I weakly lift my arms to fend him off and end up flat on my back with mud oozing around me. The sludge squishes obscenely loudly when I try to move, and I swear that I’m suctioned to the fucking ground. Dante leans over, looking at me upside-down, wearing an infuriating smirk. “Need help?”
I roll my eyes and glare at the asshole. “Ya think?”
His grin only widens, and I huff in annoyance, knowing what he wants.
That doesn’t mean he will get it.
Instead, I glare at the fucker. “Now.”
Delight twinkles in his eyes, and he chuckles in a way that has my abused body relaxing even more. “Very well, kitten. Up you go.” He reaches for my arms, then pauses when Garth only glares at him with a snarl. “Get off her, you big doofus.”
He glances at me, then deflates when I don’t protest. He slowly lumbers to his feet, moping with a sad puppy dog expression that twists my heart. Dante draws me from the mud, and I swear it feels like it’s trying to suck the soul from my body.
The sludge squelches loudly, then I basically shoot up like I’ve been greased, nearly knocking Dante over…and splattering him with mud at the same time.
The look he gives me promises retribution, but I don’t know why it’s a big deal, since he’s already covered from head to toe with blood. Just to be a bitch, I slap a muddy hand to his chest, taking great pleasure when more mud splatters him. Unrepentant, I crack up at his unamused expression. “Did someone mention a shower?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
BELLAMY
Istand in the background as the others fuss over Francesca, clenching my hands into fists to keep from snatching her to my chest. The fighting is done, the enemy is vanquished, yet my dragon remains on edge and my instincts scream that the danger isn’t over.
To my frustration, I can’t pinpoint any direct threat.
Is it her men who seem a little too interested in her, the coven members who want to take over where Geoffrey left off, or had Geoffrey been able to contact the council? Could more Orion already be on their way?
My scales ripple at the thought of being dragged back into their not so tender mercies. The need to run is nearly impossible to resist, and I’m unaware that I’m backing away until Frankie’s eyes meet mine.
Every doubt, every insecurity vanishes, and I can’t remember why I wanted to leave…at least, not without her.
“If you’re looking for a shower, you’re more than welcome to my house.” Isobel steps forward, leaving the protective circleof her men. They glare at us shifters askance, but I can’t really blame them. I’m struggling against my own instincts to rip their throats out for even looking in Francesca’s direction.
They’ve seen her face.
They know what she can do.
They’re a threat.
Even as I fantasize about shifting and stomping the town out of existence, Isobel continues. “I can’t say what type of shape it is in after my absence, but what is mine is yours.”
Frankie pulls her shirt away from her chest, shifting uncomfortably on her feet, mud no doubt sneaking into some awkward places. Though I know she wants to leave immediately, it’s something that I would do, taking off without a plan is just as dangerous. It’s not long before she comes to the same conclusion. “A shower, change of clothes, and maybe some supplies would be welcome. It would be best for your people if we’re gone before nightfall.”
“Whatever you need.” She waves a hand toward the young man, the same man who questioned Geoffrey when we began exposing his lies. “Trevor will show you to my house and collect some supplies for you.”
Frankie eyes the man skeptically—smart woman—but allows him to lead her away. We only manage to travel a few yards before her shoulders stiffen just enough to alert me to danger. I follow her gaze and spot the vampire leader hovering in the doorway of a nearby building.
He steps out of the shadows, then bows toward Frankie—a sign of respect very few shifters are afforded. Before anyone can blink, he vanishes into the darkness. Seconds might have passed, but no doubt he and his clan members are already miles away.
The spells on them will last until sunset, and they’re taking full advantage of it by putting as much distance between themselves and the coven as possible.
The shifters around Frankie close ranks, searching even the underbrush for any lingering threats. Vampires are nearly impossible to sense unless you know the signs, so maybe they aren’t completely useless. They held their own in battle. It’s the only reason I don’t march over there and steal her away.
Well, that and I have no doubt she would hand me my balls if I tried.
My dragon squirms in delight at the thought, and I huff out a breath, grimacing when fog mists the air in front of me—a sign that the beast is close to the surface. Now is not the time to let down my guard. The air is practically electric with danger, and I know the threat isn’t over.
I hate that I can’t locate the source.
