I close my eyes once and step back, forcing space between us.
“What?” I snap.
“There’s a group in the alley,” Priam says from the other side of the door. “Vampires. Looks like they’re looking for revenge over last night.”
Cassia’s eyes widen.
I straighten, instincts sharpening. “How many?”
“Five. Armed. Agitated.”
I glance at Cassia.
The tension doesn’t fade. It sharpens.
“Stay here,” I tell her.
“I’m your servant, remember? I’m supposed to be with you,” she shoots back.
For a moment, I’m tempted to remind her what that title means, but I stop myself.
Maybe this is better. She should see what I deal with. It might be the warning my mouth refuses to give.
“Come. I’ve got you.”
I reach for her hand and pull her against my chest, lifting her so her feet leave the floor.
I speed out of my office, her soft body pressed to mine.
The first time I truly get to feel her, and I’m running straight into a fight.
Chapter
Eight
Orpheus
The night feels different when it knows blood is coming.
I feel it the moment we step outside.
The air in the alley is thick. Shadows cling to the corners like they’re waiting to be invited closer. Somewhere above us, a light flickers, illuminating the area unevenly. I don’t need the light. I can see everything perfectly.
Cassia is still against my chest when we stop.
I set her down carefully, slower than I need to, my hands lingering at her waist a fraction of a second longer than necessary. Not because I’m distracted. Because I need her steady. Grounded. Alert.
“Stay behind me,” I tell her quietly. It’s an order that I won’t have her fight me on.
She opens her mouth, probably to argue, but one look at my face she shuts it down, she nods. Good. I don’t need her bravery right now. I need her alive.
Suddenly, I’m second-guessing my choice to bring her out here with me. She should be inside, where I know she’s safe.Now that she’s out here, though, I see this for what it really is. My foolish attempt to impress her.
I’m still confused about why I want to impress her. Still, there’s nothing I can do about it now.
The vampires waiting for us don’t bother hiding.
There are five of them, just as Priam said, spaced out in a loose semicircle that tells me they’ve done this before. Not together, maybe, but enough to know what they’re doing. They’re young vampires who think themselves invincible, but they’re not new vampires. This group tonight is older. Old enough to think numbers make up for bloodline.
