"Too late," I whispered.
Always too late.
Even under the shade of that umbrella, I caught the edge of his smile and the sharp teeth contained within.
"What?" Pelt started to turn.
I lunged for her, grabbing her arm. I ignored the way she grabbed at the pocket of her jacket as I yanked her into the apartment and safety.
She stumbled past me as I slammed the door closed, flicking all the locks.
"It's not going to keep him," I told Connor.
Nothing would; not for long.
"Uh, Aileen," Connor said.
"You’re going to regret that," Pelt snarled. "Kidnapping me isn’t going to stop what I’ve set in motion."
"Uh huh," I said, only half listening.
I put my eye against the peep hole. Don jauntily stepped off the railing, landing in front of my door with a small flourish of his umbrella. He straightened his suit before stepping forward.
This was bad. Very, very bad.
Where the hell were Nathan and Makoto? What had he done with them?
"We need to go."
And I needed my gun. Right now, it was a security blanket I had every intention of embracing.
I took a step in the direction of my couch, stopping abruptly at the sight of a gun's muzzle pointed directly at my face.
Behind the gun, Pelt’s face was pale and scared.
"This is what I was trying to tell you," Connor whispered, his hands up.
"Hands up," she barked.
The gun was steady, not even a slight shake betraying the fear I could smell wafting off her.
Slowly, I did what she said. "We don't have time for this. Can't you compel her?"
"I already tried. She's quite resistant. Without taking blood, it will be difficult."
Pelt flinched but didn't hesitate, jerking her gun at us. "Get on your knees; hands on your head."
"I know you're scared, but the danger is out there. Not in here," I tried in a soothing voice.
"Like I believe that. You did something to those cops—I don’t know what—but it made them forget. There’s something very wrong with you two, and I’m going to find out what.” The gun didn't waver as she stepped forward. "I won't repeat myself. On your knees, hands on your head."
Connor moved to follow as I wavered, very tempted to take the bullet.
Vampires healed fast, even baby ones like me. Chances were, she wouldn't aim for the head. She'd go for my torso since it was a bigger target. Same way I would have.
As long as she didn't obliterate my heart, I'd survive. It'd hurt, but I'd live.
On the other hand, if she shot me, I was pretty sure Connor would tear out her throat. Also, wounded, I'd have much less chance of fending off Don, even with Connor helping.
