I finished sending Casey the images, along with the question, What the F are we looking at?
It was definitely a day for breaking out the F-word.
Rather than follow Jaxson out, I lingered for a second, then plucked the crumpled piece of paper from its resting place in the corner. Unfolding it, I found a message written in broad strokes: Have the Laurents really stooped so low they’d work with a LaSalle?
Dread weighed down on me as a new thought tore into my mind. According to Jaxson, the rogue wolves had never abducted another werewolf. Had they taken Sam to punish the pack for working with me?
I shoved the note in my pocket and hurried outside. We were so in over our heads, it was ridiculous.
Regina was speaking to Jaxson. “We’ve scouted the area. No scent of any remaining demons.”
Jaxson pointed at her and the others. “I want you all to scout out the nearest town and marina. See if you can track the rogues who escaped with Sam. Then see what you can dig up on sorcerers in the area—find out if there are any blood sorcerers milling around. I’ll make arrangements for us to stay at the motel on pack lands.”
Regina and the others nodded and took off into the woods, leaving Jaxson and me. He strode into the forest, tense with fury, and I had to speed walk to keep up with him, even with my boots.
“How are we going to get Sam back?” I asked.
“I’ll let you know when I figure that out. Don’t worry.” His voice was a low rumble that sent shivers across my skin.
Even so, my irritation flared. He was trying to cut me out. “I am going to worry about it. Her life is on me, and I’m going to help get her back. I can scry.”
Jaxson’s honey eyes narrowed on me. “No. You’ve done enough. You wound up with blood dripping from your nose the last time, and you got caught. My guess is that wherever Sam is, the sorcerer will be there, too. He might not just kick you out of the vision next time. I don’t know what’s possible, but it could be very dangerous.”
I stepped in front of him to stop him in his tracks. “You brought me along because I can scry. I saw the note, and I know Sam is in danger because of me. I’m going to do it, whether you like it or not.”
He studied me for a long moment, a deep frown set on his face. When it seemed he was about to say no, I pushed. “It’s worth a shot, Jax, and I need to help.”
I’d never called him Jax before. It just slipped out.
His expression softened a little, and he sighed. “You’re right, it’s worth a shot. We’ll get somewhere safe, and then you can try it.”
Before I could argue with his presumptuous tone, my phone rang, and I pulled it out of my pocket. “It’s Casey. He might have some information.”
Casey’s voice cut across the line. “What the hell are you doing? Are you at some sort of twisted murder scene? Shit, tell me that’s not your godmother’s house.”
“A blood harvesting site. I’m not actually in Belmont. We found one of the abduction victims in Wisconsin. He’s alive, but barely. What can you tell me about that circle of magic symbols in the middle of the floor?”
Casey’s voice shook with what I presumed to be fear and outrage. “Are you out of your mind, Savannah? You have no idea how much danger you’re in! I’ve been trying to figure out what attacked you at the fair, and the photos you sent confirm it—blood demons.”
“Blood demons?”
Jaxson’s body tensed at my words, though I was certain he could hear everything Casey was saying.
“Yeah. Blood demons are like vampires on steroids. If they get ahold of you, they’ll drain you dry. They’re apparently really nasty and nearly impossible to control unless you’re an insanely strong spellcaster. My guess is that some fucked-up super-powerful blood sorcerer summoned them using a little of your victim’s blood, then kept the dude around as a human juice box for the monster to feed on. That probably means the demon is nearby. You need to get out of there before it comes back.”
“Yeah. Thanks for the warning, but we already shot four to death already.”
“Wait, what?” he squeaked.
“I really appreciate all the info, Casey. I know this puts you in an awkward spot, but text me if you learn anything more. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Savannah, wai—”
I hung up and gave Jaxson a half smile. “Bad news: those things are blood demons, and the sorcerer is using people like juice boxes to keep them hydrated. Good news: we just killed four of the bastards. Five, counting the one at the fair.”
Jaxson’s expression darkened.
“What? That’s good news, right? We know more.” I cocked my head.