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“I need this,” I say, ignoring Kyrin’s insistence that Elias step into the hall with him. “I need to escape. You helped me before,” I finish.

“I’ll always help you escape, petit corbeau,” he whispers, leaning down and hovering his lips near mine.

Elias’s energy is soul-crushing, and the problem is he knows how to use it.

Kyrin’s silent, as if he’s waiting to see how I’ll react, what I’ll do when cornered.

“Thank you, Elias,” I whisper back.

The chair creaks as his hands tighten on it. “My pleasure.”

My stomach curls into itself, the hunger that was there skittering away. Far away.

“Lucien won’t be happy about this,” Elias says, turning to Kyrin and giving me much-needed air now that his attention is focused elsewhere.

“Leave him to me. He and I have some things to discuss, anyhow. It’s probably best you get Sera out of the house. It might get loud.

Elias straightens, rubbing his bottom lip with his fingertip. “Go get ready. It’s already getting late.”

I check the clock on my phone screen and realize he’s right. It’s almost seven.

By the time I’m showered, dressed, and have applied the barest amount of makeup, Aria calls to tell me she’s here.

I give her the rundown about Elias, and she doesn’t push back or get upset that he’s coming; she only says she hopes he’ll keep to himself.

Judging by how devilish Elias looks when I open my door, leaning against the wall in jeans, a tight shirt, boots, and a coat thrown over his tattooed arm, I’d say that’s highly unlikely.

He’s out for blood tonight, and I don’t know if I have enough to sustain him coursing my veins.

Lucien and Kyrin are nowhere in sight when Elias and I leave. I get into the middle captain chair of the rented SUV beside Aria, while Elias slinks onto the third-row bench, making no sound and pretending he’s not here.

So far, so good.

“So, I decided since we have a ride, and you brought a date,” Aria starts.

“Not a date,” I add, “but go on.”

“I live in the next town over, which happens to be where the best club is. So, we’ll go there, and then you can drop me off first. The car’s rented until tomorrow morning, so you two are free to do whatever you want until then.”

I huff a laugh.

“With Valdrich money, no doubt,” Elias mutters.

“Actually, I refused Lucien’s offer to pay for tonight. I’m taking my girl out. Though you’ll need to pay for your own drinks. You good for it?” Aria turns in her seat and gives Elias a deadly glare.

He only eyes me, then clenches his teeth and keeps whatever horrid reply bubbles on his tongue to himself.

Aria turns back around, tossing me a wink.

“Lucien offered to pay?” I ask her.

“Yeah, he called me earlier. I was shocked.”

That news, in the grand scheme of everything going on in my life currently, shouldn’t make me fight a grin, but it does.

I turn my attention out of the window as we head out of town.

Snow barrels down, making it seem like we’re driving through the stars, and for a split second, I worry this was a bad idea given how gloomy the weather is.