s not my child or even within my line but Quintus’.” Viktor shrugged. “I feel as though we owe Kade for keeping the peace that day. Luca isn’t the easiest to get along with.”

“Not at all charming like you?” The corner of the Alpha’s lips tugged upward.

“Easy now.” Viktor gave a closed smile, his hands to his chest. “I’m the consummate gentleman.”

“Except for when you rip someone’s throat out.” Hunter smiled. “Hey, I’m sure they always deserve it. No offense.”

“But of course, they always do,” Viktor answered, his tone light but serious.

“So, what’s Kade’s big plan?”

“Not my issue. My only responsibility is to escort the lovely Ilsbeth to the coven.”

“For the record, Vik. I’m telling you this is a bad idea right now. I know you want to make things right with Kade. That day at Luca’s was a shit show,” he said, recalling how he and Quintus had visited Samantha at their home. A demon-witch had materialized out of nowhere and almost killed their young daughter. “If Sam wants to go at her, then more power to her. I’m just saying that it’s best for you not to mess with Ilsbeth.”

“It’s a calculated risk with low reward so of course I’m all in.” Viktor laughed.