Sunglasses at Night (Claws Clause 3)

17

It was closing in on midnight when Virginia peeked up from the rune stones and cut diamonds cupped in her palm and announced in a calm voice, “She’s coming.”

Colt immediately warned Shea to stay back near the house. If they needed her abilities, she could leave her post; a healer, not a fighter, her mate agreed she could stay so long as she was as far from the inevitable confrontation as possible.

Wolfe loped out to the middle of the street, his brother on his heels. Travis moved near Virginia, covering the witch as she focused on her palm.

Adam cracked his neck, rolling it on his shoulders. He bounced in place, ready to burn off some of the anxious energy that had been running through him since he got the phone call.

He wanted to protect Eva. That privilege belonged to her mate, belonged to Wolfe, and he wouldn’t step on the big shifter’s toes when it came to that. But even if she wasn’t his girlfriend any longer, she was still his friend—and he couldn’t get past his guilt over her condition getting out there. If he hadn’t brought Tabby to Wolf’s Creek in the first place, if he had realized the need to emphasize that Evangeline’s pregnancy should be kept a secret, maybe this wouldn’t be hap

pening at all.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spied his slayer. He nearly told her to wait with Shea before realizing that that would never work. For one reason, she was only there because Wolfe reluctantly agreed that a slayer might come in handy. For another, she’d probably bust a gut laughing at him if he finally broke his silence by telling her what to do.

Adam continued to keep his mouth shut.

And he waited.

It was dark, the gloom broken up by sporadic street lamps dotted around the curve of the cul de sac. It was early June, the air humid and heavy, warm despite the late hour. The moon hung heavy in the deep, dark midnight sky, a twinkling of stars the only audience as the seven of them watched for the witch’s approach.

She came alone at first.

Priscilla Winters was a knock-out. Standing tall, with a slender yet luscious body, skin the color of a deep caramel, and hair as black as pitch, she reminded Adam of some kind of Egyptian goddess. Beneath the moonlight, she seemed to glow a gentle purple color, matching the shocking color of her witch’s eyes.

She brought the sweet scent of baby powder on the air with her as moved, as well as a cloying, sickly undertone that had him snuffling through his nose.

A witch, but an evil one. The scent of black magic clung to her like an unholy miasma.

Adam never met her before but, without a doubt, this woman had to be Priscilla.

With a gesture, Nightwalkers spilled out of the woods. At least ten, though they moved so quickly, Adam wasn’t sure his count was right at first. And then, when he recognized the lead vampire who took his place at Priscilla’s left side, it didn’t matter how many corpses showed up.

He only had eyes for one.

Rafe.

There was no way Adam was expecting this. Even when Virginia warned that Priscilla was bringing Nightwalkers with her, it never occurred to him that his… his nemesis would be one of them.

Adam’s lips curved.

This just got even more interesting.

He would’ve thrown his might and his machete into this fight because he owed Evangeline and her shifter mate. But to have the chance to get his revenge at last?

He relished it.

Adam willed Rafe to look at him. To notice him. To see his face and know that death—final death—was coming for him at last.

Nope.

As Adam watched, Rafe cast a glance over everyone on Adam’s side. He peered at Tabby, Travis, and Virginia. Sneered at Wolfe. Scoffed at Adam for barely a heartbeat, and finally settled his gaze on Colt.

A murderous expression twisted his model-like features when Rafe saw him.

No surprise. Not really. Adam might have an agenda in regards to Rafe Silverson, but Rafe held Colt and Shea responsible for Julian Koenig’s assassination. No wonder he’d focus on the wolf shifter more than any of others there.

Adam tightened his fists, the points of his Nightwalker claws digging into the flesh of his palm. Rafe would no doubt go for Colt as soon as he could. Adam would have to make sure to get to Rafe first.