in the gods’ names are you? And what have you done with the lycan?” Sparks of energy crackle over Steele’s skin, slightly disrupting the signal. His short, coffee-colored hair stands on end, emitting sparks as well.
“I told you, there was no way your prison could hold me. As for the lycan, if you want him back, you’ll have to hand over my sister.” With a sharp crack, the back of a wooden chair splinters beneath my hands. I hadn’t even realized I was holding it. After only a relatively short time as a vampire, I frequently underestimate my own strength.
“You’ll have to give me something more, Mila. I know the lycan will be dead in a few hours, if he hasn’t already succumbed to the virus.” Steele’s voice is smooth as silk with a distinct edge of sophistication, even in his rage. It’s no wonder he never has trouble finding a meal.
“Do you want me back?”
“I will get you back. You will be my toy until I tire of you. I will not negotiate for this pleasure. It’s more fun for me to hunt you down and drag your defiant ass back here.” With a cruel chuckle, Steele blows a kiss toward the camera. “Soon, my pet, I’ll have you with me once more. This time I will use thicker chains. Run while you can. I will find you. I’ve already sent my best soldiers to retrieve you.”
“What, you aren’t coming to collect me yourself?” I ask.
“My dear, you’re important, but not that important. You forget I have business to attend to. It isn’t easy to get a whole race of people bowing down to me. If you were to come back now and swear absolute allegiance, you could have a part in my future–where vampires rule.”
“Tempting, but no thanks. Do you really think creating a worldwide famine and using it to your advantage won’t backfire on you at some point? Especially when you seem to divulge it to anyone who will listen?”
“Fine, have it your way. I’ll see you soon.” With a click he’s gone. Cold dread trickles down my spine. My head begins to throb as the last few days catch up to me. Jesus, I would love some fresh blood and a hot bath right now. The phone’s beeping reminds me to click the disconnect button before tucking it back into my pocket.
As soon as night falls I must get moving. First order of business: burning poor Evan’s body. It’s the best burial I can offer, and his final request. I’d bonded with this lycan while we were both imprisoned in Steele’s archaic dungeon. It’s thanks to him I was finally able to escape. Steele should have known better than to leave two powerful beings alone together. He underestimated my knowledge of how vampires work. I’m a fast learner.
I only knew Evan for a few weeks, but he was a good man. I mourn his death as I would a friend’s. The need to feed is urgent, taking precedence over other looming issues. Once I’ve fed, I’ll slip Evan’s letter to his brother in the drop box. Not that it will ever reach him. The mail system has pretty much ground to a halt, last I heard. People can only rely on private couriers, which means only the few with money have the luxury of long distance correspondence.
I pull a piece of wrinkled paper from the depths of my pocket. Evan’s message to his brother is hastily scrawled across its surface. A thin trail of blood worms a path down my face as I shed a tear for the brave lycan. He really was one of the good guys. Despite my sympathy toward Evan, I still don’t trust the lycan race. I must confess, I’ve been remiss in studying them. Vampires have been my singular obsession and, as long as the lycans keep their distance, I leave them alone. I hear they hate vamps nearly as much as I do. If this is true, I may be able to talk them into an alliance. I’m not too proud to admit that I need all the help I can get in disposing of the bloodsuckers. I have a problem with anything of the supernatural persuasion, including myself.
My eyes fall on the greeting, and Evan’s brother’s name: Bryce. Why does that ring a bell? The answer flashes through my mind moments before my door bursts open. The doorframe cracks and the lock flies off the door. A pissed-off wolf man barges in.
22B.
Chapter 2
The lycan barrels into me, fangs snapping, as he knocks me back. My body impacts hard against the wall. There is little intelligence in the vibrant amber eyes; only animal instincts, pure and raw. My skull cracks hard against the wall. Claws scrape across my cheek and blood begins to flow freely down my face. Rolling up into a crouch, I draw my gun.
“Bryce, if that’s who you are, listen to me for a second. I need to tell you what happened with Evan–your brother.”
With a feral snarl, Bryce lunges at me again. Fuck; I need to get through to the man inside the beast, or I’ll have to kill him. I know in theory I should just kill him, but after all I’ve been through with Evan I’d prefer to leave his brother breathing. Half-dragging myself over the carpet, I push the door shut and heave the TV stand in front of it. It might keep prying eyes away for a little bit, but the bestial noises reverberating through the room will draw a crowd.
Claws dig into my arms, right before he flings me across the room. I land hard on the chair I cracked earlier, demolishing it. Claws come in for another swipe at my face. I snatch up a large piece of splintered wood and shove it deep into the paw. The lycan howls and snatches back his paw, mere inches before it connects with my flesh. This madness needs to end soon. The only solution is in my pack, sitting across the room.
Before I can formulate a decent plan to get the hell over there, Bryce bites down hard on my ankle. With a strangled scream I shoot him in the shoulder and kick at his muzzle. The frantic knocks rattling the already-ruined door inform me I have only moments to defuse the situation before all hell breaks loose. Delivering another powerful kick to the lycan’s muzzle, I break his hold on my leg and scramble forward. As my hands close around the pack, he charges me again. The pounding at the door is increasing. Ripping the silver collar out of my pack, I brace myself for impact with the lycan. The collar is open and ready when Bryce envelops me in an angry wolf hug. Teeth and claws tear into my skin as I snap the collar into place.
Bryce howls as the silver starts to take effect, draining his energy and forcing him back to his human form. His coarse black fur recedes, leaving lightly tanned, well-toned naked male flesh in its wake. His golden wolf eyes flash with anger–and it’s all directed at me. Angry shouts accompany the pounding and I fear the door is moments from giving way. This complicates the situation even more.
“Listen, if you want to survive long enough to find out what happened to your brother, follow my lead.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Bryce growls, his naked body still twitching under the silver’s assault.
Shedding my coat, I tear off my shirt and hope no stray UV rays make it through when the door is finally pounded in. “Bryce, just lay there. I’m going to climb on top of you. When the humans get in, make it look realistic and grab my ass or breasts or something. They need to think we’re having crazy sex in here, and just maybe they’ll leave without shooting us or asking questions.” This would be so much easier if we weren’t both bleeding profusely.
Not answering, Bryce glares at me as I climb over his warm, naked body–and not a moment too soon. The door heaves one final groan and flings wide open, pushing the TV stand out of the way. My skin twinges as the faintest light brushes it. Without my light-blocking clothing and eyewear, my flesh will burn. I just hope they leave before it starts to show physically. It won’t kill me, but it’ll hurt like hell.
I crush my mouth to Bryce’s. He at least returns the gesture. “Oh, honey! I thought I told you to stay away from him!” Mrs. Novak stands in the doorway,
