Page 63 of Vameer

Behind me there are sounds. Thuds. Footsteps. But it’s still a block away, so I keep my eyes on the window.

My heart squeezes, and I don’t do anything to keep it steady when it starts to thud. Because on the other end of my reflection, My Heart is awake.

I place my hand on the glass.

I can’t hear her, but I feel the vibration of her voice.

“Wait for me, Little Human.” A tendril of my power reverberates down my arm into the cracked surface.

“Aw, come on!” a man cries. “We ain’t doin’ nothin’ wrong.”

There’s a loud clang.

“I will find you,” I whisper to my mate.

I can’t see her. But under my hand, I can feel the heat of her palm pressed against mine.

I close my eyes.

And I focus.

Her scent doesn’t travel through the glass. I know it doesn’t. Not like it did with the mirror. But it’s like I can smell it all the same.

I turn my head slightly. And that essence of sweetness intensifies.

My mouth waters.

I need her.

Apples dipped in chocolate.

Her scent. Her blood.

I fucking need her.

The power inside me stirs with a feralness I am well acquainted with.

It wants to hunt.

There’s another shout of distress. Followed by a laugh.

“I am coming for you,” I promise my mate. Then I lower my hand and step back from the window.

My direction is clear.

“It’s illegal to loiter.” A different voice this time. Still male. But full of menace. “And I’m pretty sure you don’t have a permit to burn.”

Another man laughs, and it’s chorused by something shattering.

I drag my tongue over my fang as I loosen the leash on my feral energy.

There’s always someone who mistakenly thinks they’re the scariest thing in the dark.

My gravito trembles just beneath my skin. Ready. And I turn back the way I came.

Down the block, a car is parked, angled across the empty street, still running, both front doors open, lights aimed at the parking lot.

I recognize the type of car from my night of research.