Page 59 of The Vampire Kingpin
I didn’t care that Lark might be an empty box of lies tied up with a pretty, witchy-eyed, black-haired ribbon. The primal thing knew she had to be protected.
I hurtled across the tracks, grabbing her by the waist and carrying her past Troll. His blade flashed in the dim light. The motherfucker had nearly skewered her.
I set Lark on her feet and turned to Troll. “You’re going down,” I said in hoarse tones I barely recognized as mine.
“No.” Velma’s voice. “The sucker’s mine.”
She’d gotten back on her feet. Her right arm was useless, but she’d taught herself to fight with either hand. She stalked toward Troll, murder in her eyes.
For a big man, he moved fast. He dodged left, and Velma missed his chest but slashed open his bicep to the bone. His blade clattered to the subway track. He swept it up with his good hand and took off running, leaving his alpha to face us on his own.
Like I said, the man was a coward.
Velma took a few steps after him, then turned back, a hand clamped to her bleeding shoulder. She slumped against the wall, chest working. “Can’t,” she muttered through pale lips.
Monster raced up, his gaze taking in Velma’s injury and a white-faced Lark. “What the fuck?”
“Get Troll,” I barked, pointing down the track.
“Text Zayne,” I ordered Velma. “Tell her we need help. And you.” I pointed a finger at Lark. “Don’t even think about moving.”
Her breasts heaved. “Whatever.”
Jacko had Grimclaw cornered, but as soon as he released him, the man tried to fade. Jacko swore and grabbed his arm, anchoring him in the physical world.
“Enough.” Shooting forward, I wrapped my fingers around his face and slammed his skull back against the tile behind him. The thud echoed dully in the tunnel.
“Help Velma,” I told Jacko. “I can handle this mofo.”
Zayne skidded around the corner, blades out.
“Secure Lark in the Cavern,” I ordered her without releasing Grimclaw.
Zayne frowned at my rigid, tight-lipped thrall. “What d’you mean, secure Lark?”
“I mean throw her into a goddamn cell. Something’s funny, and until I know she’s not some kinda plant, I want her under lock and key.”
Zayne seemed frozen in place. She glanced from Lark to Grimclaw to me.
“Oh-kay,” the red-haired dhampir said.
“No!” Lark’s eyes begged me to listen. “I’m not a plant! You’ve got this all wrong.”
“Zayne.” My head was buzzing again. My back teeth clenched. “Get her out of here. Now.”
Zayne swallowed audibly. Then she grabbed Lark’s arm. “You heard the alpha. Move.”
Lark sent me a last look over her shoulder, eyes shimmering with tears. Then her mouth hardened. She dragged the back of her hand across her eyes and left.
The buzzing in my head increased, and I knew who was going to pay for it. I released Grimclaw’s face to pull out my dagger.
His eyes bugged in fear. “Hey, take it easy.”
My smile was more of a grimace. I dug it into his throat, taking satisfaction in the blood that welled up along. The burning odor of the silver scorching his skin just made me happier. “You should’ve got outta New York while you had a chance.”
“You got it all wrong, my lord. Lark sent for me.”
“That’s a lie!” Lark called out from down the tracks. “They were waiting for me.”
