“You can’t keep me in bubble wrap.” My voice raises an octave as my throat grows tight. I clutch the cellphone tighter.
“And I’m not trying to. This is a strategic move. You are the one they want right now. I’m not going to deliver you to their party gift wrapped.” He snarls heatedly.
“I’m not going to sit on the sidelines—” I match his tone as my anger rises.
“I never asked you to be. I’m asking you to be patient and smart. This is a scouting mission. I can’t do that if I’m worried about you. Bring Fel home with you. I don’t want you alone.” He commands.
“And what will you do against a witch?” I ask sarcastically.
“We both know I have means of defending myself. Have you forgotten I have magic of my own?”
Shit, he’s going to use his powers.
“Criso—” The silence mocking me in my ear is maddening.
“Fuck that.”
“Girls, we have to go.”
“What’s going on?” Sacha asks.
“Witchy’s making a move, and Cristobal made the mistake of thinking I’d let him face her alone.”
“All of this will hold. We can come back, break it down, and review tomorrow,” Sasha assures me.
I place a hand on my stomach.
“Are you sure you shouldn’t listen to him?” Fel asks.
I shake my head. “Yes. I have a bad feeling about this. Being separated is the last thing we need to do.”
We have the house closed and locked in ten minutes flat. A sense of urgency gives my feet wings as we pile into the car and pull away from the building. We’re an hour away from Sweet Tooth, and my stomach is in knots.
“Do you trust Hal, though?” Sacha asks.
“The jury’s still out on that one. Her information hasn’t steered me wrong yet.”
“Do you think she’s working with them? What if Hal is the one working with the witch?” Fel asks.
“Then we’re in for a long, bloody battle. I don’t think so, though, because he has his hands full dealing with his own territories, and New Orleans is its own beast to keep tame and manageable. He seemed sincere about wanting the truce to hold when he came down.”
“I hope you’re right. Cypress doesn’t need two vampires going head to head,” Sacha says.
“Ain’t that the—” The front of the car slams into the ground and the rear comes off the ground. Glass explodes around us. Sacha and Fel’s screams fill the car. Mine is stuck in my throat. I close my eyes and duck down in my seat. Tiny cuts sting on my face, neck, and arms. My neck screams in protests. Something hot and thick trails down my face. I open my eyes, trying to focus as my body shakes.
I turn my head to look at Fel and peer in the rearview at Sacha. Their faces are lined with nicks, but they appear whole. “Is everyone okay?” The car jerks. Air floods into the cabin as the doors are ripped off. I raise my hand. Energy crackles in my palm. A whoosh of air rolls over me, and I scream when my wrist is snapped like a twig. Pain shots up my arm, blurring my thoughts as I’m sent flying from the car. Vampires. I slam into the ground, jarring my injury. I roll over and find a foot planted in my stomach. I curl into myself while the blows reign down.
I mutter a spell that sends them flying and roll over. Clutching my arm against my body, I get to my knees and try to take in the situation. A small army of newly made vampires surrounds me. My vision blurs. I sway. I bite the inside of my cheek hard enough to draw blood to bring me back. I throw up a spell and struggle to my feet. They rush through the barrier, and I know the witch is near. I think a spell in my head, and send down holy oil. An artifact of faith will harm a vampire wishing you harm.
There’s a beast inside them, just like with Weres. They hiss. Smoke rises from their skin. Enraged, and bespelled, they ignore the pain and rush me. The silence from Fel and Sacha has me concerned more for them than myself. Neither is the type to go down without a fight. I reach deep down and form a crackling ball of green energy. I send it out, searing a hole through the twelve deep circle. Like zombies, they continue to close in around me as a new one takes the place of the fallen.
I can feel the others rushing toward me. My relief is fleeting as I’m snared by a spell that roots me to the spot. Weakened, I struggle to break her hold. Teeth graze my neck and sink in deep. My neck catches fire as the male vampire drinks deeply. I scream. Energy explodes from me. I fly back as bodies catch fire in a green blaze.
Propped up by my good hand, I reach for the dying flicker of power left. My lids are heavy, and my muscles shake. The remaining vampires are blocked from my view as I’m surrounded. I know the auras instantly. My family by proxy, the inner court has arrived. My arm gives and I flinch as the ground rushes up to meet me, only to find myself caught in a pair of strong arms.
I peer up at a concerned Marcellus. He rips into his wrist and holds it to my mouth.
“Drink.” Behind him, the anguished screams of baby vampires pierce the silence.