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I HAD NO IDEAwhat was planned for tonight, but Liam was prepared for something. He obviously had warned his vampires of my ability and none of them touched me, although three surrounded me as we walked in silence through the deserted exhibition grounds.
There was no sign of Jasmine or the CWOs, but I suspected they weren’t far. I didn’t think Liam would go against the Scars without her, but he seemed pretty damn cocky about tonight.
Dark shadows of Liam’s underlings were on top of the buildings, alert and ready. He walked with confidence. I didn’t. I tried to, but my nerves sparked off and my heart pounded so hard I knew every vampire within a hundred feet of me probably heard it.
Liam stopped at a metal door and stepped aside. A vampire moved forward and broke the padlock with one yank, ripping the chain off. It fell to the pavement with a clatter. The vampire, along with three others, entered leaving me, Liam, and four vampires outside. We waited several minutes before the door opened again.
“After you, my dear.” I hesitated and Liam grabbed my elbow. “I have no objection to hurting a woman.” He shoved me forward and I staggered into the building.
The instant I walked into the deserted warehouse, I smelled the remnants of food, mostly meat, deep fried meat mixed with stale air. Liam had probably picked this place because the smell of food would hinder the Scars’ scenting abilities.
It appeared like a warehouse with a high ceiling with metal beams. Beams that had movement, and I was guessing the movement was vampires.
Were the Scars going to fight Liam? Would Kilter be here? Was he okay? God, please let him be okay.
A piercing screech erupted and I cried, bending and putting my hands over my ears.
Liam yanked my arms down and pushed me forward. “High frequency makes telepathy difficult. Only dogs and, of course, Scars, can hear it.”
The constant high-pitched buzz threw off my balance, and I tried to block it out with my shields, but all I managed was to dull the sound.
Liam stopped by a long, rectangular, wooden table with benches on either side. I stood beside him and his vampires formed a protective semi-circle around us on either side and behind.
Another door creaked open then slammed shut.
“Behave yourself,” Liam warned.
I had every intention of behaving myself. Unless the Scars fought, and then all bets were off. I’d fight with everything I had.
The steady sound of booted feet came in our direction; it was dark, but my vision had improved since gaining weight.
Waleron appeared out of the shadows first. He wore simple black trousers and a matching T-shirt. His expression was unreadable as his eyes locked on Liam, but he looked steady and confident. Didn’t tell me much, however, because I suspected the man didn’t know how to be anything but.
I tensed when Delara came up beside him. Something was wrong with her. Her emotions leaked into me and I gasped at the despair that encompassed her. What was going on? Her hands were curled into the sides of her pants, and even in the dim moonlight filtering through the windows covered in a dirty film, I saw how pale she was.
I stiffened when a high-pitched screech echoed and Liam’s underlings stepped closer to me. I had no idea what could make that horrid sound until I saw a young woman struggling like a rabid animal in the grip of a Scars’ Ink. It had the thin string of light attached to it like I had with Serafina. I followed the light to Keir, who stood in the shadows.
But this Ink was nothing like Serafina. This was a majestic, lithe, panther-like man with a sleek black coat covering a two-legged figure. The muzzle was sharp and defined with long, straight, black whiskers. It had small ears on the sides of its head instead of on top like a panther’s. The eyes were solid white as if it had no vision, but there was no question it knew exactly where it was going.
Its massive paws—which had thumbs—clamped down on her arms and didn’t appear to care that she struggled to get away.
“I said no weapons,” Liam said.
Waleron nodded toward the girl. “She’d sink her teeth into any of us if we got near her. The Ink can control her. And if I recall, you specifically asked her to be alive.”
Liam tensed then turned his attention to the girl. “Abigail, settle.”
My eyes widened when the girl stopped struggling and stood meek in the Ink’s grip. Holy shit, Liam had power over her. This had to be Abby, the witch turned vampire.
Booted feet strode toward us and my knees weakened and my heart skipped a beat because I recognized his stride. God, I recognized everything about him. My eyes searched the darkness then landed on Kilter.
I choked back the sob by biting my lip. Oh, God, he was okay, and he was here. Every part of me wanted to dive across the expanse between us and leap into his arms. Feel him against me. Hold him.
He stopped beside Waleron, and only then did he tilt his head in my direction. Our eyes met and it was like he held me protectively in his embrace with that one look. Despite the fear skidding through me, there was a sense of calmness in me now. What surprised me was how steady Kilter was. I’d expected a raging lunatic charging in by himself without a care to the other Scars. But he was solid.
“Trinity isn’t coming?” Liam asked. “A shame. I would have loved to have seen her expression when she hears the news.” He shrugged. “No matter.” His eyes roamed over Delara and his smug smile faltered. “Delara, I do apologize for this. I like you, although I fear you never liked me. If it weren’t for Abigail, I’d have gladly continued our relations, despite the fact that you were using me to keep an eye on my extracurricular activities.” That’s why Delara had been sleeping with him? “But as you know by now, Abigail has something I want, and my power in this world is more important than pussy.” Liam looked over at Abby. “Foolish girl. Nearly ruined my plans by sleeping with Damien and getting pregnant.”
“Let’s get this done, Liam,” Kilter said.
