Derek

Patrick doesn’t join us this morning, but it’s for the best. Stuart used our fading shifter bond to wake me and demand I meet him. We’re not having breakfast. We’re walking on the levee, and as the sun rises over the brown swirling water, he hits me with everything I already know.

“You fucking kept me awake all night.” His voice is a low growl. “She’s dangerous. Hybrids are unpredictable and extremely volatile. She could kill you while you sleep.”

“She’s not going to kill me.” I don’t mention the bite.

“Is she running?”

“I don’t know.”

“Does her maker know where she is?”

“I don’t know.”

“But you are fucking her.” His sarcasm pisses me off.

“Watch it,” I say through clenched teeth. “You’re my partner, not my boss.”

He snaps back with equal force. “All our asses are on the line if one of us starts fucking around with a vampire.”

Rubbing my hand across my forehead, I control my rising anger. “It’s not like that. She doesn’t want to turn.”

“Sounds like she’s running,” he says with a nod. “Only the old ones have the ability to procreate. If she was forced, he’s even more treacherous than the one we killed last night.”

“She was forced.” My voice is deadly serious. “I promised I’d save her. I won’t let her down.”

“You’re planning to save her on your own?” He glares at me.

I shake my head. “No. I had hoped you’d be willing to help me.”

He makes a noise and we walk in the growing heat several paces without speaking. My mind returns to last night, making love to her, letting her taste me, her deep sense of shame.

I watch a small ferry crossing the water from Algiers. “We say we’re committed to justice, but if we let her go without a fight, how is that justice?”

“You’ve fallen for her,” he grumbles. “If it were any other hybrid, you’d walk away.”

For a moment, I can’t answer him. He’s right. I’ve fallen for her hard. Our temporary shifter bond allows him to sense it. At the same time…

“If I found another hybrid wanting to be free, I’d help it.” My fears for her play across my mind. “The problem is forced hybrids either don’t know they have a choice, or their makers kill them before they can escape.”

Stuart stops walking and faces me, crossing his arms. “Exactly. Her maker won’t let her go. He’ll be coming for her, if he’s not already here. He probably is already here. Did it occur to you he could be the one Patrick sensed?”

A touch of fear moves through me. I left her alone in my hotel room. I don’t even know how to find her if she leaves. “I’ll keep her close. We need to be ready when he makes his move.”

“We’re only just getting started,” he says. “You’re well-known in the underground. Word gets out you helped a hybrid escape its master, they’ll put a mark on you. We’ll be watching your back for a long time.”

“Can’t be helped.” My determination is stronger than ever. “I will free her.”

He nods gravely. “I’ll touch base with the New Orleans underground. It’s possible they’ve picked up on his arrival. The old ones can cloak their movements, but they might have something.”

“Thanks,” I say, grasping his forearm. “I’d better wake Patrick.”

10

Options Melissa

The crowd is thin when we cross the street to Mr. B’s for an early lunch. Elaine hands me my rescued clutch, and I notice she’s wearing the same yellow dress from last night. I’d changed at the hotel, although I was tempted to stay in Derek’s shirt.

Memories of last night buzz under my skin, and I want to have him around me as well as inside me. I’m sure he’s behind this change in me, if I could only figure out how.

The hostess leads us to a large, circular booth in a dim-lit back corner. It’s perfect for our meeting here today. Mariska hasn’t arrived, so Elaine and I order a bottle of Pinot gris to sip while we catch up.

“You didn’t spend the night with him?” She looks disappointed. “After the way he ran after you in the rain? It was so romantic.”

“Actually,” I can’t stop a smile. “I did spend the night with him—and I slept all night!”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “All night?”

“Well, half of the night. After we… you know.”

“But how is that possible? What happened?”

“I don’t know! It’s like someone hit the reset button, and I’m back at the beginning.” Motioning her forward, I lower my voice. “Even better, I can’t hear him anymore.”

She jumps back. “Hear him? You mean—”

“Stop!” Lunging forward, my fingers hover over her lips. With a vague sense of panic, I glance over my shoulder. “Don’t say his name. I’ve been trying not to even think it.”

She glances around as well, scooting closer to me as if for protection. “W-why?”

“I don’t know.” We’re whispering now. “It seems to help him find me.”

“Oh my god,” she shudders. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

My lip catches in my teeth, and my chin drops. “I was afraid of what you might think. He would speak in my mind, tell me to do things.”

Elaine’s fingers tense on my arm.

“I didn’t do them!” I add hastily. “I fought him, blocked him out the way you do with other peoples’ thoughts.”

“Melissa, that’s horrifying!”

“It was horrifying. Now it’s stopped.”

Mariska swirls in wearing a strappy handkerchief-patterned sundress. Her light-brown hair is pulled into a low side-ponytail, and she has a ring on every finger. “Sorry I’m late! Damn ferry.”

We scoot around the green leather bench to let her sit. Her slim brows knit at our worried expressions. “What did I miss?”

Leaning forward, I tell her my news. Her golden eyes blink wider. “This is very significant. You’ve weakened his power. Tell me every thing you did since yesterday.”

“I can’t possibly remember everything.” I can’t tell them about biting Derek.

“Try, Mel,” Elaine urges. “It’s vital to your cure.”

A waiter appears to take Mariska’s drink order. She requests sweet tea, and we all order food—more barbecue shrimp for me (because I love it, and I’m actually hungry for once), Italian sandwich for Elaine, and a bowl of gumbo for our guest.

The server leaves, and her golden eyes latch onto mine. The way she’s looking at me makes my insides squirm.

“You did something. I can sense it.” She reaches out and touches my hand. “Your scent has changed.”

Elaine’s brows pull together, then she leans into me and inhales deeply. “Mmm,” she exhales. “Just smells like Derek to me. She did sleep with him.”

“Seriously?” I whisper-hiss. “No more privacy for me?”

“You had sex…” Mariska says the words slowly, assessing me, and I know she’s figuring it out. Even Elaine knew what might happen when my orgasm peaked. She looks back and forth at us.

“What?” Elaine says. “Someone tell me what’s going on. I can’t hear her anymore.”

“Keep an open mind,” I say.

“I knew it.” Mariska leans back in her seat. “Your skin is flushed and glowing.”

“He asked me to do it.” My gaze lowers to the table, but I can feel the judgment rolling off her.

“Do what?” Elaine grabs my arm.

I only blink up at her, and she instantly drops it and scoots toward Mariska. “You bit him?” she hisses.

My voice is barely audible as I try to explain. “It’s a very sexual act. In the moment, it feels right.”

We’re all quiet. My words hang in the air when the waiter appears with a large tray and our orders. I’m thankful for the distraction. Plates are situated in front of us, wine and tea glasses refreshed. When he’s finally gone, Elaine breaks the silence.