"I'm not going anywhere," he repeated, his voice carrying quiet certainty. "Not tonight. I'm not leaving you alone."
Beth leaned forward until her forehead rested against his shoulder, drawing comfort from his solid presence as the night's events caught up with her. Right now, she was simply grateful for his strength.
Chapter 22
Tyr kept his arm around Beth's shoulders as Liam emerged from his office, shrugging into his coat. The veterinarian's hazel eyes swept over them both, his expression brooking no argument.
"That's it for you tonight, Beth.." Liam's tone was gentle but firm. "Go home and get some rest."
"Aleksei's on his way down from the city." The doctor's gaze fixed on Tyr. "He wants to meet with you and Tobi as soon as he arrives, for a full report. Antonio is on his way as well."
"I'll see Beth home safely," Liam assured Tyr, his expression softening. "I'll be right behind her all the way."
Tyr's jaw tightened. The thought of leaving Beth right now... but he knew this meeting was crucial after the night's events.
"Go," Beth touched his arm gently. "I'll be fine with Liam."
Tyr caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. "I'll see you to your car?"
At her nod, he reluctantly released her and headed for the door. He paused in the doorway, watching as Liam helped Beth gather her things. Only when they were both ready to leave did he finally step out into the night.
The back door closed behind them with a soft click as they emerged into the employee parking lot. The night air carried a sharp chill, though Beth seemed unfazed by it. Moonlight bathed the lot in silvery radiance, casting long shadows between the scattered vehicles.
Liam broke away from them, heading toward his charcoal grey Jeep at the far end of the lot. Tyr's hand settled at the small of Beth's back as he guided her toward her dark green Prius.
"See you at home, Beth!" Liam called from his Jeep. "And so you know, I didn't call Naomi and wake her to tell her about this, so she'll be all over it in the morning."
Beth turned, her pale hair catching the moonlight as she grimaced. "Oh, boy! I can see we're going to have an interesting morning."
The sharp crack of gunfire came without warning, impossibly loud in the still night.
Beth's body jerked, her eyes going wide with shock as crimson bloomed across her stomach, spreading rapidly through her light blue scrub top. Her knees buckled.
Tyr lunged forward, catching her before she could hit the pavement. A second report rang out as he cradled her against his chest, and Liam's pained shout echoed through the parking lot.
The third shot slammed into Tyr's chest, the impact barely registering through his rising panic as he carefully lowered Beth to the ground. The bullet meant nothing - vampires couldn't die. But Beth...
"Beth!" Liam's voice cracked as he sprinted toward them, blood streaming from his shoulder. The veterinarian dropped to his knees beside them, his hazel eyes wild with fear as he pressed his uninjured hand against the wound in Beth's abdomen.
Another shot cracked through the night, another bullet slamming into Tyr's arm. He barely registered the impact, his entire focus on Beth's pale face and ragged breathing. Bloodsoaked through her scrubs, the metallic scent filling his nose and triggering his vampire instincts. He ruthlessly suppressed the urge to feed, channeling the surge of power into action instead.
In one fluid motion, Tyr scooped Beth into his arms and darted around the far side of her Prius. Liam followed close behind, his own wound forgotten in his concern for his sister-in-law. The car's metal frame wouldn't stop a bullet, but it provided some cover while they assessed Beth's condition.
Tyr gently laid Beth on the asphalt, his hands steady despite the rage building inside him. Her skin had taken on a greyish tinge that made his heart clench.
Liam immediately pressed both hands against Beth's wound, his medical training taking over. "Go," he ordered, his voice tight with pain and worry. "I've got her. Find whoever did this."
Tyr hesitated for a fraction of a second, his protective instincts warring with the need to eliminate the threat.
"Go!" Liam snapped. "I can handle this. You're the only one who can catch them."
Tyr raced between the trees. His heightened senses tracked the shooter's scent - gunpowder, sweat, excitement, and fear creating a clear trail through the woods behind the clinic. The man's rapid heartbeat thundered in Tyr's ears, growing louder with each stride.
About three hundred yards in, Tyr spotted movement high in a massive oak tree. The sniper was hastily climbing down, his rifle slung across his back as he descended branch by branch. The man's breathing came in sharp pants, his muscles trembling with mingled triumph and exertion.
Tyr didn't hesitate. He launched himself at the tree, his body slamming into the shooter with bone-crushing force. They hit the ground together, fallen leaves exploding around them as Tyr pinned the man beneath his superior strength.
The sniper's eyes went wide with horror as Tyr let his fangs extend, deliberately slow and menacing, the sharp points gleaming. Tyr savored the man's rising panic, the way his pulse raced beneath the thin skin of his throat.
