Page 136 of New Nebraska Heat

“Did you see Detective Pierce’s jaguar tattoo in the fight back there? He can crush a man’s skull with one punch. He even smashed a hole in the back of your Fae armor with it.”

Conrad nodded. “Go on.”

“That was something I gave him. I made his tattoo like a magical weapon. It was the only thing that saved him from your brother, Raphael.”

He stroked an index finger along the bottom of his chin. “I did wonder how that dumb flatfoot managed to take out my coven’s meanest fighter. Clad in Fae armor, no less.”

“You see? And that was just one tattoo. Imagine what would happen with all yours. Your skin might become bulletproof, or your whole body invincible. Who knows?”

Conrad’s cheeks were reddening as his mind mulled the possibilities. “So I just feed from your wrist”—he smirked—“gently, and this gift will be transferred right now?”

“Yes, your skin might be even tougher than Fae armor.”

Nodding slowly he murmured to himself, “A double layer of magic.”

“Nobody would be able to challenge you.” I sat straighter, pushing out my chest as a let another gush of false admiration tinge my voice. “Nobody, not Winterborn, not the cops, nobody.” I gulped the rest of the icy vodka, grimacing slightly at the large amount pouring down my throat. It seemed to help me connect with whatever was brewing under my skin.

He stood and slowly sauntered down the steps. “You’vetempted me. But if you’re trying to deceive me in some way, if nothing happens immediately after I’ve fed or if I feel unwell in any way, I’ll shout for my men to come in and… react appropriately. Deal?”

“Deal.” I exhaled discreetly. The breath passed my lips like sauna steam, hot on my tongue. I glanced at the candles. Their flames burned high and bright.

Conrad stayed fixated on me, never noticing their increasing roar as he took up my hand.

Fangs at full length, Conrad sank them into my wrist, feeding greedily. I had to look away.

But I felt no pain. No fear. I had a little piece of Bryce with me. I was sure of it now. And the thought brought me some of the comfort I felt in his care. I thought of Bryce and our shared heat, and let my blood temperature rise and rise.

Conrad extracted his bloodied fangs with a gurgle, eyes bulging. His mouth gaped open and closed, probably trying to call for his men.

Instead, he shuddered, his throat spasming, like he’d swallowed my blood down the wrong tube.

He staggered back, hugged his middle, and vomited lava. It pooled on the grimy flagstones in front of his feet, sizzling. Lunging with a garbled roar, he clamped his greasy hands round my throat, trying to take me with him as he gasped for air that wouldn’t come through a throat and esophagus closing with burns. I could see blisters all throughout his open mouth as I grasped at his hands, tugging them apart. His skin fried where I touched it, the smell like rotten meat on a grill. I kneed him in the balls, but it only buckled him a moment before he lurched at me again with inky smoke pouring from his ears and nose.

I grabbed the heavy chalice with both hands and thumped it across his temple, stumbling him to one knee. He clutched his throat, gasping, drowning in the fire that was eating him from the insideout as he got back to his feet. Clang! I bashed him again. “That’s for all the kids, you motherfucker!”

As he staggered, he grabbed my dress, yanking me toward him. A stabbing pain radiated through my abdomen, and I looked down to see a dagger buried deep in my gut. Flaming blood spilled from the wound onto Conrad’s black suit pants.

The cloth ignited, and a hissing breath was the only shriek he could make as he reeled backward into a cluster of candles. Their hot wax merged with his melting skin as he turned into a teetering bonfire. With a final gasp, he crumpled into a pile, ash and stench bursting from his charred skin in disgusting billows.

The doors battered open, and five bulky coven members raced in, coughing at the smoke. I held up my red-hot palms, and a jet of raging fire devoured them, sending them shrieking to their knees, before they met the same barbecued end as their leader.

The world swayed, and I collapsed. I tried to drag myself toward the doors but I had no energy. I clutched at the dagger stuck in my lower abdomen, needing it out of me, and yanked at it, but it had gotten wedged somehow.

Black patches ate away holes in my vision, and fear rattled in my lungs.

I hoped there was an afterlife. One where I could live in peace with my guys when they eventually joined me, loving each other.

Forever.

Serenity

Hunter’s voice led me out of oblivion. I smiled, feeling his fingertips tracing my face.

“Serenity,” he murmured again, lips dotting kisses along my cheeks.

I blinked my eyes open, heart fluttering with a feeling of immense gratitude I hoped never faded. I’d almost lost everything. Each day that I woke up with everything I’d ever dreamed of, should be celebrated.

Taking his head in my hands, I drew him down for a kiss, then pulled back just far enough to ask, “Any word on Seb’s status?”