The vampire laughed. “Actually, I think the technical term is undead. But hey, I’m not here to argue—”
“I’m here to kick your ass,” Aidan snapped. He leapt toward the vampire, moving at a speed so fast humans would have seen him as a blur. He locked one hand around the vampire’s throat and shoved the guy against the nearest brick wall—the wall of the building on the right. When the vampire hit the wall, there was a hard, thudding impact, and dust seemed to shoot from the bricks behind him.
Aidan lifted his right hand, claws extended, ready to take that vamp’s head—
“Jane,” the vamp gasped out.
The bastard dared to say her name?
“You must want to suffer,” Aidan whispered to him. “A long, painful death instead of the quick kill I had planned.”
“Not…here…for war…” Each word was croaked out, probably because Aidan was squeezing the guy’s throat so tightly that speech was nearly impossible. “Here…to…talk…peace first.”
Aidan laughed. “Since when do vampires believe in peace? We both know all you live for is blood and death.”
But this vampire…he wasn’t fighting Aidan. He could fight. Vamps were far stronger than humans. Yet this guy had just been waiting for him. And even as Aidan’s claws came closer to his head, the fellow just…watched him. Kept waiting.
What kind of game was the vamp playing?
Aidan freed the guy and stepped back, but he made sure to keep his claws at the ready.
The vampire sucked in a sharp breath. Yes, vamps still breathed. Their hearts still beat. They didn’t become walking corpses, no matter what the movies said. They were just fucking strong. Fucking deadly. And, in his experience, fucking evil.
“So…” the vamp finally muttered. “The stories are…true. You don’t kill…without reason.”
“I’m the paranormal law in this city. I keep the city safe, for the humans and the monsters. That’s what I do.” His gaze sharpened as he studied the vampire.
Even though it was dark, Aidan could see perfectly. Another nice, werewolf bonus. The vamp was tall, nearly Aidan’s own height. His dark hair was swept back from his forehead, and the guy’s eyes were narrowed as he stared up at Aidan.
“I’m not here to start a war with you,” the vampire said. “I’m actually…I’m not really here for you at all.”
“Why were you near that cemetery? Did you kill that poor bastard in there?”
“No.” The vampire gave one negative shake of his head.
Like I’m supposed to believe you? Vamps lie. “Then it sure is one hell of a coincidence that you were close when the guy was slaughtered.”
“I could say the same about you,” the vamp murmured. “One hell of a coincidence that you were so close when the man died.”
“I’ll just kill you now,” Aidan decided abruptly. “Make things easier—”
“I’m here for Jane.”
Aidan’s vision seemed to go red. “You have a death wish, huh? Thought as much.”
“I’m trying to do this right. I waited to talk with you first as a sign of respect. I know what you are to this city. And I don’t want a war with you.” The vamp’s words were said flatly, with no emotion.
“Smart decision.” Aidan could feel his beast, moving just beneath his skin. The wolf wanted out. The vampire had dared to tell him that he wanted Jane? Oh, the hell, no. No one else would ever have her.
Jane is mine. Just as I am hers. Always.
“My name is Vincent Connor. And despite what you think about vampires, we aren’t the enemy.”
Aidan gave a grating laugh. “Tell that to the last vamp bastard I ended. Tell that to the victims who were left dead and broken in his wake.”
Vincent looked away. “Are all werewolves good?” His voice had thickened. “Or are some of them murdering bastards that you have to end, too?”
Sonofabitch. All Aidan could do right then was growl. Because the vamp was right. Werewolves did go rogue, too, and when they did, Aidan was the one who had to stop their killing sprees.
“I am not the enemy,” the vamp said doggedly. “I am here to help Jane. I came to you because I am trying to do all of this right. I know what she is. Hell, you think you could keep her a secret? Word travels in paranormal circles, and it travels fast.”
Aidan lunged for Vincent.
But this time—the vamp fought back. In an instant, he yanked a gun from beneath his coat and pressed it to Aidan’s chest. “Silver bullets,” he said softly.
“Those supposed to scare me?” The gun was pointed right over his heart, but Aidan just laughed. “I’ve been shot plenty of times. If you fire, you’d better hope I don’t move too fast and mess up your shot…” Which he would. “You’d better hope you get enough silver in my heart to put me down because I will make you suffer so—”
“I don’t want to fire. I want you to listen.” The vamp looked down at the gun, then back up at Aidan. “I am not the enemy,” he said again.
Bullshit. “Every vamp is my enemy.”