Page 88 of Soul Bound

“I don’t care if Sterling is mad at you.” Winslow shrugs. “I actually think it would be awesome if he killed you. One less of you for us to hunt down—it’ll save us some time.”

The boy grins, this time showing teeth. It’s now that I notice he has fangs. He’s a vampire. “You’ve got a mouth on you,” he comments. “I like it.”

Winnie smirks. “Thank you, it’s one of my redeeming qualities.”

“Don’t get too attached, Alexandre.” A female voice joins the conversation. Like she wasmeltedinto them or part of them, a woman emerges from the shadows. Her body slowly regains its solidity, inky blackness of the shadows fading behind her. “She won’t be here for much longer.” The woman has a long curtain of raven black hair and her skin looks like she’s never once stepped into the sun. Dark makeup circles her ice-blue eyes. She too is dressed head to toe in black, wearing a leather jacket with a hood, but she doesn’t wear it over her head like the other guy.

She moves like a cat when she walks, almost like she prowls. She goes to stand by the man she called Alexandre, her head tilts slightly as she eyes us. Her expression gives nothing away—it reminds me of the way Thalia looks at us. Just a blank, empty stare.

I notice she has a lot of the same characteristics as Alexandre. I wonder to myself if they’re related.

Vance pulls a Glock from the back of his waistband and points it at us. “Bring me the fucking baby.”

On instinct, I shove Ella into Winslow’s arms and place my body in front of hers. The baby lets out a high-pitched wail and I hear Winnie try to soothe her behind me. “If you want her, come and get her.”

I’ve never fought a vampire, but I know they’re faster and typically stronger than wolves. I know these two are probably products of Sterling’s labs—they could be a combination of vampire andanything. And since they were kept around to aid the organization, that means they’re probably very powerful beings.

But I’m not going to let them harm the baby or my mate. I will stand between them and the two behind me, protecting them with my life if necessary.

“You won’t win this fight, boy,” Vance warns. “You have no idea what you’re up against.”

The sound of the radio on his hip cuts through the parking garage, the voice on the other end is muffled but I can make it out. “There’s a third one. He’s on level two of the parking garage. I don’t think he’s human, I need some backup.”

Vance snarls in annoyance before bringing the walkie-talkie to his mouth. “Sending Isabeau.” He nods his head at the girl. “Go,” he orders.

Her eyes swing between us and the men at her side. Her jaw tics slightly before she nods her head. “Very well.” Just like how she showed up, she walks into the shadows and melts into them, fully disappearing. On any other occasion, I may have been impressed by the skill.

“Now the fight is fair.” I bare my teeth at them, my fangs descend.

Vance chuckles. “Though I would love to watch you two fight, I just don’t have time for that tonight. Alex, grab the girl.”

The younger man glares at Vance but doesn’t move.

“Don’t make me ask fucking twice,” Vance roars. “I’ll let you rip into someone later—maybe even the girl if you’d like. Now go grab her!”

Alexandre’s pale eyes flare with excitement at the prospect of getting Winslow as a reward and it makes my blood boil.

In a movement that is so fast, my eyes struggle to track it, Alexandre moves across the garage in a blur. He comes to a stop behind Winslow and wraps his arm around her neck, pulling her back to his chest roughly. He moves them several feet away from me.

He grins at me as he pets her hair. “Pretty,” he coos. He keeps eye contact with me as he leans down and sniffs her neck. “Mmm, smellsdelectable.” He licks the tips of his fangs.

“Get the fuck away from her!” I warn with a snarl. It only makes his grin widen.

Winnie’s eyes flare with anger and her button nose flares.

She growls and throws her free elbow back and up; the bone connects with Alexandre’s jaw so hard he howls in pain and lets go of her. With the baby cradled in her arms, she sprints away from the vampire.

“Bitch!” he howls.

Time slows down for me when I hear the sound of Vance’s gun cocking. I look back at him and find the gun pointing right at her as she runs away from them. In slow motion, I meet Winslow’s gaze as she looks over her shoulder at us. Her eyes are wide when the sound of the trigger being pulled sounds. She knows what’s going to happen next.Iknow what’s going to happen next.

But Irefuseto allow it to happen. With speed I didn’t even know I was capable of; I dive to the side. Esme had once said I looked at Winslow like I would step in front of a bullet for her.

She was right.

26

Winslow

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