Because Bec rode behind Marduk to brunch, she switched to riding behind me as we made our way to the address. Now that her small body was pressed to my back and her arms were holding onto my waist, I understood why Marduk had been feeling such an intense sense of satisfaction.
When I took the freeway off-ramp with a little speed and lean angle, she clung tighter to me and made a happy, excited sound. I couldn't wait to take her riding in the mountains. She would love it.
There were going to be so many experiences we could expose her to, especially after she took the bite and was bound to our magic. I couldn't wait.
I had my phone secured in a mount next to my instrument cluster. It led us to the address using a mapping app, but the closer we got, the more I didn't like what I saw. Theneighborhood was full of empty and boarded-up houses. The brand-new housing development next to it made me think this place was next for demolition and rebuilding.
This was where teenagers went to drink and make out, drug addicts looked for temporary housing, or someone created an opportunity for kidnapping or thievery. This wasn’t the type of place where legitimate transactions happened between individuals.
One question kept running through my head: How had Bec gotten all wrapped up in this? I knew Hugo started it, but as much as we all loved that dog, there was no way all of this was going on because of him.
I rolled past the house and continued on until the end of the street. When I pulled over, Marduk stopped next to me.
“It’s that brown house,” I said.
“Why here?” Bec asked.
“Because this is an ambush,” Marduk said with conviction. “We should leave.”
“No, we can’t leave,” she protested. She wiggled off my bike, as if she didn’t trust me to stay put, then tugged at her helmet strap.
The D-ring closure could be tricky for new riders, and we had our helmets off long before she did. After she let me undo her helmet for her, she held it in one hand and looked over at the house.
“I still haven't heard back from Gale,” she stated, brows furrowed in worry. “What if she's being held against her will and needs to be rescued. We have to check.”
“We can call the human authorities,” I suggested. “Tell them we saw someone doing something illegal. They’d go in there and check for us.”
“But how long would that take?” Bec asked and gestured to the graffiti on almost all the houses. “They probably get complaints about this neighborhood all the time. What if they only drive byand don’t even look inside? She could be dying in there while we’re talking!”
I could appreciate my mate's concern for a fellow human, but this screamed danger. Marduk seemed to have a reasonable idea.
“Let me check around the house,” he said. “I’m better at sensing magic than Danzig. I should be able to feel for traps.”
“Traps?” Bec asked, turning to face him.
“Yes, magic traps that age you into a mummy and then dust,” Marduk answered.
She made a face. “Oh, yeah, those kinds of traps.”
I didn’t like the idea of any of us going near that place. “Maybe we should wait until dark and call in a few vampires," I suggested. “Tobias owes me a massive favor, and Kimble owes Tobias a favor. I could call both of those in and have them go into the house. Vampires wouldn’t be affected by a death spell.”
Marduk nodded. “Good thought. Those two are powerful.”
Bec made an aggravated sound and hung her helmet on the side mirror of Marduk’s bike. “It’s hours until nightfall! We aren’t waiting that long.”
With that said, she turned and marched down the cracked sidewalk toward the house.
“Bec, no,” I said, rushing past her to stand in her way.
Marduk was right next to me. “I’ll go in, you stay here with Danzig.”
Bec’s scowl disappeared. “Thank you.”
“Thank me by doing as I ask,” Marduk said. “Stay here, no matter what you might hear. If there's no danger I'll come back out and get you.”
I grabbed hold of his wrist.I’m coming in if I feel anything go wrong with you.
Guard Bec, I can take care of myself,he grumbled, then shot me a shit-eating grin.Besides, I'm a better warrior than you.
