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Dean had skillfully maneuvered us away from the bustling airport, the distant hum of the planes’ engines fading into the background. With calculated precision, he guided the van through three left turns to see if we’d picked up a tail.Anticipation hung in the air as we waited to see if we were being followed. Four sets of eyes strained, waiting to catch any suspicious vehicles.
“Camila, can you direct us to the hotel?” I asked as we drove around the urban streets.
She strained to look out the window from her seat in the middle of the van. We’d avoided having her sitting near the windows in case we were ambushed. The only sound was the constant hum of the engine as she anxiously scanned the passing streets. Dean had driven for a good few miles when a flicker of recognition crossed her face.
“Yes, it’s not far from here,” she said.
As Dean took us through the unfamiliar streets, my senses remained on high alert, scanning for any sign of hunters. Tori squeezed my hand in silent support, giving me strength.
“Turn left here,” Camila instructed, and Dean did.
The hotel came into view, revealing its weathered exterior. It was an older building. Its security wasn’t worth a damn, but that suited us right now. It was cheap, but the place looked clean enough. Dean parked the van in a spot with a clear view of the entrance, my instincts urging caution.
I could see the girl was desperate to be reunited with her family, but I had to make her stay where she was until we were certain it was safe. “Camila, what room number are they in?”
“It’s over there,” she pointed to the far left corner of the building. “Room one-one-six.”
“Can you do me a favor, Camila? Can you stay here with Tori? We just want to check and be certain it’s safe before everybody leaves the car.”
Camila looked torn, glancing anxiously at the building, but she nodded.
“Be careful, Ridge.” Tori’s voice was full of concern. I leaned over, pressing a quick, tender kiss to her lips.
I was about to open the door to the rear and make my exit, but Dean stopped me. “Wait, let me do it. We’ll need to get past a reception desk,” he reminded me. “Let Kyle and I go. You, Jaxon, and Tori watch for anyone paying too much attention to us.”
I sat back down, knowing he was right. His persuasive vampire powers would get him past the front desk without any trouble, and his hearing was arguably better than my own. Tori pulled at my hand, letting me know she agreed with Dean.
Dean and Kyle headed cautiously toward the hotel. They disappeared inside as Tori clutched my arm, her nails digging into my skin. The stakes were too high for any mistakes. I squeezed her hand, offering a nod of reassurance.
As Dean suggested, we kept watching the people milling around the parking lot. There didn’t appear to be anyone watching us, but we couldn’t be too careful, especially when Tori was with us. I knew, better than most, that she was more than capable of looking after herself, but she didn’t need to do that anymore now that she had me, her fated mate. And—as I watched Jaxon’s fierce expression, his eyes never stopping, moving from one vehicle in the lot to the next, looking for anything suspicious—she also had her father watching over her.
One young human man stood just a short distance from the hotel door. My muscles tensed as he scanned the lot, but then he lit a cigarette and stuck his nose in his phone. I relaxed slightly, but then swiveled my head round to follow the path of a woman walking her dog. Her direction took her right past the front of our car. The little ankle biter caught a snout full of shifter and began yapping in that high-pitched shrill bark only those breeds are capable of. I had to hide my smile when I heard Tori tell a joke to Camila—at my expense, I was sure—and they giggled. Even in the highly tense situation we found ourselves in, Tori had found something funny to share with Camila to keep her from overthinking the situation. Camila was clearly so close tothe mom and brother she’d left behind to get help. I was sure sitting out in the parking lot must have felt as far away to her as she’d felt in Blackwood Creek.
Moments later, Dean emerged from the fire exit, giving us an all-clear gesture. Relief flooded me, and knowing the scene was safe for all, I steered Tori, Camila, and Jaxon toward the door Dean held open, our steps quickening in unison.
As soon as we entered the dimly lit room, the stench of fear and blood hit me like a physical blow. Camila’s mother was huddled in a corner, her eyes wide with terror as they flicked between us and the unconscious form of her son on the bed. His labored breaths were a reminder to us all of the danger hunters posed. They didn’t care who they injured—men, women, or children.
Camila rushed into the room, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Mom, Mom, I did it! This is Mayor Ridge from Blackwood Creek, the place Dad talked about. I made it there, Mom, and this is Tori. We’re here to take you and Gabe back to Blackwood Creek with us.” Camila’s words spilled out as she tried to reassure her mother that they were safe.
Tori didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward, her hands shaking slightly as she retrieved one of the witch pills from a small vial. Kneeling beside the injured boy, she gently opened his mouth and placed the pill on the back of his tongue.
“Swallow,” she urged him softly, her fingers brushing against his throat to encourage the action. As the magic took effect, color gradually returned to his cheeks, and his breathing steadied.
Tori moved from the boy to sit on the floor beside his mother. “Hi, my name is Tori Summers. I’ve met Camila, but I’m afraid I don’t know your name. You should be very proud of her, ma’am. She is as an incredibly courageous young lady.”
“My name is Hanna Garcia,” Camila’s mother said. “This is my son Gabe. I can’t quite believe this. When Camila ran away,I didn’t think I’d ever see her again.” She put her arms around Camila, hugging the girl tight. “Don’t you ever run off like that again, do you hear me? You didn’t even have a phone.” Despite her words, there was no real heat in the reprimand. I got the impression Camila wouldn’t be getting in too much trouble.
“Take this.” Tori offered the last witch pill to the anxious woman. “It’ll help you heal.”
Hanna accepted it with trembling hands, her eyes never leaving the face of her recovering son. Camila sat on one side of her mother and Tori on the other, laying a hand on her arm, reiterating how brave her daughter was, and that the pills would heal the boy and her completely. Hanna seemed to calm down.
“Dean wants to see you,” Jaxon said to me in a low, urgent voice. I hesitated, reluctant to leave Tori’s side, but she gave me a reassuring nod.
“Go,” she encouraged. “I’ll stay with them.”
I strode through the room, my senses on high alert as I joined Dean and Kyle on the other side of the door. Their expressions were grave, dark shadows flickering across their eyes.
“Two vampires are waiting for us outside,” Dean informed me, his voice tight. “They’re standing near the rental van.”
