AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I trailed Zaq through the cemetery, though not because I thought he’d try to escape.
We both knew he wouldn’t get far without money or credit cards. But more importantly, his brothers’ lives depended on him sticking to the bargain he’d made with Moreau. I’d known Zaq and his brothers were close, but I was beginning to think he’d chew off his own hand if it would save Gabriel and Rafael.
So I didn’t trail him because I was afraid he’d escape. I trailed him because night was falling fast and he was in no shape to fight off a vampire attack.
“And you say we’re the monsters.”
Suddenly, the night felt airless. A band wrapped itself around my lungs. Everything that bothered me about this mission was encapsulated in that short statement.
Being a slayer was all I knew. It wasn’t just a job, it was my calling. I’d seen firsthand what vampires could do to a human.
Monster was too tame a word for the creatures who’d murdered my mom. I’d been too young and untrained to save her, but I’d dedicated my life to protecting others like her.
Still, I was starting to think we’d fucked up with Operation Angel.
Crow had told me that Karoly Kral was working behind the scenes to take down Slayers, Inc. He’d spread lies about SI and demanded the organization be dismantled.
The Kral primus was an apex predator. The power he’d already amassed wasn’t enough for him. He wanted more.
If he got his wish, the blood-suckers would be running things at SI, and the balance between them and the humans I’d sworn to protect would be upended.
And on top of that, he’d left Zaq in Moreau’s lair rather than risking his own neck to get his son out.
Karoly Kral needed to die.
But not Zaq and his brothers.
I pressed the heels of my hands to my eyes.
Think like a slayer. Fight like a slayer. Live like a slayer.
My mouth moved, repeating the words like a mantra. The simple phrases were my touchstone. They calmed me, reminded me why I’d joined SI in the first place.
We were the good guys. The heroes who stood between humans and a cold-blooded species who, if left unchecked, wouldn’t stop until they’d enslaved every last man, woman and child on the planet.
I had to believe that what we did was right. Otherwise, I was as much a monster as the vampires and their syndicates.
Zaq’s breathing grew labored. He slowed down but stubbornly kept walking.
“I know you’re there,” he said without turning around. “I’m a dhampir, don’t forget. I have excellent hearing, and I can see in the dark as well as you.”
So much for trying to give him space. I caught up to him.
He favored me with a green-eyed glare. “I told you I wouldn’t escape.”
“I didn’t follow you because of that. I trust you.”
“Do you? Because if you think the agreement I made with Moreau will stop me from doing whatever I can for my brothers—”
“That’s why I trust you. Not because of Moreau, because of your brothers. You’ll go along this as long as you think it’s helping them. I’m counting on that, actually.”
“Are you?” He made a sound of disgust. “Gods, you’re cold.”
That hurt. Maybe I shouldn’t have answered so truthfully, but I thought he’d appreciate honesty.
“We should go back.”
“I need air.” He moved off again.
