Page 55 of Witch Unbound
“And what the fuck do you intend to do?” Sloane asked. “Parade her around the town with an open vein?”
Vlad slow-blinked. “My brothers have pinpointed a location where the original’s scent is strongest. We will go there, open your vein, and amplify the scent of your blood. He will come and wewillend him.” He fixed his dark eyes on me. “Will you help us?”
He made it sound so simple when in reality nothing that involved bloodsuckers ever was, but what choice did I have. We needed to find this fucker and get him off the streets.
I looked to Tor, whose expression was stoic and set. “Tor…”
“I know,” he said. “But if you go, so do we.”
“Agreed,” Rune and Leif said at the same time.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible,” Vlad replied. “If he catches your shifter scent, the plan will be ruined.”
Sloane opened her mouth to speak.
“And you reek of his progeny,” Vlad snapped, lips curling in disgust. “Be grateful I don’t snap your neck this instant. You may not be an ice walker, but you’re still an abomination and he will know you.”
Sloane’s jaw ticked as she wrestled with the insult. “What about your scent?”
“Masked.”
Was there anything these vampires from another world couldn’t do?
“Fine,” Bramble said. “Wolves can’t go, and Sloane can’t go, but there’s no reason why I can’t.” She glared at him in challenge.
“Wren come too.”
My buddy appeared beside me and wrapped his arms around my calf.
Vlad seemed to consider this for a moment and then nodded curtly. “Agreed.”
He blur-moved past Rune, and the next thing I knew he was standing right behind me with his hand wrapped around my nape. And why the heck had I thought he needed to be invited in?
Tor took a step toward us, but Vlad’s head jerked up and my mate went flying across the room. He skidded to a halt and fell into a crouch, chest vibrating with displeasure, ready to attack.
Leif’s and Rune’s growls joined his.
Yes, I’d agreed to go with Vlad, but his sudden move and his hand on me would be viewed as an attack by my mates’ beasts.
“It’s okay.” I smiled at them reassuringly. “I’ll be fine.”
“I give you my word she won’t be harmed,” Vlad said.
Tor locked gazes with the vampire and something indecipherable passed between them. He stood and gave a slight nod.
Wren scrambled up into my arms as Vlad held his free hand out to Bramble. She took it and then the world dissolved into green mist.
* * *
We materializedin an alley behind what smelled like a fast-food place, but aside from that I had no clue where we were. Leyton or a neighboring town, maybe? Vlad hadn’t volunteered that information.
Mircea and Radu were already here, standing beside a dumpster, looking like they’d rather be anywhere else.
Couldn’t blame them, really.
“Took your time,” Radu snarled. His menacing gaze fell to me. “I’m hungry.”
A low, threatening growl emanated from Wren. His body vibrated against me and thick black talons pushed out of his paws, slicing at the material of my sweatshirt.
