Page 27 of Taming the Beasts

“Woah. Who said anything about torturing her?”

“Oh. Did you not? I thought you did.” Emma laughed. “I guess I just really want to slap her for ruining tonight. I should have been celebrating with Callum, not chasing her ass around town.”

Yeah, this was not a good way to spend your engagement night. Or the first day you became official with your boyfriends. “You should go celebrate. I’m going to head home.”

Emma smiled. “This is your home.”

I shook my head. “Not anymore.” I stood up. “We’ll meet up back here in the morning and figure out what our next steps are.”

“Deal.”

I pulled Emma into a hug. “I’m so so happy for you.”

“I’m so happy for you.” She squeezed me tight.

“Now go celebrate with your vampire fiancé.” I slapped her butt.

She laughed and opened the door. “Don’t let that coin out of your sight.”

“I won’t. And don’t tell Callum anything yet. I really want to tell the guys all at once after we sort out what the hell is going on with Kebe.”

Emma nodded. “My lips are sealed.”

She closed the door and I bent down and zipped up Kebe’s suitcase. I put it back where I’d found it. And then I lifted the coin out of my pocket.

I knew Emma and Grudge’s suspicions were valid. Hell, I agreed with every word. The god of the dead should have nothing to do with curing werecats or vampires. And Kebe was suspicious as hell. She was a liar and a thief, just like Grudge said. She was up to something.

But…I felt the power of the coin. I closed my fist around it and felt the warmth spread through my palm. I couldn’t read auras, but this coin felt good. All the research in the world couldn’t sway me from using it tomorrow.

Chapter 7

Thursday

Zoey

I tried to turn the doorknob, but it was locked. It was late. I knew the guys had work in the morning, and I didn’t want to wake them. But they hadn’t given me a key. They probably hid a spare key somewhere. I looked under the doormat. Then beneath a potted plant. Nothing.

A chill ran down my spine. I turned around, but there was no one there. It wasn’t just Kebe’s words in my head now. It was Otto’s. He’d said something had shifted in the air. And I was pretty sure I felt it too. Something felt off tonight. Otto had told me he didn’t want me wandering around alone, and here I was doing just that.Fuck.

I picked up another potted plant to search for a key and the door opened. Titan was standing in the doorway. And he did not look happy to see me. He looked even more menacing with the shadows the moonlight cast on his face.

“Going for two breaking and entering charges in one night?” he asked.

“I wasn’t charged earlier,” I said. “And I don’t think you’re about to call the cops now.”I hope.I laughed uneasily and put the plant back down. “Sorry, I didn’t want to wake you guys.” I expected him to invite meinside. Or at least step to the side so I could come in. But we both just stood there staring at each other. Or maybe he was glaring at me.

“Empty your pockets,” he said.

“What?”

“You heard me, doll.”

I tried to laugh it off. “I told you I didn’t take anything.”

“Zoey, I’m not going to repeat myself. When I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it.”

I swallowed hard. The coin was in my pocket. I hadn’t gotten a chance to discuss the next steps with Emma. We had to be on the same page about the cure because it was for Callum too. “I didn’t take anything,” I said more firmly.

He cocked his head to the side as he glared at me. “Funny. You were good at following instructions the other night online.”