Page 93 of Immortal Unveiled

The manager spun his head in her direction. “We’re closed for lunch,” he said in a brusque tone.

Somewhat taken aback, Kim froze in her movements. “But I called earlier. About the package for my mother, Nancy Britton.” Her eyes were suddenly drawn to the item he’d been unwrapping, a book. It looked old. Was that the book her mother had sent to him for safekeeping? Why had he suddenly unwrapped it?

“Uh, the package, yes,” he now said, “I’m afraid it’s not here after all.”

“But you said on the phone that you found it—”

“Honest mistake,” he said, his voice now even colder. “Looks like my employee returned it to the sender without my knowledge. I’m sure if you wait a few days, it’ll show up back at your mother’s house.”

Kim stared at the book in his hand. She knew Songhurst was lying. But she also realized that he was far too big and far too strong for her to engage in a confrontation with him. He didn’t exactly look like the kind of man who would have a civil discussion about something, particularly if she accused him of lying to her. It was best to retreat and come back with Grayson. Surely, the vampire hybrid would be able to intimidate the man.

“I’m sure,” she said as casually as she could and pivoted slowly. Her eyes fell on the doorframe. There, at eye level, the wood had splintered, and the remnants of a lock were still visible.

Cold fear raced down her spine and paralyzed her body. The man in the back office wasn’t Mr. Songhurst. He had to be a demon, and this demon was now in possession of the book. If she left the office and alerted Grayson, the demon would have enough time to disappear through a vortex he could easily cast in the back office. She had to stall him until Grayson became impatient and followed her. Surely, the young hybrid wouldn’t wait outside the office forever.

Slowly, Kim turned back toward the demon to engage him in a conversation. “Uh, Mr. Songhurst—”

He stood only a couple of yards away from her now, his gaze sweeping back from the doorframe to her.

Shit! He knew she’d noticed the broken lock, knew that she knew he wasn’t the manager. The evil glint in his eyes confirmed it. And though they weren’t green, she was certain he’d disguised them with colored lenses.

Kim opened her mouth and screamed at the top of her lungs, “Help! Grayson! H—”

The demon’s hand around her neck cut off her cry for help. Would he kill her now the same way a demon had killed her mother? Was he perhaps the same creature?

“You should’ve just left. But no, you had to turn around, didn’t you?” the demon hissed, his face now only inches from hers. “Now, come to Zoltan.”

Her survival instinct kicked in. No, she couldn’t let this happen. Couldn’t let this evil monster suck the life out of her. She had to fight him, fight him until Grayson would come to her aid—if he’d heard her.

With all her strength, she drew her knee up and rammed it in the demon’s crotch. The grip around her throat loosened, and she pulled free while the demon stumbled backward, groaning in pain, dropping the book in his hand to the floor so he could clutch his balls.

“Grayson!” she screamed again and tossed a quick glance over her shoulder. Through the open door, she saw the hybrid. He was still outside, but he wouldn’t come to her aid—not until he’d defeated the two demons he was battling with. Zoltan hadn’t come alone.

Fuck!

Knowing she had to help herself, she lunged for the book on the floor, reaching it just as Zoltan seemed to recover from the kick in the balls.

“You’ll pay for this,” he threatened.

“Not if I can help it,” Kim vowed.