Page 54 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

Predictably, Henry doesn’t listen to me. “Thank you, love. But I think I’ll see just how you were able to bewitch me while I’m in here.”

I grind my teeth. I really don’t want him figuring out I’m a siren. I reach for my power again, but now I’m too weak to use it. I used up all of my energy fighting Henry. If he doesn’t stop soon, I’m going to pass out.

Behind us, the elevator chimes its arrival, and I hear the doors slide open. I can’t turn to look, but sounds of a fight break out. There are several loud thumps—bodies hitting the ground—and something rolls past my foot. I have a feeling I know what it is. There are only so many ways to kill a vampire, and beheading is one of them. My stomach churns at the thought.

Both of the men holding me let go—first one, then the other. I want to run, but I’m blindfolded and handcuffed. I just have to trust that whoever is fighting Henry’s security team is on my side.

Using his vampire speed, Henry yanks me forward so fast he steals the scream from my lungs. He whirls me around so that my back is to his chest, and his hand circles my throat. “Take one more step, and she dies.”

I don’t think he’s kidding. Not surprising. Obsessed with me or not, Henry will always look out for himself above anyone else.

The sounds of fighting have stopped. I’m not sure if it’s because Henry is holding me hostage, or if the newcomer has simply killed everyone but Henry. There were five guys up here. Large vampires. If they’re all dead, I’m really impressed. Maybe there’s more than one intruder.

“Who are you?” Henry demands.

I recognize the quiet, deadly voice the instant he speaks. “My name is Illren Kovros.”

Henry sucks in a quiet breath, and the grip on my neck loosens a tiny bit. Obviously, he’s heard the name before. I almost grin.

Henry sounds a lot less sure of himself when he says, “What do you want?”

“You’ve kidnapped my mistress. I’ve come to take her home.” His next question is aimed at me. “Has he harmed you? You look pale.”

I quickly shake my head, not quite ready to sign Henry’s death warrant. “He’s just been shredding his way through my memory.”

There’s a long pause. I don’t need to see to know the tension is high. Even blindfolded, the hairs on my arms and the back of my neck stand up.

“Release her to me,” Illren demands, an unyielding edge in his voice.

Henry doesn’t move. “Yourmistress?” he asks, voice incredulous.

“Uh…yeah,” I say. “He sort of…swore fealty to me.” And for the moment, I think I’m glad he did.

“Release her to me now,” Illren repeats, “or I will kill your entire clan. I’ll come after them one by one until none remain save yourself, and then I’ll end your pathetic reign in this city. I’ll not only kill you, but I’ll destroy the legacy you’ve built for yourself.”

Considering he just killed five of Henry’s strongest vampires all by his lonesome, it’s not an idle threat, and I’m not the only one who knows it. Behind me, Henry gulps. I wish I could see the fear on his face. I’m not surprised when he lets me go. Like most bullies—which Henry totally is—he backs down the minute there’s a stronger threat than himself.

“Remove her blindfold,” Illren demands. The cloth is lifted off my eyes. I blink several times as I adjust to the light. Illren is literally a sight for sore eyes. He spares me only a quick glance before focusing back on Henry. “Now the cuffs.”

Henry wasn’t the man who cuffed me, but he still has a key. As soon as he frees me, I rub my sore wrists and then swing my stiff arms. They hurt. I’m wearing a long-sleeve sweater, so I can’t look, but I’m sure they’re bruised all to hell.

“Come, Nora,” Illren says.

I hesitate. Not because I don’t trust him, but because five headless bodies lie between him and me. It’s a grizzly sight, maybe the worst I’ve seen, and that’s saying something, considering the amount of death I’ve witnessed since joining the underworld.

Bile climbs up my throat, and I gag. The smell of copper is so thick I can practically taste it on my tongue.

“Where’s the fearless woman I saw wade through a devastating crime scene the other night?” Illren murmurs gently.

I shoot him anare you kiddinglook. “She’s busy trying not to vomit.”

Illren’s lips quirk into an almost smile. “You’ll be fine. Just watch your step.”

Well, whether I puke or not, I want out of here, so I suck in a deep breath and hold it in my lungs as I wade through the sea of headless vampires. I stumble a little. My legs are like wet noodles, but my knees don’t give out, and I’m grateful for that.

When I reach Illren, he says, “Would you like me to kill him?”

He asks the question so casually it’s almost laughable. I glance back at Henry. He’s glaring at Illren with red, glowing eyes, but he doesn’t dare make a single move.

---