Page 21 of Claiming Her Vampire

“I’ll have to fix his memories. Bash, go outside with Tristan and make sure no one sees. Move the body if you have to,” I order, racing downstairs.

I find the bartender pacing in front of the bar, panicked and scared. He looks at me with fear in his eyes.

“Jordin, right?” I ask. He jerks his head. “What happened?” I trap him in my gaze.

“I came in early to learn the ordering process. I saw some garbage had been left inside by the back door. I thought I would take it out. I saw it then. A woman. Young. There’s something wrong with her. Half her face is like an animal. Man, what the hell? What kind of place is this?” He tries to pull away.

“Stop! I need you to calm down.” He immediately stops. “Good. You didn’t see anything. You will go home, eat something and return when it’s time for your regular shift. Nothing unusual happened today. It’s just another day. Do you understand?” I hold him intently with my influence.

“I understand,” he says. He doesn’t blink, blindly walking around me and out the door.

In a second, I am out the back door, kneeling beside a badly bruised woman. Her face is half turned into a wolf, hair and teeth in random places, and her hands are claws. She was put through hell, only to be left out like garbage.

“Her purse is here too.” Tristan reaches inside and pulls out her wallet. “Beth Brayer.”

“These psychos are out of control. What’s their goal here? Besides trapping you.” Bash stands up and looks around.

“We need to find out.” I close her eyes. “Take her, bury her with honor. These assholes will regret every kill. We’ll make sure of it.” Without the benefit of having your mate turning you and guiding the process, a regular human will rarely make it through the transition, resulting in the body getting stuck mid-transition. The body can’t take the severity of the change. Your mate is destined to be with you forever, so the change is expected.

“Agreed. Tristan, get a sheet and pull the van around.”

Tristan hands me her purse before jogging away.

“Maybe I can get something more from this.” I look at her driver’s license. “She was pretty. A long life in front of her.” I freeze, and my stomach clenches. “Bash, this is Serenity’s address.”

“What?” He takes it from me. “What the fuck? Why, out of every woman out there, they took her roommate?”

“They know she’s my mate. This is all about me. Shit, I have to explain everything to her. I have to get her out of that house now.” I look at the woman on the ground, helpless. “If this happens to her, I won’t survive it.” Burning anger spread through me.

“Go, I’ll take care of everything. Get to her.” He puts his hand on my shoulder. Bash may be quiet and hold his feelings deep inside, but his affection and respect are evident in that one gesture.

I don’t waste time, leaving him to do what needs to be done. I will slaughter them all if they have hurt my mate. No one will be safe from my wrath.

***

I would have gotten here sooner if I had walked in the shadows. Vampires are fast—so fast we can blur to our destination. The human eyes can not track us. It takes practice to perfect the balance of speed and basically disappear. It can be disorienting for a new vampire. You don’t want to suddenly appear out of thin air in front of humans. I’ve had enough experience; I don’t have to think much as I am doing it.

She will be freaked enough through our conversation. Arriving in a car at least is expected. I study the neighborhood, looking for anything suspicious. I take a deep breath, scenting the area and smelling nothing but humans. I look at the houses and buildings with a critical eye. I wouldn’t be surprised if they put cameras or planted a spy.

As I approach the door, I hear Serenity talking with another woman. Did she have two roommates? Maybe I was wrong. As much as I hate that, I would welcome it this time.

The voices cut off when I knock.

The door swings open, revealing a woman I have seen before. I can’t place where but I know I have met her. She has long brown hair and brown eyes. Before I met Serenity, I would have found her extremely attractive. Now I couldn’t care less. All she represents to me is someone in between my mate and me.

“The King, here at my door. Couldn’t fight it, huh?” she asks, snarky, and leans on the door frame.

“I need to speak with Serenity.” She doesn’t move.

“I bet. What are your intentions?” she asks and glares at me.

“I intend to see her and have a conversation.” I cross my arms. I’m not used to being questioned. Many have died when they did.

“So that you know, she’s my best friend, and I’ll find a way to hurt you if you hurt her.” She stands up straight, taking a step towards me.

I look from her feet to her face and lean down, speaking softly. “Another one with balls. I have met many women lately that have more balls than most men. You have my respect. I see it in your eyes; you know who and what I am. I understand where your threats are coming from. My mate is lucky to have a friend looking out for her. If I didn’t have this respect, you would be dead at my feet for speaking to me that way. But I have turned a new leaf. I can restrain myself.” Sensing Serenity close, I look up to find her walking out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.

“Ryker?” She brushes her hair with one of her hands and throws the towel onto the counter with the other. “What are you doing here?” She watches me carefully and keeps her distance.

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