“We’ll see what Rizo has to say about that,” the vampire says, sneering at her.
“Well, well, well, this looks cozy.” It takes everything in me not to respond to that voice. Ajax steps out of the shadows, and I force myself to stay still. “Aw, the prodigal comes home.”
“Ajax,” Sherese says in an emotionless voice. “I told you I would be back.”
“You did. What’s with the wolf? Did you bring him to us as a gift?”
“No,” Sherese says, sounding bored. “He’s with me for now anyway, until I get bored of him.”
Ajax crosses his arms. “You’ve never fed from someone before, and now, you expect us to believe that you’re feeding exclusively from him?”
Sherese runs a hand down my chest, and my muscles jump in response. I grit my teeth and force myself not to respond, but she’s clearly trying to torture me. “Pretty sure I don’t care what you believe, Ajax.”
Ajax stares her down. “Whatever this is, it doesn’t change the fact. He’s not coming with.”
“And I say he does.” They stare each other down, and I do my best not to get distracted by the feel of her soft body againstmy own. She’s fit and lean and muscular, so I didn’t expect the softness of her body. I force those thoughts back and keep a tight hold on my wolf, who’s pushing against his barriers at the threat to our mate. Sherese takes a step forward, and Ajax steps into her path. I force myself not to respond. “Let us pass, Ajax.” Her voice is soft but commanding. When he doesn’t move, she crosses her arms. “Fine. Then get Rizo.”
His face changes then. I wouldn’t catch it if I wasn’t watching him so closely. For just a moment, hatred crosses his face. It’s gone so fast, I almost miss it. But I saw it. My wolf takes his scent in deep, memorizing it. He's a dead man; he just doesn’t know it yet. It won’t even be me who gets to take the kill. That’s promised to the alpha of the Northwoods Pack, but it will give me great pleasure delivering him on a silver platter. “There’s no way he comes into our territory. He’s a wolf.”
Sherese shrugs. “Who wants to be with me. Right, Love?” she croons, turning back. I force what I hope is a love-sick smile in her direction.
Ajax watches us both a moment, disgust clear in his gaze. But then he turns back. “Watch them. If the wolf tries anything, put him down.”
Sherese follows him, turning back once to look at me. “Coming, Love?” she asks, her voice dripping sweet. But the look she gives me is anything but. She’s ready for what’s coming. The vampires surround us, and Sherese makes a point of wrapping her arms around me as we cross the barrier into vampire territory. We both know I don’t need her to be able to cross, but the vampires don’t know that. I'm surprised when a current runs through me. It doesn’t hurt, but it's jarring. Sherese must feel it too, because she reacts. “What was that?”
Ajax turns back to look at her, a cruel smile on his face. “Thatis our insurance that the wolves can’t cross. They trycrossing that barrier...” he smiles wickedly. “Let’s just say, there won’t be a body left to clean up.”
My gut tightens, and I immediately reach out to Bryce. I need to tell him about the new barrier. The wolves crossed before. It was painful, but they made it. Now, it would be suicide.Bryce, don’t let any of the wolves cross the barrier. They changed it. It will kill anyone who tries to cross.I wait for his response, but nothing comes.Bryce?Frustration builds in my chest as reality settles over me. I don’t have access to the pack link. We’re truly on our own, just the two of us...in vampire territory. I watch Sherese stride ahead, confident as always. I pledge anew to protect her and to get us both out of this. I will play the role she wants me to play, but only if she isn’t endangered. If she is in danger or gets hurt, I won’t be able to contain my wolf or the other, more dangerous side of myself. My wolf sends his agreement.
We walk for a while before we get to the area I recognize. I see the house we rescued Ava from. Sherese slows down and heads in that direction. She must remember she’s supposed to be directing me, because she steps close to me again and puts her hand on my shoulder and leads me towards the house. “Where are you going?” Ajax asks.
Sherese raises a single eyebrow. “To my house?”
Ajax shakes his head. “Not your house anymore. You’ll be staying in the main building,” he says, nodding his head towards the huge building where they do all their dirty work.
“Um, no. I’m going to stay here.”
I feel him before I see him. My muscles bunch, and I search the darkness. And then, he steps into our line of vision.Rizo, the master.My body locks up, ready to fight, before I remind myself I can’t.
“Little Lamb,” he says in a voice that sounds like melted honey. It’s too smooth, too practiced, too deadly. “Welcomeback.” Then he pins those eyes on me, and every muscle in my body tenses. It takes everything in me to give him a blank look, one that doesn’t show what I really think of him. “And you brought a friend. How...lovely.”
Chapter Thirty
Sherese
So, you have returned, my little lamb.
Only years of mastery keep me from reacting to the voice in my head. It had been so good to be free of his voice while I was gone. Not all the vampires could hear his voice, only the ones he sired. Lucky for me, I was one of them. Thankfully, his link wasn’t like a pack link with the wolves. It had a maximum reach, and I’d been out of that reach while I’d been gone. Now, I was back under it, and I hated it. But I let none of that show on my face. I didn’t react in any way to let anyone know he was speaking to me.
We walk in silence, and I use that time to prepare myself for seeing the master again. The weeks away hadn’t been long enough. Honestly, a lifetime would be too short a time. I breathe a small sigh of relief when the house where I’ve lived since I turned eighteen comes into view. I put a hand on Hunter’s shoulder, so it looks like I’m guiding him to the house. Ajax’s voice stops me. “Where are you going?”
I raise an eyebrow because really? “To my house.” I feel like that’s self-explanatory.
Ajax shakes his head. “Not your house anymore. You’ll be staying in the main building,” he says, nodding his head towards the huge building where they do all their dirty work.
Unease stirs in my chest, but I plunge ahead. “Um, no. I’m going to stay here.” And then, I feel him. I always know when Rizo is near. That sensation crawls up the back of my neck, and I fight to keep my calm.
“Little Lamb.” That voice is like claws against my insides. “Welcome back.” He looks at Hunter, and I feel Hunter go still beneath my touch. And then I can literally feel his muscles bunch. “And you brought a friend. How lovely.” I try to project calm and will Hunter not to respond in any way. It’s crucial he doesn’t. “Is there a reason you brought a wolf into vampire territory?” Rizo asks it casually, as if he’s asking about the weather, but you’d be a fool to miss the threat in his voice. I don’t, and I know Hunter doesn’t either.
