Page 62 of Bitten Vampire
Window,Beryl taps the glass.
It’s a long drop. Twenty feet at least.
“You want me to jump?”
Look at the sky, any minute now you will turn into a bloodsucker.
My heart gives its final beat. One last thud and silence. Dreadfully familiar.
“For Baylor,” I mutter. I rip the evidence pouch off, slip it into an overflowing bin, open the window and drop the bag outside. Rather than jump, I wriggle forward on my stomach, swing a leg over the sill, grip the window frame, and dangle, probing with my toes for the top edge of the window below.Just like the chin-up experiment, I will be fine.
Beryl prods my foot.
“Stop poking.”
Well, hurry up. You are going to get caught. We still need to fetch the dog.
Her next nudge helps guide my feet. It’s difficult as I’m so petite. I drop one and a half levels—eight feet left—when strong hands clamp my waist. I yelp as I’m lifted down and against a broad, iron-hard chest.
Musk, metal, and power. I know by scent.
“What are you doing, sunshine?” Valdarr’s voice is velvet amusement in my ear. “I arrange your release, and I find you escaping through a window like a burglar. Are you hurt?”
He turns me to face him, his tattooed fingers gentle as he cups my cheek.
“I’m fine.” I search surreptitiously for Beryl. Mercifully, she has hidden and refrained from stabbing him. I will take that as a win.
“I’ll need to make calls to explain your ‘exit.’ Come, Baylor awaits.”
“Baylor?”
“I collected him from Animal Control before they closed. He’s in the car, doubtless chewing something expensive. Shall we?”
He hefts the bag and gestures towards the car park.
“What? You have rescued Baylor?” I blurt, a surge of love for this man flooding my chest. “Thank you so much.” Relief washes through me—my buddy is safe.
Valdarr guides me to the same black, UV-armoured car we used earlier, its tinted windows beaded with drizzle, the engine idling. The driver has his arms wrapped protectively around the headrest to shield it from Baylor’s teeth, but all that’s forgotten the moment the door opens.
Baylor spots me and lets out a joyous howl, his whole body vibrating as he dances across the back seat. I wince when his claws scrape the leather. I dive into the car and wrap my arms around him. I lavish him with kisses as he wriggles.
“I missed you too, buddy, so much. Have—”kiss“you—”kiss“been—”kiss“a good boy for Valdarr? I hope youhaven’t bitten anyone. No biting people, even when Mummy says so. I was wrong to ask you to nip the nasty mage. We won’t do that again.”
A familiar chuckle interrupts.
I glance up and freeze. Lander is standing outside the car, watching us. Instinctively I shove Baylor behind me, arms spread wide to block him.
“What ishedoing here?” I growl.
“You never told me she’s so adorable. After that display, I could even forgive her for breaking my wand,” Lander says, patting Valdarr’s shoulder as though they are old friends.
My stomach drops. “What is going on? Are you friends with him?” I shoot Valdarr a sharp, disappointed glare.
“Hero to zero in three seconds, tough crowd,” Lander says smoothly. “Look, love, I’m not a bad guy. I was doing my job. There’s a warrant for your arrest, and that house has caused problems for years.”
“Name one thing she’s done wrong.” I don’t wait for his answer. “Nothing. House has done nothing wrong. Admit you are a horrible person.”
“She interfered with a shifter’s turning, and with you.” His gaze hardens. “Why do you think you’re human by day, yet clearly of the fanged persuasion now? She meddled; you were never meant to turn.”
