We find Ivy, Rowen, Neal, and Taren by a medical station on a corner, still in wolf form. Next to them, Kaine and Willow are talking to a couple of vampires. I remember seeing them in the club, but I hadn’t gotten the sense they were a part of the coven. More that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time—kind of like Willow. Are they friends? I have no idea, nor do I care. I just want to get to the car andgo.
Please let Evan be okay.
Voices to the left catch our attention.
“No! Please, no,” a panicked voice says.
“Sir, you really need to be checked out. Those—”
The man shakes his head, trying to get away from the paramedic. I recognize him as the dancer from the stage. Someone must have broken the spell on his shackles. His wrists are raw and bloody, his face smeared with grit, and…Are those bruises?Fuck, the guy looks like he’s taken a beating here.
“I can’t go to the hospital!” the man says, still shaking his head. “I can’t. If he—”
“That’s fine,” the woman pleads. “Just please, let us make sure you’re okay.”
“What’s his story?” Sage asks.
“He was a prisoner here,” I say. “I saw him on stage. They used infused steel on his wrists, but he’s human.”
Red’s eyes go wide. “Wait, what?”
Infused steel is terrible on humans. It’s like using a constant low-level buzz of electricity against their skin, burning them and eventually causing welts.
“He’s one of the humans?”
I nod. “Willow said there were dozens more. My best guess is it’s that group over there.”
Willow and Kaine must have overheard, because Willow walks closer, nodding. “They were freed not too long ago.”
Sage growls. “Fucking assholes. What the fuck were they doing with all these humans?”
The paramedic continues. “Do you have anyone you can call?” Her face is stern and unwelcoming, as if talking to a misbehaving child.
The poor man’s eyes dart around the parking lot, searching for something—anything—to get him out of his situation.
“Sir, I can’t let you leave unless you have someone with you. You’re injured.”
“I…” he starts. “I need to go.” Without warning, he yanks away from the woman and takes off down the street.
The paramedic groans in frustration, waves a hand, then turns toward another patient.
I take off after him. I don’t even know why. But something about the guy compels me forward.
Red follows me, with Sage and Kaine close on our heels. When we reach a dark alley, I hear faint whimpering and hold a hand up to signal them to stop.
“He’s here,” I whisper.
Red walks slowly down the alley, his hands lit up as flashlights. “Hey. You don’t need to be afraid.”
The guy scurries back a few steps, eyes as wide as saucers. “Please, don’t kill me.”
“It’s okay. I’m here to help,” Red says, revealing his hands. “See? I’m a healer. I can help you.”
Either out of desperation, or because he’s absolutely terrified, the man doesn’t move, his gaze locked on me as if I’m the enemy. I take that as my cue to stay back. He’s clearly endured intense trauma at thehands of the vampires, so the last thing he needs is to be around more of them.
Red crouches to get a better look, his jaw set. Something on the guy’s shoulder catches my attention, but from this distance and with this light, it’s impossible to see what it is.
“Did they do this to you?” Red asks.
