Blood of the Demon (The Silver Legacy Book 3) by Alex Westmore Page A

the house. It was subtle and she wondered how Louis was able to feel it, but it was there.
    Then she understood. It wasn’t just energy. It was magic.
    Witch magic.
    “Can I ask you one question?”
    “Sure, ma’am.”
    “You wear that military jacket. Were you? In the military?”
    Louis nodded. “Gulf War.” He chuckled. “Not that anyone remembers that one. Came home to nuthin’. Decided nuthin’ was better’n busted dreams.”
    “I’m so sorry, Louis.”
    He shrugged. “Ma’am, I live in the best city in the world. I got no complaints, ’cept right now, I gotsta go. I fought too hard to live. Ain’t gonna die at the hands of magic. Uh-uh. I wish ya the best.”
    “I’ll find you,” she said, meaning it.
    With that, he shuffled off into the eagerly awaiting shadows.
    Denny looked up and down the street. These houses were an easy in, easy out arrangement, as was the way with shotgun houses. She could see why Peyton had chosen this house: exit plans.
    But where was the magic coming from? Peyton never mentioned, not once, having a witch, but this was definitely witch energy.
    Denny approached the walkway to the front door, the energy collecting and building as she neared, almost as if in response to her being there.
    Closing her eyes, she woke the Hanta up. “Okay, dude, it’s show time.”
    While she respected witch energy, the Hanta did not, so she withdrew Epée and actually cleaved through the energy on her way to the front door.
    Three steps in, she stopped.
    Back door was a smarter option.
    Heading to the back was like walking against powerful winds, as the magic tried to close in around her.
    She was sure this energy had the power to stop a normal human, but Denny was anything but normal, and the more the energy pushed against her, the harder the Hanta pushed back.
    Like Denny, it didn’t like being dictated to.
    When she got to the back door, a motion sensor floodlight came on, illuminating the entire area around her.
    Without hesitating, Denny kicked the door in and promptly found herself flying back outside, where she landed on her back with a loud thud about ten feet away.
    She was on her feet in a second, Epée raised, Hanta focused in, power flowing to her limbs.
    Then she froze.
    Out of the darkness of the house came none other than Valeria, hands raised in preparation for a second attack.
    The two women stared at each other.
    Valeria stood before her, wearing a cloak, her long blond hair plaited down her back.
    “Golden Silver, what on earth are you doing here? I know what you are doing in New Orleans, but how did you find her here ? Find us?”
    Denny brushed herself off and sheathed Epée. “I came to check on Peyton, but nobody in this accursed town would tell me where she might be, so I did my own digging and...here I am. What are you doing here?”
    Valeria motioned for Denny to come into the house. “Come. It is not safe out here.”
    When she did, Valeria turned to the back door and waved her hand at it. “It will need to be fixed immediately. There are forces...” she shook her head. “It is simply not safe for Peyton, nor is it safe for you to be here.”
    “I...I had no—”
    “Of course you didn’t.” Valeria pulled a phone from her robe and pressed it. “I’ve had an intruder and need the back door repaired right away. No, it’s fine. I...took care of it. Send someone immediately. Thank you.” Hanging up, she returned her deep blue, almost lavender, eyes to Denny. “Then you did not follow me here?”
    “Follow you? Hell, I had no idea you were even in the state. Not for lack of trying. I’ve been asking everyone about you trying to get someone, anyone to tell me where you were, but no one knew. I have so many questions for you.”
    Valeria held her hand up. “I understand, but now is not the time. Peyton is...” Valeria shook her head. “It is such a long story.”
    “I came here to see if Peyton is okay. Is he? She. Sorry. I just discovered she’s a