Page 24 of Undying
Stanton pinches the bridge of his nose, like he’s searching for patience. While I don’t mind him being in charge of missions, I’m more of a blunt instrument and don’t need the headache of dealing with politics, I draw the line at him trying to force his arbitrary rules on the girl.
Stanton drags a hand through his hair and heaves out a sigh. “I’m sorry, but the girl is a suspect. Until she’s cleared and proves that she is not a danger to herself or others, access to the cell will be restricted.”
“Cleared? Suspect?” I cross my arms to keep from reaching out and snapping his scrawny neck, then dragging his body toward the cell and using his palm print to open the door.
It wouldn’t kill him, more the pity, but it would give me great satisfaction and free mysætaat the same time.
As if reading something on my face, Stanton shoots me an irritated look and shrugs. “If you don’t like my rules, then why wait? We’ll just turn her over to Gibbs and his rehabilitation team now. They won’t care if she’s guilty or not. The vampires will just see her as another female. If she’s labeled a bloodthirsty killer, she’d probably become even more valuable.”
I grit my teeth, my fingers itching for my axe. I bet I could remove his arm, unlock the door, and get the girl out before he could stop me.
The only thing holding me back is the fucker’s persistence.
He would never stop hunting us, and much to my consternation, I respect him enough not to kill him…yet.
After this mission, I have a feeling that might change.
I tip my head in grudging acknowledgment.
A concession.
A reluctant truce.
I turn and study Jolie, wondering what it is about her that triggers each of us, causing us to react to her so viscerally.
“You’re drawn to her as well,” I murmur, more to myself than him.
It’s the only thing that makes sense.
Why he’s being such an ass.
I glance over my shoulder at him, spotting a muscle jumping along his jaw.
Not surprisingly, the fucker ignores my accusation.
“We don’t have much time before the vampire families demand answers.” He crosses his arms—a sign that he’s going to be completely unreasonable and not budge on his stance. “Once the female is healed, we’ll get our answers, then report our findings. If I’m wrong and she is just the lone survivor of the massacre, then we need to discover the threat that’s big enough to take out an entire clan before they can strike again.”
* * *
JOLIE
Iremain as still as possible, not wanting to draw attention to myself as I listen to everything they say…and what they have planned for me.
They’re going to sell me like fucking cattle!
While I logically know supernatural creatures exist, I don’t really know anything beyond the fact they’re fucking predators in human form that take what they want without regard for who they hurt or kill. They see humans as nothing more than food, playthings to use for their pleasure.
If anyone protests, they’re paid off.
Generously.
Or disappeared.
For someone like me, who has no one that cares if I vanish from the face of the earth, I’m left forgotten and abandoned.
Now that I’m one of them, now that I’m a vampire, I can’t reconcile that I’m supposed to be one of the very predators I despise.
The time I spent in House Dafoe opened my eyes to a whole new world.
