Page 47 of The Predator
Rianne pushed the dart gun down so Noah was aiming it at the ground. “We didn’t know Sam was coming to see you.”
“But the minute we did,” Noah said giddily, “we jumped into action. You know we’re always ready to burn vampires.”
I needed to take an extremely long shower to get the scum of Noah off me.
I lasered my gaze on Rianne. I was still dumbfounded by her change in attitude. “Did you enlist in the air force? Or was that a ploy?”
“I’ve decided to join Uncle Jack,” Rianne replied. “It’s time I take a stand and follow my true calling.”
Rain slid over my eyes and cheeks and into my mouth. “Yeah, and what is your true calling?”
“Not sleeping with vampires,” she chided.
My mind was blown. “Who are you? I think Noah brainwashed you.”
The bill of her ball cap kept most of her expression in shadow, but that snarl she was wearing said it all. “No. He made me see the light. What happened to you while in Sam’s company made you weak,” Rianne said. “He made you a nutcase. I mean, who is to say you’re not pregnant?”
Noah jerked back. “For fuck’s sake. Can that happen to you?”
Rianne glared at me. “Think about it, Noah. If it’s true, and my mom had vampire blood in her, who’s to say Layla doesn’t have the right blood type to get pregnant?”
I snorted. “If I do, then you do too.” That wasn’t entirely correct. My sisters and I could have had different blood types. Still, to infer I had Vel-negative blood just because there was a vampire or two in our lineage was a stretch. “Rianne, please rethink what you’re doing,” I pleaded.
She stood taller. “I know what I’m doing. I’m ridding the world of one of the most powerful vampires. When I’m done, his sister is next.”
Noah grinned like he was proud of her. “I’ve been waiting for Rianne to wake up and join the family.”
“Sam saved your life,” I reminded her. “Are you forgetting that? You were all over him after he did.”
She flinched slightly.
Yeah, I hit a nerve. That was my opening to push harder. “Rianne, please.”
Noah dug into his coat pocket. “Wow, you’re really into the bloodsucker.” He pulled out a lighter and flicked it. “Time to say goodbye.” Then he threw it in the firepit.
I screamed at the top of my lungs as I ran toward Sam.
My vision blurred as two things happened simultaneously. I bumped against Rianne as she blocked me, and Sam woke up.
His green eyes glowed as he examined himself. When he did, he growled so loud that I was sure the coyotes and any other animals ran for the mountains.
A ring of fire circled the pit as flames flickered upward, grazing his boots.
Outwardly, Sam was calm as the ocean on a warm summer day. Inside, I would bet my life that he was raging like the storm around us.
He closed his eyes and dipped his chin to his chest as though preparing himself to break free.
Noah aimed the dart gun at Sam.
I pushed Rianne hard and ran past her. I had no idea how to help Sam, but I was hoping the rain would drench the fire. At the moment, it wasn’t anywhere near roaring like it should have been.
Just as I gripped Sam’s ankles, Rianne pulled out a dart gun. “Get away from him, Layla.”
With two dart guns—one pointed at Sam and the other me—we didn’t stand a chance. If I passed out, Sam would burn.
I swallowed the dryness in my throat. I raised my hands and slowly backed away.
Rianne lowered her gun, seemingly relieved that she didn’t have to shoot me.
