Page 74 of Claimed By Blood

“We can’t leave them behind,” I argue.

“Let’s go to the bar,” she suggests. “We can see more of the room from up there. Maybe they won’t be long.”

I follow her outstretched arm to see that the bar she’s talking about is actually on a gallery overlooking the dance floor. It’s a good idea, but Evie specifically wanted us to leave…

Screw that. I’m not leaving her here. There must be something I can do to help.

Think, Finn!

Tech. If I can get into the systems of this place—and this bar is far too upscale not to have at least a climate control system—then maybe I can trip a fire alarm, cause some chaos to get them both out of here.

“Can you see a console?” I demand. “Any kind of tech panel?”

In answer, she tugs me towards the bar, where holographic displays allow the customers to order their drinks.

“Distract anyone who looks too curious.” I take a seat on the stool beside the bar, pull my folding glass tablet from my pocket, and begin the process of hacking into their systems.

This isn’t the most ideal entry point, but as long as it’s connected to the network somewhere, I should be able to use it.

I’m halfway through bypassing their security when a hand clenches on my shoulder. I don’t even need to look up to know who it is because my entire body relaxes, leaning into the safety he represents like a lifeline.

What ishedoing here? And how did he follow us?

“Finley,” Gideon growls. “Want to explain what you’re doing?”

“And where Eve is?” Frost is just as pissed.

The ghoul is wearing a beanie and a pair of fake glasses to disguise himself, but he still shouldn’t have taken the risk of coming here. Behind the two of them, Draven, Vane, and Silas complete the group, hemming us against the bar, forming a living barrier between us and the rest of the clientele.

“She’s downstairs,” Draven growls, starting to head after her, knife in hand, only to be stopped by Vane.

“You rush in there, you could make things worse,” the older beta cautions.

“Finn?” Gideon is still waiting for an answer from me.

The alpha’s voice demands my attention, and I turn away from Vane and Draven’s argument and back to him with a sigh.

“No time,” I hiss. “I’m trying to set off the fire alarm, but the security in this place is insane.”

“That’s probably because it’s a sham front for Armin’s base of operations.”Oh, perfect, Mia’s here too?

I can’t grouch when she shoves her way between her brothers and joins me at the terminal, snatching out her own tablet to join me. Morwen follows her girlfriend’s path and joins the scowling circle of protective idiots surrounding me.

“Have you—?” Mia begins.

I brush her off, predicting her question with ease. “You think I haven’t thought of that?”

“There’s probably a blackwire somewhere.”

I grimace, knowing she’s definitely right. Blackwires are pieces of code that act like a failsafe, locking down the system if an intruder is detected. Pure dumb luck means I haven’t triggered one yet—I would’ve been more cautious if I’d known this wasn’t ‘just’ a club.

“Where. Is. Eve?” Frost demands through gritted teeth.

“In the basement,” Noha answers for me, her voice thin. “With Immy. I didn’t realise, I swear.”

“Armin found them as soon as they got through the doorway,” I growl.

Frost runs an agitated hand through his hair and curses.

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