Releasing the Hunter

Chapter 14

They didn’t talk as they made their way back to the truck. Ivy claimed the driver’s seat, and as they pulled out of the parking lot she glanced at Ronan. “Your friend is a bit intense.”

He nodded. “Yeah, but she knows a lot.”

“She may have a lot of information, but she doesn’t know everything.”

Ronan turned and looked at Ivy. She gave him a half smile. And right there he knew she’d accepted his apology and that they were back to being on an even keel.

He returned her smile, then looked out the side window. Quianna had been right about him, though. His morality would be in question if he gave the key to the cabal. He had heard rumors about the grimoire but never thought it was real. Just an old myth to scare people. And he admitted it worked. The thought of that book being in the hands of immoral beings like Reginald Watson frightened him to the core. But it wasn’t the book he was supposed to deliver, it was only the key. A key that was useless without something to unlock.

This was his one and only chance to be normal again. The cabal had a cure to his cambionism, a cure for the blood poisoning him every second of every day. Exchange the key for a cure. He’d do anything for that opportunity. He’d do anything to be human again, including stealing the key from Quinn Strom. They just had to find him first.

As Ivy pulled out onto the major highway that would lead them back toward his place, her cell phone jingled from her jacket pocket. She retrieved it and flipped it open. “Yeah?” While she listened, she nodded, then glanced at Ronan. It must’ve been the call they were waiting for.

“Okay, see you in a few.” She flipped the phone closed and slid it back into her pocket. “That was Jake. He has a lead. We’re going to meet him down in the Castro.”

“The Castro?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. Didn’t ask. Don’t care.”

Ivy parked the truck on Market Street and they got out and walked up to Castro Street and to the historic Castro Theatre. Ronan normally didn’t visit the area, famed for its diverse gay community, but he had been to the theatre once before when they were playing the director’s cut of Blade Runner, one of his favorite movies.

He loved the look of the theatre—old-school movie going with elegance and extravagance. The chandelier in the main movie hall made him think of the nostalgic era of Hollywood when movie stars were untouchable, classy and cool. Not like today, he thought.

Ivy bought two tickets to the show at the round ticket booth out front and they went in. She nodded toward the left staircase. “He said he’d meet us on the balcony.”

As they ascended the stairs, Ronan said, “Seems like a strange place for a meeting.”

“It’s dark, it’s private and no one would ever think to look for us here. So I think it’s damn near perfect.”

He chuckled at that. She was right.

The balcony was empty save for one person near the overhang. As they approached, Ronan could see that Jake was a pretty big dude—bulging muscles under a tight black T-shirt and denim jeans. He looked like an army commando; he even had the buzz cut to go with it.

He lifted a hand to Ivy as they neared, then his face changed and he was rushing up the aisle with a knife in his hand, right toward Ronan.

Ivy must’ve noticed it the same time Ronan did, because she was jumping in front of Jake, her hands on his chest. “Wait. Stop.”

He pushed past her and reached for Ronan. But Ronan was faster and he jumped clear over two rows of seats and away from the bruiser.

“He’s a demon, Ivy.”

Ivy smacked him in the chest with the palm of her hand. “He’s not full-blooded. He’s a cambion. And he’s with me.”

Jake lowered his knife, but didn’t sheath it. “Never knew you to be soft toward the hellspawn.”

Ronan’s hands fisted. He had a violent urge to pummel the guy into the ground. Jake reminded Ronan of all the hunters he’d dealt with over the years. Arrogant and ignorant.

At first he’d thought of Ivy that way. But as he’d gotten to know her a little, he realized she was far more intelligent and multifaceted than anyone he’d met before.

“He’s not hellspawn. I suggest you keep your opinions of things you know nothing of to yourself in the future.” She poked him in the chest. “I like you, Jake, but not that much.”

Jake looked at Ronan one last time, then sheathed his blade back under his shirt. “It’s your rep on the line. Not mine.” He returned to his perch at the edge of the balcony overhang.

She followed him there as Ronan came around the rows of seats to set up a position along the railing, close enough that he could hear what was going on but not where Jake could take a cheap shot at him.

“So what do you have?” Ivy asked.

Jake handed her a folded piece of white paper. “My sources tell me that your brother was seen at this address.”

She took it and opened it up. “Where is this?”

“Washington.”

“Are you sure this is legit?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

“How long ago was he seen?”

“About two weeks.”

“So he could’ve moved on.”

Jake shrugged. “Sure. You know Quinn. He doesn’t stay in one place for long.”

Ivy pocketed the note. “Thanks, Jake. I appreciate it.” She held out her hand to him.

He shook it, then glanced in Ronan’s direction. “Are you sure about him?”

Ivy met Ronan’s gaze. He could feel her probing stare even in the dark. Her eyes were that piercing. Finally, she nodded. “Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Okay. I’ll keep your liaison to myself.”

She snorted. “I don’t give a shit if you tell everyone. I know what I know, and that’s all that matters to me.” With that she headed back down the aisle. Ronan fell into step beside her.

They didn’t talk until they were back outside and headed toward the truck.

“Do you trust the lead?” he asked.

“Going to have to. Jake’s usually a stand-up guy, plus it’s the only thing we got to go on.”

“So, to Washington, hey?”

She shrugged. “Looks like it. We’ll go back to your place, pack our gear and head out. If we drive all day and night, we could make it there by tomorrow night.”

He nodded. “Okay.” He paused with his hand on the handle of the passenger door. “Are you sure you still want to find your brother with me? I could end up causing a ton of problems.”

She looked at him for a long moment, then shrugged. “You already have. Besides, you’re not bad company. You at least know how to fight. So that’s something.” She opened her door and got in, but not before he caught the slight twitch of her lips.