Destined for an Early Grave(73)

A laugh responded to that rude greeting. Hearing Bones so close hit me like a physical blow.

“Tepesh, I’ve come a long damned way to get here, and pretty as your little dragon door knockers are, I don’t fancy spending more time outside admiring them.”

Mencheres, more tactful, addressed Vlad with the patience a parent used on an errant child.

“Vlad, you know I cannot allow you to forbid entry to the co-ruler of my line. To do so would insult me as well, and I know you don’t mean to do that.”

“Let my men down,” Vlad said with an edge to his voice.

“Of course.” Mencheres actually made it sound like he’d forgotten about elevating over thirty vampires in the air. There were multiple thumps a moment later.

In another mood, I would have found that funny.

“Very well, come in.” Vlad’s tone was far from gracious. “But you’ll abuse my hospitality if you venture even a foot up those stairs, and we both know who I’m talking to.”

Bones laughed again, only this time, it sounded closer. They must be inside.

“Really, mate, you’re like a hound fretting over his scraps. Careful you don’t unwittingly combust, or you’ll ruin this fetching imitation Persian rug.”

“And I have had enough of your comments about my home!” Vlad barked. I could practically smell the smoke coming from him. “What do you want, not that you stand a fuck-all chance of getting it, mate.”

Vlad’s exaggerated Cockney accent drained away my momentary shock and turned it into alarm. Bones had wasted no time in getting Vlad good and mad. What was he up to?

“I’m here for Cat,” Bones replied, all bantering gone.

Such a wave of emotion swept over me that I felt dizzy. Just as quickly, I slammed my mind shut, wishing I could do the same with my heart. This could be about business. I wouldn’t humiliate myself by letting Bones know how just the sound of his voice was affecting me. Bones had said how great my shields were at keeping him out. Here’s hoping I hadn’t lost my touch.

“If she doesn’t want to see you, then you’ve wasted your time,” Vlad said, each word a dare.

I was still making up my mind whether or not I did want to see Bones when he let out a rude snort.

“You misunderstand, Tepesh. I’m not here to see her. I’m taking her with me.”

My jaw dropped. Vlad let out something like a growl. “I’ll fry you where you stand.”

The unmistakable sound of knives scraping together had me out of the room, shoving Maximus aside with all my inhuman strength even as Bones replied, “Try it.”

“Stop!”

Three heads swiveled up toward me. Vlad’s hands were still in flames, and Bones had two silver knives in his grip. Mencheres stood a few feet off, watching them like a silent referee. I came down the stairs. Fabian floated after me, darting in and out of the wall.

A glance showed me what was different about Bones since I’d last seen him. His hair was shorter, cropped close to his head and curling at the tips. His eyes were hooded as they met mine. Devoid of any emotion at all. That was the hardest thing to see.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked him.

“Getting you,” he answered, arching a brow.

If he’d said it while holding out roses and apologizing, I might have been moved. But Bones said it like he was talking about a pair of shoes he’d misplaced. I narrowed my eyes.

“And what if I don’t want to be gotten?”

Bones looked at Vlad, at me, and gave a frightening smile.

“Then as his guest, Tepesh will feel honor-bound to defend you. That means he and I will have to fight, and he’s quite brassed off already. I reckon he’ll try to burn me to ashes straightaway. Of course, that’s if I don’t rip his heart open with silver first. So if you refuse to come with me, one of us will be dead in the next few minutes. Or, you can come along and we’ll both live.”

Vlad let out a foul curse even as I sputtered, “Are you serious? You left me, remember? Now you want to fight to the death over me? What kind of game is this?”

“No game, luv,” Bones replied. “Just retrieving what’s mine. You might want to decide soon. Vlad looks as though he’s about to explode.”

I cast a quick glance at Vlad, who did look like he was moments away from detonation.

“You come into my home to blackmail my friend?” Vlad snarled. Those flames climbed higher on his arms. “I’ll—”

“I’m leaving.”

Vlad swung his gaze to me. I reached out, ignoring the licking flames on his arm. “Don’t. I couldn’t…”