Wicked Road to Hel (League of Guardians 1)

“You there?” Nico’s rasp sliced through loudly. Declan heard wailing guitars and heavy bass in the background. He shook his head. The jaguar had developed a fondness for the heavier side of rock.

“Yeah, what’d you find out?”

“I managed to snag myself a demon, one with a huge chip on his shoulder. It didn’t take much to get him to talk.”

Ana and Kaden moved closer.

“He give up the goods?”

“Not the end game if that’s what you mean but he did have some interesting information.” The loud music in the background suddenly disappeared as if Nico had enclosed himself in a small room.

“And that would be?” he prompted.

“He said everyone was after a scrawny kid and that he was one of a list of seven.”

Declan glanced at Kaden as Nico’s words sank in. He didn’t like the look Ana and the boy exchanged.

“I didn’t get any names, though I was able to confirm that the vampire has taken him to New Orleans.” There was a slight pause and some noise. He thought he heard Nico curse. “He wouldn’t tell me why they wanted him.”

“I know why,” Kaden said.

“Not now!” Ana hissed.

“Who the hell was that?” Nico asked.

Declan glanced at Kaden for several long moments before he answered. “How fast can you get to New Orleans?”

“I can be there tomorrow. What the hell have you done now?” Nico sounded exasperated.

“I’ll explain when you get here.”

“For Christ sakes, Declan, the last time you said that, Bill had our asses guarding purgatory for months. What part of going fucking insane do you not remember?”

Declan snorted. “And here I thought we bonded in purgatory. I’ll see you tomorrow. Meet me at the Voodoo Lounge on Decatur.” Declan snapped his device closed and grinned as Nico’s foul rant was cut short. The jaguar was pissed but he’d get over it. Eventually.

“Care to explain?” His manner changed abruptly as he raised an eyebrow. Kaden stared back at him, his face set, and remained silent. Declan turned to Ana. “I thought you said you had no idea why they wanted him.”

Ana hesitated, and the burn beneath his skin flashed hot. The air around him vibrated and the energy wasn’t all sunshine and roses. He was done playing games.

“If you expect me to lay my ass on the line for you, you’d better tell me everything.” He tossed a dark look Kaden’s way. “Or I’m outta here and I’m taking magick boy with me.”

She hissed at him, her fangs fully extended once more as she moved in front of the now-protesting teenager.

The sight of her at the ready, willing to fight for a child, did all sorts of screwed-up things to him. She’d never looked more fiercely passionate—more alive.

His insides lurched and his fingers itched as a bolt of power slid through him unexpectedly. He shook his head and knew he was fast losing control.

“Don’t threaten me, Declan,” she hissed, “because I sure as hell won’t play nice.”

He arched an eyebrow and moved closer. “Is that a promise?”

r /> Her eyes were now fully black—the woman was about to lose it, big-time.

“I have the mark,” Kaden blurted.

Silence followed his words. “The mark?” Kaden had Declan’s full attention.

“Bill said it was the mark of seven and I’m the fifth.”