The Black God - Page 29/187

"Maybe we should turn back," she said, slowing her step. She hadn't thought to bring weapons to the club. It was less than a block away from the apartment she shared with Brandon.

"We're almost there," Shane promised. "It's around the corner." He pointed to a nearby building.

She hesitated, not wanting him to become a casualty if vamps jumped her, but didn't stop. In truth, she was having a good time talking to someone else for the first time in a while. If nothing else, she could tell him to run while she held off the vamps.

So she continued walking, a little less relaxed. Shane appeared oblivious and continued talking cheerfully. She allowed her senses to track the movements of those behind them and went through a couple of mental exercises to help shift her mood to fighting.

They went around the corner, and her step slowed once more.

ore shadowy figures lining the quiet street ahead of them but the memorial was noticeably absent.

"I don't see it," she said with more irritation than she meant to show.

"I get lost sometimes," Shane admitted. "Maybe it's the next corner."

"Look, Shane, I think we need to go back," she said, trying to keep her voice upbeat and friendly. "We can find it online."

"This area looks familiar. I'm pretty sure it's right up there," he said and continued walking.

Her internal alarms were blaring. Ashley stopped, able to track the movements of no less than fifteen stalkers. She'd never faced more than four vamps. While she was confident she could face at least six, she doubted she could fifteen.

"Shane," she called, gaze going to the guy several meters ahead of her. "We need to go back."

Movement across the street caught her attention, and she shifted her weight so it was more balanced, preparing for a confrontation.

"Now, Shane."

"I don't think so." Something in his voice made her face his direction. His smile was gone, his eyes hard.

Here I was worried about him … He'd led her into some kind of trap. "What're you doing, Shane?" she asked. "You don't know what these things are."

"I do. They're going to turn me into one of them in exchange for helping them trap you."

I definitely have a type. Her initial instinct was right. Her choice of guys was fatally flawed. Ashley glared at him. The vamps were closing in. Several emerged from the shadows, armed to the teeth with weapons, their red eyes glowing.

Jonny must've gotten tired of her picking on his vamps. How he found her, though, she had no idea. She was protected by Brandon's Natural ability or so she thought. What had she done wrong? Left her student identification at a fight? Failed to notice one of the vamps tagging her with a GPS locator? Or did Jonny's power as the Black God grant him the ability to bypass Brandon's gift?