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“Not this time.” Nor any other if he had anything to say about it. Alex was training to read emotions, not manipulate them. There was no telling the effect she would have.

Alex screwed up her face, settling behind her makeshift shelter, grumbling, “Fine. Guess I’ll hide behind the bar, as usual.”

On their way across the dance floor, Jericho and Colin shrugged out of their jackets, pulling guns from the holsters concealed at their backs.

Two bouncers sprinted ahead of them, racing for the far side of the club, then skidded to a stop. Jericho followed the direction of their horrified stares.

“Shit,” Colin said. “Do you see the size of that thing?”

Standing at the edge of the dance floor was one of the largest rogues Jericho had ever laid eyes on. The jagged edges of his shirt were torn open. Scratches marred his chest as though he’d tried to claw out his own heart. Madness blazed across his face, and blood dripped from his chin.

At his feet was the body of a dark-haired woman in a red bustier. It was the waitress Colin greeted when they arrived. The one he said was researching a novel. The ravaged flesh on her neck was ripped open, and a pool of blood spread beneath her shoulders.

“Oh man, that’s not right. Poor Erin,” Colin groaned. “There’ll be no happy ending for that story.”

Head thrown back, chest bowed, the rogue thundered a roar that sent the two bodyguards running. Cowards. As they raced past, Colin and Jericho moved into position, circling their prey. The monster’s head snapped up as they approached, watching them through blood-red eyes.

“Let’s take him out before he hurts anyone else.” Jericho sure as hell didn’t want this thing around Alex.

“Yeah, the faster, the better,” Colin said, and together they charged.

For what felt like hours, they circled the beast, taking advantage of every opening with little effect. Muscles burned in Jericho’s shoulders and thighs while his opponent showed no signs of tiring.

He slammed his heel into the rogue’s cheek with a bone-cracking snap. His body rotated through the spin—just in time.

Black claws slashed past his nose.

The beast snarled, flashing dagger-like fangs above a distorted jaw.

“So much for fast,” Colin shouted. “Dammit, does nothing faze this thing?” Metal glinted in his hand, and he came in low. Blood sprayed in an arc.

Unaffected by the injury, the creature roared and flung out an arm. The blow sent Colin skidding across the floor on his back.

Jericho gritted his teeth.Why won’t it die?Even with its gut sliced open and numerous gunshot wounds, the massive rogue kept coming back for more.

Consumed by darkness, seething with rage, the beast felt nothing. Unlike Jericho, who felt every spine rattling blow the creature landed. Dividing his attention between his target and his Chosen had put him at a disadvantage.

Across the room, glass broke, and a feminine shout rang out. “Hey, asshole, over here!” The monster’s dark head swiveled. Soulless black eyes fixed on Alex’s hiding spot. It flared its nostrils, scenting the air. Jericho tasted the sweet fragrance as well. Fresh faerie blood.

Dammit, Alex.

Dark, protective instincts rushed through Jericho’s veins like lava. Adrenaline burned his aching muscles. His fist exploded against the beast’s sagging jaw, damn near ripping it off his face. The rogue’s head twisted in his direction. That got its attention.

Jericho threw his arm up, blocking the pile-driving fist that shot toward his head. The force of the hit sent a percussion of pain rattling through his bones. Worth it since it gave him the opening he needed. Time to shut the bastard down. He punched his fist into the rogue’s trachea, crushing cartilage.

“Let’s see you shake that one off.”

The creature stumbled back, holding its throat, gasping for air, and coughing blood. Right where Jericho wanted him.

It jolted as though electrocuted. Crimson eyes flashed wide with shock. Blood gurgled from its mouth, and the rogue dropped to its knees. Its massive frame tilted forward, and it face-planted the ground.

The hilt of a dagger protruded from its back.

Colin planted one foot on either side of the fallen body, straddling the male. With a vicious snarl, he twisted the blade he’d buried in the bastard’s heart and jerked it free.

Chest heaving, Colin stood over his kill. His lips pulled back in an aggressive display, revealing elongated fangs. “Who’s the predator now, bitch. Maybe that will teach you not to fuck with sweet little waitresses.” He splayed his arms and drew in a deep breath, reveling in the blood he’d spilled. Gone was the playful mask he shared with the world.

Jericho waited for the feral gleam in his partner’s eyes to fade before stepping closer.