Bound to Kill
Chapter 23

Hybrid Assassin

All three of my assignments are finally together. I conjure a spear laced with mercury (to prevent healing) and enchant it, magnifying pain tenfold.

The half-Fae pissed me off by protecting the pack. It’s only a matter of time before the magic wears off. I’m a patient man but also spiteful. So, the she-wolf will suffer.

With precision, I throw the spear, piercing Alexa close enough to the heart she’ll die, but not instantly.

Before enjoying the result, I conjure a crossbow and shoot an iron arrow at the Fae Agent. He erects a shield to deflect it.

Goddammit! I should have hit the Fae first.

My nostrils flare as I seethe over my poor judgment call until I see the Alpha crumble, holding his dying mate. That improves my mood.

One mark down, two to go.

Darius

I drop to my knees, holding Lexi in my arms. She winces in pain.

Her eyes shut.

“Stay with me, baby.”

“Darius!”

Someone screams in the background, but the noise is drowned out by the rush of blood pounding in my ears.

Please, don’t leave me.

Lexi goes limp in my arms. She looks so tiny and fragile.

“Darius!”

Pissed off at the universe for taking so much from me, I look to the heavens and roar. “Not her! You can’t have her!”

A dagger to my heart would be less painful. It hurts to breathe. Take me instead.

“DARIUS!”

Don’t leave me.

Magic hits her chest, and then the spear is ripped out. My blurry eyes widen as a layer of ice begins to freeze Lexi.

I lose the little sanity I have left. After carefully laying Lexi on the ground, my wolf breaks free, and I pounce for the Fae who abducted my mate. The bastard who threw the spear hides, but this Fae caused the butterfly effect. His blood will spill.

Mid-leap, I’m swept into a life-sized snow globe, hovering six feet above the ground. I try to claw my way out to no avail.

Snarling, I stare down the Fae. I will end you!

“Shift back so we can talk,” he snaps.

My hackles rise, and saliva drips from my muzzle. I lash out again, lunging at the Fae, thirsting for his blood. The magic prison holds firm.

In retaliation, he strikes me with a blast of ice magic. I contort, losing control of my shift. My spine arches as an icy burning sensation flows through my insides—a full-body brain freeze. My mouth opens in a silent scream.

Then I fall to the ground like a bag of bricks. My ass takes the brunt of the impact.

“Fuck,” I grunt.

“Alpha, listen to me carefully. We don’t have much time.” The Fae looks down at me, compassion in his eyes. “She’s still alive. I’ve frozen her to keep her that way as long as possible. We need to get back to the mortal realm. I know someone who can help.”

Now he has my attention. I stand up.

“There’s only a narrow window,” he continues. “With the time difference between our realms, I fear that window is closing.”

I lift Lexi’s frozen form and hold her close, shivering as the cold burrows into me; one Fae magics me replacement clothes and gloves.

“Well, what are you waiting for? Open the damn portal,” I demand.

“I’m drained from the last portals I created. We’ll have to go to Summer Court t—”

“Maybe I can help?” Perez interrupts. “We can combine our energy to open a portal.”

My gaze shifts between the two Fae.

“Yes, that works,” the abductor agrees.

They link hands, their magic swirls around them, joining, charging, and expanding. The floral scent unique to Fae intensifies. The air grows thinner. A pop sounds as a vortex appears.

“Quickly, everyone. I don’t know how long we can hold it,” one Fae says.

Those carrying stretchers go first. I rush the others, then take Lexi through, the two Fae at my back.

After the dizziness fades, I get my bearings. We’re at the foot of a mountain. It’s late.

“Where are we?” I ask.

“Poland,” says the abductor. “Follow me.”

“Wait. We should get the fallen home. Julia, stay with me. Everyone else, head for the airport.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

If the killer Fae followed us (I pray they did so I can send them straight to hell), I’m giving them fewer targets. We don’t know how long these shields will hold.

I shake hands with Perez, then follow the other Fae and Julia up the mountain.

Every second that passes is a second closer to me losing Lexi. My chest is tight with anxiety. “How much further?”

“About an hour.”

“Couldn’t the portal exit at the top of the mountain?” I snipe.

“He doesn’t like surprises,” the Fae explains.

The rest of the journey is silent, leaving me lost in my thoughts.

Why didn’t I tell Perez to shield her? I’m so sorry, little wolf.

Seeing her running through those trees made everything else disappear—the world around us ceased to exist. But my joy at our reunion may be why I lose her forever.

Julia walks beside me, quietly sobbing as she holds Lexi’s hand.

Shutting down my emotions, I focus solely on putting one foot in front of the other.

Lexi will survive. The alternative would be the death of me.

An hour later, we see a cabin. The lights are off. My heart sinks. “No one’s home.”

“Quiet!” the Fae barks.

I glare daggers at his back, ready to unleash all my pent-up rage, but then I feel it. The ground trembles as a massive brown bear emerges from a cave.

Expecting the Fae to trap the bear with magic, I’m surprised when he walks toward it.

“What are you doing?” I whisper-shout.

He ignores me. “Hello, again, Aglain. Good to see you.”

The bear shifts and an old, fully clothed man approaches, a hint of a smile on his face. “Back so soon? Not another attempt on my life, I hope.”

The Fae laughs, then pats Aglain on the back like an old friend, covering him in a magical shield. “I need your help.” He points to Lexi.

“Come.” We follow Aglain to a clearing at the back of his property. A slab of concrete is in the centre, like an altar. “Lay her here.”

As instructed, I gently lay Lexi down and stand back to give Aglain space.

“Unfreeze her.”

The Fae does as told. I hold my breath, listening for her heartbeat. It’s weak.

Aglain uses elemental power to collect herbs.

He’s a Druid.

Mixing a concoction, he uses a syringe to coax it down her throat.

I wipe my sweaty palms on my trousers and unzip my coat to breathe easier.

Aglain uses wind to transport candles from the cabin and positions them around the altar.

Kneeling, he digs his hands into the earth and begins a haunting chant in Celtic. The air shifts as he taps into nature.

Julia holds my hand in a death grip as we wait with bated breath.

A strong breeze manifests, sweeping and swirling with dirt. The candles burst to life; perspiration drips from Lexi.

The flames burn brighter, perspiration drips faster, and the wind grows harsher, mixing and swirling with the earth. All the while, the Druid remains on his knees chanting.

Suddenly, all elements cease. I take deep breaths, trying to slow my racing heart.

Nothing happens for a minute. Then Lexi heals. She shoots up to a sitting position, drawing in deep breaths.

“Thank the Fates!” I say. “Thank you, Aglain!”

To my horror, a gun fires. The bullet materialises from thin air, headed straight for my mate. I run to her, knowing I won’t reach her in time. My heart is in my throat, choking me.

Just before the bullet hits, a gust of wind changes its trajectory.

Holy shit! I need to send this Druid a fucking gift basket or something.

I sweep Lexi into my arms, shielding her body with mine. Seconds later, a magical shield surrounds her, too.

Leslie

Seeing Alexa heal makes me feel something I haven’t in a long time.

Hope.

A shot fires, ruining the moment. Aglain takes care of the bullet while I focus on the enemy. I blast magic in the direction the bullet came, disintegrating the concealment spell—revealing a vampire. In a snap, I trap him in a containment orb.

After checking Alexa is okay, I shield her in case other assassins hide.

Approaching the vampire, I smile. “So, you’re the one causing so much trouble? Surely a vampire isn’t the best Theo can do?”

The bloodsucker thrashes and claws to break free.

Scoffing, I turn to Aglain. “Why do they always think they can escape?”

The vampire throws both hands in my direction, releasing two shurikens. My smile widens as they rebound and sink into his left thigh and right kneecap. Grunting, he drops to his good knee.

Magic builds within the orb as he attempts and fails to teleport to safety.

I laugh. “Ah, a vamp-witch hybrid. A little less insulting, I suppose.”

Aglain approaches. “Friend, I need you to take him off this mountain before he taints my space with evil.”

“As you wish, Aglain. Thank you for helping my companion. I am in your debt. Call on me in your time of need.”

The Druid arches a brow. “A favour from a Fae? I’m honoured. You’re a good man.”

Lowering my voice to a whisper, I wink as I say, “Don’t tell anyone.”

Alexa

Waking on an altar wasn’t on my bucket list.

Darius and Mum cage me in, holding me so tight it’s hard to breathe.

“Thank the Fates you’re okay, sweetie.” Mum sobs.

“What happened?”

Darius pulls away to look at me, searching my eyes, his filled with unshed tears. He brushes the hair off my face and tenderly kisses my head.

Then his features harden. I feel the tsunami of rage inside him. He points his hand at the focal point of his anger. “He happened.”

My eyes land on an older man first, then Leslie and finally, the vampire Leslie has trapped inside his sphere of doom.

The older man leads us to the front of the cabin, quietly chatting to Leslie.

Darius brings me up to speed. “You almost died, baby.” Fear still lingers in his eyes. “The Druid, Aglain, healed you.”

I face the Druid in complete awe. He must feel my stare as his focus turns to me.

Closing the distance between us, I say, “I don’t know how to thank you.”

Aglain grasps my hands. “No thanks necessary. Mother nature has deemed it is not your time yet, child. You have many great things left to do.”

The Druid faces Darius. “As do you, Alpha. Take care of her.”

Darius shakes his hand. “I will.”

Mum pulls Aglain in for a hug, thanking him between sobs.

Once free from her embrace, Aglain says, “Safe travels.” The Druid shifts into a bear and vanishes into a cave.

My eyes narrow on the assassin. “Can I kill the vamp yet?”

Leslie grins deviously. “Not yet. The Druid doesn’t condone violence on his mountain. How about I send him for a spin?”

Laughing, I nod. “That works.”

The vampire cries out as his prison starts to rotate, much quicker than I experienced.

“Who sent you?” Leslie halts the spin for an answer.

The vamp remains quiet, so the spinning resumes.

He caves quickly. “The SEB. My handler.”

“How many assassins did they send?” Darius growls.

“Just me. Please stop.” He begs, fighting back nausea.

Blues and purples begin to funnel from the hybrid to Leslie.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

“Siphoning his magic, his power of teleportation. The quicker we get to Shadow Creek, the quicker we can take down the SEB.”

Darius links me. I want to kill Leslie for taking you, but he’s also the reason you’re alive. He brought us to the Druid.

The Fae is full of surprises. I squeeze Darius’ hand. No killing. We need him. And he’s growing on me.

“Leslie, I appreciate you bringing me here. I….thank you!”

Darius’ grip on my hand tightens, and his body tenses.

I know, I know. Never thank a Fae. But come on, he saved my life.

Leslie offers me a devilish smile, making me half regret my choice. I hold my breath, not sure what to expect.

“I accept your thanks and will redeem my favour at a time of my choosing.”

That’s not so bad.

My wolf loses her shit. Mayday, mayday. What are you thinking? Are you completely insane? What if he wants our firstborn?

Would you settle down? Why would he want our child? He’s high-Fae, not a boggart.

“All set,” Leslie states. “Link hands.”

The hybrid is chalk-white, devoid of magic and energy. He slumps into the fetal position.

Leslie uses the stolen magic to teleport us to Shadow Creek, then releases the hybrid. He drops to the ground with a thud.

Removing his phone from his pocket, I use his thumb to unlock it, then scroll through his messages. The hybrid texted Theo two hours ago, saying I was dead. I smile. He’s in for a shock.

I text the number to my hacker.

Alexa: Hey. This is Theo’s newest number. 454-987-1253. We still need to find the traitor.

Hacker: It’s grand to have ya back. I’m on it.

Darius links the pack, summoning everyone outside. He throws the weakened hybrid onto a jagged boulder, displaying him for all to see.

“This is another SEB assassin. Stan and Connor are dead (he points an angry finger at the hybrid) because of him. He almost killed Lexi, too.” Each word is full of hatred.

Gasps and cries come from my packmates. Some beat the hybrid, kicking, punching, clawing. Drained too much to heal, the asshole remains bloody and bruised.

When my packmates’ hunger for blood sates, Darius shifts to his magnificent wolf, claws the vamp to ribbons, and then rips his head off.

A second later, my mate shifts and hugs me. “I have to talk with Amanda. Meet you back at the room?”

“Okay.”

Darius looks to Stacey. “Set up a room for Julia and Les—”

“I have to head back to Lakeside,” Mum interrupts.

“Set Leslie up in a room, Stacey. Neil, drive Julia home.”

“Yes, Alpha,” they respond.

Hugging Mum, I kiss her cheek. “Thank you. I’ll visit soon.”

“Get some rest, sweetie.”

I turn to Leslie. “It’s been a day. Can we talk tomorrow?”

“Of course. I’m not unreasonable.” There’s a twinkle in his eyes.

“Uh-huh.” I laugh. “Good night, Leslie.”

Once back in the room, I head straight for the tub and take a long soak, head spinning with everything that happened.

Darius soon joins me. He strips slowly, eyes boring into mine. My mouth waters and my nipples harden. His eyes darken with desire.

Water sloshes and overflows as he steps into the tub. Neither of us pays it any mind.

Our mouths collide. The kiss frenzied. I moan and climb into Darius’ lap, running my fingers through his hair.

Darius pulls me closer, leaving no space between us. “I missed you so goddamn much,” he says between kisses. “I almost lost my mind.”

His hands are everywhere. I throw my head back, loving the scrape of his teeth on my neck.

“I missed you, too.” I groan as his mouth latches on my nipple. “So much.”

Pleasure travels from my head to my toes as he pushes his cock inside me. I rock my hips slowly, gazing into his dark eyes. No words pass between us, but so much is said.

His devotion and love flow through the bond. My heart feels like it might burst.

All the bad stuff fades away. All that matters is this moment.

“Goddamn, Lexi.” He closes his eyes, lost in pleasure.

I nip at his lower lip, sucking it into my mouth. Our tongues dance. He tastes of whisky.

“Lean back, little wolf.”

I do as he says, resting my head on the tiles. Darius thrusts up. More water splashes onto the floor.

“Ah! Don’t stop!”

He rolls my clit between his fingers as he fucks me slowly. The tingles build and build and build.

“Darius!” I scream his name as an intense orgasm leaves me boneless.

Violent tremors rack my body. D supports my back, fucking me through my climax.

“Oh, shit!” He stills, following me over the edge.

When we come down from our high, we dry, then get into bed. Safely in my mate’s arms, I drift off.

Vibrating wakes me. I grab my cell from the bedside cabinet in case it’s Mum.

Hacker: We have a winner. The rat just messaged Theo. Their number is 484-726-2632.

“Ohmigod!” I squeal, shoving my phone in Darius’ face to share the news.

Alexa: You’re my hero. Thank you!

Darius doesn’t match my excitement. He looks pained.

“I know that number.” His jaw clenches. “I know who the rat is.”

He knows!!! The wait is almost over, guys.

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Thanks for reading.

Gem 💕

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