Read Lycan on the Edge: Broken Heart Book 13 Online
Authors: Michele Bardsley
dealing with the Alberich, but we want you to
draw Ena out.”
Meckenzie studied the witch’s face. “You’re
being kind. I’m sure Patsy phrased it differently.
This isn’t my decision, is it?”
“No.”
“Hoo-kay then. I suppose I owe Broken Heart
that much.” She shoved the covers back and got out
of bed. She had a woozy moment then the world
righted, and she took a couple tentative steps.
“Are you all right?” asked Lenette.
“Oh, yeah. I’ve felt worse, believe me.”
“You’ve dealt with being poisoned before?”
“No, but I’ve done my share of tequila shots.”
Lenette laughed. Then she held out her arm, and
even though it made Meckenzie feel like a
sissy la-
la
, she took it. They hadn’t even crossed the room
when Ren appeared in the doorway, his expression
zipping from worried to furious.
“What are you doing?” He strode inside,
shoved a paper bag at Lenette, and then scooped
Meckenzie into his arms. “You are not well. You
cannot leave the bed until you are fully rested.”
“Um, you’re not the boss of me,” Meckenzie
said. “Queen Patsy is. Besides, I screwed up your
little haven. It’s only right I try to help fix it.”
“Ren,” said Lenette, her tone sympathetic. “We
don’t have time. You must take her to the location
now.”
“Yeah,” Meckenzie said. “And I don’t need to
be coddled.” However, she liked the feel of his
arms around her, how warm and safe he made her
feel. But so what? Even if Meckenzie survived the
encounter with Ena, she and Ren were not ever
going to be anything to each other. She had never
been the get-married-have-kids-live-normal-lives
type. Having your only family murdered, your
mom’s soul trapped by an evil witch, and getting
yourself turned into said witch’s minion made
those kinds of dreams impossible.
Though, she found it disconcerting that she
could imagine being with Ren as … well, her
forever guy.
“What are you waiting for, vampire boy? If
you’re going to set the trap, you need to put the bait
in it.”
He nodded, and before she realized what was
happening, gold sparkles filled the air. She felt like
she was being pulled from the inside out, and then
she heard a sucking noise.
Oh, hey, darkness. Again.
SOPHIE AND TRENT had changed clothes. In the
black cargo pants, T-shirt, and boots, she looked
the part of a warrior.
But she still didn’t feel like one.
“It’s all right,” said Trent, grasping her
shoulder. The warm pressure of his hand calmed
her jitters, and she offered him a smile of thanks.
Now, they were hunkered down behind a stone
crypt watching as super-powerful beings threw
rocks and sticks and designer shoes at a seven-
foot-tall green, warty giant who stomped around
like a toddler in a temper tantrum. Their combined
efforts to keep him distracted were working for the
moment, but Sophie knew her and Trent needed to
go in there and stop the Alberich once and for all.
But all she could think was: We’re all going to die.
Trent’s hand found hers. They twined fingers,
and Sophie felt the anxiety and fear melt from her.
“We’re okay,” he said.
Sophie took a deep breath to settle her mind.
She looked at him, taking in the now golden brown
of his irises as he hovered on the edge of turning.
“I guess you better give me the short version of
how to operate our Wonder Twin powers.”
“You just need to get close enough to make
contact with the beast. It might take a few times of
you hitting him, but keep doing it until he drops.
The Alberich will drain your energy, and he’ll
probably hurt you. But I’ll be there, Sophie. I’ll
take your pain and heal your wounds, so you can
bring the big bastard down. Trust me.” He
squeezed her hand.
“I do,” Sophie said, surprised that she meant it.
Impulsively, she kissed him, enjoying the mild
shock of tension in his mouth right before he
wrapped her close to him; his fingers curved
around the back of her neck as he deepened the
kiss. It ended too soon by Sophie’s estimation,
thanks to a small truck being tossed over their
heads. Huh. The vampires were getting desperate.
Sophie smiled at Trent, still breathless. “Okay.
I’m ready now.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
JESSICA AND PATRICK headed the charge
through the cemetery. Sophie and Trent followed
close behind, and behind them another four
vampires. Trent’s worry for Sophie tripled as she
stumbled. She righted herself and continued, but he
saw her expression. She was terrified.
But she wasn’t letting that fear stop her.
The body of the werewolf, however, did.
She nearly tumbled over the large brown wolf.
The egregious wounds dripped with blood and
thick green pus. Her shocked gaze met Trent’s, and
he grabbed her arm and forced her forward. “Keep
going.”
He was dismayed to see other bodies and a
few piles of ash that had once been vampires. The
Alberich was taking its toll.
“We follow Jessica,” said Trent. “When she
gets his attention, run through his legs and tag his
calf. Do not stay there. If you don’t keep moving,
he can step on you or swipe you.
“He has the sword,” she said, her voice
shaking.
He wanted to hide her away. He didn’t wish to
lose someone he loved, and yes, he loved her, to
the Alberich again. But if he and Sophie couldn’t
face up to this difficult task, the entire town would
perish. He wasn’t sure he could live with either
option. The choice had to be hers.
“Do you want to run?” he asked her.
Her lower lip trembled, but she shook her
head. “No. No, I don’t.”
“Then have faith in yourself. In us.” Trent took
her by the shoulders. “Remember, Sophie, you took
down one of these all on your own. You are a
goddess.” He kissed her hard and then let her go.
“You’ve got this. Run!”
His heart nearly beat out of his chest as he
watched Sophie dodge around the paranormals
doing their best to fight the grotesque giant. Trent
allowed Sophie enough room to maneuver but
stayed close enough to get to her when she went
down. Even though she’d accidentally defeated the
Alberich in the Oregon forest, she didn’t remember
much about that attack. He feared the intense pain
would flatten her. Touching an Alberich would be
like touching lightning.
Pride swelled when Sophie darted between the
giant’s legs and slapped the back of his right calf
with both hands. That pride turned to horror as she
was flung backward, her cry of agony piercing his
heart.
The Alberich roared and went down to one
knee. The paranormals closed in throwing,
literally, everything they had at the Alberich.
It seemed like it took an eternity to get to
Sophie. Trent helped her to her feet, but she
immediately turned and vomited. She wiped her
mouth with the back of her shirtsleeve. “Sorry.”
“You did great.” God, she looked wan, almost
ashen. Terror made him want to grab her and take
flight. He didn’t mean to risk her safety. He wanted
her alive. He needed her alive.
I love you, Sophie. Why hadn’t he told her
earlier? He would take her pain, no matter the cost.
“Here.” He pressed his fingertips against her
temples and absorbed every ounce of her suffering.
It felt like acid boiled in his veins, but he didn’t let
go until he’d given every bit of healing he could to
Sophie.
He staggered back, clenching his teeth as his
eyes rained gold onto his face, his arms. The
squiggles of magic absorbed into his skin, and
finally, he was able to take a breath.
“Go,” he said, his gaze meeting Sophie’s.
“Let’s finish this.”
MECKENZIE STILL SHOOK from the explosion
of her molecules. Goddamn. She did not want to do
that shit again. On the upside, she was still in the
buff arms of a certain loup de sang. The man
smelled good.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“In the basement of a burned-out convenience
store. It’s about five miles out of town—far enough
away to protect our citizens.”
“So, it’s just you and me?”
“Everyone is needed to keep the Alberich
occupied. We will be enough to stop one witch.”
He looked at me his gaze filled with regret. “I’m
sorry that I thought you were faking the illness.”
“Don't apologize,” she said. “That’s a tactic I
would’ve used.”
He allowed one corner of his mouth to curl up.
He lay her down gently on the cool stone floor, but
before he could move his arms away, she grabbed
him and hauled him forward. Surprise was on her
side, and he fell on top of Meckenzie with a
startled umph.
“What are you doing?” he asked. He made no
move to leave. Instead, he adjusted himself so that
he wasn’t squishing her so much. “What do you
want?”
“You,” she said, cupping his face.
She could see all the doubts he had about her,
about what was unfolding between them. She
didn’t want to see that distrust and know that she
deserved it, and worse.
“Kiss me,” she murmured. “Chances are Ena
will kill me, and then you’ll have missed your shot
at these lips. So, stop thinking and kiss me, Ren.”
Desire flared in that golden gaze, burning away
all those other pesky emotions. He looked at her,
just looked, and that sensual appraisal started a
trembling in her belly. He leaned down, a teeny
tiny bit, and parted his lips. Her heartbeat tripled,
and the air in her lungs evaporated.
Then that bitch Ena blew up the damned room.
Ren covered Meckenzie and protected her from
the debris of the mangled ceiling. Dust thickened
the air, and the sounds of falling boards and bricks
echoed in the silence.
“Are you o—” Ren was yanked off her, and
thrown against the wall Growling, he jumped to his
feet, growling and made a leap for Ena. A rope of
black electric magic pushed against his middle like
a giant fist and pinned him to the floor. His gaze
sought hers, and he yelled, “Meckenzie!” Then his
voice was cut off. She watched his neck muscles
strain as he fought against the magic. Her heart
dove to her toes as panic did the cha-cha up her
spine.
She rolled up to her elbows, but before she
could even think about getting up and trying to kick
some butt, Ena’s face appeared above hers. She
shrank down.
Her eyes narrowed with rage. “You’re a pain
in the ass, Meckenzie.” She punched Meckenzie
hard, and Meckenzie felt blinding pain. “Did you
forget our bargain?”
“I fulfilled my end,” she wheezed. She ended
her comment with a coughing fit. Inhaling blown-
up wall bits was not good for the ole vocal chords.
She was still feeling groggy, but she was aware
enough to know both she and Ren were sitting
ducks.
“I want my revenge!” Ena screamed. “Your
mother’s soul hangs in the balance, Meckenzie.”
The witch grabbed her by the throat and jerked her
upright. Her fingers squeezed hard, her sharp nails
digging into Meckenzie’s flesh. “If you fail me
again, I will send dear, darling mommy into the