“Errr, should we help him?” I whisper conspiratorially to Vin, but the hunter merely shushes me, focusing on Frankie with narrowed eyes.
It suddenly occurs to me that the beasts aren’t attacking our cold-blooded friend. Instead, they appear to be listening to him, their heads canted to the side in consideration.
Vin nods at me once, and we both immediately move forward to join the huddle. Frankie glances up sharply at our footsteps, but his face slackens with relief when he spots us. Eyes cold, he steps through the throng of beasts.
“It’s so good to see you guys,” he says—though his tone suggests it’s anything but. Yeah, our little scientist needs to work on his bedside manner. Sometimes, I have the distinct feeling he’s planning on cutting open my chest to experiment on my organs. I think our tentative friendship is the only thing keeping me in one piece.
Abruptly, Frankie’s features tighten imperceptibly as he peers around both of our shoulders. “Where’s Violet?” Those cold, cold eyes of his land first one me and then on Vin. “Where the fuck is she?”
“We don’t know,” Vin answers wearily, sounding almost tired. He rakes his fingers through his tousled black hair and heaves out a sigh. “She must’ve landed somewhere else when the portal spit her out.”
Frankie’s lips purse, as if he has eaten something sour, but he doesn’t answer. Instead, he merely stalks back towards his little beastly friends. I’m going to name them Shadow and Fishy, and the triplets will be Biscuit, Tuna, and Spaghetti.
“What the fuck are they, and why aren’t they dead?” Vin snaps, some of his original ire returning as he glares at the disgusting creatures.
Frankie waves a hand at them almost dismissively, as if he can’t be bothered to introduce them. “Apparently, I have enough of Frankenstein’s blood in me for the monsters to think I’m their daddy.” He makes a face before quickly smoothing out his features. “They’ve been following me around ever since.”
“Aren’t you a cutie patootie,” I coo, crouching down beside one of the mangy mutts. He bares his teeth at me, sharper than those of a shark, and immediately lunges for me. I squeal and run behind Vin, using him for protection.
“Fucking pussy,” Vin seethes, shoving me away from him.
“Pussies are stronger than cocks,” I point out, eyeing the dog-thing as he drops back to his stomach in front of Frankie. “That’s what Violet always says.”
The mention of our missing mate immediately cools the light-hearted atmosphere. Vin, if it’s even possible, appears even more broody, and Frankie looks as if he wants to cut a bitch. Or a Mason.
“We think she’s headed to the hospital,” Vin states at last.
“After what Dimitri said, I think you’re right.” He nods once, already turning on his heel in preparation to leave. “I was headed there myself. Even if for some reason Dimitri was pulling Violet’s leg, we’ll all be together to travel to the main part of the city. There’s too many monsters for us to go on our own.” He releases a shrill whistle, and his beasts immediately begin trailing behind him like besotted puppies. To be quite frank, it’s weird as fuck to see.
Vin and I exchange a long, commiserating glance.
“We’ll get her back,” I say for the twentieth time in the last few minutes. His eyes harden with resolve, lips thinning. After a moment, he nods his head in agreement.
“We’ll get her back.”
CHAPTER 29
VIOLET
Flames immediately engulf the sides of the cozy diner, specks of red and orange and yellow eating away at the siding. Cal’s arms are iron vises around me as we both stare at the crumbling building in rapt horror.
“Holy shit balls,” I wheeze.
“He must not have known you were inside,” Cal murmurs, tone pitched in horror and disbelief. “But fuck, we could’ve died. I’m too pretty and young to die this early.”
All I can do is nod mutely. What if Cal hadn’t seen the grenade before Hux/Jack threw it? What if we had still been in the building when it exploded? Fire is one of the few things that can kill a vampire. After all, a body can’t put itself back together again when it’s decimated into ash. Neither Hux or Jack would ever be able to forgive themselves if they had accidentally murdered me.
“We should see if he’s still there,” I say, freeing myself from Cal’s arms. I don’t waste any time racing around the restaurant and towards where I had last seen my lover—lovers? The street, however, is barren, with no indication that Hux/Jack had ever been here to begin with. I have no doubt that Hux is steadily losing control, his need to find and protect me overriding his logical side. Even Jack won’t be able to handle a feral and completely unhinged Hux.
“He left already,” I whisper, feeling oddly bereft. All I want is to see one of my men and wrap myself in his arms. I’m driving myself crazy with worry. Are they hurt? Dead? Are they looking for me? Are they heading towards the city or towards the hospital? Question after question continue to bombard me from all sides like a twenty-car pile-up.
“Vi, we need to get moving.” Cal’s hand rests on my upper arm to guide me away from the roaring flames. “The fire is going to catch a lot of attention.”
“You’re right.” I nod resolutely, peering through the smoke. “We need to head to the hospital. Now.”
The next hour is silent as we venture farther away from
