Page 67 of Bitten Vampire
“All right.” I slide her into a back pocket. “Can you see from there?”
I don’t have eyes,she grumbles.I sense things.
We sneak through silent corridors—Baylor knows the way—and reach the front door, where two guards stand post.
Oh. No.
Why didn’t I think of this? Of course there would be daytime security, not just the ward. Now I’ve broken the promise I made at the wedding. Valdarr asked me to keep my daytime humanity secret, and by flouncing out the front door I’ve ruined everything.
Perhaps they will think I’m a blood donor or a thrall?
“Ms Crowsdale,” one says, nodding. I grimace. “I’m Lee, and this is Oscar. We’re part of the day team. I understand you know the rules, but?—”
“I do,” I interrupt. “Baylor needs the loo. Promise we will be quick.”
Lee smiles at Baylor’s increasingly frantic dancing. “Today should be fine. I’ll clear it with the Heir tonight. I’m sure he’ll allow you anything.”
Odd remark. I thank him and slip outside. Once clear of the guards, I unclip Baylor. He sniffs everything, circling me a dozen times before disappearing entirely.
“Baylor!”
Ten frantic minutes later I find him head-first in a burrow, soil flying.
“What would you do if you caught a rabbit?” I mutter, clipping his lead. “Naughty boy.”
We wander further, marvelling at the sheer size of the estate, until a couple of figures lurking ahead stop me cold. Wrong clothes—matte black swirled with grey, black-and-grey tactical gear, exactly like the vampire assassins from the night before.
Not Valdarr’s people.
Human assassins.
Beryl snaps out of my pocket.We have a problem.
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I whisper, backing away as Baylor growls.
I hurry away.
Where are you going? she demands.You are a member of this clan. Stop them!
I glance behind me, and Beryl hovers like an impatient wasp.
“Me?” I whisper back, pointing at my chest. “What do you think I can do? Security is here for that. We can warn them, walk to the gate and use the radio?—”
If those humans are here, then the security people at the gate are already dead. I will take the heavy lifting; you juststay with me. I’m not leaving you on your own. You will get into trouble, she mutters.
“I thought you were a vampire hunter. Why would you protect vampires from humans?”
I hunt the bad ones. Those men work for even worse vampires. Attacking during the day isn’t a fair fight. It is wrong. And what if they killyourvampire, strike when he can’t defend himself? How tragic would that be?
A protective spark flares hot in my chest. They will not hurt my vampire. My stomach churns. I’m no fighter, yet Beryl seems confident enough for both of us.
Baylor pads silently at my side, shoulder brushing my leg, tense and alert.
We creep along a hedgerow. I try to tread lightly, but every step crackles. Even Baylor seems to side-eye me. The louder I trynotto be, the more I sound like a baby elephant.
“Not helpful,” I hiss when another twig snaps.
We round a corner and spot the same two men.
