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Luke huffed, rolling his pretty green eyes. “How reassuring.”

Syrus glanced back at the vampires. Somehow in the past few moments, Riley had managed to bend Seth backward over the sales counter as he claimed a very thorough goodbye kiss. Truly, his courtship technique was to be admired.

Syrus turned again to Luke, whose eyes went wide. “Syrus…”

But Syrus was already leaning forward, tugging Luke against him and taking his mouth. His human was only stiff for a moment before he went pliant in Syrus’s hold. He couldn’t help it, of course—Luke was a sensual creature when given a chance. The way he’d plunged into Syrus with abandon on the futon, the way he’d accepted Syrus’s fevered hunger for him yet again…

Mm, yes. Sensual indeed.

It was Syrus who finally broke the kiss, pleased with the rapid rise and fall of Luke’s chest. The bloodsuckers had finished their own farewell embrace, and Seth’s eyes were round as he watched Luke and Syrus, while Riley looked pointedly unimpressed. “You’re ready to go?”

Syrus wasn’t. He wanted instead to take Luke back to their box, wanted to lay him out and remind him with touch and taste and frantic moans why he had no reason for concern.

But such things would have to wait. Syrus reluctantly released his human.

“I’m ready.”

The car ride was silent.

Well, not completely. Upon entering the vehicle, Riley had immediately connected his phone to the sound system and put on something titled “Seth mix.” Syrus didn’t know if the mix of music had been made by Seth or was meant to remind Riley of Seth, but judging from the low, somber melodies, Syrus assumed it was the former. Anything meant to be reminiscent of the baker would surely have had more warmth.

Syrus didn’t mind the lack of conversation. He hadn’t had a chance to hear much human music, at least not with his own ears, separate from imbued mortal memories. And while their vocal abilities were largely pitiful—one notable exception being a young man crooning of being laid gently in the cold, dark earth only to crawl back to his mate—the way they used their instruments to support and subvert was fascinating.

Syrus wondered what music Luke preferred. His human didn’t seem to make much time for it—he didn’t so much as hum a tune when cooking or working on his craft. Syrus could change that. Humans were naturally susceptible to song, drawn to it by something instinctual in their natures. It was part of what made them such excellent prey.

Song and color. Luke needed more of both in his life.

Lucky he had Syrus now to provide.

“Why do you look so smug?”

Ah. Six songs in and now Riley wanted to chat. Syrus shifted in his seat, trying to get comfortable in yet another tiny vehicle. “And why should I not?”

“Maybe because you’re diving into this with no special powers or abilities and are just as likely to get recaptured as find any answers?”

Had Syrus been under the impression this young vampire didn’t talk much? Because he seemed to have much to say when he did.

“I may not have my teeth, but I’m stronger and faster than most.”

“And injured.”

Syrus frowned at the reminder. “And will you be so useless as a companion?”

“Oh, I’m not going in,” Riley said easily. “I’ll be in the car.”

Syrus could only be grateful Riley hadn’t told him as much in Luke’s presence. Luke would surely be fretting even more. “Then why did you volunteer?”

“So I can get your impressions while they’re still fresh. And because if you end up killing this guy, I’ll need to call my moms right away. We can’t have a dismembered body found in the next town over.”

“You don’t want your own answers?” Syrus asked. “Revenge, even?”

Riley shrugged. “He’s a marine scientist. Vampires wouldn’t have been his specialty. And if it doesn’t endanger Seth or my family, I don’t really care.”

Well, that was simple enough. Someone clearly had his priorities in line. And after Syrus completed his task, he could be the same, couldn’t he? His thoughts would be of Luke and Colby, and everything else would be irrelevant.

“And if I do get captured again?” Syrus asked, more out of curiosity than any expectation.

“Then we’ll know things with the institute aren’t as dormant as we thought.”