Hunter Moon (The Moon Series) (24 page)

She heard the click of the automatic lock on the cage door. Hesitantly she pushed the door with her head. It swung open. Kess looked around, trying to see if anything moved. If Lukas was smart, he’d be well-hidden, and she knew that he hadn’t amassed all of his were trophies by being stupid. He’d be holed up somewhere, hidden but close by.

Slowly she crept from the cage, pushing the door wider as she came through. Kess paused once she was out of the cage, taking a moment to stretch her bunched muscles. She sniffed the air, trying to catch a scent of Lukas, but smelled nothing but the Glades. She prowled the perimeter surrounding the cage, taking the time to get her bearings. Kess knew where she was, how far in he’d brought her. She’d be able to find her way back to the entrance if she needed to.

But first there was Lukas to deal with.

She decided to make it easy on him. She roared out a challenge, her cry fading into the murk like an alligator fades into the swampy water. Then she took off, choosing a direction at random to see if he might redirect her. Kess ran at half-speed, not willing to go all out until she needed to. She knew she had a lot of running to do if she wanted to get Lukas in the right place, so she wanted to conserve her strength.

A shot rang out, spraying up dirt right in front of her. Kess snorted, shaking her head to free it of the dust that had gone up her sensitive nose. She juked to the side, changing direction. This was fine; she intended to circle back around anyway. She continued on, going nowhere in particular as she tried to make him give up his location.

Another gunshot, with this one sounding closer than the last. Kess didn’t even bother changing direction, just pushed farther into the older growth. Another bullet, this one hitting even closer than the last. She didn’t worry too much about it; soon, the huntsman would need to leave the security of his perch to come find her. That was the plan anyway.

Kess took off as soon as she hit clear ground, her powerful shoulders and legs pushing her across the swamp. She knew exactly where she was going; she just hoped that Lukas could keep up.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Laila lay in the thick brush, trying not to think of how many mosquitoes were using her for a late night snack. She could almost think she was back in New Orleans, running the swamps outside the city with her brother. Except that she was lying against the earth preparing to avenge his death, and not waiting for him to catch up with her.

She’d been out here since early evening. She knew that Kess was meeting with Lukas tonight. Laila couldn’t be sure that he’d try to hunt the wereleopard tonight, but it was his best chance. Time was running out for him, and Kess had piled on more pressure by arranging a trip out of town. It would have to be tonight if Lukas wanted to hunt Kess.

Laila knew that Lukas might choose to hunt a different wereleopard. That was always a possibility, although she didn’t think it likely. Time was the factor here, and he didn’t have enough of it left to find another wereleopard. Laila wondered how he’d figured out Kess was a leopard in the first place. Laila grimaced—Zamiel probably had something to do with that.

Zamiel. Laila frowned at the thought of the dealmaking demon. Master Toshi had warned her to be wary of the demon—not that Laila had needed that reminder. She didn’t trust Zamiel any farther than she could spit.

She stilled as a rifle shot interrupted the sounds of the swamp. Laila opened up all of her senses as far as they could go and still be fully human. There was a faint scent of sweat and fear that carried on the breeze. Birds and night insects had grown quiet. It was like the swamp was a living organism, holding its breath for what came next.

Another shot sounded, this time closer. Laila grinned. Kess was coming, it had to be her. And she was bringing Lukas with her.

Laila lifted her head slightly, feeling the hafts of the two Chinese broadswords she wore strapped to her back. At her left hip was a Ruger .40 caliber, while a .45 rested in the shoulder holster on her right side. At the base of her spine, attached to her belt, were extra clips for each gun. She felt comfortable that she could handle whatever surprises Lukas might have in store for her, demon or no demon.

From her spot on the ground Laila could feel the pounding of paws and feet heading her way. Sounds followed, as the dry cracking of branches, leaves, and bracken notified Laila of incoming position and distance.

A shot sounded, very close, and Laila heard a strangled roar, almost like a girl’s cry of pain. She smiled. Very close indeed. She bit her lip to taste the blood that would put her in a kind of elevated fighting state.

A large, black cat stumbled past Laila’s position in the underbrush, staggering slightly. Laila smelled blood and realized that the last shot had connected. The leopard was still moving, though not as gracefully or fast as it once did.

Now she could hear the pursuer. He wasn’t quiet or deft now, choosing instead to prize speed over finesse. He hove into view with two rifles—one in hand and one across his back. The leopard was still moving, but cautious now. Laila watched as Lukas switched out rifles, the one on his back now in his hands while the one he’d been holding was held in straps across his back. He sighted on the big cat and Laila was moving.

She rolled from her hiding place, swords out, even as he fired. It was the old rifle that Laila had been so curious about before—that was the one he was using now. The taste of blood had always done strange things to Laila and this time was no different. The bullet’s progress seemed slow to her, as if she could pluck it out of the air with her bare fingers.

Her blades slashed down in an arc, intercepting the bullet in its path toward Kess. One of her blades broke at the impact, but Laila saw the bullet fall to the ground. She dropped the ruined blade and pulled out the .45, aiming it at Lukas’ head.

She felt rather than heard the leopard stepping beside her. Laila kept her eyes on Lukas though; he was the one she was here for. He stared at her, the rifle held loosely in his hands. It was definitely old, the wood stock dark with age. It certainly wasn’t anything manufactured in this century.

A soft implosion of air announced Zamiel’s arrival. Laila still didn’t take her eyes off of Lukas. A shift in the wind made Laila’s nostrils flare at the scent of the cavalry approaching: Finn, Cormac, and Rafe were heading their way. It was turning into a veritable party out here. She hoped Lukas was enjoying it, since she planned on it being his last.

“You might want to drop that,” she said, waving her sword hand at Lukas and his rifle.

“Laila,” Zamiel broke in. “A pleasure, as always.”

Both Kess and Lukas both stared at her in stunned surprise. Kess’ question was evident: How do you know him? But Laila wasn’t inclined to reply. 

Meanwhile, Lukas was having his own surprised outburst. “Zamiel!” He turned to look at Laila, then back at his demon in confusion. “You know her?”

“We’ve met.” The demon’s smile never wavered. He never took his eyes from Laila’s face.

She ignored the demon and Kess, focusing only on Lukas. He was still holding that damn gun. “Drop it or I drop you,” she warned, in no mood to play around.

The sounds of someone coming through the brush made her lose focus for a moment. Laila’s eyes flicked to Kess, who didn’t appear concerned about the newcomers. Laila figured it must be the cavalry, otherwise Kess would have probably been far more keyed up. Kess too watched Lukas warily. Rightly so, considering she was the one whose head Lukas wanted to see mounted on his wall.

Finn, Cormac, and Rafe stopped abruptly when they saw the standoff. Laila’s eyes briefly met Finn’s, but she quickly turned her attention back to the hunter. She would worry about Finn and the rest later. So long as none of them interfered, they’d be fine.

She saw movement out of the corner of her eye. It was Zamiel, pointing at his wrist, almost as if he were wearing a watch. Laila narrowed her eyes. It was a goad—what the hell was the demon playing at here? She fired, winging Lukas, forcing him to drop the gun.

“That’s better,” she said, eyes locked on the hunter’s. Let’s see how good he really is.

“Laila?” Finn said, taking a step forward. Laila saw Cormac pull him back. Smart guy. Finn didn’t want to get in the way of this, much as he might think otherwise right now.

“You like hunting?” Lukas didn’t answer her question. He just stood there, staring at her. He was balanced on the balls of his feet, like he was ready to run at the first opportunity. “I’ll give you a minute’s head start.” She waved her gun at him.

Zamiel barked out a laugh, his enjoyment of his master’s predicament obvious. Lukas gave the demon a significant look before taking off deeper into the swamp.

Finn stalked up to her, but he was careful not to touch her. “What are you doing?”

Laila looked up at him. “Justice.”

“Looks a whole lot like revenge to me.”

“Same diff.” Laila checked her clips and sheathed her remaining dao sword.

“You said you’d give him a minute’s start.” Finn’s voice was disappointed.

“I lied.” She took off, following in Lukas’ footsteps.

She risked a look back. Finn had tried to follow after her, but Kess—of all people—had intercepted him, blocking his way. The black leopard shook her head. Laila gave one more look back, this time for Zamiel, but the demon had disappeared in all of the commotion. She’d have to keep an eye out for him.

Then there was nothing left but the chase
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Laila felt alive for the first time since she’d gotten the news of Mebis’ death. Not even the run-in with Sebastian had made her feel this exhilarated. She let the hunter gain a bit of a lead, not worried about tracking him. He was leaving enough of a trail that she could find him blindfolded with one nostril tied behind her back. Aside from the racket he was making, his scent was actually spiking with a pretty good top-note of fear.

She held no weapons. Instead she ran, overjoyed in the exertion of her muscles. She’d be faster as a jackal, but also far more vulnerable, and she would lose her weapons. She had no doubt she could take this hunter down bare-handed, but she didn’t want to. He didn’t deserve that privilege. No, she’d shoot him, just as she would a rabid dog.

Just as he’d shot Mebis.

Laila heard the sounds of pursuit. Why couldn’t Finn just stay out of it like she’d asked? She didn’t want to hurt him, but this was between her, Lukas, and maybe Zamiel. Finn, Kess, and the others had no place in it, despite however much they may want to help her.

A clearing was coming up; Laila had the whole area mapped both in her head and in her nose. She might not smell as well in this form as in her jackal one, but her nose was good enough. She fully expected some interesting shenanigans coming up. She let her jackal senses come a bit closer to the fore, scenting the air.

She came through the clearing in a diving roll between the vegetation that made it hard to see. She rolled forward, avoiding the bullet that had been meant to take her in the throat or maybe the head. Instead, it flew harmlessly past her as she tucked herself into a ball. She hit the ground, letting her momentum carry her forward, so that she regained her feet right in front of him, her hand already grabbing the rifle’s stock and yanking it from his hand.

She pitched it off to the side, pulling out her own automatic. Laila smiled grimly. Too easy. She backed away from Lukas a few steps, not liking being so close to him. If he got any ideas about tussling for her gun, it would end badly, and probably before she got the answers she wanted.

“Why my brother?” she asked quickly, as the sounds of pursuit came closer.

He looked confused. Laila realized that Zamiel had told him nothing about her or Mebis. She couldn’t decide whether to be grateful for his silence or suspicious of such a thing.

“Your brother?” He stared at her. “I don’t understand.”

“Mebis. That was his name. He was the jackal you hunted and had stuffed and mounted in that ridiculous trophy room of yours.” She spat out the last sentence as if it had personally insulted her.

Comprehension dawned in those magnetic blue eyes. “Ah, I see. He was your brother?” He seemed to bow a little from the waist. “My apologies. I did not know.” He looked around, almost like he was waiting for something. “He died well. He almost got me.”

“Almost only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, and the odd atomic bomb.” Almost didn’t bring Mebis back. She slid her finger over the trigger.

He looked up, past Laila. She didn’t take her eyes off of him, even as he spoke, “I’ve been wondering when you’d show up, Zamiel.”

A tall dark form stepped out of the trailhead. The demon. She thought it had been the others that had been behind her. Well, bullets wouldn’t hurt a demon, at least not the ones she was carrying right now, so she kept her gun-hand pointed at Lukas.

“My weapon!” the hunter cried, and the rifle appeared in his hand.

How the hell had he managed that? Her eyes flicked over to the demon, who was smiling wickedly. Damn.