Page 48 of Hunter

“Whaddya mean? Names. No names in this business.”

Hunter lost control and lunged at the fae. He rolled him onto his back and straddled him, wrapping his hands around his throat.

“Now you listen up, Kellen. I want the truth now, not some bullshit fae story. Names. I want names. I don’t care if they gave you real or fake ones, but I know a slippery one like yourself doesn’t do business without having a name to be paid or owed. It’s not in your nature.”

Kellen choked as Hunter tightened his grip. “You can’t kill me.”

“I won’t kill you. Might bring demons crawlin’ out of the woodwork for all I know. But believe me when I say I can and will keep you tied up. For as long as I want. Consider me the sheriff of your debtor’s prison. This is my territory, not yours. You want out? Names. Now!”

“I don’t know, I don’t know. Maybe Jerry. Jack. Jermain. No. Jerry. He came with only one other wolf. Connor was his name. They’re rogues. But they have this sort of makeshift pack, he says. Not my business. I only work the deals.”

“Where are the wolves from? Where are they going?”

“How am I supposed to know? Met em’ in New Orleans just like you and the blood sucker.”

“Easy.” Viktor nudged Kellen’s chin with the tip of his toe. “I’m not as nice as my brother.”

“Tell me about the soul. Who is she?” Rage boiled inside Hunter, yet he kept his voice calm.

“She’s a special one. But you already know that, don’t you? Now get this iron off my wrists. It’s gonna kill me.”

Hunter paused and nodded to Rafe who made quick work of releasing the fae. He pushed onto his hands and knees, grunting as he stood, dirt marring his face.

“Tell me about her,” he pressed.

“Can’t you feel her? I can feel her now as I scan for energies. I know you took her from Hell. She’s still with you, isn’t she?”

“I’m not the one answering questions. What is she?” Hunter asked, ignoring his question. “You owe me.”

“She’s wolf. She’s origin. She’s everything. Her power is special. Ancient pedigree, I tell ya. Took special fae magick to subdue her, I hear. But was all paid for. What people do with my magick isn’t my business. I can’t be responsible. It’s all business.”

“Why is her power special?” Hunter asked. “Why is she so important to sell?”

Kellen smiled broadly, his laugher echoing in the forest. “How can you not know what she is? She’s wolf. The wolf. I cannot tell you more. I am forbidden to betray, I’m afraid. Demons want her. Wolves want her for the sale of her flesh. And you, Alpha, what do you want her for?” Kellen revealed his brown crusted teeth.

“I saved her from that cesspool you crawl in and out of. She’s my wolf now,” Hunter insisted.

“Not possible,” Kellen insisted, his voice raised. “She’s rogue. She’ll never be pack. She’ll never mate.”

“What do you know about the ways of the wolves? If I say she’s mine, she’s mine. So, go ahead, you can call your demon buddies…”

“No…demons! No demons,” he said, circling the fire.

“You’re in and out of Hell all the time. Just staying long enough to get a taste. You’ll never get enough of your fix. I see you for what you are, Kellen. You’re a junkie. You may look the part, blending in with the humans, but you’re as evil as they come.”

“You don’t know anything about me.” He waved his hand at him.

“I know you walk with demons far more than you walk with immortals or humans. I know you helped these assholes kidnap her. I know you traded an innocent soul for money. All of these things are reprehensible.”

“This is our purpose. The Goddess has a purpose,” he told Hunter, dipping a finger into the hot coals. “We earn money for our favors, but the deeds are not ours. The Goddess allows us to move freely, not the demons.”

“Whatever you gotta tell yourself to sleep at night but as far as I’m concerned, you’re a lowlife scum, sucking off the sins of humans and others, waiting for your next deal. Before you jump back into that firepit you got going there, I’m warning you. Willa is off limits. To you or anyone else who’s fixin’ to hurt her. Put the word out that she belongs to me. She’s my pack now. She’s not alone. Those wolves, Kellen. One of them is dead. I’m gonna kill the rest when I find them. It’s just a matter of days. So, when your ass lands back in New Orleans, you keep in mind who’s going to be around. Choose your sides wisely. Next time you cross me, fae magick or not, you’ll be dead too.”

“I’m innocent. Come and go as I please. I may owe you for the time, but nothin’ you can do about it.”

“You’re nothin’ but a flea and it’s time to flick you the fuck off my territory.” Hunter shoved Kellen toward the fire pit. “Time to go home.”

Kellen’s eyes transfixed on Hunter’s as he leaned back and fell into the flames. His entire body disappeared into the ground as if he’d dove into water. Sparks danced into the air, the fire smothered in magick and hellfire.