"Not yours," I spit, struggling against his grip.
His thumb brushes my cheekbone, like I'm something precious.
Like I'm his.
And every part of me—my fury, my instincts, my ache—screams in contradiction. Because I do hate him. But gods help me, I stillfeeleverything.
"How did you find me?" I ask.
"My analysts spotted summer green growth in the area via satellite photos. You've been… busy."
"Well, I've had enough of this bullshit," Kayden growls, voice sharp with menace. He steps forward. "Darius, I presume? Good to meet you. Even better to kill you."
"Kayden, no—" I barely get the words out.
Too late.
He launches himself forward, a blur of speed and fury. But it's like Darius had been waiting. Like the whole damn thing was a setup, and we walked straight into the trap.
Everything detonates at once.
The wind rises in a sharp, unnatural gust, tossing leaves and gravel into the air. The moon flares brighter, casting an eerie, spectral light across the clearing. Darius's eyes ignite with a supernatural green glow, inhuman and terrifying. Kayden is nearly on him when his body jerks mid-air.
Then he collapses. His scream tears through the night. His skin sears, blistering as if under a midday sun. Smoke rises off him. He writhes on the ground like he's burning alive.
"No!" I scream, trying to rush to him, but Darius holds me firm, his grip iron around my wrist. I fight him, but it's no use.
Then it gets worse.
Asher buckles. Tomas follows. Both collapse where they stand, groaning through clenched jaws, their skin boiling under an invisible flame. Their veins glow, pulsing like molten iron. Their fangs are bared in agony.
Donna rushes out of the bar, but the second she crosses the threshold, she crumples to the gravel, her scream joining the chorus of the damned.
It's like the sun has risen just for them—every vampire is burning alive.
Winston and Jace shift. Half-shift, actually. They snarl, fur beginning to break through skin.
And then—
Bang.
Jace screams and drops to his knees, clutching his thigh. Blood pours through his fingers. Johnny stands beside the car, gun steady in his hands, gaze cold and professional.
"The bullets are gold and silver alloy. Electrum," he says calmly. "You know what that means, Winston Cole. One to the heart ends it. And I don't miss."
Winston snarls, lowering himself over Jace protectively, eyes gleaming coyote golden with fury.
And still more chaos ensues.
Astrid, silent until now, lets out a sharp war cry. A sword materializes from thin air, bright steel encrusted with runes. She charges like the valkyrie she is, blade raised, headed straight for Darius.
Darlene intercepts with a gleam in her eye, twin daggers catching the moonlight. Their blades crash in a fury of sparks and sound, dancing across the gravel with deadly rhythm. Neither holds back. They enjoy this.
But I don't.
This is my nightmare. All of it. Everything I ran from. Everything I warned myself against.
"Please," I say, breath hitching. I twist in Darius's grasp, eyes locked on his. "Stop this, Darius. Please."
