The wind picks up speed, gusts so strong, the rain falls sideways. Every droplet is a sharp sting against my skin, bullets trying to pierce through my body. Every few seconds, an array of lightning threatens to hit us, landing too close. One bolt hits a nearby pole, the lights on the inside of the bar going out and plunging the patrons into darkness.
“I don’t know his name.” Her knees buckle. “I’ve come so far. He isn’t here.” She falls to the ground and slams her palms against it, a loud, otherworldly roar escaping her.
The pavement cracks down the middle, and tornado sirens whirl nearby.
It hits me. She’s the reason for the supercells. She’s causing the tornado outbreak. Somehow, she’s connected to the weather. The radars malfunctioning make sense. The five supercells earlier were because of her. There’s no other logical explanation.
Her power is dangerous.
I tug on Oklahoma’s arm. “We need to get everyone to safety!” I scream over the whipping winds.
Softball-sized hail falls, clunking onto cars. Windshields crack and shatter. Hoods of vehicles are demolished with massive dents. Oklahoma speeds me away to the awning, and a massive chunk of ice lands right where I was standing.
“Go inside. Go!” Oklahoma shoves us inside and locks the door behind us.
“Well, well, well, look who showed up to the party,” his voice slurs from too much alcohol.
Evan.
I grab Evan by the collar.
I waste no time ending his fucking attitude because I don’t have time to deal with his bullshit. There’s a massive storm brewing outside with some type of paranormal who controls it. If we can’t work together, a lot of people will die.
He and his little team of assholes all look the same. Smug expression. Too much gel in their hair. Preppy shirts with the collars popped.
Who even pops collars anymore?
“Look at me before I remove your fucking eyes,” I warn between my fangs.
And I don’t hide them.
His heart rate changes once he realizes he’s in the hands of someone who holds much more power than he could ever dreamof having. Evan gulps. His pupils dilate when they stay locked onto mine, my influence numbing his mind.
“You’re going to stop messing with Nariko and her team. You’re going to be nothing but helpful and kind. You’re going to help us get people to safety. A massive storm is gaining strength, and it’s only going to get worse. If you don’t, I will finally do the world a favor and kill you.” I slam him against the wall, and everyone gasps, their boots thudding on the ground when they all take a step back at the same time.
I lean in, allowing him to see the reds of my eyes, the blood that colors them. Nariko’s blood. The blood that makes me more powerful than most vampires because I have my fated mate.
“And I will enjoy killing you, you arrogant fuck. I have friends who will gladly drain you of every drop. Do I make myself fucking crystal clear?”
“Crystal,” he answers, his pupils pulsating in agreement.
I drop him to his feet and drag a claw across his cheek deep enough to scar. He screams in agony. His cries are ignored as everyone is trying to get out of the bar to find a safe space to take cover.
“That’s a warning. Every time you look in the mirror, you’ll think of me and Nariko. Remember, you deserved this scar for harassing my mate and her team. She can take care of herself, but I’ll always take care of her first. Give me a reason not to rip out your heart and allow my friend to feed from it.” I dig my claws into his chest, the rancid scent of his blood coating my fingers.
“You can use my truck!” he yells in hopes I’ll stop. “Take it. Whatever Nariko needs. She’s always been a better chaser than me. It’s just like The Dust Bunny. It’s storm-ready. Your best chance of survival is in the truck.”
I growl, pushing the air from my lungs out of my nose. “Give me the keys.” I hold out my palm, waiting for it to be filled. “Tick fucking tock, I don’t have all night unless you want to die.”
He pulls them out of his back pocket and hands them to me. “Thank you, Evan. Was that so difficult?” I shove him so hard, he flies off his feet, smashing into his team.
Like bowling pins, they fall at the same time.
Strike.
Millie, Jess, Reina, Ruka, Westin, Jazz, and Nariko crowd around me. Ruka is the first to speak.
“I’ve been pulling up a dozen different weather apps. I have no idea what she is doing, but I think she’s controlling what we can see. I know. I know it sounds fucking insane, but it’s the only conclusion I have. I can’t tell you where the tornado is coming from. I can’t tell you the direction it’s going in. There’s nothing here. All the maps are empty. All we can do is take cover. We need to find a storm shelter. Now.”
