Page 108 of Rogue Wolf

“Okay,” said Channing before leaving through the exit.

“If silver is your weakness, then what’s the vampires’?” Tamaska asked. “Garlic? Holy water?” She tried to recall the fantasy movies she’d watched over the years.

“No, don’t bother with that. The only thing that can stop them is light,” said Ash, limping up to her.

And yet, they now could somehow move about in the sunlight.

Because of the opal. Because of her family. Because of her.

“Come on, we need to get out of here. We got what we wanted,” said Tamaska, pushing those thoughts down as she touched the pocket where the Blood Opal lay.

They made their way outside into the night. No one was around, which felt suspicious. Surely something must be lurking in the shadows—more vampires? Or something even worse.

The pack must have looked like a walking advertisement for the world’s darkest kinks, pouring naked out of the nightclub, smeared with blood and cuts.

The sound of the van chugging through the cold of the night drew Tamaska’s attention down the road, the vehicle their only hope of getting out of there. How many of the pack had been wounded? Tamaska would have to include herself in that tally, her wounds finally throbbing as her body broke down the surge of adrenalin.

Channing eased the van up the road, then stopped with a jolt to let in the passengers.

“Hurry up,” he said. “There’s more of them out here, in the shadows.”

“What? We can’t just drive around until the sun comes up,” said Tamaska. “And how exactly does one lose a vampire, anyway?”

“Always with the questions.” His tone was mild and light. “Don’t worry. I’ve had the outside of the van reinforced. We’re safer in here,” said Channing. “Those of us who can’t fight so well anymore are, that is. The rest can fight!” He glanced at her arm. “What happened?”

“I…don’t know.” Tamaska slid into the backseat next to Kodiak, who had a blanket around him. His eyes flickered open, and he smiled at her. She took his hand and squeezed.

“I’ll meet you at the clubhouse,” said Ash.

Her heart lurched. Kodiak had said those same words to her, and that hadn’t turned out so well.

“Get in,” said Tamaska.

“No, I can still fight. We’re a pack. Besides, Roan must stay with you to look after the wounded.”

“Make sure no one else gets wounded,” said Roan firmly. “I’ve got my hands full.”

“And you make damn well sure you find your way back to the clubhouse,” she said.

“I will. We all will.” Ash flashed a grin. “There are hardly any vamps left out here. Once you leave, they’ll give up. They need to regroup. This round goes to us.”

“Kill a few more, just to be sure,” said Tamaska.

“I will.” Ash closed the door.

Tamaska eased closer to Kodiak, but he winced. She quickly pulled away, afraid he didn’t want her, afraid he was in pain.

Just plain afraid.

Channing sped away from the Blood Moon nightclub, the speed gluing Tamaska to the hard backseat.

“Take it easy,” Roan called out. “I get sick, remember?”

“They have pills for that,” said Channing, refusing to slow down even as something solid struck the front of the van.

“Fucking vampires,” said Channing. “Get him, Ash, get him.”

Tamaska shifted to look out the windscreen. Outside, a vampire limped away with a wolf hot on its heels.

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