I busied myself with the few clothing items I was fortunate enough to have left at Arys’s. Along with the sooty clothes I had left in the bathroom, I had a whole outfit. A pair of yoga pants, a black tank top and even a set of mismatched bra and panties would get me through until I could hit up a store for a few things.
Thankfully, I had started leaving a toothbrush at Arys’s house ages ago. As for makeup, it was meager. The black eyeliner and lip balm in my bag didn’t give me much to work with. Nothing was going to erase the stress from my features or hide the darkness in my eyes. I was hunting tonight. Pretty could wait.
When Shaz was leaving to check on Coby, I could barely bite my tongue. Knowing he was going to seek out Bianca tonight was driving my wolf into a frenzy. Or, maybe that was just me, the woman, the vampire and the wolf. Insanely jealous.
He left me with a tender kiss and the promise to touch base with me soon. I had several messages on my phone to return, including one from a panicked Kylarai. She was understandably upset about the fire. However, that made telling her about Coby go much smoother.
“I’m so glad you’re ok.” Her voice wavered. Her worry was heavy on the line. “What can I do to help?”
“Stay safe. And, maybe expect to have a few girls’ nights in the near future.”
“If you need me at your side, Lex, don’t hesitate to say so. I’m your beta. I mean it.”
I didn’t want to bring danger to Kylarai’s door by involving her. “I promise I will bring you into this if I need to. Until then, it’s safer for you to avoid catching the wrong person’s attention.”
It was hard to put Ky’s mind at ease. She was so used to looking out for us. She couldn’t protect me anymore. Not from Raoul when his deceit came back to haunt me nor from the vampires that wanted me dead now.
Arys was waiting near the door when I finished on the phone. My car keys dangled from his index finger. On the surface, he was completely composed and in control. His dilated pupils and excited energy indicated otherwise.
“How are you feeling?” He asked casually. What he really wanted to know was, if the bloodlust was rising, could I handle it?
“I’m fine.” I led the way out. A faint layer of soot covered the Charger. Otherwise, it looked fine. I went to the trunk, checking on the Dragon Claw; I kept the blade hidden in the spare tire compartment. Safe and sound.
The scent of smoke clung to the interior. It would need a good detail job. I opened the windows to let the night air circulate through. Arys was quiet in the passenger seat. I could feel him silently studying me.
I had to see Raoul’s house. The car was in motion, heading for the golf course neighborhood before I could change my mind.
I didn’t get out. I just sat there, staring at what was left. It was worse than I’d imagined.
Black. Everything was so black. The heavy aroma of fire lingered to taunt me. The walls were still standing but just barely. The entire front picture window had blown out, allowing us to see the mountain of rubble inside.
It would be an insurance nightmare. Just another thing to deal with. I couldn’t hunt and kill that problem.
“Alexa?” Arys stroked a finger down the back of my hand. “We should go. We need to find out who is behind this.”
My hands clenched the steering wheel. My gaze was riveted to the destruction. It was never really mine, but it had been my home. Or, the closest thing to it.
Chapter Eleven
I met up with Jez at The Wicked Kiss. She was a vision with a mane of golden curls tumbling over her shoulders. She made jeans and runners look like runway wear with her leggy frame.
Jez was ready to play the willing victim if it meant getting answers. She was riled up and ready to kick some vampire ass. I was happy to leave her to it.
The place was vampire central; the people there knew things. Somebody was going to talk. While Jez and I asked a few questions, Arys kept watch from a distance.
What made it eerie was that I couldn’t always feel his presence. I was certain I could force my way through whatever shielded him, yet that was just further evidence that we could use the power we shared against one another.
It was past midnight. I couldn’t help but notice Kale’s absence. I’d left a voicemail for him earlier, and he hadn’t returned my call. So, where was he?
My thoughts strayed to the dreamwalker and a strange, sickly feeling settled in my gut. He was just a kid, a teenager with his whole life ahead of him. A life that would become dark and twisted if Shya had a hand in it. Whatever Kale was up to over there, he was either running late or something had happened.
I couldn’t assume anything. I didn’t know enough. It wouldn’t hurt to take a drive by the dreamwalker’s house, right? I wrestled with the decision, wondering how much longer I could wait before I just had to go.
I watched Jez move through the crowd with a seductive gait. It didn’t take long for her to draw attention. The vamps would be falling all over themselves to get a taste of her pure Were blood.