Tracy and Darnell hurried over to catch Lisette as she lost consciousness.
“Drugs,” was all Richart could manage.
“Dr. Lipton!” Darnell bellowed over his shoulder moments before Richart teleported away.
As soon as he appeared back at the battle, another dart struck him.
Swearing, he yanked it out, sped over to his brother’s side, and touched his shoulder.
The world around them blurred as he took them to David’s.
Sheldon and Cameron, Étienne’s Second, waited anxiously in the living room. Darnell, Tracy, and Lisette were gone.
Cam lunged forward and caught Étienne as he slumped toward the floor. Sheldon stepped forward and held up an M16. “Take me back with you.”
Richart clasped Sheldon’s shoulder. The room around them dimmed, but they didn’t teleport. He tried again and only managed to teleport them to the front door.
Swearing, he grabbed the M16 and shoved Sheldon away. His surroundings went black. He made it back to the clearing this time. Sarah and Ami were trying to hold off the many remaining vampires while supporting Marcus and Roland.
Everything was . . . out of focus. Confusing. Richart couldn’t think straight. He needed to be able to think straight so he could teleport the others to safety.
Sarah and Ami spoke urgently beside him.
He looked around, past the glowing eyes of the vampires who circled them like jackals.
Where was Lisette? Had he teleported her already? What about. . .
Where was Sheldon? Hadn’t Sheldon been with him just now?
Sarah folded her husband over one shoulder, then leaned forward so Ami could fold Marcus over the other one. If she intended to flee, the heavy men’s weight would significantly slow her retreat.
Richart glanced down and discovered he held an M16. He thrust it into Ami’s small hands. His own seemed uncooperative.
Another dart hit him.
Sarah would never be able to outrun the vampires if Ami slowed her down, too.
Even as the thought flitted through his mind, he heard Ami convince Sarah to leave without her.
Good. At least Sarah, Roland, and Marcus would get away.
Richart and Ami would be left to fight the two dozen or more vampires who remained. Ami was mortal and no match for their speed or strength. And he was so weak he could barely lift his arms. If he couldn’t teleport the two of them out of there, their fates would be sealed. Both would die this night.
Odd that he would think of Jenna in that moment, lamenting that he would never see her again.
He needed to try to teleport Ami away.
As he reached for her shoulder, his vision dimmed and went black.
The apartment was quiet, save the faint clicking sounds the flatware made against their plates as Jenna and John ate a late dinner.
“I’m sorry Richart had to cancel tonight,” John said, his gaze far too discerning.
Jenna had been disappointed as hell when Richart had called and said he couldn’t make it. Apparently some problem had arisen at work that required his attention.
She sighed. Or had it?
Had it just been an excuse? Had he grown tired of either work or her son’s presence constantly impeding their desire to become more intimately involved?
At a loss, she decided to seek John’s advice. Her son was popular with the girls and had dated far more than she had in her lifetime, so . . . why not? “Should I read anything into it that he canceled two nights in a row?”
If he thought it odd that his mother wanted his opinion on her love life, John hid it well. “I don’t think so, considering the line of work he’s in.”
“But? I hear a but in there.”
“But I do think it’s odd that he always comes over here and hasn’t taken you to his place yet. I mean, you have dinner together every night. I would think he would be getting tired of me being a third wheel on the nights he doesn’t take you out.”
“He said his nephew lives with him. So it wouldn’t be any different at his place.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “I mean, maybe you should suggest it . . . just to make sure he isn’t one of those guys who cheats on his wife and doesn’t tell his mistress that he’s married.”
Her heart sank.
“Don’t look like that,” John said quickly. “I’m probably just being paranoid. You’re my mom. I’m suspicious of every man you date.”
“Like there have been that many,” she muttered.
“Come on,” he cajoled. “It’s probably what you said. Or maybe he’s a slob and doesn’t