Ducking into the nearby bushes, Jesse laid Ian’s body on the ground, hiding him as best he could.
He’d just have to be quick.
Thankfully the car park remained empty, and he managed to drive his car out and over to where he’d stashed Ian, bundling him into his car unseen. As he set off back to the coven, a whole slew of new problems presented themselves.
How do I get Jesse inside without anyone noticing?
If he doesn’t turn, what do I do with a decomposing body?
If he does turn, what do I do with a new vampire?
Do I tell Raph?
His head hurt from all the unanswered questions, so he did what he normally did. Ignored them all for a bit and concentrated on the road. He’d get through driving home, hopefully without incident, first. Then tackle everything else.
AS HE APPROACHED the coven building, it had never looked as foreboding as it did now. Lights were on throughout, as he’d expected. Everyone in there would be up and about.
Please let no one be out near the car park.
As he drove around to it, he noticed the balcony that ran around the side of the house. It didn’t reach his room, but it did reach Lys’s.
Which he had a key to.
And she was currently at the hospital for another hour or so at least.
It wasn’t ideal as plans went—Lys would no doubt want to murder him when she found out—but it was the best one he had.
Parking the car went without a hitch, and Jesse hurried to grab Ian and lock up. As silently as he could manage, he crept around the back of the house, playing Russian roulette as he passed the windows.
Peter would be home by now.
The thought alone brought his rage back to the surface, but with some effort, Jesse swallowed it back down. Peter was the least of his concerns right now.
Hoisting Ian’s dead weight onto his shoulder, Jesse eyed the wall up to the first-floor balcony. On his own it was an easy jump, but with a dead body slung over his back, would it be that easy?
Only one way to find out.
With a hand clamped to Ian’s back, Jesse jumped.
He leapt through the air, too easily it turned out, and he almost overshot the balcony. Skidding to a halt at the far side, he crouched out of sight and waited to see if anyone had heard.
The rooms themselves might be soundproofed, but he had no way of knowing if any windows were open.
After a minute or so with no one coming out to check, Jesse rose to his feet and padded silently past the next two windows until he reached Lys’s room.
Relief washed through him as he reached the French doors leading into her bedroom. Pulling his keys out of his pocket, he searched through for Lys’s and unlocked the door.
Almost there.
A faint sound from behind froze him in place.
Did I imagine that?
He strained to listen, hearing nothing for a moment, and then a familiar low chuckle reached his ears.
Bastard.
“Well, this is unexpected.” Peter appeared out of the shadows, smug smile in place. “You never cease to surprise me, Jesse.”
