Page 2 of Crimson Bond

My Bloodbound training kicked in, and I scanned the surrounding area, searching for someone chasing them or any other potential threat. They seemed to be alone.

And then I realized who they were. All the air left my lungs. It was Heather and Kelly, Abbi’s friends who’d left for California with her. What were they doing here?

Is she with them?

Again, I surveyed the Bastion’s above-ground property. No. She wasn’t with them.

Why not?

Picking up speed, I intercepted them before they entered the cavern. “Kelly. Heather. What are you doing here? What’s happened?”

Something had definitely happened. They both looked disheveled, not to mention strangely dressed—in Amish clothing—and they wore matching expressions of panic.

“It’s Abbi,” the small blonde one—Kelly—said between sucking breaths. Apparently they’d been running for quite a distance. “She’s hurt.”

“Where is she?” I demanded. “California?”

Heather answered, also breathing hard. “No. She’s at the state line checkpoint on I-81. About thirty-five miles north of here. The border agent called in police backup when he figured out we were wanted. Abbi tried to save us, and he shot her. He said it was an exploding platinum round. She told us to make a run for it.”

Shit. This was bad. Those rounds were the latest and greatest anti-vamp weapon, and vampire haters loved them for a reason. They worked.

For a second I debated the best course of action. As fast as I was, one of our Bloodbound vehicles would still be faster. Kannon was already out on patrol with a group.

Were all of the vehicles out? I’d have to run down the street to our parking area, but no—I needed to go into the caverns first and grab some keys.

Before I could do either, a Bloodbound soldier named Tyrone emerged from the cavern’s entrance. He was one of the queensguard, Imogen’s personal protection unit, of which I was captain.

Our eyes locked. “Good, you’re back,” he said. “I was afraid I was going to have to track you down on your nightly trek through the mountains.”

“I’ve already heard. I was about to go to the scene.”

Now his face scrunched in confusion. “The scene? I was looking for you to tell you Imogen has summoned you. She said it’s of utmost importance and wants to see you in her chambers immediately.”

2

A Close Call

Reece

Clenching my fists at my sides, I blew out a breath of barely controlled frustration.

If it was so important for me to get to that checkpoint, why would Imogen insist on seeing me first? Every second that passed was one Iwasn’tspending helping Abbi. Maybe our queen wasn’t aware of what was going on above ground tonight.

“There’s been an incident at a nearby checkpoint,” I said to Tyrone, glancing toward the road and fighting to stay in place instead of running toward it.

“There’ll be an incidenthereif you refuse the queen’s summons—a beheading,” he warned. “Kannon and his team are on their way to the checkpoint. He’ll handle whatever’s happening there.”

So shedidknow. And he was right. To disobey the queen was certain death.

I almost didn’t care. Every fiber of my being burned to go to Abbi.

How badly was she injured? What was she doing so close to the Bastion? Had she been on her way here? She knew better. If the platinum bullet didn’t kill her, Imogen would.

Which was why I nodded and followed Tyrone inside. I was no good to Abbi dead. Alive, I could at least intercede with Imogen if necessary.

Maybe that was what the queen’s summons was about. Perhaps she intended to send me to the scene. It would be a small delay, but I’d simply drive that much faster.

I ran through the caverns and corridors to the queen’s private chambers. Obviously I was expected because the soldiers guarding the door stepped aside. I knocked and entered, forgetting to wait for her invitation.

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