Page 38 of Rafe

“What about Zyaire? They mentioned that name.” Skylar’s question was met with silence.

“Do not speak the name,” the vampire instructed. “Don’t give it energy. Scott could’ve learned that name anywhere. He’d been taken by bloodlust. Let’s focus on Topper and they can lead us to the chaos leader.”

Rafe changed the subject; suspicious Greyson was keeping a secret. “I think we should get Skylar out of here tomorrow. I was hoping to revisit the desert after the bar, but I don’t have a good feeling about things after what we saw tonight.”

Rafe squeezed her hand. The warmth of her touch tingled his palm, his heart tightening as he looked into her eyes. He shoved the memories of her kiss deep inside and remained firm. “She’s got to go. She’s not a human who plays in our world. There is too much danger here.”

“But what if I can help—” Skylar protested.

“For once I agree with the wolf. You must go,” Greyson agreed. “We’ll have you on a flight to wherever you call home now. Somewhere far away from here.”

“I’m going back to New Orleans eventually, but I was thinking I’ll go to Seattle first.”

“Seattle?” Rafe asked.

“Port Townsend. I was thinking of going to see my parents.” She paused in thought for several seconds. “Am I safe? I mean, am I safe from the other vampires once I leave?”

“Safer than here. We just don’t know what we’re dealing with here.” The truth was Rafe couldn’t promise her safety because he didn’t know.

“Depends on the vampires. Hell, even a human can track another human if they want them bad enough. So yeah, theoretically they could come for her again,” Greyson suggested. “We’re almost there, guys.”

“Wait. Are you saying these things are going to stalk me or something?” Skylar’s lips pressed tight, concern in her eyes.

“We’re going to put an end to this. Whatever did this. I’m serious about getting you out of here. Hey, Grey. Maybe we should flash her back to New Orleans? Have her stay with Kade.”

“You want me to take her? And scare the human? She belongs to you. Unless you’d like me to spend time with her.” Greyson dropped his fangs and smiled.

“No!” Both Rafe and Skylar answered at the same time.

“Put those things away,” Rafe ordered.

“We’re here, boys and girls.” Greyson slowed the car as they pulled into an abandoned strip mall.

“Park over there.” Rafe’s attention was drawn to the shadows under the streetlight. He pointed to a red Beemer parked in the far-right corner of the parking lot. “Xavier’s here. There’s Kenji.”

Rafe didn’t trust the random tip despite Greyson’s claim the intel had been solid. The chaotic energy of the city was palpable, and the dangerous nature of the wild vampires who existed in blood clubs was likely feral.

Greyson shut off the car engine and turned back to Rafe and Skylar. His eyes darkened, narrowing in on the wolf. “We must be careful. Don’t accept anything. Don’t ask for any favors.”

“I don’t know who you got this tip from, but I don’t have a good feeling.” Dark energy lingered in the air brushing over his skin. He cracked the door open and waved to Xavier and Kenji.

Greyson shrugged. “Look, I didn’t want to say anything, but Xavier got the tip from a fae he knows in New Orleans.”

“That’s brave of him taking on a favor.” The last fae Rafe had met tried to kill him on a mountain.

“Apparently the fae had owed him one. I’ll let him tell you the story.”

“No matter what happens, promise me you’ll flash Skylar if things go south.”

Skylar’s eyes widened. “But I thought you just said that’s a bad thing, right?”

“It’s not bad. I just don’t want to go around doing it if we don’t have to. There’s nothing wrong with a car most of the time.” Rafe shot Greyson a look.

“What he’s saying is that he thinks me flashing you off might traumatize you, given the bite scare you had last night. But we’re about to go into a bar with a lot of bloodthirsty creatures of various sorts, and the flashing is the best option to keep you safe. On this I agree with the wolf.”

Rafe reached for Skylar’s hand. “Stay with me.”

She laughed. “This is crazy, you guys. I want to remind you I don’t go to vampire bars.”