Evan kicks and twists in Kaine’s hold, doing everything in his power to break free or break Kaine’s concentration.
Kaine tilts his head at me, fangs bared. “All you need to do is help me get to Foxx,” he says coldly.
“Just let my mate go,” I rasp, trying to grab the chord, but my fingers slip right through.How the fuck is he doing this?
“Jericho,” Evan cries. “Fuck. Just stop! Please! Stop!”
A gunshot cracks through the clearing like a firecracker, and a split second later, Kaine roars.
Instantly, the vice around my throat loosens, and the cage of water crashes to the ground, completely dousing me. I slump forward, holding my throat and trying to pull in air.
Jasmine and Red lunge for Kaine, pulling him to the ground and clamping their jaws around his arms. Blood from a shoulder wound pools in the water as he thrashes.
“Take him to the cellar,” Forest says from somewhere behind me. “We need to talk to him again.”
Evan gets on his knees in front of me, eyes wide with alarm. “Jer? Babe, are you okay?”
I slowly nod, still rubbing my throat. Never thought water could kill a person in any way but drowning, but Kaine’s gift proves me wrong.
“Are you?” I rasp, noticing his face is riddled with red patches.
“Fine,” he mutters as he hugs me, being careful around my throat. “Jesus Christ. I’m so sick of vampires.”
I crack a smile, despite everything. “Forget you’re dating one?”
He laughs, pulling back. Looking me in the eyes, he cups my cheeks and kisses me. “You’re the only sane one I know.”
Evelyn approaches us, eyes wild. “Are you guys okay?”
We both nod and get to our feet. Now that the fight is over, the cold is hitting me. I’m surprised Kaine was even able to draw that much water from the ground, considering how cold it is. This field will likely be an ice rink in the morning, thanks to him.
“Nice shot.” Evan gestures to the gun in his mom’s hand.
Evelyn grins, lifting the gun while keeping it aimed at the ground. “Just like riding a bike.” At Evan’s confused expression, Evelyn laughs. “I told you son, I used to run with all kinds of supernaturals before you were born. Your father taught me how to handle a gun. It was the one good thing I got from him,” she gave him a wink, “aside from you.”
I loop an arm around Evan’s back as we make our way back to the house. The last thing I see before stepping inside is Kaine being tossed into a locked cellar at the side of the house.
“Go on upstairs to change,” Evelyn says. “I’ll get you some tea to warm up.”
“We’re fine, Mom.”
Evelyn turns a hard stare at her son. “I just witnessed you bound and gagged at the hands of that man. Let me do this!”
She stalks away.
A furnace burns wildly in my belly. All I can think about is how close I came to losing Evan.
Losing my mate.
My gums burn for a whole new reason. The need to claim what ismine.
I kiss him. Hard. “Come on.”
Evan makes no argument as I pull him in the direction of our room. The moment the door kicks shut, I turn to him, kissing him with such passion that it knocks the air from his lungs. Startled, he tries to pull away, but my grip is firm. Slowly, I walk him backwards. When his calves hit the mattress, he tumbles onto his back.
I crawl on top of him, kissing my way down to his neck.
But Evan must realize something is off, because he pushes at my chest with both hands. “Jer?”
