Page 80 of Fire in My Blood

“I’m surprised this place isn’t on fire. There’s enough energy swirling around here to keep a whorehouse going for weeks.”

I freeze in shock and embarrassment at Markus’s words.

“Markus!” Lyn’s indignant voice saves me from trying to come up with something to say.

“I second that.” Lucas’s voice is simmering with anger. He sets me down on my feet and turns toward Markus, his muscles tense and ready.

“I’m sorry. But you have to admit you’re behaving like teenagers. No offense.” There’s amusement in Markus’s voice.

I burst out laughing. He’s right. We barely made it fifty yards from the house before we started humping each other.

Lucas scowls at me, clearly not amused, but it just makes me laugh harder.

We get into the limo and head back toward Trevor’s mansion. Lucas wants me safe, and I just want to be with him. And Lyn needs to get to her room in Trevor’s basement before dawn.

“So, what happened to the master?” Lucas’s chest vibrates against my ear when he speaks. Resting against him feels like coming home after being gone for a long time. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at home anywhere.

“There was a backdoor, and he managed to escape through it while we fought the others. By the time we killed them, he was long gone.” Markus glances at Lyn before he continues. “We didn’t see his face.”

“But there was something familiar about his energy.” Lyn looks wary. “If I wasn’t so sure he was dead, I’d think the master was my maker.”

I study Lyn’s face. She looks shaken. I lift my head from Lucas’s chest. “It was like the air around him was toxic. When I got within a few feet of him, I felt lightheaded and nauseous. And his voice reminded me of wood creaking.”

Lyn’s eyes widen, and she seems to pale. “He could have that effect on humans.”

I stare into her eyes. “He had a narrow face with gray skin, and his eyes were crimson.”

Lyn squeezes her eyes shut as a shudder runs through her body.

Markus’s expression tightens, and he reaches over and takes Lyn’s hand in his. It’s like an electrical current passes between them, and their eyes lock, both looking shocked. I’m struck by the feeling I’m witnessing something intimate and personal between them.

But before I can turn away, Markus yanks his hand away from Lyn’s and turns to stare out of the window. He clears his throat, but there’s a slight tremble in his voice when he speaks. “No matter who he is, we’ll get him. We cannot allow this group to exist.”

Markus turns to Lucas, determination hardening his eyes. “We need to involve the others. I’ll contact them.”

Lucas nods. “Good, I’m ready.”

“Me too.” I’m not going to let anyone else suffer what I have if I can help it.

“Erica, it’s not safe. I don’t want you involved in this.” Lucas’s voice is filled with concern.

I raise an eyebrow at him. “I might be your mate, but you’re not my boss, and I’m already involved whether you like it or not. Besides, I can use fire now, remember?”

“You what?” Markus and Lyn’s simultaneous outburst has me snapping my head around. They’re both staring at me like I just dropped from the sky.

“Erica used fire to set the vampire who took her on fire.” Lucas grins. “It was amazing.” He meets my gaze, and the pride and love shining in his eyes almost have me tearing up.

“She’s got your ability?” Markus looks shocked, an expression I don’t believe is common for him, but it’s the second time I’ve seen it in as many minutes. “That’s never happened before.” His eyes dart between us, unblinking.

“Well, it’s happened now.” My mate braids his fingers with mine. “I saw it with my own eyes how fire shot from her hand up the vampire’s arm to set his entire body ablaze.”

Lucas’s gaze turns stern. “I realize I can’t prevent you from helping us, but I won’t let you out of my sight again. That’s nonnegotiable.”

I nod and give his hand a squeeze. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Then I frown. There’s still one thing bothering me. “Do you think my brother and his family will be safe now that Gerard is gone?”

My mate nods and gives me a soft smile. “Yes. The fucker is dead, and he was the one who wanted you for himself. Or, did you get the impression the master has any special interest in you?”