"You weren't paying attention, huntress. Did I not say victims, plural, last time we spoke?"
Like I was supposed to understand the nuances of every word spoken by a crackpot? "Taking two women at once doesn't follow your usual pattern, and I suspect you're a man who likes his patterns and rules."
"Indeed, I do. But I have never come across twins such as these before."
"What is that supposed to mean? And what have any of these women done to you?"
"They are not what they pretend to be. They are Kudlak, and therefore must be destroyed. That is my destiny, huntress. It is my task by birthright."
It was his birthright to hunt harmless women? Sanity and he really weren't on speaking terms. "I have no idea what a Kudlak is, but I know these women are vampires—and harmless ones at that. You're mistaken—"
"No, I am not. Nor am I about to argue." The words were snapped, the tone annoyed. "The sister has an hour left."
And with that, the woman collapsed.
I lunged forward and caught her just before she hit the floor. The mark on her forehead was even more putrid this close, and her breathing was shallow and uneven, even for a vampire.
"Rhoan, we need an ambulance." I lowered her gently to the floor and looked up at Azriel as he materialized beside me. "Is she going to die?"
"Yes," he said. "He may not have drained her blood, but he has drained her spirit."
I closed my eyes and fought the useless rise of anger. Vonda's sister was still out there, and getting angry wouldn't find her any faster. "Is there anything left of her mind now that he has released her? Or has he drained that, too?"
"She is mentally present."
"Can you read her?"
He hesitated. "No. Her thoughts are blocked. I would damage her mind further if I broke past them."