ALAIA
Omega Mary took me to the second floor where they housed all the guests. The room was plain but nicely furnished with a queen-sized bed, a boudoir, and a night desk. All of my things were placed neatly near the bed. I walked over to my purse and pulled out my chalk. I really didn’t like the idea that my mate went running after some ex of his. Surely he has some unresolved feelings strong enough to make him leave me, even with my bracelet on.
“Is there anything else I could do for you, Miss Alaia.” She was so quiet I totally forgot she was standing there.
“That would be all,” I said, ushering her out the door. “I will call upon you if I need you.”
“Oh, I think the Alpha wanted me to stay nearby,” she said when I led her to the hallway.
“Great! Then you can stay outside the door.”
Before she was able to say anything, I closed the door in her face and locked it. I didn’t have the time to entertain anyone and I had a job to do. I went to my bag to get my witch blade and cloak. I found the closet and stepped inside. I closed the door and carefully drew the raido rune on the back. When I finished, I used the knife and made an incision in my hand. Thank the goddess, I could heal even if Elena distanced herself. I placed my bloodied hand on the door and I said the words.
“Blood touches where I must be,
Farther than the eye can see,
Through the land, sea, and air,
My destination, take me there.”
The symbol shines and bleeds through the door. I waited a second before opening the door, which led me to a dingy bathroom. This place had the familiar smell of vomit and despair. Just like I remembered it. Luckily, this time it was empty. I used my cloak to disguise myself as I made my way out of the bathroom to a half empty bar outside. It wasn’t busy yet but I knew within a few minutes that would change. It wasn’t my usual scene but something about the people made it feel comfortable. All the dirt in the world would come here from rogues, to crooked humans, to other worldly creatures.
I came across this place during my many escapes. I tried many times to run away from the rehabilitation center but they always caught me. One day I ran away into this bar. It was quite empty and the patrons just ignored me. As frantic as I looked, I probably blended in. The bartender helped hide me in the bathroom when the detainees came after me. I didn’t know how she was able to hide my scent until later.
I found out her name was Mirja. She was a witch from Germany and she owned the place. I told her my story and the fact that the council was going to strip away my powers. She listened to my misfortunes and was completely pissed that the elders would take a part of me away. That lit a fire under her. She had a huge hatred for the council, both witches and wolves.
Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to hide forever, Mirja decided to help me before going back. She offered to perform a ritual to help me keep my powers, some of it at least. So that night she used a bit of dark magic to help seal some of my powers away. Dark magic is frowned upon in the witch community. There was always a price to pay and this particular one was blood. I couldn’t use magic unless it was with my blood. A small price to pay for power and I took it. So yes, they did take my powers away, but not all of it.
I made my way through the dark room towards the bar. She was leaning over the bar whispering something to a woman occupying one of the seats. Her short red hair covered her face, hiding her eyes. The woman she was talking to was tracing the many tattoos that decorated her arm. Her usual attire never changed. A dark sports bra, a tethered tank top with some obscenity on the front, and a pair of ripped black jeans held up by a studded belt. She turned my way as soon as I sat down.
“You look like you need a drink,” she said, walking towards me, which didn’t please her woman friend. She handed me a shot and I immediately took it.
“Bad day huh?” She poured me another.
“Something like that,” I said, scanning the room, looking for my target.
"I see you're still playing around with those bracelets," Mirja noticed them on my arm. "That cheap magic won't get you far."
"It's fast work and it gets the job done. If only someone would let me borrow her book-"
"I told you. That book is evil. Nothing but trouble in the wrong hands," Mirja said. Her face went dark for a moment before she went back to smiling.
"My hands aren't wrong," I retorted back, raising them up for her to see.
"Says the girl with a love rune on her wrist. You know that runes only enhance the wearer's actual feelings. If love isn't present, it's not worth anything."
Before I could say the obvious, there was a commotion in one of the corners that caught our attention. A second later, a man is thrown over a table. The small crowd parted ways as one of the bulkiest men I’ve ever seen walked through. He picked the smaller man up with one hand and punched him in the face. The sound his fists made was like punching fresh squishy meat.
Before he continued, I heard a loud bang behind me. Everyone moved further back towards the walls, as Mirja walked from behind the counter with two pistols in her hands. I would bet that it was loaded with silver bullets. She’s always prepared.
“Nas,” Mirja, “You know the deal. Take your crap outside my bar!”
Nas glared at Mirja as he dropped the man to the floor. He took a threatening step towards her and within a second Mirja had those pistols pointed towards his heart. Nas froze and growled, before planting a smile across his face.
“Sorry about that, Mirja. I get carried away sometimes. I was just having a little fun,” he growled.
The bar was still and it was a bit awkward staring between the two. Nas held up his hands and walked back to his table. “How about a round for everyone on me? Bring back the mood.”
Everyone cheered and after a few seconds the bar returned to its natural flow. A couple of guys help the small man from the floor and out the door. While Mirja was busy, I took this time to walk over to Nas. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to get to him. I took two bar napkins and drew the Nauthiz rune on both. With the prick of my knife, I dropped some blood on each and put them in my hands.
Nas was surrounded by his flunkies and girls. Before I could get to him, two men blocked my way. One was tall with blue eyes and had a nasty scar across his face with messy blonde hair. The other was a bit shorter with black hair slicked to the back and the darkest, almost black beady eyes. There was a wicked scar that spread across his face as if someone had tried to cut his face in half.
I wondered if getting a scar was kind of an initiation of some sort. He was playing with a switchblade, pretending to swipe at people who got too close. I could tell by their scent they were wolves and, to make it worse, they were rogues. Bottom of the barrel wolves.
“I need to speak to Nas,” I said with a little authority in my voice. I was trying to go for a more serious tone but I was running out of time.
“Sorry pip squeak but you’re not his type,” the black-haired man stated. “Though you might be mine. Let’s see what’s under that hood.”
I literally swallowed the spit up that developed in my mouth. He tried to touch my hood but I skillfully moved out of reach.
“I don’t have time for your games. I need to speak with your boss and I’m asking nicely”
“He’s busy,” the blondie growled loud enough for Nas to look our way.
What crawled up his ass and died I thought as I glared at both of the men. Nas sat behind them watching me closely with a smile on his face. He clearly wanted to see what I would do. Luckily, I came prepared.
I grabbed my necklace and whispered, “Nauthiz.” I planted the bar napkins on the men and walked right by them. I could hear them behind me, grunting and trying to move. I knew the rune would only hold them for a few minutes, but I only needed one. I walked in front of Nas, who was amused by my little stunt. He was used to his fair share of witches and warlocks, so this was child's play compared to what he had seen.
“I need something handled,” I said, dropping a package full of money on the table.
Nas eyed it curiously then looked back at me while one of his whores picked up the package to examine it. She opened it enough to show him the contents inside. I barely saw him glance before looking back at me. My focus stayed on his green eyes as every muscle in my body wanted to run. There was something so evil yet familiar about them.
“That’s a lot of cash to be walking around with, little one. Is someone bullying you,” Nas asked with a smile.
“Let’s pretend it’s a life or death situation. If you can’t do it, then don’t waste my time.” I reached for the package but Nas moved it out of my way. With that, he stood up and I moved back to keep from straining my neck.
“You should watch your tone, especially if you’re asking for a favor.” He was close enough for me to smell his spice cologne but nothing could completely hide the smell of a rogue.
“A very expensive favor, I might add.” I’ve learned from my brother and Mirja to never show fear, no matter how much you feel. I kept my glaze hard and serious. I kept my eyes on the prize and emotions at bay. Nas must have sensed something because he started to laugh.
“You’re a little ball of fire. I like that,” Nas said, sitting back down. Immediately, his girls wrapped themselves around him. “Let my boys go.”
With the flick of my hand, I released his lackeys. They growled as they walked around me to stand near Nas, but I held my ground.
“So do we have a deal?”
He exchanged looks with his men before focusing on me. “Why not? My men want to have a little fun. Besides, money does talk. Who’s the target?”
I could feel a small smile forming. “Just a little she-wolf, so you can have all the fun you want.”
“You hear that, Danny.” The guard with the black hair and scar across his face smiles, making his scar look even scarier. “Take Frank and Mac with you. Let’s get their claws wet,” Nas instructed.
I explained their target and mission, and transported them as close to the target as I could. After, I walked back over to the bar.
“I see you’re dealing with Nas now,” Mirja asked, handing me a shot.
“Don’t worry,” I said with a smile, “I’m over killing my brother, for now. This should be easier.” I downed the shot in one go.
“Well, as long as you don’t-”Mirja started.
“Bring it inside my bar. I know the deal,” I said, taking another shot. “I have to go but I’ll see you soon with good news, hopefully.” I got up and headed back to the bathroom, away from prying eyes.
I made it back to my room and quickly summoned Mary. She came into the room with a cup of tea. How sweet.
“Mary, I need something of Zira’s. Does she have things here,” I asked. Mary looked down at her feet, shifting back and forth. She started tugging at the fabric of her dress.
“Um-well.”
“MARY! Quickly, I can help them find her if I have something of hers. NOW,” I yelled the last part to put some fire under her feet.
Mary nodded and gestured to me to follow. She led me to the stairs of the top level.
“I’m not allowed upstairs, but-” she hesitated, “but Zira has spent most of her time-in the Alpha’s room lately. So maybe-”
I growled, feeling Elena’s jealousy raised to the surface. Mary shrunk against the wall as I leaped up the stairs. From memory, I made it to his room in record time. He brought me here the first time, but we didn’t go in. I didn’t like the fact I could smell another woman in there at the time.
I told him and he promised to have it cleaned. So that doesn’t help me at all right now. Her scent was barely here. I didn’t have much time, so I quickly looked around for something of hers. That’s when I noticed the black box on the nightstand.
It was a black velvet box with Zi printed on the top. I opened it and saw a beautiful wolf pendant inside. This would do perfectly, I thought as I pulled out my witch blade.