Page 23 of The Mafia Bloodline
My mouth went dry. “I…I was just going for a walk.”
His brow arched slightly. “Without telling anyone?”
“I didn’t realize I needed permission to get some air,” I shot back before I could stop myself. My voice sounded steadier than I felt.
Ashen’s head tilted, a faint, knowing smirk touching his mouth. “Volken doesn’t strike me as the type who likes surprises. Especially not when they involve his mate disappearing.”
My pulse jumped. “You wouldn’t…”
He already had his phone in his hand. “He’d want to know.”
Panic spiked. I stepped forward. “Please, don’t call him. I just…I have to check something, okay? About my father.”
Ashen’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second. “You should tell him that. Not me.”
“I can’t,” I said quietly. “He’ll stop me.”
He sighed, glancing toward the door, then back at me. “You don’t understand what’s out there. What’s hunting out there.”
“I do.” My voice cracked. “And that’s why I have to go.”
For a moment, I thought he might let me. His jaw worked, conflict flickering in his eyes. Then, with a low exhale, he hit dial.
“Damn it!” I hissed.
“A precaution,” he said simply, raising the phone to his ear. “Volken? It’s Ashen. You need to get back here. Your mate just walked out of the mansion.”
I didn’t wait to hear the rest. I bolted.
The heavy doors groaned as I shoved them open, cool air rushing over my face. I ran across the gravel drive, heart pounding, the sound of my boots sharp against the stones. Somewhere behind me, I heard Ashen curse, his voice echoing “Runa! Stop!”
But I didn’t. I couldn’t, because if I stopped, I’d lose the only lead I had left. If I stopped, I’d lose my father forever.
The cold night air stung my lungs as I ran. Gravel crunched under my boots, the mansion looming behind me like some great sleeping beast. My breath came in quick, shallow bursts as I reached the iron gates, tall, black, and unyielding, the Dragic crest gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
Two guards materialized out of the shadows before I could even reach for the latch. Both vampires. Both lethal.
“Ma’am.” The one on the left…Calder, I thought his name was, stepped forward, his hand out like he was calming a wild animal. “You shouldn’t be out here.”
“I need to go,” I said, breathless, chest tight. “It’s important.”
His expression didn’t flicker. “Our orders are clear. No one leaves the grounds after nightfall without clearance from the brothers. Especially not you.”
Especially not me. The mate, the liability. Frustration surged hot in my chest. “My father’s out there! He could be…”
“Ma’am.” His tone sharpened. “I’m sorry.”
Sorry. The word sliced through me, useless and final.
I turned away, fighting the sting of tears, scanning the high walls that enclosed the Dragic estate like a fortress. If I couldn’t go through, I’d go around.
The stone perimeter stretched far into the trees, tall enough to make climbing impossible, lined with silver-etched wards that shimmered faintly when the moonlight hit them. My heart pounded as I followed the wall, keeping low, until I reached the side gate near the eastern woods.
It was smaller. Less guarded…usually. Except tonight. A single vampire stood there, back straight, eyes scanning the perimeter. He was young, probably newly turned, but the glint of his fangs in the moonlight told me enough. He’d smell me before I even reached him.
“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, pressing my palms to my knees, trying to think.
And that was when I heard it… The low growl of an engine. Tires screeching up the gravel drive.
