asked Ethan, activating our silent link. Car behind us, seven o’clock?
American, by the sound of it. Strong engine.
Of course that would be your contribution, I kidded to ease the tension. Slow down just a smidge.
We slapped back a gear, moving with less speed, our feet barely lifting off the ground. A slow jog for humans, barely a shuffle for healthy vampires.
And still, the vehicle crept forward. I hadn’t yet seen it, but I could hear it behind us. Moving as we moved, tracking our speed. But was this friend or foe?
Was this someone who watched us, wanted to speak with us . . . or wanted to end us?
On three, stay where you are. I’m going to make a move.
You’ll be careful?
Liege, I parroted back, using one of his favorite phrases, I’m immortal.
One, I silently said. I squeezed his hand for luck. Get a look at the license plate if you can.
Ethan nodded. Two, he silently said.
Three, we said together, and I bolted.
I darted to the street. The car, half a block back, caught me in its headlights and came to a squealing stop. I couldn’t see the car for the lights, but it was high enough that I could tell it wasn’t a sedan or convertible, more like a truck or SUV.
For a moment, we faced each other.
The vehicle revved its engine, and I stared it down with feigned bravado—because my heart was beating like a timpani drum.
We could stand here all night, but I wasn’t going to learn anything about this threat—if it was a threat—unless I made a move.
One hand on my hip, I crooked a finger at the car, daring the driver to move forward.
The driver took the dare.
With the squeal of rubber on the road, the driver mashed the accelerator and pushed forward. I squeezed my fingers into fists, even as my heart thudded beneath my chest, willing myself to stay where I was until the vehicle was closer, until I had a chance to catch sight of the driver. But it was dark, the windows were tinted, and the glare was too much to see through.
With only nanoseconds and a few millimeters to spare, I half turned and flipped backward, barely moving out of the way in time. I’d have sworn I felt the slickness of the vehicle’s clear coat beneath my toes as we passed each other.
I hit the ground in a crouch and turned back to stare after the car.
It was a black SUV. No plates. We’d seen similar vehicles before; McKetrick’s thugs had driven them when he’d confronted us in the past.
I nearly jumped when Ethan put a hand on my arm. “You’re all right?” He scanned my eyes.
“I’m fine. It wasn’t even close,” I lied. “But I couldn’t see the driver. Did you see anything?”
“Nothing at all.”
“Weird. Why get this close without taking action?”
“Maybe they’re watching us,” Ethan said darkly, which was somehow even more disturbing.
“For what purpose?”
“I’m not sure,” he said, obvious concern in his voice. “Let’s get back to the House.”
I wasn’t about to argue with that.
* * *
When we walked into the foyer, Malik stood beside the door, awaiting our return. Ethan must have signaled him telepathically.
“You’re all right?” he asked, his gaze shifting between us; he must have sensed the spill of magic.
“We were followed by a black SUV. No clue who it was or what he or she was after. The vehicle drove off when Merit confronted them.”
Malik looked at me. “Merit confronted them?”
“I approached; they left.”
“Any word yet from the GP?” Ethan asked.
Malik shook his head. “They’ve been completely incommunicado. I presume they’ll be here when it’s time for the ceremony, but they haven’t reached out.”
“Is it just me, or is that completely unlike them?” I asked, glancing between them. “Why bother to get here early if they aren’t going to use the time to harass us?”
Ethan nodded. “Unfortunately, I tend to agree. And a bit of last-minute drama isn’t out of the question.” He glanced at Malik. “I’m going to head up and take a shower. Please tell Luc about the SUV, and let’s warn the House in the event they’re still out there.”
Not exactly the most comforting of thoughts.
* * *
I was also grungy from the run, so I grabbed a shower as soon as Ethan was finished and climbed into my leathers, as I had no idea what the night might bring.
I pulled my hair into a ponytail and touched the hollow of my neck where my Cadogan medal formerly would