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Delighted malice glittered in Cantarelli’s emerald eyes as he said, “If you want Leah back, meet me at the point marked on the map at four a.m. tomorrow. Come alone and bring me the Hunter you captured. If you don’t come, or break any of my terms,” Dmitri traced Leah’s face in a mockery of a loving gesture, “I can’t promise what will happen to your beautiful mate.” He paused and kissed Leah full on the lips. “You know as well as I that there are fates worse than death.”

The video cut to black.

Julian’s anguished roar reverberated through the Tower. The others in the room froze, some covering their ears. Marek was the only one unaffected.

He knew. Dmitri knew Leah was Julian’s mate. How?

Fates worse than death?

No, don’t think about it.

He had to save her. That was the only outcome.

“What’s the location?” Julian asked when he calmed enough to speak. Wild emotions battered his insides, but he needed control. Dmitri would not win.

“The location?” Marek nudged the analyst, who jolted.

“Yeah… yes… the location…”

The security analyst pressed a few keys. Another file opened. It was a map.

Julian recognized the place. An abandoned warehouse two hours outside Vegas. Dmitri had chosen the perfect place and time for the meeting. Even the timing of the video was perfect, right after midnight.

If he left now, he’d be there in three hours. Sunrise was around five-thirty. He couldn’t bring other vampires as backup even if Dmitri hadn’t forbidden him. They wouldn’t make it back to Vegas and its shield before sunrise, which would force them to seek shelter. The Hunters would have field day hunting them while the sun was up.

If by some miracle Julian escaped with Leah, they would also need shelter, providing the Hunters another chance to kill them.

Or worse.

“Have you found where the email came from?”

“We’re working to track it down,” the security analyst answered.

“Good. Keep trying. Have someone bring a tracker implant.”

“You’re going,” Marek said. It wasn’t a question.

The room was quiet as everyone listened in on the conversation. Julian belatedly realized that he should’ve watched the video with headphones instead of broadcasting it for the entire room.

“Yes. How’s the human doing?” Julian asked, referring to the Hunter downstairs.

“He’s strong enough to travel. He will be healed by the time you reach your destination.”

“Good.”

“Who do you want to go with you?”

“No one. You heard him. I’m going alone with the Hunter.”

“It is a trap.” The first hint of frustration in Marek’s voice. “He won’t hand Leah over to you.”

“I know.” Julian’s lips curved. “Are you worried about me?”

A scowl. “If you die, I’m not cleaning after your mess.”

Julian clapped a hand on Marek’s shoulder. “You’d be lucky if they give you Vegas. Also, I don’t plan on dying. That’s why I need the tracker. You can follow me when the sun goes down.”

“You could be dead by then. She tried to stake you.”