“How is it that you know so little? You couldn’t have been kept so ignorant of everything taking place. You’d have to be blind not to know what’s taken place around you.”
Nothing made me as warm and fuzzy inside as being referred to as an imbecile, but I couldn’t tell Carter why I was ignorant of the world’s happenings or why I had no idea what in the hell was going on. There was too much danger in honesty. I might find my throat cut or my body tossed over the side of the outdoor patio.
I stood there dumbly, unable to answer the question.
“Are you suddenly mute?” he snapped, staring at me as if he was fighting the compulsion to shake the hell out of me. “Where’s your big mouth now?”
“What do you want me to say?” I blurted, grasping at straws. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Does it really matter why? You refuse to let me leave, keeping me prisoner in this…this…” I waved my arm to the insanely odd and out-of-place apartment that had once been an architect’s wet dream. “Better Homes and Gardens meets The Jetsons military fortress.”
Carter moved quickly, taking my upper arms in his large hands. He squeezed harshly and growled, “You’re lying.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I repeated evenly, chest heaving. I was furious and ready to give him more than he bargained for. I might be lame, but I knew how to defend myself, and there were plenty of objects in the vicinity to use as weapons.
His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. My stomach sank when his irises turned silver. Carter wasn’t a vampire, but he most definitely was not a human. More than a virus had come along since the Third World War.
“You’re hiding something.” He didn’t back down, studying me. “I knew it the moment I scented the people, cars and exhaust fumes all over you in the alley. No one smells like that anymore.” He buried his face into the hair at my shoulder and breathed in. On the exhale, he murmured, “No one.”
“What are you?” I whispered.
He met my gaze and froze. For several seconds, he simply stared at me. “I won’t dignify that question with an answer. If you want to play dumb, so be it.” Carter released me and took a step back. “Get a shower and get dressed. We’ll eat, and I’ll take you on a quick tour of the premises.”
I watched in silence as he turned and stomped away. The muscles along his shoulders and arms flexed as he clenched his hands into fists. God help me. The entire situation was becoming worse and worse. And the most sickening part was that I had no idea of how to remedy it or what in the world I was dealing with.
I stormed across the distance to my room, the lush carpet padding my feet. I tossed the satchel onto the bed, ready to tear something apart, when something shiny caught my attention. Inch by slow inch, I drew closer to the bed. My stomach churned and sweat beaded across my forehead. My heart felt like it was going to pound out of my chest.
It couldn’t be.
No. Fucking. Way!
I lifted the amulet from atop the comforter with shaking fingers.
The tiny bead of amber with the back teardrop center swayed in the air.
I wasn’t sure how it was here, considering I’d handed the damned thing over to Zagan myself, but the power it radiated was an all too familiar and eerie hum against my skin. The supernatural energy that came from the thing crept through my muscles and coursed through my blood. I felt invigorated but lightheaded.
It’s official. I’m in crazyville.
Marigold Vesta’s amulet—spun by Lucifer’s very own familiar—was once again in my possession.
Chapter Three