Page 102 of The Vampire and the Barista

“Good luck with that, wolfie,” Gabe said, swirling his hand and opening a portal. “Everyone through.”

“This place is amazing,” Gio said, looking around. “Any idea where Jamie could be?”

“That way,” Gabe said, pointing.

“Ian, you and I will shift and circle behind him,” Kevin ordered, as they both shifted and ran off.

“Owen and I will circle that way,” Seth said, nodding to Owen, as they both rushed off.

“I’ll stick with you guys,” Gio said, drawing his sword.

“Let’s do this. I need my mate safe,” Ivan said, walking quickly towards the centre of the amphitheatre.

There were ruins and mounds here and there, but no one really took any notice of their surroundings, too intent on finding Jamie.

They heard shouting and followed the voice.

Ivan smiled to himself. Jamie was swearing his head off and threatening Derrick with anything he could think of.

“Shut up,” Derrick shouted, sounding frustrated, just as they came into view.

Jamie was bound to a large dead tree. Derrick stood close by, tossing a knife between his hands.

Jamie was glaring at Derrick and hadn’t noticed their arrival yet. “I won’t shut up. If anything bad has happened to my Ivan, I’ll find a way to do you an injury.”

“I’d stop there if I were you. Unless you want me to kill this precious human,” Derrick demanded, looking at the vampires.

Jamie’s head shot round, and he breathed a sigh of relief. “Ivan, thank goodness,” Jamie said, before looking back at Derrick. “You’re dead now, you complete freak of nature. If they don’t kill you, old age will. I’ll be surprised if you live beyond the next hour.”

“Would you shut up?” Derrick screamed.

“Not in this lifetime, freakoid. Did you know your hair is falling out and you have a bald spot showing on the back of your head?”

Derrick screamed and turned to move towards Jamie.

“Derrick, wait,” Ivan called, moving closer, one hand out. “What happened to keeping him alive?”

Derrick turned and looked at Ivan. “That was the plan, yes.”

“But now you’ve changed your mind and decided to eat me? Gah. To be killed and eaten by a wannabe vampire. Just Gah.”

“Sweetheart,” Ivan said, trying not to laugh. “Maybe don’t piss off the killer with a knife.”

“Please, any of you can kill him before he moves an inch towards me. That’s not saying I take any of you for granted, because I don’t, but you know what I mean. Hey, do you think I can talk Derrick to death?”

“Will you just shut up?” Derrick said, starting to hunch over.

“Not in this lifetime and probably not the next either, jerk face,” Jamie countered.

Derrick’s knees suddenly gave out, and he fell to the ground. “What’s happening to me?

“You’re getting old and dying, idiot,” Jamie shot out.

Ivan stepped closer.

“That’s not possible,” Derrick whispered.

“Did the demon help you capture the others?” Ivan asked, standing over him.