Page 126 of Blood that Burns
“Is it safe around here?”
“No,” Law says, tightening his grip on me while scanning the area. “This is not somewhere you want to venture alone, but you’ve got me. You’ll be fine.”
I smirk up at him. “My savior.”
He looks down at me. “Don’t mock my ability to protect you.”
My free hand comes up in surrender. “No mocking. I’m appreciating the domineering presence you’re exuding.”
His lips thin. “Domineering presence? Doesn’t sound like you’re mocking at all, sunshine,” he chides.
We continue to walk and the hair on the back of my neck rises. The sense we’re being watched falls over me.
Law stiffens next to me, and I know he feels it too.
“Maggie, listen to me,” he says, low and lethal. “Do exactly as I say. Do you understand?”
I nod, growing more concerned with each step we take, the tingly sensation never abating. I can hear footsteps behind us now, and the need to look over my shoulder to see who’s pursuing us is intense, but I don’t dare.
“Keep your eyes forward,” Law orders. “Whatever you do, don’t look back.”
I squeeze his arm in confirmation. We walk another block, and a man wearing leather from his toes to his neck steps out from an alley. He has a sword pointed at us.
A freaking medieval sword.
Law grinds us to a halt.
“Well, look at what we have here. A vampire.”
Whoever is behind us starts to clap.
“Very perceptive, Danny. To think that Zeke believes you’ve potential to be a master hunter. It’s demeaning.”
“Kiss my ass, Blaine,” the blond man snaps to a man behind us.
“Fellas, as much as this conversation has me riveted,” Law drawls, sounding bored, “my friend and I have somewhere to be, and you’re in my way.”
“See now... that’s where you’re wrong,” Danny says, lowering the sword to his side, seemingly unaffected by Law’s stature. He takes a step forward. “You’re not going anywhere with that girl.”
My shoulders push back at the mention of me. What are their plans?
“Miss? What’s your name?” he asks.
“You don’t speak to her,” Law growls, stalking forward.
It’s the first time the blond man has shown any semblance of fear. His eyes widen and he stumbles back a few steps. “You don’t even look at her,” Law continues.
“Look, the beast has feelings for the human.” It’s a woman’s voice this time.
I can’t help it. I turn around to see who’s talking. A female and another man dressed in leather, each holding their own sword, are too close for comfort.
“Is there a medieval dinner theater around here?” Law barks. “What’s with the ancient metal?”
“We know what you are,” the man next to the woman—Blaine—hisses. We hunt your kind.” The man turns his gaze on me. “You know he’s a vampire?”
I look between the three hunters. “Yes,” I squeak, hating how pathetic I sound.
It likely has them thinking I’m being forced by Law.