Vixen (Dark Protectors #11.5) - Rebecca Zanetti Page 0,21

guy wasn’t an asshole.”

“He wasn’t. I don’t think,” Tabi said.

“Enough with this cult bullshit,” Evan barked. “I will shoot you.”

Adare’s eyebrows rose. “He seems like an asshole. I’ve also heard something about testosterone and strength in mated human males that’s unreal and had other species wary, which is probably why they were killed off.” Then he stiffened, lifting his head and glancing outside. “Well, now. I guess I didn’t have time to do much here. Good. Truth be told, I’m not sure what should be done with you, human.”

Oh, man. Did these people think they were aliens or something? Evan shook his head. “How big is your cult?” They kept coming out of the woodwork.

As if on cue, bodies poured inside through both the back and front doors, all huge and wearing black clothing outfitted with several weapons. Evan backed Tabi to the fireplace, his gun at the ready, keeping his body between her and any threat. As soon as the house was swept, the soldiers all exited, save one large bastard with messy brown hair and eyes hidden by dark sunglasses. He stood by the door and tapped his ear. “The house is clear.”

Who the hell were these people?

Evan leaned to the side. “When I tell you to run, do it.”

The mammoth by the door shook his head. “There’s nowhere to run. We have the entire block blanketed.”

Evan drew in a deep breath. All right. If this was his last stand, it wasn’t a bad one. Then a woman walked through the doorway, and he kept his aim on the huge guy, careful not to point at her.

“Thank you, Max,” she said softly, patting the big guy on the arm while carrying what looked like a doctor’s bag in her free hand. She was about medium height with long black hair and stunning blue eyes, and she’d dressed in dark jeans and a light green sweater. Her smile was contagious, and those eyes really sparkled. “You must be Evan.”

Tabi pushed him in the back and shoved her way to his side. “Um, hi. Your highness. I mean, Queen.”

This was the queen? The woman looked like the girl next door.

“Emma,” she said, her lips curving. “You demonnesses sure cause some trouble. I love that about you.”

A man walked through the door, tension emanating from him. Was that charisma? Or something more? He eyed Evan and then moved to the queen’s side. He was tall and broad with black hair, his eyes also shielded by glasses.

Tabi, swear to God, curtseyed. “King Dage Kayrs. I’ve seen pictures of you both.”

King? Oh, holy crap. The woman was in deep. Evan switched his aim to this so-called king, and that Max fellow instantly growled and moved forward.

The king stopped him with a wave of his hand. “It’s okay, Max. O’Connell isn’t a shoot first kind of guy.” He smiled, all charm. “I might’ve caught up on you and any records pertaining to you while we flew here. Nice job overseas, by the way.” He then turned his attention to Tabi. “Tabitha Rusko. I was so sorry to learn of your guardian’s passing.”

Tabi gaped. “How did you know about me? About Janet?”

The king guy sighed, the sound long suffering.

Emma rolled her eyes. “He’s the king. Sometimes people forget that.” She turned and patted his arm. “I know you could blow up the entire world with your brain because you’re so powerful and all of that, Dage, but let’s stay on track here.” She pressed her lips together. “So, Tabitha. You mated a human male? Fascinating.” She turned and studied Evan, delight dancing across her face.

Evan had the strongest urge to step back.

Max, the massive soldier, pressed his lips together as if trying not to laugh.

Adare took in the scene from his position near door. “I’ll leave you to it, then. You owe me, king.” Then he smoothly walked outside and into the breezy day.

“Say hi to Grace for me,” Emma called out, studying Tabi as strongly as she had Evan. “So. I was a geneticist before mating the king here, and I’m now the chief researcher for the Realm. Does anybody mind if I take a little blood?”

Evan snarled. “I have no idea what you’re all into, but nobody is biting me.” Did these wackos actually think they were vampires?

The queen frowned. “Biting? No. I brought syringes. Of course.”

Evan calculated the odds, and they weren’t good. There had been enough soldiers, fully armed, searching his house that it was possible the entire neighborhood really was