Page 117 of Inbetweeners
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Nix could see no way out of his future. He’d already decided on what he needed to do when the time came, not that he’d tell Emmett, or Tar. He hoped the plan was safe in his head, because the last person he needed to know about it was Vin. But Nix couldn’t be sure Vin wouldn’t be aware, so hewouldbe telling Emmett his intentions at some point to ensure the plan worked.
Just not yet.
Tonight, either he or Emmett had to stay with Tar. It was the only way Nix could keep Emmett safe from Vin. Probably Harry and Rashid too, and even Cat. Only three more of Emmett’s lives could be safely lost. But Nix didn’t want him to lose even one. Emmett looked more exhausted each time he died and sending those inbetweeners back had also taken its toll. Nix wasn’t sure he’d even managed to send back one. Charlie, the first guy, had held both their hands but Nix suspected it was Emmett who’d helped him on his way.
So why had he been brought from Hell? Why was he needed?
Emmett clung to his hand as they walked through the town. “You think he’s going to be in?”
“Yes.” Because Nix had already texted and told him they needed to see him.
The door opened moments after they’d knocked, and they found themselves facing a stranger.
“Yes?” the guy asked.
“Nix and Emmett to see Tar,” Nix said.
“The disappointment.” The guy clutched his chest. “Am I not tall, dark and handsome enough?”
“I don’t know. Are you?” Nix asked.
“I’m slightly less deadly. That should be a plus.” The guy moved back to allow them in. “My name’s Matthias. Do follow my arse and feel free to admire it on the way. But no touching. Oh, all right, yes you can touch, if you must.”
Emmett laughed.
“Someone who appreciates my humour.”
“But not your arse,” Nix said.
“Well…” Emmett said.
“Pity it’s attached to an arsehole.” Nix couldn’t resist.
Matthias chuckled. “Quite right. Tall, dark, handsome and an arsehole. How astute for such a brief acquaintance.”
They followed him up to the same room Nix had been in before, probably Emmett too. Tar sat behind his desk.
“Delivered intact as requested,” Matthias said. “But the shorter one is so tempting. He smells absolutely divine.” He bent his head to Emmett’s neck, inhaled then exhaled with a long sigh.
Nix glared, but bit back the words he wanted to throw because Emmett wasn’t his, was he? Matthias smiled and revealed fangs.
Well, now they’d definitely met a vampire.Shit!
“Oh,” Emmett said. “I’ve never met a tiger shifter before.”
Matthias chuckled. “Totally divine.”
“Thanks, Matthias. You can go now,” Tar said. “You two take a seat.”
They settled in the chairs.
“Progress?” Tar asked.
“We found nine people who’d not moved on,” Emmett said. “Six of them now have. One went missing and the other two will leave shortly. But we’ve never managed to get to an address in time to save anyone.”
“That wasn’t expected.”
