Page 67

“I’ve never been to a Chicago Bears game.” She whispered, attempting to lighten the mood.

“I’ll be sure to take you to one.” I muttered back, helping with the mood alteration.

When the doors opened for us to exit on level 4, I said. “Stay close to me.”

We stepped out into a garage that swallowed us with its cheap lighting and emptiness. Level 1 of the garage was a maze of concrete pillars and plastic wall signs. We were standing in level 1B. We needed to head over to 1A. I guided Chanel to the right. The arrowed sign told me I was headed in the right direction. I moved stealthily, with Chanel following closely behind me.

Unexpectedly, a shadowy figure detached itself from behind a concrete column thirty feet ahead of us. Fuck! Lonzo stood motionless. His newly transformed vampire body was unnaturally still. He watched us with eyes that blazed with recognition and pure hatred. He had bloodstains on the front of his opened shirt, exposing his colorful skull tattoos. Was it his blood or someone else’s?

My Cripo Glock was in my hand before a conscious thought registered. The gun draw was so swift, Chanel flinched beside me. I aimed directly at Lonzo’s chest, where the paralytic serum would surely hit and spread most efficiently through his transformed circulatory system. I didn’t take the shot. Missing would mean he could escape again. I needed to be closer to him.

“Well, well, well.” Lonzo’s voice carried a resonance all vampires possessed. “The great Alexander Valentine. Coming to finish what you started, huh? Too bad it didn’t take the first time.”

He remained perfectly still, making no move to attack or flee. I recognized his stance. It was just the same as the one he took when we were back in Chanel’s apartment.

“This doesn’t have to be difficult, Lonzo.” I warned.

“Put the gun down, you fuckin’ coward.” He taunted.

“You’re outmatched and outnumbered.”

A sinister sneer spread across his face, revealing his fangs. “I don’t see anyone but you, and that human snitch.”

“I don’t know what Teresa told you, but I roll with an army.”

“Heyese,I’m not alone either. Teresa taught me a few things before you killed her. Things about your weaknesses.” His gaze shifted to Chanel and his expression turned vicious. “Like how you’d risk everything foreste perra negra(this Black bitch) who ruined my life.”

Beside me, Chanel stiffened but didn’t flinch at his crude remark. You didn’t have to be fluent in Spanish to figure out what he was saying. I edged slightly in front of her. My posture shifted to better shield her body with mine.Where the fuck were my people?

“Watch your mouth.” I warned, with my finger tightening on the trigger. “Or I’ll end this conversation right now.”

Lonzo laughed, and the sound echoed unnaturally off the concrete walls. “With that fancy gun? Why don’t you fight me like a man?” He spread his arms wide, inviting confrontation. “Or are you afraid I might be stronger than you? I know I’m faster than you. I outran that Russian bitch and that skinny Black boy. Who said Mexicans weren’t fast?”

“Lucky once doesn’t mean lucky always.” I replied dismissively. “You barely understand what you’ve become.”

His face contorted with rage. “What I’ve become? I’m superhuman. I’m a fuckin’ supervillain because of her!” He jabbed a finger toward Chanel. “Did I say thank you? I would’ve let it all go. I would’ve lived forever as a vampire, but you killed Marisol. My sister’s dead because of you. Teresa told me all about it.”

“Teresa lied if she told you I killed your sister.” I sneered.

“Chanel, baby girl, you’re with this fuckin’ punk. He won’t even claim his bodies.” Lonzo addressed Chanel instead of me. He didn’t faze my future queen.

Chanel exhaled. “Lonzo, I killed your sister.” Her voice boldly came from behind me. “It was me. I did it.”

“She’s right.” I goaded him. “I merely provided the opportunity.” I said, trying to get him to make a move.

Lonzo’s eyes enlarged and darted from me to Chanel. He was in disbelief. I could see it.

“That’s right.” Chanel said, stepping slightly to the side to face him directly. “I watched her burn. I even asked for her ashes as a souvenir.” Her voice didn’t waver or break. It carried the weight of absolute conviction. Then she pulled her ski mask up revealing her entire face to him.

This was my soulmate.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ZAND

After hearing Chanel’s confession, something in Lonzo snapped. In an instant, his face transformed from human to monstrous. His fangs fully extended, and a snarl ripped from his throat that was more animal than man.

“Bitch, I’m going to tear your throat out.” He promised, with his eyes never leaving Chanel. “I’m going to make him,” Lonzo pointed at me. “Watch while I drain every drop of blood from your body.”