Page 59 of Twice Bitten

Silas, still at the kitchen island, blinked owlishly. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Get out of my house. Your invitation is rescinded.”

Anger sparked in his hazel eyes, the polite and calm mask faltering. He needed Beckett for something, a reason he was willing to sacrifice me for.

“Alex.” His voice was cajoling. “I’m sure we can work something out. I can have some of my shifters come by and watch for him. They’ll act as backup if things go awry.”

“This is the last time I ask. Leave, Silas. Or I will make you.”

The Shifter King rose in one graceful move—a male that large should not be able to move like water. He watched me and then made a fatal mistake.

Silas smirked.

Ihatedsmirkers. Everyone who made that expression was a smug bastard. They assumed they’d won far before the winners were announced. Silas was so confident in his charm and power that he automatically assumed I would roll over and show him my belly.

“Edmund,” I said quietly.

The floor rose in a swell, the sound of clattering wood reminding me of how I used to run my fingers over piano keys as a child. Silas’s eyes widened and he rose in the air, Edmund’s power carrying him across the floor.

The Shifter King flailed and swore under his breath, his arms pinwheeling behind him. I smiled as he sailed toward me and stepped to the side with a little wave of my fingers. A second later, Edmund flung him right out the door and onto the driveway.

I watched him land with a hard thump, smiling when his exhaled breath came out as a long groan.

“I’ll give you a minute to get off the property. Do not return.”

I slammed the door behind me and sank to the floor. “That bastard,” I hissed between my teeth.

“Are you alright?” Edmund’s voice echoed around the foyer.

“I’m fine. Thanks for the assist. Glad I sprung for the heated floors.” Edmund could control anything in the house using electricity and possibly more. The spirit was secretive on a good day. When I had the choice between the hydronic heated floors or the one using electric heated mats, I’d chosen electric. Just in case.

“Are you kidding? Getting to throw a real king into the front yard? I’m positively giddy.”

I chuckled. “I’ve made two big enemies in less than a week.”

“Yes. If it helps, they both seem like huge jerks.” No truer words had ever been spoken. “What could he want with Beckett so badly that he can’t go to Alric?” he continued.

“I’m more concerned about what this has to do with me. Luring Beckett here is foolish, but should I consider it to see what’s so important Silas was willing to ask a hedgewitch for a favor?”

“Absolutely not. That vampire’s obsession with you is thereason all this started. Leave Beckett to Silas and Alric. Stay out of it. No good will come from this.”

I sighed and rubbed my hands over my face. “You’re right.”

The sound of a vehicle starting up outside made me get to my feet. I peered out the window to see Silas pull away from the neighbor’s house a few doors down. He was driving a gray pickup truck, his jaw tight with fury.

Served him right. Asshole.

“Are you going out this evening?”

I planned to visit the address Marinka had given me. “For a little while. I won’t be gone for more than a couple of hours.”

“I’d use a ride-share and park your vehicle in your garage. Don’t underestimate either one of them. In fact, I’d take your phone to the police station and ask them to look for a tracker app.”

I sucked in a breath. “No. They wouldn’t do that.”

“Think about it, Alex. How do people who become that powerful stay that powerful?”

The thought of someone knowing where I was all the time sickened me. “They do whatever is necessary to keep tabs on people that threaten them.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a threat to either.”