41. Parasites with delusions of grandeur.
Chapter forty-one
Parasites with delusions of grandeur...
Luka
T he moment the second nail slid free, sensation flooded back through Luka’s nervous system like lightning. He remained perfectly still on the van floor, testing each muscle group systematically while listening for Owen’s return from the diner.
Fingers first—they flexed, no lingering paralysis. His toes responded to mental commands. Arms could lift, though his shoulders achedwhere the nails had pinned him. When he tried to sit up, fire shot through his spine, but he could move. He was healing.
Not fast enough , his beast whispered. Find Nick. Protect our mate .
Luka forced himself to remain motionless despite every instinct screaming at him to tear through the diner after Nick.
The wounds in his back were closing, vampire healing sealing the punctures the nails left behind.
But he needed more strength. More time to healbefore facing whatever Shaw had waiting inside.
The sound of approaching footsteps made Lukago limp, returning to the exact position he was left in when the nails were removed. To an observer, he’d appear ashelplesslyparalyzed as before.
The van doors creaked open wider.
“Miss me?”Owen’s tone was thick with frustrated energy, like a caged predator denied his favorite prey.“Shaw’s got Nick all to himself right now. Private reunion. Very touching.”
Luka felt Owen climb into the van, his boots clanking against the metal floor. The operative’s scent was sharp with agitation, sexual frustration,violence looking for an outlet.
“You know what I hate most about you freaks?”Owen continued, settling onto one of the wheel wells.“You think you’re so much better than us. So evolved. But you’re just parasites with delusions of grandeur.”
Owen’s restless energy filled the van. He stood again almostimmediately, pacing in the cramped space,clearlystruggling with having to wait for his turn with Nick.
“I’ve been looking forward to getting my hands on Nicholas again for months,”Owen said, his words taking on a dreamy quality.
“Ever since he ran off to play house with you, I’ve been planning what I’m going to do to him.
All those sessions where Henderson held me back, telling me to be gentle with Shaw’s favorite toy. He was such a romantic about it.”
The casual cruelty in Owen’s tone made Luka’s fangs extend, but he forced himself to remain still.
Kill him.
“But Henderson’s not here anymore, is he?”Owen’s laugh was ugly.“Nicholas took care of that. So now there’s nobody to stop me from showing himexactlywhat happens to Society hunters who betray their brothers for a monster’s cock.”
Owen crouched close enough that Luka could smell the excitement rolling off him in waves.
“Want to know what Nicholasreallyis, bloodsucker? He’s Gianmarco’s blow-up doll. Shaw’s pet project. A broken little boy who spreads his legs for anyone with enough authority to command it.”Owen’s tone dropped to a whisper.“Including me.”
Kill him , Luka’s beast snarled. Kill him now.
“The old onereallydid a number on him, you know?”Owen continued, his words taking on a sick fondness as he ran his fingers through Luka’s hair.
“One minute he’d be planning my fucking murder, and all you’d have to do is say two little words and he’d melt into that pathetic little boy.
One time, I popped off his toenails and you know what he did?
After he finished screaming and sobbing?
He thanked me and asked me to hold him.”
Owen’s touch became more possessive, his fingers trailing along Luka’s arm with deliberate violation.“But you made him forget his place, didn’t you? You made him think he was worth something more than being a convenient hole for his betters.”
Owen was getting careless, letting his guard down while he indulged some sick desire to continue Nick’s humiliation even when he was absent.
“You know, in all my years here, I don’t think I’ve ever gotten the chance to fuck a vampire,”Owen murmured, his grip moving lower.“I wonder how silent youreallyare...”
Owen’s fingers brushed Luka’s hip.
That was enough.
Luka’s eyes snapped open, meeting Owen’s shocked gaze for a split second before his hand shot up and closed around his throat. Owen tried to pull back, tried to scream, but Luka’s grip was iron.
Owen’s mouth opened and closedsoundlessly, his face darkening as Luka’s grip tightened. His struggles became more frantic as he saw the predator he’d thoughtsafelycontained.
Luka’s fangs extendedfullyas his beast rose to the surface, thirty minutes of helpless ragefinallyfinding its target.
He bit into Owen’s throat with vicious satisfaction, tearing his fangs along the flesh to make it hurt.
The operative’s blood flooded his mouth—hot, metallic, tainted with fear and cruelty but rich with the strength Luka needed.
When Owen’s heartfinallystopped, Luka let the body drop to the van floor. He rolled his shoulders, testing his mobility. The blood accelerated his healing—his spine felt solid, his movements fluid and powerful once again.
Now , his beast purred with satisfaction. Now we hunt .
Luka stepped over Owen’s corpse and droppedfrom the van, thankful for the awning it was parked under to shiel him from the sun. Every muscle coiled with predatory grace as he moved toward the diner, following Nick’s scent trail to wherever Shaw was holding him.
Shaw had no idea what was coming for him.