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

“I’m sorry,” I whispered to the purple-haired werewolf holding the mike, noticing for the first time the Doghead pack tattoo on her neck. “Can I use that for just a second? I need to say something.”


She handed it over and backed away to allow me to take center stage. The music died, and everyone present turned to gawk at me. Public speaking was not my forte. However, I forged ahead, needing to do this.

“Sorry to interrupt,” I said, cringing inwardly as my voice boomed through the club. “I just wanted to say something to the vampires here. I’m aware that many of you are questioning my intentions. Please know that rumors of a dictatorship in this city are completely unfounded. Neither Arys nor I have any interest in such a thing.”

I paused, scanning the crowd, meeting several sets of vampire eyes. Good. They were listening. But did they believe me?

Taking a deep breath, I continued, “My interests lie in protecting this city and protecting the secret we all keep. Anyone who seeks to rebel against that is rebelling against themselves. I will not hesitate to take out anyone who tries to harm me or those close to me. You can all decide for yourselves what kind of a city you want to dwell in. The rebels offer you mayhem and anarchy, which will only bring down the wrath of the FPA. I offer you what you see here, a safe place to be what you are without repercussion. Make your choice.”

I handed the mike back to the wolf, gave her a shaky smile, and exited the stage. My legs felt like jelly. I had just issued a challenge to the vampires of the city. I hoped they made the right decision.

“That was ballsy,” Willow commented when I reached him. He nodded approvingly. “Simple but to the point. I liked it.”

“It felt necessary. I’m done with vampire bullshit, and I want them to know.”

Willow’s lips quirked in a silly, tequila-fueled grin. “Yes, but do your vampires know that?”

I leaned against the bar with arms crossed. Thinking about both Arys and Kale as my vampires felt weird. And I kind of liked it. “Good question. I sure hope you’re not including Jenner in that.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.”

I rolled my eyes at the liquored up angel and checked my phone. There were text messages from Shaz letting me know he was having no luck and from Jez whining about me appointing Kale as her babysitter.

While Willow drank and the vampires prowled, I stood there lost in thought. Racking my brain for answers, I dug deep, knowing there must be something we were all missing.

The scroll was tied to Lilah’s abandoned throne. She couldn’t be the only one who knew its whereabouts. Or did she even know at all?

Something struck me then. A memory of the night I found her searching Veryl’s office. I’d been cleaning out my office, done with the building we had used to hold meetings, discuss hunts with Veryl, and take private kill clients. Lilah had come in and asked me if I’d taken anything from Veryl’s office.

“Willow.” I grabbed his arm, startling him and causing him to spill. “I think I know where to look. Or maybe I don’t, but we have to try. Come on.”

I didn’t wait for him to finish his drinks before making a beeline for the door. This was probably just another misleading step in this wild goose chase, but it was a lead worth following.

For the first time since my last face off with Lilah, I was starting to feel like I might have a chance. It had been quite some time since I’d visited the old office building Veryl had leased. Once the lease ran out, we wouldn’t have access to it. I had to do this now.

As we drove through the city, I chattered nonstop to Willow, telling him about the night I saw Lilah there. “I asked her if something was missing. She said that it wasn’t missing but hidden. I’m starting to think that Veryl knew something about the scroll, maybe he even had it. What else would she be looking for?”

“This thing had better be worth finding. Considering how many people are looking for it. Maybe the joke is on all of us, and there’s nothing to find at all.” Willow stared out the window, watching the street fly by.

“No way.” I shook my head vehemently. “I’ve dealt with too much crap to have it be some elusive unholy grail. It’s out there, and we are finding it first.”

The building was dark when we arrived. I wondered when anyone had last been there. The door swung open with an ominous groan. I flicked on a light, not because I needed it but because it gave me a sense of false comfort. Everything looked as we’d left it.

The kitchen was missing the aroma of fresh coffee and Chinese takeout. I half expected to find Lena in there making a cup of tea. A pang of guilt and regret stabbed me, and my breath caught.

“This was where you worked with Kale and Jez? The residual energy here is strong. It’s very complex. Joyful but violent too. Even a bit melancholy.” Willow surveyed the kitchen before returning to the foyer.