Wild Rapture: A Chiasson Story (Book 5) Read online

  Riley winced as she fell back and slammed against the side of a building. She saw a fist come at her, and she quickly ducked. When she straightened to deliver her own blow, Beau had already taken down her opponent.

  “Where’s Delphine?” Beau asked.

  She shrugged. “I haven’t seen her since the fight began. One minute she was in front of me, and the next, she was gone.”

  “That’s not good,” he murmured as he pivoted to continue fighting.

  Riley looked around for someone to battle, but everyone was already matched up. Thankfully, more of Delphine’s followers lay dead than anyone in her group.

  The sound of a rifle firing had her lifting her gaze to the window where Marshall was stationed. She hoped that he’d found Delphine and could end all of this with literally one bullet. But he fired two more rounds in quick succession in various places.

  She saw one of the disciples fall and knew that Marshall was helping in the battle while looking for Delphine. He was their secret weapon, though with every bullet he fired, he drew attention to himself.

  Riley felt the hairs on the back of her neck lift. She looked around, seeking the source, and found George standing off to the side, watching her. Then his gaze slid to Marshall’s position before George turned on his heel.

  She lost him as the crowd shifted, blocking her view. She pushed against a witch while trying to hurry after George, but it felt as if, suddenly, everyone was closing in around her.

  “Marshall!” she yelled.

  Her cry was swallowed by the sounds of battle.

  The harder she tried to move through the throng of people, the less distance she was able to achieve. She kept glancing up at the window. Every time Marshall fired the gun, relief filled her.

  She was finally able to push through the last of the group and stumbled out onto the deserted street. Her gaze jerked to the window where Marshall’s rifle barrel no longer poked out.

  Riley ran toward the building, praying with each step that he wouldn’t be hurt in any way. She reached the door and threw it open to run inside when Kane suddenly appeared beside her.

  His hand on her arm halted her. “What?”

  “Marshall.”

  That’s all that was needed. Her cousin gave her a nod and rushed inside. He reached the stairs first, taking them three at a time while she followed as fast as she could.

  The battle raged on outside, the sounds dimmed by the walls of the structure. But it was the silence from above that scared her.

  They reached the top of the landing, and Kane motioned to her that he was going to come in another way. Riley didn’t care. She just wanted to find Marshall.

  Her heart was in her throat when she ran to the doorway and looked inside to find George and Marshall glaring at each other. Riley glanced at Marshall, but she kept her full attention on George.

  “You don’t belong up here,” she told George.

  He turned his cold, dark eyes to her. “And you do?”

  “Leave.”

  “I’m here for you.”

  Riley could feel the tension and anger rolling off Marshall. If George were just a man, she would let Marshall take him down, but George was something much more. And that’s what made her leery of him.

  “I’m not going anywhere with you or Delphine,” Riley stated.

  George cut his eyes to Marshall. “Because of him.”

  “Because I don’t want to be with you. Because I’m not a possession. I’m a woman who has the right to choose, and I choose my family.”

  George turned his head back to her. “I can give you everything. Power, wealth, status, and the ability to rule all of New Orleans.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marshall frown. Riley shrugged. “First, I don’t care about any of that. Second, Delphine wants to run New Orleans.”

  “I can give it to you.”

  The way he said it sent a chill of foreboding down Riley’s spine. She spotted Kane coming up behind George, but she wasn’t ready for his attack yet. Moving the fingers of her right hand, she waved Kane off for the moment.

  “What do you mean you can give it to me?” Riley asked.

  George smiled, his gaze locked on her. “I can give you anything you want. All you have to do is come with me.”

  “Tell me how you can do what you claim.”

  He waved his hand around him and glanced out the window. “Once, a very long time ago, I ran New Orleans. Nothing went on in this city that I didn’t approve of. My magic was unbeatable. I was the strongest around. And everyone knew it.”

  “But you died,” she said before Marshall could.

  George lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I was betrayed by those who wanted someone else in power.”

  “Who?” she asked.

  “A family. The LaRues came to the city and began driving out the worst of the supernatural. They were chosen to regulate the city. And their first order of business was to get rid of me.”

  She took a step closer to George even as Marshall whispered her name, and Kane glowered. “Why do you want me?”

  “Because only my spirit is here. I control this body since Delphine summoned me, but I want more. I want to take my place at the head of this city once again. And you can give that to me.”

  “How?”

  “A blood sacrifice. And a child.”

  She grimaced. “You mean you’ll be reborn?”

  “No. The sacrifice will make sure that I can never be removed from this body.”

  Even though she knew she didn’t want to know the answer, she asked, “And the child?”

  “We’ll create a dynasty so strong that no one will ever be able to destroy it.”

  She shook her head. “LaRue blood runs in me through my family. I’m your enemy.”

  “You can see it that way, or you can be my ally. I’ll spare your family—all of them—but they must leave New Orleans forever.”

  Riley swallowed. “Who is to be the sacrifice?”

  “Delphine, of course.”

  Riley could barely believe his response. But she didn’t have time to answer as there was a loud shriek that made Riley bend at the waist and cover her ears with her hands.

  She looked over to find Delphine striding into the room with her gaze full of vengeance and death. Another blood-curdling scream filled the air as the priestess sent George flying backwards.

  He slammed into the wall and dropped to the floor without an ounce of pain showing. He got to his feet and blinked as if he’d suspected such a show.

  Marshall was suddenly at Riley’s side. He took her hand and was leading her out when she gasped as an arm wrapped around her waist and jerked her back out of Marshall’s grip. He spun around at the same time Kane made himself known.

  The five of them stared at each other in silence. And then Riley felt as if something were tightening around her throat. She clawed at her neck and struggled to breathe, gasping for air.

  “Delphine,” George warned.

  Riley was unceremoniously dropped. She fell to the floor with her mouth open wide and her lungs burning for breath. Marshall was immediately at her side, but there was nothing he could do.

  The corners of her vision began to swim as black dots appeared. Riley knew she was dying. Marshall looked on helplessly as Kane made to attack Delphine. Except George beat him to it.

  George was fast and strong, and he moved as if he knew what Delphine was thinking. It allowed him to get close and slam her head against the wall.

  Riley choked as the pressure on her neck vanished, and she dragged in mouthfuls of precious air. As her lungs filled, the rushing in her ears ceased so she could hear again.

  “I love you. I love you. I love you,” Marshall repeated over and over again.

  She looked up at him and smiled.

  17

  If they remained, they were going to die. Marshall pulled Riley to her feet as George turned to them. Delphine pushed herself up onto her hands and knees and slowly turned h
er head to George.

  The rage in the priestess’s eyes warned of retribution and violence. And Marshall didn’t want Riley anywhere near such happenings. She’d already been through too much already.

  And he’d come so very close to losing her.

  Delphine used the wall to climb to her feet. George turned back to her while Kane kept his gaze locked on the priestess. Both stood against Delphine, but even then, Marshall wasn’t sure who would come out the victor.

  For the moment, Kane and George were on the same side, but how long would that last once they took down Delphine? Probably no more than a few seconds before George realized that he wasn’t going to get Riley, and then he would attack all of them.

  “Fuck,” Marshall murmured.

  Riley was still wobbly on her feet, but with each second, she gained strength. He glanced behind him out the window to see that the battle was still raging, but there were few of Delphine’s followers left standing.

  “How dare you,” Delphine said to George through clenched teeth.

  He smiled, but it was cold, unfriendly. “You shouldn’t be surprised.”

  “We were supposed to work together,” she stated.

  “I would have said anything to come back. Now that I’m here, I’m going after what I want.”

  Marshall’s gut clenched when George turned his head and looked right at Riley.

  “Over my fucking dead body,” Kane declared.

  George’s black eyes met the werewolf’s. “That can be arranged.”

  “Not if I kill you,” Delphine said.

  Riley leaned close to Marshall and whispered, “Get ready.”

  Marshall debated turning and getting his rifle. Though he would be better served with his pistol—if he could get a shot off.

  The tension ratcheted up so high, the air fairly vibrated with it. George and Delphine stared at each other, while Kane’s eyes moved from one to the other. And all three were ready for anything.

  Riley took Marshall’s hand. He palmed his gun with the other and pulled it from the holster. While he wanted to kill Delphine, his attention was on George. With him and Kane, surely they could eliminate at least one of their enemies this night.

  Marshall’s gaze darted to the two doorways. To get to either meant getting near George and Delphine. The two windows behind him were out of the question since it was a straight drop to the pavement below.

  If only the building had a balcony, then that would give them several options. But there was no use wanting something that wasn’t there.

  “Get to your brothers,” he whispered.

  Riley shot him a flat look that said she wasn’t going anywhere.

  The sound of Delphine’s laughter sent a chill down Marshall’s spine. Even Kane was affected by the maniacal cackle. The only one who didn’t seem bothered was George.

  He tilted his head to the side and calmly said, “Let’s get on with this, shall we?”

  In the next instant, Delphine launched her attack.

  Marshall grabbed Riley and dove to the side as George slammed into the wall where they had been standing. Marshall briefly met Riley’s gaze before they jumped to their feet.

  Kane went after Delphine, but he only got a few steps before she had him hanging in midair. Then her head snapped to George as he got to his feet and dusted himself off.

  It was all casual right up until he lifted his gaze to Delphine. Marshall saw the evil within the man then, the malevolent spirit that was prepared to do anything to get what he wanted.

  And right now, he wanted Delphine dead.

  George moved so quickly that Marshall couldn’t keep up with him. One moment Delphine was standing, and the next, she was gone. Kane dropped to his knees as he fell to the floor. And then George turned his attention to Riley.

  Marshall shook his head and tried to move her behind him. “She doesn’t want to go with you.”

  “I can give her everything you can’t,” George said.

  Then, without missing a beat, George looked over his shoulder at Kane and used magic to lift Kane and toss him out of the room.

  “As I was saying,” George replied once his attention was back on Marshall. “I’m going to give you one chance to step away from what’s mine. If you don’t, I’ll kill you.”

  Riley gave a loud snort. “Yours? I’m not yours. I never was, and I never will be.”

  “What a pity,” George said in a soft voice. “I’d hoped you would come willingly. I didn’t want to force you, but I’m prepared to do whatever is necessary.”

  All the fear that had been pressing against Marshall from the moment they put this plan into motion evaporated. He’d been in this position countless times before—only this was his first time where everything directly connected to him.

  He wasn’t going to watch George take Riley away. Nor would he stand aside and give in to George’s demands. While Marshall might not be a werewolf or have the skills of a lifelong supernatural hunter, he did know bad guys.

  And he was in love with Riley.

  All of that meant one thing—he had to give Riley time to get to her brothers and cousins. With them, she had a chance of fighting against George.

  He didn’t think about all the dreams that had flooded his mind over the past few hours of having a life with Riley. Or of a love so deep and profound, one that he’d never expected to find.

  If all he was meant to have were these few precious hours with Riley, then he would take them with a smile, knowing that he was about to ensure that she continued to live. That the world would be a brighter, happier place with her in it.

  Marshall pulled her behind him as he took a step back and to the side. He was trying to inch closer to the door, but by George’s raised brow, the bastard knew exactly what Marshall was attempting.

  “You’ve chosen poorly,” George said and lifted his hands.

  Marshall turned and pressed Riley against the wall, shielding her with his body as he waited for whatever magic George was about to unleash on them.

  Instead, a scream of rage rent air. Marshall’s gaze cut to the doorway to see Delphine stride into the room with her lips peeled back in a snarl as she advanced on George.

  The building began to shake from the force of the magic between Delphine and George. The two were utterly focused on each other. Or so Marshall thought. Just as he was about to lead Riley to the door, Marshall felt himself being lifted and tossed against the far wall.

  He hit the ground with a thud, his head slamming against the floor. Pain exploded through him even as he fought to stay conscious.

  “Marshall.”

  He heard the worry in Riley’s voice as she kneeled beside him, her hands on him as she helped him sit up. “You need to leave,” he said, holding a hand to his throbbing head.

  “Not without you.”

  Of course, she’d be stubborn. Not that he could find fault in her words. He’d do the same in her position.

  “Come on,” she said as she slung his left arm around her shoulders.

  He tightened his grip on his gun even as he struggled to his feet. His gaze was riveted on George and Delphine, but now he realized that while it appeared George was focused on the priestess, the bastard was always aware of where Riley was.

  “What are you thinking?” Riley whispered.

  There was no way they were getting to the door. It would be easier to get out that way, plus they could check on Kane. But Marshall knew they couldn’t get close to either of the two doorways. George had positioned himself in such a way that they would have to get near him in order to get out.

  The only other option was the windows.

  “Are you afraid of heights?” he asked.

  Riley shook her head. “Windows, then?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “And Kane?”

  “We’ll come back.”

  She glanced out the door. “Yes, we will.”

  Marshall jerked his chin to the nearest window. “Get it open. I’ll watc
h the two psychopaths.”

  As she worked to open the old windows that had been painted shut, the ceiling began to crumble and fall from the magic being thrown between George and Delphine. Marshall raised his gun and sighted down the barrel. The moment he got a shot, he fired at George.

  Except the asshole moved at the last minute, causing the bullet to lodge in the wall. And then George turned his fury on Marshall.

  His pistol heated in his hand, causing his skin to smoke. Marshall fired off two more shots, both going wide before he had no choice but to drop the weapon. The only thing that kept George from coming straight for Marshall was Delphine, who hadn’t let up her assault.

  There was a loud bellow followed by Kane leaping into the room. His eyes were bright yellow as he rushed George. When Kane tackled him to the ground, Delphine came in for the kill.

  “Get out!” Kane bellowed to Marshall.

  He didn’t hesitate. He grabbed Riley’s hand and ran to the door. Large chunks of the ceiling fell all around them. The stairs were separating from the floor that swayed beneath their feet.

  Marshall never slowed. His hold on Riley was tight as they ran down the stairs toward the doors. No sooner had they sped from the stairs than they crumbled behind them, filling the air with a dust cloud that enveloped them.

  “Kane!” Riley screamed.

  Marshall paused long enough to wrap his arms around her waist and haul her against him when she tried to go back for her cousin. He glanced up and saw the massive cracks in the ceiling. The entire building was about to come down.

  He barreled through the doors when he heard the loud crack that split the air. The sight of friendly faces had relief pouring through him.

  Riley was pulled from his arms and engulfed in her brothers’, but her gaze never left the building.

  “Where’s Kane?” Court asked.

  Myles came to stand beside his brought. “Listen.”

  The street quieted as everyone raised their gazes to the second floor where the sounds of growls could be heard over George’s bellows and Delphine’s screeches.

  Solomon pushed past his brothers and started toward the building even as Kane released a howl. Solomon paused, glancing upward, before continuing on. Right before he reached the doors, the building gave a great yawning noise before collapsing in on itself.