Page 11 of Property of Crypt Keeper

“Of course. Thank you for coming in,” she replied.

“Thank you,” I returned and exited the building. Taking a left, I wandered toward the heart of the French Quarter. As I passed by little shops selling crystals and books, I wondered what the fuck was going on with me. My mother’s humanness was obviously seeping through.

That wouldn’t do.

“You found him?” Rafael asked as he appeared next to me.

Without so much as a pause, I kept walking.

“I did,” I replied, not turning my head to look at him.

“He’s dead?”

“No.”

A large hand grabbed my upper arm in a bruising grip, halting me in my tracks and spinning me around. Rafael glared at me.

My gaze dropped to my arm where his fingers dug into my flesh. “Get your fucking hands off me,” I ground out, knowing my eyes had darkened because I could feel them burning.

As if the same heat lit my skin, he quickly released me. Much to my mentor’s dislike, I had surpassed his power, and he usually treaded lightly with me. “Katalina,” he purred, quickly changing his tune. “You know that his father was directly responsible for the death of your parents. Gideon carries the ability to kill us off without breaking a sweat. I told you, his line is able to change from werewolf to human, making them cunning and deadly.”

My lips curved in a false grin. “Really? That’s funny. Because he didn’t smell like a werewolf.”

Rafael’s lip curled. “What are you talking about? Maybe he didn’t smell like a werewolf because he was in human form?”

“His blood lit up the runes on my blade,” I spat out.

“So?”

“That has never happened,” I snapped. Rafael had been on this earth longer than I had. He had been a hunter for centuries. The fact that his intel had been flawed set my teeth on edge. It was sloppy work. We didn’t do sloppy.

“Perhaps because he is a special line,” Rafael snorted before he sneered. “Of course he would be different. Time is ticking, Katalina. You were supposed to kill him, not play with him. He’s a mindless, soulless killing machine. The things he’s done to demons before killing them are unheard of. He’s a direct threat to our species.”

“I’ve been doing a little research, Rafe,” I sweetly informed him. “There are rumors of creatures here in Louisiana that were cursed. Lore has it that it was simply men that were these cursed beings. After what I saw, I believe there was much more to them than being human.”

“What are you talking about?” He had the nerve to look shocked. Whether it was from my attitude or the words I’d said, I had no idea. Didn’t care either.

“I’ll let you know when I find out. Until then, stay out of my way. I will handle this and report back to you when it’s done.” I didn’t wait for his reply. Instead, I walked away.

3

CRYPT KEEPER

The balls clacked together and rolled across the felt. Two rolled into the pockets, and I grinned. Then I lined up again and sank the eight ball.

It had been almost a week since my run-in with the sexy little demon in the swamp. I’d chosen to remain silent but vigilant about what had happened. My brothers had enough worries. Also, I’d get a big, fat, fucking “I told you so” from Boomslang before I got a major ass-chewing.

Nope. I’d handle this on my own.

“What the fuck?” Dexter muttered. “I don’t know why I ever agree to play with you.”

“You’re a glutton for punishment?” I teased.

Lily laughed from the couch where she was reading a book.

The door to the clubhouse opened, and a wave humid air seemed to fill the area. All eyes turned in that direction.

An older woman stood there looking completely out of her element. Her gaze darted around as no less than nine bikers stared her down.