Wicked Road to Hel (League of Guardians 1)

Fear clutched at him. Where the hell was she? Last thing he remembered was lying beneath Ana, her fangs distended, and then she . . .

A growl escaped as he cursed a flurry of words. She’d drunk from him until he’d passed out.

But why?

Declan grabbed his clothes and quickly threw on jeans, shirt, and boots. He was down the stairs and swore when he saw the last fading rays of sun filtering in from the stained glass on either side of the front door.

Christ, he’d been out for nearly twenty-four hours. Panicked, his long legs ate up the distance to the back kitchen in no time. Everyone was there. He could smell them.

Everyone except Ana.

“Where the hell is she?” He stalked over to Nico and swung his gaze toward a stranger. He was tall, lean—a werewolf—one of Ransome’s.

“Ah been waiting on you,” the wolf said, his words a slow Louisiana drawl. “Got a message from Ransome.”

Ana was in trouble. He could feel it.

A wave of dizziness washed over him and he grunted with the effort it took to stay on his feet. He hissed, “Why didn’t you get me?” His question was directed at Nico.

“I tried.” He shrugged. “You were dead to the world.” Nico’s face darkened as he frowned. “She drained you near dead, though it was a nice touch—leaving a gallon of blood.”

His hand snaked out and he slammed the werewolf against the wall. “Where is she?”

The werewolf growled and the air around them shimmered as his animal shifted beneath his skin.

“He can’t answer if you’re fucking choking him,” Nico hissed.

Declan slowly let his hands fall and the werewolf moved away, his hands rubbing his neck. “I was ordered by my alpha to give you a message—no one else—if he didn’t return.”

“Where are they?” Declan roared.

“They’ve gone to English Turn.”

“Where the hell is that?” Declan rasped, glancing at Nico as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. At least she’d not planned another trip below.

“It’s across the river.” The werewolf paused, his face strained. “He said he was going with your Ana to pay a visit to the vampire council, but they should have been back this morning.”

“What possible reason would she have . . .” His voice trailed off as his mind worked overtime. Seth.

Kaden started for the door, Daniel on his heels. “We have to go after her.”

“You will do no such thing.” Cale entered the kitchen, and behind him, Samael. “I’m here to take the kids back to The Pines. They’ll be safe until Bill makes contact and we can figure out what to do with them.” He paused. “Where is the girl?”

“Upstairs.” Nico nodded. “With the necromancer.”

“I’m not going, not until Ana’s safe.” Kaden glared at Declan.

“Don’t worry about Ana, I’ll bring her back.” Declan’s eyes met Cale’s. The tall Seraph nodded.

“I will see you soon.” Cale turned to the teen boys. “Let’s go.” They started to protest but he silenced them with a wave of his hand. “Now.” His tone brooked no argument though Kaden’s angry glare shot bullets at his back.

“Take care of my necromancer, brother. I’ve unfinished business with her, but for the moment”—Samael glanced at Declan—“I’m otherwise occupied.”

“You’re not coming?” Cale arched a brow.

“Can you not handle the children?” The sarcasm was hard to miss.

“No worries there. I didn’t lose them, you did.”