Witch Infernal (Infernal Hunt Book 3) (17 page)

"Ice wolves are an ancient and wild breed. Only the strongest of the old Nordic bloodlines managed to tame them. Those that did forged loyalty of a depth that was unheard of elsewhere. They haven't been seen in over a century, perhaps longer." He flicked a page. "Their magic is unique to them and absolutely fascinating. Their ability to use the network and collect the ice energies from thousands of miles away is just astounding. If I could capture one and see how exactly it worked
,
I could make major breakthroughs in other areas."
 

"Focus
,
Kadrix,” Elise said sweetly.

He huffed and continued. "Only an old and powerful Nordic witch can control a wolf, so it stands to reason that that is what we're looking for. The dead witch mentioned an Icelandic witch
,
did he not?"

"You could have a little tact
,
Kadrix,” I replied.
 

Lysander nuzzled my neck as I remembered the mess that been left once the celestial had finished with Lucien. Kadrix made some hand gesture at me. I glared at him. Elise cleared her throat to bring everyone back on track.
 

"Yes. Lucien made mention of an Icelandic witch,” I said.

"Well that gives me something to look into, once I've finished with this celestial puzzle. If you could capture one of those, I have a cage out back that would hold it. I'd only really need twenty-four hours,” Kadrix said idly.

We all glared at him.
 

"You're welcome to stuff Zair into that cage,” Elise said.

He grinned at her. "I'll see what I can do next time he appears."

"I don't want to know what you'll do to him do I?" I asked.

His grin only widened.
 

Kadrix and the others were soon lost to their books as they discussed the inner workings of celestials, or something along those lines. I slipped outside with Lysander. Emotions swirled within me
.
I needed to clear my head and deal with a few things. We stood outside in the pale sunlight, leaning against the cool stone as we looked around the square. The grand building opposite us bustled with people. I wasn't entirely sure why. Lysander's lips brushed my cheek, his breath hot against my skin.
 

"I'm scared
,
Evelyn."

I ran my fingers over his collar, the smooth metal a reminder of his place with me. He leaned into me, his hands on my waist as his strong chest began to press me back against the wall. His breath caught in his throat, lust warred with fear between us as his mouth crept closer to mine.
 

"I'll keep you safe,” I whispered.
 

His eyes softened, yet he paused, his lips barely millimeters from mine. The decision was mine. I dug my fingers into his hair and grazed my teeth over his bottom lip
.
He was a beast. I kissed him tenderly, barely a kiss as our lips caressed each other’s. He was an infernal hound. He kissed me harder, caution slipping away. He was a marrok. I pulled him tight against me. His heart beat against mine, his mouth opened just enough for me to explore with my tongue. Our kiss was fierce. Passionate. Fueled by lust. I pulled back slowly. No, there was more than lust there. His eyes met mine. Far more than lust.
 

Panic began to thread its way through me. I couldn't do it. It was just the bond. A wrinkle formed between his eyebrows, the corners of his mouth tugged downwards. Pain started to unfurl in his chest. Against my best judgement I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close, breathing in the scent of hot metal and petrichor. Like it or not, he was my hound. His rich blue eyes danced with promises of deep pleasures. Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing being bound to him. He relaxed and nuzzled my neck.
 

“What if it’s my old master
,
Evelyn?"

I stroked his hair and nuzzled against him. "Then we'll face him together. We dealt with the others
,
didn't we?"

He took a long deep breath, his muscles flexed and tensed before they relaxed once more.
 

"We did,” he admitted.
 

Light kisses fluttered down my jawline. I stole a glance over his shoulder to see a pair of young women watching raptly, passing hushed comments between them.
 

"I've waited a long time for this,” he murmured.
 

I kissed his cheek and waited for him to continue.
 

"Freedom. Love,” he whispered.

A shiver ran down my spine. Panic threatened to well up once more. His tender touches soothed the edges away. I'd sooner take on demons than love.
 

"Do you deny it, Evelyn?"

A playful smirk sat on his lips, challenging me. I shook my head and looked away. He kissed my temple.
 

"You have all the time in the world."

His hands slid down to my hips, but he eased away from me, giving me a little breathing room. I was disappointed, but Quin soon snapped my mind back to its proper place.
 

"Kadrix has figured out how to trap the celestials,” Quin said.

Thirty-Five

Kadrix was scribbling down in one of his many notebooks when we walked in. Lysander kept his arm around my waist; the warmth of his happiness brought a smile to my face. A smile that Elise smirked at.
 

"Quin said you'd made progress
,
Kadrix."
 

The elf looked up at me. "Hm? Oh. The celestials. Yes, yes. I have created a net, to put it in simple terms.” I glared at him. "That will stop him from being able to teleport away."

"And how do we use this net?" I asked.

He blinked and looked at Quin with a look of mild confusion. "You throw it at him..."

I sighed and bit my tongue. He didn't mean to be a condescending asshole, it was just part of who he was. I smiled as sweetly as I could muster.
 

"Can I see this net?"

He held up a small golden ball. I raised an eyebrow.
 

"That's a rather odd-looking net."

He pursed his lips and muttered something under his breath. Quin coughed trying to hide laughter. My temper was fraying.
 

"It's not a net in the traditional sense. It's an energy net. Throw the ball at him, or close to him, and it'll activate,” Quin said.
 

I gave a small nod. "Now we just need to find him. I assume we can kill celestials in the usual manner?"

Kadrix's mouth dropped open a little
,
his tongue twisting around some unspoken words before he said, "I have a dagger, an infernal dagger."
 

His eyes flitted to Lysander.

"What wrong with this dagger?" I asked.

"It's made from the bones of a hellhound…” he said quietly, refusing to look at me or my hound.

Lysander's hand tightened on my waist.
 

"Such is life,” I said. "And there's only one? Can he be harmed with our usual weapons?"
 

"Yes, but it'll be far easier with the dagger. Oh yes, only one."

I looked to Quin
,
trying to decide who would be better with it. He smiled and handed me a delicate black dagger, with a leather hilt.
 

"It's more your style."
 

Lysander tensed against me. I stroked the back of his hand trying to soothe him while Quin tucked the dagger away in a sheath for me. We were prepared; we just needed to find the damn thing now.

The others were soon lost in their own worlds again, flitting through books and poking at potions.
 

I took Lysander to the far side of the workshop and said in quiet tones, "Would you rather I didn't use this dagger?"

He took a long breath. "No. We do what we must. The hound can't be brought back now."

I stroked the side of his face, trying to smooth away the worry that caught around his eyes and tugged at his mouth.
 

"Do not fear
,
dear hound, I will keep you safe."

His eyes met mine and he relinquished a smile. "I trust you
,
mistress."

Quin's phone rang. The colour faded from his face before he tried to calm whomever was on the other end.
 

"We'll be there in five minutes,” he said, hanging up the phone. To us, he added gravely, "The celestial has another pack hostage.”

I quickly put the infernal dagger around my thigh and we took off out the door. At least the celestial had shown up and saved us from trekking around the city after it.
 

Felix and a number of his pack were standing at the edge of the short grass by Klarov road. Cars meandered by
,
entirely oblivious to the situation going on next to them. Stately hotels and homes stood on the far side of the grassy area, no doubt far too expensive for my pocket with their pristine pale facades and proximity to the castle. The celestial stood tall and proud, his broad shoulders pushed back and his muscles relaxed as he held a rather pissed off looking man at his side.
 

The celestial, with a manic grin and mussed pale blond hair
,
held strong eye-contact with Felix before he said, "This is your wife's lover, how does it feel that she couldn't stand to be in your bed? You filthy abomination."

Quin had the net; he had the better throwing arm. Lysander remained close at my side as we slowly approached Felix while Quin casually circled around behind the celestial. Elise and Kadrix took up positions on the other side of him. The celestial tore his eyes from Felix and fixed that cold stare on me, his eyes barely darker than arctic ice.
 

"Another abomination, this is my lucky day."

I sniffed. "I'll have you know that I am rather well-bred."

Quin edged a little closer, his head down and his pace relaxed as though he were taking a casual stroll. The celestial's lips pulled back showing perfect white teeth before he laughed.
 

"You are a filthy mudblood. You're worse than that mutt there."

He gestured at Felix. I took a few steps closer and looked entirely bored with his bullshit.
 

"I don't know where you got your information, but you're wrong."

Felix's men began spreading out, closing in around the celestial. His eyes remained fixed on me. His mouth tightened and his head tilted to one side.
 

"You're not aware of the shame you bring
,
are you?"

"I suppose that depends on how we define shame, and to whom I'm bringing it."

I took another couple of steps closer. Quin was almost ready.
 

He tossed aside the man he'd claimed was Felix's wife's lover. The man stumbled but caught himself; dark purple bruises lay around his throat. The celestial took a few steps towards me
.
Quin was almost there.
 

"You've even embraced half of your heritage with that infernal beast you proudly flaunt."

Lysander snarled; his fire rippled below the surface. My own threatened to engulf my hands. I forced a smile onto my face and gave a little shrug.
 

"What can I say, I like predatory men."

One of Felix's men flashed me a smirk
.
I kept my expression smug and focused on the celestial.
 

"You could have been so much more, if you'd just have purged that filth from your blood."

I shook my head and sighed melodramatically. "Sweetheart, you really need to get a better informant. You have me all wrong."

He laughed, a wicked hyena cackle that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Quin threw the net. It struck the back of the celestial's calves and exploded in a blinding gold-white light. The celestial shimmered for a moment before he pivoted and glared at Quin.
 

"Abomination. You dare trap me."

Quin pursed his lips and said, "Really, with the abomination shit again?"

I pulled the dagger. Elise gave a short nod. Felix grinned and raised his hand just enough to catch his men’s eye.