CHAPTER 9 #2
In my bedroom, I change into pajamas before padding back to the living room, where Evan and Haden have already queued up a movie. Cowboys won.
I settle between them, tucking my feet underneath me as the ridiculously over-the-top opening credits roll.
The plot is absolutely nonsensical, something about gunslingers terrorizing a frontier town, but the mindless entertainment is exactly what I need.
We all laugh at the terrible special effects and groan at the cheesy one-liners, passing drinks and snacks between us.
By the end of the movie, my head rests on Evan’s shoulder and my legs are stretched across Haden’s lap. The tension I’ve been carrying since that night at Hot Shot has finally begun to ebb, replaced by a comfortable numbness.
Halfway through the second movie, I find myself thinking about Max again. Is he finding the same comfort with his friends that I’ve found with mine? Or is he feeling more isolated than ever?
As if on cue, my phone buzzes. I instantly reach for it, expecting another message from the hospital about Max’s condition.
Instead, it’s from Max himself.
Where are you?
I sit up straighter, typing back quickly.
At home. How are you feeling?
The reply comes immediately.
Trapped. Claustrophobic. The walls keep closing in and everything is too loud. Please come back ?
Concern spikes through me.
It’s not uncommon for new vampires to feel that way, but Max has never been good at being confined, and now, with enhanced senses, the sterile hospital environment must be especially overwhelming.
A couple of sedatives and medication usually do the trick, but he texted me for a reason. I’m not passing up the chance to remind him why.
I type a quick reply:
On my way. Be there soon.
“I need to go,” I announce, already standing.
Evan pauses the movie. “What’s wrong?”
“Max needs me. He’s freaking out at the hospital.”
Haden’s brow furrows. “Aren’t visiting hours over?”
“Yes,” I say, already heading to my bedroom to change. “That’s why I’m breaking him out.”
They don’t protest. This isn’t my first rodeo after all.
I throw on some standard-issue combat jeans and a fitted bodice that ends in a V-shape just under my navel.
From the lower drawer of my closet, I draw my spare dagger and slide it into the holster attached to my thigh.
A lumen pocket knife fits neatly inside my shoe, and two tungsten kunai hang from hooks at my hip before I slip into a long coat that hides everything.
Just cause I’m not expecting trouble doesn’t mean I won’t be prepared for it.
Last time was a reminder that I always should be.
In the kitchen, I throw together a makeshift picnic. There’s blodas, plasma snacks, some human food for me, and a small bottle of wine. I pack it all into a backpack along with a blanket.
Evan leans against the doorframe, his hands in his pockets as he watches me with amusement. “Midnight picnic? How romantic.”
“He needs fresh air and a quiet space,” I explain, zipping up the bag. “Safe from prying eyes while he adjusts.”
“He’s lucky to have you,” Haden remarks, coming up behind Evan. “And by extension, us.”
Evan tilts an eyebrow in response, but doesn’t say anything.
“Blod help him,” I mutter, earning a laugh from both of them.
Haden may not have meant much with it, but I feel relieved by his words. Reassured. That me trying my best means something.
“Need backup?” Evan then offers.
“No, but thanks.” I sling the backpack over my shoulder. “I might be out for a while. Don’t wait up.”
At the door, my hand hovers over the knob, pausing. Getting Max out of the hospital will be simple enough, since I know their protocols and blind spots. But once he’s out, where do we go? His apartment?
Mine is clearly occupied by people he’d rather not be around, but his would be the first place for staff to check once they figure out he’s gone. That, and the Upper Heights district is blanketed with devices to alert authorities of anything unusual or suspicious—a surefire way to get caught.
Somewhere far from the urban din would be ideal, the constant barrage making it impossible even for me to filter out the endless noise.
Somewhere no one would think to look, at least not right away.
The city is crawling with keepers after the incident, however, with checkpoints at every major intersection.
Leaving is impossible without proper authorization, which neither of us has right now.
The eastern perimeter where I fought Egon is already compromised and likely under increased surveillance.
The southern exit leads straight to Redmoore territory, while the northern and western gates have biometric scanners that would flag Max’s new vampire signature immediately.
There’s only one person capable of helping us slip through undetected.
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath. “I need to see Viktor.”
“What? Why?” Evan and Haden ask in unison, following behind me as I turn back to my bedroom.
“Because,” I say, reaching underneath my bed to pull out a small metal lockbox, “he smuggles unregistered vampires in and out of the city all the time. If anyone knows how to bypass Penn City’s security systems without being detected, it’s him.”
My fingers tremble as I enter the combination—my father’s birthday—and lift the lid. Inside lies emergency cash, fake IDs, and a small velvet pouch.
I empty the pouch into my palm, counting the gleaming pieces. Five pure tanzanite gems, alternating between mesmerizing blue and purple hues depending on the angle.
Each is worth more than a year’s rent in this part of the city, which is the second-most expensive district. I acquired them years ago from a slayer who owed me a favor, saving them for a situation exactly like this.
I take two, just in case, and slip them into my inner coat pocket.
“After what happened? That man will gut you the moment he sees you,” Evan warns from the doorway, concern etched on his face.
All I did was threaten to take down his enterprise, which I do all the time. There is no need to overreact.
“He’ll help me,” I say with more confidence than I should let on, “because I’m paying.”
Everyone has a price, especially people like Viktor.