by L. K. Below
“Who says I’m not already standing right by your ear?”
Abandoning the stake, Devin stood. The small pop of something uncorking filled Lori’s ears like a passing transport truck. Writhing wildly, Devin splashed something through the air. Some of the liquid splattered over her cheek. Warm. Wet. She tasted it. Water?
Terrence laughed. “You won’t catch me with child’s tricks.”
The stake had fallen beside Lori. Not far, but with her arms tied behind her, she couldn’t reach it easily. Not unless she wanted to wiggle like a worm. Unfortunately, that would draw too much attention. But maybe she could inch her way over…
Devin snatched up the stake, holding it in a defensive position.
Terrence said, “Let’s talk about this.”
“Like you talked about raping and killing my mother, you fiend? Like you talked before you sucked my sister dry?”
Lori froze, doubts entering her consciousness. Terrence? Before their last encounter, she’d always thought of him as a harmless puppy. But she’d watched him kill using only his fangs. Could he be capable of doing something like that?
What, really, did she know about him?
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Terrence said, but Devin was too far gone.
With a crazed waver in his voice, he screamed, “I’ll kill this bitch if you don’t show yourself!”
Terrence stepped forward.
It was him. Lori couldn’t believe her eyes. Terrence, whole and hale, exactly as he had been five weeks ago. He stood steady, unconcerned, though his eyes flicked toward her.
Making sure she was all right? Or wondering how much of Devin’s spiel she had believed?
“I’m here,” Terrence said slowly. “Now let her go.”
“Get down on your knees. Hands in the air.” There was a maniacal note to Devin’s voice.
He wouldn’t let her go. This was the same man who had beat Scissors into submission, who had then kidnapped her and Lori both to use as leverage. A man who had gone utterly bonkers.
Lori didn’t want to die today.
She threw herself at his legs, grunting when he kicked her. But she overbalanced him and he started to teeter.
Terrence was ready for the opportunity.
So fluid Lori could barely distinguish his movements from the shadows, he materialized in front of Devin. Aiming to incapacitate, or kill? Devin headed him off, lunging with the stake despite a lack of footing. Terrence caught the metal in his hand, unharmed. But Devin’s free hand was inching toward his back pocket.
“Terrence!”
Where had that come from? Why had Lori warned him? She didn’t even know who Terrence was anymore.
But the damage was done. Neutralizing Devin, Terrence lifted the shorter man off the ground and plunged his fangs into the man’s neck. Devin screamed. He writhed. But he couldn’t dislodge Terrence. As he weakened, he whispered, “How’d you lose the scar?”
Terrence yanked out his teeth. “What scar?”
But Devin was already dead. Blood spurted from the gash in his neck, finally slowing to a trickle. Terrence dropped him on the ground. Darting a quick glance at her, he turned his back and fished out a handkerchief to wipe his mouth.
“What are you?” The words slipped out, tinged with disgust.
He crossed to her, kneeling at her feet before he answered. “Vampire.” His fingers deftly picked at the rope binding her.
“Really. A bloodsucking vampire.” Thinking of the scene she’d just witnessed, she winced. “An immortal vampire.” Undying. She could verify that, too. A stake to the chest would have killed any mortal man.
Come to think of it… “Shouldn’t you have died even if you are immortal? I’m pretty sure a stake to the heart is lethal for you guys, too.”
He grunted. “It is. Your aim’s off.”
The rope fell away and she was able to move her arms again. Aching muscles started to scream as she pulled them back into their rightful positions. So did her legs when she straightened them.
Terrence held out his hand, wordlessly offering to help her up. Reflexively, she flinched.
“You didn’t…do those things, did you?”
“No.” Vehemence permeated his voice. “I promise you, I didn’t.”
Just to be sure, she brought on her aura sight. He glowed aquamarine, just tinged orange-brown around the edges. Worry or concern with a touch of fear. No guilt over lying. She slipped her hand into his, allowing him to help her stand.
He pulled her to her feet, pressing his mouth fiercely to hers. By the time she registered the possessive, closed-mouth kiss, he backed off. He shook her by the shoulders.
“God, Lori. Why didn’t you listen to me? Why didn’t you stay inside your dorm room where you belong?”
Something about those words ignited her memory. “The notes–the texts. They were from you?”
“Yes. I was trying to keep you safe.” Her shock must have shown on her face, because he added, “Why? Who did you think they were from?”
“I thought they were threats.”
Terrence enveloped her in a hug. “Never. I’d never hurt you.”
Just a little too adamant, buddy.
She shoved him away. “We need to call the police, get Scissors to a hospital.”
“I’ll take her.” Terrence bent to lift the bartender. Her head lolled like a rag doll.
Lori helped him untie her wrists, blindfold, and gag. Scissors was breathing, thank God.
Terrence and Lori walked side by side. Slowly, since her legs were still cramped from her position. After he juggled Scissors so he could hold her with one arm, he reached for Lori’s hand.
She pulled away. “Things aren’t just going to go back to the way they were.”
His fist clenched. “Don’t tell me all I get is a one-night stand, Lori. You owe us more than that.”
Her throat closed around the words to push him away again. She didn’t want to say them. But she had to. “I have things to do. I don’t have time for a…boyfriend.” If she ever had.
“Things like what?” Terrence’s voice was hard. Angry. Well, he would just have to accept it.
Yeah, and sheep will learn to tap dance.
She straightened her shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Things like finding the Spenta Michos. He’s still missing, you know. Too much time’s been wasted already.”
“I’ll help.”
Lori stopped short, but Terrence only raised an eyebrow at her.
“What? I’m an Order member, too.”
She weighed his motives. But even if it might mean spending an awful lot of time in his annoying presence, she said, “I guess one more pair of eyes can’t hurt.”
Terrence grinned like a nerd asked to prom. “Good. Because I already have a lead.”
L.K. Below
L.K. Below began The Order trilogy while still in high school, shortly after she declared that she had no talent or wish to write mystery. Thankfully, Lori proved her wrong and is still dragging the author into unknown worlds of fantasy, mystery, vampires, and secret organizations.
LK’s Website:
www.lbelow.net
Reader email:
[email protected]
Also by L.K. Below
Beauty In His Bed
Never A Princess, Always A Frog
Stone Cold Kiss
The Order Series
Stalking Shade
Out of the Shadows
The Blackened Night
Lyrical Press books are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2012 L.K. Below
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
First Electronic Edition: April 2012
ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-364-2