And he was close by. She could feel it.
Benny waved the four of them in, Nico, Declan, Ana, and Kaden. It was early Sunday evening, and the crowd was sparse. A blues band was jamming, the sad melodic tone of the female singer perfect. She was all kinds of smoky haze and secrets. Ana found her voice soothing and paused to listen. Declan stopped but she waved him on, and he followed Nico to the upper level. She felt the weight of his stare as he gazed down at her, but Ana kept her eyes focused on the singer and eventually Declan disappeared into Ransome’s office.
She needed a few minutes to be away from him. The past had come rushing back at her with the ferocity of a crazed bitch. Being here at the lounge did nothing to alleviate her stress. She could close her eyes and literally transport back in time. The smells and sounds were exactly the same. All that was missing was Jean-Charles.
“Glad to see you back.”
Asher stood less than a foot behind her. She chose to ignore the fact that the werewolf had just snuck up on her like she was a newbie operative. If she didn’t pull herself together she was going to end up on the wrong end of a stake. Again.
He took the last step until he was abreast of her, looked down his arrogant nose, and grinned. It was the kind of smile that was in abundance these days in the Big Easy. One that was pasted to his mouth but avoided his eyes altogether. The two shared a history that was bathed in blood, and the wolf’s animosity was returned tenfold.
“You’re full of crap,” she said, her eyes returning to the band as they slid into a new song.
The werewolf shrugged. “I thought I’d make an attempt to be polite but if we’re not posturing, if we’re truly showing our feelings . . .” He paused and she glanced up at him. “Well then, let’s try this again, shall we?” The tips of his teeth were visible, their sharp ends exaggerated as he spoke. “I’m so glad to see you back, Ana, though I’d like it much better if you were flat on the floor with a stake shoved through that cold bitch heart of yours.”
She smiled. “That’s much better, Asher.”
The two stood side by side for several more minutes. She knew the werewolf wanted something. There was no other reason for him to be there but she chose to ignore the obvious and instead opened herself up to the music. The hypnotic rhythm of the bass pulled at her and she wished she could close her eyes and get lost in the melody.
On the dance floor a couple slid against each other, their limbs entwined, their bodies touching. It was obvious they were lovers. They moved to the music, slowly swaying in a sensual display that left an ache inside Ana.
She turned abruptly. There was no sense thinking about such things. She’d never have what that couple had—she’d never belong to anyone. Ana glanced upstairs and sighed.
No matter how much she wanted it.
“Interesting company you’re keeping these days,” the wolf whispered as she stepped around him.
“Meaning?”
“A sorcerer? A shifter? Where does Ransome fit in all of this?”
“Why do you care?”
“I don’t give a shit about you, but Ransome is the head of my pack, and if anything happened to him—”
Ana laughed outright. “If Ransome bites it, you think you’re the one to step in and replace him as alpha?” The wolf’s face darkened and a growl sounded from deep in his chest. “Are you kidding?” she continued. “An alpha needs something that you don’t have.”
“And what would that be?” Asher’s mouth twitched into a grimace.
Ana pushed past him but stopped long enough to whisper, “Balls,” before heading toward the stairs. She smiled at the outraged curse that flew from the werewolf’s mouth. Asher LaPierre was a weak, selfish bastard who had not one shred of leadership in his entire body. The wolf was seriously delusional if he thought to challenge for alpha.
The office door was closed and Ana pushed it open without knocking. Kaden and Nico stood near the window. The view was nothing more than a brick wall, but they sure as hell seemed interested in something.
Declan followed the line of her gaze. “Kaden’s visualizing the charms Ransome has in place. He’s getting quite good at it. I think if given the time he’d be able to break them.”
“Where’s Ransome and the redhead?” She asked quickly. She wanted this business done.
Declan nodded toward another door located at the rear of the office. “He went to get her. He had her stashed at his place.”
Ana’s eyes narrowed. “Where is the bastard Seraph?”
“Cale hasn’t arrived yet. Apparently he had other business to attend to but will be here soon. Promise me you’ll play nice.” His answer was tight-lipped. “I know you don’t trust him but he’s an asset we need to utilize.”
The door opened and they turned as the werewolf strode into the room. At his side was the necromancer, Francesca. She was not happy, that was obvious. She grimaced as her gaze swept the room, and her face darkened even more. Her hands dangled at her side and Ana noted the iron bands that covered her wrists. The skin beneath was raw, chafed. They were an effective preventive to using the dark arts, and with the woman in question, much needed.
The redhead was a powerful necromancer, especially for someone so young. The ghouls she’d raised and sent after Kaden were out of the ordinary. They’d been strong, fast, and vicious. She’d been feeding from something dark and there was no way she could be trusted.
Ransome stopped and nodded toward a leather chair in front of his desk.