Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(35)

A pout curved my lips. His denial displeased me. He bit me a second time, and my displeasure was swept away on a sigh.

Jenner responded to the call of my desire. With one hand, he gripped my wrist while the other slid up the inside of my leg. From calf to thigh, he touched me with the brazenness of one completely under my spell.

I caught a glimpse of the spade tattooed on the back of his hand before it disappeared beneath the hem of my skirt. His skin was hot on mine.

Impatiently, I waited for him to find the throbbing ache between my legs. The arousal of both vampires created an intoxicating buffet of energy for me to devour. Despite what they took from me, they gave as much in return. A beautiful arc of power encompassed the three of us, spilling over to the audience who had grown increasingly restless.

“Touch me,” I commanded Jenner. My patience had run out.

I gazed down at him, watching him lick every drop of my blood that dared to attempt escape. Our eyes locked, blue on blue. Staring up at me like a smitten fool, Jenner slid his hand toward the warm place nestled between my thighs.

There was no time to enjoy the shock of pleasure. The bliss moment was shattered suddenly, our spell broken by the explosion that rocked the building.

Chapter Nine

The theatre shook from the blast. I tumbled off the stage and hit the floor hard with Jenner crashing down on top of me. Winded and stunned, my mind scrambled to make sense of what had just happened. People screamed and rushed for the exits. Smoke began to seep into the room, coming from the arena. The wall between the two rooms still stood, indicating a small blast.

“What the f**k was that?” I said through strangled breaths.

Jenner shoved himself off me and hauled me to my feet. I searched frantically for Arys and Shaz, finding neither of them in the crowd’s mad dash to escape.

“You need to take the fire exit and get upstairs,” Jenner shouted over the commotion. “Find Sloane. Take her and your friend and get out of here. Go to Planet Hollywood and find Roscoe. Send him here.” He indicated the emergency exit at the back of the theatre and gave me a push to get moving.

I remained rooted to the spot, refusing to go alone. “I’m not leaving without Arys and Shaz.”

“Trust me, you don’t want to be here right now,” Jenner hissed, giving me another shove. “The blood ring we’ve all pissed off is behind this. They’re probably storming the building. Do you know what they’ll do to you if they find out you’re here? Get out. Now.”

Terror shook me, urging me to heed his warning and head for the door. But where were Shaz and Arys? I couldn’t go without them.

‘Run, Alexa.’ Arys’s voice was loud and clear in my mind. ‘Listen to Jenner and go. I’m needed here.’

‘No,’ I resisted, searching the smoky haze for him. ‘I’m not leaving you guys. They’ll kill you both if you stay.’

‘Jenner and I can handle this, especially with your blood in our veins. I promise. I’ll keep the pup safe.’

I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving without them. Panicked humans tripped me up, and smoke burnt my lungs. There was so much I hadn’t told Shaz, so many things I hadn’t said since he got back. So much he didn’t know.

‘You’ll get your chance to tell him. Now get the hell out of here.’

The house lights came on, and I spotted Arys on the opposite side of the theatre, headed for the door connecting to the arena. He paused to look over at me. I shook my head, unwilling to be parted.

Then the door burst open, and he was under siege by several vampires packing weaponry. Jenner was a blur as he flew past me to come to Arys’s aid. He shouted at me to get moving and instinct told me to listen.

I ran for the fire exit, dodging people as I went. The invading vampires had already taken down some of the remaining audience members. I’d almost reached the door when a hand closed on my arm. Shaz jerked me into his arms and hugged me tight. Then just as fast, he shoved something into my hand and kissed me.

“I’m staying with Arys,” he said. “You need to find Jez.”

“It’s the blood ring, Shaz. They’ll find out who you are. You’ve got to come with me.” I tried to drag him along with me, but he resisted.

“No, I should be here. As long as they don’t get a hold of you, I can handle it. Ok? Now go. I love you.”

He was gone before I could reply. I opened my hand to find the hotel room key card. Mine was in my shoulder bag backstage along with my phone and wallet. I had no choice but to leave without those things.

I ran, easily outrunning those who hadn’t yet made it out. More than once, I had to toss people aside when they risked blocking the way. Taking the stairs two at a time, I quickly reached the top floor.

My feet barely touched the floor as I moved with stealth and speed. The best of both monsters were alive in me, wolf and vampire, fueled by the power we’d called. Despite the drawbacks, having the strengths of both sure had its perks.

The fire escape continued up to the roof. It was likely our only way out. I opened the door to the top floor quietly, listening and sensing. There was no sign of the security guys that had been stationed here. Erotic energy hit me like the wave of heat when opening an oven door. It was raw and hot. But that was all. The chaos of the underground floor did not resonate here.

I moved with silent steps down the hall, seeking Sloane’s room. Not one door had her name. My heartbeat thundered in my ears. I had to focus, somehow, to sift through the myriad of energies, seeking Jez.