September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)

Willow kept me talking as I drove. From Shya to Jez, I vented out my thoughts and fears while he nodded and encouraged me to continue. I knew what he was doing, but the therapeutic moment was cleansing, and I needed that.

When we pulled up in front of a small but quaint church, I was in a better mood, ready to tackle the task set before me. I got out of the car with a spring to my step. I didn’t know what the hell I was looking for, but I was going to do my best.

I fell into step beside Willow, eagerly approaching the little church. “I can’t help but feel this is all some kind of ruse,” he said. “Having us all run around the city without a real goal seems like a good way to keep us all busy.”

“Agreed.” I nodded. “I’ve had a similar thought myself.”

I strode up the front step and waited for Willow to open the door from inside. He disappeared, a moment later tugging the door open. When I saw how easy it had been for him to access the place, I assumed there was nothing there to find. Of course, maybe that’s what someone wanted us to think.

I went to cross the threshold, and the demon mark on my forearm burst into flames. A heavy force jerked me from my feet, throwing me clear off the church’s front step. I hit the ground hard and rolled with a shriek. The flames went out, leaving my arm raw and aching. I took a deep breath and shook the hair out of my eyes. What the fuck?

“Are you hurt?” Willow helped me up, grabbing hold of me so he could scrutinize the black dragon. “Your arm seems fine.”

“I don’t think I’m hurt. Much. What the hell was that?” I stared at the church door, which slowly swung shut with an ominous thump before examining the scraped flesh on my elbow. I’d left my leather jacket in the car. Hitting the concrete walkway that hard, wearing just jeans and a tank top, friggin’ hurt.

Willow shook his head and swore. “That was what Shya took your hair and blood for. A curse. He really doesn’t want you finding this thing first.”

“That motherfucker,” I seethed. “I’m fed up with that bastard demon dictating where I can and cannot go. Who the fuck does he think he is? I can’t take this shit anymore. I’m done with it.” While I ranted and raved, Willow stood quietly by, waiting for me to get it out of my system. His silence seemed to fire me up even more. “You know what? I’ve got to do something. He can’t get away with this.” I stormed back to the car spewing obscenities. My mind raced, concocting a hasty plan. I was done with Shya pulling my strings.

“It’s just a run of the mill demon curse, Alexa. It’s not permanent. Don’t let it get you so worked up. It’s a waste of energy.” Like always, Willow was the voice of reason.

“I can’t let him get away with this anymore. It’s got to stop. I’m going to go see him.”

“No.” Willow was just suddenly in front of me, shutting the car door as I pulled it open. “Running straight to him in a rage could be exactly what he wants. There is not a damn thing you can do until the scroll makes an appearance. Until then, it’s best if you stay away from Shya.”

“But, I—” My protests died as he shook his head. The need for vengeance was all consuming, demanding to be answered. Yet I knew Willow was right.

“He will come for you eventually. There is no need to rush that moment. Everything happens in its own time. Trust me.”

I fell quiet, accepting his wisdom as sound despite the anger boiling over inside me. Willow knew what he was talking about. Demons were still new to me, and I didn’t think I’d ever truly understand them.

I focused on taking several slow, deep breaths. The fall air was cool and crisp. After a minute I felt better, calm and even refreshed.

“Ok,” I said with a nod. “I trust your judgment. I’m just at the end of my rope with this.”

“I get that. Really, I do.” Willow stepped away from the car. A mischievous smile graced his lips. “But since we can’t do anything here, why don’t we go for a drink? It looks like you could use one. Or five.”

“A drink? Are you kidding me?”

I got into the car, pausing to check my phone for messages. Nothing. Arys and Jenner were probably still at the Kiss getting drunk on blood, and other things. I couldn’t search anything on holy ground, apparently, so I was now back to square one.

“Let’s go to Woody’s and shoot some pool. You can let off some steam, then we’ll track down the others and come up with a new plan.”

I couldn’t come up with a better idea. And a drink sounded pretty damn good to me. “You win.”

Woody’s Pub was a little hole in the wall that gave the illusion of an abandoned building from the outside. Willow had taken me there the first night we met. It was strange to think that he’d known me before that night. A warmth spread through me as we walked inside. I was grateful to have a friend like him.