Nicholas~
I answered with intended skepticism. "Kyle Steel, it's been longer than a while. What can I do for you?"
"Nicholas, I know my father contacted you about hunting Harley. I believe there are a few things that you should know before helping him."
I'd always liked Kyle. He gets straight to the damn point, a man after my heart. "Ok, Kyle, you have my attention."
Kyle cleared his throat. "Harley isn't just a Lycan werewolf....."
I stopped him right there. "Save your speech, Kyle; it makes no difference to me that Harley is an alpha female. I've hunted alphas of both genders before."
"How do you feel about hunting guardians?"
Hold up! Ian said nothing about a guardian! "What do you mean?"
"I am sure you know the legend of Sauther Lake. Sabrina, Harley's mother, was the firstborn seventh-generation female." He paused. "My sister is the next guardian, and Ian knew this."
I clenched my jaw and gripped the phone. "What really happened to Harley's mother?" I remember the story Ian told; it had more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese. I always had my suspicions.
Kyle's voice heats with anger. "My father killed Sabrina to stop her from taking Harley back to the lake."
"So why doesn't Harley just go to the lake now? If she is a guardian, Ian couldn't touch her."
"Ian made sure Harley couldn't know her identity or origin after Sabrina's death; no one could speak her name. There was no one to tell her, and I just found out when I discovered Ian had found her."
"Why would you think I would care about your sister's sob story? You know I get paid to bring the bounty back, not set him or HER free, right?"
"I do, but Harley isn't a criminal. I hoped you would take that into consideration. She isn't on the run because she has done anything to anyone, and she doesn't deserve our father's wrath. He plans to send Harley to the Durwood Academy."
That gets Zeek going apeshit in my head. The academy is a horrible place; if the cadet makes it out alive, he or she will never be the same. The only thing that will ever matter to them again is the kill; it comes with a bloodthirst that will rule their lives. Few have the mental capacity to survive it without going insane.
If Harley were a guardian, the effect would be tenfold. Now, I understand why Ian would want her at his disposal. With a creature such as a brainwashed guardian defending him, Ian could do whatever he pleased to whomever he pleased. That wasn't good for anyone. I wasn't sure what to do with the detective, but returning her to Ian just got scratched off the list.
"So what's in it for me if I decide to help you?"
The question gets me a vicious growl from Zeek. 'Calm your tits, Zeek!'
We both know I am going, but I want to know where Kyle's loyalty lies.
"Nick, I am only trying to protect my sister. I was hoping you would get that." He took a deep breath. "I will double whatever my father is paying you and help you take him out once and for all. Once the pack is under my control, I will offer you a job as my resident trainer; you could settle down, no more bounties."
"I don't need your money or your job, and I won't do your dirty work. If you want Ian dead, do it yourself. I told Ian I was on another case and would let him know when I made a decision. I will tell you the same thing."
"Will you at least give me your word that you won't hurt Harley? If you decide to bring her back to our father anyway, do so with her in one piece, and I will protect her afterwards."
"If I decide to go after her, I make no promises. Harley is a cop. If it comes down to me getting shot or her going down, I won't hesitate to kill her." I disconnected the line and tossed my phone back onto the desk.
I refocused on Harley's bio from Ian, searching for her mother. Having found her, I typed her name into my database and hit enter. What came up was what I expected. Sabrina Feilds had indeed been the generation to produce a guardian. I wonder which element Harley has control over? Ian was calculating, if nothing else.
How in the hell was he able to gain access to Sabrina in the first place? I can't imagine him being invited. Sauther Lake isn't on any map. The lake and its clan are exclusive, protected by decades' worth of good magic. It's the type of thing you have to know to know or don't bother to go.
'Consider who you're dealing with. If there were a way in, Ian would have found it. Why does it even matter now? When are we leaving?'
'There is a reason we've never gone after a guardian before Zeek; it's not worth the risk.'
'Why would she be running from Ian if she knew she had the power to destroy him? And well, yes, us too, I'll give you that much, but I am not suggesting we go after her at all. We will be there only to gather information.'
'You're suggesting we go to LA? Now?'
'Yes, I say we should see for ourselves before you agree to anything with either of them. I will know whether she is faking. If she isn't, we work with them to get in, fill her in, and be on our way. Doing one good deed won't kill you before we retire.
My wolf has had little from me in a while, aside from the joy of saving my ass countless times. I guess I owe him for this last job. 'Ok, Zeek, you win. We will leave first thing in the morning.'
I looked over at the sofa and unpacked my bag, which already stunk to high heaven.
Zeek coughed dramatically. 'You need fresh clothes!'