And now, their attention was off her and on the blond. Was that why she’d suddenly remembered what had happened?
Either way, they were vampires. They had to be.
Her blood chilled, becoming a river of sludge in her veins. They were far more powerful than she’d realized. McKell had warned her, but she hadn’t listened. Stupid of her, and a mistake she wouldn’t make again. These two could play with human memory, hiding what they didn’t like. They could even compel humans to do what they wanted. Look how easily they’d led her to those rooms.
They were snaking themselves around the blonde, who was also human in appearance. She had short, pale hair, her eyes heavy-lidded, her lips parted. She wore a white halter top and a short black skirt. Flaming red high heels revealed black-painted toenails. One man was in front of her, the other behind her, and both licked at her neck.
Ava debated what to do, how best to lure them outside. Before a single solution presented itself, one of the guys clasped the woman’s hand, tugging her from the dance floor. She willingly followed, perhaps in a trance as Ava had been. The second one stayed close on her heels.
There was only one thing she could do, Ava realized. Stupid or not, she chased after them. Would have been nice if they’d headed toward the back door instead of the front, but no.
They quickened their steps, and she did the same, her heart pounding wildly. When she reached them, she grabbed the one closest to her, stopping him. McKell, McKell, McKell, she thought, as the vampire’s gaze whipped to her. Black eyes, so deep, like a pit, only insanity waited at the bottom. Contacts? And why hadn’t she noticed before?
He had a beautiful face … so beautiful … those eyes didn’t promise insanity, no, no, how wrong she’d been, they promised—McKell, McKell, McKell. She continued her study. The vampire had high cheekbones, lush lips, like McKell’s, but the arm she held lacked sizzle.
“Don’t speak,” she said. McKell. “Just head outside with me. To the back of the club. I’ll make you happier than you’ve ever been.”
The vampire barked something over his shoulder, speaking in a language she didn’t understand and had never heard before. Her brain fogged—until she wondered if McKell spoke that language, too. The fog cleared.
The other guy stopped and honed in on her, as well. The moment their eyes locked, she knew she was dinner. He nodded. The blonde had stopped, too, and trailed the new direction of his focus. Her eyes narrowed; she might have hissed.
McKell. Ava offered both vampires a fake, drunken smile. “Let’s all be quiet, go outside, and have sex.” Too obvious?
“You changed your mind.” His voice was cultured, his tone melodious.
McKell. “I did? I don’t remember.” McKell. “All I can think about is the fact that I want to be with you.”
His smile was slow and wicked. “Come, then.”
“But what about me?” the girl pouted.
His gaze never strayed from Ava. “Go away. This one was our first choice, you a distant second.”
McKell. “Outside?” She pointed to the front door, then shook her head. “Too many people that way. Let’s go that way.” Now she pointed to the back door. Where McKell waited.
He shook his head, dark hair swaying. “The alley reeks of garbage.”
She’d been out there and had noticed a slight smell, but recalled the way McKell had cringed. Just how acute were vampire senses? “And the front reeks of car exhaust.”
“That’s why we’re going to a new location. So, are you in or out, beautiful?” The second vampire, the one closest to her, leaned down and whispered, “I hope you say in. The things I’ll do to you …”
Though the fog remained at bay, she barely restrained herself from leaning into him. McKell was out there, waiting, but if she protested any more, these men would leave her behind.
“All right,” she said. “Let’s go outside.” The moment they cleared the building, and were distanced from possible hostages, she would scream for McKell. He would come running, and hopefully catch them.
Rather than lead her out, both men stiffened, sniffed the air.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
“McKell,” one of them whispered.
McKell was here? Thank you, thank you, thank you. She scanned the crowd … searching … there. She experienced a starburst of giddy relief. He’d come inside.
He spotted her, as if attuned to her, and scowled. And then, heaven save them all then, he stalked toward her, deadly intent in his gaze.
The man she held tried to tug from her grip, but she dug in her nails, holding tight. At the same time, she swung her free hand into his nose, smacking the cartilage with the heel of her palm.
Blood spurted, and he yelped, his knees buckling. The other leapt into a run, leaving his injured friend behind. McKell was too far away to reach him, so Ava sprinted after him, pushing through humans and otherworlders, hearing their curses but paying them no heed.
Except, when she next blinked, she found herself outside—though she’d never reached the double doors. Another blink, and she was in front of her car—AIR issued and a loan from Mia. A scowling McKell was beside her, a vampire hanging from each of his arms.
He was manipulating time, she realized, and relaxed.
“Program my voice into the car,” he commanded.
She did, a process that took a minute, maybe two, and in another blink she was inside the car, in the driver’s seat. She looked to her right. McKell now sat in the passenger seat, watching her expectantly. And, if she wasn’t mistaken, with dread.
Moonlight caressed him, golden and creamy, just as it had in the forest, as if every ray searched until finding him, just to stroke him lovingly. His violet eyes were bright, his lips redder than usual. One of the vampires had punched him, she was sure.
Speaking of, “Where are the vampires?”
He blinked in surprise, the dread a rising deluge, then motioned to the backseat with a tilt of his chin. Had he expected her to balk about the time manipulation? Probably. She’d tried to make him promise not to do it, after all. As dire as the circumstances had been, she wasn’t going to chastise him. She was grateful.
She turned, gasped. Sure enough, both vampires were unconscious and slumped over each other. Gold star, McKell. He’d done what she hadn’t. Won.
“Thank you for coming to get me,” she said, facing him.
“You’re … welcome?” A question, not a statement. “Is this a trick? I didn’t trust in your ability to protect yourself. I caved to worry. I—”