Clicking off, she made the call, then walked back into the closet. Shit, Bennett was making headway. Head in his chained hands, he looked defeated. She dropped to her knees in front of him.
“Bennett?” she said. Something was off. He looked hungry, but something wasn’t right. The rage, the desperation made sense for a fledgling, but he looked awful. Was it because he was a demon hunter, and it truly wasn’t possible for him to change? It’s not like she’d ever changed anyone; was this normal?
He looked up at her quiet entreaty, his eyes wild as he fought the internal battle she knew he’d lose.
“I know how hard you fought this.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “Not enough.”
“It was a trap.”
“Think I don’t fucking know that?”
“I don’t know what Calloway’s end goal is, but… he wantedyou. Bennett, do you know what prophecy he might be talking about?”
He shook his head. “No idea. I don’t want a part of any fucking prophecy.” Pausing, she could see the confusion clouding his vision. “How did you find out?”
“I, uh, we used to be together. I wasn’t always a vegetarian.” She smiled with a painful etch between her eyebrows.
“I… a security guard… I couldn’t resist. Wasn’t strong enough. I don’t know if he made it.”
Her heart shattered to bits as she saw the regret taking over, battling with the hunger that would inevitably win. “Hey, it’s okay. You’re already doing better than I did. You’re locked up in your closet, suffering to keep others safe.”
Unable to resist, she reached forward and cradled his cheek with her hand. He leaned into her palm. His lips parted, his teeth bared, but he forced his lips closed again to avoid biting her.
Wincing, he pulled harder against the binding. Ducking on instinct, Adair heard another link shatter, the shrapnel blasting into the walls around them, striking her skin.
One hand free. Releasing a murderous roar, he grabbed the remaining chain with his free hand, but hesitated.
Footsteps resounded as heavy boots pounded up the stairs. She rose to her feet. “Your friends are here.”
Crashing in the door, a brilliantly blue-eyed guy stormed in, smelling blatantly of human, with a lingering scent of natural wolf shading his skin that sent shivers down her spine. Nope, she absolutely did not want to get close.
His lips curled back in a growl as he sighted her, and he recoiled. Catching himself, he said, “Hi. Bodie. Where is he?”
She nodded towards the closet.
A crash resonated as iron broke free from steel. Barreling out of the closet, Bennett took off for the exit. Blocking him like a defensive tackle, Bodie wrapped his arms around Bennett and dragged him to the ground.
Bennett paused and lunged for his neck, then winced and pulled away. “Fuck, Bodie, you smell like a wet dog.”
Bodie shifted to keep him pinned. “Quit struggling or I’ll go feral on your vampire ass.”
Bennett knocked Bodie off.
Flipping to his feet, Bodie dove onto his back and wrapped around him as if he’d die before letting Bennett out the door. “Kicked your ass once and I’ll do it again,” Bodie growled, straining to bring him down.
Through the open door, another guy, tall and dark with gunmetal black eyes in a Coast Guard t-shirt and cargo pants, didn’t hesitate and barreled in, taking the pair out and knocking Bennett flat.
Pinned to the ground under two huge guys, Bennett’s eyes were sharp as a predator and he snarled at Ryan, “Been wanting a taste of you for a long time.” Tilting his head, Bennett nipped at Ryan’s arm.
Flicking his wrist, Ryan growled, “Happy to duke it out sometime, but let’s wait until you’re not so… pasty.”
Bennett writhed under them.
Ryan growled again, “Calm the fuck down. Astrid will be here with your dinner soon.”
Slamming his head back into the concrete floor, Bennett whimpered, his teeth still bared, “I was in a mood and went off on my own.”
