“Me?”
“Oh, yes. You’re famous now. Don’t you know that? You're the legendary Count Rossi’s pet project. And you survived. That makes you a valuable commodity, Shane.”
“Is that what this is? A kidnapping?”
His chuckle was deep and annoyingly sexy. “Not at all. Like I said, we’ll give you time to return to your maker. Hopefully, he’ll have all the resources he needs to save you. No, this is just an opportunity to hear some friendly advice from one of your own kind—a Made. Get away from him before he destroys you. You are his enemy. He only wants you as a weapon to use in this war against his own kind. Against vampires. Don't be manipulated into thinking he feels something for you. He doesn’t. Bloodlust sex is just that—sex, and he’s using the woman as a hook to pull on your heartstrings, to keep you anchored to him. She’s too weak to leave him, or she’d already have run. He knows you have a hero complex and want to save those weaker than yourself. She’s bait for you. Don’t be fooled, my friend. He’s using you both.”
“I’m not your fucking friend.”
”Not yet, but I’m hoping that you will be.”
“Why?”
“Because you could help save millions of lives by helping us find and fight the people who started this war, and those who are continuing it.”
I scoffed. “Mades started it. They developed the virus. They keep infecting humans with it. Whether to increase their numbers or to cause a breakdown in the politics between the human government and the supernaturals, I’m not sure, but…”
His face darkened. “No. We didn’t start this shit show. Someone else did.”
“Really? And you speak for all of your kind, do you?”
“Yes.” His face was deadly serious. He actually believed his words. I scoffed, even as a strange feeling spread through my limbs. I coughed against the heat flooding my lungs. “You know, you could have just come to talk to me. There was no need for all this drama.” I gestured to the dead man.
He shrugged his big shoulders. “No, I couldn’t just come and talk to you. Rossi would end me on sight, as would his men. And that piece of shit wasn’t with me. I don’t work with Mages. They’re untrustworthy snakes.”
I took a few steps towards him, but my feet dragged on the floor, and I staggered. The sound of bows being drawn was loud, but he just huffed a chuckle and caught me around my middle.
“Whoa, big guy.”
We were almost the same height; he was only an inch or so shorter. I inhaled, and his scent tickled my nose. I wanted to hate it, but I didn’t. Not in the least. I forced myself upright, but he stayed close. It was strange being in another man’s arms. Bal was the only male I’d ever been intimate with. It was confusing to both like it and wish it were Bal's arms around me.
“How long?” I slurred, my lips and tongue not obeying.
“About three minutes before you stop breathing. But I’m not sure even that will kill you right away. I’m told you’re very… resilient. Though it’s probably best not to test that theory. I’m counting on Rossi sending his lapdogs after you very soon. We need you, Shane, but I won’t force you to join us. We’ll be watching. When you’re ready to listen to reason, and the time is right, we’ll find you, and I’ll welcome you with open arms. Now go back to Rossi so he can save you again.”
A firm shove got me moving. I made it to the first street corner before I looked back. My potential murderer gave me a sexy smile.
“Quickly now! I want the chance to hold that gorgeous body again!”.
Um, what now?
I tripped over my own feet, and his grin widened enough to show me his pearly white fangs. I blinked, not sure I’d heard him right, but a wave of dizziness threw me against the nearest building, and I didn't have any more time to consider it.Dragging air into my lungs, I tried to stay conscious. Damn, Bal would be pissed off if I died on the same night that Sorcha was poisoned. Knowing him, he probably had a key to the fucking underworld, and he’d come right on in and drag me back to this world just so he could punish me for dying, when he wasn’t the one who’d allowed it.
Fuck. And what about Sorcha? Why the hell had I left her? Even though I’d been consumed with a need to find out what they’d used to drug her, it had been more about me wanting to rip apart the ones who’d hurt her. My lack of control had made me lose sight of any potential danger.
Idiot! I should get my arse kicked for failing to protect her. I had to learn to calm my need for violence and be better, get back to the analytical thinking I’d used as a pack Alpha. Though truth be told, I’d never been that good at it. My wolf was as wild as I was, and our temper always ruled.
He snarled and urged me to get back to Bal.
I’m going…
My legs felt like rubber, but I forced them to move and staggered across the small deserted street. My wolf’s mood abruptly turned from rage to anxiety. I’d never forgive myself for leaving Sor if she didn’t recover. But what was it that the mage had said? They’d saved her, not poisoned her. The redhead had. I fell against another building, scratching my forearms as I dragged my bulk along the old red brick and tried to stay upright. If Brian had lied, would Bal have been able to save her? If the Made was right, and Bal could save me from Hemlock, he could save Sor. Right? I had to believe that.
Another glance back told me the handsome Made had disappeared. Probably wise, considering the heavy footsteps beating a path towards me.
“Shane!”
“Wolfie, where the fuck are you?”
