Chapter 11 #2
“Frankly it is you who should be thanking me. Those vampires in the desert? They could track her scent. I’m sure their friends would love to get another go at her.
And before you go all feral, it appears I’m not the only one withholding the truth.
Is this not the case? She was determined to leave Las Vegas. I merely assisted.”
“I’m here now,” Rafe growled.
The smile fell from Sebastian’s face. “Enough of the theatrics.” He shot to his feet and clapped his hands. “I’m here to see my brother. I’m here to see Greyson. Greyson!”
“Greyson’s more sensible. He probably knew you were in Vegas the whole time and ignored you. But what do I know? I’m just a human.” Skylar crossed her arms over her chest.
“She’s right, isn’t she? He probably knew, but he’s not interested in your bullshit. You may have been close with Viktor but Greyson? Not so much.”
“He’ll come soon enough. He can’t avoid me forever. Especially now that he needs me.”
“Greyson doesn’t need anyone, least of all you.” Rafe trusted his friend enough to know that if the vampire wanted to see Sebastian, he’d have done it sooner.
“You may have fangs, but you’re still a dog. You don’t know our ways,” he goaded.
“I don’t need to know about vampires to understand what’s happening. It’s time for you to go.” As Rafe gestured for Sebastian to leave, Greyson appeared at the back door.
“I agree.” The ancient vampire wore a somber expression.
“Finally.” Rafe blew out a breath and crossed the room to Skylar.
“Can you please get him out of my house?” Skylar asked. “I’m sick of this. I’m making coffee.”
Greyson approached Sebastian who smiled like a Cheshire cat. “Causing trouble per usual, I see.”
“No greeting, dear brother?” Sebastian asked with a smirk.
“Let’s go, Bash. It’s time for you to leave.”
“Tell him what you did.” Rafe accepted a mug from Skylar and sipped his coffee. With Greyson here, he could relax for two seconds.
“He pretended to be someone else and stalked me here,” Skylar accused.
“I did nothing of the sort. I gave her a ride after you carelessly left his human alone.” Sebastian raised an eyebrow at Rafe who stepped in front of Skylar, blocking the ancient vampire’s view of her.
“It was a difficult choice to leave her at the cabin, but we had a situation. As you are aware.” Greyson glanced at Rafe.
“More than you are, perhaps. Many things must be discussed.”
“Nothing needs to be discussed. Unless you have information or are willing to help the situation, it’s time for you to go. Cheaters aren’t welcome here,” Greyson told him.
“Here we go.” Sebastian began to pace. “You’re a sore loser. This is entirely unserious in a very serious situation. I have come to offer my assistance. Perhaps babysit the human again.”
“Stay away from Skylar,” Rafe growled.
“If you want to help, go back to Vegas and find Zyaire.”
Sebastian remained silent as Greyson continued.
“Don’t bother saying it’s impossible. We both knew this day could happen. She’d never be contained to the spell.”
“The wolf must cooperate,” Sebastian told him.
“The wolf?” Rafe’s gut twisted at the realization Greyson had known far more about the situation with Zyaire than he’d acknowledged. Secrets.
“We can handle this without you,” Greyson insisted.
“What the actual fuck is going on here?” Rafe’s voice grew louder. He looked to Skylar who raised her eyebrows at him, and he attempted to regain control. “You know what? I don’t want to know. I’m out.”
“But you can’t be out, you’re the key, handsome.”
Rafe blew out a breath as the half-demon appeared in the hallway. The immortal wore a lime-green, satin track suit with matching sneakers, his jet-black hair slicked back into a ponytail.
“I’m not sure how to be clearer about this but none of you can be here. This isn’t New Orleans. This is Skylar’s home,” Rafe insisted.
“Well, technically it’s my parents’ home,” she said.
“Do you hear that? It’s her parents’ home and you guys don’t belong here.” Rafe turned to Skylar who shook her head. “This is Thorn. Hopefully, the last demon you ever see.”
“Half-demon,” he corrected. “So sorry, dear human, but we do have business. You, unfortunately have become a pawn.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Rafe told her. “Grey. Get them out of here, okay? This is not the place. I need just a few more minutes and then we can go to Ilsbeth’s.”
“Ilsbeth. Now that’s a blast from the past. I bet big Grey can’t wait to see her.” Sebastian smiled.
A ding sounded from a panel on the wall. Skylar ran over to the console and tapped at the security screen, her face washing with panic. “Oh my God.”
“What is it?” Rafe listened. A car engine.
“Oh my God. Oh my God,” Skylar repeated. “You have to get out of here.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Greyson said. “Just give me a minute.”
“Who is it?” Rafe caught a glimpse of the white SUV rolling into the driveway, the sound of the garage opening told him everything he needed to know before Skylar had a chance to say another word.
Skylar’s eyes widened as she turned to Rafe. “My parents are here.”
“You coming?” Greyson asked Sebastian.
Thorn dematerialized into thin air, disappearing.
“Rafe. Stay,” she pleaded.
Rafe’s chest tightened at her request. He opened his mouth to refuse, when her fingers wrapped around his wrist. This was a mistake. A huge whopper of a mistake. Fuck, fuck, fuck. You need to go. You need to go now.
“Give me a few minutes,” he told Greyson.
“Come back in a car,” Skylar instructed.
“But he shouldn’t stay either.” Greyson began.
“Just do it.” Rafe’s expression softened as he looked to Skylar.
“Jesus Christ,” Greyson grumbled. “Humans.”
As the door handle jiggled open, the ancient vampire disappeared. Rafe looked down to the robe he wore, and inwardly cursed, aware he was about to meet her parents half dressed. Well shit.
“Mom! Dad!” Skylar’s voice filled with joy as she ran down the hallway toward them.
The wolf struggled not to smile, her happiness washing over him like cool rain on a hot day. Nothing in the moment mattered but Skylar.
My human. Mine.