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There was so much that didn’t make sense.

Like seriously! Carver had been obsessed with these damn bloodsuckers for five years. Five years of watching, plotting, and planning to take his revenge.

Carver had seen the bloodsuckers drink from humans. In dark alleys, by the port, even in the middle of the club. He knew that these monsters didn’t care about the humans that lived in the city.

He knew!

Didn’t he?

Carver was so fucking confused. He needed to get out of there. Away from Dante. Regroup and replan. “Dante!” he called to the other vampire.

“You’ll be fine, little vampire,” Dante responded with a broad smile. “Mostly.”

What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Carver didn’t have time to ask as Jesse threw one of the glass doors that he’d just come through open and Carver was still being dragged.

He should be strong enough to fight off one human. Except that Carver knew half-starved as he lived that he was no match for anyone.

“Come on!” Jesse said again tugging harder. “They’re going to love you so much. And we’re going to be the very best of friends. I’m so glad you’re here.”

Okay, so Jesse was probably not taking Carver to his death. And since the sun had gone down before Dante had started, the tour there was no danger of burning alive.

Carver sucked in a breath at the absolutely gorgeous sight in front of them.

The glass doors led to an expansive and full garden. Fairy lights hung above the area, shining down onto the beautiful flowers and green bushes. He was trying to take it all the prettiness, yet Jesse was determined.

“You can’t tell Nicholas anything,” Jesse told him. “It’s like a super big secret. I’ve had to practice lots and lots when Nicholas was out of our suite so he didn’t catch on.”

“Uh,” Carver managed. “I don’t even know Nicholas, so why I would I tell him anything?”

Jesse giggled. It appeared Carver’s new friend was in full little mode. “He’s Dante’s second. He’s really important to the clan. Like he’s a really big deal. It’s why it’s not safe for me to be out in the city by myself.”

Huh, this was actually some good information. Carver did know who Nicholas was. The lies were starting to add up though. Just because he shouldn’t know who Nicholas was. Carver, Owen, and Kenny had an entire spreadsheet full of details about the clan. Jesse had not been on the list. They’d had no idea that Nicholas had a partner. A little.

“You don’t leave the house?” Carver asked.

Jesse shook his head. “I can leave. It’s just that I have to take an entire security team with me and that’s no fun at all. I go to the club on little night though. That’s my favorite night.”

That sounded sad. Sort of like the half-life that Carver himself led. It was the reminder that Carver needed to get out of there. He shouldn’t care about some vampire’s pet human. Even if Carver really liked Jesse.

They stopped in front of gorgeous purple and black flowers that nearly came to their knees.

“Athence clan!” Jesse shouted like a commander calling their soldiers to the front. “We have a new friend!”

There was hissing somewhere deep within the flowers. Carver stiffened. What was that?

“It’s okay.” A firm hand came down on Carver’s shoulder, making him jolt in surprise.

Carver whipped his head to the side to find Dante smiling at him.

“They’re dramatic little shits but they won’t hurt you,” Dante assured him.

That was not why Carver was breathing fast. He hadn’t noticed that Dante had been following behind. It was a really good thing that the vampire leader couldn’t read minds because Carver’s thoughts had been all over the place.

A sharp whistle cut through the air before something covered in a black cloth swung from one of the tall flower veins to land right in front of the toe of Carver’s sneaker.

Carver squinted.

More small black-covered …somethings darted from the rest of the flowers. There were nearly a dozen of them.