“Give him his toy, Andre,” Joseph commanded.
Killean gave Andre a lethal stare, promising death as he took Simone’s chain from him. Blood spilled from the skin she’d pulled back on her hands; the sweet scent of it caused Killean’s nostrils to flare as a new emotion swirled within him, pity. He’d never pitied anyone before. He did not possess compassion for others, but hunter or not, Simone didn’t deserve this, no one did.
“Let’s go,” Joseph said.
Killean almost balked as the last of his morality reared its head. So far, he hadn’t killed anyone who hadn’t at least somewhat deserved it, but the people in this building were innocents. He wouldn’t kill anyone here, but passive or not, he would still be a part of the brutality about to unfold.
He glanced at the thirty plus Savages gathering closer and the twenty-five hunters they’d brought with them tonight. There were far too many for him to try running for it now with Simone. He would have to wait until the bloodlust was on all of them before he could chance an escape.
The only problem was, he didn’t know whathewould become once he entered that building and the massacre began.
“Make sure the other doors are blocked, the phone line is cut, and no one has slipped outside for some recreational fun,” Joseph commanded five of the Savages before turning to Killean with a wicked smile. “It won’t do us any good to leave witnesses or to let one of our meals run away.”
“None at all,” Killean murmured in agreement.
“Come, let’s have some fun!”
Chapter Ten
Killean restedhis hand on Simone’s elbow, drawing her closer as Joseph led the way through the cars toward the building. Careful to make sure she didn’t accidentally hurt herself, he guided her through the obstacles in their way. Her chains and those of the other captives rattled as they walked while the music played and the crickets chirruped.
He memorized the layout of the building and searched for exits, but he didn’t see any options on this side other than the door and windows. He wouldn’t have a better idea about more exits until they were inside and he could see the design of the structure more clearly. No matter what, all the other doors were being blocked and would be useless, so it would have to be a window or this door they used to escape.
“This place has no security system,” Joseph said as he stepped onto the wheelchair ramp. Killean guided Simone onto the wooden walkway behind Joseph. “I had some of my men check it out a couple of days ago after I saw the couple’s joyful announcement in the newspaper. I did some research online and discovered they have a guest list of over one hundred. People really do share too much about their lives nowadays.”
“They do,” Killean agreed as more silhouettes passed behind the curtains.
The newlywed couple was utterly oblivious that the happiest day of their lives was about to become their last. Life was all so fragile and uncertain, even for an immortal.
A few short weeks ago, he’d been set in his course and sure nothing could derail it. Now he was as far from that course as he could get and marching toward something that, if Simone weren’t here, he would fight to the death to stop. But he’d done all this for her, and he would make sure she never had to bear the guilt of what was about to take place inside. That guilt would reside solely on his shoulders.
“The idea of ruining someone’s most special day was too much for me to resist,” Joseph said.
“I understand,” Killean replied.
Joseph smiled at Killean over his shoulder as he rested his hand on the knob. “I knew you would. And now the party can start,” Joseph said as he pushed open the door.
The annoying twangs of the Chicken Dance had Killean fantasizing about killing the DJ when he stepped inside with Simone. Laughter and music flowed freely around the large, open room. The revelers gathered in the middle of the dance floor stepped back to allow the bride and groom to take center stage when the song changed to something more romantic.
The bride’s dress spun around her as the groom twirled her across the center of the dance floor. Her radiant smile made her glow while the groom beamed down at her. Killean moved stiffly out of the way to let the other Savages file in behind him. He felt torn between the surreal beauty of this moment and the temptation of the thundering beats of the hundred hearts pumping blood through all these veins.
So much blood, so much death, and so muchinnocencecrowded this hall.
He wanted to tear them all apart and feast on them. He longed to scream at them to run and save them all.
The conflicting emotions battering him made it difficult to think. Death and power, he yearned for them with an intensity bordering on madness. But he’d stepped into the realm of lunacy when he walked away from the Alliance and willingly turned himself into a monster.
There is no saving the soul of a demon.
And that’s what he was, a demon. As a vampire born to two vampires, he’d always been closer to the demon DNA that initially spawned the vampire and hunter lines. There was less human in him than a turned vampire, but he’d maintained some of his morality to fight the Savages for centuries.
If there’s no saving the soul of a demon, then why fight it anymore?
His gaze fell on Simone, standing motionlessly at his side. Maybe he couldn’t save himself, but he could andwouldsave her. Keeping his eyes on her, Killean reined in some of his bloodlust, but he couldn’t get his fangs to retract.
He could protect her, but how did he protect the people in this building?
He had no answer for that question.
