Replica(53)

“Vampires can lose their minds. But it happens to those who do not bond with a human from the era they live in. I was bonded to Calvin, and he helped me adjust to how much the world had changed from when I was turned. Without him to steady me, I would have lost my mind.”

“Fuck, but you don’t have anyone now? How long can you go without a human bonded to you?”

I closed my eyes as disappointment flowed through me. Apparently I hadn’t communicated the truth to her after all. I’d wanted to believe Ivan was wrong, that Rachel had understood what I’d told her on the plane.

For now, I would let her believe she would be free of me one day. “I have time. Calvin has not been gone long. Barely a few weeks.”

“So when?”

“In the next year. What I saw on the dunes, though...I think I might know what they were, but I need you to look. I...I want you to see what I saw.”

Because if I wasn’t going crazy, then what I saw was a big fucking problem. The kind of supernatural problem that was legendary even to a vampire of my age.

I found the spot where I’d first seen the handlers and their wolves, and I pressed my fingers lightly into Rachel’s arm. “There, do you see the wolf tracks?”

“Yes. Big-ass motherfuckers that they were, they’re hard to miss, aren’t they?”

I guided her toward a chunk of chain and leather half buried in the sand. “Get that.”

She moved away from me and I swayed where I stood. Whatever good the shepherd had done for me, I’d lost it and then some in that fight.

Rachel scooped the leash and bits of muzzle up. “Fuck me. Who could hold a werewolf on a leash and survive?”

I went to my knees, my throat convulsing as the sickness from the werewolves spread. I knew what I needed, but there was only Rachel. “Shadow men. They...” I couldn’t get the words out. “I need to feed, Rachel. Now.” I put some weight on the words, but I couldn’t look at her. Shame filled me that I had to ask my friend for her blood. Shame and fear. If she turned from me, I wasn’t sure I wouldn’t tackle her and take what I needed regardless of her wishes.

She dropped to my side, going to one knee, though her movements were heavy with hesitation and unease. “Will it hurt?”

I shook my head and grabbed her arm, the pulse in her wrist beckoning me. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t fucking apologize. Just don’t turn me into a vamp.”

I swallowed and lifted her wrist to my mouth. “Deal.”





CHAPTER 24





RACHEL



I prepared myself for the puncture, telling myself it would be over in a short time. But the bite dredged up memories of the first time I’d come face to face with a vampire. How he’d almost bled me dry. And how Lea had saved me.

So while I hated every fucking minute of feeling my blood being sucked out of my veins, I was willing to do it for her. And while I wasn’t about to volunteer the information, I’d do it again if the need arose.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Antonio snarled, grabbing Lea’s shoulder, and throwing her off me.

Lea hissed, but I had rolled to my feet, and the blade from my boot was already in my hand and pointed at him.

“Stay out of this, Cazador.”

Lea looked stronger than before and ready to attack, but I shot her a glare. “Lea. No. Let me handle this.”

She showed me her fangs, and I suspect anyone else would have had their head ripped off.

I turned my full attention to Antonio, who seemed more than ready for a fight.

“You let that parasite feed from you.”

“I helped my friend, something you don’t seem to understand.”

He burst out laughing. “That abomination doesn’t know the first thing about being your friend.” He spat the word out like he’d choked on spoiled milk. His glance darted to my blade and he growled. “How many times do you plan to threaten me with the blade I gave you? Can you not see that I am only trying to protect you?”

My eyes narrowed as I continued to hold out the blade. “You neglected to tell me the blade came with strings, but if you want it back, too damn bad. It’s mine now.”

“Strings?” he demanded. “I gave you a way to protect yourself when your friend—who knows the world you dally in—did not. I was the one to watch over you when Stravinsky’s men followed you after you met Hades in the Financial District.”

“I can take care of myself!” The insinuation that I couldn’t pissed me off. I didn’t need to prove anything to him.

His expression softened, but only slightly. “My blade helps you do that, mi amor. What has the bloodsucker given you?”