“They came into our house and attacked us,” he snarled. “They killed Eric.”
Georgie quivered, but she held her ground as she said gently, “I know, and I’m sorry for your loss.” Rodney’s brow flickered as he stared at her. “But if you kill them, their family will want revenge. When does it end, Rodney? How many have to die?”
“As many as it takes,” he shouted so abruptly Georgie jumped.
“Rodney,” Michael warned. “You’d do well to check yourself.”
“They started this.” Spittle flew from his mouth as he strode across the room, his eyes filling with pain and rage as they fixed on Eric. His fists were curled so tight his knuckles were white. “And I will finish it.”
He flashed behind Leon, placing his hands on either side of his head. Leon stared at Janetta, grief and fear and defeat in his eyes.
“I will ask you one time. Who else is involved in the attack? Was it Sarah?”
“No, please,” he begged. “I haven’t heard from her. I didn’t do anything.”
“Stop,” Janetta whispered, “he’s telling the truth.”
“Let me in, then.”
All Leon had to do was let Rodney in, show him he was innocent.
“Stop, he didn’t do anything,” Janetta repeated, her voice louder as she staggered to her feet, tears streaming down her face. “Please don’t. I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she begged. “Don’t hurt him.”
“Janetta, stay back,” Leon whispered, a tear sliding down his face, a muscle tensed on the side of his jaw. “No, please don’t, stay out, stay out, stay out.” Leon crumbled to his knees, then he cried a hideous, pitiful sound.
Rodney’s lips curled up as he grated, “Show me.”
Leon’s eyes rolled back in his head as he gasped at air, then roared a terrible sound of fury, of pain. The cries of a man who was losing everything.
“Stop!” Janetta screamed. “Stop!”
“Enough,” I shouted.
And then Leon’s roar died on a whimper. The silence hit me first in all its catastrophic gravity. Then the smoke.
Black smoke was wisping out of Leon’s ears. The sharp stench of something metallic, something burning, filled the room. I stared in shock, in utter horror.
Rodney let Leon go and he dropped.
Janetta collapsed beside him, her stabbed arm shaking wildly as she touched his face. “Wake up,” she whispered. “Please, wake up.” Her head dropped against his. “Leon, oh no, no, no.”
“I suggest you tell me everything you know, sweetheart,” Rodney crooned.
Janetta lifted her head up, her voice wobbling. “You’re a monster.”
“You’re about to find out exactly how big of a one I can be.” He grabbed her shirt and dragged her to her feet. “He knew something and you’re about to tell me what it is.”
She spat on his face, even as tears streamed down hers. “Go fuck yourself.”
Rodney stilled, then slowly wiped the spit from his face. “You murdered Eric. I’m in no mood, unless you wish to die very, very slowly, I suggest you start talking.”
Janetta raised her chin. She wouldn’t give in and she would die trying to hide their secrets. My head pounded against my skull. I looked to Karson for help, but he ignored me. The look on his face was impassive, but his fists curled by his sides. He was furious; he wouldn’t let her live either. My gaze met Michael’s, pleading. He grimaced and inclined his head slightly. Would he help?
“Sarah is in town,” the other one cried. All eyes homed in on her. Janetta threw her a sharp look. She swallowed. “We heard you had a problem with her.” She held up her hands in a show of surrender. “We aren’t working with her, but we heard she’s been trying to get vampires on her side, and she has a witch.”
Karson’s eyes narrowed. “Does this witch have a name?”
She shook her head. “We don’t know. They’re only rumors. We just wanted to save Leon.”
