Lycan on the Edge: Broken Heart Book 13 (16 page)

dealing with the Alberich, but we want you to

draw Ena out.”

Meckenzie studied the witch’s face. “You’re

being kind. I’m sure Patsy phrased it differently.

This isn’t my decision, is it?”

“No.”

“Hoo-kay then. I suppose I owe Broken Heart

that much.” She shoved the covers back and got out

of bed. She had a woozy moment then the world

righted, and she took a couple tentative steps.

“Are you all right?” asked Lenette.

“Oh, yeah. I’ve felt worse, believe me.”

“You’ve dealt with being poisoned before?”

“No, but I’ve done my share of tequila shots.”

Lenette laughed. Then she held out her arm, and

even though it made Meckenzie feel like a
sissy la-

la
, she took it. They hadn’t even crossed the room

when Ren appeared in the doorway, his expression

zipping from worried to furious.

“What are you doing?” He strode inside,

shoved a paper bag at Lenette, and then scooped

Meckenzie into his arms. “You are not well. You

cannot leave the bed until you are fully rested.”

“Um, you’re not the boss of me,” Meckenzie

said. “Queen Patsy is. Besides, I screwed up your

little haven. It’s only right I try to help fix it.”

“Ren,” said Lenette, her tone sympathetic. “We

don’t have time. You must take her to the location

now.”

“Yeah,” Meckenzie said. “And I don’t need to

be coddled.” However, she liked the feel of his

arms around her, how warm and safe he made her

feel. But so what? Even if Meckenzie survived the

encounter with Ena, she and Ren were not ever

going to be anything to each other. She had never

been the get-married-have-kids-live-normal-lives

type. Having your only family murdered, your

mom’s soul trapped by an evil witch, and getting

yourself turned into said witch’s minion made

those kinds of dreams impossible.

Though, she found it disconcerting that she

could imagine being with Ren as … well, her

forever guy.

“What are you waiting for, vampire boy? If

you’re going to set the trap, you need to put the bait

in it.”

He nodded, and before she realized what was

happening, gold sparkles filled the air. She felt like

she was being pulled from the inside out, and then

she heard a sucking noise.

Oh, hey, darkness. Again.

SOPHIE AND TRENT had changed clothes. In the

black cargo pants, T-shirt, and boots, she looked

the part of a warrior.

But she still didn’t feel like one.

“It’s all right,” said Trent, grasping her

shoulder. The warm pressure of his hand calmed

her jitters, and she offered him a smile of thanks.

Now, they were hunkered down behind a stone

crypt watching as super-powerful beings threw

rocks and sticks and designer shoes at a seven-

foot-tall green, warty giant who stomped around

like a toddler in a temper tantrum. Their combined

efforts to keep him distracted were working for the

moment, but Sophie knew her and Trent needed to

go in there and stop the Alberich once and for all.

But all she could think was: We’re all going to die.

Trent’s hand found hers. They twined fingers,

and Sophie felt the anxiety and fear melt from her.

“We’re okay,” he said.

Sophie took a deep breath to settle her mind.

She looked at him, taking in the now golden brown

of his irises as he hovered on the edge of turning.

“I guess you better give me the short version of

how to operate our Wonder Twin powers.”

“You just need to get close enough to make

contact with the beast. It might take a few times of

you hitting him, but keep doing it until he drops.

The Alberich will drain your energy, and he’ll

probably hurt you. But I’ll be there, Sophie. I’ll

take your pain and heal your wounds, so you can

bring the big bastard down. Trust me.” He

squeezed her hand.

“I do,” Sophie said, surprised that she meant it.

Impulsively, she kissed him, enjoying the mild

shock of tension in his mouth right before he

wrapped her close to him; his fingers curved

around the back of her neck as he deepened the

kiss. It ended too soon by Sophie’s estimation,

thanks to a small truck being tossed over their

heads. Huh. The vampires were getting desperate.

Sophie smiled at Trent, still breathless. “Okay.

I’m ready now.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

JESSICA AND PATRICK headed the charge

through the cemetery. Sophie and Trent followed

close behind, and behind them another four

vampires. Trent’s worry for Sophie tripled as she

stumbled. She righted herself and continued, but he

saw her expression. She was terrified.

But she wasn’t letting that fear stop her.

The body of the werewolf, however, did.

She nearly tumbled over the large brown wolf.

The egregious wounds dripped with blood and

thick green pus. Her shocked gaze met Trent’s, and

he grabbed her arm and forced her forward. “Keep

going.”

He was dismayed to see other bodies and a

few piles of ash that had once been vampires. The

Alberich was taking its toll.

“We follow Jessica,” said Trent. “When she

gets his attention, run through his legs and tag his

calf. Do not stay there. If you don’t keep moving,

he can step on you or swipe you.

“He has the sword,” she said, her voice

shaking.

He wanted to hide her away. He didn’t wish to

lose someone he loved, and yes, he loved her, to

the Alberich again. But if he and Sophie couldn’t

face up to this difficult task, the entire town would

perish. He wasn’t sure he could live with either

option. The choice had to be hers.

“Do you want to run?” he asked her.

Her lower lip trembled, but she shook her

head. “No. No, I don’t.”

“Then have faith in yourself. In us.” Trent took

her by the shoulders. “Remember, Sophie, you took

down one of these all on your own. You are a

goddess.” He kissed her hard and then let her go.

“You’ve got this. Run!”

His heart nearly beat out of his chest as he

watched Sophie dodge around the paranormals

doing their best to fight the grotesque giant. Trent

allowed Sophie enough room to maneuver but

stayed close enough to get to her when she went

down. Even though she’d accidentally defeated the

Alberich in the Oregon forest, she didn’t remember

much about that attack. He feared the intense pain

would flatten her. Touching an Alberich would be

like touching lightning.

Pride swelled when Sophie darted between the

giant’s legs and slapped the back of his right calf

with both hands. That pride turned to horror as she

was flung backward, her cry of agony piercing his

heart.

The Alberich roared and went down to one

knee. The paranormals closed in throwing,

literally, everything they had at the Alberich.

It seemed like it took an eternity to get to

Sophie. Trent helped her to her feet, but she

immediately turned and vomited. She wiped her

mouth with the back of her shirtsleeve. “Sorry.”

“You did great.” God, she looked wan, almost

ashen. Terror made him want to grab her and take

flight. He didn’t mean to risk her safety. He wanted

her alive. He needed her alive.

I love you, Sophie. Why hadn’t he told her

earlier? He would take her pain, no matter the cost.

“Here.” He pressed his fingertips against her

temples and absorbed every ounce of her suffering.

It felt like acid boiled in his veins, but he didn’t let

go until he’d given every bit of healing he could to

Sophie.

He staggered back, clenching his teeth as his

eyes rained gold onto his face, his arms. The

squiggles of magic absorbed into his skin, and

finally, he was able to take a breath.

“Go,” he said, his gaze meeting Sophie’s.

“Let’s finish this.”

MECKENZIE STILL SHOOK from the explosion

of her molecules. Goddamn. She did not want to do

that shit again. On the upside, she was still in the

buff arms of a certain loup de sang. The man

smelled good.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“In the basement of a burned-out convenience

store. It’s about five miles out of town—far enough

away to protect our citizens.”

“So, it’s just you and me?”

“Everyone is needed to keep the Alberich

occupied. We will be enough to stop one witch.”

He looked at me his gaze filled with regret. “I’m

sorry that I thought you were faking the illness.”

“Don't apologize,” she said. “That’s a tactic I

would’ve used.”

He allowed one corner of his mouth to curl up.

He lay her down gently on the cool stone floor, but

before he could move his arms away, she grabbed

him and hauled him forward. Surprise was on her

side, and he fell on top of Meckenzie with a

startled umph.

“What are you doing?” he asked. He made no

move to leave. Instead, he adjusted himself so that

he wasn’t squishing her so much. “What do you

want?”

“You,” she said, cupping his face.

She could see all the doubts he had about her,

about what was unfolding between them. She

didn’t want to see that distrust and know that she

deserved it, and worse.

“Kiss me,” she murmured. “Chances are Ena

will kill me, and then you’ll have missed your shot

at these lips. So, stop thinking and kiss me, Ren.”

Desire flared in that golden gaze, burning away

all those other pesky emotions. He looked at her,

just looked, and that sensual appraisal started a

trembling in her belly. He leaned down, a teeny

tiny bit, and parted his lips. Her heartbeat tripled,

and the air in her lungs evaporated.

Then that bitch Ena blew up the damned room.

Ren covered Meckenzie and protected her from

the debris of the mangled ceiling. Dust thickened

the air, and the sounds of falling boards and bricks

echoed in the silence.

“Are you o—” Ren was yanked off her, and

thrown against the wall Growling, he jumped to his

feet, growling and made a leap for Ena. A rope of

black electric magic pushed against his middle like

a giant fist and pinned him to the floor. His gaze

sought hers, and he yelled, “Meckenzie!” Then his

voice was cut off. She watched his neck muscles

strain as he fought against the magic. Her heart

dove to her toes as panic did the cha-cha up her

spine.

She rolled up to her elbows, but before she

could even think about getting up and trying to kick

some butt, Ena’s face appeared above hers. She

shrank down.

Her eyes narrowed with rage. “You’re a pain

in the ass, Meckenzie.” She punched Meckenzie

hard, and Meckenzie felt blinding pain. “Did you

forget our bargain?”

“I fulfilled my end,” she wheezed. She ended

her comment with a coughing fit. Inhaling blown-

up wall bits was not good for the ole vocal chords.

She was still feeling groggy, but she was aware

enough to know both she and Ren were sitting

ducks.

“I want my revenge!” Ena screamed. “Your

mother’s soul hangs in the balance, Meckenzie.”

The witch grabbed her by the throat and jerked her

upright. Her fingers squeezed hard, her sharp nails

digging into Meckenzie’s flesh. “If you fail me

again, I will send dear, darling mommy into the