Page 51 of Wolf Trap

Nathaniel took her hand and kissed it. Anthony stood mouth agog. “Why didn’t you say you knew her?”

Nathaniel shrugged. “I don’tknowJax. We’ve spent time together. You can’t just call Jax. She has to call you. It’s always been the way. If you’re lucky, she might visit you twice.”

“Well,” she laughed, “Or I might visit you once. But look at these two. The sweetest lovebirds!”

She moved directly in front of Lycaon, her lips parted as she slowly drank him up with her eyes. I tried to look away because we needed her. Ugh! Lycaon grinned like a fool, staring back. All curves and leather, mega high stiletto boots. She tilted her hips as she rested her hand on them.

“My oh my, you are big!” She stepped towards me. “Oh honey, don’t be threatened, I’m a reaper. Anyone can feel the love this big old dog has for you. Look how fresh and young you are,” she leaned in. “You should get a younger one, really.”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder and flashed a glance with narrow eyes at Lycaon. “Dirty old dog!”

I tried to bite back the jealousy. My wolfman was smitten, as were the vampires. Even Nathaniel.

“Well, you two lovebirds want an invite to the club, huh? I don’t think so. I mean, Lycaon, you’re old, so I know you’ve been around, but you’ll stand out like a sore thumb. As for her,” she cast me a wide smile, “They’ll eat her alive! You’ll definitely need a disguise, the pair of you. But I’ll warn you now, it’s violent. Grisly… This isn’t some gentleman’s club, you know.”

I fought my negative feelings, asking, “You know of Adara?”

She smiled, and brushed her hand over my cheek. “Of course, honey. I’m a reaper, they’re good for business. You want to take them on?” Shrugging, she turned around and sat on the edge of the desk, a quick scan of the laptop screen. “Hell, maybe you’ll succeed. Worst case, they turn you.”

“You won’t help?”

“Impartiality is my middle name.Like I said, I take souls. They’re good for that. You’re a little mortal in your thinking.”

Gesturing, she continued, “Immortal souls are my bread and butter. Human, or animal souls, now they’re the golden tickets. But I take what I can get.”

“And it doesn’t bother you that they’re killing innocents?”

She laughed, looking at the others, then her gaze fell on me. “Innocents, immortals? No. I don’t know of any immortal who I’d call innocent. Do you?”

“Well, witches. Not all witches are evil.”

“Look, life, death, it’s a cycle. You die, your soul is taken. Eventually it’s reborn. But you’re young, righteous, and I won’t stand in your way. If I got involved in every immortal war, I’d reap no souls. So, you still want in? What’s your plan?”

“We want to find their base.”

She puckered her lips, nodding. “I see. And I’m guessing you’re not just going to give them a slap on the wrist?”

I smiled at her. “I want to blow it up.”

“Ah, the potential for a lot of souls. Are you proficient at making bombs?”

“Nope. But Austin will know.”

She slid off the desk. “I like you, Elsa. You’ve got a lot of potential. You shouldn’t be hanging around these losers! Why, all it takes to mesmerise them is a chick in heels, red lipstick, and leather to sway them.”

Lycaon cleared his throat. “Um, we’re right here.”

She shot him a snarl. “You’re not the worst, but you're close. Looking at me like that in front of the woman you love! Do better, wolfman.” She shot a wide smile. “The vampires, I can forgive. Still,” her gaze fell on me. “Tell you what, I’ll take you to the club and bring Austin. I can find out where their base is.” Shrugging she continued, “You get your bomb, tell me when and I’ll reap their souls. How’s that?”

I held out my hand. “Deal.”

16

THE TRAP

We met Jax later that night under the Georgian bridge in the city.

Double black doors were the only indication of a place, no signs, no neon lights. The only sign something was there was the two burly shifters in sharp suits and ear-pieces who stood nonchalantly outside the doors.

---