Or has he been here more recently?
I blow out a breath.I didn’t come here to be self-indulgent.I came here to look for clues, and I won’t find them sitting with my chin on my knees while staving off my imagined hunger for Rogan’s blood.
I stand quickly and look around.Vampire night vision is good, but like anyone else, we see better during the day.I replay the fight in my mind—each punch, each kick—and scan the area for anything that looks out of place.A few drops of blood here and there, but nothing major.No one was badly injured.
Which in itself is odd, given it was three against one.I’m good, for sure, but against three men?One of whom I’m pretty sure is a demon?
Then I laugh.
I fucking laugh out loud like a maniac.
This was all a ruse.Put in place by Rogan himself.
He was testing me.Testing the vampire princess.He wanted to know what I was made of, what I could do.
She’s not worth the effort.
The words he said to Blaze.
I understand their meaning now.
And I’m fucking pissed.
Anger rises in me, triggering my canines.They descend quickly—more quickly than usual—and I cry out from the pain.
Victor Rogan is working me.Or trying to.This mate thing?It’s probably all part of it.My blood boils in my veins, and my heart beats like a jackhammer.
You won’t get away with this, Rogan.
I’m ready.Ready to face him and tell him I know what he’s up to.I turn to leave, and—
“Oh my God!”
16
“Looking for me, princess?”
Rogan.How did I miss him?He’s wearing different clothes from before.Dark jeans and black leather biker boots.A black V-neck T-shirt that form fits to his muscles.No wonder his scent was so strong.He was here, hiding from me.
I stumble slightly but catch myself.“No, I’m not, actually.I’m looking for demons.”
He raises his eyebrows.“Oh?”
I advance toward him, his fragrance growing stronger.I blow out a breath, will myself to maintain control.
“I’ve already found one.The cute little blonde manning the entry to the high stakes area.”
“Heidi?”
“Is that her real name?”
“It’s the name she gave me.”
I nod.“I see.I’m pretty sure one of the thugs you hired to clobber me last night is a demon as well.Care to tell me I’m right?”
He chuckles.“Why would I do that, when I’m having a blast watching you make a fool of yourself?”
“You son of a b—”