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  The two of them stared into one another, and I tensed. I almost wanted one of them to take a swing at the other. All of that hyped-up maleness would be a great way to feed my insatiable appetite.

  “I can’t help it if I have something they want.” Falon jerked his arm from Arys’s grasp. “Find Gabriel. I’ll be back later.” He was gone with a movement of air and the sound of unseen wings.

  The atmosphere deflated as the tension dissipated.

  “Well, that went well,” I muttered.

  “I want to watch you make him beg.” The sinister expression on Arys’s face matched his dark tone.

  I couldn’t help but smile at the visual that came to mind. It definitely had its appeal. The amethyst stone grew warm against my chest. Intending to study it later, I took it off and reached for my bag where I’d left it in the booth. I stuck it into an inside pocket and checked my phone. There was a voice mail from an unfamiliar number.

  Horror crept over me when I heard a timid voice, high and rushed with fear, begging for help. “Alexa, it’s Allie. I’m at a trick’s house, and he won’t let me leave. I’m using his phone while he’s in the bathroom, and I don’t know the address but please find me. I think he’s… like you. Not human. I’m really scared. Please come.”

  I played the message again, ensuring I’d heard it right. Arys watched me with both brows raised.

  Panic engulfed me. “Allie’s in trouble,” I said, scrolling through my contact list for Agent Winston’s number. “I have to find her.”

  Allie was a teen girl I’d helped once before at the request of a youth worker, Brinley Kane. She was a sweet kid who’d made some bad decisions that had led to a harder life than anyone her age should ever have to endure. I’d told her to call me if she ever needed anything. I couldn’t let her down.

  Winston answered on the second ring. I didn’t give her a chance to talk before I all but shouted into the phone. “I need you to track a phone for me, right now. I’ll find Briggs if I have to, but this is an emergency. There’s a kid in trouble, and I need to find her.”

  “What’s the number?” No hesitation or unnecessary banter, Winston was a woman who didn’t waste time. I liked her more each time we spoke. That was dangerous.

  I repeated the number Allie had called from. Winston promised to get right back to me. I slung my bag over my shoulder and headed for the door with Arys leading the way.

  “Maybe you should hunt down Gabriel while I get Allie.” I weaved through the influx of patrons, dodging antsy humans and hungry vampires.

  Arys was stopped by a duo of ladies who came at him with an aggression I didn’t often see at The Wicked Kiss. They draped themselves all over him, one grabbing each arm. I kept moving, leaving him to fend off the wannabe victims as I snickered to myself. They did not know what they were asking for. No victim enjoyed themselves as much as one of Arys’s victims did. However, they were rarely willing and didn’t always make it out alive.

  Justin was manning the front entry. I touched his fantastically huge arm, careful to keep my power tightly reined. “I have to run out for a bit. If Gabriel comes in here, call me and try to keep him here.”

  “I’ll do my best, but I’m not doing anything to piss him off. I don’t trust that kid.” He chuckled as he reached to take the I.D. of the next person in line, but I knew he wasn’t joking.

  “That makes two of us.”

  By the time I reached the car, my phone was ringing. It was Winston with the address. She gave it to me immediately, no barbs, snide comments, or demands. She was so unlike Briggs in all ways.

  “Thanks, Winston. You probably just helped save a girl’s life. Don’t take this the wrong way, but can we keep you? I’d much rather have you doing Briggs’s job than Briggs.”

  Her surprised laugh was exuberant and genuine. “I’m not sure his agents would share your feelings but thank you.”

  “Well, fuck ’em. I barely know you, and I can tell you’re better suited to this job than Briggs could ever be. I owe you one.” I slid into the driver’s seat and tossed my bag in the back.

  “No, you don’t owe me for this. I could never put a price on a child’s safety. Consider it a freebie. Would you like me to send a car to back you up?”

  “I would definitely not like that. But thanks for asking. I’m trusting that you won’t just do it anyway.” I was giving her the benefit of the doubt here.

  The passenger door opened, and Arys dropped into the seat. I turned the key as anticipation crawled through me. The guy hurting Allie was going to die.

  “Of course not. Best of luck finding the girl, although I’m sure you won’t need it.”

  After she hung up I stuck the phone in the cup holder and shifted the Charger into gear. I hit the gas and peeled out of the parking lot with a squeal of tires. I couldn’t wait to spill some blood.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The neighborhood we entered wasn’t the derelict area I’d expected. It was typical middle-class houses with two-car garages and well-kept yards. I parked down the street so we could scope out the house before approaching.

  “You should’ve gone to look for Gabriel,” I said, resting my arm on the steering wheel and my chin on my arm. I watched the grey house in question, trying not to make a mistake by rushing in. “I can handle this.”

  Arys’s gaze followed mine. He leaned forward, drumming his fingers on the dash. “And miss this chance to watch you in action? Hell no. Besides, someone needs to be here to make sure you don’t target the girl. Bloodlust is a hell of a thing.”

  “I’ve noticed.” Light shone from inside the house. There was no obvious noise or movement. We couldn’t waste any time. “Let’s go. You take the back door, in case he tries to run. I’ll take the front.”

  Like the last few times I’d tracked a john or pimp known for harming Brinley’s kids, I got a rush of excitement as soon as I stepped out of the car. This was currently my favorite way to take care of my bloodlust.

  Arys pulled me in for a quick kiss before slipping away into the shadows and disappearing between two houses. I opted to leave the Dragon Claw in the car. Everything I planned to do only required the weapons I already possessed within.

  A quiet entry seemed better than a loud one. With silent footsteps I moved light on my feet, avoiding the streetlights. Cloaking my presence, I crept alongside the house, ducking beneath the big living room window. The drapes were drawn, but I wasn’t taking any chances. I bounded up onto the front step and, with a little focus, manipulated the lock.

  I forced myself to take it slow. Cracking the door open, I listened. Country music drifted toward me along with the scent of sweat and fear. Blood tainted the mix ever so slightly, just enough to raise my hackles. The front entry led into the living room. It was empty. I stepped inside and gently closed the door. A glance into the kitchen revealed it was also empty. Sensing the energy in the house revealed the non-human Allie had mentioned. Werewolf.

  I passed through the living room, which was littered with empty liquor bottles and takeout food containers, to the hallway. Standing at the far end of the hall was Arys. Between us were two closed doors and the bathroom. Arys inclined his head toward the door closest to him. They were in there.

  The music muffled the sound of voices. Adrenalized fury slammed through me as I thought of Allie trapped in there with a man capable of tearing her throat out with his teeth while he did things to her no young girl should ever have to face.

  Arys and I met in front of the bedroom door. He nodded and gestured for me to go first. Again I considered whether a quiet entrance would be best and decided that I’d like to save the element of surprise.

  The doorknob turned easily in my hand. The cocktail of aromas grew stronger as I stepped into the room with Arys right behind me. I paused, surveying the room. It was your standard bedroom: dresser, closet, TV mounted on the wall. The bed was in the corner, and a shape moved atop it. The wolf hovered over Allie as she tried to resist his advances.
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br />   “Please, can we just stop for a while?” she pleaded, pushing against his chest. “I’m hungry, and I need to use the bathroom.”

  The wolf pinned her down on the bed beneath him. From behind I couldn’t see his face, just his head of dark hair and his bulky frame. Lucky for him they were both currently clothed.

  “Bullshit. You just went. I’m ready for round three.” With a harsh laugh he nuzzled her neck. She cringed away from him, but pressed into the mattress, she wasn’t going anywhere.

  The sudden urge to vomit over this disgusting wretch of a creature was overcome by the urge to smash his face in. Vibrating with rage that grew by the second, I let my carefully reined power burst free.

  A cold, aggressive wind whipped around the room. Allie spotted me as I drew closer, and her eyes widened in a strange mix of fear and relief. The lamp on the nightstand toppled over but didn’t go out. From its place on the floor, it bathed the room in a partial glow that cast obscene shadows on the walls and ceiling.

  His wolf snapped into action. Instinct had him spinning around to face the threat he hadn’t felt creeping up on him. Fangs bared and eyes solid wolf, he lunged off the bed.

  I raised a hand, and he froze, suspended in mid-step. Blonde tendrils whipped about my head, blowing into my face. The wolf growled and I laughed. I got right in his face and bared my own much daintier fangs. The Doghead moon tattoo on his neck was disappointing, but then I saw an opportunity.

  “You picked a bad time to get my attention,” I said, sounding like somebody else. Some thing else. “Your Alpha severed our treaty last night. I’m guessing you haven’t heard yet since you’re here, being a fucking pig.”

  With a flick of my wrist, I flung him. He smashed against the far wall before bouncing off the dresser. By the time he hit the floor in a heap, I was there, dragging him up by his shirt.

  He swung a heavy fist at my face. I caught it, twisting his wrist until it snapped. Then I threw him into the dresser, which banged against the wall.

  Allie let out a little shriek.

  I jerked my head in Allie’s direction, and Arys extended a hand to the frightened girl. “It’s ok, kiddo. You’re safe with me.”

  Allie’s hair blew about in the wind as well. She scrambled back into the farthest corner of the bed and trembled. Frozen in place, she stared at Arys in terror before darting a glance my way.

  “It’s ok, sweetie.” I tried for a calm tone, but the raging river of my power made it difficult to sound anything but sadistic. “Arys is one of the good guys. I promise you’re safe with him.”

  At the mention of Arys’s name, the wolf panicked in sudden realization. He fought hard, catching me with an unexpected left hook. I went down on my ass, which only fed my fire. He jumped over me and headed for the door. Vampire speed beat werewolf speed, and I caught his ankle, sending him crashing to the floor.

  Arys stood near the bed watching this play out with intrigue. He was ready to jump in any moment should I need him, but for now he was content to let me handle things. Judging by the grim amusement on his face, he was enjoying it.

  With the right push of force, the wolf stilled as I crawled up over him. My thrall took him, and he stared at me with equal parts fear and arousal. I sat on his chest, pinning his arms with my knees.

  “You better get her out of here,” I said to Arys. “She doesn’t need to see this.”

  Arys didn’t react. He remained where he was, watching. “I’d like to see it.”

  “Arys.”

  His gaze lingered on me and the downed wolf who now stared at me with a lecherous smile. Arys’s eyes had gone wolf. He too had fallen under my spell. Dammit.

  After repeating his name he dragged his gaze to Allie. “What do you think, kiddo? Do you want to stay and watch this piece of shit get what he deserves or head out to the car?”

  Allie looked up at him in shock, as if nobody had ever bothered to ask what she wanted. She scurried off the bed and took the hand Arys held out to her. She gazed up at him with wide, doe eyes. “I want to stay,” she said, voice trembling. With her free hand she clutched her side, drawing my attention to the bloodstain on her shirt. She was injured. By a werewolf. Shit.

  I grabbed Dayne’s wolf by the throat and slammed his head into the floor half a dozen times. “You fucking scratched her, you piece of shit. I’m going to make sure you die screaming.”

  The guy rolled deep-brown wolf eyes in Allie’s direction and smirked. “She needed a little more stamina.”

  My backhand snapped his head to one side. Blood welled at the corner of his mouth. He snarled but remained rigid beneath me. The only thing holding him in place was the force I exerted to keep him there.

  Needing to feel the heady desire of his wolf, I flooded him with my manipulative essence. He grunted and squirmed, fighting something he couldn’t see or touch. Against his will he was aroused, and like he’d done to Allie, I took something he didn’t want to give. I breathed it in like air, drawing it in and making it part of me. I couldn’t help the sigh that slipped out. Wolves were such a lively bunch. Intoxicating.

  “No wonder Dayne never trusted you,” he mumbled, eyes rolling back in his head. “Fucking hybrid bitch.”

  I grabbed his face, squeezing hard as I forced him to meet my eyes. “I’m doing you a favor. If Dayne knew you were a child-abusing predator, the pack would be hunting you. They’d make a bigger mess of you than I will.”

  It was only Allie’s presence that kept me from losing total control on him. She shouldn’t have been watching at all, but in her short life she’d already experienced more torment and evil than anyone should ever have to. So if she wanted to watch this sick bastard die, she had every right.

  “Fuck. You.” He had to exert great effort to get those two words out. His fight against my thrall was impressive. Most people didn’t put up any fight. However, he was failing.

  If I’d been alone with him I would’ve dragged it out, riding the highs of his lust and enjoying the lows in between that usually consisted of screams and begging, which I also enjoyed. Too bad.

  I’d take what I could get. I thrust his head to the side and dragged a claw over his tattoo. Blood spilled from the gash. Arys took an involuntary step forward. I eyed him for any sign that he was going to lose it.

  “Do you want him?” I asked. Truth be told, I didn’t want to share this one, but I also didn’t want Arys to become a problem with Allie here.

  Arys stood there unmoving but tense, like he might spring at any moment. I believed with every part of me that he would never harm Allie, but I worried he might do something she shouldn’t see. Death was one thing. Death by Arys was a whole other story.

  “No.” He broke free from my thrall, and again I was grateful our power could only be turned on one another to a limited extent. The bloodlust lurked in his midnight eyes, but he was back in control. Keeping his grip on Allie’s hand, he pulled her closer to the doorway. “I want to watch you do it.”

  The wolf whimpered as he lay frozen, unable to break free of my influence. If he would just give in, he’d actually enjoy his death. Fighting right through to the end meant that only I would enjoy it.

  I went for his artery. It promised a fast kill with a fount of blood. As soon as it hit my tongue, I was swept away into the bliss moment. It was a high I would never get bored with. Though it had been quicker than I preferred, I’d gotten everything I hungered for. Lust, blood, and soon, death. All of it charged with werewolf potency.

  The wolf’s struggle weakened, then ceased altogether. His pounding heart reverberated inside my head, slowing with each beat. At last it came to a final, shuddering stop.

  Silence greeted me when I came back to myself. Feeling dopey and happy, like the cat who’d eaten the canary, I looked up to find Arys and Allie watching me. Tense but calm, Arys regarded me with something like pride. He was proud of what I’d just done, proud of the vampire I’d become due to his strong bloodline. Allie was wary but unafraid. Her fear had d
issipated like smoke. She stared at the dead wolf on the carpet with obvious satisfaction.

  Slowly, so as not to startle her, I got up, licking the blood from my lips. Due to much recent practice, there was little to no mess on me otherwise.

  “Are you a vampire?” she asked, looking so much older than her fourteen years.

  “In some ways. I’m also a wolf. Like you are now.” I gestured to her bloodstained shirt. “Can I see?”

  Her pulse raced as she considered this. Wolf. Then she lifted the hem of her shirt, exposing the wound in her side. Three gashes marred the flesh over her ribs. Superficial scratches really, no vital injury. Still, it was more than enough to turn her.

  “A wolf?” she repeated. When her eyes glazed over, I feared she was going into shock.

  I pushed her shirt back down and patted her shoulder, afraid to do anything that might frighten or upset her. “You’re going to be fine. We’ll get you cleaned up. Being a wolf isn’t bad at all. It’s only tough in the beginning. You’ll be strong and fast. I promise. Nobody will ever hurt you again.”

  “What’s our next step?” Arys cast a glance at the dead wolf. “We should take him to Dayne. And take her to Kylarai.”

  There was no better person to take care of Allie than Kylarai, so I nodded my agreement. This might be just what both Ky and Allie needed. One was in desperate need of someone to give her maternal love to, and the other had to be hungry for that very thing.

  “I’ll go see Dayne,” I said, trying to think through the haze in my head. The high would fade soon enough. “You should take her to Ky’s. I can give you my car. I’ll just take Kale’s—”

  “No.” The sharpness of his tone was wielded like a weapon. “We are not splitting up. Not now, maybe not ever. Stop trying to get rid of me.”

  “I’m not trying to—Just forget it. We’ll go see Dayne together. We can’t take Allie there. Dayne’s pack isn’t safe for her. Not now.” What I didn’t say, because I couldn’t bear to, was that it probably wasn’t safe for Shaz now either.