Page 41 of Brimstone and Broomsticks
Chapter 14
Cassandra
Dallas was happy to let me into the compound. He wasn’t so happy about Lucien, and I got the impression that his dislike was equally balanced between Lucien being a demon, and Lucien not being a female he could attempt to bang.
Werewolves. The dogs would screw anything female. The bitches were only allowed to have sex with male werewolves. It drove me nuts to have this misogynist crap right here in Accident, but that’s the way it had always been. And unless I wanted to pick up my broomstick, put on my pointy hat, and pick this mountain to die on, that’s the way it was going to continue.
“The sheriff’s already been here,” Dallas told me. “Don’t know where Clinton is. He didn’t come home last night.”
“Sure you guys didn’t have a challenge fight a day early?” I asked. “Couldn’t wait one more day until the full moon?”
Dallas got a rather exasperated look on his face. “If I’d killed Clinton in a challenge fight, I’d have no reason to hide it, let alone haul a bunch of blood into town to try and frame a demon. We’re allowed pack law here on the mountain, and challenge duels aren’t murder. Besides, Clinton hasn’t announced a challenge for this month.” The older werewolf shrugged. “I know it’s coming, and it’s coming soon, but Clinton’s got enough sense to do things by the book—and so do I.”
“So then where is he?” I insisted. Dallas didn’t seem all that concerned that his second and son was missing. Sheriff Oakes had to have told him about all the blood. Wasn’t the werewolf the slightest bit worried?
“Full moon is tonight. I’ve got no idea where half my pack’s been the last few days.” Dallas turned and howled. Seconds later there were a dozen werewolves standing in the room, eyeing their alpha nervously.
“That’s the wolf who was with Clinton outside of the tavern, when we were having our little disagreement,” Lucien said, pointing out Shelby.
The werewolf bared her teeth. “I was. Dusted him off and got a smack in my face for the effort. Last I saw Clinton he was walking down the road. Why? Did he come back and kick your ass?”
I stepped between the two, trying to make sure Lucien didn’t start another fight with yet another werewolf right in their own compound. “Was he with anyone else? Say where he was going?”
Shelby shook her head then glanced over at Dallas. The alpha confirmed that none of the other wolves had seen Clinton, then dismissed them.
“He’ll show up eventually,” Dallas said, walking us to the door.
I glanced back at Shelby who was climbing the stairs. “Didn’t she challenge Clinton for second a few years back?”
“Yes, and lost,” Dallas scoffed. “She’s a good fighter. Got real guts. Wouldn’t have mattered if she’d won. No one would have followed her anyway.”
“Because she’s female?” I bristled.
“That and she doesn’t know her place. Disrespects the rules. Came close to putting her down a few months back, but I like to give the girls a second chance, you know?”
I knew I wanted to put my fist through this werewolf’s face, is what I knew. Or set his pants on fire. Grandma may have worried she wasn’t strong enough to take on the werewolves solo, but I wasn’t solo, and it was a different time than when Grandma was young.
It was time for a change in Accident. But first I had to find Clinton Dickskin.
Dallas walked us to my car, hovering nearby as Lucien climbed into the passenger side.
“Thought you were gonna get rid of him, Cassie?” Dallas said with a nod toward the demon. “He needs to go. Nobody wants a demon in Accident. You get him out of here and I’ll take it up with Clinton when he gets back.”
“Not your business, Dallas.” I told him as I climbed in the car. “The Perkins family decides who can and can’t stay in Accident, and as far as I’m concerned, this demon is welcome to visit or reside within our town.”
We drove away and Lucien turned to me. “Is that a fact, now?”
“Yes it is.”
“And would you want me to stay in Accident? With you?”
I felt my face grow hot. I’d just met him. Heck, I’d slept with him once. And here I was telling him to pretty much move in.
“Yes. I’d like that.”
“Good.” He looked out the back window at the compound. “Would Dallas really have killed his son in a challenge duel?” Lucien asked.
“Would your father?” I asked in return.
