“Oh, shit,” the arsonist groaned, backing up. But the other two men’s expressions didn’t change. I saw a minuscule movement as their grip on Liam tightened. Liam looked dazed and completely zoned out. Anger coursed through my veins.
“Stay put,” one of them growled to the arsonist. My gaze flickered between him and the men. My eyes narrowed.
“Are you the ones who paid the bail?” I growled.
“I’m sorry, we really need to be going,” one man said.
As they hauled Liam forwards, I had to force myself not to snap. I couldn’t lose control now. My arm shot out, blocking their path. My eyes were hard and glinting with fury.
“Answer the question,” I grunted.
They didn’t need to answer. I already knew. The arsonist was panicking behind them, looking for an exit. Nick was right. He didn’t seem to know anything about this, at least.
The gruffer looking man snorted at me. His lip curled up in a smirk, raising the scar across his face. “Why’s it any of your business? You’re not a cop.”
“Because you’re forcibly removing myboyfriendfrom the premises,” I snarled. “Now let go of him before I rip you apart.”
The more slender one on Liam’s other side raised a brow. “Your boyfriend?”
Liam, still in a daze, slowly looked up. His eyes were foggy and he was covered in soot.
“Yes,” I growled. “My boyfriend.”
The gruff one laughed, but it was an ugly sound that made me recoil. “Don’t kid yourself. I’m sure you already know that he’s not even human.”
Liam’s eyes were glassy and dull. He seemed to be in some kind of trance.
“Are you listening to me?” I growled. “I said to let him go before you regret it.”
The smug grin on his face faded. “There’s only one reason you would know what he is and not care.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“You’re one of these demons, too.”
“Demon?” I grunted.
The gruff one pointed to the grotesque scar running along his face. “Yeah. A demon.”
I bristled. “Look, I’m sorry about your face, but I don’t care about your motive,” I growled. “Let my boyfriend go before I beat the shit out of you.”
“So youarea werebear,” he said.
“What difference does it make?” I snapped.
“You’re not denying it,” he continued. “If you were smart, you could avoid any trouble.”
I lost my patience. I flew at the scarred man with my fists out, slugging him in the shoulder. He grunted and his grip on Liam loosened. But Liam was in too much of a daze to get himself free. The other man snatched both his wrists.
Something slammed me in the side of the head. I gritted my teeth and whirled around. The scarred man’s eyes were wild as he reared to punch me again. Instinctively I dropped lower and swung my leg, kicking him behind the knees. He crumpled to the ground.
I spat and lunged at the man holding Liam. He jerked to the side, swinging Liam in front of him like a shield. I stopped dead.
“You fucking coward,” I snapped. Liam hung limply in his grasp. Sadness and anger stabbed my heart. “Liam – ”
I was thrown to the ground with a thud. The scarred man stood over me with a dark expression.
“I’m gonna give you one last chance to get the fuck out of here,” he muttered.
