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"Chill," he teases while cranking the purring engine and throwing it in reverse. My head jolts from the unnecessary force, and he skids around to slam it into gear. The tires squeal with me as he continues. "The virgin blood is something we have in stock. Donated to us, of course. Many people enjoy helping our cause. It'll be strong enough to lure them to you. We use just tiny drops to represent a true wound. Their victims have all been virgins."
I still don't know the gruesome details, nor do I want to.
"Just don't let them get a hold of my witch blood. They'll never stop."
My breath catches when his hand is suddenly on mine.
"I wouldn't do anything if I thought you'd be at risk. We've pulled this trap more times than one can count. Never once has there been anything go wrong."
His hand moves back to the wheel as he skirts around a curve, making my whole body tense up. I'm starting to wish I had just let him vaporize me.
"Some of us are still mortal, you know."
He simply laughs at my aggravated remark, never slowing his hasty, dangerous, bat-out-of-hell driving.
Note to self, immortal drivers are bad for my health.
I'm relieved when he skids to a halt on the dirt drive next to the lake. The dark woods promise to carry mischief to anyone who enters. I climb out and instantly shiver upon seeing nothing but the leery darkness beyond the edge.
Gage climbs out, and I gasp when I see his masked face along with his drawn hood. He looks just as scary as anything I'll see out there.
"Always cautious. It's important to conceal our identities in case something goes wrong."
"That's encouraging," I grumble.
"No worries. Like I said, just cautious."
I follow him, wondering why I ever agreed to this. He moves with stealth through the forest that seems to go on forever. Finally, we stop. The silence is only interrupted by the scurrying night creatures who are curious about our imposing arrival.
"Okay, you'll be waiting here. Cade, one of my friends, just sent a text saying the night stalkers are on the way. I've got a few guys already out here."
I look around, but no one or nothing stands out.
"I don't see anything."
He nods, a small smile forming. "That's the point. I'll be out of sight too, but don't you dare think I'm very far away. When a night stalker is hunting for blood, they can sense our immortal veins. That's why you're here, and that's why we'll be hanging back. If something feels off, just scream my name. It'll make for good practice."
The devious wink he gives me after his seductive ending makes my cheeks flush. I roll my eyes, feeling completely idiotic.
"I believe you were the one who bashed Thad for flirting with me, when you've now done it quite a bit lately."
He smiles, his eyes lowering bashfully, and then he shrugs.
"Well, I prefer to think of it as us being a little less defensive around each other. Don't let it go to your head. I need to go get into place."
I think I just made a dark user blush. Didn't even know that was possible.
He starts to turn away, and I grab his arm as the reality of the situation sets in.
"Don't let them touch me. If they-"
"They won't get close enough," he says in interruption. "Even if they did, they won't be using their subduing powers against a witch because they'll just think you're a pretty little mortal girl lost in the woods. Just think of yourself as Little Red Riding Hood facing off with the Big Bad Wolf."
The problem is, I've heard the dark version of that fable - not just the bubblegum tale where Little Red Riding Hood comes out unscathed.
I shiver slightly, and then murmur, "These aren't the kind of villains that waste time on some evil monologue. They go straight for the kill without wasting time."
His eyes soften before the heat of his touch finds my arm in a comforting motion.
