Venom And Vice

24

Two deaths in a row had been unexpected when there’d been weeks between the others. I’d been so distracted by the call I’d received that I hadn’t given Ashley the proper consideration. It hadn’t even occurred to me that she’d follow me. I should have known better, but I’d been too caught up in my emotions to see clearly, which was evident when I lost control and marked her. Even hours later, I showed signs of temporary insanity because I couldn’t summon an ounce of regret. Word would get out, and the men would talk, but I didn’t give a f**k. No one would go near her with my mark on her, and that was all that mattered. Hopefully, that knowledge would help me focus on my investigation. There was no way to prove for sure what we were up against, but I would bet my life that a Fear Gorda was loose in the city. This wasn’t my first time dealing with their kind. Unlike the other creatures Morgan had allowed onto Earth, Fear Gordas were intelligent. Resourceful and adaptable. They could blend in and disappear with practiced ease. As one of the most civilized castes of Unseelie Fae, they were organized among themselves but rejected outside rule. How could they not? Their natural state was to prey upon those around them. Anyone outside of their numbers would deem them a threat and respond accordingly. Going up against a Gorda would be a challenge to say the least. This one was proving especially crafty, but something was off. Most creatures kept far away from the Hunt if they managed to escape onto Earth. This one seemed to relish toying with us. He was clever and elusive, his kills all made within blocks of our home. It wasn’t a coincidence. He knew what he was doing, and I would skin him alive for it. But in order to do that, I would need all my focus, which had been the exact opposite of what had happened. After Ashley left, it had taken me twice as long as normal to accomplish my crime-scene analysis due to my chaotic thoughts. I had to get a grip on myself. This hunt would allow for no margin of error—one misstep could lead to disaster. If history found a way to repeat itself … if I lost another woman to their kind … the animal I’d become would make the Gorda look like a f*****g kitten. OceanofPDF.com Chapter Nine OceanofPDF.com ASHLEY Once I was in the car, I called Becca and told her I needed to talk to her as soon as I could get home. Of course, she was with Lochlan, but I assured her that it was probably best if he was present for the conversation anyway. My teeth clanged against each other as my jaw chattered uncontrollably. Between the cold and the shock, I felt like I’d never be warm again. Becca and Lochlan were waiting for me at our place when I arrived, along with Knight, who huffed at me and nipped at my fingers. “Hey!” I yanked my hand away, then rolled my eyes. “Of course, you’re upset with me, too. I should have known.” I squatted down and met his eyes. “I know I messed up, and I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left the building without you.” His irritation only mildly assuaged, he huffed again then loped away. Becca took his place before me and scanned me for injuries. “Jesus, Ash, you’re freezing! Were you outside without a jacket?” She plucked a hoodie from a nearby chair and thrust it into my arms. We walked over to where Lochlan had remained seated on the couch and joined him, Becca in the middle, and me angled to see them both. My eyes briefly flitted to Lochlan, and I could tell he was intrigued about why I’d summoned them. “Two days ago, I had some kind of vision. Actually, I’m not sure if it was a dream or a vision or if the difference really matters. Regardless, I saw a beer spilled on wood floors next to wavy red hair.” Becca still regarded me with confusion, but Lochlan tipped his head back in understanding. I continued to explain, mostly for her benefit. “Tonight, Casek and I had a bit of an argument that resulted in me following him.” I glanced at Lochlan sheepishly. “He’d been cryptic about things, and I might have overreacted a bit. When I got to the pub where he’d gone, I saw the scene from my vision. A red-headed woman was dead, and she lay next to a spilled pint on old wooden floors. It was exactly the same as I’d seen days earlier.” Becca whispered in awe, “You saw the future? Are you some kind of oracle?” I peered at Lochlan again, this time with uncertainty. A part of me still wanted confirmation that I hadn’t lost my mind. His chin lifted as he processed the information. “An oracle is someone who spouts prophetic words given to them from a spiritual plane, so I don’t believe that’s accurate. We had anticipated visions would be a likely manifestation of your magic, considering your parentage. You derive your powers from Merlin, and he’s a legendary Seer. It would make sense that you have inherited his abilities to see possible future outcomes.” Becca’s eyes rounded as she turned back to me. “A Seer? What an amazing power!” She was trying to be encouraging, looking on the bright side and celebrating my gains, but after what I’d witnessed, it was hard to feel excited. “I don’t know about that. It’s a lot of responsibility. Seeing that girl dead in the pub, I can’t help but wonder if I could have figured out the clues early enough to have saved her.” They both regarded me sympathetically, and Becca took hold of my hand. “Think of all the good you may be able to do once your power is fully developed. I can’t imagine it’s going to be easy, but you could be a huge asset to the Hunt and even the police.” “You wouldn’t be the first to help the Hunt in that capacity. Merlin was never a sworn member, but he was a cornerstone of the brotherhood’s creation,” Lochlan explained. “The legends say he was a counselor to Arthur,” I recalled. “He counseled a number of individuals. He’s the one who foretold the troubles that would come with the progress and expansion of humankind. It was based on those predictions that Guin decided to prohibit the Fae from living on Earth.” “He helped both sides—Guin and Arthur? I thought the two were enemies after Guin’s affair with Lancelot,” Becca added in confusion. I wasn’t as well informed on Fae history and listened raptly. “Merlin has always remained neutral in matters of politics, and the Hunt and Court leaders have been inclined to allow it because of his unique gifts. His role in the Hunt was so great that despite not being a member, a seat was always reserved for him at Arthur’s table.” “The table? The Round Table?” I asked with astonishment.