Page 11 of The Kill

Mandy frowns and shakes her head. “I met Raiden when she moved in, but that’s it. Blake kept me out of the way when they were visiting in case someone recognised me, or Noah.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, I nod, appearing disinterested but rejoicing in the fact that my brother isn’t a complete idiot. Her location hasn’t been blown, for now. Even if Raiden has put two and two together, I trust her to have the common sense not to say anything.

“And Alpha Weston allows you to live in his territory?” Mandy is incredulous. Vampires and wolves have always had a fraught relationship, staying out of each other’s way to keep the peace. An alpha allowing vampires to live on his land is almost unheard of.

“We have an arrangement. And he only needs one packhouse.” Resuming my hurried pace, I push back a branch and hold it while Mandy steps through a small path between two sheer rock faces.

Mandy pouts at my evasive answer as she squeezes past, looking more annoyed at having to touch me when she edges past than at my refusal to give her a straight answer.

“Still seems rather generous… especially given you’re a Steel.” Her steps falter as she rounds the last mound of boulders and sees the house for the first time. “What is this place?” Spinning, she turns to stare at me, wide-eyed, then rushing forward to stare up at the large gothic mansion in the distance. I can’t tell if she’s impressed or scared as the clouds cover the sky and cast a dull gloom over the expanse of open land in front of the property.

“Welcome home, little mate.” The fondness in my tone catches us both off guard and I grow uncomfortable under her assessing gaze. “Let’s go. I’m not the only thing lurking out here that would love to sink its teeth into that pretty neck of yours.”

Mandy’s horrified. Despite still being unsure of me, she stops and waits for me to come back to her side.

“I did say that Weston leaves this place well enough alone. The forest around here is kind of a no man’s land. It’s fine most of the time, but you never know who you’ll meet.”

“More vampires,” Manday clarifies, and I nod.

Katya had been nearly a permanent resident; but she outstayed her welcome long before I was forced to end her miserable excuse for a life. There are others, too, and, just to be safe, I’d prefer Mandy not meet them just yet.

“And you’re friends?” Her question is hopeful, but when she sees my grimace, her heart beat picks up. I wave my hands in a so-so gesture, and she glances around nervously. “Where the hell did you bring me?”

Huffing, I try not to be offended at her dislike for my home just because of the neighbours.

“It’s okay. Once you’re mine, they’ll know not to touch you.”

Mandy nods, and somehow, I know her thoughts have drifted back to that night. There isn’t a hint of doubt in her expression. She’s seen me in action, and felt what happened after she left, what I did to her mate.

She knows from experience I’m not all bark and no bite.

8

MANDY

The property before me looks like something from a film set, looming large as we emerge from the trees and cross the wide lawn.

With its stained-glass windows and dramatic pointed arches, it looks wildly out of place among the rolling hills and giant trees.

Yet, somehow, it makes perfect sense that this is where he lives. Tyson jogs up the steps and stops, waiting for me under the shelter of the covered porch. His features are tight and he looks impatient to get me inside. Glancing over my shoulder, I don’t see or hear anything, but I’ve seen how fast Tyson can move.

“Something wrong?” I ask, trying to get a read on his tense mood. Tyson smiles, his grin revealing those deadly white points, and he opens the door wide with a sweeping gesture.

“Just keen to give you the grand tour.” With one hand lightly touching my back, he steers me through the spacious entryway. Once I’m across the threshold I move away from his touch, needing to establish some boundaries here and keep my head.

I want his touch, he’s my mate after all. But he’s also dangerous. Both to me, my heart, and potentially my pack.

“Hmm,” is all I say, not even remotely convinced by his cheerfulness, as I take in the huge atrium. It’s both intimidating and impressive, complete with a large, wooden staircase that splits in two, feeding each side of the large property.

“His and hers wings?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood, but Tyson’s jaw clenches as he leads me through a set of heavy double doors to a dim parlour.

“Not quite. More like ours and theirs.” Tyson’s expression is regretful as I freeze, praying I didn’t hear him correctly.

“Who are they?” Living with my vampire-mate, away from my son, in a place I’ve never been before, with no clue what he’s planning, has me freaked out enough. I’m not sure I can cope with anything else.

For the first time, Tyson looks nervous as he runs his strong fingers back through his black hair. It’s not helping me stay calm.

“Seth and Lucian are the only ones here, now that Katya is… gone.”

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