Page 14 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
Grayson
"How does she disappear from thin air? She's not a goddamn witch," Mateo growls the words for the tenth time in the last twenty minutes.
Colt's fists clench and unclench as he stares out of the passenger window. He's been strangely quiet since we returned from New York this afternoon. I don't know if I've ever seen him this calm. He's prone to angry outbursts and using his rage against our enemies.
Maybe since the one we're chasing isn't precisely an enemy it's bothering him. Aside from explaining what happened, he hasn't said much. Colt's too busy inside his head.
I switch lanes to pass a slow car, driving the route on autopilot. I've made this particular drive a thousand times, most of the time I enjoy the trip.
Today's a little different.
Mateo shifts in the back seat, slightly rocking the SUV with his mass, and punches Colt's headrest.
The vampire glares at him. "Control yourself, Mateo."
I glance in the rearview mirror, watching as his face contorts with annoyance at being told what to do before smoothing into the cold, hard exterior of the Blood Mafia boss.
"We'll find her," Colt promises, his voice devoid of emotion. It's almost as though he doesn't care, but the total lack of reaction from him tells me he does, very much so.
Colt fingers the scar on his neck. I know where his thoughts are headed. Before he was turned, he was attacked by a woman he planned to propose to. Turns out she had a history of murdering the men she started to fall for. A twisted defense mechanism against feeling. Colt recovered from the attack, but not without his scars—both emotional and physical. It's been a long time since then. I assume Demi's attack hit a little too close to memories he'd rather forget.
When I take the exit and drive the short distance to Lacey's house, I examine my own feelings. I'll never tell Colt, but I'm slightly amused by our little Hunter. She's feisty to no end. I want her back now more than ever. Both Colt and Mateo exchanged blood with her. I'm desperate to do the same lest I fall out of the picture.
I'll be damned if they continue to gain the upper hand with Demi.
Lacey's house is an old cottage surrounded by tall weeping willows. I park under one to keep the midday sun from making the car hot, shut off the engine, and turn in my seat.
"Don't say anything to piss her off."
Mateo raises his eyebrows. "What makes you think I'd do that?"
I scoff and reach for the door. "If you want to find Demetria, you'll keep your mouth shut. You know she doesn't like you."
"She should be thanking me for allowing her to live."
He didn't let her do anything. I saved the little witch; he knew better than to try to hurt her.
I slam the door closed and smack the steering wheel. "Damn it, Mateo. We've been over this a thousand times. Can you for once leave your ego behind so Lacey can help us find Demi and bring her home?"
Colt and Mateo are staring at me when I glance at them, blinking at my outburst. Usually it's one of them yelling. I'm the funny, charming one.
Well guess what, motherfuckers, I can be an asshole when I need to be and I'll do about anything to get my little vixen back.
They haven't said a word, so I narrow my eyes on Mateo.
"Will you behave?"
He cants his head to the side and places a curled finger over his mouth. "Yes."
"Good, let's go."
I get out of the car, grabbing the small bag of Demi's belongings from the floorboard and not waiting for either of them as I head up to Lacey's porch. Her house is one of those big country homes with peeling white paint and a covered porch. The kind of house you'd expect to get a good serving of chicken fried steak from, not witch’s potions and hexes.
Opening the screen door, I lift my fist to rap on the door, but the little witch opens it before I can. She gives me a small, knowing smile.
"Trouble in vampire paradise?"
I ignore her question. I should have known she'd have sound amplification spells so she could eavesdrop on her visitors before they reached her door. A cheap but effective trick to make her seem more mystical to new clients.
