Maddox

We escaped the city and drove all night, taking circuitous routes. We were confident we weren't being followed, but Langston still thought it wise to ditch the car and get a new one.

By the next morning, we reached a pack that had agreed to cooperate with Blood Eclipse in fighting Warwick. Langston met with the Alpha, who agreed to let us lie low for a day or two to ensure we weren't being followed.

Luckily, they had spare rooms in their packhouse, even though they were a small pack. When I was finally alone, I collapsed on the bed. All I wanted was to hold Missy close and sleep, but she wasn't with me. I closed my eyes and pictured her beautiful smile for the millionth time.

I wanted to find Warwick so I could get back to her. We should be attending school together, training afterward, then going home to make dinner and do our homework. We should be playing games with her little brothers and visiting Azly. I shouldn't be lying in a guest room in a strange pack, waiting for the coast to be clear before hunting a vampire.

But until the Alpha knows where to find Warwick, Missy won't be safe. He'll send people after her, her siblings, and her mother to get to her father.

I tried to relax and get a few hours of sleep. We would need to check in with the Alpha soon. I was hoping to contact Missy, too.

—

I woke to Langston shaking me. "Come on, kid," he said. I sat bolt upright.

"Did I miss her?" I asked quickly. Langston frowned.

"I couldn't reach anyone. I got ahold of my mate, but no one at Blood Eclipse," he said. I deflated.

"We'll try again in a day or two. We can't keep calling," he said. I sighed and nodded. "Let's get something to eat. Alpha Ian said dinner is served downstairs."

I got out of bed and smoothed my clothes. Langston gave me a tight smile as we left the room.

—

Langston and I decided it was best to leave under the cover of darkness, so we left just after midnight and headed to our next lead on vampire activity. Beta Meadow had given us information about a city where Warwick supposedly had business holdings—a likely location for vampires.

By sunrise, we were driving through the city, looking for breakfast. This was the largest city I'd ever been in, and it was strange seeing so many people moving around so early.

"One of the places on Beta Meadow's list is a consulting firm. There's a bagel shop across the street," I said.

"Great idea," Langston said. "We can scout it out. Maybe it will have outdoor seating to make our job easier."

I reached into the back seat and grabbed two dark-colored hats. "These might come in handy," I said, putting mine on.

We found parking two blocks from the bagel shop. I put on my backpack, and we went to breakfast.

We ordered our food and waited for our fake names to be called. Langston got his first and went to find a table with a good view of the buildings across the street.

When I got my food, I joined him. We ate slowly. Langston watched one side of the street; I watched the other, with the consulting firm beside us.

"Blue jacket, dark jeans, third time passing the building," I muttered.

"The wind's blowing toward them," he said. "Can't catch a scent."

"Me neither," I agreed.

"Woman hailing a cab," he commented. "She went into the building as we arrived."

"What do you think this consulting firm does?" I asked.

"Looks pretty ambiguous," he said.

I casually glanced at the building across the busy street. It was a simple, grey stone structure with window sections separated by stone panels. The windows were heavily tinted, reflecting the outside.

It was perhaps five stories high, slightly shorter than the surrounding buildings but not noticeably so. There were no identifying signs. Anyone could walk by and ignore it completely, which most people were doing.

It was challenging to spot the outliers, but they were there. Langston went back inside for more coffee while I stayed at the table, watching the people, trying to identify those who stood out.

When Langston returned, the same woman who had entered the building in a cab about ten minutes earlier was exiting in a different one. I watched discreetly as she headed straight for the building's entrance.

"Same girl," he whispered. I nodded. "Let's leave for a bit. We'll come back and check it out later."

I stood, grabbing our trash. As I turned to leave, I met a pair of eager eyes. The guy stood as I turned, his gaze quickly shifting away. I subtly inhaled deeply. I smelled it. Vampire.

"Thanks for breakfast, old-timer," I said over my shoulder. "Let's catch up again sometime."

I hoped Langston got my hint as I quickened my pace to the trash can, disposed of our waste, and headed away from the bagel shop. I put on my headphones, making a show of it, though I didn't play any music; I listened closely to the kid following me. He seemed to be around my age. He wasn't very good at blending in; I could hear him bumping into people, too focused on me.

I remembered a bookstore we'd passed, so I continued past the parking garage and headed there. My phone vibrated.

A. L. | Apricots will be ready for pickup tonight

He was being followed by a vampire, too. We needed to separate and lose them. Three blocks later, the bookstore came into view. The kid was getting closer. I waited for my moment. As soon as he bumped into someone, I stopped, pretending to tie my shoe. He tripped over me.

He fell. "Oh man, my bad!" I said loudly. I stood and offered a hand, keeping my hat low. "Let me help you."

He slapped my hand away and scrambled up. I threw my hands up. "It was an accident. Just tying my shoe," I said loudly. People were turning to look. He looked around, then dashed away. I shrugged and continued to the bookstore.

—

I spent the day running errands, pretending not to notice the vampire following me. I ate dinner slowly, buying time to meet Langston and get rid of our tails.

When I'd waited long enough, I called a cab and headed to our designated meeting spot. The cab driver seemed a little put off by my request to be dropped at that random crossroads on the city's outskirts but didn't ask many questions.

After tipping him generously, I waited until he was out of sight before entering the nearby woods. I knew my tail would follow, so I didn't bother being quiet. We were going to eliminate them.

Reaching our meeting area, I found a fallen tree and set down my bag. I sat and waited for my tail or Langston.

About ten minutes later, I heard footsteps, followed by a hiss and muffled steps. My tail had arrived. Tom (my wolf) was ready for action. I reminded him to be patient.

The vampire's scent stopped intensifying at about fifteen feet, indicating he was hiding in the brush. I stood and stretched. I rolled my neck, letting it crack. Langston was taking too long; I decided to handle my tail myself.

"If you know what I am, you know I can smell you," I said calmly. A twig snapped near the vampire. I extended my claws, figuring I wouldn't need to fully shift.

"Come on," I said. "Don't be scared. It'll only hurt for a second."

There was movement in the trees, a struggle, followed by heavy steps. Langston emerged, dragging my tail by the neck.

"That one's mine!" I said, irritated. Langston threw him toward me.

"Did you even ask him anything before deciding to kill him?" he asked.

"Not yet," I said.

"Who sent you?" Langston asked the vampire. He looked between us, worry in his eyes.

"I don't know his name," he answered nervously.

"Wrong answer," I said. I lunged, but the kid was faster. He leaped higher than I thought possible, landing on his feet before regaining his balance.

Before I could attack again, another vampire appeared. Langston scoffed. "That took long enough."

"Dirty mutts," the second vampire spat.

"Filthy leeches," I countered. The second vampire charged, hand raised to strike. I dodged easily, my eyes finding Langston battling the vampire who'd followed me.

This vampire wouldn't be easy. He lowered himself to kick my legs out from under me. I landed on my buttocks but rolled to my feet, springing forward before he could attack again.

He dodged, but my claws caught his chest, tearing his cold skin. He growled, grabbing my arm and pulling me back. He spun, releasing me so I stumbled. As I regained my balance, I felt a knee to my back.

"Let me out!" Tom roared.

"Give me a minute! I can catch him!" I yelled back. I used my training, pretending to struggle as the vampire circled toward my head. He grabbed my hair, and I let him pull me up. Before he could do anything, I grasped his hand, pinning it to my head. I exploded into a standing position and struck out with my left hand, plunging my claws into his eye. His grip on my hair loosened as he tried to pull my hand away, screaming. Ripping his hand from my head, I drove my fingers deeper as he shrieked. He begged for mercy, but my vision narrowed, my heart pounding. I batted away his feeble attempts at resistance and grabbed the other side of his head.

"Langston!" I shouted, turning. He was struggling with the other vampire, who was agile but not a skilled fighter.

"Remove the head!" he shouted.

Placing my foot on his chest, I twisted sharply. His head separated with a sickening crack and squelch, spraying me with blood and his stench.

Turning to Langston, he finally had the other vampire subdued but seemed to be struggling to finish him off. I shifted, and Tom sprang forward, leaping when he was a few yards away. His teeth tore into the vampire's face, taking his head with him.

Langston dropped the vampire's body as Tom gave him a wolfish smile. "Alright," he said, nursing his arm. There was a deep gash. "Shift back and get some clothes."

Tom was disappointed by the lack of praise, but he returned control. I jogged to my backpack and changed clothes. "That wasn't easy," I said, pulling on my pants.

"No, it wasn't," Langston said, sitting on the fallen tree.

"Want me to look at that?" I asked.

"No," he said, wrapping a piece of my shirt around his arm. "It's a scratch, not a bite. It'll heal."

I stretched my sore back. "I think I need more sparring with Liam and Felix," I admitted.

Langston laughed. "You did well," he said. "Just don't be so cocky next time."

I looked at the two headless bodies. As the adrenaline subsided, it hit me: I had just killed two vampires.

"You okay?" Langston asked, raising his eyebrows. My stomach churned, and I felt dizzy. I dropped to my hands and knees as I vomited.

Langston sat silently while I heaved. "First time can be rough," he commented as I calmed down.

"That wasn't pleasant," I said, sitting back.

"It gets easier," he said. I sighed, wiping my mouth.

"Did you find anything about the firm?" I asked.

"Something helpful. Did you find anything on the housing complex?" he asked.

"I went past it. It doesn't look inhabited," I said. Langston nodded.

"We can ask Meadow for more information and see what she can do with what I found," he said.

"Can we go to a hotel? I need to wash the vampire stench off and brush my teeth," I asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I need a nap," he said. "We can call the pack tomorrow."

My heart raced. Now I wouldn't be able to sleep at all with the possibility of talking to Missy looming.