I stare at them, stunned. What benefit would he get in turning shifters? It doesn’t make sense. Not to mention, it makes them less in control of their bloodlust, driven mad by the death of their primality.
“How is he getting away with this?” Evan asks, gripping the back of his chair with both hands. “Why aren’t the police stepping in?”
“We suspect he’s compelling those around him, including the police. They’ve gone to the club multiple times, yet nothing has changed,” Forest explains, before turning his attention back to me. “You’re the first we’ve heard of who hasn’t joined his coven after the transition.”
I scoff. “I’ve been running ever since he turned me.”
“Has he tried to kill you… or capture you?” Grant asks.
I shrug. “What difference does it make? I’d rather be dead than go back to Foxx.”
Evan mutters a curse at my confession, but I don’t look at him. I meant what I said. I’ll die before I join Foxx’s coven.
Grant and Forest exchange a look before Grant continues. “It matters because we think Foxx is choosing his vampires for a reason. So if he hasn’t tried to kill you, there’s a reason for it.”
My gums ache. My throat burns. I shove the heat down and try to compose myself, but come up short. “Whatreason?What could he possibly want from me? He’s destroyed my life!”
Forest averts his eyes.
It’s a long moment before Grant breaks the silence. “Is there anything you can tell us about his coven? We know there are at least eight vampires, if you include Foxx. And we know two of them are female.”
I shrug, feeling more and more helpless by the minute. “You guys seem to know more about them than I do, honestly. I’ve been avoiding them, just trying to stay alive.”
He frowns. “You can’t tell us anything?”
I get the impression he’s testing me. Like he’s trying to see if I’m resisting. If he believes I am, he could consider me a threat. But the simple truth is, I don’t have any information.
“What about the one in the car?” Evan encourages, taking a seat next to me again. His knee bumps my thigh, yet he doesn’t pull away. “What do you know about him?”
“Rip,” I say. “He’s usually the one who tracks me. I think he’s one of Foxx’s main guys.”
Grant and Forest nod, like that name means something. “Ripley is extremely dangerous. If he’s tracking you, I’m surprised you’re alive. He has a twin brother, Breck. They were both dangerous before they were turned, but now they’re something more. Something evil.”
Grant scoffs. “Foxx treats them like royalty. Gives them anything they want.”
“Why, though?” I ask. “What does he gain?”
“Can you think of no reason?” Grant asks, raising his brows. “What makes vampires unique?”
It finally clicks, and I sit back in my chair. Of course. “Their gifts.”
He nods, stroking his blond beard. “Breck is a chameleon. He can change his appearance to look like someone else. We aren’t sure about Rip’s, but if I had to guess, it compliments Breck’s.”
Rowen leans in. “We think Foxx is curating his coven based on vampire gifts. We just aren’t surehowyet.”
Blood drains from my face. Foxx wants my gift. God. That day in the alley…
“I hate to ask, Jericho, but do you know what your gift is?”
I shake my head once, struggling to form words. “Not unless you consider surviving on the streets and living out of my van a supernatural ability?”
He turns to Forest, and the two men seem to have an entire conversation without words.
“Okay, what are you talking about? Whatgift?”Evan asks.
Rowen addresses him. “Every vampire has a ‘gift,’” he explains. “A power that only comes around once they’ve transitioned. Night vision, light speed, strength, you get the idea. It’s usually something carried over from their human life, except magnified. If they were strong in their human life, then they’re usually gifted with super strength. Like, beyond normal vamp strength. If they had impeccable vision, they’ll probably have night vision. So on and so forth.”
Jasmine nods at her son and gives me an apologetic smile. “Every one of Foxx’s vampires, those we know about anyway, has a unique gift. Something we don’t see in other vampires often. Which leads us to believe…” She trails off as all eyes turn to me.
