Page 44 of Orion: Galaxy Huntress

What the hell was he doing? This was the dirtbag who’d knocked me off my feet and kidnapped her in the first place. Did he have a change of heart? Well, fuck. I wasn’t sticking around long enough to find out. We were out of here. Finally.

Until we were met with a stalking group of vampires pouring down the stairs, one of which waltzed with an air of authority and danger. Coven leader. Fucking Vexlel. Ran amok in town bleeding people. Disobeyed the rules agreed upon between the townsfolk and the supernaturals. Power-hungry bastard had come to me a few times for favors, but I’d turned him down. Didn’t need him getting more control and supremacy to overrun the town. Lost a bit of respect with my brothers and sisters. Punished by Dad. Totally worth it for protecting my turf, though. I wasn’t letting a psychopath rule my town.

“What are you doing here, demon?” I didn’t like the way the reference to my species came off the lips of all these creatures like I was some sort of dog shit scum.

“Taking back the girl you stole,” I said coolly.

“That won’t be happening.” Vexlel stepped forward, dripping with darkness and menace. His cohorts backed up that message, hissing, folding in on us, intending for us to die. “She belongs to me now.”

Ace discharged Orion from his arms to snarl at the leader. “You won’t touch her.” His voice came out heavy and raspy, probably because of the searing pain in his balls.

Vexlel’s deadly gaze cut to the shifter. “You don’t make demands when you’re about to perish, wolf.”

“Fuck, Vice, get us out of here,” Ace growled.

I tried. Didn’t work. Of all the times for it to trip. I clicked and clicked. Nothing. “I think my magick’s on the fritz.”

Ace’s face darkened the way it did when he was about to crunch my ass. “Quit playing with us.” He moved protectively to Orion’s side, shielding her from the oncoming vamps. “We don’t have time for this shit. Our exit is blocked. Get us the hell out of here, Vice.”

“I can’t,” I complained, clicking over and over.

Another click failed to work. I glanced up, gaze darting to the hungry vampires inching ever closer. Hell, I think Dad might have been onto me. Sussed out that I’d abused the loophole and put a stop to it. Either that or I freaked out and couldn’t perform, something I’d never experienced before and certainly not in the bedroom! If I didn’t get to the bottom of this in ten seconds or less, we’d be vampire fine dining.

“Quick, someone make a deal with me,” I spluttered.

“Take me, demon.” Reznor stepped forward. “I have sinned and deserve to go to Hell. Save her and yourself.”

“Filthy traitor,” Vexlel snarled. “You will all die if you take the star from me.”

The combination of the coven leader’s threat and new deal did the trick. I transported the four of us to a random location, somewhere in the forest. Dammit. Not where I pictured. My magick really was on the fritz.

“Where the hell are we, demon?” Ace scanned the area.

“No idea.” I tried to get my bearings with my demon powers, but the fight had taken it out of me, and I staggered on my feet, collapsing to the ground. Dizziness hit and three wolf shifters spun in my vision. Shit, I’d lost a bit of blood. Wasn’t used to fights like that.

Orion grabbed my shoulders. “Quick, let’s get him somewhere safe.”

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