Page 35 of Zeven Ways to Kill Your Lover

Maybe Joseph wasn’t strong enough yet to face those memories. If not, then there was little that could be done. Forcing the issue would only put the boy’s future at risk.

“Butterflies.”

He’d almost missed the whispered word. “What did you say? Did you say butterflies?”

“Yeah. That was all I saw. Nothing else.” The blankets twisted, as the boy shook off his hand and rolled more tightly inside the comforter.

Butterflies… Surely it could mean anything. But to him, butterflies held a more precious memory. When he’d been reborn as a vampire, he had awakened in a glass enclosed butterfly garden. He and two of his friends had all been turned by a rogue blood demon.

His hand slipped into his suit jacket pocket to close around his silver lighter, covered in etched butterfly designs. Those had been beautiful nights. Ones filled with thrilling new discoveries and exciting changes. Their maker, Wyllo, had taught them how to love the night even if they could no longer play under the sun. Those long-gone days… could surely have no tie to the murdering vampire rampaging across the southwest.

Then again… maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea to check in with Bella and Georgie. It had been more than a couple decades since they’d taken the time to connect and reminisce.

Chapter Twenty-Three

“Zeven-- “

He was turning into the motel parking lot when Harley’s mental call was cut off. Zeven’s blood turned cold at the sight of the black sedan in front of the motel room.“Talk to me, Harley. What’s happening?”

There was no response, but he could feel she was still here and still alive. Her emotions flooded his mind even when her thoughts couldn’t. She was afraid but not terrified. There was no pain. Thank God.

“I’m coming.”He didn’t bother to hide his car or his approach. There was no point. Whoever was inside knew he was coming. The door was busted open, with the lock snapped off. That kind of strength was expected from a wolf. He reached the door and slowly pushed it open. “I’m coming in.”

The door shifted under his push, falling back to lean on the wall beside the entrance. And then he stood facing a cracked mirror. In a blink he knew this man had to be his brother, but he couldn’t find words or even thoughts to express what he felt at the sight. Joy, confusion, anger— they muddled together.

“Glad to have you join us,” the male said.

Zeven looked past him to Harley. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not hurt.” Her gaze jumped to the other man and fear sizzled across their connection but then he understood. The fear wasn’t for herself.

“Thank you for not harming her.” He waited until Harley’s gaze came back to his own. If she was calm and safe, he could deal. If not…well if she was endangered this was going to get ugly fast. “But you’re here for me not her. True?”

“Yes.”

He balled his hands into fists to keep from reaching for any weapons. “So how is this fuck going down? Do we try to be reasonable before the blood falls or after?”

His brother’s scarred cheek twitched. “I would prefer before with the slim chance of avoiding either of us dying here today.”

“That is reasonable and unlikely.” He reached out with his mind for Harley.“Are you with me, Harl?”When nothing but silence reached back, he felt his patience shred. What kept her from hearing him? Who did he have to kill to fix the connection?

“Call me an optimist or if you prefer…insane. Either way, let’s talk.”

“Harley? Answer me, baby.”He needed her in his arms or if not then he needed to have her in his mind where he knew she’d be safe. Without that all he had left was a dangerous need to do violence on the male standing between him and his mate. “I’m not all that good at talking.” The words came out in a growl.

Harley sucked in her breath. “Zeven, please give Deven a chance.”“Please…”

The entreaty aloud and mental calmed him…some. “Deven? To be honest I didn’t remember your name. Hell, I barely remember you at all.” Part of him was overjoyed. But the rest, the more honest part, figured that this was going to go badly and one or the other would be alone again very soon. “Since I’m not good at talking, why don’t you start?”

The scent of riled, dominant wolf rose. But Deven didn’t do more than settle down against the battered dresser. “Here’s the deal, Zeven. No shit, no shine. You’ve fucked up enough lives to earn an execution order. You’ve been on the agency hit list for a couple years now. The only reason you haven’t had a herd of spooks chasing your ass down was that they knew you were my brother.”

“So being your brother kept me from being hunted.”

“Only because they expected me to deal with you.” Deven’s hand slipped under his jacket.

“You think you can? You think you can take me out?” Zeven drew a knife and loosed it at Deven, more warning than intended to injure. The knife sank into the wall an inch from Deven’s head.

Harley gasped.

---