Page 86 of Angel Betrayed

He hadn’t actually expected her to leave him. And she was hurt. He’d done his best to repair her shoulder and tend the cut on her head, but she still had to feel weak. She couldn’t just prance up and down the town of Monclova without expecting to attract attention. The woman attracted attention wherever she went.

“Unless you’re using her as bait,” Nicole murmured.

His mouth tightened, and that was definitely guilt that bit into him.

“Ah.” Keenan nodded. “Already done that, have you? And how’d that work out for you?”

Worse than my nightmares. “Az had to pull her out of a burning motel.”

Nicole’s eyes raked him. “No wonder she’s so eager to get away from you. I would be, too.”

But Keenan was frowning. “Az saved her? Az doesn’t save anyone.”

Enough of this shit. Sam shoved Keenan out of his way. “Not without an ulterior motive, he doesn’t.” Seline wouldn’t have gone far. He was sure she was just pacing outside and cooling down. Seline knew she needed him. She’d said herself there was no way she’d be strong enough to defeat Rogziel.

He kicked open the front door. “Seline, dammit, let’s both just—” Calm down.

Only she wasn’t there. The street looked deserted. No, no damn way could she vanish that quickly.

Then he saw the disappearing taillights at the end of the road. Sonofabitch.

A hard hand slammed down on his shoulder. “I’ve been thinking about this,” Keenan began.

He was going to hurt the guy. “Think later. I’ve got to track Seline.” Good thing Keenan had brought him a motorcycle. He’d cut through the narrow streets and alleyways of the town in no time.

You can’t leave me.

“I don’t think Seline realizes just what she can do.”

Keenan’s words made Sam pause and glance back.

The Fallen stood in the small doorway, with his vampire right at his side. Figured. Nicole always liked to watch her man’s back.

“She said the hound smelled her.”

Sam waited, his whole body tensed to attack. No, to hunt.

“Rogziel summoned the beast, but maybe Rogziel wasn’t that particular hound’s master. Maybe your girl was its true master, and the hound recognized her scent.” Keenan shrugged, but his intent gaze belied the casual gesture. “That would explain why the beast didn’t try to make a meal of her.”

It sure as shit would. If Seline truly hadn’t known…I have so screwed this up.

Sam jumped onto the motorcycle and revved the engine.

“Better be careful,” Keenan called out to him. “Once a hound gets its master’s scent, there’s no severing that tie. It’ll track her and destroy anything or anyone who tries to hurt her.”

Sam spared a glance for the claw marks that still hadn’t completely faded on his arm. “I won’t hurt her.”

“Yes, you will.” Nicole’s quiet voice was certain. “Maybe you should just let her go.”

Not an option. The motorcycle roared forward, and he chased after those disappearing taillights.

Getting a ride had been easy. Too easy. She’d stumbled outside, walked right into the street—and nearly been run over by a Jeep.

Luckily, the driver had stopped in an instant. Then the tall, dark male with the quick grin had offered her a ride.

His eyes had offered more.

She’d taken the ride. As for the rest, even though her power was burning low, she couldn’t stand the idea of actually touching anyone right then.

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