I nodded toward my mates. “They’re having a good time. I don’t want to pull them away from the party.”
Alever looked back at Colin and Zander. The pair were laughing and having a blast. He looked back at me. “They are having fun, that’s for sure. I can take you back.”
“Really?”
“Sure, Banny, can you let Zan know I took Reggie home, and I’ll be back in a jif to get you.”
“Sure,” Esteban leaned down and kissed Alever before walking away.
“Take my hand. I’ll take you to Zan’s,” Alever said.
I didn’t grab hold right away. “Um, can you take me back to Colin’s place?”
“In the human realm?” Alever’s eyes widened.
“I’d feel better there by myself rather than a totally different plane of existence. You can tell Zander when you come back for Esteban,” I said.
Alever tilted his head and stared at me before saying, “Okay. I can do that.”
I grabbed hold of his hand, and a bright light surrounded us. In seconds, the light disappeared, and I was in Colin’s apartment.
“Thank you, Alever.”
“No problem, Reggie. You get some rest. I’m sure Colin and Zander will be here shortly. I’ll talk to you later.” And with those words, he was gone.
I sighed and sat on the couch. “So out of place. And that body... Ugh. I pity Zander." The words of the Fae echoed in my brain. They were right. I was out of place. Zander didn’t deserve me. “No,” I said out loud. “Those stuck-up bitches are wrong. Fate brought us together. I belong with Colin and Zander.”
“Do you?”
I jumped to my feet and twirled around, searching for the voice. My heart raced in my chest. “Who’s there?”
From the shadowed corner of the room, a figure stepped out, bringing with him an aura of malevolence. His eyes glowed a menacing red, and elongated fangs gleamed in the dim light.
“You’re going to regret meeting either of my pets.”
My eyes widened at the word, pet. Fuck, I was in trouble. This was Daren. I glanced around the room. I had to find a way to get out of here. Daren took a step forward, and I took a step back. The front door was too far; I’d seen Colin move before, and I’d never make it out in time.
Daren’s eyes glowed a sinister red, his sneer cutting deeper than his words. “I’ve been hearing how Colin found himself a plump beloved. I must say, the stories didn't exaggerate.”
His mockery of my weight was a cheap shot, and anger bubbled up inside me. Another step back and I inched towards the hallway. Maybe, just maybe, I could make it to the bedroom.
“Don't get me wrong, I don’t discriminate. Big boys need love, too. And the fact that you’re Colin and Zander’s mate...” He licked his lips, a grotesque gesture. “It just sweetens the deal. I’ll relish making you all my pets.”
“I’m not your fucking pet. You’re a sick motherfucker!” I yelled. I snapped my mouth shut as Daren laughed at my words. Daren’s laughter was a sound of nightmares as he advanced, fangs bared for the kill. I was out of my depth, a human in a monster’s playpen. Fuck, where was this bravado coming from?
“Oh, this is going to be fun.” Daren lunged for me, and I flailed backward, hitting the side lamp toward him. The glass shattered against his firm body and didn’t slow his attack.
With my heart thundering in my chest, I stumbled to the ground and crawled back. Daren’s claws were outstretched, and I couldn’t stop him. My mind raced, hoping for anything. The side lamp had been useless. My hand brushed against the sturdy wood of the coffee table—Colin's robust, old-fashioned furniture, sturdy enough to withstand anything.
Daren was fast, but rage made me faster. I seized the edge of the table, heaving it upward and flipping it over in one desperate motion. The solid wood splintered with a satisfying crack, one leg breaking away from the structure.
Jumping to my feet, I snatched the broken wood from the ground. Daren paused, a moment of hesitation, as he saw the weapon now in my hands. That was all I needed. I swung the broken table leg with all the force of my terror and fury, connecting with a thud against Daren’s side. The vampire staggered, surprise etching his features.
Daren recovered quickly, a snarl distorting his face. But I was done being scared. I was done running. I was done being a victim.
He lunged again, and this time I was ready. I sidestepped and brought the table leg down hard on his back. I felt like my WoW character, battling the big boss. Daren fell to his knees, a growl escaping his lips. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. I swung again and again, each hit a message.
Each blow was a word, each word a sentence of defiance. “You motherfucking son of a bitch. You won't hurt me—or my mates.”
