CHAPTER ELEVEN || THIERRY
“ Y ou and the wolf must leave immediately,” Nathaniel told me after I’d filled him in on enough of my situation for him to know I was in a remote town in the middle of nowhere—probably home to dozens, if not hundreds, of hungry newborn vampires. “It is far too dangerous. Your mission is over.”
Yawning despite myself, I stepped out of the rental office and onto the sunbaked asphalt of the motel parking lot, cell phone pressed to my ear.
It was midday, the sun almost directly overhead.
Which meant I scowled at both Nathaniel’s words and the daylight in equal measure.
It was too bright and far too warm. If I’d been a younger vampire it would have been overwhelming.
As it was, it still made me want to crawl into a cool, dark place and sleep for a thousand years.
“Thierry, are you listening to me?” Concern tightened Nathaniel’s voice, though that was hardly surprising.
For better and worse—often in equal measure—he wasn’t the sort of leader to force his people into danger, even for the greater good.
“You’ve already stayed too long. We’ll send a larger force to contain and neutralize the fledglings before they harm anyone else. ”
“The vampires aren’t going anywhere so long as it’s daylight. They’re too new. I have until sundown,” I whispered harshly into the phone, not wanting Jeremy to overhear. But when I turned, he wasn’t behind me anymore. “If I leave now, we won’t know where they’re holed up.”
That wasn’t the real problem, of course. A small team of witches or warlocks could easily locate the vampires.
My problem was twofold.
First: Godric hadn’t revealed himself. What had I expected—that I’d arrive and he’d be standing in the middle of town waiting for me, just like in my dream?
Actually, yes. That’s exactly what I’d expected.
Why would he bother to hide? He was centuries older than me, his psychic gifts made him absolutely lethal, and he had to know I was coming.
Soon this place would be crawling with witches and vampires, which would reduce his odds of killing me.
If he wasn’t out in the open, it likely meant he was gone.
Besides, stalking prey had never been his style.
He was direct. Brutal. Centuries had passed, but I doubted that had changed.
Second: if I left now, I’d be abandoning any human survivors in Rookwood to fend for themselves against scores of hungry newborns. If, that is, there were survivors.
“Knowing where the newborns are hiding is hardly a priority,” Nathaniel cut in. “I’ll discuss this with the witch queen. I’m certain we can send a large force to handle this. Two or three teams of witches, vampires, and—”
“That’s all very well and good!” I snapped.
How could he not see the obvious flaw without me spelling it out in small words?
“But it’ll take you time to assemble those teams. And more time still for the drive down.
It’ll be well into the night at best. And it makes far more strategic sense to send them at daybreak, so we can use the sunlight to our advantage. ”
“Exactly, which is why you and the alpha—”
“I’ll send the wolf on his way, but I can’t leave yet,” I said flatly, forgetting to whisper. “There might still be survivors.”
Naturally, that was the exact moment Jeremy walked out of the manager’s office, keys dangling from his fingers. He leaned a shoulder against the doorway—sex on a stick—and smirked, eyebrows raised. Clear as day, he’d overheard, and shamelessly kept listening.
I glared, fuming.
But I’d asked for it, hadn’t I? This was what happened when I didn’t keep my emotions bottled up, safe and sound. But I couldn’t stop picturing my brother’s face everywhere I turned here.
I couldn’t help him anymore, but I could prevent this from happening to anyone else . I could and would stop Godric.
And Poppy’s spell had worked. The irritating proof of that was only a few feet away, his piercing blue eyes sparkling with amusement at my “private” call.
And if she could do it again…
Well, there was a whole town of vampires to save.
The fact I’d be creating shedloads of work for her? Not my problem.
Until I knew for certain she could repeat the process, I couldn’t allow the vampires of this town to be destroyed.
Not if there was even the slimmest chance they could be brought back.
But this was neither the time nor the place to explain to Nathaniel that I had, in fact, found my fated mate—in all of his dubious glory.
“Thierry, I know you, and therefore your concerns don’t surprise me,” Nathaniel said, making things worse by speaking at full volume.
Wolves had excellent hearing. I was certain Jeremy caught every word.
“But you know me as well, and I won’t risk your safety on the mere possibility you might still do some good there.
Perhaps if you had proof there were survivors—”
“Then I’ll get proof, if any exists!” I hissed, my frustration with both Nathaniel and the wolf boiling over. “Send your teams. I’ll call if there’s an update.”
I disconnected.
And then, without warning, yawned.
“That’s a helluva way to talk to your boss,” Jeremy said dryly. “You still gonna have a job when we get back to Seattle?”
“I’m not going back to Seattle,” I told him flatly.
“Yeah, I caught that,” he said, still studying me intently.
“And Nathaniel is only technically my boss. We’ve been allies for more than a hundred years.”
“Allies, huh? Not friends?”
“I don’t have friends,” I lied. In reality, the number of people I cared about—despite my best efforts—was far too high.
“Except James. And the dark-haired vampire.”
“I tolerate Pierce, and he affords me the same consideration,” I said coolly. The effect was ruined by another yawn.
“Not denying you’re friends with the human, though.”
In lieu of clawing his face off—which would have been satisfying but messy—I sighed from the bottom of my soul and reminded myself, firmly, that I didn’t actually want to murder him.
Mostly.
“Nathaniel’s right about one thing,” I said once I’d counted to ten. “You need to leave.”
“It’s the smart thing to do,” Jeremy agreed lightly. “But we still have plenty of daylight. Time for me to help you search for survivors before ducking out.”
Scowling, I opened my mouth to argue, but another yawn interrupted.
“Go take a nap,” Jeremy suggested, holding up a set of keys. “It’s vacant. I’ll even cut you a deal on the cost.”
I brushed lint off the collar of my red velvet suit jacket and peered at him. He’d grabbed the keys before joining me, which meant he’d noticed how the sunlight was affecting me and decided to fix it. “What is this, wolf? What are you doing?”
He jiggled the keys. “It’s daytime and you’re a vampire. Which means you’re tired. That’s how this works, right?”
“I’m eight centuries old. Sunlight doesn’t affect me.”
“You’ve been yawning like someone cornered you to talk about cryptocurrency.”
I arched a brow. “I’m surprised you even know what cryptocurrency is.”
He ignored that. “Your eyes are watering. And bloodshot.”
“What are you playing at?” I demanded.
“There are empty rooms here that probably don’t have dead bodies or murderous vampires in them. Go nap. We can spare an hour or two before we look for survivors.”
“Right. Put myself in a vulnerable position so you can drive a stake through my heart the moment I shut my eyes?” I said it mostly to remind us both—and mostly him—that we despised each other. Though perhaps I needed the reminder too.
Jeremy sighed, marched across the lot to one of the motel room doors—room three—and unlocked it.
I followed, because the lunatic hadn’t even listened at the door or peeked through the window first. A motel room would have made a terrific hiding spot for a newborn vampire.
The door swung open on an empty space with a bed, an armchair, and not much else.
“Fine,” he said. “I’ll take a nap. And you can stand guard.”
“I love how you think you can manipulate me. It’s almost cute.”
He strolled into the motel room like he owned it, then plopped onto the bed, crossing one leg over the other at the ankles and screwing his eyes shut. “Sorry, too busy sleeping.” He paused. “You know what? The mattress is actually pretty comfortable.”
“Get off the bed,” I hissed, scandalized and more than a little jealous.
“Or,” he suggested, cracking one eye open, “you could come join me. There’s plenty of room.”
Patently false. Slight as I was, the bed was hardly large enough for two full-grown men.
And there was no way I could get into it with Jeremy without being pressed right against him.
Too small. Nothing good could come of such a thing…
Even if he had surprised me several times already, I certainly wasn’t ready to sleep with him.
Again.
But exhaustion crashed through me, and with the sun beating down on my skin, I had to admit he was right: I needed the cool shade the room offered.
My skin felt stretched too tight, my eyes were burning, and though I was likely the most powerful creature in a hundred-mile radius, I felt as weak as a newborn kitten.
In my current state, I couldn’t protect either of us if it came down to it.
I stepped through the threshold and sighed in relief the moment the shade enveloped me.
“You didn’t sleep last night,” Jeremy said.
“You didn’t either.”
“I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”
“This town is likely overrun by vampires. And you want us to sleep in the midst of it?”
“Why not?” he said, cocking an eyebrow. “If they’re brand-new—”
“Newborns,” I corrected.
He huffed. “Fine. If they’re newborns, they’re so weak against the sun they won’t be able to step foot into it. You might as well be well-rested if you’re going to face the hordes all by your lonesome when the sun goes down.”
He had a point.
“Fine,” I said stiffly. “Off the bed. I will sleep for one hour and no more.”
“And if I’m attacked?”
“Well, if I stumble across your bloodless corpse when I awaken, it’ll be a sign that wishes really do come true,” I replied sweetly.
But he was right. Godric was likely gone, but if he wasn’t, Jeremy would make halfway decent leverage. Kidnapping him and using him to control me would probably work, even though, rationally, I shouldn’t have cared what happened to him.
Jeremy grinned, completely unfazed. He batted his eyes innocently. “But, hey, what if I’m tired too?”
I didn’t like this about-face one bit. Somehow, he was different now. Too… relaxed. The tension was gone. He’d stopped shooting me furtive looks like I might tear his throat out at any moment. What on earth had changed? It wasn’t like I’d been especially nice to him.
“Sadly, we didn’t bring a kennel,” I said, making my tone as icy as possible.
When he just looked at me, eyebrow raised, I sighed.
“Alright, fine,” I said, pointing to the armchair in the corner. At least if he was inside the darkened room with me, there was the slimmest chance I could protect him if Godric attacked. “But touch me and die.”
“You’re not ready for me to touch you again,” Jeremy replied evenly.
No, he didn’t seem the least bit afraid of me anymore.
Irritated, I strode forward and yanked the covers back. Then I fixed him with a glare. “If you enter this bed while I’m in it, you won’t be leaving in one piece. I do hope you’re aware.”
“I’m starting to realize that a conversation with you wouldn’t be complete without a death threat,” Jeremy said with a snort that had no business being as cute as it was.
“I’m quite serious. Deadly so.”
“Here’s how it is, vampire,” Jeremy said, watching me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he smiled, gaze locked on mine, pinning it in place. “You and I won’t be having sex again until there’s enthusiastic consent involved.”
“As if you even know the meaning of the word.” I glared, but I might’ve had better chances staring down a freight train. Giving up, I sighed. “Fine. Do us both a favor and hold your breath until it happens.”
“Get some shut-eye, vampire,” he said softly. “We can trade barbs when you rise again.”
With that, he crossed to the armchair in the corner and settled in.
I lay down and closed my eyes, listening to Jeremy’s breathing, his steady heartbeat. It was a surprisingly nice sound.
It was… soothing.
I tried very hard—and quite unsuccessfully—not to realize that Jeremy had noticed I wasn’t okay and had immediately acted to fix it, the first chance he got.
Naturally, he was still an unmitigated asshole.
But even so, though I wasn’t ready to admit it—it felt too much like defeat—I couldn’t help but notice there might be layers to the wolf.
And back in that sunlit kitchen—even with the grisly evidence of what had happened there—I had almost told him there was a way to bring a murderous vampire back from the ledge.
I had almost told him everything. Because the look of horror and dismay on his face when he realized what became of this town had made me want to spill all my secrets, just to banish those emotions for him.
Thank goodness I’d stopped myself—because truly, what had I been thinking?
I’d almost forgotten who Jeremy was. And at any moment, the other shoe would drop. I couldn’t allow myself to be caught beneath it.
No, I needed to watch what I said around the wolf.
Besides, I shouldn’t care about his feelings at all. In fact, I should be delighted he’d shown me a weak spot I could jab. Repeatedly. With great fervor.
But instead, his reaction unsettled me. Because it was evidence he cared about other people. And I was having a hard time matching that with the selfish, violent monster Pierce and James—or, well, mostly Pierce—had described.
If Jeremy was truly anything like Magnus, he wouldn’t have cared about anyone but himself. In fact, I half-expected him to insist we leave town immediately, now that we knew what had happened here.
After all, it wasn’t bleeds that caused this.
Instead, he stubbornly refused to leave.
As I lay in bed with my eyes closed, Jeremy only a few feet away, I expected my senses to stay on high alert, keeping me awake in case he came at me with a wooden stake in his fist and a song in his heart.
But my body knew that wasn’t a real possibility, because it refused to stay tense. Somehow, the opposite was true.
Knowing he was there, watching over me, made me feel safer than it should have.
The last thought I had before sleep took me was that I was in very deep shit indeed.