“Full force.Nikko will already know we’re here.You can’t hide this much vampire energy.”
“So, no reason to be subtle?”he checked.
“None at all.”Jaks’s smirk only encouraged him.
His lover knew Quentin was eager and willing to crush Nikko to get his mother back.“Do you think he will hurt her if we get too close?”
“I think if he were going to do that, he would’ve already sent her back to you in pieces.”Jaks cupped the back of Quentin’s neck and kissed him.
His thoughts scattered like leaves beneath Jaks’s talented mouth.When he was finally freed, Quentin swayed on his feet.“You’re being distracting,” he accused.
“Are you still nervous?”
“No.”
“Then it worked.”
“If you two lovebirds are done, we have a mother to save.”Grevin folded his arms over his chest and pinned them with a disapproving stare.
“Ready?”
Grevin grinned.“I've never been readier.Shall I start?”
“Why not?”Jaks waved his hand in a go-ahead gesture.“Be my guest.”
Grevin’s bare toes wiggled in the earth.Necromantic magic swirled in the air, standing all the hairs on Quentin’s arms on end.The ground rolled, and bones flew up from the earth, spewing leaves and dirt in their paths.Under Grevin’s direction, bones formed creatures that then grew sinew and flesh.It was like watching a horror movie in reverse as rabbits, raccoons, and coyotes raced through the forest in the direction of Nikko’s house.A bear’s roar jerked Quentin out of his fascination.
“He raised bears.”Quentin’s shaky whisper must have reached Grevin because he turned to him with a maniacal grin.
“I didn’t even know we had bears here.”
“Now we do.”What else could he say?He’d always known Grevin was a potent necromancer, but this was on another level.
He caught more than one vampire giving Grevin a considering or admiring glance.He wouldn’t have a problem getting a date after this.Whether it was with someone he wanted to date was another matter.
Quentin winced when a few humans reformed beneath Grevin’s power.Maybe after this, they could solve some missing-person cases.With a wave of his hand, he clothed them to protect their modesty.He hoped Jaks didn’t mind losing a few outfits.
“Is that my suit?”Jaks whispered.
“Maybe.”He would admit to nothing.
“That was my favorite.”
Quentin grinned at the sulky tone.“You can get a new favorite.Think of it as emotional growth.”He scooted out of reach before Jaks could get any ideas.
“Ready for your part, Beloved?”Jaks’s voice snapped Quentin out of his daydreaming.
“No, but let’s do it anyway.”Gaining confidence from the wave of necromantic constructs before them, Quentin entered the forest.He patted his small backpack.“Did you remind everyone not to cross in front of me?”
“Yes, they know not to get on the wrong side of your magic.”
“If only everyone were that smart.”
Before he could get too far away, Jaks pulled Quentin close and kissed him with enough heat that his toes curled in his boots.When he was finally released, he glared at the vampires, catcalling them.
“Enough!”Jaks shouted.“Keep your focus on the woods and watch each other's backs.This forest is enchanted and can play with your mind.Be cautious over who or what you attack.We don’t want to be picking each other off, and we don’t know how many opponents we might encounter.
Quentin turned his attention from his lover to his surroundings.He had to keep his mind in the game.If he were injured, it would distract Jaks from his surroundings and could result in both of them getting killed.
