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The attack alarm blares through the hotel, alerting the fighters that we’re meeting in the lobby. This is it. We’re going to hit hard and fast and unexpectedly. Walcott and Govan are already in contact with our allies. But we’re not going to attack the Aris. We’re going to attack the walls. We’re going to the streets and riling up the Strip dwellers. We won’t be doing any damage that could possibly cause donors to get hurt. We’ll hit the vampire areas hard. And right now is the perfect time. The sun is out, and it’s not easy for them to move.
This should give enough of a distraction to keep Aris from calling upon his so-called allies. It’ll also hopefully put a crack in the leadership. It’s time they realize we’re only complying because we don’t want donors to be hurt. They need to know we’re just as powerful as they are. If we want the city, we can take it. I think there are enough people fed up with the way things are being handled that we can overthrow them.
We’re going to have to. If we don’t, I’m nearly fucking certain they will destroy us all.
“I have connection. It looks as if Aris is going to fucking reveal what Hayley is. He’s going to show her as a dhampir.” Monroe growls with his words.
My chest tightens at the thought. This isn’t good news. It’s important no one knows that she’s a dhampir. There’s too much speculation and folklore. I don’t want word getting out, and if it does...what will happen to the donors? I think this could open up a shitshow in the city.
“Tate!” I yell, calling attention to her as she prepares to leave. “I have a new task for you. I need you to put a team together and get every damn woman you come across and bring them here. I don’t care who they belong to, but I especially need you to round up the pregnant ones. I’m afraid shits about to go down, and we have to protect them. Have your donors put out word to the hotels. They need to be in sight for you. We don’t have time to search.”
Because if people realize how dhampirs are made, they’re going to try to make their own. Depends on the rumors.
Fuck.“I’m all set. I got in touch with one of the security personnel and paid them off to let us into the hotel through the side entrance. We’ll have to be quick. You know how Ally’s doesn’t like people going through.” Monroe rolls his shoulders, stretching his body as if he plans charging in and murdering everyone he comes across. And who knows, he might.
Ally’s is connected to the Aris, and it’s the fastest way to get to the elevators. That’ll be our best bet to sneaking around until we get to the gym.
“They’re going to fucking let us, even if I have to overthrow whoever Aris has under his boot.” I double check my weapons and tap my com device, scrolling through all the feeds again. We’re going to rush straight across the Strip to the other side, moving in direct sunlight. It’ll hurt like a bitch if we get caught out there too long, because the sun protective gear can only protect us so much before we start overheating, but I’m willing to risk it. I would walk butt-ass naked across the empty road in the sun to get to Hayley if I had to, burning my cock and all. She’s worth it.
“You got the extra sun gear?” I ask, adjusting a duffel bag on my arm with far more weapons than I could ever use. But they’re not just for me. I’m arming up every single fucking donor I come across, and they’re going to fight like hell.
This is it.
Monroe grabs his backpack from the floor, unzips it, and shows me the extra blankets and facemasks. We have enough for Knox and Cooper. Any other asshole is just going to have to figure shit out for themselves.
“Good. I think I’m ready. We’re going straight to where we see Cooper’s location. I’m fucking certain he’s the one with Hayley’s jewelry now. He was a smart bastard to pick it up if Aris took it off her. We’ll have to make sure to reward him or some shit. Throw a party after all this is done.” I straighten my shoulders and peer around the chaotic casino, wondering if this is what it would look like if we opened the hotel to the public. I don’t know if I want to find out though. There’s a lot of bullshit that goes into people looking for shelter. The Strip travelers can be ruthless. I just want to keep my crew and my donors safe. But things are going to have to change. Hopefully for the better.
Monroe leads the way to the hotel exit, and I stare at the bright sun, shielding my eyes even though the shade blocks us from the beams of white.
“Our girl is going to be okay. She’s going to fuck some shit up. I hope you know that.” Monroe whacks me on the back. “Who knows. Maybe she’ll have already devoured the assholes by the time we get there.”
If only I had that kind of wishful thinking.
I put on my hood and brace myself.
Dashing forward, I race into the sun.
Chapter 22
HAYLEY
Fatal Fights
TEARS BURN MY cheeks, and I rest on my hands and knees, trying to breathe through the pain. I can’t believe this is happening. My fear and anger battle it out, and my mind fights with my body to get the fuck up. If I stay down, Alexander will beat me again. He’ll hurt me, force me to drink his blood to heal me, and then beat me again. I don’t know how much more I can handle. It’s like he wants me to beg to die. And I’m about to.
“Get the fuck up and fight, Hayley. Show me you’re as powerful as Lawrence says you are. If you get up and prove to me you can in fact be of some use, then maybe I’ll let your little blood donor live.” Alexander snarls and smacks me with his paddle, sending me forward onto my stomach. I can barely move. I think my ankle might be broken. I know that my wrist is because I’ve broken it before. He twisted it so hard that I blacked out. That’s what I get for slapping him.
“Come on, Hayley. You can do it. Get up and show him exactly who he’s created.” Cooper’s soft voice whispers to me from his spot chained to the wall. Lawrence and Alexander forced him to call the Bella Crew, setting them up. I knew that whatever Lawrence had planned was going to be a shitshow. I don’t know if he is actually against Alexander or not. He has been ruthless since the moment he dragged me screaming from the car.
Knox hollers, the pain in his voice ripping through me. It gets me to shove my hand to the floor and shakily get back to my knees. Blood soaks the front of my shirt, and I ball my good hand into a fist. I’m exhausted. I’m in so much pain. The only thing that keeps me from giving up is the fact that if I do, I know that Alexander will kill Knox. I know Lawrence will let him.
Lawrence claps his hands, his laughter echoing through the gym. “Look at her go. You should see what she’s like when her dhampir nature truly kicks on.”
“And how the fuck am I supposed to get her to give in?” Alexander chomps his fangs, threatening me. He rushes toward me at vampire speed and snatches me by the front of my shirt.
Lifting me from the floor, he leers. “What is it going to take, Hayley? How much pain does your little blood source need to be in before you try to murder me? Do I have to kill him?”
I shudder, trying my best to push through the pain. The agony. I think I might be dying. It’s as if I stare at myself from the outside.
