Eva pulled back, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “I can’t take the knife, if I was caught with it, they will know someone is helping me. I’ve already put Kace at risk and he needs to concentrate on that kid.”
“Kace will find Hunter, but you need to take the blade.” Alice reached for the garter, handing it over once more. “Stab with the pointy end and then run like hell.”
“I’m sure I know how to stab someone.” Eva folded her arms. “But I really can’t take it.” When Alice began to protest Eva growled. “Look, I’m stripped every night. I can’t risk it being found, not right now.” Not when she knew she was about to be punished. At least this time she would recover faster.
Alice’s eyes darkened.
“He hasn’t… It hasn’t gone that far. Not with him.” The wordyetechoed inside her mind, leaving a sour taste on her tongue.
She had forgotten in the moment that her inside thighs also had bites, cuts and bruises. As Kace hadn’t reacted, she hoped his blood had healed them before his fingers brushed across her skin.
“I will be fine, I have super strength now.” The joke fell flat, but it was enough for Alice to relax just a little.
“I’m supposed to warn you to stay away from Kace.”
Eva blinked, surprised at the change in tone. “Really? That’s what you’re changing the subject to?”
“He’s unpredictable, dangerous. You should stay away from him.” She held out the towel. “But he let you touch him. He doesn’t let anyone but his brothers touch him.”
“I don’t know what you’re trying to say. Kace is… Kace. I don’t really know him.” He was a man as moody as the moon, but also one who kissed her as if she mattered.
“What I’m saying is that blood on your face isn’t yours, and I’m sure Kace had a mighty love bite on his neck.” Alice gestured to the towel in her hand. “He fights his own nightmares, but maybe you can save him.”
“Save him?” Eva felt like a confused parrot.
Alice smiled, but it was sad. “Save him from himself.”
* * *
The room was a chorus of noise, an irritating buzz before Eva concentrated on ignoring the multiple conversations. She had waited a while longer in the bathroom, needing time to conceal her emotions as well as clean. No one deserved to see her sorrow, not when she needed to wrap herself in anger, to survive long enough to destroy everyone who had hurt her.
Alice and Kace were nowhere in sight when Eva moved to stand beside one of the glass walls, pressing her back against the cool surface. Sythe, one of the men who had guarded Kyra’s place all that time ago was still dressed as a waiter, smiling politely as he took orders. His eyes swept to her, but she refused to meet his gaze, not when she still felt so raw.
“Ah, there you are,” a feminine voice purred. “I’ve been looking for you. How have you been wandering around without an escort?” Hana appeared at her side. She hadn’t been there at the beginning, because Eva sure would have noticed someone dressed in a luminous red dress amongst the various shades of black and grey.
“You look like a blood stain.”
Hana pursed her lips, hand snapping out to grab Eva’s wrist as something tingled her nose. A shot of pain, the lines of her tattoos throbbing.
“I see he’s showing off your brand. Just think, those tattoos will never fade. Your skin will never wither or age. Well,” she chuckled. “Unless you die.” Her eyes glinted, a cruel smile teasing her lips. “They will grow bored of you, you know. You’re too… ordinary for their tastes.” Hana released her arm, turning to smile as one the guests wandered past.
Eva stopped herself from rubbing the skin on her arms. Her tattoos looked exactly the same, and yet the pain she felt was real. “You’re delusional if you believe you’re not as expendable as I am.”
“You should have taken the wishes.”
Eva frowned. “How did...” That Fae had known she was a Venus Darkling.
“Your Master is coming,” Hana said before Eva could comment, her voice edged with a slight challenge.
A heavy grip on her upper arm, a body pressed against her side. “Now why does it look like my fledgling has fed without permission?” Augustine growled, tugging her closer. “It’s time to go.” He didn’t release his grip as he stormed out of the restaurant, Floyd, Dutch and Hana joining them. Dutch kissed along Hana’s throat as they descended, but his dark eyes were on hers.
Hana moaned, her lips opening on a sensual gasp.
The limo was waiting at the curb, and Eva found herself thrown inside as everyone else took their seats around her. She remained on the floor as the car rocked into motion.
“Crawl to me.”
Eva dug her nails into the carpet, shoulders rigid.
