Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 23322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
The rest of the ride is quiet, which is abnormal with the two of them. When the limo finally stops I don’t wait for anyone to open the door and I step out on my own and go inside. They both follow me in and it feels like things are already changing. I thought it would only be different with Kane, but something bigger is shifting. I can feel it in the changes in everyone’s behavior.
“Thank you for taking me to the play tonight, but I think I’d like to be alone now.” I place my hands on my hips, ready for a challenge of some kind.
“That's cool. We’ve got something to handle,” Ezra says all too quickly.
“Leave that man alone, guys, I’m not playing with you.” I take a step towards Ezra. “It wasn't all him and I can handle a human if need be.” I lock eyes with him. “Don’t treat me like Bishop does. I can take care of myself.”
“Shit,” he mumbles. “That wasn't what I was talking about, so your human is safe for now.” He puts his hands up in a show of surrender. I glance over to Erik, who nods in agreement.
“But stay put. I don’t need Bishop sending us out to collect you,” Erik adds.
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from throwing back another comment, knowing it will only end in more arguing. We say our goodbyes and I watch them leave through the back to take the tunnels that connect all of our homes. I listen for a long moment to make sure they’re gone before I open my purse and take out my cell phone. I leave it on the table so no one can track me, then I walk into the garage.
Turning on the light, I pull out my compact mirror and use it to look under the car. It doesn't long to find what I’m looking for and I reach under to grab the tracker. I drop it on the concrete and kick it out of the way before I get into my car.
The same question nags at me in the back of my mind. Was this crazy attraction because of the kiss, or was it because Kane found his mate and I’m longing for something that really isn't there? Am I trying to force myself into wanting Valen, or could it be something else altogether? The need to find out has me pulling out of the garage and driving back towards the city. I pull into a space out front of a well-known bar that’s not too far from where the slayer has been snatching up vampires. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone tonight. The few vamps we believe he’s killed have all been men. Maybe the slayer has a soft spot for women and that’s a weakness I can use against him.
It’s time that I prove that I can handle myself. If I can take on the slayer and put an end to him, then I can show my family that I don’t need their constant protection. And while I’m here, I want to find out if another man can kiss me like Valen did. I want to see if someone else can make me feel all those feelings that I shouldn't want. The thought of kissing another man makes me clench my jaw, but I have to know.
Princess. The memory of him saying it sends a warm chill down my back. It should piss me off because the new me, the one who was reborn, isn't a princess anymore. The fairy tale of the perfect life with the perfect husband is long gone and him calling me that hit a nerve. I’m no one’s princess and I never will be.
I step out of my car and glance around. I can tell I’m overdressed, but I don’t care. There’s a long line of people waiting to get into the bar, but as I walk up to the bouncer his eyes roam over me and he lifts the rope to let me in without a word. I wink as I walk by and I pause for a moment, taking him in. The bouncer is handsome in a pretty boy kind of way. He’s nothing like Valen, but I don’t think I’ve seen another man like that before. There’s no spark of anything between us, so I keep on moving.
I enter the loud bar and instantly everything about it puts me on edge. It takes me a moment to get used to the loud sounds and all the smells mixing together. How could a vampire enjoy this? Our senses are so heightened that they’d have to be miserable in here. But maybe the feral ones don’t care or don’t have the skills we do. I close my eyes, trying to remain calm, and it’s a reminder that Bishop is right. I am still a young vampire, but I push on, wanting to prove to myself that I can do this. I’m not that same weak girl I was before he changed me.