Page 71 of Property of Mako
He grinned maliciously before returning his attention to me. “Those were blackened fragments of a dead vampire’s flesh. A delicacy, but also a type of binding. She may not be an actual vampire, but she’ll live forever—ensuring that her blood will always be harvestable.”
I felt sick. My nails dug into the table hard enough to splinter wood.
But then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught movement. Bugsy was tapping something out on his phone as he hid it under the table. Then Dexter’s hand brushed Lily’s shoulder, his lips moving in silent words. A shimmer spread like heat waves, cloaking them both until they blurred and disappeared from sight.
Thane froze, tilted his head, and frowned at me. “Where did my little pet go?” His voice dropped to a hiss.
“I’ll never let you touch her again,” I spat, shoving to my feet.
He moved faster than light, a blur of shadow and teeth, grabbing my arm hard enough to bruise. His breath was hot against my ear. “You couldn’t save your parents. You couldn’t save her before. You won’t save her now. You’ll fail again—just like her father failed her when he disappeared.”
The words were knives. My body trembled with fury.
And then the doors slammed open.
“Mako! Watch out!” I shouted.
Calix’s voice was a roar as he stormed in, eyes burning silver, fangs bared. But he wasn’t fast enough.
Thane chuckled darkly, yanking me closer. “Perfect timing. Watch your mate break just like your sister did.”
Crypt launched himself forward in full wolf form, massive and snarling, and sank his teeth into the back of Thane’s leg. Thane howled, spinning, slamming his hand against Crypt’s skull and throwing him into the wall with bone-shaking force.
It gave Calix the opening he needed. He tore me from Thane’s grip, shoving me behind him.
“Get her out,” he ordered.
Bugsy jumped to his feet and approached me.
But I couldn’t move. Not when Crypt lay limp. Not when Thane’s laughter echoed through the clubhouse like a curse.
Thane shot at Bugsy and punched him so hard he flew over the bar and into the liquor bottles. Glass shattered, and I heard Bugsy’s body land with a thud and then silence from behind the bar.
The next moment, Calix and Thane were at each other. Fists swung, teeth gnashed, and they tore at each other with a long-standing vengeance. I knew this was hundreds of years in the making, but it didn’t lessen my worry for Calix’s safety.
I rushed over to Crypt Keeper to see if he was still alive. I would check Bugsy next. When I placed a hand on his thick fur, his golden eyes slowly opened. The agony in them brought tears to my eyes. If only Dexter were here. But he had gotten Lily out, and at the moment, that was more important to me.
A loud crash brought my head up with a quickness. Thane had slammed Calix onto a table, shattering it and sending Calix to the floor amidst the rubble. Calix slowly rolled over and got to his knees. As he kept a watchful eye on Thane as he circled, he tried to catch his breath.
In a flash, he pounced and slammed full force into Thane. They collided and it propelled them through the front doors in a storm of fists, claws, and teeth. Wood splintered. Metal groaned.
Outside, I could hear the battle continue.
Unable to shift due to what seemed to be a broken shoulder, Crypt couldn’t speak to me.
Still, I stroked his soft head and asked, “What do I do?”
In my head, I heard his voice. Go help Calix. Thane is old. Powerful. He will kill him.
My jaw dropped in shock. “How did I just understand you?”
You’re his mate. He’s your sire. When you changed, you took on his characteristics and abilities.
Then I remembered. I wasn’t a weak human any longer.
Resolute, I got to my feet. Nails biting into my palms, I stormed through the gaping hole that had once been a door.
I saw Thane choking Calix from behind as he bared his fangs and prepared to end Calix.
