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When she met my gaze, the depth of emotion in her expression shot right to my core. The predator inside of me woke. The same predator that, for centuries, had peeled back the layers of a person’s psyche to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets. Secrets I would then exploit.

Runa had answered my question, but I sensed she’d given me a half-truth.

I leaned closer, drawing in her delightful scent. With her heightened emotions, her fragrance intensified. The spicy burn heated my insides. “And what, little thief, did this false king take from you?”

At her hesitation, my desire to take, to use, to destroy shifted. That familiar urge twisted, became something darker, more primal. Had this supposed kingtouchedher? I clenched my fists in my lap, my fangs burning.

Shouts rang out from across the room.

“Raid!” a male seated at the table next to us bellowed.

Six milky-eyed soldiers wearing purple capes pushed through the front door. Curse the female and her tricks. While keeping her off balance, I’d gotten caught in my own trap.

I eyed the guards, considering the latest obstacle to myescape plan. Conclusion? This was not the sort of aid I desired. Getting tangled up with the authorities would only delay my search for a portal home.

“Runa, run!” Kronk shouted as four of the robed guards headed straight for her partners.

The other two took one look at the sorceress and darted in our direction. While Vex remained seated at his table, a feral grin pulled wide across his jowls. It took but a second for the details of the situation to real themselves to me. Seemed I’d been handed the opportunity I’d sought after all.

“Sorry, pet. It appears you’ve been double-crossed.”

Chapter Six

RUNA

At Kronk’s warning,I leaped from my seat, dragging Victor up beside me. Fear for my brothers exploded in my chest. “Move!” I shouted, shoving my captive toward the far end of the tavern. To my surprise, Custodis did as he was told.

Dodging between the tavern patrons, we raced into a sweltering kitchen. Shouts rang out behind us. “This way, they’re in back.”

I glanced over my shoulder in time to see one of the king’s men crash into a server. Greasy meat pies and foaming ale splattered everywhere. It might buy us some time, but not enough.

While the soldiers scrambled across the slippery mess, Custodis and I plowed through the rear door and out into the alley. The vampire was strangely cooperative. I had zero doubts he was plotting something. What, exactly, was yet to be seen.

The former leader had a keen mind. Of this, I was sure. Strangely, I respected this part of his personality. Like me, he wouldn’t rest until he was free.Problem was, his freedom spelled my doom. Except, if the trade with Vex was a setup, where did that leave us?

I’d sort it out once I reunited with my brothers.

“Head to the right,” I ordered. “We’ll cut through the back alleys, then return to the main road. Maybe we can lose them in the crowd.”

“An excellent plan,” Custodis said.

My heart skipped an odd stutter at the praise.

“Do you and your fellow criminals do this often?” he asked, a mocking lilt in his voice.

While he may have been taunting me, the vampire wasn’t far off the mark. “Of course not. We’re professionals, not amateurs,” I replied flippantly. An image of the angry monks with their pitchforks flashed in my mind.

I ignored the reminder of our last failure, snapping, “Talk later. Unless you want to spend the night in the king’s prison.” I shoved his shoulder, and we raced along the darkened alleyway. Puddles splashed beneath my feet. The stench of fermenting trash filled my burning lungs.

“Professionals,” Custodis snorted. “This must be the worst kidnapping I’ve ever endured. Perhaps it’s time you and your friends found a new occupation.”

“You think you could do better?”

“Most certainly.”

“Have you?” Despite my scorn for the arrogant prick, I found myself curious about the criminals the vampire had captured.

“Absolutely. Though most of my abductions ended in torture and death. Rarely did I sell my captives.”