“No one dies tonight. No one dies in a week, a month, or for years to come.”
Tears prick my eyes.
“I will protect you. Nothing will happen to you or me.”
I cry myself to sleep because no matter what, I will lose someone in this battle between hunters and monsters.
My father won’t back down.
He’ll fight to the death. Either his or one of my friends who I care about.
Chapter 24 – Farrah
I’m jolted from sleep by the sound of a text message alert.
My body aches as I attempt to move to the side table to check who it is. Muscles I can’t remember ever using sing with pain. Pain from getting railed by my mate.
Once the sleep clears from my head, my heart drops to my stomach. The only text I’m anticipating is from my brother.
His name appears on the screen. I hesitate to open the message.
My eyes fall to Locheran. He appears so peaceful and gentle right now despite being a large monster with fangs and claws. His arm is splayed over his head. His wings tucked to his back, which I still can’t understand how he’scomfortable sleeping on them. His navy-blue hair is down and fans across the pillow and over his shoulders. His fangs peek out from his partially opened mouth.
I drag my eyes down to his muscled chest and stomach. The sheets have fallen to his waist, and I admire his smooth purple skin. I love skimming my hand over the tiny hairs, marveling the feel of marble despite lacking the hardness.
I lean down to place a kiss just above his belly button. He stirs, mumbling ‘mate’ before falling back into a deep sleep.
I crawl out of bed and head to the kitchen. Potato emerges from his cat tower, meowing for food. Once he’s chomping down, I start a pot of coffee.
It’s three in the afternoon. Hours from sunset.
This isn’t good.
When I finally open my brother’s text, my fear explodes to reality.
Dean
5 p.m.
Before the monsters of the night wake up.
We worried this would happen. That my father would want to meet before the gargoyles and vampires could be there to protect me.
But we have a backup plan.
I fire off a text to Vara and Rory. The two supes who can withstand the sun’s rays. They’re also in charge of gathering more monsters who can join us during daylight.
Technically, Millie, Teddy, Layla, and Thorne can withstand the sun’s rays. It’s something that changed within their bodies upon completing mating bonds with their mates and only happens when a vampire is involved. But the sun still weakens them so we decided they should wait until night to help.
Once the coffee is brewed, I pour myself a cup and make a quick breakfast of cereal.
I’m putting off waking Locheran Because I know he’ll try to convince me to call off the dinner. And when I’ll refuse, he’ll try to stop me from going.
He might succeed because I’m scared. Because the plan to deceive my family and help the monsters win is happening.
It’s the only way.
Imade the poor decision not to wake Locheran and left a note instead. I lock up the apartment, then head up one floor to Xander and Evangeline’s penthouse.
