She tore her eyes away to check on Antoine, divided between her love for Eve and her love for him, both of them fighting for their lives. He had managed to draw Tobias away, and now fought without being hampered by having to protect her. But he bled from a dozen slashes, one cheek red with a vicious bruise, and he clearly favored his left hip. By contrast, Tobias was almost unharmed, using his dagger with precision as he wove attacks in and out.
“Antoine,” Cally breathed in dismay. He heard her, and it was too much of a distraction.
His eyes flicked toward her, a hint of a smile curling his lips. Tobias took ruthless advantage, the dagger stabbing in. But at the last possible moment, Antoine twisted, not to avoid the strike but todeepenit, driving the curved blade fully into his chest.
Tobias blinked in confusion, trying to pull the weapon out, but Antoine caught his hand, holding it in place. Again Tobias pulled, so fixated on the weapon that he never saw Antoine’s blow. His fist caught Tobias’s temple, knocking his head to theside, and in a blur of black shadows, Antoine was behind him. His elbow slammed hard into Tobias’s spine, landing with a thud and a muffled crack, followed by the guttural whoosh of air driven from lungs. Tobias’s legs buckled like they weren’t connected anymore, and he fell with a helpless cry.
Grimly, Antoine grasped the hilt of the dagger and pulled it out with a wet squelch, throwing it away as he dropped to one knee.
“Antoine!” Cally cried, pushing herself to her feet and stepping over too many bodies to reach him.
He waved her away with one hand, then bent over Tobias’s prostrate form. His fangs extruded, and he sank them deep. Even then, Tobias still tried to fight, arms flailing weakly as he grabbed at Antoine’s head, but he batted them away like an annoying fly, his throat working as he swallowed. His wounds healed before Cally’s eyes, cuts closing, the bruise receding. Antoine didn’t feed for longer than he needed to, pulling away with a noise of disgust.
“Fuck, he tastes like Minh.”
Cally made a noise halfway between a laugh and a sob, throwing herself into his arms. He caught her, holding tight.
“It’s over,” he said. “We’re done.” He turned her so they could both see Gabe. “Does Eve live?”
Gabe was still feeding, but he lifted one hand in lazy acknowledgment.
“That’s a yes,” Antoine said with relief.
“Oh, thank God,” Cally said, slumping against him, and she couldn’t stop the sob that slipped out. “Thank you, Gabe. Thank you.”
A hand clamped on her ankle, and she kicked away in reflex. Tobias was still alive, pulling himself across the floor. But it wasn’t her he’d been trying to reach. His gaze was fixed on Antoine.
“His back is broken,” Antoine said coldly. “He’s no threat. I’ll put him out of our misery.”
He raised a foot, ready to crushthe vampire’s head.
“Wait,” Gabe said, frowning at the crippled vampire. “I’ve seen this before.” He grew thoughtful, as though trying to unravel a puzzle. Then his eyes cleared in realization. “The spawns on the rooftop! Didn’t you just say he tasted like Minh?”
“I did.”
“Fuck, he’s controlling them!” Gabe stared in disgust as Tobias swiped a clawed hand ineffectually at Antoine’s leg. “This isn’t their attack, it’s Roberto’s.”
Forty-Five
“An interesting observation, Gabriel,” came Belle’s voice from the doorway. She leaned against the jamb watching them all, arms folded across her chest, dressed in casual clothing—jeans and a disconcertingly pink sweater—both splattered in blood. “While it certainly bears further discussion, Brookline’s finest are camped either end of the road, nervously summoning up the courage to come and knock on your door.” She arched one eyebrow. “I suggest we’re not in when they do.”
“What areyoudoing here?” Cally said coldly. It was the first time she’d seen her since Antoine’s revelation about her mother, and indignant rage pushed to the surface. Howdareshe show her face?
Belle’s lips curved in amusement. “I live not far away, and the whole of Fisher Hill knows Antoine is hosting a party tonight.” She looked at Antoine. “I’d have been here sooner, but there were some gatecrashers at the front that I stopped to deal with. But the police are moving in as we speak, and a SWAT team won’t be far behind. We must depart.”
Antoine crossed the room to kneel beside Noah, pressing fingers to the side of his neck. “We’re not leaving until we have everyone.”
Cally dragged her eyes from Belle with an effort. This wasn’t the time—and anyway, what could she really do? It was better to wait, to see what opportunity availed itself. Then she felt guilty for letting her anger take priority over Noah’s wellbeing. She spoke with as much calmness as she could manage. “Is he all right?”
“He’ll be fine.” Antoine rocked back on his heels and stood. “He just needs time to heal.”
He said nothing more, but his expression reflected his relief, his care.
Nine thralls, Noah had said. “How many have survived?”
“Too few,” Antoine said grimly. “Zoey and Marcel. The rest are dead.”
“Belle is right.” Gabe pushed himself to his feet, Eve in his arms, cradled gently to his chest, still unconscious. “We don’t have long.”
