Page 45 of Heathens

Be Cordial? Give him what he wants? I’d rather watch him choke as I jam my gun between his teeth.

It looks like Dominic and I might have something in common after all.

DOMINIC

Duncan Towers

Theo’sstandinginfrontof the entrance, smoking furiously as he paces back and forth.

“Where is he?” I demand as I slam the car door.

“Locked upstairs.” He tosses the butt on the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe. “I shut the elevator down — Mateo, you keep watch.”

“Yes, sir.”

As I was making my way out of Nox, Mateo burst in to tell me that someone had broken into my penthouse. I didn’t want to be dealing with this shit tonight, but Rene refuses to give me a goddamn break. The whole thing has almost killed my high. Someone’s gonna pay for that.

I storm through the front door, Theo already at my heels as Mateo leans up against my car, unsure of what to do with himself.

“And the formula?”

“Locked away,” Theo snorts. “Remember, genius?”

“Right,” I sigh as we head inside toward the elevator.

“You got laid,” Theo remarks, looking me up and down.

The elevator dings and the doors slide open.

“You didn’t.”

I step inside and lean against the wall while Theo taps his foot impatiently.

“Yeah, because I’m out here trying to find someone to make that fucking bullshit for you.”

“Thatbullshitis going to make us rich.”

Even through the steel doors and walls, I can smell Rene’s fucking goon in my sanctuary. The elevator dings again and the doors click as they slide open.

“How’d he get in?”

I step into the apartment, sniffing at the air. Cheap cologne, and under that, the smell of blood and sweat.

I freeze, a tingling sensation running over me. He sent a human.

“Front door was wide fuckin’ open.” Theo glances around. “You forgot to lock it again.”

For the humans Rene’s employed, this kind of thing is usually a test of loyalty. A cruel smile spreads across my face and I glance over at Theo, who’s already licking his lips. It’s too bad this loyal bastard’s only making it back to his boss in pieces.

“You wanna hunt?” I whisper.

Theo nods.

It’s rare that we get to do this. Humans are scattered like leaves in the wind, so we get our meals in places like Nox, or buy direct from the Blood Bank. But I have to admit, it’s embarrassing having a business meeting while you’re‌ basically drinking out of a giant Capri Sun.

And you still can’t get the goddamn straw in.

I take the lead, Theo following behind me, a pattern we’ve known for most of our lives. The intruder’s been trapped in the bedroom, and there’s no second way out. The windows are sealed and painted over; the room replicates a coffin without having to sleep in one. I keep it cool and dark with only one light on the nightstand for ambience.

---