Bound to Kill

Alexa

It’s toasty now that I’m not trekking through Faes’ Artic. I slip out of the snowsuit, leaving on the simple black pants and long-sleeve top underlayer.

The look Leslie gives as I make him wait is priceless. A small payback for the hellish spin fiasco. Am I petty? Damn straight.

Parking my ass back on the edge of the magical sofa, I try my luck again. “My mate is going to be losing his shit. Darius is still in danger. I need you to take me back, then I’ll tell you everything.”

“You don’t leave until I have the information I seek,” he says. An angry vein on his head pulses.

Darkness seems to descend on the room—a heavy weight of despair: suffocating, drowning and consuming me. Seconds later, it’s gone, leaving me gasping for breath.

Wheezing, I look at the Unseelie. “What the f—”

Manners, human. My wolf cuts me off.

I try again. “What was that?”

“Unseelie have a darkness. Sometimes, anger makes it lash out.” He shrugs as though it’s no biggie.

Wide-eyed, I stare at him, waiting for the apology that must be due any second. I get nothing but a clear reminder I’m no longer the scariest bitch in the room.

Not quite ready to trust him, but shit out of luck, I inhale and ask for some assurances. “I need to hear you are genuinely going against the SEB and Theo. That you won’t ever hurt me or Darius and that you’ll take me home after I give you the information. I can’t stay here.”

Leslie pauses in thought, leaving me holding my breath. He leans forward and says, “I promise I’m on your side. I’ll never harm you or your mate. I intend to take down Theo and the Supernatural Enforcers Bureau.”

“And?”

He smiles. “I promise to take you home after hearing what you have on them.

Happiness and relief flood me. “That’s all I need to hear.”

Darius

It’s been forty-eight hours since Lexi was taken from me, and I haven’t slept any of them. The longest two days of my existence. No one can find a witch willing to help. All detainees have been interrogated non-stop by my enforcers, yet we’re no closer to finding the rat.

There’s a possibility the traitor isn’t one of the suspects. Maybe someone overheard the bait meeting. But who?

Groaning, I drop into my office chair, elbows on the desk and eyes pressed into the heel of my palms. The throbbing in my head won’t quit, mimicking the beat of my aching heart.

For the hundredth time, I try to link Lexi. Each time, I get white noise.

“Goddammit!” I swing my open palm across my desk, swiping the red mug of hot coffee with force. It crashes into the wall, leaving a dark splatter on the wall. The shape oddly resembles Lexi.

Breathing heavily, fists tight and knuckles white, I open my office window and jump, shredding my clothes mid-air and landing as my wolf. After a howl of grief and longing, I run toward the trees, hoping this breather will provoke a new idea.

Back at the packhouse an hour later, I throw on sweats, then call my Beta and enforcers to my study.

“Any word from Lakeside?” Amanda asks.

“Not yet.” I scratch my chin; the growth there is longer than usual. “I’ve decided to release the suspects.”

“What? Why?” Stan asks with a puzzled look.

“Keeping them confined is getting us nowhere. It’s time to change tack.” My team nods in agreement. “I want eyes on them at all times. Where do they go? Who are they meeting with? Be discreet and report anything suspicious.”

“Yes, Alpha,” they say.

Neil assigns enforcers to each detainee while I check in with the hacker.

Darius: Update?

Hacker: Her location is still jumping. A minute ago, she appeared to be in Japan. Now, Australia. Is it magic?

Darius: Yes. Lexi’s in the Fae realm, another plane of existence that shifts constantly.

Hacker: Jaysus! How do we get her back?

Darius: I have five suspects—one may be in contact with Theo. Can you hack their phones and intercept correspondence?

Hacker: Sure, send their numbers.

Darius: Thanks.

I send him the numbers, update my team, then release the suspects.

Two days later, I skip showering and stomp to my office. I’m sleep-deprived, running on empty. Lexi has been gone for four days. My mood worsens each one. Like a rubberband stretched to capacity, I’m ready to snap at any moment.

Since release, none of the suspects have done anything remotely suspicious, and the hacker has nothing to report other than confirm Lexi’s location continues to jump.

Lexi told me to find her, and I’m failing. I relax my jaw before I grind my teeth to nubs.

Grabbing my laptop, I search for the next flight to LA. I may not be able to follow Lexi to the Fae realm, but I can torture Theo until he calls off his sick plan. As I’m about to click buy, my phone rings.

”Hello, Julia. I still don’t h—”

“Darius,” she interrupts. “I found a half-Fae who can take us to the Faerie realm.”

“Thank the Fates.” For the first time in days, I breathe a little easier.

”He’s not powerful enough to open a portal.” My heart sinks. “But says there’s an access point in Paris.”

I pump a fist in the air. “Thank you, Julia. I’ll prepare an extraction team and book the first flight.”

”I’m the Lakeside Alpha now. It’s time for an alliance. I can bring warriors so you don’t leave Shadow Creek defenceless.”

The only thing that could make this day better is having Lexi in my arms.

“Well done, Julia. Bring ten of your best, and I’ll bring ten of mine. I’ll text you the flight details.”

“See you soon,” she says before hanging up.

Some good news at last. I amend my flight booking from LA to Paris and buy twenty-two tickets. We have ten hours to wait, but I’m one step closer to finding my little wolf.

The tension in my body eases. The dark cloud of dread in the pit of my stomach remains, but not quite as heavy.

After showering, I dress and call an urgent pack meeting. My wolves are gathered in the assembly hall five minutes later.

”Julia is the new Lakeside Alpha. They are now our allies.” Their surprise is audible—Lakeside have long been our enemies. ”She secured us passage to the Faerie realm. I need ten warriors to assist.”

An immediate buzz fills the room. Although we haven’t had time to hold an official Luna ceremony, Lexi filled the role since the feral hybrid attack. She’s one of us, and my packmates thirst for the Fae’s blood as much as I do. The volunteers are plentiful, leaving many disappointed when they don’t make my selection.

To lessen the blow, I remind them Theo is still a threat. “We need fighters to remain here to protect our territory and our most vulnerable. Theo could show up at any time.” Their annoyance at being left behind dissipates. “Report any issues to the Beta. Extraction team, prepare what you need. We leave for the airport in eight hours.”

Everyone responds, “Yes, Alpha.”

“Remember, time moves differently in the Faerie realm. Don’t panic if we are away longer than expected.”

I dismiss my wolves. Only the Beta and I remain.

“You won’t be able to reach me when I enter the Fae realm. Reach out to Lakeside if Theo attacks.”

“Understood! Go get our Luna.” She smiles.

For the first time in four days, I smile, too. “I will. No matter what it takes.”

Two SUVs follow me to the airport. With my Beta running things in my absence, I’ve brought my other best tracker, Adrian. Stan sits beside him in the back of my car—under orders to keep eyes on Adrian.

“What’s the plan when we land?” Adrian asks, breaking the silence.

I spare a look in my rearview. “Julia will brief us in the departure lounge.”

The rest of the drive is spent with Stan and Adrian catching up. I zone out.

Once parked at the airport, we check in, go through security, and then meet with Lakeside in departures.

I express my gratitude. “Thank you all for joining the extraction team. Shadow Creek is thrilled to have Lakeside as our ally.”

After brief introductions, Julia briefs us on her contact. ”I’ve been instructed to call the half-Fae, Perez. Due to his human side, he can only enter the Faerie realm via a gateway. There’s one near his home.” She continues. “Transport has been arranged to take us to his residence, where he will warn us of the dangers we face before guiding us to the gateway.”

”Boarding call for British Airways Flight BA6541 to Charles de Gaulle Airport. Passengers, please make your way to Gate 16.”

We grab our carry-ons and board. Settled in my seat, I close my eyes and finally drift off, knowing I’m one step closer to my mate.

I wake to the pilot announcing we've landed. Although the flight was short, I'm rejuvenated after my power nap. A stretch limo takes us to our destination.

Perez greets us and dives straight in. “Our gateway is the Mona Lisa. We’ll visit my armoury, then head to the Louvre.”

Stan’s jaw hits the floor. “Did you just say the Mona Lisa painting is an access point to Faerie land?”

“Why yes, da Vinci was a powerful Fae. Many paintings are gateways to other worlds.” He swivels his hand and spins theatrically. “Follow me.”

“Other worlds? How many other worlds are there?” Stan calls—dragging Adrian—chasing Perez down a flight of stairs.

Shaking my head, I smile and follow.

We enter a medieval-looking armoury with every weapon and armour imaginable. Perez stands in the middle, hands clasped behind his back. “Fae are not welcoming to outsiders. Be prepared for conflict, but avoid spilling blood if possible.” He walks to the right side of the room and points to the weapons hanging on the wall. “That said, it’s a dangerous world. Your wolves may be powerful, but they can’t kill Fae. For that, you need iron. Choose your weapon wisely.”

Everyone selects a weapon they’re most comfortable with.

“Look at this beauty,” Stay says while admiring a lethal sword. “I shall name her Sheardre, cutter of heads.”

The room fills with laughter and chatter. Nothing excites wolves more than the prospect of battle.

I grab a dagger and a sword, sheathing the former on my leg and the latter on my back.

“Listen carefully.” The chatter dies as Perez takes centre stage. “Do not eat or drink. Do not thank or accept gifts. And do not give your real name.” Everyone nods. “I can get you in, but finding your packmate is up to you.”

“That won’t be a problem,” I assure him. As soon as we enter the Fae realm, the bond will lead me to Lexi.

”Very well. Let’s go.”

We make our way to the museum.

I’m coming, little wolf.

Theo

Four days ago, the Fae betrayed me. I went to my superior to get authorisation on a hit—the Fae is one of our best Agents, so I need the best assassin to take him out—my request was denied. Or at least it was until I threatened to expose his extramarital activities.

I smile, thrilled with my decision to take my chief to a brothel a few years ago. He’s been my puppet ever since.

The key to staying on top is having leverage over my supposed superiors. There are only three people I answer to. My chief, the Deputy Director and the Director. I have dirt on two. Still working on the third.

Now that I have authorisation to use our vamp-witch hybrid, I drive to our usual meet spot, arriving five minutes early like always. Once parked, my cell pings.

Informant: Darius secured passage to the Faerie realm. He’s on his way to the airport, headed to Paris.

Theo: Noted.

As I slip my cell into my pocket, the hybrid teleports on my passenger seat.

“Change of plan; you’re headed to Paris instead of Scotland. Here are your marks.” I hand him the file. “Follow Darius to the Faerie realm, let him lead you to the other marks, then eliminate all three.”

He takes a brief look at the file. “Understood.”