Harley would have to use a combination of magic and the sword that she always carried. Her friend Emery had enchanted the sword to pull from a small pocket dimension. Harley had a replica of the sword tattooed on her back. She pulled the sword from the tattoo.
It wasn’t a normal tattoo. It had to be done the ancient way which meant tapping it into her skin one dot at a time. It had been painful but well worth it.
CHAPTER TWO
It took Harley two hours to get to the site. Lieutenant Meyers, head of the supernatural task force, was waiting for her by his squad truck.
She had worked with him over the past three years since she opened an agency in the area. Harley had one of the top witch firms in the nation and was highly sought after.
“Harley, over here.” The lieutenant waved her over as soon as she opened the door of her SUV.
He didn’t waste time filling Harley in.
“Five students reported they saw a gargoyle about three and a half hours ago. No one had heard from them since then. We were able to trace the call to these woods.
“A team has been out for about an hour combing through the woods. So far, we haven’t seen the students or the gargoyle. We could really use your expertise.”
“I don’t suppose we lucked out and have a personal item?”
“No, sorry. Nothing to go by, just your raw talent.”
Harley smiled cheekily at the older man. He was Tom Selleck handsome, only with gray hair at his temples. She had no idea how old he was, only that he was happily married.
If he hadn’t been, Harley would have tried much harder to get him in bed. He was so attractive, in so many ways. She still flirted shamelessly with him. Good thing he viewed it with a great sense of humor.
“I am talented in so many ways.” She smiled broader and winked at him.
He shook his head and filled her in on everything he knew before turning her loose.
She was walking away when she felt a hand on her shoulder. “Hey, be careful out there kiddo.”
She blushed a little and smiled softly. He really would be amazing in so many ways, if he were single.
Harley mock saluted him. “Will do.”
It was colder out here than she originally thought. Heading back to her SUV she grabbed her cloak and gloves donning them before heading to the woods.
Good thing she never wore stiletto heels. The knee-high boots sported four-inch heels, but they were much sturdier than a stiletto. Sexy, but sturdy.
CHAPTER THREE
The wind whipped around them picking up her skirt and blowing her cloak behind her like some movie scene.
A group of four men followed behind her, close, but not too close. She was the paranormal expert on the team and they were the muscle.
Harley had previously worked with two of the four men before, and they knew her method of operation. The men spread out in a flank behind her keeping silent following her lead.
She needed to concentrate keeping all her senses open. She reached out several yards in front of the group searching for signs of life.
All she felt was normal, garden variety wildlife. The fall leaves crunching on the ground was the only noise as they swept the surrounding area. They should have seen or heard something by now.
Harley found it odd that there was no sign of the students or any trace of the gargoyle. Suddenly a chill ran down her entire body. They had crossed a ward. A powerful ward.
The power in her mouth tasted like vampire. Very old vampire. Shit just got real. She stopped, making the signal for the group to halt.
“We just crossed a ward. If I’m correct it’s a vampire’s ward. A very powerful vampire.”
She heard one of the new men scoff. “If it’s a powerful ward how did we cross it so easily?”
A smile tugged the corner of her lips. “Easy, the ward was not meant to keep us out. It’s meant to tell the property owner that he/she has company.”
The new guy looked at her as if she had three heads, then spoke.
“How do you know that?”
Harley’s first reaction was to tell him, it’s a witch thing and you wouldn’t understand.
“Don’t you know anything about vampires?”
“Yes, they suck blood.”
“Ooh, a real smart guy.” Harley turned to the senior officer.
“Rick, where did you get this one? Nursery school?”
Rick chuckled. “It’s a possibility, this is his virgin run.”
“Oh, a virgin. I haven’t had one of those in a long time.”
Harley was about to say more when her senses pricked. She quickly gave the signal for silence. Something was coming.
The gargoyle swooped down above their heads before gliding off deeper into the forest. The strong wind and chatter had prevented them from hearing it approach them.
Close call. After that, she was all business. Casting a shield spell on them she led them deeper into the forest following the gargoyle.
Stopping a few times she cast her senses out beyond them to see if she sensed any other life forms. She knew that the vampire that had set the ward was old and powerful.
Contrary to belief, not all old vampires were powerful and not all powerful vampires were old. In this case, though, she sensed the vampire was old and very powerful.
She hoped they didn’t run into him or her tonight. She hadn’t had a chance to prepare any potions or have any of her magical weapons that would help them against a vampire. Save her sword, of course, that was always with her. The sword did not give her preternatural strength or
