“You have no idea what that meant to me.” He was so close his breath feathered over my neck. “And you look stunning.”
“It meant a lot to me as well.”
Although I was one of the many people he fed from. He hadn’t touched me, as he hadn’t touched Fiona. But I believed him when he said it meant a lot.
We went down a long flight of stairs, past the servants’ quarters. More than a basement, the underground was a dungeon. Graves waited for us on a dark landing.
He unlocked the door. “His name is Tanner. That’s all he said.”
Tanner’s chain rattled when he stood up. His aura glowed with deep purple fear. The deep layer was a dark octopus with writhing tentacles.
He raked a glance over me, and recognition sparked on his face. “You’re the rich miss from Mayfair. I loved that job.”
Alex’s muscles swelled. “I know it’s difficult for you, but try not to be stupid.”
Tanner glowered at him with pure wrath. “What do you want?”
“Where is Sean Lewis or Johnny Riley, or whatever he calls himself?” After the feeding, Alex burst with power, and I loved that I’d provided him with it.
Tanner frowned. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” The tentacles coiled and uncoiled faster.
“He’s lying,” I said.
Graves closed a hand around the thug’s throat. “Whom do you work for?”
“Someone more powerful than you.” He smirked at me, and a clammy sensation crawled down my neck.
Graves squeezed, and Tanner started to splutter, his fear stinging my skin. “I asked you a question.”
The deep purple of the thug’s aura turned the colour of plums, showing his panic as he struggled against Graves’s grip. If Tanner possessed any magical power, this would be the right time to show it. Instead, he reddened, groaned, and kicked desperately.
“Release him.” Alex cradled his chin.
The moment Graves did as told, Tanner slumped to the floor, coughing and gasping.
Alex crouched in front of him. “Why were you at the hospital?”
Tanner took deep breaths. “Can’t I visit a friend?”
“A murderer was your friend?” Graves chuckled. “How did you meet him?”
“We did a few jobs together.” He cast a glance at me.
If the man had been with Tanner in my house that night, I had no recollection of it.
“I could kill you on this score alone.” Alex stepped closer to me.
“I agree.” Graves squeezed Tanner’s throat until his head lolled backwards and he lost consciousness.
“Dammit, Graves!” Alex threw up a hand.
The werewolf shrugged. “I didn’t mean to.”
“Keep him shackled.”
Graves sat in a corner. “I’m not leaving him, and if he doesn’t behave, I’ll squeeze him.”
Alex was almost out when Graves called him.
