Page 103 of Rafe

“I think she hurt her head. I don’t see any blood. Or bruises. What happened?”

“She had me in this cell. I saw her. Zyaire. She’s got these things. They’re not human. She says she’s got more of them. They’re not what we saw in that club. They move. I killed it.”

Greyson and Rafe exchanged a look. “Grey, can you take Sky back to her parents so we can get this done?”

“No way. I’m not leaving.” Skylar shoved to her feet.

“Hey, hey, hey. Where do you think you’re going?” Rafe asked. “Greyson. I’m gonna need clothes for her.”

Rafe cupped her cheek, and she froze. “I can’t lose you.”

“I killed one of those things back there. Give me a weapon. I know how to shoot.”

“Okay.” Rafe nodded and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, gazing deep into her eyes. His wolf craved her, and he struggled to understand why the bond remained. She wasn’t a wolf, let alone a shifter. Yet his wolf, his true nature within, urged him to take her. Claim her.

The temptation to kiss her lingered, his lips hovering above hers. I love you.

Rafe sensed Greyson over his shoulder and pulled away. He didn’t trust the ancient vampire not to read his thoughts. Greyson lived an enigmatic life with supernatural skills Rafe was certain he hadn’t seen. Unwilling to test the theory, he forced his mind to clear the thoughts of Skylar.

“So hey, you guys wanna go kill this witch or what?” Greyson shrugged, a look of annoyance crossing his face. “Ilsbeth is gonna be fit to be tied.”

“Let’s do it. I’ve got a witch to kill.” Rafe winked at Skylar as Greyson touched his shoulder.

Rafe watched Ilsbeth as she scooped up a handful of desert dust, letting it slip through her fingers and get carried off by the wind. Skylar remained by his side, yet he sensed she held back details of how she’d escaped. Though physically unscathed, she’d gone quiet after getting dressed.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. So, did it work?” Skylar kicked a pebble across the ground, averting her gaze.

“Well…” Rafe blew out a breath, contemplating his next words. His wolf hungered for her as if the bond was getting tighter, and he had to figure out why the spell hadn’t taken. “I’m not a vampire anymore so…”

“No more fangs?”

“Nope, but I think I’m still working some things out.” Rafe looked to Ilsbeth, who waved her hand at him, calling him to her. Saved by the witch, he changed the subject. “I’m going after Zyaire while Ilsbeth and the others distract her.”

“That thing I killed back there? She’s going to use them to infect you. I don’t know if they were people. It kind of looked like a human, but I don’t know. It didn’t have skin. It kind of walked like a crab, but it could jump like a cat. It was fast. Most of all…it was really gross. Good news is I know they can be killed.”

“Speaking of which. Greyson?” Rafe swiveled his head, searching for the vampire. “You got my stuff?”

Greyson strode toward him and set a black leather bag at his feet. Rafe looked to Skylar as the vampire handed him a tactical vest. “May I?”

She nodded and extended her arms upward. As he slid the vest over her head and adjusted the Velcro straps, his fingers brushed over her shoulder, her warm skin buzzing with an unfamiliar magick. She locked eyes with his, an instant unspoken awareness between them. Rafe made quick work of adjusting it, struggling to restrain the urge to kiss her. As he finished tightening the cummerbund, their bodies within inches of each other, heat radiated between them. Rafe’s wolf rushed forth, demanding he claim her as he gazed into her eyes. Mate.

“Guys. Come on, now.” Greyson released a loud sigh and rolled his eyes.

“Indeed, the bond does not appear broken,” Thorn mumbled underneath his breath at Ilsbeth.

With the moment shaken, Rafe focused on his task and reached into the bag, retrieving the weapon. “You said you know how to use a gun?”

“Yes. A Sig Sauer. He’s a big boy.” Skylar accepted the weapon, racked the slide and chambered a round.

“Bullets are silver. There’s holy water in one of the pockets here,” Rafe pointed, “but I’m not sure that’s gonna do much good in this realm. Let’s see, what else?” Rafe recovered a dagger from the bag, careful not to touch the blade or her. “Works on humans too. I imagine it’ll work on those things.”

Skylar took the knife from Rafe, inspecting it, and then slid it into a holster. “This’ll work. I used metal from a rusted grate. Hit it in the right spot.”

“Yeah, where’s that?” he asked.

“Eye socket.” Skylar answered, her expression impassive.