Dalton looked at Kara for a long moment and then nodded. “Well said.” He looked back at Jewel. “My mate and I have an idea concerning the healer that is … currently located within the vampire compound. We believe that Jewel and Kara’s witch powers could potentially be of some use in that regard.”

  “Witch powers?” Aphid’s back straightened, and his black eyes narrowed as he glanced back and forth between the two females.

  “So you haven’t heard the joke about the five gypsy healers who walk into the forest and come out as wheelers?” Kara couldn’t keep the smirk from her face. She had been through hell and back and then done it again. Even so, she refused to let her ordeals change her. And a big part of Kara was her sense of humor. Would she still have moments when she fell apart? Of course. Who the hell wouldn’t? But inside, she was still the same snarky woman she’d been before surviving her living nightmares.

  “Um, what’s a wheeler?” Tassi’s voice was slow and unsure. Kara imagined the capable fae warrior rarely felt anything less than full confidence, but now she appeared slightly anxious.

  “A gypsy healer with witch powers, of course,” Jewel said. “Witch plus gypsy healer equals wheeler. Simple math, really.”

  Kara’s head tilted slightly as she frowned. “You seriously haven’t heard about the five of us? Volcan? Peri’s deranged sister? None of this is ringing a bell?”

  Tassi’s head jerked to the side, looking a little wolfish in her movements as her eyes bounced back and forth from Kara to Jewel. A few moments went by, then she spoke slowly, as if choosing each word carefully. “Rumors from all realms, including the human world, continually circulate. For ages upon ages, impossible stories have reached our ears. Rarely do they have any validity.”

  Kara looked thoughtful. “So you simply ignored them?”

  “You realize that some myths are founded in truth, don’t you?” Jewel added.

  “Perhaps.” Aphid shifted in his seat. He, too, looked between Kara and Jewel. “But that doesn’t mean we fae should hunt down the sources of these rumors to determine which are true and which are entirely fabricated, especially when they are supposedly happening in other realms. We are not…” His eyes raised to the ceiling, and he appeared to be searching for the right word. “Supernatural dicks, as you humans say.”

  Kara was lucky she wasn’t drinking coffee, or she would have spit it all over the fae. She coughed. “Um, what are you talking about? No human says that.”

  “He means a private investigator,” Jewel said quickly. “Private investigators and police detectives were often called dicks, mostly in the late 1800s, though the practice still continues to this day, but primarily only in fictional characterizations, such as in noir crime novels. The origin of the term is unclear. Some believe it comes from the ancient Romani word ‘dik,’ which means ‘to watch’ or ‘to see,’ though some argue the term is based upon a legendary fictional detective from Scotland called Dick Donovan, who was the protagonist of many crime novels in the late 1800s.”

  Kara couldn’t help but feel a wave of joy wash over her, and she knew a goofy grin was probably on her face. Kara could survive many evils, no matter how terrible. The world could fall down around her, and she would survive. But a world in which Jewel doesn’t spout random facts at the most inopportune times simply wasn’t a world Kara wanted to live in.

  Aphid cleared his throat. “Yes, that. We are not the private … investigators of the supernatural world. And further, some rumors are too far-fetched to believe. Gypsy healers that possess witch magic are not…” He frowned and seemed to think. Kara wanted to tell him to stop because it appeared the process was painful. “The witches were eradicated. And there hasn’t been a healer for many years. I believe the last one, a female called Rachel, went missing with her mate.”

  Kara rolled her eyes. “Um … no. Everything you just said was incorrect.”

  Jewel took a deep breath and then let it out. “I don’t mean for this to sound rude, but when exactly was the last time you two left the fae realm?”

  The two fae leaned back at the same time. Tassi’s eyes dropped to her lap while Aphid brushed off invisible lent from his sleeve. “Our assignment for the past millennium has been in the fae realm.” Tassi stilled her fidgeting and looked at Jewel. “Today is the first time we’ve been in the human realm since being given that assignment.”

  Jewel’s eyes went wide. “You haven't been outside the fae realm in a thousand years?”

  Aphid shrugged and opened his palms. “Yeah, give or take a few decades.”

  Tassi looked to the ceiling. “No, no, wait. That’s not true.” She turned to Aphid. “We journeyed to the draheim realm once, remember? I think it was sometime around 1450.”

  “Oh, that’s right. Our services were required to put down the youngling rebellion. A pity. So many young draheim lives wasted.”

  Dalton cleared his throat. “Can we try to stay on task here?”

  “But not since then, no,” Tassi said. “I don’t believe we’ve left the fae realm.”

  Kara rubbed her hands back and forth down her thighs while she looked at the two fae warriors. “Okay, well, to make things easy, just assume everything, and I mean everything, that you’ve heard is true.”

  “Because it probably is,” Jewel added. “At least everything you’ve heard recently. I can’t speak to what was going on more than a few years ago.”

  Nick looked pointedly at the fae pair. “Without a doubt, absolutely true.”

  “You can’t make this stuff up.” Dalton huffed and rubbed a large hand across his face.

  Tassi nodded. “We will continue operating on the assumption that recent rumors, however unbelievable though they may sound to our ears, are true.”

  “Any questions before we keep moving forward with the non-plan that we have so far?” Nick gave Kara’s hair a gentle tug—a reprimand for her sassiness. He likes it. She nudged him with her shoulder.

  Aphid’s brow dipped. “I’m sure we will have questions. But if we are to accomplish the task Fane has set for us, then we need to make an actual plan.”

  “Back to my original statement,” Dalton inclined his head at his mate. “Jewel thinks that she and Kara can use their power to establish a mental bond with the healer. But that might take some time, and we need to ensure we’re covered and undetectable while they’re doing their thing.”

  “And what exactly is our thing?” Kara looked across at Jewel. She knew there was a bond between the five of them, but she didn’t know if that extended to other healers. Though Kara knew Sally, and she had previously met Rachel, she didn’t feel the closeness to those two that she felt for Jewel, Heather, Anna, and Stella.

  Jewel inched forward until she sat on the edge of the couch cushion, all her attention focused on Kara as if they were the only two in the room. “We five share the same blood.”

  “Volcan,” Kara said softly, remembering the high fae that had given them his blood, forever changing their genetic makeup.

  Jewel nodded. “And we’ve experienced what can happen when all five of us use our power and that magic together.”

  Kara thought back to the time in the forest when they’d gone up against Volcan. “Do I need to remind you that the last time we used our power together, you sort of died?”

  Dalton growled, and Jewel winced, scrunching up her face.

  “You died?” Aphid’s eyes widened. “Yet here you sit.”

  “Remember, everything you’ve heard is true,” Nick said.

  Jewel waved the fae’s question away. “It’s a long, unnecessary story. The point is, we don’t know the extent of our powers. We haven’t tried experimenting, at least I haven’t. Have you?” She looked at Kara in earnest.

  Kara’s stomach bottomed out, hitting the ground like a ton of bricks. Her mouth dried, and she found it very difficult to swallow.

  “Breathe, sweetheart.” Nick’s voice murmured in her mind. She felt his hand rubbing up and down her back. “You’re here with me, yeah? Always, with me.”

  She grabbed onto his words like a lifeline, refusing to let the sea of memories drag her down. She wouldn’t let what happened with Ludcarab dictate the present or her future. Taking a deep breath, she met Jewel’s eyes. “I used my power, but not on purpose. I didn’t even remember it until I had some help from some elves and a fae. Alston put supernatural bracelets on me that suppressed my witch power. But then Ember, a fae who helped me, removed the bracelets, and I was able to access that power again.” Kara closed her eyes briefly as she remembered the three elves—Dyna, Coya and Reena—who’d helped her, as well. “I used it when I killed Ludcarab. But it was dark magic. I didn’t even think about it. It was just there, though that’s not what killed Ludcarab. Ember gave me the ability to do that.”

  “I imagine it was more than just Ember giving you the ability.” Jewel looked Kara in the eyes. “You were strong. You were the one that had to use the power the fae gave you.

  “You were with me, Jewel.” Kara smiled. “Just five minutes more. I repeated that to myself.”

  Jewel’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I’m thankful you kept going. Minute by minute you held on.”

  Jewel must have been able to see the pain in her eyes, and Kara knew she’d been through her own hell at the hands of Volcan. If anyone could understand what she’d been through it would be Jewel.

  “She is Kara Luisa.” Nick’s voice filled with awe as he ran a finger down her cheek. “It means—”

  “Beloved renowned warrior,” Aphid finished for her mate.

  Kara felt her cheeks heat with a blush as she remembered the name Ember had given to her. “I don’t know about that, but I am thankful I held on. I’ve no doubt that I went through that for a reason, and not just her.” She placed a hand on her stomach. “The Great Luna made it clear that we never endure things just because. There is always a purpose. Maybe this is part of that purpose.”

  “So if you tapped into the dark witch magic,” Aphid spoke up, “does that mean the witch power you have now is no longer light?”

  Nick shook his head before she could even respond. “I would know. I would feel it through our bond.”

  Kara took a minute to really consider Aphid’s question. She looked for the magic inside of her that Peri had managed to change from dark to light. She didn’t feel anything dark. All she saw was the bond between her and Nick, the bond that linked them both to their child and the witch magic that seemed to swirl around all of the bonds. It looked like glowing strands constantly dancing around the other bonds, as if it was protecting them. She looked at Nick and smiled, then addressed Aphid. “No. The magic is light. There’s no darkness in it.”

  “So what does all of this mean?” Dalton looked at Jewel as he rested a hand on the back of her neck. “Since Kara used her witch power on her own, do you think that you two, without the other three healers, can utilize your power to contact the healer Cain has?”

  Kara shrugged. “We won’t know until we try.”

  “Why don’t you and Kara work on that”—Nick pointed between them and then motioned to him, Aphid, and Dalton—“and we will go check out this government compound and get the lay of the land.”

  Dalton nodded. “Agree.”

  “Okay.” Kara took a breath and ran her hands down her thighs. “You guys do your thing, and we will do ours.”

  Nick stood and pulled her up beside him. He tugged her off to the side and took her face in his hands. His thumbs rubbed back and forth on her cheeks as he looked down at her. She could feel his conflicting emotions about leaving her but also needing to check out the safety of where they’d be going.

  “I’m going to be fine.” She reassured him through their bond. This would be the first time they’d been separated since he’d brought her home. She wasn’t going to lie and say she was totally comfortable with it, but it was necessary.

  He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. A firm, possessive kiss that she’d come to love. Nick didn’t just kiss her to show her affection. He kissed her to remind her that she was his and he was hers. Every time their lips touched, she felt every ounce of his emotions through their bond, and she reveled in it. He didn’t take it deeper, no doubt because they were in a room with others, but he did linger just a little longer than was probably considered appropriate. When he pulled back, he smiled and ran a finger across her lips. “I’ve no doubt you will be fine, yeah?”

  “Yeah.” She smiled back.

  “If you please?” Aphid held out an arm to Nick and Dalton.

  Nick ran his hand down Kara’s forearm, took her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. He didn’t let go until he was forced to by the distance to reach the fae. With one last look, he winked, and then the males were gone.

  “Do you have any idea what we should try to do?” Kara looked at Jewel.

  “Maybe getting in touch with Peri would be a good place to start?”

  Kara thought about it and then shook her head. “This is a healer thing. I think we should call the one that we know is the most powerful, even if she doesn’t have witch blood.”

  Jewel smiled. “Sally.”

  Kara nodded. “Exactly.”

  Chapter

  Seven

  “If you ever feel your problems are too great that the only answer is to give up, remember this: surrender doesn’t just affect you. People—the people you care about most—are counting on you. Giving up might solve your problems for you—but only for a moment. Every moment after, you will realize how wrong you were. When you see others suffer, you will understand that taking the easy way wasn’t actually easy at all. You’ve only made it harder on everyone else.” ~Decebel

  The hunting party jogged through the dark streets of New Orleans. Adam wrapped the shadows around them, not only to keep them from being seen by other supernaturals, but also to shield the enormous wolves from the prying eyes of humans. It wouldn’t do to have a mass panic because two gigantic beasts along with other supernatural beings running the streets of New Orleans. The city was used to the unexplainable, what with all the hauntings and the voodoo, but werewolves roaming the street in plain sight was likely a bridge too far, even for the most open-minded New Orleanian. There was a slight chill in the early spring air. Adam was thankful that his mate was a werewolf, and the cold wouldn’t bother her, though the idea of warming her up definitely had its appeal.

  “Focus, mate.” Crina constantly held his attention, and he loved to hear her voice murmuring in his mind.

  “I am focusing.” He sent her a grin through the bond, though the look of concentration on his face never wavered. “I’m focusing on the fine backside of the woman in front of me.” Adam felt her pleasure from his admiration through their bond. He loved that his mate was so playful. It wasn’t just the wolf in her, but Crina’s human side, as well. She was his perfect match.

  “You think the backside of my wolf is ‘fine’?” She gave him a mental eye roll. “That’s a little much, even for you.” Her paws on the pavement were just as silent as his own footsteps, her movements graceful despite her large form.

  “You’re beautiful in your fur, baby. But I should clarify that I’m focusing on my memory of your fine backside. I’m kinky, yes, but you’re right. Getting turned on by a wolf is a little too much.” He used the bond to send an image of his fingers running through her wolf’s pelt. In response, he felt her wolf’s pleasure at his touch.

  “If you get us killed because you couldn’t keep your imagination under control, I will have Jen beat you with one of your decayed leg bones.”

  He chuckled, keeping the sound low. “I’ve got too many plans for you. I’m not dying anytime soon.”

  “Could you two stop flirting and pay attention?” Decebel’s nose was lifted in the air, and he took several deep breaths.

  Note to self, don’t chuckle out loud while hunting vampires. Adam glanced at the beta. Since Decebel had returned from saying goodbye to his mate, there was a noticeable vibe flowing from the man, and it wasn’t a positive one. Adam could practically see Decebel’s aura framing his form in a black shadow. Not that Adam blamed the beta. Leaving Crina behind would suck wolf balls. He didn’t know if he’d be able to do it. It was doubly hard for Decebel, considering what he and Jen had been through. Adam could imagine he would want to take Crina far away from anything and anyone that could harm her so that his mate would have time to heal. And Adam knew it wasn’t only Jen that needed healing. Decebel’s eyes were even more haunted than his mate’s.

  Suddenly, Fane came to a stop, and the rest of them put on the brakes, as well. The nose of every Canis lupus went up. Adam looked over at Cyn, and she gave a slight nod. She, too, was using her magic to help shield them from other supernaturals that might be in the area.

  “Do you hear that?” Fane’s glowing eyes searched the surrounding buildings.

  Adam reached past the city noises, tuning out anything that didn’t seem important. Then he heard it. “It sounds like scurrying rodents … only bigger.” The sound was coming from within a derelict brick building directly in front of them. Suddenly, the sound stopped. A few moments later, it started again behind them.

  “Circle,” Fane snapped, and the group turned their backs to one another. They remained motionless, their eyes searching the darkness for any sign of movement.

  Adam snapped his fingers, and a short sword appeared in each hand. Crina glanced at him, and he winked at her. Did he need to snap? No. But he liked to show off for her. He enjoyed feeling her excitement through the bond when he did things that surprised her or gave her joy, even in the midst of danger, or maybe especially in the midst of danger.

  “Brace yourselves.” Fane growled so low that Adam was sure only their group could have heard him. His human hands now sported wolf's claws, and his mouth was full of sharp canines, bared for the threat coming their way.

  Decebel let his wolf take over. His eyesight became sharper, his sense of smell keener as he picked up the scent of urine, trash, putrid flesh, and blood. The hair on his skin rose, and he felt his wolf’s hackles rising, as well. He didn’t stop the subvocal growl that grew in his chest as he tilted his head from side to side, popping the bones in his neck. He was itching for a fight. No, not just a fight. Decebel wanted a battle. He wanted to bathe in the blood of his enemies and bring a trophy home to his mate to lay at her feet, an offering to show her he would vanquish any threat to her and their child. His mate needed help that he couldn’t give her. The battle she was waging was within, a war she kept hidden from everyone but him. And as much as he wanted to fight it for her, he couldn’t. So he would fight the war he could. Decebel would face the enemies he could get his hands on. His rage grew until it finally came out in a roar. “Show yourselves, you bloodsucking cowards!”