Destined (War of the Covens 2)

“What?”

She smiled almost arrogantly. “It’s a portal. To the Center.”

“And when do we leave?” Lucien asked quietly.

“I’ll give you a week to arrange a suitable situation for the pack.”

He nodded and looked ready to ask another question when Marion cleared her throat, appearing uncomfortable. “There is something else.”

The hair on the back of Caia’s neck rose in warning. “Yes?”

But Marion was looking at Lucien.

“My sister has become aware that Jaeden Rodriguez is breaking coven laws.”

A snarl erupted from Lucien’s throat, his entire body tense with shock and anger. “I doubt that very much.”

The witch looked saddened. “Jaeden has been killing rogue vampyres.” She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Lucien. He snatched it from her. “She’s been living with a group of vampyres and hunting with them.”

Caia felt herself shaking. “What does this mean?”

“Usually imprisonment. But considering the circumstances, Marita has agreed to let Ryder retrieve her and bring her back to the pack.”

“She’s getting off on a warning?” Relief moved through Caia.

Marion nodded, and Caia felt the tension drain out of Lucien. He grunted and tucked the paper in the back pocket of his jeans.

“I’ll call Ryder immediately.”

3

Find and Retrieve

Ryder cuffed the hands-free around his ear and pressed speed dial one.

Three rings rang out before … “Lucien.”

“You and Caia ready to hit the road?” he asked without preamble.

Lucien exhaled down the line. “Bored already, Ryder?”

Ryder grinned, his eyes darting to the rearview mirror at the sound of sirens. The flash of light could be seen weaving between cars in the distance, and he pulled over to get out of the way. “Hey, do not get me started.”

“I thought—[ne naw ne naw ne naw]—already.”

“You’ll have to repeat that, man. Police sirens just drowned out what I’m guessing is an irritating observation on my progress in this ‘rescue Jaeden from herself’ project you got me heading up.”

Lucien snorted. “I was just wondering what was taking so long.”

“I left three days ago.”

“And?”

“It’s a three-day drive, not including rest br—you know what, never mind, I’m nearly there.”

“Yeah, well, Magnus has agreed to oversee the pack, so Caia and I are nearly ready to hit the road as well.”

Ryder smirked. “Nice.”

“Shut up.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You were thinking it.”

“Thinking what?” He laughed.

“Shut up.”

“Does this journey include a motel break, because in the interest of romance, don’t. Last night I slept in a motel room where the carpet literally moved beneath my feet, there were so many fleas in it.”

“Beautiful.”

“I might have to make a pit stop on the way back so Jae can enjoy the delights of the place.”

“Go easy on her.”

Ryder grunted as he glided into the next lane. “Yeah, yeah.”

“I gotta go.”

“I’ll let you know when I retrieve our wayward pup.”

“Do that. Take care, man.”

“You too.”

Ryder was making pretty good time, so he should hit the city by nightfall. He wondered whether she would be an adult about this and come in peace, or if he was going to have to haul her ass into the truck. He grumbled under his breath as he rubbed the tension out of his forehead.

“It’s pretty cool that you’ve started hunting with us again.” Styx smiled sweetly as she stood up from the ground, her machete bloodied by the dead vampyre’s neck juice. Jaeden felt a twinge of guilt at the mixture of hurt and hope in the young vamp’s eyes. Out of all of her newfound comrades, Styx was the most sensitive and had clung to Jaeden from the get-go. She was a baby for a vampyre, only sixteen, and Jae had felt sort of protective toward her.

Styx was built like a child, fragile and small at a tiny five foot nothing. Her size was deceptive, and the reason the big vampyre on the ground was dead. None of the “bad teeth” (as Reuben’s gang of misfits liked to refer to the rogue vamps) expected the sly strength of Styx.

Jaeden looked away from the dead guy. “Yeah, well, it gets Reuben off my back.” She winced as Styx’s face fell in disappointment. “And of course, I missed hanging out with you guys,” she added quickly. The young girl smiled, but Jae could tell it was too late.

“Aren’t you happy with us, Jaeden?”

Oh boy, how to answer that question?

She gestured to Styx to walk with her out of the alleyway. They were supposed to have been back at the loft half an hour ago. Lily, Adam, and Josh would already be there hitting the Xbox. She doubted Reuben would be there. He’d gone on one of his disappearing acts yesterday and probably wouldn’t be back for a few days.

“I guess I’m just ready to move on from here.” She indicated their surroundings. “It’s quiet now that the bad teeth know we’re hunting them. That vamp you killed back there is the first one in days.”