Chapter 1

I struggled to open my eyes, distinctly aware of the cold pavement cooling my cheek. I finally focused on a designer pair of shoes, the same pair that had landed the last blow to my stomach causing me to taste blood. The trees rustled with the wind and having only heard that sound and nothing else, I knew I was in a deserted part of the park near the church. I had to admit that the rain which was just beginning to fall felt good, the small drizzle made it easier for me to stay awake despite my head screaming and my eyes feeling heavy.

When I had accepted the last minute run, it seemed rather ordinary, boring actually. But I was happy to earn a small amount of cash that day rather than wasting the day sulking in the church. Since returning from my road trip to San Francisco, I had spent countless hours alone in the attic searching every book I had about magic. I even had some copies of Al's old demon books that he gave me during one of my last trips to the ever-after. They had been a loan for homework that I simply didn't do. I snickered like a child when a memory of Al admonishing me for not doing my homework flashed in my mind. It had been weeks since I was freed from going to my weekly lesson in the ever-after, a place that if I never visited again it would be too soon.

After what had happened in San Francisco, and the ever-after, I needed answers. Now more than ever I had to focus and learn everything I could about being a female demon. Newt coaxed me, she taught me and provided just the right amount of guidance and confidence I needed to make my collective and prove I was a demon. I shook my head thinking of how wrong it seemed that proving I was a demon was a good thing, it had actually saved my life, and the irony of the situation wasn't lost on me.

"I can go with you, Rache," Jenks had offered as he looked around the garden feeling torn between repairing the damage that was caused when the garden was attacked or baby-sit me. I tucked my splat gun into the back of my jeans and checked the camera to make sure the batteries were fresh.

"What? I need a babysitter now?" I offered a warm smile, knowing he needed more assurance. "Seriously, Jenks, I'm fine. It's a normal 'my wife is cheating on me and I want to bust her' case." I punctuated my sarcastic voice by rolling my eyes and using my fingers in air quotes. "I'll be fine."

"I don't know." Jenks seemed worried as pink pixy dust drifted from his wings. "You haven't been out of the hospital for that long…"

"Besides," I smiled knowing he would think my next comment was funny, "I have bitch of a landlord that demands rent on the first of the month, nothing less, so do me a favor and let me take this run without having to split the till with you, pixy. I can't afford the lavish place I live!"

"Tink's dildo you're a pain in my ass, Rache." Jenks flitted close to my face, almost making me sneeze when more pixy dust burst from his wings. "So help me god if I have to save your ass one more time witch…"

"I got it." I slipped the small camera into my back pocket flashing Jenks a smile. "You're going soft, Jenks, you didn't give Ivy this much shit before her run this morning!"

"Her run?" Jenks snorted causing me to frown in confusion. "If you call playing tonsil hockey with Skimmer a run…."

"Ugh!" I made a gagging sound as I marched to the front door. I chose not to think of Ivy with Skimmer, in fact I chose to block any thought of Skimmer from my mind completely. Honestly, I had no idea what Ivy saw in that woman and I ignored the small voice in my mind that reminded me exactly what Ivy saw in Skimmer aside from her beauty and grace, a blood balance. "Bitch," I had mumbled thankful that Jenks wasn't within earshot of my tantrum.

Despite my current shock that this wasn't a typical run, I still had to find a way to get out of the current predicament I was in. My mind focused back to the present as the pack of Weres closed in on me. I needed to dig deep for my strength and when I summoned all that I had, a razor sharp image of Ivy came to my mind. I quickly looked for a line to tap, anything to be able to fight back, it was second nature for me to search for a line and hold it. I was now keenly aware of the silver bracelet on my wrist. The same band of silver that gave me back my life would end up being the death of me. There was no magic to be called, I simply had to rely on my strength and grit, neither of which would be a match for an angry pack of Weres. Even my splat gun was out of reach; the odds were stacking up against me.

"What the hell do you want with me anyway?" I demanded, sounding more aggressive and cocky than I should have given my cheek was pressed against the wet pavement. "You are aware I'm an Alpha aren't you? There are rules…" I was reaching; rules weren't going to apply this time.

"There is someone very interested in you," the Alpha growled at me and despite my efforts to avoid his shoe it came in direct contact with my abdomen again. I hated that I tasted blood; it meant I bit down too hard on my lip when the searing pain shot through my body.

"I thought we were supposed to be careful?" a younger Were chuckled. "She's not so tough. This was easier than we thought!"

"Go tell whomever is interested in me to fuck off," I spat back, trying to sound tough despite the situation I was in. "I'm not interested!"

I wanted to hit him with all my anger and power, but the only power that was displayed was a powerful kick once more to my midsection. The unique metallic taste filled my mouth again and I felt like retching right on the spot. I forced my palm into the ground, attempting to leverage my body, which clearly wasn't going to happen without an overwhelming amount of pain. I closed my eyes, knowing this was going horribly wrong, and used the rest of my strength to focus on my memories. Images of Jenks flew through my head and made me smile. I ignored his last warning and despite me having to admit it even to myself, Jenks was right. Maybe I did need a babysitter. An image of Trent with my goddaughter filled my mind. He surprised me every single time I saw them together, how he always nuzzled her close telling her stories. Ceri was such an amazing mother; her life had changed so much since I had been able to rescue her from being Al's familiar. Then there was Ivy; my memory of Ivy dressed in skintight leather, boots that accented her legs confirming all my suspicions that they went on forever. There was so much I should have said to her, I should have gotten over my hang-ups about us and allowed her in more. I should have been honest with her, as I was to myself recently, I simply could get lost in her. The kiss that we shared in San Francisco haunted my dreams. It was even worse when I was awake, because I could focus on every movement she made, the way her lips formed a hesitant smile around me. She had meant it as a goodbye kiss, but it was almost a welcoming kiss for me, an introduction to what I could have had if I would have pulled my head out of my ass. Even as I thought about the kiss, I cursed my body for responding, my scar beginning to throb. I was suddenly overwhelmed with Ivy's scent, the unique blend of incense and citrus.

When my scar lit up like the fourth of July, I forced my eyes open mostly in shock. That's when the scene began to play out in front of me. The designer pair of shoes that had once taken pleasure in connecting with my body now quickly backed up. I felt a breeze pass over me and suddenly, directly in front of my eyes so I could focus on nothing else was a spiked 4-inch heel on a designer leather boot that would have cost me two months worth of my salary from the I.S.

"Hold on a second." The Were put his hands up in surrender as he continued to back up. I tilted my head allowing my eyes to travel up the shapely curve of the woman in front of me. The muscular, yet feminine, shape of the woman's legs flamed my scar and I recognized Ivy's custom leather pants immediately. Her foot moved and she easily swept the feet out from under one Were with alarming speed.

"Bitch!"

The insult fueled Ivy's anger and she immediately reached out, grabbing another Were and spinning him around, throwing him against the nearest tree to put him out of commission.

"Now who's going to get their ass kicked?" I mocked silently in my head as I struggled to keep my eyes open. "Not such a big man anymore, you dog!"

By my calculation there were three more circling, trying to get a shot at Ivy and then me. Ivy moved with grace, finesse, almost as if walking on air as she delivered a swift kick to the head of a one while grasping the throat of another, cutting off his air supply. Once the Were who had suffered from her foot fell, she turned and faced the one she had by the neck. She smiled showing her fangs; something that at one time would have startled me, but now I took comfort in. Ivy had once again managed to protect me.

"You don't obviously fight fair."

"I take orders like everyone else," the Alpha growled quickly with his hands up in surrender, "you should know that all too well." I watched as Ivy easily held him up so his feet were no longer on the ground.

"Who are you taking orders from?" Ivy demanded. She threw him on the ground and circled him with a look in her eyes that I had never seen before. It was more than her vampire instincts kicking into high gear, she was genuinely afraid. I was in too much pain to understand her fear, she was winning the fight hands down. She effectively kicked their asses and took their names so to speak!

"Why did you attack her?"

"Orders."

"Not good enough," Ivy seethed as she quickly closed the distance between her and the Were, "I want a name."

I couldn't comprehend the conversation; I gave up trying as I focused on Ivy's fighting stance. She quickly approached and grabbed the Were by the throat once more, leaning in to deliver a rather important message.

"You tell whomever it is that sent you here, that you've been kept alive only to deliver this message." Ivy's voice was barely a whisper and I gave up trying to understand her words. "If they send someone else, they will be signing not just that person's death warrant, but their own."

When Ivy released the Were, I marveled at how quickly he turned to run. My vampire had saved me once more, although I sadly admitted that she really wasn't my vampire. Not in the sense that she wanted, only in the sense that I could offer. I suddenly felt cold and alone. Ivy's beautiful face came into focus as she leaned down to talk to me. Her eyes were as dark as sin, completely engulfed in blackness as her hands trembled touching me.

"Stay with me, witch," Ivy pleaded in a soft, caring voice. It was soothing, almost willing me to close my eyes and become lost in the sound. Ivy's hands turned me over and I cried out in agonizing pain.

"I have to move you, Rachel." Ivy's voice washed over me to soothe my pain. "You need help."

"No hospital," I murmured my demand as if I was in a position of power. "Please, Ivy."

"You need help," Ivy continued as she scooted her hands beneath me to lift me with ease. I bit my lip, refusing to cry out in pain, it would have added credence to her argument.

"I can't go back there," I begged, just the thought of being vulnerable in a hospital once more was too frightening.

I let my head drop to her shoulder, just thankful that she had come to my rescue. The wave of nausea passed quickly and I was certain it was a combination of pain and Ivy's quick movements that caused it. She headed toward the church and I closed my eyes to fight back my tears. The last thing I heard was the silkiness of Ivy's voice as she spoke to me softly.

"My little witch," Ivy smiled trying to ease the tension in Rachel's demeanor, "you couldn't think of plan B, could you?"