Page 106 of The Monster's Desire

“Have more faith in the female anatomy.” Wraith rolls his eyes, but he allows Malice to siphon them out of the room.

My hands rub together as I vaguely wonder if I’ll be as fucking out of my mind as Aline’s and Emerson’s men are.

Probably. And I’m completely okay with that.

Saber stomps up to my side, and my hackles immediately rise. It’s something in his energy that sets me on edge. “You might want to intervene.”

I turn to face him. “Intervene in what, exactly?”

“There are a couple of vampires I’m guessing your packmate knows. They’re pretty ancient and he’s really not. He’s probably going to need some help.” Saber sighs. “It’s like the universe decided to toss everything at us all at once.”

My eyes meet Ridge’s. He’s playing with Emerson’s daughter, Ember, on the floor in the room the baby shower was held in. He was teaching her how to shift single body parts, like her tail or ears.

“Saber is going to get you a snack while we handle something.” Ridge scoops up the child, bringing her into the hallway. He hands her off. “Where is Echo?”

“Check the back entrance.” Saber frowns at the wiggly Ember. “I’m not really a kid person.”

Ember growls, chuffing her displeasure as her ears twitch. They’re quite fluffy in shifted form.

Ridge and I chuckle. That child is a handful. I’m utterly ecstatic at the prospects of what demonic little beings we’ll be stuck with for eternity.

“You’re in love with Vivie. She’s going to be popping out a few before you know it.” Ridge nods at Ember. “It’s best to practice now.”

Ember crosses tiny arms over her chest. “I like cheese and meat.”

Saber frowns so deeply his forehead wrinkles. “I’m sure we can find the snacks from the party.” He looks at me. “I recommend checking on Echo.”

“Shit,” Ridge growls, spinning around and heading out.

I disappear from inside The Den and manifest outside the employee entrance. I stay invisible to the two vampires currently stalking Echo. He looks completely unbothered by the two ancient and deadly predators sizing him up.

“You killed our mother,” the female hisses.

“Retribution must be paid,” the male at her side says. His back is to me, but his claws are elongated. It’s likely he’s lost to his monster.

“Actually, I didn’t,” Echo says in a bored tone. “Although, neither of you would have any room to talk if I did. You both ran as soon as the sire bond was severed.”

“Imogen gave us eternal life.” The female prowls closer. “How dare you turn against her?”

“I was her puppet for three-and-a-half centuries. You barely spent fifty years by her side.” Echo crosses his arms over his chest. “Leave, and we can forget this ever happened.” The power of his compulsion fills his words. It’s impressive, considering he’s nowhere near the age of the thousand-year-old bloodsuckers.

The female takes a step back, but the male lunges. He wraps a clawed hand around Echo’s throat. Echo raises an arm, knocking away the male’s claws. His right leg twists, pivoting and slamming a foot into his attacker’s chest.

Ridge slams open the back door of The Den. The female immediately lunges a clawed hand at Echo’s heart. Well, that’s simply not okay. My little witch would be heartbroken if I allowed her vampire to meet his untimely demise on my watch.

I siphon over, but I’m nearly too late. Echo hisses, attempting to block her attack, but she’s already penetrated his chest cavity.

I sigh.

Killing females isn’t my favorite, but I’m holding her heart before anyone can blink.

Ridge pounces, and the male vampire’s head rolls around on the ground. It continues for so long, it’s becoming awkward, but luckily, the female vampire’s now heartless corpse falls atop it. I drop her heart because it’s warm and squishy feeling.

“Holy shit,” Echo mutters, clutching at his torn open chest.

“Are you okay?” I ask at the same time Ridge says, “You’re welcome.”

“Thank you.” Echo blinks owlishly.

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