She squeezed his hand and smiled. “Since David has killed the mood”—he might as well have dumped several gallons of ice water on them when he had flown over—“I suppose I should begin tonight’s hunt.”
He released her hand with obvious reluctance. “Shall I accompany you?” he asked as she donned her coat and helmet.
“If worry prompted that question, then my answer is I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“Have you any of the auto-injectors that bear the sedative on you?”
She swore. “No. And I don’t think we have any at the house.”
“Then I shall accompany you.”
She eyed him speculatively. “What would you be doing if you didn’t accompany me?”
“Prowling around and seeing what the Others are up to.”
Fear rose. “Zach—”
He held up a hand. “They won’t let me go easily, Lisette. I know they’re still searching for me. They must be. I need to know where and how. For my own safety and for yours. I need to know if they’ve discovered my connection to you. If they know you helped me. What exactly they intend to do if they find me.”
“How can you do that without them capturing you again?” She had seen their brand of punishment and didn’t want him to be subjected to it again because he worried they might come after her.
“When I’m at full strength, I can conceal my presence from them even when I’m in close proximity to them, the way I did with Seth and David earlier. They only know where I am if I want them to know.”
“And you’re at full strength now?”
“Yes.”
“Not ninety percent or ninety-five percent,” she clarified. “But one hundred percent?”
“Yes.”
She could detect no uncertainty in his tone. “All right. Go then.”
“I’d rather you not hunt alone when you don’t have the sedative.”
“It’s just for one night. Watch.” Tugging out her cell phone, she dialed Tracy.
“Yeah?” Disturbed’s “Droppin’ Plates” blared in the background.
“Where are you?” Lisette asked.
“On the road, headed home.”
“Do we have any of the sedative at the house?”
Tracy swore. “No. I’ll swing by the network on my way back to David’s and pick some up.”
“Thanks.” Ending the call, Lisette arched a brow. “You see? All taken care of. It will be in my hands tomorrow night.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d rather you not hunt alone tonight without it.”
She groaned. It was like dealing with Seth or her brothers. “Are you going to be this stubborn about everything?”
“Everything that involves your safety,” he said, unmovable.
“Fine. I’ll go by the network myself and pick up the sedative, even though it will take over an hour away from tonight’s hunt.”
His face cleared as he lowered his arms. “Thank you.”
“What about you?” she asked. Two could play the overprotective game. “What weapons will you carry with you when you go spy on the Others?”
“I have no weapons.”
She stared at him. “None?”
“Not one. Though I know how to use them, I’ve never needed to carry them.”
Well, screw that. Crossing to stand before him, Lisette gripped the lapels of her coat and opened it wide. A small arsenal hid inside, tucked into various and assorted loops and pockets and sheaths. “Take your pick.”
His eyes lit with a faint golden glow. “I can have anything I want?” he asked in a silky voice that turned her insides to mush.
Her pulse leapt. “Yes.”
“How you tempt me,” he murmured. Stepping so close she could feel his warm breath on her forehead, he reached inside the coat on either side of her and drew two daggers from their sheaths. “Thank you. Be safe.”
She kissed his chin. “You too.”
As he backed away, his wings reappeared. “May I see you again tonight? After your hunt?”
She nodded. “Meet me at my place.”
Offering her another courtly bow, he leapt up, drew his wings down, and sailed into the moonlight.
Lisette intended to swing by network headquarters and pick up the sedative. She really did. But, on her way there, she heard Étienne call out to her.
Lisette!
Yes?
Where are you?
On my way to the network.
Fuck the network. Come to UNCG. Krysta and I have come up against some of the vampires with skills, and I fear she’ll be injured.
Do you have any of the sedative on you?
No, we were headed to the network to pick some up when we caught wind of the vamps.
I’m on my way.
Lucky for him, the new network headquarters was just outside of Greensboro. If she defied every speed limit and traffic law, she could be there in only a couple of minutes.