His eyes searched mine desperately. “Run as fast as you can.”
Something in my chest squeezed painfully, and I covered his hand with mine and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“You got it.” I smiled softly. “Besides, I’m good at running now. You taught me how.”
“Yeah…” A broken laugh escaped him before he whispered, “But you’ve never been good at running away from bad situations.”
His thumb brushed against my wrist once before his hand reluctantly loosened.
“Being brave is admirable,” he said quietly. “Tonight, I need you alive more than I need you brave.”
That wiped the smile right off my face. I nodded once, then I carefully pulled free of his grip and slipped out of the car.
The second the door shut behind me, their car rolled away toward the front entrance where crowds had already packed the Track.
I stayed hidden near the underside of the bleachers, listening. The roar of engines. Music rattling the metal beams overhead. Thousands of heartbeats hammered together.
Lark popped into my head, knowing she would love this crowd, this scene, but I’d called her before we left and told her and Nathan not to go to the Track tonight. I couldn't tell them the details, but she knew it was going to get messy. I also begged her to call Alto and tell his family the same. I didn't want anyone I knew to get hurt.
That was why I couldn't blame Rack when he tried to argue that he needed to stay close to me tonight. He claimed he’d hover nearby “just in case,” but I shut that down.
Everyone knew Rack shadowed Calix constantly, and if Manshu noticed Rack was missing before the race started, he’d get suspicious and might call it off. What I never admitted aloud was the real reason I fought so hard for Rack to stay by Calix’s side.
If Manshu tried to shoot Calix before the trap was sprung, Rack needed to be there.
I knew, deep in my bones, that if Calix got hurt while Rack wasn’t beside him, he’d never forgive himself for it, and that would break my heart. I’d eventually blame myself, and no one wanted any of that.
Listening to aimless chatter while I waited was getting taxing. I could only listen in if it wasn't all about who was hot or how rich they were, so I let my brain drift to FangTech just to keep myself from spiraling.
I began to think about the next project I wanted to build at FangTech. Maybe this time, Calix and Rack could show me how rune spells were made and how they attached it with elemental magic. If I understood the process better, I could probably come up with a better product with that in mind.
What if Calix actually hired me? The thought made excitement flutter low in my chest. That would be my dream.
“Aaaarrreeee yooouuuuuu reaaaaaaddddyyyyyy?!” The announcer’s voice exploded from the speakers, and the crowd answered with a deafening roar.
I had pushed off the wall, preparing to move into position, when suddenly, an arm slammed around my throat.
My body jerked violently as I was yanked backward against a hard chest.
“Look what the fuck I found.” Hot breath brushed my ear.
I twisted around, my elbows driving backward while I clawed at the forearm crushing my neck, but the hold only tightened.
“Manshu said you were dead. Guess he’ll wanna know he didn’t finish the job.”
My pulse exploded. This was already not going to plan.
Don’t panic. Don’t panic. You’re a vampire now too. You can do this.
I drove my heel down with every ounce of vampire speed I had. Bones cracked beneath my foot with a splintering snap. The arm choking me vanished as the person howled, folding sideways to clutch his ruined leg.
“Fucking bitch!”
I didn’t wait. The second his grip loosened, I launched myself sideways. My body skidded hard across gravel as panic shoved adrenaline through my veins.
Distance. I just needed distance.
The demon staggered upright again, shadows clinging to him until moonlight finally slid across his face. Recognition hit me immediately.
