Invincible (A Centennial City Novel) - By Fionn Jameson Page 0,95

what Vincent's going to do when he finds out I let you go?”

I curled my fingers inward, felt the tip of the bisu prick my index finger. I thought it was kind of amazing, how often my life seemed to count on this dagger that measured only four inches from tip to hilt. “So, you will take me back. Regardless of my wishes.”

He groaned. “Oh, man. Don't say that. Look, he means the best. I don't know what you did to take down Marcus, but this is war. You're not going to survive three seconds against a vampire of Annabelle's caliber. She's a dumb ass, but she's strong.”

My humility stopped me from saying I was strong, too.

Ryder must have taken my silence for assent and settled back in his seat, his well-shaped profile to me. “I know it's tough to take a, hah, back seat but we mean the best. Vincent wants you to stay alive. We'll get Jason safe and sound for you. The fight's over for you, Ran.”

The fight's over for you.

“Is it, Ryder?” I asked. “Is it really over?”

He nodded. “Just close your eyes and relax. Let us do what we do best.”

Let us do what we do best.

I did close my eyes, and when I did, all I could hear was Jason's voice echoing incessantly in the back of my mind.

Perhaps I have been waiting for you.

That was before he changed.

Could it really only have been a week?

Gods, it seemed like half an eternity.

Perhaps I have been waiting for you.

Could I?

I need you, Ran.

Damn it, I didn't have a choice anymore.

I drew in a deep breath and then opened my eyes. “I'm sorry, Ryder.”

He turned to look at me with the wide, cornflower blue eyes. “What do you--”

I moved.

He moved.

I was faster.

All this, Van watched with dispassionate eyes and when I pricked Ryder's neck with the dagger, not even Van's eyelids flickered.

He only continued driving, although most of his attention was on us, not on the road. For some reason, this didn't bother as much as it should have. I got the rather disconcerting feeling he could have navigated through rush-hour traffic with a blindfold three inches thick.

Ryder's voice was almost inaudible. “You're making a big, big mistake.”

“I wouldn't swallow if I were you,” I said, wishing I had another pair of eyes on the back of my head so I could keep track of the vampire in front of me and the one behind me. “Vampire or not, this blade has the highest ratio of silver that can be forged into a blade. It would hurt you a lot.”

“I know,” he whispered. “I can feel it.”

Indeed, I could see a small red welt forming just over his jugular where the blade had sunk a millimeter deep into his tanned skin. “I'm sorry about this. But I can't just go to sleep now. I have a duty. I promised Jason.”

Van snorted. “What is honor to humans like you?”

“It's the only thing I've got left,” I said and then wished I had kept my mouth shut.

He went quiet and then stopped for a red light.

“Turn a right here,” I ordered.

“I am not in the right lane.”

“I said, do it!”

Desperation made my hand tremble just a bit and Ryder yelped as the dagger dug deeper into his throat. “Damn it, Van, listen to her!”

Van's black eyes narrowed. “Whether you live or die is none of my concern. My orders were to deposit the human at the club. I follow my orders to the letter.”

"And what were your orders? To the letter, if you don't mind."

The light turned back to green and he accelerated slowly, smoothly. Shit. "Get you to the Black Masque. Make sure you stay alive."

"Just those two orders?"

He nodded, eyes still on me.

I let out a breath and Ryder mewed in pain. He had to be in some pain, but I couldn't afford to give any ground. Not just yet.

Not when there was so much at stake. "Fine. Then, I should hope for Ryder's sake the Masque is close."

The only reply I got was a lifting of brows from Van and a slow groan from Ryder.

"You don't play fair," he whispered. “We just want you to stay alive.”

I couldn’t pull the blade from his neck. Not just yet. “I’ve never needed anyone to pull my ass from the fire, and I’m not about to start now.’

My hand would not stop shaking and a sharp, steady pain ran up and down my arm, but I couldn’t stop.