Page 83 of Always Eros
“We can’t wait,” Syn says, glancing at me. “Bring him with us.”
“What?” Eros launches off the bed, shoving Syn in the chest. “Are you mad? That’s dangerous.”
“Syn is right,” Yves says. “While it’s not preferred, he’s likely safer with us than not.” Yves turns his intense gaze to me. “You have to promise to do exactly as we say. It’s the difference between life and death.”
I nod. “I’ll do what I’m told.” I think I sound confident, even though I kind of want to vomit.
“We have some glamour left,” Syn says. “We can mask his scent. That will help.”
Eros paces in front of the bed, dragging a hand through his hair. “It’s so risky. If they find out we have a mortal with us…”
“They won’t,” Hale says. “I won’t let what happened to Nathan happen to someone else, even if I have to take a stake myself.”
Eros nods, but his face is creased with worry. I extend my hand, staying safely under the blankets, and he takes it, stepping closer to me.
“I promise to stay wherever you tell me to. You don’t have to worry.”
“I waited my entire existence to find you. I cannot lose you.”
“You won’t. I’ll be careful.”
Eros squeezes my hand. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
The vampires leave the room while Eros watches me throw on my clothes. Minutes later, we’re heading out the front door, but instead of going down to the garage, we take the elevator up to the roof. Do they have a helicopter I didn’t notice?
Nope. It’s just an empty roof. I’m about to ask when Eros turns to me and says, “Hop on my back and hold on. We don’t have time for cars.”
I do as I’m told then literally scream as Eros and the others leap from the roof. We land on the grass below effortlessly, but before I can catch my breath, he takes off, sprinting so fast everything around me is just a blur. It’s equal parts terrifying and amazing.
We stop abruptly, and I immediately recognize the neighborhood where Eros found me. There’s nothing here but woods and darkness, until we step into what appears to be a wall. Suddenly, a huge black building appears. It’s some kind of strange blend of Victorian and modern, with moody lighting and the soft thrum of bass-heavy music seeping through its walls.
The parking lot is packed with cars, and as we get closer, the front doors open, and three truly imposing men step out to greet us. Yves hugs the closest person to him, a mountain of a man with jet-black hair and equally black eyes, at least from where I’m standing.
We enter the club as a group with Eros clinging to me, his arm wrapped protectively around my waist. I listen as the tall man explains the situation.
“They were spotted about ten miles from here in an abandoned house,” he says. “Our guys did a little snooping and they talked about Lair. Their intent is to recruit as many vampires as they can to their cause and kill those who resist.”
Yves shakes his head, his face truly terrifying. I’ve seen anger before, but nothing like what’s all over Yves’s expression. He looks like he could tear the world apart with his bare hands.
“We have a mortal to protect,” Yves says through clenched teeth as he gestures at me.
The man who seems to be the leader of the club steps toward me with a curious expression, but Eros hisses at him, pulling me protectively behind him.
“Keep your distance, Tiago.”
The tall man, Tiago apparently, chuckles. “I won’t touch your pretty mortal, Eros. I was just investigating since his scent revealed nothing.”
“Protection spell,” Eros mumbles. “Where will he be safe while we deal with these treasonous bastards?”
“We have a saferoom in the back. He can go there.” Tiago gestures for us to follow him.
As we pass through the club, the other people there—vampires, I assume—are on high alert, all of them tense and ready to fight. I can literally feel the tension in the air.
“How do vampires fight each other?” I whisper.
“Violently,” Thorn answers, even though he’s several people ahead of me.
“It’s not something I want you to see,” Eros says. “Not the side of me I want you to know.”