Page 62 of Wynter's Bite

Panic roiled in her belly, making her queasy. If she couldn’t find Justus, all was lost. Her eyes squeezed shut to stave off the threatening tears.

A strange shiver prickled the back of her neck, different from the other sort, along with a tight urgency in her chest and a wordless voice compelling her to turn left. The odd feeling was reminiscent of that electric sensation she’d felt when she tasted Justus’s blood.

Her lips parted in astonishment. He’d told her that giving her his blood would help him find her if they were separated, but what if the reverse was true? Hope welling through her being, Bethany chose the left road and walked as fast as possible. Soon, the dark outline of a figure came into view. Just as it began to turn, Bethany ducked behind a large barrel. Had it been Edward? It had to be.

She peered around the barrel and crept out when the figure continued walking. As she drew closer, she confirmed that she was indeed following the correct individual. Hiding places grew more scarce as the buildings gave way to green hills and fields. Bethany’s legs ached from the long walk, even as confidence filled her that she was on the right course. For now, sprawling mansions were visible off in the distance. Even better, her tremors had subsided.

Edward scurried to one of the smaller manors and Bethany drew as close as she dared. Following the vampire up the long drive would be folly, but she studied the crest on the gate until it was committed to memory. Her blood hummed in her veins the nearer she came. Justus had to be in here. She swore she could feel him.

Though every vestige of her being railed at her to charge into that house and find Justus, she knew that facing a Lord Vampire and his cohorts in their own domain would be hopeless. But perhaps there was something she could do during the day while they slept.

Squaring her shoulders, Bethany walked the long way back to the inn, a plan beginning to form in her mind. She’d need her supplies and other things. More importantly, she needed to learn who that family crest belonged to.

When she made it back into the village square, a rat-faced man lurched toward her, but at her straight posture, clenched fists and blazing eyes, he rethought his approach and passed her by.

Chapter Twenty-four

Justus heaved a sigh as he was shackled to another damp stone wall in yet another underground prison. This one was more cramped and rat infested than Rochester’s.

Squire Ridley, the Lord Vampire of Gloucester, peered up at him with a smug smile. “So, de Wynter, it seems your illegitimate gallivanting through the country has come to an end.” His hands shifted to smooth his neckcloth, putting to mind a preening bird. “You will soon learn that I don’t take kindly to rogues in my territory.”

“I was only passing through,” Justus said blandly. “And I am seeking citizenship so that I will no longer be a rogue.”

Ridley snorted. “Only so you can have your way with that golden-haired beauty my second and third found you with.”

“I found her too,” the vampire who’d escorted Bethany to the village said from the doorway. “Dropped her at an inn.”

It took every ounce of will in Justus’s being not to turn to him and ask if she was safe.

“Yes, Edward. And you.” Ridley fussed with his cravat a moment longer before turning to him. “By the by, what did you learn about that human woman? Did she have an inkling as to who she was keeping company with?”

Edward shook his head. “I don’t think so. She was far too calm. In any case, we made that one banish her memory. Still, I think the chit had secrets of her own. She said her father was a lord and huffed about telling the man about the rogue’s arrest, but something in her eyes made me think that was bluster. Either the girl’s father is no lord, or she is not in contact with him. No decent man would permit his daughter to travel alone at night with a man.”

Ridley nodded and his gaze flicked to Justus. “I wager you know her entire story.”

Justus remained silent, facing him calm and stoic in his chains.

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