Page 62 of Red Rooster

“Because it’s still early. You went through a major change, and I don’t think it’s fully sunk in yet. It’s going to take some time. You – we should both – be patient.”

He snorted.

“What do you want me to say?” She sounded like she was really asking, looking for him to shine a light on this situation that neither of them had ever expected.

He shrugged. “I dunno.” And he really didn’t.

~*~

Disabling the security cameras and destroying the footage of him entering the building was an easy enough task, with Mona the nurse guiding him straight to the security center and watching him adoringly as he charmed the guard on duty.

Figuring out what the hell the Institute was up to was more complicated.

He used the charmed guard’s ID badge to swipe his way into several labs, and sat at a desk in one now, unsuccessfully trying to hack his way into the computer system.

“Can I help you with anything?” Mona asked, voice spacey and drugged-sounding, as she hovered behind his chair.

“No, I need a doctor’s password, and I–”

“I’ll go get one.”

She was gone before he could turn around and order her to stay.

He sighed. Why did anyone enjoy enchanting people? They were so stupid and worshipful when they were under the influence.

When his phone rang, he kept one eye on the door as he answered it.

“It’s me,” Sasha said, voice low and urgent. “I can smell them.” Low, urgent, andangry.

Nikita didn’t need to ask who it was his wolf could smell, nor if he was sure. Sasha was never wrong. “Where?” he asked instead.

“A few blocks away.” On the other end of the line, Nikita could hear the rush of traffic, and a sharp sniff as Sasha scented the air. “I could catch up to them, easy.”

Mona the nurse reappeared, towing a confused, disgruntled doctor along behind her.

“What in the world?” he said. “Who is this.”

Nikita took a deep breath. “Sasha, listen to me. Colette has the house warded. When they get close enough, they won’t be able to follow the scent to the door, and whichever humans are with them are going to catch a bad case of amnesia. Go back in the house, keep the others safe, and wait for me to get back.”

Sasha’s answer was a growl.

“Sashka.”

“How did you get in here?” the doctor demanded, voice rising. “Who are – I’m calling security.”

“Please,” Nikita barked into the phone, ended the call, and got to his feet. “Hello,” he said, rich dark velvet and melting chocolate.Calm, he pushed into the air around him.Help me. You know you want to.

The doctor cut off mid-sentence, face slowly going blank, mouth hanging open as his pupils blew.

“Now,” Nikita said, “would you mind logging me into the system?”

“Not at all,” the doctor said, and moved languidly toward the keyboard.

~*~

Sasha didn’t realize just how many hours a day he spent walking until he was forced to cool his heels for a while. He’d always liked Colette’s place, and goodness knew moving furniture was good exercise, but sitting around waiting for a threat to bypass them went against every instinct he possessed. Their little band was starting to feel very much like a pack – even if a pack with far too many vampires and only one wolf – and his lupine side wanted to be out on the streets, prowling, hunting, going on the offensive.

He stepped outside to get some air. That’s what he told himself. He was tired of looking at Alexei, of listening to him breathe, of smelling him. Ugh. No one understood – except for Nik. The scent of all vampires, that dark copper tang, made him want to bow up his back and show his teeth. He felt the urge around all of them, even little Jamie – all except for Nik. Nik was the exception to most things.