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Life, not death.
Why was it so hard for people to understand?
Footsteps thudded down the hallway. More hunters, coming to the aid of their fallen friend.
His thumb brushed over her lips. Those soft lips were stained red with her blood.
Simon dropped his hand. “Tell Dee…tell her I didn’t do a damn thing.”
Pak rounded the corner. Maybe he’d heard the shifter’s bellow or maybe one of the guards had buzzed him. Pak staggered to a stop at the sight of a limp Dee in Jude’s arms.
Don’t leave her. Stay. The command came from inside, from the soul he’d all but forgotten in the last few years. Stay. A temptation that almost broke him. She’d wake up. Confused. Angry.
She’d need him. She’d need?—
No. The vamps could track him. They couldn’t track her.
This time, it wouldn’t be about what he needed. Simon met Pak’s dark eyes. “You’ll know how to take care of her.”
Pak flinched as understanding hit. “No…Dee?”
His head inclined in the briefest of nods. Then, one last look. Couldn’t help it. He had to see her once more.
Dee.
Jude had dropped to his knees and spread Dee out on the floor before him. His hands were at her chest. He jerked open her shirt, and his fingers pressed against the wound.
It wasn’t bleeding, not any longer.
Simon swallowed. The game hadn’t gone according to plan. Not at all.
Fuck.
“Goodbye, Dee.” Simon turned away and went back to the darkness.
The darkness always waited for him.
And now, for her.
* * *
Dee opened her eyes and sucked in a sharp, hard breath. A fierce pounding filled her ears. Hard, too loud. A dozen scents assaulted her nose. Perfume, too strong. Cigars. Mint. A wild, animal scent and?—
Voices buzzed in her ears. Dozens of them. The buzzing grew, louder and louder, turning into a mad roar?—
“Dee! Dammit, Dee, look at me!”
She blinked at the thundering voice and her gaze flew to meet Pak’s glittering stare. Pak? How had he found her? She’d been in that alley, bleeding all over the place?—
Blood.
Simon.
Vampire.
“Easy, Dee.” Hands were on her shoulders. Holding her in place. Holding her down? She glanced to the right. Saw Jude, his face white and his jaw clenched. There was something in his eyes as he looked at her, something?—
Pity?
