Vaewolf: Damn the Darkness: The Prophecy's Promise (Hearts of Darkness Book 3) by Eliza March Read Free Book Online Page A

“You lied. Why?”
    “Fear is a memorable taste I can’t resist. Now, I can always find you.”
    Jackson turned her to face him and watched her tremble. She’d been confident enough from the start, but Jackson tasted the adrenaline, the fear in her blood. And fear was a rush he should avoid. His dark side liked the flavor too much.
    “Now tell me, cher , why would a pretty little thing like you meet these two ugly dudes out here in the bayou…all alone?”
    “No answer?” Brave little fool. He used the voice on her. “You will answer me.” She’d have to answer truthfully. Her magical cloak and being born a witch shifter would protect her against other shifters or demons. Under normal circumstances, her gifts may have made a difference, but she’d never encountered a being such as Jackson.
    She sighed, blinking several times. “I know nothing of my assignment.”
    He sensed her struggle against his thrall and gave her credit for being persistent.
    “I have a gift for you.” Jackson said, “Kade, hand me the torque. He’d bound her hands with the woven rope made of devil’s rocket. It prevented her from performing magic. Taking her blood guaranteed Jackson could always find her, and the torque…it prevented her from shifting. She’d hate it.
    Unable to move, her eyes shifted from one side to the other trying to see behind her as he hung the torque about her neck and fused the edges together with his power. She would not be able to perform shift while it remained in place. And Jackson would maintain control of her mind with his voice .
    “What was your assignment, little witch?”
    “I was sent by the head warlock of our coven to make an exchange with the ones who met me here. Then I was to take the herb from the demons to a local witch.”
    She was telling the truth. Whoever the warlock was, he was a careful man. Apparently, awaiting his next command, the witch’s eyes glazed over.
    “The warlock—his name?”
    “Nicodemus Jones.”
    Who was this Nicodemus Jones? And what was the warlock up to conspiring with demons?
    “Who was the herb for?”
    “I don’t know. Once I picked it up, I was supposed to deliver it to Cassie or Tanya at the Witch’s Brew.”
    Anger bubbled within Jackson like a boiling cauldron. Why deal with covens outside the district? What were local witches doing colluding with a warlock capable of contacting demons? Disappointment in one of his own spread like poison through his blood. Tanya had been one his favorite witches. But how well did he know her. They’d drifted apart when his pack responsibilities interfered. Should he ever have trusted her?
    He gripped the witch’s arm and turned her to face him. He’d find out what he could about the warlock, and uncover more details about the demons from Tanya, later. For now, he’d coerce whatever answers he could from the witch. “Where’s your coven?”
    She gave him the name of a township in Michigan, up north on the upper-peninsula. He’d need to send a party north to explore the area and check out the pack leader. The area was under his control, though he wasn’t sure who managed that section of the country, he did know it spanned all the way into Canada.
    “Your name?”
    “Tess.”
    “Well, Tess, what about this box you brought with you and the stone?” Jackson ignored his nakedness and picked up the witch’s stone then inspected the demons’ package.
    “Not much. I think they’re some kind of herbs to build the blood, and seeds to grow more plants.” She shrugged.
    “What of the stone?”
    “It’s a moonstone. Many carry semi-precious gems to enhance mental acuity.”
    “This one looks old, ancient in fact. What do the demons need with a fae relic?”
    The witch shrugged again. “I guess that information is above my pay grade.”
    Jackson had questions and the witch didn’t seem to have the answers he needed. A moonstone and a package full of herbal concoctions. What did the witches need with the herbs