Free The Witch's Desire by Elle James Page B

staggered to his feet. “You say we have what we need?” He directed his question to Blaise.
    Blaise nodded. “Katya’s outside trying to find us transportation.”
    â€œLet’s go.” Cal didn’t touch her or take her hand, leaving Demi angry and worried. The demon had almost killed him. Cal retrieved his gun from the floor and shoved it into the shoulder holster beneath his jacket.
    Katya met them at the door. “I got wheels. We’d better hurry before someone tips off Ursula and her man that we’re looking for them.”
    The wind had picked up speed and traffic had thinned. Rivers ran along the streets and it appeared as though cab drivers had given up and headed for higher ground. A huge tow truck stood outside the front entrance of the Blue Martini, engine running, water rushing around its wheels.
    â€œThis is it?” Demi asked. “There are four of us and a driver. Where do you propose for all of us to sit?”
    Blaise opened the cab door. “Katya and Demi will ride in the cab. Cal and I will ride on the step.”
    Katya shook her head before he finished speaking. “The hell you will. You ride up front and I’ll hold on.”
    â€œYou’re smaller. The wind would knock you off too easily.” Blaise opened the truck door. “Get in. We’re wasting time.”
    Demi wanted to laugh at the fierce frown Katya leveled on Blaise. For such a small woman, she had more attitude than a pit bull. Demi climbed into the truck, glad for the respite from the wind and pelting rain. But she didn’t like that Cal would be hanging on to the outside after his near-death experience in the bar. Would he have the strength to hold on in the face of the driving rain and strong winds?
    * * *
    Cal climbed up the step and held onto the wide mirror, hating that he was the weakest of the team. After his encounter in the Blue Martini he wondered if he provided any value at all.
    Katya got in behind Demi, frowning as she rolled down the window, letting the rain and wind blow into the cab. She leaned out and grabbed Cal’s sleeve. “Hold on, mortal.”
    He glanced at the petite blonde’s hand on his arm. “Maybe you all should go on without me. I might slow you down.”
    â€œWe need all the help we can get to find Ursula and bring her in.” Blaise mounted the step and held onto the handle by the cab door. The driver shifted into gear and sent the truck plowing through the rising water.
    â€œWhere are we going?” Cal asked over the roar of the wind and the rumble of the truck engine.
    â€œTo Central Park.”
    â€œAre you sure a walk in the park is what we need right now?” Cal asked.
    Blaise grinned. “The bouncer seemed to think Ursula’s lover had an apartment near Central Park.”
    Cal held on, praying the ride wouldn’t last too long. He didn’t know if he had the strength to remain upright against the wind and the rain that was hitting him like a sandblaster. He leaned against the truck in hope of presenting the least amount of resistance to the storm’s intensity. The tow truck dodged abandoned vehicles up to their engines in runoff. As they neared Central Park, they moved to higher ground.
    â€œThis is it!” the driver yelled as he pulled up in front of an apartment building overlooking the park. “I’m only waiting fifteen minutes. Then I’m out of here.”
    The wind whipped leaves into Cal’s face as he dropped to the ground. Lightning flashed and a loud crack sounded across the street in the park. A giant tree toppled over, hitting another before crashing onto the benches lining the sidewalk. Streetlights blinked and what sounded like a woman’s scream carried to him on the wind.
    â€œDid you hear that?” Katya yelled over the noise.
    â€œWhich way did it come from?” Demi leaned out of the cab, her face pale.
    Cal reached up and swung her down into