Season of the Witch (Claws Clause 2)

Hudson. Looking like he hadn’t eaten or slept in days, her brother stood on her porch, his brown eyes haunted and lost. His lips were cracked. His complexion had lost some of his color again.

Her stomach sank. “Oh, Hud. What happened to you?”

“Can I come in?”

“Uh, yeah. Sure.”

She stepped aside. Hudson ducked his head, sidling past her without looking over his shoulder again. That… that was surprising. He looked like hell, but he didn’t seem like he was currently running away from someone.

Goddess, she hoped she was right.

Once the two of them were standing inside of the front room, Shea closed the door in time to hear Hudson let out a shuddering breath.

“Hudson?”

“I’m sorry, Shea.” He lifted his head, a stricken expression on his sallow face. “I’m pretty sure I fucked up even worse this time.”

Why, she wondered. Why couldn’t life go her way just the one time?

“What did you do now?” she asked him. She sighed, feeling terrible when he flinched at her sharp tone. “Look, it’s gonna be fine. Whatever happened, it’s fine. Just… I need to know what happened.”

“Okay. I’m not so sure it’s as bad as I think, but I wanted to tell you in case something happens to him. I haven’t been to see Julian since the night he attacked me—don’t want to live through that again—but he’s got eyes and ears everywhere. And he’s got a price on that cop’s head you don’t even want to think about.”

“Cop?” Shea repeated. “Are you talking about Adam Wright? What happened to him?”

“Nothing yet, but it’s not sundown so he’s safe for a little while longer.”

“Safe? What’s that supposed to mean?”

Hudson grimaced. “I was afraid of this. You don’t know what he’s trying to do.”

“Hudson, I don’t know what you’re trying to do. What are you doing here?”

“The guy’s got balls for a human, I’ll give him that. And I only did it because I feel bad for bringing you into all of this in the first place. He promised he’d take care of Julian for us.”

“You’re still talking about Adam? The cop from the hospital?”

Hudson nodded. “He said that he lost the woman he loved, but he wouldn’t let her be afraid. And something about how he wasn’t going to stand by and watch his partner lose his mate. He’s going to try to break the blood-bond for you.”

“Wha—” Shea lost her voice, she was in such disbelief at what Hudson was telling her. Swallowing roughly, she said, “Why would he do that?”

“Don’t know. He told me he was a cop and that it was his job.”

“Why… and I’m sorry, Hud, if this comes out mean… but why would he tell you any of this? When? I don’t understand.”

“I’m not really sure. He got real pissed when I wouldn’t tell him much in the hospital. But the other day… Monday? Might’ve been Monday. He found me… I don’t know how.”

Dodge reappeared, his derby set to a roguish tilt, revealing one of his electric blue eyes.

Shea thought he was gone.

Guess not.

“I bet I do,” he announced. “Deb stopped by the other day. In case you don’t know her, she’s one of the most prominent Dayborns in the Bumptown. She told me the copper visited her, asking questions about vamps. All kinds, and especially their donors—and where they liked to hang out to attract Nightwalkers.”

Hudson nodded. “Yeah. That does it. Deb? She would’ve known.”

“Would she have told him? Adam? He’s a human.”