Page 67 of Roaring Flames

Despite being over three hundred years old, he doesn’t look a day over thirty.

Another benefit of drinking fresh blood.

“What makes sense?” Piper licks at a droplet of red liquid that has spilled from her cup.

“He couldn’t allow the shifters to discover what he was.”

Edward’s words cause an icy chill to skate down my spine.

How much does the powerful bastard know?

“Why was he with the shifters in the first place?” Marcus Brown frowns severely, cutting harsh lines into his pale face.

“Isn’t that the million-dollar question?” Edward moves forward slowly, calculatingly, his eyes trained on me the entire time.

Every muscle in my body locks together when the stench of death and decay assaults my senses.

“Did you want to abandon your family, Grayson? Is that why you left?” His words are practically a purr—a noise that might’ve been seductive if it wasn’t so damn terrifying.

“I heard that some Hunters visited a few wolves,” Piper interjects, not bothering to hide her glee.

“Did you have a part to play in that, Grayson?” Marcus asks.

All of them are staring at me. Assessing me with their penetrating eyes.

I don’t know how to respond, how to get myself out of this mess.

Edward abruptly grasps my chin, his nails digging into my skin. I don’t allow any of the pain I feel to reflect on my face.

“You’ve always been such a good boy for me and the others, Grayson,” he says, his words both a praise and a threat. Abruptly, he releases me, his shark-like smile growing until it threatens to cleave his face in two. “Maybe a good night’s rest will jog your memory.” He looks over my shoulder. Vlad?”

“Yes, Elder?” Vlad materializes beside me with an expectant smile on his face.

“Show Grayson back to his room, would you?”

“It would be my honor.” Vlad bows his head reverently and then reaches for my arm.

I allow him to grab me, to tug me along, because what other choice do I have?

Edward’s voice carries to me just before I reach the staircase. “And Grayson?”

I tense.

“Next time I see you, I want the truth. Tell me why you left, and maybe I’ll allow you to live.” And with that, Edward turns away, reengaging Piper in conversation.

Vlad gleefully pulls me down the staircase, his enhanced strength causing me to stumble.

Izzy, I’m so fucking sorry.

I make a vow, right then and there, that I’ll never give her up, no matter what the Elders and their lackeys do to me.

I’m sorry.

Twenty-Six

IZZY

Iwake to the sound of incessant knocking on the apartment door.

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