“Stay calm and focused. Of all of us, you have the best chance of putting the fear in these guys. You were born to do this kind of thing.” The hug Arys pulled me into was warm and over much too quickly. He put me at arm’s length, as if he didn’t trust himself to be closer.
A shout from the doorman had us all braced and alert. I slid the Dragon Claw from its sheath before Linden strode through the front entry with four henchmen in tow. I’d expected more.
Pausing in the doorway, he surveyed the quick reparations that had been made since his stunt here last night before looking at each of us in turn. Jenner stood ready with power lighting up his clenched fists. With an air of casual disinterest, Jez held the stolen crossbow in one hand, bolt in the other. It was rare that I saw her truly afraid of anyone. Sloane hung back, behind the rest of us, but I felt her tap her power. The room buzzed with the force of Harley’s bloodline. How any one vampire could spawn so many impressive creatures was beyond me. Where did it all come from?
Linden strode through the crowd with a relaxed gait. He held no visible weapons nor did he possess any great metaphysical power. The confidence oozing from him was unsettling. His dark stare fixed on me. Whatever he was thinking, he did a good job of hiding it. I couldn’t hear his thoughts.
He stopped several feet away, keeping a safe distance as he looked me over. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Alexa. You’re nothing like how I imagined. I’m pleasantly surprised.”
“I’m afraid I can’t say the same.” My response was ice cold. The only thing stopping me from setting the bastard on fire was Shaz. I needed to know he was alive.
“I’m sure you’d like to know how the white wolf is doing. He’s surviving. And he’ll walk away alive if you make the right decision.” There was grim amusement on Linden’s face when he appraised the dagger in my hand. “Pretty blade you’ve got there.”
“Thank you.” I tightened my grip on the black jade handle. “Would you like a closer look?”
Linden chuckled, a self-satisfied sound that tested my nerves. “We both know you’re not going to use that. Not if you want to see your wolf again, which I assume you do. So let’s talk business.” He spared a glance for Arys and Jenner. “Nice to see you boys again.”
“No armed attack tonight, Linden?” Jenner spoke up. “Did you lose too many crew members f**king up my club?”
Linden clapped his hands together once before spreading them wide in a gesture of not giving a f**k. “I’m not here for you tonight, Jenner. Though seeing as you escaped the sun, we apparently do have unfinished business to settle. You,” he continued, pointing at me. “I’m here for you.”
I steeled myself, ready for ludicrous demands. “Because I killed Harley.”
“Because you put a hole in my business. You owe me.” It was so cut and dry according to Linden. “I assume you’re willing to do what it takes to keep your wolf alive. Are you willing to take his place?”
I laughed. Excitement gripped me as my borrowed power guided my actions. I took a few steps toward Linden, just enough to make his lackeys bristle. “I’m willing to consider letting you walk out of here and carry on your business. After you bring Shaz to me.” I caressed the flat part of the dagger blade with a palm. It hummed with a melody only I could hear. It couldn’t wait to taste Linden.
Arys was a silent shadow at my side. If he disagreed with my choice of response, he didn’t let on. Smart man.
“I see.” Linden nodded knowingly. “You think you have leverage here merely because you’re the most powerful one in the room. Power comes in many forms. I have it too. Just like I have your wolf. So you can make a choice. Surrender or fight.”
I pretended to consider my options. Linden gave the impression that he always got what he wanted. I would have believed it if one of his guys hadn’t been thinking very ugly thoughts about him. Someone in Linden’s camp didn’t enjoy his role in Linden’s successes.
Casting a glance around at Arys and Jez, I found them both awaiting my lead. They trusted me to make the right call. It was a lot of pressure. I had to follow my instinct.
Shaz would never have wanted me to give in to demands. I twirled the Dragon Claw in my right hand and held a flaming psi ball in the other. The flames were a nice touch. I hadn’t meant to do that.
“Well, Linden, I think we’re going to have to fight.”
He nodded his dark head as if he’d expected as much. “Kill me, and you’ll never find the wolf. At least, you won’t find him alive.”
I was done talking. I let the psi ball fly, aiming not for Linden but for the big vampire to his left. It exploded against his chest, and he went down beating at the flames.
We all sprang into motion. Linden rushed to meet me. Drawing a gun, he aimed it at my head but never had a chance to shoot before I kicked it out of his grasp. He swung a heavy fist, and I was quick to avoid it.