Page 9 of Shadow Bound

You and me both.

The woman suddenly winks and at first, I think it’s directed at me, but when I look over my shoulder, I see a tiny woman standing in the exit of the penthouse. Her big eyes look at the nanny, a despondent look on her face. I take notice of the blanket wrapped object in her thin arms and with my heightened vision, I can make out the baby she holds.

I’ll be damned.

They’re taking one of the babies.

How fucking stupid of them.

They’re signing their death certificates, but I still silently applaud them. I don’t have the ability to go against Sterling, but I’m delighted to see someone else does. Or at least they’re trying to, there isn’t a chance in hell they’re making it out of this building alive.

More than likely, I’ll be the one to end their life.

As if on cue, I hear the snapping sound of a neck breaking. I turn around in time to find the woman’s body crumbling to the ground with a dull thud. My brother stands over her, a cruel smile on his face.

He drops down beside her picking her head up by her gold hair. I know what he’s planning, and I can’t allow him to do it—not while humans still watch on in horror. I fly across the stage and haul Alex away from the dead woman by the hood of his coat. He growls and fights me, but I don’t stop. I yank him off to the side of the room before letting go of the hood.

When his eyes flash bright red, a sign of our bloodlust, and he tries moving past me, I shove at his chest, forcing him back.

Alexandre is bigger, towering over me, but my more advanced fae genes make me stronger. I hold him back, keeping him in place.

“Alexandre,” I growl at him in warning. “No.”

“I’m hungry.” His voice is low, dangerous sounding. “Just a taste.”

“You’re always hungry.”

His blood-red eyes shoot to mine, someone who isn’t my big brother looks down at me. “Don’t act like you aren’t too. You hide it well sister, but I can sense your hunger. It’s as strong as mine”

He’s got a point. “At least I can control myself.”

“You’ll feel better when you just give in to it.” The corners of his mouth curl up. “Just like I did.”

“I feel fine,” I snap at him.

“It’ll make you a better killer,” he bargains.

This time it’s me smiling at him wickedly. “You and I both know I don’t need to be a better killer.”

His eyes narrow. “That’s right—you’re the best,” he mocks. “Your ego is unflattering, Izzy.”

“So is your bloodlust,” I counter, letting go of him and taking a step away.

I hear Vance’s angry breathing and smell his disgusting cologne before he walks up to us. He waves a radio in our faces. “They got one of the babies, go fucking find them and bring that baby back to me. It’s worth more than both of you.”

Alexandre readjusts the hood I’d grabbed, fixing it over his head. “I don’t know about that, haven’t you heard? Izzy’s the best—she’s worth more than all of us.”

Vance’s arm rears back before his fist slams into my brother’s face. The sound of his nose breaking cuts through the chatter of the room. Alexandre’s face twists in anger and he lunges at Vance with his fangs bared. I jump between them, shoving each of them back.

“I don’t have time, nor do I give two shits about whatever sibling rivalry you have going on,” Vance shouts, spit flying from his mouth. “They’re in the stairwell, we’ll take the elevator.”

“Where are they headed?” Alex asks, voice tight as he tries to smooth out his anger.

“Parking garage.”

* * *

We beatthem to the underground parking garage.

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