Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(41)

After stuffing it in my pocket, I dragged the cooling corpse into the trees lining the cemetery. I figured that some of the local coyotes would take care of it. They were always scrounging for something to eat.

I was soaring on a major high. The fact that I'd just killed and then made the threat to do so again had me giddy and resisting the urge to giggle aloud. Jake's car was a rental, and he'd used it to follow me to do Lord knows what. So, it was unlikely that it had even been rented with an authentic legal name. That worked for me. Not my problem.

Deciding that the falling snow would take care of the bloodstains near the angel statue, I crept away through the dark. I crossed the empty road to the walking path and made my way to my car. I didn't see another person or vehicle the entire time.

I imagined that Dylan would be having kittens right about now. Good. I fully realized that my actions had clearly stated that I was claiming Zoey Roberts as one of my own. I wouldn't let them have her. I couldn't. All it took was a mental image of Raoul's challenging eyes as he lay dying at her hand, and I knew I had to protect her for the man that I'd never stopped loving, even when I hated him. God Raoul, I thought. How I wish I could slap you.

When I got into the car, I purposely avoided looking in the visor mirror at my reflection. I knew I looked like something out of a horror movie. Driving with claws was difficult but doable. I headed for home and a hot shower. The taste of blood was strong in my mouth. I was virtually vibrating with the newly acquired energy I'd drawn in. If this was what it felt like to feed as a vampire, maybe the future wasn't so bleak after all.

Chapter Ten

Hours later, I stood outside Kylarai's house, listening to the sound of her footfalls as she hurried to answer the door. It was shortly past midnight. I knew she would still be up.

When she swung the door open, the scent of Julian hit me. Oh great, that was just what I needed on top of everything else tonight.

“Alexa, hey.” She stepped back and waved me inside. “What's up? You look like you've seen a ghost. Come in.”

“No ghosts, but I did just kill a werewolf. We have some trouble in town.”

I was surprised how different the atmosphere in the house was since I'd moved out. It had once felt like home when I walked in. Now it felt like Kylarai's house. Unfortunately, Julian's scent was overwhelming. Since I hadn't seen his SUV outside, I assumed it was in the garage. If I'd know he was there I still would have come by, but I would have been better prepared for it. At that point, I was thankful my bloodlust was sated.

“You mean the wolves looking for Zoey? You killed one? Is that a good thing?” Ky's voice held a note of panic, as if she was waiting for me to give her a reason for it.

“I hope so. Where's Julian? He may as well get the low down on this, too.”

I followed her into the living room where Julian was lounging in front of the TV

with a beer in hand. He looked up when we entered the room. His eyes were guarded, but his expression was neutral. We tried to avoid one another as much as possible. It didn't always work out so well. This was different. This was about pack business, not personal issues.

“Alright Alexa,” Ky said, perching on the arm of a nearby easy chair. “Tell us what's up.”

I recounted the events of the evening for them, assuming Ky had already told Julian about the visit Shaz and I had paid to the wolves at the motel. Neither of them moved nor spoke until I'd finished. It didn't take long to give them the basics.

Julian broke the silence first. “So why don't we just hand the Roberts bitch over to them? They'll be gone and problem solved.”

The casual way he spoke of Raoul's daughter as if she wasn't a living being that had suffered much in her life picked at me in the wrong places. I shouldn't have expected different from him, but I did.

“And that,” I replied bitterly. “Is exactly why you were never fit to be Alpha. So, if you have nothing helpful to contribute, just be quiet and let the grownups talk.”

Kylarai winced, and her eyes moved uncertainly between Julian and me. He stared daggers into me, but shockingly, never said any of the awful things that I knew were on the tip of his tongue.

“Julian, Zoey meant a lot to Raoul. He was our Alpha. We need to show a shred of respect.” Ky moved to his side as if to be affectionate, but I knew it was to place herself between us.

“Yeah, yeah. Alright. Forget I said anything.”

Hmm, that was interesting. Julian backed down awfully fast. I guess getting his ass beat by Shaz had been enough to make him think twice before messing with me. Or, maybe he had more respect for Kylarai than I realized. I'd believe that when I saw it.

“Look, I just want to know that I can count on you guys to keep an eye out for anyone new in town. And, keep a look out for Zoey, too, when you run in the forest. We haven't seen her lately, but I know she's still around. I'm sure of it.” I turned an idea over in my head. There had to be some way to communicate with Zoey. “Ky, do you think it would be completely ridiculous to leave a note out there for her somewhere? Just in case?”

She considered it, her brow furrowed in thought. “There's a huge chance she'll never see it, but I don't see any other way to let her know we're looking for her. Can't hurt to try.”

“Do you want me to run it out there?” Julian offered. He had a carefully constructed poker face, as if he were resisting the sneer that came naturally to him.