“I don’t know and that’s why we have to go.”
“Willow, you bitch. I fucking knew it,” Flora mumbled, trying to grasp at Dylan’s shoulders to stand. Blood still covered her neck and a spot on her hand where a hole gaped. While he wished he could get angry about the amount of blood coming from his mate, they didn't have time to waste.
“What? Flora, we have to go now,” Dylan said, bringing her body up with his, trying to drag her to the window since the bear was blocking the only other way out.
“Willow!” Flora yelled, her complete focus on the bear.
The bear froze, its deep black eyes focused on Flora. It stared at them; the white panther's blood slowly dripped from the bear's body, sending chills down Dylan’s arms. He wasn’t sure who this bear was and didn’t want to stick around to find out. As soon as he made a move to jump through the window with Flora in his arms, the bear shifted.
Shrinking down to the 5’7" foot woman they both knew, Willow's gaze focused on them. Flora rushed from Dylan's arms after giving his hand a squeeze.
“Oh my God, Willow,” Flora said as she wrapped her friend into a death hug.
“You're okay? You're okay, Flora?” Willow’s words rushed out. Dylan removed himself from the window to close the door to the room. Romeo was still out there somewhere.
“Thank God it’s you, Willow, but we still have to go,” Dylan said, pulling Flora’s hand in his. He didn’t want to let go. She was his to protect, his to get to safety.
“No! We can’t,” Flora whimpered, flashing her eyes around the property.
“Why?”
“No, you don’t understand.”
“Then tell me, Flora, because we are running out of time.” He was sweating and beginning to panic. He couldn’t get them to move fast enough.
“There’s one more,” Flora rushed out, whipping her head around, looking for something.
“More what Flora?” Willow asked, tugging Flora out of Dylan’s arm.
He could feel his anger rising. He respected Willow, liked her even, but taking Flora out of his arms was a dangerous move for anyone right now. He could feel his wolf edging for control, fought back the urge to reach for a blade, to yank Flora back firmly into his hold.
He wanted to hurt. Hurt others because he was hurt, more importantly, because Flora was hurt.
“A vampire.”
Dylan could feel the returning rush of chills and terror consuming his body.
“Where?” he asked.
“In a shed, with a basement, in…in the backyard. A place Cassandra would never go. She been trapped here since Klare died.” Flora wandered out into the hallway on a mission.
“How the hell did Romeo capture a vampire?” Willow asked.
“We’ll have to ask her when we find her,” Dylan murmured, racing through thoughts of past experiences with vampires. He’d worked with one before, but also fought one, and those suckers packed a bite. “What if she attacks us? Have you ever been on the opposing side of a vampire?”
Their rescue mission could turn sideways quickly. Flora could get hurt, and that wasn’t a risk he was willing to take.
“Have you?” Willow asked, following Flora down the stairs to the backyard.
“Yes, and it isn’t fucking pretty.” He was trying his damndest to convince them to leave the vamp behind, but in reality, he wasn’t sure ifhecould actually leave her behind. This was his job. This is what he did for a living. Saving those who were unlucky enough to fall victim to those who were stronger, smarter. Those with sick minds and too much cash.
“I’m not leaving without trying to save her, so let’s go,” Flora announced.
“Where are y’all going?” Eddie whispered, running toward the group. “And why don’t you have any clothes on?” he questioned Willow. He proceeded to shove his own shirt at her, unnecessarily helping her arms through each of the oversized armholes and pulling it down her body.
“We have one more to save. Take Willow and Flora; have the car ready,” Dylan said, guiding the two girls toward Eddie. He was going to save the vampire, but he wasn’t going to put Flora or Willow at risk.
“But —" Flora said, trying to reach out back to Dylan.
