Page 49 of Twice Bitten

“It appears we are.” I bent and slipped off my heels, leaving them on the ground. “I’ll mail your dress back in a few days.”

Alric took a step toward me.

I held a hand up. “One more step, and I’ll activate the real purpose of the spell.” There was no other purpose. I didn’t go in planning to kill the Prime, only to save myself if need be. The flower wouldn’t kill him if he found a skilled healer in time. It might not kill him at all.

Either way, I didn’t want to be here when he figured that out.

The Prime halted. His eyes narrowed. Amusement and something else flickered over his face. “It appears I’ve underestimated you, little hedgewitch.”

“Story of my life,” I muttered. The events of the evening weighed heavily on my shoulders. All I wanted was a shower, a fresh pair of pajamas, and a stiff drink. And now I was going to have to order a frigging ride home because the Prime was a grade A asshole.

I turned and began stomping down the long driveway.

“Alex.”

I pulled out my phone and clicked the app for the ride service. Would anyone even pick me up at the Prime’s house? Most people stayed far away from this area, with good reason. Ifthe Prime treated everyone like he’d treated me tonight, there was no way this asshole had any friends at all.

The sound of a car starting up sent my pulse into overdrive. I moved off the concrete and onto the edge of the grass. The Prime’s Rolls Royce pulled up alongside me, the passenger side window easing down.

“Get in,” Leo said quietly.

“Not a chance in hell.”

“The Prime has ordered me to see you home safely.”

“The Prime can suck a bag of dicks.”

A soft snort. “Alex. Please. It will not end well for me if you continue to refuse me.”

I glanced at the vampire steering the vehicle. “Are you guilt-tripping me, Leo?”

A sheepish smile tipped his lips up. “Yes, but I’m serious. Please get in the vehicle. You have my word no harm will come to you.”

I glanced back, but the Prime was gone. He could be anywhere. His ass could be in the car right now under a cloak of invisibility because that would be just my luck. All powerful and invisible too.

“He’s…seeing a healer.” Leo’s pale brow furrowed. “Get in the car, Alex. Please.”

I sighed and reached for the passenger door. Leo stopped the vehicle to let me slide in and pulled away from the edge of the grass. “Thank you.”

“If you kill me, I’m coming back to haunt your ass.”

“Duly noted,” Leo said as the iron gates opened and we pulled away from the site of the worst dinner I’d ever had.

We drove in silence for a little while before Leo glanced over.

“What did you do to him?” The words were quiet but curious.

“A simple hedgewitch spell tailored to vampires. He will be fine provided he has a good healer on staff.”

“He does.” Leo’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel. “You hurt him.”

“He hurt me first.”

A tilt of his head, acknowledging my words. “He won’t forget this.”

“Neither will I.” I would never forget the feeling of helplessness when his palm wrapped around my neck, nor would I forget the burn in my chest as he tightened his grip. A normal man could not have done that to me. Having that pain inflicted on me by the Prime made my fury burn hotter. He’d dominated me through physical strength. No need for magic to be involved.

I wanted to stab him again.