by Emma Shade
“A deal? Nah. I’m good,” I replied, not phased that she knew who I was. It started to become a common theme anymore.
“I see why Blake likes you so much.”
“What?” I gasped.
As though a cat that ate the canary, a shit eating grin split her face. “If you come with me, I’ll be sure to reunite you with him. It’s the only way you’ll both live through this.”
I gaped, still holding the gun against her cheek. What did this woman know about Blake? And why would his life be in danger? Ah, that’s right. He’d helped vampires and the prodigal daughter, well aware the conjurers would condemn him. Vampires, their archrival, had never been tolerated as though they had feelings or a life. To a conjurer who still felt the old world existed, vampires were an abomination. Not worth the air they breathe.
I was torn. Blake was strong enough to take care of himself. But do I follow this crazy woman and trusted she told the truth, or fight for my life.
I went with the latter, and sneered, “You’re a liar. I don’t know who the hell you are, but I won’t be going anywhere with you.”
Surprise crossed her face and she opened her mouth to reply, but Alistair tossing Enforcers in the air like rag dolls caught her attention. His guttural roar as he clashed through the throngs of combatants was unmistakable.
She wheezed, stumbled back, and scanned for an exit with panic in her eyes. What the hell?
Thrusting my gun away from her face, she attempted a hasty retreat.
I accidently squeezed the trigger after she shoved it away and blew a hole in the air conditioning unit, missing the woman by mere inches. The gunfire in the room caused Sam to turn in my direction, noticing the woman for the first time.
Fangs gleaming, he sliced through the belly of another enforcer and then tackled the woman to the ground, hissing in her face.
She cowered away from him, and screeched, “Let me go you evil son of a bitch!”
Alistair’s gaze immediately swerved to Sam and the woman on the floor. If looks could kill, she would’ve died a slow, antagonizing death. Shoving one of the Enforcers away as though he was piece of trash, he converged in to the room and heaved a sword out of a sheath strapped to his back.
Tossing Sam to the side, he swung the sword and stopped it a mere millimeter away from her neck. “Leave now, or I’ll slice your head clean off your shoulders.”
Sam, who’d crashed against the wall, gawked the wrath in Alistair’s stance. Actually, we both did. Paige, oblivious to the whole thing, threw a flame at a guy who tried to get past her.
Alistair knew this woman, I was sure of it. His threat was too personal.
“I can’t...” she croaked, but Alistair pressed the point of the blade into her neck, cutting off her words.
“You can and you will. Call off your dogs, or so help me God, I’ll slice you from navel to neck. You know I won’t hesitated to do it too.”
After a fight of willpower that would rival the Civil War, she must have known he’d win in the end.
She begrudgingly yelled, “Cesser et de s'abstenir!”
The fighting stopped in an instant, the uninjured men with the tattoos immobilizing in uncertainty. Now, though, they eyed Alistair with contempt, ready to protect this woman with their lives.
Paige, finally swiveling in our direction, frowned at the scene playing out behind her.
“Are you going to play nice now?” Alistair growled, sword still depressed against her throat.
“Do I have any other choice?” she choked out, disgust permeating from her pores.
“What in God’s green earth is going on up here? You’ll have to pay...” a voice yelled in the background from a hotel employee. Once the skinny, young man took in the littered bodies and blood stains, he stumbled back, mouth gaping like a fish. “I’m c-c-calling the p-p-p-police!”
Alistair closed his eyes and muttered, “Shit.”
The woman chuckled, “Looks like you’ll have to let me up so our people can take the fallen men home. Can’t say much for the blood, though. That’s on your hands, big boy.”
“Who the hell is this bitch, Alistair?” Paige ordered, blood splattered face in a scowl.
The woman, swerved her eyes to look up at Paige. A glower formed on her beautiful face, shooting daggers in Paige’s direction.
“Nobody, Paige,” Alistair said, taking in her appearance with a frown. Looking back at the woman, he removed the sword, and demanded, “Make it quick and then get the hell out of here.”
Removing herself from the floor, she sneered, “This isn’t over. Lily’s not getting away this easily.”
She ordered the men in a rapid fire foreign language, pointing at the bodies and the injured men and women scattered about.
“You’ve always been a single-minded little bitch, haven’t you?” Alistair called to her retreating back.
She turned at the threshold, and retorted, “Same can be said about you.”
*****
After the bodies of the fallen and injured Enforcers were carted away by their comrades, Ashton finally appeared and soared into the room.
Taking in the blood and carnage splattered on the walls and soaking the carpet, his azure eyes roamed over the same gore on Paige, Alistair, and Sam.
He rushed over, threw me into his arms, and whispered “Thank God you’re okay.”
The second Ashton’s arms circled around me, I inhaled his scent like a crack head snorting their first line of coke in weeks. It was so soothing after the nerve-wracking moments with the Enforcers. I reveled in the comfort of his strong arms. Until Sam broke the spell.
“Thanks for asking if I’m okay,” Sam grumbled. “I’m fine by the way. Still have all my appendages.” He held up his hands and wiggled his fingers.
Although his words jested at Ashton, Sam’s strained eyes told another story. Obsidian orbs replaced his blue irises, fangs dangled from between his lips, and he inhaled the blood soaked air like a hound dog sniffing the air during a hunt.
If I had to guess, Sam’s vampire nature strained to take control. Ashton and Alistair might have appeared unfazed by the blood, but their distended pupils said otherwise. I whispered a little prayer thanking the Lord that I never felt an inkling to taste the stuff.
Ashton pulled away and squinted at Sam. He cursed under his breath and squatted down in front of him. Speaking as though Sam was a toddler, he reasoned, “Sam, you need to get out of here before you decide that the girls remind you of big, juicy steaks. There’s bagged blood in the fridge of our room. Okay?”
“I’m fine, I swear,” he argued. But his eyes swerved between me and Paige, all too predatory.
The internal riot he must have felt had to torment him. Sam would never hurt us on purpose, but his famished vampire side might. I never thought about the inner battle he encountered after being changed. Even if that’s the case, he was still Sam, my best friend. He’d rather die than hurt a hair on my head.
“Sam, I think you may need to get some fresh air,” I hedged. “I think we all need it.”
“You know, I think you’re right. Just for a couple of minutes,” Sam agreed with a nod. “It’s been a wild night.”
Ashton mouthed, “Thank you.”
Sam left on his own accord with Ashton, but an uncomfortable silence descended on the room. Thinking it was because of Sam’s hunger, I gave Paige a sad smile. But she proved her thoughts existed elsewhere and it caught me by surprise.
She turned on Alistair and pointed a finger toward the hallway. She hissed, “Who in the fuck was that woman?”
Somebody was jealous! I concealed my knowing grin by looking out the window and watched for flashing lights from the police. But I was able to see the scene unfold out of the corner of my eye. I wasn’t missing this for anything.
Alistair, caught off guard, stood as still as a statue, the only sign of life were his lungs pumping in and out with each breath. After a few seconds, he ran a hand through his blood caked hair, and sai
d, “I ran into her a long time ago. She’s nobody. Just a nasty, vile woman that I’d rather not run in to again.”
Lights flashed in the distance, edging closer to the hotel.
“Guys, can we take this outside?” I asked, snatching my suitcase from the closet and tossing my clothes in haphazardly. “The police are on their way.
Paige aimed her finger at Alistair. “This isn’t over.”
In a rush, we threw what we could into our small bags as Alistair waited. Sure to grab our phone chargers, we hurried in to the hallway, bags slung over our shoulders.
A sweet, young couple gaped at us as we strolled by, hugging the wall in horror. I hadn’t blamed them. Hell, we’d just left a bloodbath. Except for me, our entourage was covered in blood splatters and God only knows what else.
“Um, I think we need to find a shower ASAP. You both are drawing way too much attention,” I admitted, checking behind me to the couple we passed. Their horrified expressions stared back at me, bodies still immobilized from shock.
Alistair grunted in approval. “My rooms on the next level up. Stairs or elevator?”
“That depends. Do you think they’ll bring the entire police force with them?” Paige asked, kicking up her pace.
“Stairs,” Alistair ordered, shoving open the door to the stairway.
With each speedy footstep, the metal staircase thundered with our ascent. Alistair beat us to the top and held the door open for us to pass. Down the hallway we ran, bags bouncing against our hips, until we reached the room. After using his keycard, the door allowed us entrance with a beep.
Alistair slid the chain lock on the door and tilted his head towards the bathroom. “Paige, shower. Now.”
“Fine,” she grumbled.
Once Paige closed the door and started the shower, Alistair turned and faced me. “I understand Paige may feel duty bound to catch this bad guy, but do you think it’s wise to stay around here for long? It’s just a matter of time until they come after you again. Or the vampire Contingent. Which is their version of assassins, but they aren’t as forgiving.”
I pursed my lips and debated his words. Sure, the Enforcers would most likely try their attempt again. Then the possibility of the Contingent just added to the madness.
What was more important to me? Catching this vampire pervert or staying alive? I wanted a chance to confront the psychopathic version of a drug lord. I mulled over the risks as I stared back at him. Alistair’s eyes were blazed with concern. Most likely for my wellbeing. And Paige’s even though he’d never admit to it.
“What about Jeremy?” I asked, unsure of our boss’s reaction if we abandoned an assignment. His warnings about never seeing Paige again reverberated through my thoughts.
“Fuck Jeremy,” Alistair growled. “If he doesn’t understand why we all need to leave the assignment behind, he can kiss my ass. Our safety should be of the upmost importance. We can come back to catch the guy once this is all over.”
“Alistair, do you really think that this will ever be over when it comes to me?” I asked with a snort.
His head cocked from side to side as though he pondered my words. “I honestly don’t know. I think these idiots are reacting off of fear and not intelligence. If they had a chance to get to know you, then they wouldn’t be so hasty to assume you’re a threat.”
I frowned at the backhanded compliment. Unsure if he meant that I was weak or if I was a good person, I glanced at my hands for the first time. Still grasped in my hands were a gun in one and a dagger in the other. I must have grabbed them again on my way out the door of our room after we packed. Staring at the weapons in my hands, I inspected my skin for any blood residue from the fight. I hadn’t injured anyone enough to cause them to bleed, but the rest of our crew had.
Alistair gently strolled forward and removed the weapons from my hands with his blood incrusted ones. Setting them on the dresser, he smirked. “See what I mean? You’re so scared to have blood on your hands that you’d never actually kill someone on purpose.”
“I killed Con.”
“Yeah, Lily, you did. But he deserved it. That man had it coming for centuries.”
I shook my head. “I’m a walking disaster, Alistair. People seem to drop like flies around me.”
He snorted. “Like who? Con and Sam? Sam’s alive, so that only leaves Conrad Steele. Your sister’s death was an accident.”
“But what if someone else gets hurt because these people are after me?” I whispered, shedding light on one of my biggest fears.
“Living your life with fear and regrets will only make you bitter and resentful. Incapable of happiness because it means putting your heart on the line. Do you want to live the rest of your long life unable to let anyone in like m...like that?”
He was going to say like me. I was sure of it. I squinted at Alistair, deciphering his words. I wanted to ask what happened to him. It would’ve been a waste of breath.
I blew air from in between my lips in resignation. “No, I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life. Not when I have a person who loves me. Actually, two of them.”
With a small smile, he asked on a soft voice, “What are you going to do about Ashton and Blake?”
“I don’t know,” I breathed, telling the God’s honest truth. It was then I realized Blake hadn’t showed up during the struggle. The woman had threatened him if I wouldn’t surrender myself. Heart thundering, I asked, “Have you seen Blake lately?”
He shook his head. “No. Wonder why he didn’t come to fight with us? It’s unlike him.”
“The woman threatened Blake’s life if I didn’t surrender.”
“What would Blake have to do with whether you surrender or not?” he asked, brows scrunched up in a frown.
“I have no freaking idea.” Concerned for his safety, I fumbled for my cell phone.
Luckily Paige had thought to bring our purses along. Snatching out the phone, I dialed his number, not caring if Jeremy liked it or not. Blake’s cheerful voice greeted me and asked me to leave a message. I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat and dialed again. It went straight to voicemail.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
BLAKE
My gut ached and head pounded as though a jackhammer thumped against my skull. That asshole had a fist of iron. After the punch slammed into my abdomen, I collapsed to the ground in the fetal position.
In a matter of seconds my sister, Leslie, passed by and instructed the goons to put me in the car. Although I’m sure she hadn’t meant the damn trunk.
After my valiant attempt to fight off the Enforcers on the way to their sedan, a fist connected with my temple. Stars danced in my vision from the force of the punch. It was all it took for them to throw me into the scratchy felt interior of the vehicle.
The stifling heat inside the trunk was horrid and the aroma of mildew triggered my gag reflex. Tires rumbled as the vehicle traveled along the pavement and low voices spoke from the interior. The muffled sound of rap music filtered into my airless, claustrophobic enclosure.
I wasn’t sure how far we’d traveled. Between the ringing in my ears and the clenching of my gut, I had only focused on the pain for a while. But the thought of Lily and my friends being in danger shattered the discomfort like a brick through a window.
Leslie had purposely detained me to gain the upper hand. But she’d discounted my tenacity and the fortitude to keep my friends and Lily protected. I sent up a prayer that they’d made it without injury. Or Lily captured by the people I’d never want to see her with. It horrified me to think of what they’d do to her.
Concentrating on the mechanism that sealed me inside the confines of the car, I pictured the device in my head. Willing it to move, I imagined the latch sliding over and unlocking the trunk. Just like I’d done before. But apparently the lock was either key only or I’d lost my touch.
Beating on the trunk lid and kicking the back of the seat at the same time, I screamed, “Let me out you sons of bitches!”
I waited with bated breath for them to open the trunk, surprised they hadn’t tied my hands. It was a mistake on their part. A big one. Power rushed through me in a second flat. My bones vibrated and my blood hummed to life. Crackling flickers of lightning dispersed through my hands and forearms. As the hair on my body stood on end from the electricity, I shuffled around until I could play the offensive once the lid popped opened.
Two car doors slammed shut in succession and the men joked with each other as they rounded the automobile. We’d see who had the last laugh.
A key slid into the lock and the trunk was thrown open.
I blinked through the glaring sunlight and up at the same type of men who’d protected my royal ass when I got in trouble. Although, that hadn’t mattered now. I’d given all that up when I sided with the “enemy”. I was nothing more than a pebble in their shoe. A means to an end.
The guy who’d thrown the blows, cracked his knuckles as though he looked forward to using my face as a punching bag. The other stood at his side in stony indifference.
With a sardonic smile, I quipped, “Well, hello there boys. So nice to see you again.”
“Shut up, Blake. You’re lucky we can’t outright kill you. Although I’d love to wipe the smirk right off your face,” the knuckle cracking guy said.
I feigned a pout. “What a bummer. That’s too bad you guys can’t have your cake and eat it too. I was really looking forward to it.”
“Just remember who walked away. You sided with our nemesis, and in our eyes, that makes you one too,” hissed his partner in crime.
“Nah. I’m not an enemy, but I will show you what I’m made of if you don’t let me go,” I warned, allowing more energy to drift through my body.
My heartbeat quickened, pulsing the potency rapidly throughout my veins.
