Like I said, not the time or place.
I waste no time at her invitation, the magic blocking my access evaporating as if it had never been there, and I race to my Daisy, scooping her up so fast she only has time to let out an adorable little squeak, and run to the window just as the ferals appear at the doorway, hissing and red eyes glowing.
Damn.
Angelo has definitely been busy. That fucking worm. I’m going to have to pay him an unfriendly visit.
I open the window and leap out—a movement so fast no human could follow—with Kallista clutched bridal style in my arms. She squeaks again, gripping my neck tightly.
I don’t particularly love touch, but with this little petal, I find myself craving it. A thought to explore later.
The ground rushes up, and we land without a sound, right in the middle of the ongoing fight. More of the fuckers have joined the battle.
Angelo must really want Kallista.
The question is why?
Alek lands beside me carrying the unconscious human man, noticing the same thing as I am.
Which way should we go?
“Here!” The hunter throws me a set of keys before resuming his clash with claws and teeth. I catch them in my teeth since my hands are currently occupied.
“Good boy!” The cheeky fucker has the gall to yell with a sideways smirk. Then throws Kallista a wink that makes her gasp with recognition. “ Use my Jeep to get them out of here. It’ll mask your scent trail.”
Just when I thought I’d have to kill him, he redeems himself.
Infuriating.
I don’t respond, however, and instead follow the scent trail the hunter left behind to where his vehicle is parked in a nearby alleyway, black and bulky, and concealed in the shadows.
Without a word, Kallista takes the keys from my teeth. Her fingers brush my lips, a fleeting touch that makes me lock onto her violet eyes before she breaks contact to unlock the doors. Alek deposits the human in one back seat as I buckle Kallista into the other. He takes the wheel; I take the passenger seat.
I expected more push back from Kallista, but she lets me tuck her in safely, while turning her attention back to her human friend.
His complexion has gone ashen, his human scent already souring. It can only mean one thing—something that should be impossible.
Angelo is a far greater threat than I imagined.
Chapter Twenty-Five
YOU’VE GOT TO BE PEPPERONING ME
Outside the Jeep window, the world smears past in a blur that turns my stomach. I snap my gaze back to Casey.
He looks worse. That makes no sense—he isn’t bleeding. After the bite, he barely bled at all.
“What the hell is happening to him?” The question is a shout, louder than the engine.
A hot spike of fury lances through me, sharp enough to make my hands curl into fists.
“You wanted me to trust you—we made a deal. I jumped out of a five-story window in your arms. I was chased by hissing vampires. I’m trapped in a car going faster than a goddamn rocket, so for fuck’s sake, I think I deserve some answers!” My voice cracks on the last word. I press my lips together and look away, jaw tight, blinking hard at the smear of dark trees outside the window.
A muscle in my jaw jumps. The polite, patient mask I wear for entitled customers feels like it’s cracking right off my face. All that restraint is gone. I just need to know what the fuck is happening, and if I have to scream at a vampire to find out, so be it.
Stark finally breaks his calm facade, letting out a deep long sigh and rubbing the bridge of his nose in a very normal way. Not vampire-like at all.
My stomach plummets as I realize my frantic internet searches probably left a few things out. Great. More questions for the ever-growing list.
