Page 66 of Fated In Blood

He paused at the door, amusement dripping from his voice. “I heard your last visit didn’t end so well.”

“Not for Collum, it didn’t,” I snapped. “And if you don’t shut up, maybe this visit won’t end well for you, either.”

“You keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.” When Blake opened the door, the roaring of the crowd was more like a hushed whisper, but I imagined without the shield, they were screaming at a fever pitch, salivating over two unfortunates beating each other to a pulp for their enjoyment, and for Vincent’s profit.

“I just need to get down there. My jacket’s beneath the steps. One minute, tops.”

“Lying baby vampires first, then.” The bastard held the door for me, and I slammed the pink bag into his chest on my way past, his eyes goggling as he wrapped those enormous arms around the fragile little bag.

“Hold this and I’ll be right back. Try not to lose my pathetic collection of clothes. They’re the only ones I have.”

I stomped past him and down the steps, buoyed by a burst of courage that grew stronger when I slipped right between the twins without them noticing. I dodged around a drunken frat boy, who splashed his drink all over me as he stumbled. I rubbed my arm.

Not even wet.

This shield thing Blake put around me worked like a fucking charm.

I wanted to have magic like this.

Wanted to be fast and strong and be able to dip into my bag of tricks any time I wanted.

My jacket was right where I left it, wedged between some old beer cases and a pile of broken chairs. I couldn’t describe my relief when I slipped my arms into the sleeves, feeling the soft, worn leather hug my body.

This jacket had been a big part of my life, and sappy as it sounded, every time I put it on was like feeling my mother’s arm around my shoulders. Plus, if I concentrated really hard, I could—almost—still smell her perfume. A mix of rich florals with woodsy hints. I zipped the jacket up tight, instantly feeling calmer than I had in days.

Mom had gotten me and Angel away from a monster. Hidden us for years, working herself to the bone to keep us safe.

Protected me in other ways, too. Ways I’d promised to never reveal to anyone. Ways that involved magic and dangerous secrets.

If Aurora could do all that, I could figure out how to free my sister.

That was when I realized the echoing silence wasn’t from the shield wrapped around me. When I turned and stepped out from beneath the stairs, what I saw rooted my feet to the floor.

The entire basement had gone quiet, every single person staring at Blake.

Blake, who should be as invisible as me. Blake, who carefully set my pink bag down on the floor beside him before straightening up with an arrogant grin as he faced a gleefully grinning Vincent…and Laurent Tyrell.

Blake, whose shadows spun out in a violent rush, only to be snuffed out like morning mist.

A very much alive Collum lounged against the far wall, glittering eyes glued to Blake. I didn’t know Collum as well as I recognized that look. There were years of hatred behind thatpointed glare, years of planning and cruelty, and I edged around drunken frat guy, trying to get close enough to…do something.

A now healed Bosch flanked Laurent’s right side, and the twins were positioned at the foot of the steps, hands on their sidearms. They might look slow as snails, but those bastards could draw.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

What was I supposed to do?

Every piece of me screamed to run, but goddammit, I couldn’t just leave Blake here, no matter how much of a cocksucking bastard he was. I measured the distance between me and Blake, and between us and the top of the stairs, estimating how quickly a bullet traveled.

We’d still have to get past Collum.

Have to get out of this bar and out onto the street.Past two hundred innocent revelers, high on tonight being Friday and the start of the weekend.Fuuuuck.

I was in a full-on panic when Blake’s eyes caught mine. Only for an instant, before they slid up and up and up, to that door at the top of the steps. Then his voice echoed inside my head.

Run, little slayer. You don’t want to see what comes next.

Collum pushed off the wall in a move so predatorial I sucked in a breath. “The mighty Blake Marten. I didn’t expect you to venture out of your little haven so quickly when you have a sweet new plaything. Where is that little bitch, anyway?”

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