Dage paused. “You align with us.”
Zane lifted his chin, fate clicking into place. “Go. Now.” He’d worry about alliances later. Right now survival mattered more.
Another explosion ripped through the day, and a body fell from above, slamming Nick to the ground. His head thunked against the cement, and blood sprayed.
Simone cried out and reached for him.
With a growl, Zane tucked Simone close and manacled his buddy’s arm. If he was aligning with the Realm, he was taking his one friend with him. Before Nick could fight him off, he ripped open a portal and crawled through.
Chapter 19
Janie finished patching up two young vampires who’d thought to experiment with rocket fuel and laser bullets. Burns marred their arms, but those would soon heal.
Their pride was another matter.
Garrett had put out the fire and hustled both boys into the infirmary and now leaned back against a wall of cupboards, his arms crossed, his face cold.
He didn’t have to be such a tough taskmaster. Janie’s heart ached for the two wounded kids.
She patted one on the back. “It’s okay, Freddie. You should’ve seen Garrett when he first learned how to blow things up.” Truth be told, it was a miracle headquarters still stood.
Garrett shot her a look.
The teenager grinned. “I’ve heard. But, ah, don’t tell my mom, okay?”
Janie bit back a grin. “No worries. Doctor-patient privilege and all of that.” The kids had learned their lesson, so she figured they’d be safe for a while.
The two patients hopped off the tables and hurried from the room, no doubt heading to find something to eat. Protein always helped immortals to heal.
Prophet Guiles sauntered inside, his wrinkled silk pants matching his hangdog expression. Two guards reached the doorway and turned to protect the exit. “I cut myself,” Guiles muttered.
Janie glanced down at the deep slice across his forearm. “So heal yourself.” Since the bastard had tried to turn Prophet Lily over to their enemies the previous month, Janie hadn’t had much use for him.
Garrett pushed off from the wall.
The prophet perched on an examination table, his gaze raking Garrett and then finding Janie. “Fine. I thought we could talk.”
Janie turned and leaned against a table, her arms crossed. “I’m not sure we have much to talk about. You kidnapped my friend after trying to manipulate her into killing me.”
The prophet sighed. “Sometimes people get lost. Regardless, fate has made me a prophet, and there has to be some respect given.”
Garrett stepped closer to his sister. “The fact that you’re still breathing shows respect.”
Janie nodded. It was a damn miracle her father or one of her uncles hadn’t cut off the prophet’s head for his betrayal, but even big bad vampires balked at messing with fate. And only fate could permanently tattoo the prophesy brand on one of the chosen three.
Well, probably. Prophet Caleb had other ideas, notably that the marking was transferred like a virus when its host died. But Caleb disliked being a prophet, and he hated fate.
So who the heck knew.
Prophet Guiles crossed muscled arms. “Help me and I’ll help you.”
“No,” Garrett said.
Janie lifted an eyebrow, her instincts flaring to life. “How so?”
Prophet Guiles’s brown eyes glimmered. “You’re not the only physic here, Miss Kayrs.”
She lifted her chin. Could she still be considered a “miss” since she’d been mated? Not married but mated? Somehow, she didn’t think so. “What are you offering?”
