Better Off Undead - Cynthia Eden Page 0,17

in there. Tell me—”

The wolf’s head butted against Garrison’s leg.

“Shit, shit,” Garrison rasped. “Jane, you’re gonna need to walk away. Slowly. Do not run. That will just make him want to chase you. That’s what happens when the wolf is in charge. It’s all animal. You run, he chases you down. You—”

“His animal isn’t in control. He’s Aidan. Wolf or man, he’s Aidan.” Jane sounded a whole lot more confident than she felt. The wolf had circled around them and now he was right by her side. Jane slowly lifted her hand toward the beast. “He’s Aidan.”

Aidan with some very, very big teeth.

He sniffed her hand. His eyes—those same brilliant blue eyes—gleamed up at her.

“Aidan,” Jane said his name again, only stronger this time. More determined. “Get your ass back into human form before you start to freak out some tourists.”

The wolf stared up at her.

Her heart drummed in her chest. She knew he could smell her fear. Aidan had told her once that he didn’t like it when she was afraid. That the scent was wrong, coming from her.

She stared at him.

He licked her hand then he slid back onto his haunches. He stared up at her as the change swept over him again. Hard. Brutal. The snapping of bones was a sound she’d never be able to forget. The fur seemed to melt away. Smooth muscle was revealed. Powerful shoulders. Naked skin.

And soon Aidan crouched before her. He rose, slowly, never taking his gaze from her.

“Aidan…”

He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her tightly against him, and held her there, right against his heart. “I was afraid…” His voice still sounded more like a beast’s growl than a man’s rumble. “Afraid I wouldn’t get to you in time.”

A bit hesitant, her arms curled around him. “It’s all right. I’m fine.”

A shudder slid along his body. “This time.”

A vehicle’s headlights suddenly lit up the street. Jane stiffened. Humans, coming now? Oh, jeez—

“It’s just Paris. Get in the SUV, Jane.” His voice was still rough but, more Aidan. “I don’t know where that vampire went, and I need to get you out of here.”

She wasn’t about to argue. The night had been more than weird enough, thank you very much. She was ready for it to end. When the SUV rolled to a stop, she jumped in the back, and a naked Aidan followed right behind her. “Scout the area,” Aidan ordered Garrison through the open back door. “See if you can catch the bastard’s scent.”

“I didn’t catch it before,” Garrison admitted glumly as he rubbed his forehead. “The guy just—attacked. No warning. He came from fucking nowhere.”

And that was where he’d gone, too. Just vanished. Disappeared.

Garrison slammed the SUV’s back door shut, sealing them inside.

“Take us to the apartment, Paris,” Aidan said. “As fast as you can.” Then his fingers caught hers. He squeezed her. “You’re safe now.”

But…was she?

Jane looked at his fingers. The claws were gone, but they’d be back. With Aidan, they always were. His beast stayed close.

***

Vincent smiled as he watched the SUV’s tail lights vanish when the vehicle turned the corner.

A successful night.

He’d been able to get a little one-on-one time with Jane. Sure, she’d shot him, but the wound had been worth it.

And as for Aidan Locke…

Now maybe she’ll start to see just what you really are. The guy pretended to be a hero, but he wasn’t. There was nothing heroic about the werewolf. Vincent knew the man’s secrets. Soon enough, he’d make sure that Jane knew them, too.

Vincent swiped his hand over his bleeding throat. He didn’t feel weak, not yet, but the blood loss—both from the bullet wound and Aidan’s attack—wasn’t acceptable. He had to always be at full power, at least while he was in New Orleans.

He slipped down the street, making sure to stay in the shadows. Some of the wolves were searching for him, but they’d gone one way and he’d gone another. Vincent wasn’t about to be captured. If they got too close, well, he could always eliminate them.

Another few turns and he saw a small tour group huddled together. One person stood before the group, wearing a long black cloak.

“This is the LaLaurie Mansion,” the figure in the cloak announced with a dramatic wave of his hands. “Terrible, horrible crimes were committed here by Dr. Louis LaLaurie and his wife Delphine. They tortured their slaves. Performed fiendish experiments…”

A few gasps came from the group as they eyed the house.

They were all busy staring up at the imposing