"You did the right thing by hiding," Krevan said, his voice low."After I found my tires slashed, I ran the whole way back.I’m fast."
Ancelin's fingers traced over his chest and arms, lingering on the dark stains soaking through his torn shirt."You're bleeding."
"It's not mine," he said, pressing his lips against her temple.
"Those men...they weren't prison guards, were they?"
Krevan shook his head."And now I need to make them disappear.Them and their transport."
"Disappear?"Her voice caught.
"They're dead, Ancelin."His silver eyes reflected the dim light."They came armed.They would have killed me to get to you.I heard them talking—they believed your family took something valuable.When they don't report back, others will come."His face transformed into something both terrifying and beautiful as he stroked her hair."I won't let anything happen to you.I should never have left you alone."
"I don't blame you," she whispered, her body shivering beneath his touch, fear and desire mingling in her veins."What happens now?"
"I'll dispose of the bodies first.Then search their vehicle before destroying its power core and burying everything."
Ancelin stared at him."How could you possibly dig a hole large enough for a vehicle?"
"I can handle it.I work fast."Krevan's silver eyes glinted as he helped her to her feet."But first, I need to refuel.That meal you prepared—I can smell it from here."He guided her toward the stairs."Once I've eaten, we'll retrieve our vehicle from Coti.Those slashed tires won't take long to repair."
Ancelin couldn't stop herself."Their screams—I've never heard anything like it.What did you do to them?"
Krevan's jaw tightened."My bite carries a toxin.Paralyzes instantly."When her eyes widened, he added, "They were already screaming before that.Something about my appearance when I'm...hunting."He blocked her path before she could reach the door."Stay in the kitchen or living room until I've cleaned up.These men came to torture you, possibly the same ones who murdered your family."His voice softened."In this place, we protect our own.There are no authorities to call, no laws to hide behind.Only survival.You understand that don't you?"
"I understand."Ancelin followed him upstairs to the kitchen.She rinsed her hands at the sink, and began plating the meal she'd prepared.
"The aroma is incredible," Krevan said, his voice gentler now.
Ancelin's hands trembled slightly as she set the plate before him."They'll send others when these men don't return."She couldn't meet his eyes."I've brought danger to your doorstep.Your life shouldn't be forfeited because of me."
Krevan reached across the table, his fingers brushing hers."Never regret coming to me.Finding you has given me purpose I never imagined possible.We're mated now—I'll defend what's mine."As he spoke, the feral quality gradually faded from his features, though his silver eyes still gleamed with otherworldly light.
He devoured the meal with primal efficiency, draining cup after cup of coffee before rising."I need to handle things outside.Stay here."
When he returned an hour later, Ancelin hadn't moved from the sofa where he'd left her, her tea had gone cold in her hands, her gaze fixed on nothing.
"Ancelin."His voice pulled her back."The vehicle you ordered for delivery to Verrian—what were the specifications?"
She blinked."Navy blue, gray roof.Extended cabin, eight seats.From Detroit All-Terrain."
Krevan's jaw tightened."I believe they came in your vehicle."
"How could they—" The blood drained from her face as realization dawned.
"The documents I found inside were addressed to you—Ancelin Trever.Scheduled for delivery on the next transport to Silos."Krevan's silver eyes narrowed."They got here early.Somehow they intercepted your order and used it to track you down."He squeezed her hand, attempting a grim smile."Ironic that they delivered your purchase right to us, wouldn't you say?"
He paced the floor, running his fingers through his dark golden hair."The question is what to do with it now.Technically it's yours, but it's evidence.We could wait to see if the dealer reports it missing, or..."He trailed off, staring at his hands."I think our safest option is to bury it temporarily.See if anyone is comes asking questions.Your thoughts?"
"I—" Ancelin's voice faltered."Burying it makes sense until we understand what's happening.I trust your judgment."
"Let's make sure it's actually yours first."
Outside, the night air bit at Ancelin's skin as they approached the largest barn.She gasped at the massive excavation Krevan had already completed—impossibly deep and wide for the short time he'd been gone.Circling the vehicle, she recognized the sleek lines and custom features she'd selected."Seems wrong to put something so beautiful underground," she murmured, running her hand along the cool metal.
“We can dig it up later.It’ll be fine underground, especially since I removed the power source—no trackers can ping it.And if whoever’s after you did manage to sneak on a crude locator, burying it deep should throw them off.”
“How will you lower it into the pit?”she asked.
