Bound to Kill

Darius

Pacing in my study with my new burner in hand, I wait for news from the hacker. I'm in hell. Not knowing if Lexi is hurt is the worst kind of torture. Running a hand through my hair, I listen to my lead enforcer.

“No other wolves are missing, Alpha," Neil confirms.

A relief. I stop pacing to address them. "While the hacker tracks Lexi's phone, we should find a witch to track her with the bracelet. Do any of you know a magic wielder?"

Their response is no surprise.

“No, Alpha!"

Cursing under my breath, I resume pacing. Although Cathy has an affinity for magic, tracking spells are beyond her scope.

"You could ask Lexi's Mum, Alpha," Amanda suggests. "Maybe Lakeside has a witch."

Nodding, I thank her. I need to tell Julia what's going on anyway.

Stan interrupts my thoughts. "Is the business trip postponed?"

"Of course," I snap. Regaining some semblance of control, I face my team and take charge. "Amanda and Neil, requestion the detainees.. Maybe I missed something."

"Yes, Alpha," they say.

"The rest of you, go hunt down a witch in case Lakeside can't help. We need a plan B if the hacker falls through."

"Yes, Alpha."

They file out of my office, leaving me to call Julia. She answers on the third ring.

"Hi, Darius."

My mouth is drier than the Sahara. I don't know the whole story, but this isn't the first time Lexi's been abducted. Now, I have to put this poor woman through it all over again.

"Hi, Julia. There's no easy way to say this. I hate to do it over the phone, but time is of the essence. It's Lexi—she's been abducted."

She gasps, then sobs. "No, not again. Not my baby!"

Feeling like an insensitive prick, I get her to focus. "Julia, we need to act fast. I'm sorry. I know it's difficult, but I need your help."

She inhales to gather herself. When she comes back, her voice is steady and determined. "What can I do to help? Who has her?"

"We believe a Fae has her."

"Oh, God!"

"She left behind a bracelet with a trace of blood. Do you have any magic wielders in Lakeside who could track her?"

"No. But I'll get everyone to ask around.," Julia replies. "I'll be in touch. Keep me posted."

"I will."

My burner pings as I end the call. Hope flares.

Hacker: I don't know how this is possible. I've traced her phone. She bounces across the globe. One minute, she's in Italy, the next, Ghana. Then, India to Mexico.

My stomach bottoms out. As I feared, Lexi is in the Faerie realm. And I have no way to get her back.

Darius: Let me know if her location stops jumping.

Alexa

Nausea hits as I'm spit from the portal. The room spins, making me hunch over to keep my balance.

Closing my eyes, I inhale, forcing the contents of my stomach to remain put. The air nips my nostrils and chills my lungs, indicating the temperature has dropped below zero. The bitter wind bites my skin like an army of parasites.

My eyes shoot open, and I gasp; a sea of white trees surrounds me. Crisp, undisturbed snow covers the path between the trees—blanketing my peep-toe stilettos—reaching just above my ankles. If not for my wolf sharing her heat, my feet would be too numb to move an inch further in this majestic winter wonderland. It won't last forever, though. In this form, I need winter warmers.

A flake of snow lands on my arm, the flesh there already covered in goosebumps. I shiver as an icy breeze flows through the high slit in my dress, making me wish I hadn't gone commando tonight.

My gaze lands on my abductor.

"Welcome to the Winter Court," he says, flashing a mouthful of perfectly white teeth.

Faerie realm? Fuck my life!

Scouring my memory, I try to recall everything I know about the Fae. Summer Court belongs to the Seelie, and Winter Court belongs to the Unseelie. I can't eat or drink anything—I'll have to remain here indefinitely. Never thank Fae or accept gifts—I'll owe a favour. Time moves differently in this realm—one hour here could be a day back home. Names hold power—I should give an alias. Fae can't lie—at least not directly. They can't break a promise, and they're big on being polite—I need to tone my sass down.

Internally, I'm freaking out. My pulse races and my stomach is so twisted I may soil myself. The only reason I'm not sweating is 'cause it's colder than a polar bear's toenail.

Hiding my inner struggle, I breathe evenly, faking ease I damn sure don't feel.

"Kind of you to invite me, but I'm not dressed for the weather."

Puffs of breath hover in front of my face, heating my lips a tad.

My enemy smiles, his eyes crinkling with amusement. Unlike me, he's wearing boots, insulated pants, a black duffle and a nice pair of gloves.

"I can take care of that," he claims.

Suddenly, I wear winter attire—the immediate heat makes my skin tingle. I wear a cotton base layer with a one-piece snowsuit on top. Boots and gloves finish the ski look.

Relieved, I remind myself not to thank him—offering a polite nod instead.

Appearing unfazed by his display of magic, I cut to the chase. "Why am I here?"

"Walk with me?" He phrases it like a question. I'm under no illusion I have a choice.

Walking by his side, I keep the hoard of questions on my tongue to myself for now. I can't show how rattled I am.

Glancing back, I watch our footsteps disappear, leaving the fluffy snow undisturbed. This place is a trip.

Upon exiting the treeline, my eyes widen as we approach a shed-like structure, where a small figure with blood dripping from his hat chops a larger body into bite-sized pieces. Blood soaks into the snow, the only spark of colour I've seen in this frozen land. Gulping, I drag my eyes away before the redcap catches me staring.

The Unseelie breaks the silence. "You're here cos Theo placed a hit on Darius, and by default, you, since you'd hunt his killer to the ends of the earth."

He's not wrong. My wolf goes berserk over the threat on our mate.

Theo followed through and sent another assassin even after I threatened him with the Supernatural Council. That means he's desperate and has nothing to lose. Fuck!

"That still doesn't explain why I'm here. Why not just kill us at the restaurant?"

Bemused, he arches a brow. "Theo mentioned you have something on him and the SEB. I'm interested in finding out what that is."

I'm interested in staying alive. I'm not telling you shit. Testing the waters, I say, "Return me to my world, and we'll talk."

The Fae stops walking to give me a look that chills my bones more than this weather ever could. I fight back a shudder. I'm at the bottom of the food chain in this realm. The realisation is humbling and terrifying.

"Why would I do that? I'm enjoying your company." He turns and continues walking. "Come, I'll show you where you'll be staying."

Oh, hell no!

I try to reach my mate. D, can you hear me?

Of course, he can't. We're in separate realms. All I get is buzzing.

"Come!" the Fae bellows, noticing I'm not following.

Goddammit! I hurry to catch up.

A row of houses comes into view after we cross a bridge. What steals my attention is the troll and ogre fighting to the death near an ice sculpture of the Unseelie beside me. My stomach churns as their disgusting odour hits me—like trash left too long. I hold my breath and pray the scent doesn't permanently reside in my nose.

We reach tall black gates, which open when the Fae enters a security code. My eyebrows rise as I take in his massive home—not as big as the packhouse but no less impressive. Three storeys tall, with white bricks that shimmer with frost. The inside is just as magical. Every scent here seems more potent than in my world. His home smells like wild forests and exotic flowers.

He leads me down a hall with mahogany hardwood floors and a fluffy grey runner. Abstract artwork fills the walls. One painting draws me in. Without thought, I reach out to touch it.

"Would you like something to drink?"

His question snaps me out of a hypnotic state. I shake my head to clear the fuzz, then back up and avert my eyes from the weird-ass painting.

My wolf growls. No food. No drink.

I'm aware. "No. I don't drink. Or eat."

"Smart girl." He winks, clearly impressed that I know Surviving Fae 101. "Come."

We enter a sitting room with two grey corner sofas facing a large fireplace. I sink into the one on the left, feeling it magically adjust to my shape, offering maximum comfort. I bite back a purr.

Afraid to fall into another trance, I shuffle forward, leaving the smallest part of my ass on the sofa's edge.

Knowing he can't lie, I ask, "Did you tell Theo you would kill Darius?"

The Unseelie gives me that unsettling smile again. "Don't worry, Alexa. I'm very skilful with my words."

That isn't vague or worrisome, and he knows my name. Perfect.

"What should I call you? Unseelie is a mouthful."

He pauses to think. "How about Dave?"

Snorting, I shake my head. "Nah, you're not a Dave. How about Leslie?"

"I see what you did, Unseelie Leslie. That works." He smirks. "Now, tell me what you have on the SEB."

Remaining silent, I study him.

"I didn't bring you here to hurt you, Alexa. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't be breathing. I only want to know what you have on the SEB." His piercing blue eyes burn into me.

Ask him why, my wolf demands. He can't lie.

"Why?"

Leslie sighs. "Fine, I'll share first. Theo and I met ten years ago at the SEB academy. He was always a little odd."

No surprise there.

"When we graduated, he charmed the right people and quickly moved up the ranks."

I look at him dubiously. "Charmed? Agent Laughs-a-naught?"

The Fae grins. "He can be charming when it suits him."

I'd narrow my eyes, but that would be impolite.

"The higher he rose, the more dangerous he became. As Lord Acton once said, absolute power corrupts absolutely." He shakes his head. "The power gave him a god complex. He's a bonafide sociopath."

Who you telling?

"Last month, Theo sent me out on a job to take out a dark mage. I travelled to Poland, found my target and was about to make the hit. Then, I saw my mark use elemental power to heal a sick child. That's when I realised Theo lied."

My eyebrows reach my hairline. "Say more."

Leslie leans forward, elbows resting on his knees. "I discovered he's a powerful druid who pissed Theo off two years prior because he couldn't bring a woman back from the dead."

My jaw drops, head spinning as I put two and two together. "Kayleigh Higgins?"

Leslie nods. "Druids have healing and restoration abilities. Some have successfully resurrected the recently deceased. Kayleigh was dead too long—there was no way to return her soul."

"Rather than be reborn, she'd be reanimated."

"Exactly! So, the druid refused. He's not a necromancer—his magic comes from nature—life magic. Druids maintain balance. They are pure."

"So, Theo hired you to assassinate the druid in retribution," I state. My jaw ticks, and my teeth grind. "Why haven't you gone to his superior?"

He shrugs. "I don't know who I can trust. Many of them are his puppets at this point."

It's not only Darius and his dad who have suffered at the hands of the SEB. A wave of dizziness hits as the depth of corruption truly sinks in.

"Can you get close to Theo? Take him out?" I ask, hating the desperate plea in my voice.

Leslie doesn't hesitate. "Of course. But he's only the tip of the iceberg. We need to take down the whole organisation."

I find myself nodding. That's an idea I can get behind.

"That's why I need to know what you have on them. Is it enough to bring them down?"

Unease stirs inside me as I begin to doubt his motive. Fae are master manipulators. Tricksters.

"How do I know you aren't corrupt?" He can't lie, but that doesn't mean he's telling the whole truth.

Leslie nods as if impressed by my suspicion of him. He sits back on the sofa, crossing a leg over his knee.

Looking directly into my eyes, he says, "I am not a corrupt Agent. I am not working with or for Theo."

Assessing his words, I try to work out if he's tricking me. Indecision wars inside me. "I don't trust you! You already told me you are skilful with your words."

His answering smile is unnerving. "As you shouldn't. Never trust a Fae." He winks as if we share an inside joke.

I almost roll my eyes, but that would be impolite. Instead, I remain silent.

"Look, Alexa, I don't blame you for your mistrust. I'm an assassin who threatened your mate and abducted you."

Now it's my turn to smile.

My wolf speaks to me in warning. Don't sass him! Remember the list! If I have to eat him, we'll be stuck here forever! Be POLITE!

I try to fight it. I really do. But Leslie laying it out like that is too much.

"Oh? Here I thought you assumed abduction was the baseline for a trusting partnership. What gave it away, hmm?"

Dammit, human!

What? I toned it down.

Feeling my wolf's exasperation, I'm surprised she doesn't cuss me out. We both wait for the Fae's wrath.

Instead, he looks amused. He barks out a laugh. "You've got balls, kid! I think we're gonna be great friends."

Maybe the Fae aren't as vengeful as people say?

Wrong.

Not a breath later, Leslie sweeps me up in a sphere of magic and proceeds to spin me around and around, chastising me for my bad manners. It reminds me of a game humans play, where numbered balls rotate inside a globe, and then get called when released.

After an undetermined amount of time in the magical spin of death, the Fae releases me. I half expect him to call out "unlucky for some, number 13", cos I'm sure as shit cursed.

Crawling on all fours, I make it to the bin just in time to chuck up the lovely meal Darius bought me.

My wolf seizes the opportunity to knock me while I'm down. I told you to be polite.

Zip it! I growl.

After five minutes, the room stops tilting. My stomach returns to its default position. The dry heaves cease, but I'm not sure I'm in the safe zone. So I remain sitting beside the bin.

My eyes narrow on the Fae I'm about to chow down on. I hope Lucifer reserved a special place in hell for him.

Leslie sits in the same place, arms spread wide, unaffected by my death stare. "Have we learned our lesson?"

I'm about to let loose an onslaught of cuss words when my wolf gives me pause.

Human! Do you want another spin in the vertical merry-go-round, or are you ready to play nice?

The threat of a repeat knocks the wind from my sails. I close my eyes and meditate.

I will not kill a Fae today!

I will not kill a Fae today!

I will not kill a Fae today!

Throughout my mantra, various scenes of all the fun ways I could kill him play out in my mind. My favourite is hanging him by the balls while beating him with an iron flail. I sigh, feeling less murdery.

Huh! Meditating does work.

Reopening my eyes, I look at Leslie and give my sweetest smile. "Yes, I've learned my lesson."

He grins like the Cheshire cat. "Good! Now, shall we cook up a plan to topple the SEB?"

"Certainly," I agree.

"Splendid!"

Theo

My cell vibrates, interrupting the Lakers game.

Unknown: Nice work with Lexi. With her missing, it'll make destroying Darius much easier.

The fuck?

Theo: Missing?

Unknown: Oh shit! It wasn't you who abducted her? Someone did us a solid, then. The ambush is off. I'll let you know when I have an update.

My blood boils as though I'm standing in an inferno.

"I fucking ordered the Fae to assassinate Darius, not kidnap his pain-in-the-ass mate," I yell, seething. "Never trust a Fae!"

I send him a text.

Theo: What the fuck are you playing at? Do the fucking job I hired you for, or you won't get a damn cent.

Pouring another rum, I wait for his response.

Fae Assassin: Relax, I know what I'm doing!

Theo: Please, enlighten me.

The little shit leaves me on read. My lip curls as I spit nails.

Theo: I don't give a flying fuck what you do to the girl, but you have twenty-four hours to kill the Alpha. If I don't have proof of death by then, the next hit I order will be on you.

My glass shatters in my hand as I lose control of my magic. Fuck!

Panting, I calm to control the violent energy in me.

Why is it so damn hard to take out Darius?