Jesse was back to staring at his hands, all the while feeling the weight of Blake’s glare and the heavy presence of two guns trained at his head. The situation was out of his control, and he hated being so powerless. Hated Peter for doing this to him.
Hated waiting for someone to tell him whether he was free to go, or his life was over.
IAN LICKED HIS lips, despite trying not to react to all the scents around them. Raph had made him feed before they’d come here, but even full as he was, the lure of warm, fresh blood was like an itch under his skin. He knew it was there, but he couldn’t have it. While controllable for now, Ian wondered how long it would last.
He hadn’t seen Blake yet. He and Peter had been ushered into a room as soon as they’d arrived. Ian wondered if Blake was under orders not to see him, or if Blake was avoiding him. Whatever reason, it was probably for the best. Ian wasn’t sure of the reaction he’d get, and he didn’t need any more shit piling onto his already huge pile. He also worried he wouldn’t be able to face Blake and not blurt out that Cate was in trouble.
The room they were in was locked from the outside—no one trusted a newly turned vampire—but not soundproofed, and Ian’s head snapped up as he heard Raph’s voice along the hallway.
“If you could please ask him to do this, it’d be very much appreciated,” Raph was saying.
“I’ll do it now,” Harper answered. Ian recognised him from when they arrived.
He felt Peter tense next to him, obviously listening too, and Ian took small comfort in the fact that Peter was twitchy. He’d been that way ever since Raph had gone in to see Jesse alone.
Jesse would’ve told Raph the truth. He’d have called both Ian and Peter liars—rightly so—but there was no proof, no evidence to back up his story. Peter must have known Jesse would tell Raph a different version of events. He had to be counting on the fact that Ian corroborated Peter’s story, had backed up everything he’d said with as much sincerity as he could muster. Coupled with the photograph Peter had made him send, who’d believe Jesse?
I’m so fucking sorry.
The last thing Ian wanted was to get Jesse locked up for God knew how long, but he couldn’t let Cate be hurt. Couldn’t let them kill her and make all her nightmares come true. “If they convict him,” Ian asked, forcing the words out, “how long will they lock him up for?”
Peter turned to face him, a flash of regret passed over his face—unless Ian imagined it—before he schooled features into his usual slightly smug expression. “They won’t lock him up. They’ll execute him.”
“What?” Ian froze, his chest tight, as though unseen hands tried to squeeze the life out of him. “They’ll kill him?”No.
“Yes.” Peter glanced over to the door as footsteps approached. “They’ll do it quickly too. No hanging about on death row where the VLCD are concerned. Can’t have a dangerous vampire in the building longer than strictly necessary.”
The door opened, cutting off further conversation as Raph walked in. Harper waited by the door as Raph came over to them.
He gave Ian a quick once over. “How you doing?” It was a loaded question and Ian answered without thinking.
“I’m not tempted to eat anyone, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Raph’s eyebrows shot up, and he spared a quick glance at Harper. “Good to know. I’m sure everyone’ll be pleased to hear that.Jesus Christ. I can see why Jesse couldn’t stay away.”
Ian felt Peter’s subtle foot-nudge and realised he was smirking, not the reaction he should be having, and he quickly turned it into a scowl.
Raph watched it all but said nothing. He turned to Peter. “Jesse had quite the different story to what you told me.”
Peter merely shrugged. “I’m sure he did. Wouldn’t you in his position?”
Raph’s answering smile reminded Ian of a shark. “I would. Which is why DS Harper and I are going to go over tracker information now. Both yours and his,” Raph added. “Since he insists it was you who killed Ian, and that Ian’s lying.”
Ian flinched, but Peter relaxed into his seat a bit more, as if that was exactly what he wanted to hear. “Of course. I understand you have to investigate both of us.”
Raph gestured towards the door. “At the VLCD’s insistence there’ll be guards posted outside this room at all times. Please don’t try and leave. I’ll be back soon.”
Raph followed Harper out of the door, closing it behind them.
Ian fidgeted in his seat, wanting to be anywhere but stuck in a room with Peter.
“Blood lust getting the better of you?” Peter whispered, his shoulder brushing Ian’s. “I bet it’s just torture being around all these lovely warm-blooded humans.”
Ian’s fangs slid out unbidden, Peter’s words hitting home regardless of how hard he tried to ignore them. “Fuck off,” he murmured, closing his eyes and trying to focus on something other than the images Peter had conjured up. “Aren’t you the least bit worried about what they’re going to find when they check the tracking data?”
Peter laughed. “No. How stupid do you think I am?” He rolled his head from side to side, the crack of his spine loud in the quiet room. Ian wanted to snap it, see how quickly he healed from that. “See these?” Peter gave his wrist a jiggle, indicating the tracking bracelet. “They’re in there now, looking at the data to see where we were last night.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. “Well, the night before that, now.”
Ian glanced up to see it was well past midnight now.
