Page 25

We quieted down. The tunnel was wide and tall, with various passages veering off this way and that, with dim lights embedded into the brick.

The arched ceiling was built from old brick, and some of the areas looked weathered, even though they’d been protected from the elements.

I had no idea how old some of the passages were.

We weren’t in the tourist-area of the Underground, where the buildings built before the great fire had been gutted and retrofitted into modern shops.

As we passed by, I began to notice doors against the walls, and windows, with faint lights filtering out from within. My stomach twisted as we passed by.

There was an entire community down here.

Vampires, of course, could come to the surface at night, but during the day they were able to set up shops here and interact.

Other creatures—mostly various members of the sub-Fae—kept their business below ground as well, even if they could roam about under the sun.

Goblins like Benny were rarely seen topside, unless they were up to some mischief.

And this was the first time I’d ever laid eyes on a grote.

I had no idea of who else lived down here and I’d had my fill of meeting new creatures for now.

Dante paused at a turnoff, sniffing the air. “I can’t decide whether we should continue straight, or turn left here. I think we’re near the edge of the parking lot, but I can’t be sure.”

“What are we looking for?” Carson asked. He’d been taking pictures right and left as we went.

“Another outlet—a ladder against a wall, a set of ascending stairs…something like that.” Dante let out a sigh. “Let’s try the turnoff first. This way.”

As we turned left, the brick of the floor became more weathered, and the sense of oppression heightened. I followed. Both Dante and I were light on our feet from years of practice.

Penn was walking normally, her stiffness seemed to have evened out. She was silent, even though her blue Mary Janes—the ones I’d seen in my vision—should have been clattering against the brick. But then, she was part Fae, and they could move with stealth when they chose.

Orik was the one who was making noise. At six-eight and three hundred pounds of muscle, he was surprisingly agile on his feet, but that much of a man couldn’t help but leave a trail of sound behind him.

Even then, we made ground and so far, nobody had taken notice of us.

Or, if they had, they hadn’t approached us.

But up ahead, near another ladder going up, a couple young boys were surrounded by four adults who looked to be in their early twenties. The boys—pre-teens by the look of them, cowered as the other four circled them.

One of the four—who seemed to be the leader for the group—was a woman about five-seven.

She wore a red tube top, with a black layered tulle skirt that barely covered her ass.

She wore patent leather granny boots over striped leggings in yellow and burgundy.

Her hair reminded me of an old SNL character’s hair—Roseanne Rosanna Dana, and she wore eye liner that turned into a mask. Her lips were bright red.

The other three were men, with shirts open to the waist, tight pleather pants and gold chains around their necks. The blond had a mullet, the other two men had brown hair pulled back into sleek ponytails.

The kids stood back to back as the four adults circled them.

I knew exactly who the gang was. We were close enough for me to see the woman’s fangs descend. She licked her lips, gazing hungrily at the boys.

“Fuck. Vampires, and they’re going to drain those boys.” Before I realized what I was doing, I ran headlong their way. “Get the fuck away from those boys,” I shouted, bringing out my blade.

I heard Dante mutter, “Crap,” but he was right behind me. Orik made Penn and Carson go to the back, and he too, followed us.

The vamps turned our way. Their fangs were down, and they didn’t look at all intimidated. But the fear on the young boys’ faces spurred me on.

“And who do you think you are?” the woman asked, sauntering forward.

“You’re going to find out if you don’t let those kids go,” I said, as something shifted inside. “Nobody takes advantage of a child around me .”

“If they’re old enough to venture into our territory, they’re old enough to pay the price,” she said. “Run along now, and we’ll let you be. I’m hungry, and I fancy a snack,” she added, glancing back at the boys.

I was already on edge from rescuing Penn, and I was out of patience with assholes.

I gave in to the urge, letting out a guttural sound as my body began to shift.

My nails grew into talons, and ridges began to protrude from my forehead.

As the strength flooded into my body, I embraced it.

I felt strong and heady and glorious. I lowered my head a moment, reveling in the changes my body was going through, then slowly straightened, staring my prey in the eye.

“I said, back away.” I took a step forward.

Dante and Orik had broken off, moving to the side, but they stood steadfast. From where I was, I could sense Penn’s concern, but I brushed it away.

The vampire tilted her head. “What are you?”

“You really want to find out?” I glanced at her buddies. “Get the fuck away or I’ll drag you out into the sun and let you broil.”

The men moved back, shuffling their feet. As they backed away, I turned to the boys. “Climb. Get the fuck above ground and never come back down here. Do you understand? ”

They didn’t hesitate, but turned and scrambled for the ladder.

The vampire in front of me snarled, but held her ground. “Don’t play with me, whatever you are. This is my territory.”

I’d had enough. “It might be your territory, but rogue vampires are seldom welcomed by their kin who run the Vampire Federation.” And then, I fully snapped and leapt forward, body slamming her to the ground.

She was strong, and she fought back, but I held her fast, straddling her with my legs, pinning her against the brick.

I swiped across her face with one hand, my talons raking her deeply.

She hissed and I could tell she was trying to shift into a bat or mist or something else vampiric.

I clasped my hands, bringing my fists down onto her nose. A crack told me I’d broken her nose.

A noise startled me and I glanced over my shoulder.

Orik had landed his axe through the blond vampire, catching him in the heart, and the vamp burst into dust and vanished, ashes falling to the floor.

The other two were backing away, and as Orik took a step toward them, they made tracks, running at blur-speed down the hall.

I turned back to the vamp I was holding down.

“Do it,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “Just fucking do it. I don’t care anymore.”

Without a thought, without any remorse or guilt, I brought my blade down into her heart. She stiffened, then let out a garbled cry, and she—too—burst into ashes.

I stood, dusting myself off, then turned to stare at my companions. They looked different when I was in this form, more vulnerable. I waited as Dante and Penn approached.

“Kyann, come back to us. Remember yourself. Remember who you are,” Penn said.

I snorted. “This…is who I am . And I feel glorious.”

“You need to come back,” Dante said. “You don’t have the strength to control this side of yourself yet. Listen to us, please?”

From somewhere deep inside, a part of myself whispered, you have to go back inside. I’ll learn to let you out safely. Please, don’t hurt our friends.

I didn’t want to let go. I didn’t want to creep back inside, muffled and chained. But something sparked in me, like a fever dream, that I wasn’t safe if I stayed on the outside, and my friends weren’t safe. So I reluctantly let go, as my alter self emerged.

* * *

I blinked and let out a long breath. Then, overwhelmed by the energy from my inner demon, I began to shake.

“Are you okay, Kyann?” Dante asked.

I shook my head. “No…yes…I don’t know. I’m back now. But I have to talk to Seton. She’s getting stronger, and it’s harder to make her go back in.”

“Let’s get moving, before anybody else comes along,” Orik urged.

“Remember,” Penn said. “You saved those kids. Your demon didn’t like what was happening any more than you did. Don’t be too hard on yourself.”

I licked my lips, nodding. “I suppose you’re right.”

“You know I’m right,” she said.

As we climbed the ladder, I kept thinking about the vampire’s expression before I killed her. She knew she was going to die, and she looked relieved. I couldn’t be sure, but I had the impression that I’d freed her from a life she had never asked for.

We reached the top within minutes, finding ourselves on the other end of the parking lot. A short jog brought us back to our vehicles. It was nearing noon, and I was hungry as hell.

“Meet back at the office. Carson, can you call Sophia and ask her to order in lunch for all of us?” I fastened my seatbelt.

Penn, from the backseat, said, “I should contact the Crystal Court.”

“Yeah, about that,” I said. “We need to have a talk before you do that. It’s important.”

“All right,” Penn said, sounding puzzled

I put the car in gear and drove out of the parking lot, still dwelling on what had happened, and wondering if I would ever learn to control my inner demon. Or one day, would I be the one trapped inside, trying to get free?