Page 36 of Blood Taken (Blood Mafia 2)
The dash clock is showing it's two-thirty in the morning. We had to wait until most of the Hunters returned to their rooms before leaving. In that time, Nicole retrieved a healing potion from Quorana. The elixir tasted awful, but luckily I had vodka to chase the bitter liquid. Now my bruises have faded and it no longer hurts to move.
I guess witches aren’t so bad.
Maria keeps the headlights off as she drives through the compound. The gate opens after she types in her passcode, the screech of the metal is loud enough to make the hairs on my neck rise.
Shit.
Will Gerry send someone for us if he sees what's happening?
When she pulls onto the main road, she floors it. Relief floods through me with every mile between me and the compound. I watch through the back window, waiting for Jeeps to rush after us. Five minutes pass and I don't see any lights sweeping out of the gate.
I face forward, fighting the constant urge to check no one has followed. I should be more worried about who's coming for me.
We're heading toward one of the smaller towns we passed on the drive up. It's about twenty miles away.
"Do you have everything you need?" Maria asks, flicking her gaze to mine in the rearview mirror.
I don't answer.
"Do you need cash?" Nicole asks. "I can give you some."
I shake my head.
Nicole's lips pull down, marring her pretty face with a frown.
They don't bother talking to me once they realize I'm not going to respond. Quorana's pendant was the only chance I had at living off their radar. I wasn't strong enough to fight my mother for it. No amount of training can compete with supe strength.
I curse my powers. Only twenty-one hours or so until I can use them. Tonight at nine-thirty I'll turn twenty-five. Then I won't be a victim of other beings. No one will take me against my will ever again.
My only protection now is a knife. One dagger the vampires won't let me keep. Especially not after what I did to Colt. I close my eyes, fighting back a scream.
I'm so angry.
The seat belt pulls tight against my body when the car jerks forward. I open my eyes to see Maria's slamming on the brakes and staring straight ahead. I follow her gaze.
My heart stops beating.
Colt.
His green eyes are cold and unreadable. He's looking straight at me, but it's almost like he's not really seeing me. I move my gaze to Mateo's then to Grayson's. They're easier to read.
Mateo looks like he's been brought a lamb.
Grayson is amused.
I lean forward and place my mouth next to my mother's ear. "Still think I'll be safe?"
She swallows. "He won't hurt you. Neither will they, he's their sire. This is better than certain death."
"Is it?" I ask, pointing to Colt. "He's the one I stabbed. Does he look like he's happy to see me?" Then I point to Mateo. "Does he look like he wants to protect me?"
Mateo tips his head as though he wants to hear her answer.
"Demi," she whispers in apology.
"Goodbye, Nicole." I climb out of the car, ignoring Maria when she calls my name again. I heft the bag over my shoulder and strut up to the vampires.
Placing a hand on my hip, I smile, pretending I'm not scared shitless.
