Page 105 of Twice Bitten

The Shifter King nodded slowly. “I can see how trust might be the last thing you feel capable of doing after Alric, but you may not be safe at a hotel. I can offer you a space at the Hollow. You have my word, you’ll be safe. Alric would not dare try to breach my territory.”

I thought about it. Silas’s Hollow could certainly be the safest place to retreat to, but I’d trusted Alric and look where that had gotten me. “Thanks,” I said, “but I think it’s best if I take care of myself.”

Silas didn’t look happy about it, but he nodded. “Alright. Your house first, and then I’ll drop you wherever you like.”

“Thank you.”

He smiled, but it held a tinge of regret. “This is the least I can do for a woman who managed to get one over on the Vampire Prime. I would have paid good money to see his face when you whipped that magic out.”

My smile wobbled. When would all this stop? I wanted my life back. I wanted to be me again.

Silas reached out and touched my shoulder. “Hey. Alex. I was kidding. I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been for you.”

I swallowed hard. “Thank you. I think I’m coming down from all the adrenaline.”

Silas nodded and we passed the rest of the drive in silence.

TWENTY-NINE

The Shifter King dropped me at a hotel located in a cluster of shopping and other lodging. As soon as his truck pulled out and his taillights disappeared, I stepped out of the lobby and walked across the street to a different hotel, where I got a room for the night.

Better safe than sorry was the motto that would keep me alive.

As soon as I was safe inside my room, I dropped my bag and face-planted onto the bed, letting out a muffled scream against the blankets. Once I’d gotten that out of my system, I rummaged for my cell and texted Cat.

Trusting anyone had gotten exponentially harder, but I had no intentions of telling her about the virus. All I wanted was to pick her brain about the books she’d given me, books I’d tucked into my duffle with plans to study them later this evening.

Cat didn’t want to video call. She had me share my location and showed up twenty minutes later wearing pajamas and holding a bottle of wine and two wine glasses.

The eclectic witch breezed in and went straight to the desk, where she cracked open the wine and poured us both a heftymeasure. Then she turned to me, grimaced, and held out the wine glass.

“You look like shit,” she announced.

I let out a surprised laugh. “It’s been an interesting day.”

Cat grabbed the wine bottle, set it on the nightstand, then kicked off her slippers and climbed onto my bed, plumping up the pillows behind her. I was beginning to realize Cat had few boundaries. But I was too tired to care. I did the same, and when we were both on the bed, I finally began to relax.

“What happened?” she asked quietly.

I glanced at her, the urge to tell her almost overflowing inside me.

Her face softened. “Trust is a difficult thing to earn. But haven’t we already formed that bond?” At my lifted brow, she snorted. “Neither one of us are in jail, are we? You gave me more trust than I gave you.” Cat sighed. “Hell, you didn’t even know what I looked like.”

“Mmm,” I agreed and took a long drink of wine. “True.” I let out a deep sigh. “Fuck.”

Cat grabbed the bottle and topped me up. “I might be able to help. Try me.”

I took another drink of wine and started to cry.

Cat’s eyes widened. “Oh. Oh no. Alex.” She scooted over and held out an arm, gently wrapping it around me.

I buried my face in my hands. “I think I killed the Prime tonight.”

She went still. “I’m sorry,” she said after a moment. “I think I misheard you. Did you say youkilledthe Prime? As in the Vampire Prime?”

I nodded miserably.

Cat let out a shocked giggle. Then another. Then snorted and broke into hysterical laughter.