Page 13 of Born Wicked

I wipe my hand over my mouth, and my stomach turns.

Just how many humans are carrying something in their blood that can put a vampire in a coma?

Sebastian had been terrified and mad when he found me drinking from a live person because he had already done something he knew would start making vampires sick. He’d had all that donated blood delivered to me so I wouldn’t have to go out hunting and feeding for months.

No vampires.

No threat to Juliet.

My fingers rise up to comb into my hair as I turn, my eyes scanning the city.

There are nearly three million people who live in this city. That’s three million ways to poison a vampire.

But how the hell did Sebastian manage to make so many humans toxic?

And it hits me like a bolt sent straight from Zeus.

What do all humans consume, no matter what, because they need it to survive?

Water.

I’m dashing down the street, faster than I should be, considering people are waking and getting ready to head into work. But there isn’t time. Every second counts right now, and I have to get back to my apartment to change.

I drag my phone out of my pocket and hold it to my ear.

“Where does Chicago get its water supply from?” I demand the second Roman answers the phone.

“Lake Michigan,” he reports. His voice is instantly on edge. I hear the action in it, he reads the urgency in my tone. “Why?”

“Because I think that’s how Sebastian poisoned so many vampires, and maybe even the gifted,” I huff as I dart around a corner and head straight for my building as it comes into view. “Every human has to drink water. And what quicker way to take out the vampires than by poisoning their source of survival?”

Roman curses, loudly.

“Can you pick me up from my apartment in ten minutes?” I ask as I cross the last street and walk to the main doors.

“I’ll be there in six,” he says and hangs up.

The elevator ride feels excruciatingly slow as it rises thirty-two floors. I’m bouncing on the balls of my feet, barely able to contain the frantic energy surging through my system. Now that we have something,anything,I’m ready to do whatever it takes to bring this all to an end.

I nearly break my key off in the lock as I rush to get the door open. I’m shedding scrubs as I cross the apartment and stride straight into the closet. I shimmy my way into some jeans, pull on a green long-sleeved t-shirt, and a puffy black winter coat. I stuff my feet into boots. I snatch a tie from the bathroom counter and tug my hair up and out of my face as I ride the elevator back down.

The second I step outside, Roman screeches to a halt right in front of me at the curb. I hold my phone to my ear again as I drop into the passenger seat.

Mason answers after just one ring.

“Did Elena go out and feed the night she got sick?” I fire off without a single pleasantry.

“Why?” he questions, confused.

“Mason! Did she, or didn’t she?” I demand, the panic rising in me.

“Calm down,” he says, his tone coming out annoyed at all my demands. “Now that I think about it, yes, I’m pretty sure she did.”

“Sure, or pretty sure?” I bark.

“It was over three weeks ago,” he bites back, probably the first hard words we’ve ever thrown at each other. “I’m pretty sure. What the hell is going on, Juliet?”

I end the call, letting out a hard, panting breath.

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