Page 73

The man stepped closer and breathed deeply. Reaching out, he tilted my head, exposing the side of my neck where Vincent had recently fed.

“Where did you get this one? And who did you steal him from?”

Before she could answer, a door opened on the far side of the room, and another vampire I recognized walked in. I couldn’t help but shrink back against the woman behind me.

Nathaniel stood at the top of a staircase leading down under the house. He froze at the sight of me and quickly scanned the room. Slowly regaining his composure, he walked toward us.

The blond man shifted his focus back to Anna and me.

“It seems Nathan knows what you’ve done.”

“She’s fucked up again. That’s what she’s done,” Nathaniel said. “This is Vincent’s human I told you about, Rich.”

“Anna, is this true? Did you snatch this away from Vincent?”

“No, he was alone.” She no longer purred. Her voice had turned defensive. She shot Nathaniel a sharp glance.

“I’m not sure I believe you. And you may have created yet another problem for us in less than twenty-four hours,” the blond man, Rich, said.

“He won’t cause any trouble. And I told you, I killed the two adults who were with the girl. She’ll make a good bargaining chip with her kind. We know they have humans with them.”

“You’re a fool if you think her people won’t come for her soon,” Rich said. “We need to move again because of you.”

“Vincent will track this one here too, if he’s still alive. You can count on it,” Nathaniel added.

“I hope he does,” Anna said, and I could hear the smile I couldn’t see. She was hoping for a fight.

Rich exhaled and shook his head. “A fool. A decent hunter, but a fool.”

Anna stiffened behind me.

“Well, little pet. How is it? Is Vincent still alive?” Rich asked, shifting his lifeless gaze to me.

I stayed quiet. I wouldn’t tell these monsters anything. Either Vincent would come or he wouldn’t, but I didn’t want them lying in wait.

“What? Nothing to say?” Rich said, flashing a terrifying smile.

“Rich, if I may?” Nathaniel interrupted. “I would like some time with this human. I might be able to get something out of him. And we have some catching up to do.”

“As you like. I’m not sure I have the appetite for leftovers right now. He reeks of your former lover.” Rich stepped back and waved a hand. His demeanor shifted abruptly, and he sounded uninterested, almost lazy.

“No! I found him. I should take him if you don’t want him,” Anna said, stepping forward to appeal to Rich.

Rich’s features transformed in an instant. “You’ll stand watch outside while I figure out how to handle the mess you’ve created. That’s all you deserve for your efforts. Now get out of my sight,” he growled, baring his fangs.

Anna recoiled and lowered her head. Rich was unpredictable but clearly in charge. She shoved me aside as she left the house, nearly knocking me over. I stood there, swaying on my feet, my arms still tied behind my back, as Nathaniel stepped forward.

I wasn’t sure whether this was good or bad. Nathaniel looked better and seemed calmer than the last time we’d met—not that I’d forgotten how he’d treated me or that he’d killed Samson. But he also seemed convinced that Vincent would show up at any moment. I wasn’t sure what that meant for his intentions toward me.

My strength waned after the initial adrenaline surge of being brought before these creatures. I tried to stand tall and unflinching as Nathaniel grasped me, but I sagged, and he had to prop me up. He reached behind me and undid my bindings, finally freeing my hands.

As my arms dropped to my sides, the pain jolted me back to awareness. It took one shuddering breath after another for circulation to return and the agony to fade to a dull throb. Nathaniel waited patiently, saying nothing, but kept his hand on my shoulder in case I needed support.

“Come with me,” Nathaniel finally said, wrapping his arm around me and guiding me toward the basement steps. “You’ll be more comfortable downstairs, I believe, away from the others.”

So far, Nathaniel hadn’t threatened me. However, the back of my neck prickled with the memory of our last meeting. I was under no illusions that we were friends. But I didn’t have the energy to resist, so I let him lead me down the wooden stairs and underground.

The stairs ended in a small room, decorated as a living space and lit by candles in glass holders. To one side was a hallway with doors on both sides. The floor was sturdy tile, and the walls were plaster and wooden beams. There were no windows. It was clear this was where the vampires spent their days.