Sloane entered with two of the children in tow. She snapped at them to sit down and behave before gliding over to me. She was careful to stand a few feet away from the bars.
“I know it doesn’t mean anything, but I just wanted to apologize. This was never supposed to be personal. I’m sure there’s a valid reason why Arys is so in love with you. I’m sure you can be quite lovely.” When I didn’t respond, she ignored my silent glare and continued. “If you hadn’t killed Harley, Jenner and I would never have been at odds. I wouldn’t have had to lie to him. You belong here. But Arys is family, so I’m sorry it has to be this way.”
“You know Arys. He won’t be getting on any plane out of here without me.” I curled my fingers around the bars and stared at Sloane like she was prey. Because she was now.
She began to fidget with her blonde waves before brushing a non-existent thread from her skirt. Anything to avoid my eyes. “Yes, well, there are ways of dealing with him. Without you around, there’s nothing to stop the sun from having him next time, is there?”
I couldn’t bring myself to feign surprise. Vampires were not known for their lasting loyalty. They were very much a dog-eat-dog kind of species.
“Well, seeing as you plan to stand by and benefit from my being sold into slavery, think you can fake some humanity and heal my wolf? He doesn’t deserve to suffer.” It was a long shot, but I had to try.
Sloane looked confused. She shook her head making her waves bounce. “There are very few healers among our line. I am not one of them.”
I bit back an accusation. I had to think back. Had I ever seen another vampire in our bloodline heal other than Arys and Harley? Healing wasn’t a trademark of the undead by any means. I had just assumed it was possible with great enough power.
I sat back on the cot, which creaked and groaned under my weight. A spring stuck up through the flimsy mattress into my thigh.
“You know I’m going to kill you, right?” I wanted her to go away. These Vegas vampires were growing tiresome.
She turned to go, pausing by the door. All eyes were on her, the enemy. “If things had been different, I’m sure we would have been great friends, Alexa. This city has been my home for over a century. It took me a long time to rise up in the ranks here. Staying on top meant maintaining ties with Linden. I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Oh, but I do,” I called after her, a menacing grin curved my lips. “I too have a position to protect. It started with your sire. It will continue with you.”
Sloane didn’t waste time with petty comebacks or elaborate threats. It was nice, almost respectful. She simply left the room without a second glance.
Another wave of pain racked my skull, and a few drops of blood fell from my nose to stain the concrete. I was desperate. Twisting my hands at an awkward angle, I managed to get a clawed fingertip to touch the dragon on my forearm. Blood welled up from the wound. It was immediately followed by a searing pain and the stench of sulfur.
“This has to work,” I said through clenched teeth.
It did. The air moved, and for the first time, I was relieved by it. Falon appeared with a curse. He slapped my hand away from the demon mark with a hiss.
“Do you want to reign down hellfire on your ass? Shya will torture you in so many ways for tampering with that mark. As much as I’d love that, I’d probably join you.”
“Where the f**k did you go? Were you just going to leave me here to be sold off to some twisted vampire who will use me as a blood slave?” I was furious and also a little scared. I thrust my bound wrists at Falon. “Get these off of me.”
Falon’s sudden arrival had set off a series of shrieks and wails. He silenced them all with a look. Pinning me with angry silver eyes, he crossed his arms and glared. “Let’s get one thing straight. I don’t work for you, bitch. I am damn good at what I do. I get shit done, and I don’t take orders from hybrid scum.”
There was no time to argue. I continued to thrust my cuffed hands at him, clamping my mouth shut so I wouldn’t call him the many foul names that came to mind. The kids were traumatized enough as it was.
With a muttered, “Fuck,” Falon grasped the cuffs and snapped them off as if they were made of plastic. Power flowed freely through me again, and it took great restraint to keep from setting the cot on fire.
“Thank you.” I rubbed my sore wrists and pointed to the locked prison door.
Falon snickered. He produced the Dragon Claw as if from a place unseen and tossed it on the cot. “Shya’s instructions were to give you what you need to stay alive. I’ve done that. Now you’re on your own. If you die, it’s not my problem.” He lowered his voice as if telling a grand secret. “I kind of hope you do.”
Gone, just like that. The same vicious side of me that promised Sloane death added payback for Falon to my hit list. I couldn’t kill him, but I would find a way to make him sorry for treating me like such shit.