Page 119 of Marked By Moonlight

He and Mina locked eyes for a long time. I stood on guard in case the vampire tried to pull anything, from sucking her blood to kissing her hand — or any other part of her. But he didn’t. He just stood there, looking sincere.

“Oh, you know.” Mina shrugged. “Someone’s got to make up for all the shitty people in the world.”

Henrik digested that for several quiet seconds before murmuring, “I’m deeply indebted to you.”

“We all are,” I added, while Roux nodded solemnly.

Someone like Celeste would have pounced on that, but Mina just squirmed uncomfortably. “Don’t we have a painting to deliver?”

Roux, Henrik, and I did, but Mina was supposed to catch a train to Paris. She refused, of course, so I nodded, looking forward to getting this all over with. “We do.”

We sat three across the front seat of our rented van, with Roux driving, Mina in the middle, and me at the window. Henrik rode in the back with the painting. At a stoplight along the way, my phone pinged, and I checked it, expecting another of Celeste’s demands for an update.

But the avatar that came up was blank, and the message included a photo. One of Mina and me that had been taken outside our hotel that morning, judging by the clothes and van in the background. Our hands were clasped, our eyes locked.

A nice shot, but terrifying too.

Remember, those who love, lose,the caption said.And even a moonlight mark can’t stop that.

I whipped my head up to scan the area. Someone knew we were in London together. Someone who hated me enough to want Mina dead. A shifter — or vampire — who could recognize the mark I’d left on her.

My mind scrolled through a long list of suspects. Szabo. Celeste. Etienne. Gordon.

No, scratch Gordon. He would hurt me, not Mina. But that still left plenty of suspects.

I turned my head left and right, cursing nightfall.

Mina touched my arm. “What is it?”

I nearly stuck my phone in my pocket and bluffed. But we’d sworn to come clean, so I turned the screen to Mina.

She stiffened, prompting Roux to look over.

“What?”

Mina glanced at me, probably just as tempted to lie as I was. But lying to Roux might imply that I might someday lie to her, so I gave him the short version.

He cursed and ran a hand through his hair. “Now?”

I scrutinized every vehicle and pedestrian in the vicinity. Windows and roofs too, in case our unseen enemy lurked up high, sniper-style. But nothing. Not a hint of him — or her — in the darkness.

A car behind us beeped, and Roux cursed, then drove slowly onward.

“What now?” He tapped on the steering wheel.

Mina pointed ahead. “We stick to the plan.”

Roux glanced over at me. I didn’t like that either, but I didn’t have an alternative plan. So, we drove on, keeping our senses piqued.

We were nearly at the warehouse when my phone rang again, and Bene came over the line.

“Caution. Repeat, caution. Jensen’s security people report a man in the vicinity whose description matches Szabo.”

For once, he didn’t sound like he was kidding.

Roux hit the brakes, and Mina stuck out a hand to brace herself.

“Where?” I growled, looking around.