“And if I fail?”
She tapped the rose against his mouth. “I’ll haunt you until the end of time.”
CHAPTER4
While waiting for Claude and Shepherd to bring the cars around, I tried summoning my power. The inability to sense direction, time, or even get my fangs to work left me disoriented. I’d forgotten what being human felt like.
The Porsche and Jeep finally drove into sight.
Viktor approached Claude’s red Porsche. “Go with Shepherd. Look after him, and be careful. Be smart. You do not have your powers. Remind Shepherd that he is no good to his son if he is dead.”
Shepherd got out of the Jeep and joined our group.
Viktor looked between Claude and Shepherd. “If Hunter’s inside Keystone, then do nothing.”
“The fuck I’m going to do nothing,” Shepherd growled.
“You have no weapons,” Viktor pointed out. “If he is inside, he will be safe. Perhaps he is hiding in the bushes. Find out what happened to Niko and Kira without endangering them. This may be our only opportunity to learn something about Sparrow’s situation.”
Shepherd rounded the car to the passenger side. “Is Christian coming? We could use him.”
“I need him. Miss Parrish is under our protection from those who would harm her. If the higher authority discovers what happened, they might assume representatives who are affected by this curse will betray their oath and give this man their secrets. They might attempt early measures.”
“I think you mean preemptive,” Gem said quietly.
“Spasibo.”
Claude tapped his hand on the door. “Where do we find you?”
Viktor rubbed the back of his neck, clearly weighing his options.
We needed to get out of the Breed district. While I was tempted to offer up Crush’s place, there wasn’t enough room. I also didn’t want Lenore knowing where my father lived, let alone making his house a target.
“Ruby’s Diner?” I suggested. “It’s in the human district, and it’s empty of customers this time of night. We can grab a bite to eat and figure out where to go.”
“That is acceptable,” Viktor said, smoothing back his hair. “My phone does not work, so we will wait for you.”
After Shepherd hopped in the car, he rolled down the window and gave Viktor a look I couldn’t discern. It worried me. Would Shepherd keep his promise? I couldn’t imagine him leaving Hunter with Sparrow even if it cost him his own life.
Shepherd slapped the outside door. “Let’s roll.”
As their car sped off, Christian and Lenore sprinted into sight.
“Nice purse,” I remarked.
Christian stopped, out of breath. “We have cash.”
“What’s that under your other arm?” I asked, gesturing to the clear object.
He tossed the glistening block of ice at my feet, and I recognized the swan’s head from the ice sculpture. “Where are we going?” he asked, not bothering to explain the silly vow he’d made earlier that evening about decapitating the swan. Here we were in a mad rush to flee, and Christian still held his promise.
Viktor headed to the Jeep. “Ruby’s Diner. I will drive.”
“Do you think you can?” Lenore asked, out of breath. It was interesting to see Vampires winded from a short run.
Wyatt leaned against the rear bumper. “I don’t see why not. The dead can travel just like the living. And we’re notentirelydead—so as long as we have physical bodies, we can operate machinery.”
Lenore stopped. “But I couldn’t put on a jacket.”
