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I lean forward slightly. ‘We don’t exactly have time for luxury.’ He glances at me again. ‘You’re with me now, human. You don’t need to worry about what’s coming.’

I dislike his tone and the way he refuses to call me by my name, but I don’t respond. I can sense he is powerful, and I do find comfort in the fact I think he’ll fuck up anyone who tries to approach us. So I shut my mouth and settle back in the seat.

‘Tara,’ Theo cuts in, a muscle in his jaw popping. ‘Her name is Tara.’

Kian’s mouth lifts in amusement, but he doesn’t respond. Instead, he pulls out a phone and types one-handed. Not having looked up at the road for about a minute now, he somehow still has complete control over the car and where we are going.

‘I have a place,’ Kian says.

Theo looks skeptical. ‘You have a place?’

‘A vineyard estate.’

I blink. ‘You have contacts near here?’

‘I have contacts everywhere.’

He slides the phone away and Cora hums under her breath, looking completely at ease. I can’t seem to relax. I’m now not only travelling with one vampire, but three. The thought of this terrifies me.

I sit back slowly, the weight of everything settling over me. My head pulses and my body aches with exhaustion. I just want to close my eyes and when I wake up, find all of this to be over.

We drive through a tall gate framed by hedges and old statues that loom over us. I can’t decide if they’re beautiful or creepy. Kind of like the vampires, I suppose.

Theo whistles under his breath. ‘Is this place real?’

Cora just smirks. ‘One of his quieter properties.’

I climb out of the car slowly. The air is crisp from the early morning and holds the promise of rain. Theo takes my hand lightly and it feels so natural. Cora notices and the corner of her mouth twitches.

Kian is already at the door, moving at a speed that my human eyes aren’t capable of keeping up with. Theo’s other hand is on my back, firm and steadying as he guides me toward the giant house.

Inside, it’s warmer than expected, with marble floors and dramatic velvet curtains. Kian walks ahead like he owns the place. Well, apparently he does. He leads us into the loungeroom, where Cora collapses onto a chair with theatrical ease, kicking her shoes off.

Kian gestures to a chair across from him. ‘Sit.’

I sit. He leans back, one leg crossed, making me feel as if I’ve stepped into a job interview, but I’m completely unprepared.

‘Tell me,’ he says, voice soft but unwavering. ‘Exactly how did you find him?’

I swallow. ‘I fell through the ground.’

He raises a dark brow. ‘You fell through the ground?’

‘Yeah. There is a woody area near my house. I fell through the ground and discovered a bunch of underground cells.’ I say slowly. ‘It sounds a bit far-fetched now that I’m saying it out loud.’

‘Theo was in a cell?’

‘Yes.’

‘You had no idea that this was happening right beneath you?’

I shake my head. ‘I knew vampires existed and that my family was against them. I have trained for years to be able to defend myself. I’ve been brought up thinking they are vile, evil monsters. Theo …’ I trail off, my eyes cutting to his as he stands off to the side, leaning against the wall. ‘Was different than I expected.’

Kian doesn’t react. Doesn’t even blink. It’s creepy as hell. His eyes are disturbingly dark and forceful.

‘What did you see when you found him?’ he asks.

I look down at my hands, remembering. The damp earth. The quiet. The cold.