Page 39 of Ruthlessly Mated
Having one mate suddenly would be complicated enough. Three of them is almost too complex. I have things to do. I have revenge to get. I have a lifetime of pain to avenge, and I figure if this is fated, I can’t really fuck it up. On the other hand, the vengeance? Alexander? That I can definitely fuck up.
I’m going to finish what I started. I’ve been honest with them. They know what I’m about. They can choose someone else. They can choose something else. Actually, now that I think about it, the best thing I can do for them is just go ahead and try to keep them out of the way.
They’re going to try to get me out of this situation.
And I’m going to do my best to keep them out of it.
I look around at three men I already care for more than makes any kind of sense, and I know that things just got really, really fucking complicated.
CHAPTER 5
Tailor
This has been a day of diplomacy, and subtle attempts to rein our mate in, but ultimately we’ve decided to just get her the hell out of this city. I’m slightly annoyed, because the vampire is no doubt on our tail and we have managed to waste most of the day with this bickering, the public thrashing, the general chaos of trying to be together.
I slip out while Kita is distracted with the other two in order to find a way out of the city. Part of their hysteria around vampires and werewolves means that the walls are closed at night. The gates are sealed and manned with guards. These people are absolutely vigilant against a threat that might never come, and I admire them greatly.
I can see the gates from the vantage point of the apartment Kita rented. She picked a good spot. She is a canny operator. If she had not been caught at the port, she might very well have managed to pull this entire heist off without being detected atall. I suspect the vampire knows where his maker’s heart is through his senses.
She’s far from stupid, our little mate. She’s smart and she’s reckless, which is a terrifying combination because I don’t think she cares about consequences at all. Conroy’s repeated punishments have done absolutely nothing to her. She has not become even slightly more submissive as a result. If anything, the more he dominates her, the more she fights back.
I straighten my waistcoat and head to the nearest gate. It is time to gather a little intel. I approach a guard at the gate, a tall young man who seems to be taking himself very seriously. He looks at me down his nose, which involves him having to tilt his head back. He is wearing two gold badges, one with a set of vampire fangs, the other with a set of wolf fangs, both of them with lines through them. They are set on the lapels of a very fetching black uniform that must be absolutely hell to wear during the day, though now that I think about it, the day uniforms are a rust red. Impressive. I do appreciate attention to detail.
“When will the gates open in the morning, sir?”
They like it when you call them sir.
“Won’t be opening,” he says. “Curfew is in full effect. Return to your place of residence immediately.”
“Oh, of course. May I ask why? I must have missed the information. Very sorry.”
He gives me a look like I am an idiot. I fantasize about ripping his throat out. I could use a little respect from someone. I’m starting to feel as though there’s a distinct lack of respect of late. I’d take a please, or maybe a thank you.
“City’s been shut down. Gates are closed. Nobody is getting in or out.”
“And why is that?”
He sighs, as if he is thoroughly annoyed by the fact I am asking for actual information. He thinks citizens should do as they are told, no matter what. He’d no doubt bayonet me for the fun of it if I gave him much more of an excuse—and if he had a bayonet.
“We’ve received word that a vampire army is marching on us. We don’t want people panicking and leaving, becoming prey for the vampires, or worse, being turned into them. UV is going to be running around the clock. We’re redoubling the silvering.”
“Sounds like you have it under control. We’ve just come through making deliveries though, and we’re expected further up the coast…”
“Nobody gets in or out. Lord Forthrill has ordered a complete quarantine. We won’t be opening the city until we’re sure the vampire threat has been neutralized.”
“So… until morning? They can’t walk during the day, can they? Vampires?”
“Complete and total shutdown until further notice.”
“Thank you,” I say. “Good to know we will all be safe.”
I go back to the apartment at a quick clip, hopefully making the guard feel as though I am doing as he told me. That will please him. Give him a real sense of achievement.
We’ve got to get out of here before that army reaches the gates. There is no way this city is going to stand against a vampire army. They think they’re prepared, but having looked into theeyes of Alexander, and having experienced true horror and terror at his hands, I know very well that these people have no choice.
They’re trapping us, and everyone here, in like rodents. People are going to start panicking soon enough, once they realize that the vampires, their greatest fears, are on the way. It’s going to get messy.
I go back to the little rented house and try to work out how to give the news.
