Unspoken (Shadow Falls: After Dark #3)(49)

Chase heard the truth in his words and considered whether to hand it over. Then deciding he believed the man and figured the rogue had enough hell in life, he passed him the bottle. He looked over his shoulder at the were still pressing on the bars.

Pope gulped the blood down. Chase started backing out.

“You ain’t got a chance, kid,” Pope said, pulling the bottle from his lips long enough to speak. “You think I don’t know who you are?” The scarred vamp laughed.

Chase stopped, almost certain the man was lying, but … “Who do you think I am?”

“He told me about you. You’re that doctor’s boy. Not really his, ’cause he’s Asian. He knows you’ve been looking for him. He knows the doc’s been after his ass forever. But he’s not gonna find him, ’cause the council ain’t gonna let him find him.”

Shocked that he did know, Chase paused. “Why would they protect him?” Chase asked, sensing the temperature in the room drop.

Get out. Get out now.

Chase heard the female voice, knew it didn’t belong to this world, but he couldn’t listen, not now. “Why would they protect a murderer?”

“Don’t matter,” Pope said. “Ahh, but you shouldn’t’ve poked around in the wrong places. He’s gonna find your ass.”

Right then came a metal screech, followed by the clank of a bar hitting the concrete. Chase swung around, or tried to. He must have forgotten to stay in the middle and moved a little too far to one side. An arm came around, locked around his throat and something sharp jabbed into his back, slicing through skin.

The pain in his back hadn’t completely registered when he saw the were step free of the metal bars and charge.

“I got his liver,” said the were with his arm around Chase’s neck.

Damn it, Chase thought. No one was getting his liver.





Chapter Twenty-one

“That’s it, I’m calling Burnett,” Della snapped and threw the empty soda can that she’d been using as a stress ball across the room. Socks, still a kitten in spirit, charged after it. She reached for her phone.

“I thought you were going to let me do it.” Kylie put her hand over Della’s.

“No, Chase will know I forced you. I might as well own it.” She grabbed her phone and was about to dial when a text dinged.

“It’s from Chase.” She smiled as the tightness in her chest lightened. But then she read the text.

In front of school. Need help.

“Shit!” Della bolted up.

“What is it?” Miranda asked.

“He’s at the front gate. I’m gonna go meet him. I’ll see you guys later.” She shot out the door.

A red Corvette was parked in front. She walked through the gate, knowing the alarm would record her exit, but not caring.

A man got out of the driver’s side. She recognized him as one of the men on the Vampire Council. Where was Chase?

She approached with caution. But the look of concern on his face, and the smell of blood—Chase’s blood—had her stomach knotting.

“Hello, again,” the blond vampire said. “I’m Kirk. I met you when—”

“I know who you are.” Della recalled how small the council had made her feel. Her gaze cut to the car; no one else was in it. “Where’s Chase?” She felt her eyes brighten.

“Relax. I’m not here for trouble. Chase is reclined in the backseat.”

Della started to the car as her questions started forming. How had Chase ended up with this man? Had Chase been lying about going to a prison? Had he even quit the council?

“I wanted to take him to a doctor but he refused. Said you would take care of him.”

Her questions stopped with his words. Take care of him? She was so not a nurse.

“He needs blood quick. He said he had plenty at his cabin.”

“How bad is he?” she asked, but didn’t wait for his answer. Instead she opened the car door and lifted back the seat to see for herself. The smell of blood hit and hit hard. Her gut tightened.

“It looks serious,” Kirk said.

The words sent sharp pain to her heart. Chase lay there, dead still, his shirt covered in deep red stains. His eyes were closed. Was he even conscious? Could he be…?

She didn’t breathe until she saw his chest move to take in air.

“What happened?” She looked back over her shoulder at Kirk.

“Just a little trouble,” Chase said before Kirk answered.

Della swung her head back around and saw his lids flutter open.

“And it’s not that serious.” He shifted.

“Do you need a doctor?” she asked.

“I would feel better if he allowed me to take him to one,” Kirk spoke up. “I can get him there in less than five minutes.”

“No.” Chase’s tone was so adamant that it seemed to mean something.

Della looked at the blood on his shirt and worried how bad the injury was. Sure, vampires healed, but if something was really damaged, they could still die. “But if you need—”

“No.” Chase’s eyes met hers as if trying to tell her something, but damn it, mind-reading wasn’t her specialty.

Chase pushed against the seat to sit up. “All I need is some blood and the ointment.” He slumped back down in the seat. “And maybe a little help getting out of the car.”