Page 17 of The Baritone's Rival

Oscar moved to attack, but before he reached them, the final vampire was gone, sprinting away, scaling the side of a nearby brownstone like a spider and disappearing.

“What the hell?” Oscar yelled. Trent spun around, searching the adjacent rooftops. There was no one in sight, just the two bloody corpses there on the ground.

“We need to leave!” Trent’s words came out in a harsh whisper. “Someone will call the cops.”

Trent stepped toward Oscar, and his pain burst into a bonfire. His hand went to his side, the hurt there growing as the adrenaline started to dip. His t-shirt was shredded, and blood was weeping from his cuts.

“We have to get you help.” Oscar whipped out his phone and texted furiously. Trent stood there, his left hand pressing against the wound.

After a moment, Oscar looked up at Trent. “Can you walk?”

Trent took a few more steps. It hurt like hell, but he could do it. He nodded. Oscar flew to his side with inhuman speed, faster than the wings of a hummingbird.

“You need medical care.” Oscar’s eyes ran over Trent’s injuries. Concern shone in his eyes. He held out his arms in front of him. “Let me carry you.”

“Absolutely not.”

“But—”

“You are notcarryingme. I’m a human, not a toddler. I can walk.” Trent moved a few steps away from the pile of dead bodies and stopped. “What about them?”

Oscar’s face tensed as he surveyed the corpses of his attackers. “My coven will deal with the offal. They’re sending a car. But you’re right, we should clear out, in case anyone arrives to investigate.”

Trent hobbled a few more steps, stumbling from the pain. Oscar was instantly at his side.

“No way. I’m fine on my own.”

“You’re clearly not.” Oscar bent down and placed Trent’s arm around his shoulder. “I won’t carry you, but you can lean on me as we go.”

Trent snorted, but didn’t pull his arm away. He had never been this close to Oscar. The vampire was a physical contradiction. Tall and slender, his slight frame hid his supernatural strength.

Neither of them said anything as they walked, but it wasn’t awkward. Trent concentrated on keeping his movements smooth so as to avoid more pain. It was strangely natural, leaning on Oscar, his linebacker’s build fully supported by the vampire’s confident gait. Trent found it surprisingly soothing where their bodies touched, Oscar’s unnaturally low body temperature a cool balm.

And Oscar smelled good. A sweet, crisp scent emanated from him, like an apple on a fall day. As Trent breathed it in, butterflies burst in his stomach. What wasthatabout?

A long black town car pulled up next to them. Without checking the driver, Oscar opened the door, gesturing for Trent to get in. Trent slid in, his hands gripping the roof to steady himself. He managed to avoid any major jolts of pain.

The artificial pine scent of one of those little tree-shaped air fresheners filled his nose. It wasn’t pleasant, but it was certainly strong. The seats were covered in luxuriously soft brown leather. Trent stretched his legs all the way out. There was so much room. This was no cheap ride.

Oscar slipped in from the other side, and they were on the road before Trent realized that in all the commotion, he had neglected to get some vital information.

“Are you taking me to the hospital?”

Oscar winced. “Going to the ER wouldn’t be smart. You look like you’ve been attacked by a jungle cat. They’ll ask questions, and we can’t provide the answers.”

“Where then?”

Oscar didn’t respond. Trent waited in frustrated silence. He hated when people were like this. Just be honest and deal with the consequences.

“Where are we going,Oscar?”

Oscar sighed and closed his eyes. “To the covenhouse.”

Trent recoiled, sending a burst of pain up and down his side, but he ignored it.

“Absolutely not.”

“It’s the safest location. We have the supplies to stitch you up.” Oscar shrugged, defeated. “You obviously have deep knowledge of us. Nothing there will be a surprise.”

---