Page 10 of Maddie

Alice’s eyes snapped open, glowing a bright blue. There was something wild in her expression, a desperation he’d never seen, like the gleam of an animal on the verge of starvation. A growl rose from her throat, low at first, then louder, monstrous. Her fingertips scraped across the velvet cushions. Noah tensed. She dug them in harder, ripping lines through the fabric.

And then she lunged at him. Noah reared back, tripping over his own feet, and landed hard on the wooden floor. Alice was on top of him before he could make sense of what had happened. Something sharp grazed his throat.

Alice disappeared almost as quickly as she’d attacked. Ferris held her to him, her back against his chest, as she snarled at Noah. Blood—hisblood—dripped off two elongated fangs.

The world slowed as Noah raised his hand to cover the scratch she’d given him. His sister almostbithim. What the fuck?

She tried to bite me.

Bite. Me.

“Up you go,” Maddie said and lifted him to his feet with far too much ease. “No use crying over a little spilled blood, right?”

He whipped his head to Maddie and stared, mouth open, at her. Was she serious?

“I have to leave now.” Maddie shouldered a small bag. “It seems you’re coming along with me instead of staying here. Unless you’re interested in feeding your sister?”

Noah felt the blood drain from his face. “I’m not feedinganyone.”

Maddie shrugged and gave a lightheartedhmm. “There’s powdered blood in the cabinets for you to mix with the water,” she told Ferris. “Use however much it takes.”

“It tastes like shit,” he grumbled.

“Yes, but it will do.” Maddie laughed. “Besides, we can’t risk bringing a human here for her.”

Ferris fished out a large ring of keys and plucked one off, handing the others to Maddie. “Fine, but don’t take too long.”

“Wait,” Noah rasped. “Where are we going now?”

“You used your one question already.” Maddie bopped him on the nose with the tip of her finger. “Let’s go, mortal.”

Chapter Five

Maddie

“Seriously, where are we going?” Noah asked, jogging up beside Maddie in the city street.

The night grew darker, making the red lanterns in Scarlet seem to glow brighter. Maddie hadn’t wanted to take the little mortal—or rather, big mortal—with her, but anyway, his height was beside the point. His sister had tried to make a meal out of him, and if Maddie and Ferris hadn’t been there, he would’ve been a dead human.

Noah’s warm hand wrapped around her arm and tugged her to a stop. If she wanted, she could easily pull from his grip and toss him to the ground, but she would give the mortal his moment.

“You’re a bold one, aren’t you?” Maddie grinned. “Any other vampire would’ve bitten your arm off.”

Noah’s eyes widened as he dropped her arm.

“I’m only teasing.” She paused, laughing silently to herself. “Or am I?”

“Listen, Maddie. At least tell me where we’re going.”

Maddie had told him she would give him one question, but to be fair, perhaps she could do another. After all, he did look a bit tense out here. She knew a good way to loosen those tense muscles of his, but with him as frightened as a kitten, a roll in bed would probably not go over so well.

“To my home.” She waved a hand in the air and continued her brisk pace.

“Your home?” Noah’s voice went up an octave. “Forwhat?”

“Quite the little questioner, aren’t you?” Maddie cut between two tall buildings lined with diamond-shaped windows. Boisterous growling and screams came from one of the structures. At the other, several of the vampires were feasting and fucking at the windows while some had their curtains drawn tight. Maddie preferred to take a lover behind closed doors, but there was always time to be venturous.

“Well?” Noah asked, arching his impeccable brow at her.

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