Page 43

I slam on the brakes, gripping the steering wheel tightly as I slowly turn. “In or out, Silas. I never ask anything of you, try to keep things quiet so I don’t make trouble, but I am about to cause one hell of a shit storm, so I need to know if you’re in or out right now.”

He stares at me for a few seconds, his pale-colored eyes shifting between mine. Then he nods firmly and starts looking around the floor. “I’m in. Just don’t get us killed.”

It’s not us I’m worried about.

I should have listened to Zia.

I didn’t think anything would happen in such a short amount of time, but it did, and it’s all my fault.

“Found your phone.”

I glance at Silas as I take off down the road again. “Look through the contacts for Rae.”

“Got it.” He hands me the phone. “It’s calling.”

After two rings, the same voice I heard from outside the bathtub answers. “Where are you?”

“Is this Rae?” I know it is, but I need to be sure.

“Who the fuck is this? Where’s my sister?”

“My name is Felix. Your sister kidnapped me a few nights ago. I heard everything you two were talking about and I wanted to help her. We planned on leaving for Velariom tomorrow night and—”

A low growl rumbles down the line. “I don’t give a shit about any of this. I want to know where Azizia is.”

“She’s gone and—”

“What!” he barks. “I swear to god if you laid one—”

“Shut up and listen!” I swerve just in time to miss another trash can. “Someone took her from me, and I need your help to get her back.”

I can feel Silas staring at me, his curiosity and confusion practically palpable since I’ve never acted this way over anyone before, but I’m not about to entertain any of that right now.

No, I’m way too focused on figuring out a plan to get Zia back and I don’t give a shit if it’s Stockholm syndrome or not, that unhinged little vixen is mine now.

Zia is mine and anyone who takes from me is going to find out what lengths this freak of a vampire will go to in order to keep what belongs to him.

Xadrian better be ready because he has no idea what the definition of Hell truly is, and I’m about to bring it right to his front door.

Chapter Thirteen

Azizia

Twenty minutes earlier…

“Now you better listen to me,” I whisper harshly. “You may be fooling my sweet Felix, but I’m on to you.” I narrow my eyes. “What planet are you from, alien?”

The cat holds my gaze, slow-blinking, which I take as disrespect.

This thing knows what it’s doing, and I don’t like it one bit. How dare he use my Felix like this. He’s too kind to turn this creature away. I mean, he can’t actually like the obese thing, so it’s obvious he’s just being nice.

Felix is so nice.

“I’ve got my eye on you,” I warn. “The second you slip up, I’ll be here to point it out. And then—” I run my finger across my throat. “It’s lights out for you.”

It lets out this deep meow that has me jerking away. I huff and slam the car door closed. Felix specifically told me not to put Roger in the trunk. I think he’s better off back there, but I don’t want Felix to be upset with me. If he loves this thing, I’ll have to play nice for a while. But I will make sure Felix finds out the truth about it one way or another.

Cats have fur. They are fluffy and cute and cuddly. This thing? I shiver at the thought of where it came from. I picture a far away planet with a bunch of the hairless beasts running around. Ugh, it’s terrible. Creepy. Makes me want to vomit a little.