I didn’t want it to be easy anymore. Killing someone—human, fae, demon, guard, innocent, guilty as sin—itshouldn’tbe easy. Ever.
But one thought of the witch with the off-key songs and the power to make me dizzy with a murmured spell and her little magick ring, and I knew I’d keep right on killing—anyone, anywhere, anytime I deemed it necessary to keep her safe—no matter how much it ate me up inside.
Making sure I hadn’t been followed, I cut down a familiar alley, slipping into the shadows once again.
But something moved behind me.
And before I could turn around, the short sword was at my throat, a stake pressed between my shoulder blades.
22
ELIAN
You’ve got some nerve showing up here, bloodsucker,” a female voice hissed, low and gravely.
Demon, maybe?
I wasn’t sure. Too many other smells and sounds in this putrid asshole of a city to get a good read.
“You know how to use that sword, assassin? Or is this some kind of fucked-up gang initiation that’s only going to get you killed?”
“Bit of both, perhaps?” My assailant laughed and lowered her weapons, then stepped in front of me and pushed back her hood. Chin-length purple hair curled around a smile as bright as the blaze I’d left behind. “By the moons and stars, it’s good to see you again, Saint.”
I wrapped her up in my arms, crushing her against my chest. “For fuck’s sake, Gem. I was about towasteyour beautiful ass. I thought you were a demon.”
“And I thought you’d at least give an old friend the courtesy of showering before manhandling her, but you know what they say—nothing in Midnight is ever what it should be.”
“You’d think I’d remember that by now.” I released her, stepping back to take a good look. Other than Jax and Hudson, Gem had been one of the only people I’d ever trusted in Midnight. Hell, one of the few I’d ever trustedanywhere. “How the hell did you find me so quickly?”
“Really?” With a laugh, she glanced over her shoulder, where a fiery orange light glowed in the distance, flickering against the roughly-hewn black stone buildings that surrounded it. “Where there’s smoke—and an explosion, and murder, and a lot of baffled city watchmen bumbling around with their dicks in their hands—there’s fire. And in this case, by fire, I mean you.”
“What can I say? I love to make an entrance.”
“Speaking of entrances, where are the rest of my boys? Don’t tell me they sent your scrappy ass back here alone.”
“They’re still a day behind. Had to leave them to make the trek with Haley,” I said, my heart kicking me in the ribs at the reminder. I knew they’d take care of her, but damn. Leaving her behind—again? Ireallyneeded to stop making that a thing. “I need blood, Gem. Human. Live.”
“Don’t worry, bloodsucker,” she said with a grin. “You know I’ve got you covered.”
Haley’s words echoed.
Again.
Consent is sexy, Elian…
I sighed. Fucking woman was going to get me killed.
“Hate to ask,” I said, “but… Willing?”
Gem lifted a brow. “Don’t tell me you’ve gone soft on me, Saint.”
“Never. Just… trying to mitigate rumors about a vicious new vampire on the scene. People start nosing around, asking too many questions… That could be bad news for us. I’m trying to keep a low profile this time.”
She glanced back at the inferno still raging near the gatehouse. “Low profile, sure. Looks good on you, Saint. Really.” With another laugh, she looped her arm through mine and sighed dramatically. “Oh, all right, I’ll free the guy I’ve got tied up in the apartment and find someone a little more… agreeable. If you insist.”
“I knew I could count on you, Gem. Always.”
“Saint, I…” She hesitated, something darkening her eyes, but before I could ask her where her mind had wandered off to, she was back with a conspiratorial grin. “Tell me about this mission of yours. I want all the details.”
