Page 32 of Rafe

Greyson pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine. He picked up his cell phone and tapped the glass screen. “It’s Kenji. They’re in the desert.”

“Find anything new?” Rafe asked.

“A few pieces of trash. Receipts from the liquor store. Nothing of significance.”

“We’ll meet up later.” Rafe turned to Skylar, his tone serious. “I have to be honest with you. We don’t know if Scott acted on his own or is part of something bigger. There could be others. We’re looking for whoever is responsible.”

“Something evil is happenin’ in this town,” Greyson added. “I can feel it in my bones. I don’t know who or what it is but it’s not good.”

“Evil like Scott?” Skylar asked, fear crawling over her skin.

“Exactly.” Rafe added. “But it’s not just the vampires and humans who’ve been affected. The wolves that lived here are in disarray. There was a small pack but I don’t feel an Alpha. We don’t want to have any more humans killed.”

Skylar shook her head. “I’m going back to New Orleans.”

“I promise I’ll keep you safe. Remember, this is just a hotel. We just need to make sure we cover all our bases moving forward.”

“Who’s Zyaire?” she whispered.

“Zyaire?” Rafe looked to Greyson who stared at the concrete wall in front of him.

“Yeah. He said they were saving me for Zyaire.”

Rafe shrugged. “Zyaire? Never heard that name before. We’ll ask around.”

“It’s probably just another vampire. Never heard the name,” Greyson opened the car door and slammed it behind him. “We’re running out of time. Let’s go.”

As they entered the hotel, Skylar eyed each passing employee with suspicion, wondering if they knew what had happened to her. Her gaze was drawn up to the black dome security cameras above her, and she questioned how Scott was able to get her out of the hotel without anyone stopping him. Was the casino in on it? The bartender?

A woman in a black dress stared at her as they passed through the casino while a heavyset man smoking a cigarette leaned on a twenty-foot mega slot machine, glaring at her, while a whirlwind of smoke whipped up into the air.

Skylar recoiled at the smell, tugging the collar of her shirt over her nose. With all her senses on alert, she feigned courage as they turned down a long dark hallway and headed to the hotel bar.

The din of the loud casino quieted to a hum, the scent of smoke thickening in the air. Skylar leaned into Rafe, his protective energy calming her as they approached the bar. A tall thin woman stood stoic at the entrance.

“I’m sorry. We’re closed, gentlemen.” The hostess’s raspy voice echoed into the hall.

“It’s open for us,” Greyson grumbled.

Skylar’s heart pounded in her chest as Rafe released her hand and stepped toward the stranger. Her skin tingled with an unfamiliar sensation warning her of danger.

“Open the door,” Rafe commanded.

“Alpha.” The woman bowed her head in response.

Skylar’s eyes widened, watching the woman respond to Rafe. Alpha? Alpha wolf? A pang of jealousy stabbed her gut. Does Rafe know this woman?

“Open the door,” Rafe repeated.

The woman complied, and reached for its handle, holding it open for them. Skylar steeled her nerves and followed Rafe into the bar. Her stomach dropped at first sight. Unrecognizable to her, the space had been transformed into a coffee shop.

“No, no, no. This isn’t it. This can’t be the bar.” She spun around to face Rafe and Greyson. “This was not like this last night. Something’s wrong.”

“When did they do the construction?” Rafe asked the hostess.

“I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean. This is the coffee bar,” the woman began.

“No,” Skylar challenged. She struggled to recall her memories from last night. Across the room, she spied a long countertop which could have been used to serve drinks. Confused, she noticed all the small round tables she’d seen the previous night were now square. “This isn’t right. Someone changed everything.”