Worse than his aching cut? The ache in Sherman’s chest because he missed his mate something awful. He had been a sucker for his past boyfriends, had been needy and clingy, but the feeling inside him was much more intense. Sherman actually felt like bawling because he didn’t have Dalton’s arms around him.
This wasn’t the first time he’d felt that way being away from Dalton. Was that what mating was all about? Becoming obsessed with each other, the need to be so close that you felt insane if you were apart? Was that why Kennedy had given him time off, because he knew how crazy things would get between Sherman and Dalton?
The evil fairies started whispering to each other, but no matter how hard Sherman tried to hear what they were saying, their voices were too low.
If only he could get the ropes off. Sherman’s hands were strapped to the arms of the chair and his ankles to the legs. Raphael was damn good at tying rope. He hadn’t left any wiggle room for Sherman to slip out of his bindings.
“He should have been here by now,” Morton said. “How much longer do we have to wait?”
“Patience,” Raphael said in a smooth, elegant voice. “This isn’t something I want to rush. Dalton’s demise has been a long time coming, and I want to take my sweet time killing him.”
There had to be some way Sherman could warn his mate. If Dalton showed, he would be walking right into a trap. Although the strangers were fairies, they were pretty damn strong, and Sherman wasn’t sure Dalton, even being a bear shifter, could take all three down.
Too bad Nick wasn’t in Fever’s Edge. Sherman could have used a little magic in this situation. He still wholeheartedly believed that Nick was Santa, regardless of what Payton said.
Nick had been there at the empty building when it had blown up, had rescued Sherman and kept him hidden from the maniac out to kill both him and Payton. He’d even left Sherman a present under the tree on Christmas morning.
Ugh, he needed to stop thinking about who wasn’t going to rescue him and come up with a plan.
“Can we at least snack on him?” Harold asked. “I’m starving, and we have a meal right in front of us.”
Fairies ate people? Since when? Didn’t they like nectar from flowers, sugar cubes, or cream? Since when did fairies like flesh? God, Sherman was going to be sick just thinking about being eaten.
“As soon as I have what I want,” Raphael said, “he’s all yours.”
Now he really needed to get out of there. He wasn’t keen on being anyone’s meal. “Don’t I have a say in this?” he asked.
“Hardly.” Raphael glared at him. “Humans are nothing more than cattle, food for my kind. Would you allow a cheeseburger to have a say in whether it was eaten or not?”
“I’m not a cheeseburger, buddy,” Sherman argued, though a cheeseburger sounded damn good. Sherman hadn’t eaten since lunch, and now he was starving. Mmm. Some golden fries and a Coke would hit the spot. Maybe even an apple pie.
“Long pig.” Morton smirked, pulling Sherman from his delicious thoughts.
“What’s a long pig?” Sherman asked and wished he hadn’t when Harold answered him.
“Human flesh.”
That was the grossest thing Sherman had ever heard. He wanted to gag just thinking of them dining on his body, and not in a sexy way, either.
“Since when do fairies eat people?” Sherman shouted the question as he struggled against his restraints. “You’re supposed to be small, fly around, and wave your magic wands.”
Raphael frowned. “First, you’re thinking of Tinker Bell. Fairies are far from that ridiculous character. Second, we’re not fairies.” He leaned in close, baring his fangs. “We’re vampires.”
“The sparkly kind?” Sherman wished he knew fact from fiction. He’d seen one too many movies and wasn’t sure any of that was true now that he knew nonhumans existed. “You’re telling me vampires are real? I thought only lawyers were bloodsuckers.”
“You need to stop watching so many movies and get out more,” Morton said from across the room. “Vampires are fierce, fast, strong, and cunning, and as soon as Raphael gives the word, you’re mine.”
“Sorry, but I’m already in a committed relationship.” Sherman kept wiggling his arms, hoping to loosen the ropes. “You should try one of those dating apps.”
Of course he was terrified. He was in the room with real-life vampires who probably wanted to drain him dry. His pulse thrashed in his ears, and his limbs began to shake, but he wasn’t about to let these bastards know just how much they frightened him. They would probably get a thrill out of his terror.
Sherman refused to be their entertainment, for however long he had left to live.
* * * *
“He’s at your house.” Ben said when he walked in. “My men caught a vampire scent. Three to be exact.” Ben turned the kitchen chair around and straddled it. “They’re still there, keeping an eye on things. Lee got close enough and spotted your mate through a window.”
“Is he all right?” Dalton was relieved and worried. Raphael wasn’t known for his sunny disposition. It was the right call bringing Ben into this. He might not be Dalton’s alpha, but the guy ran a tight ship as far as Fever’s Edge, and even if a nonhuman wasn’t a part of Ben’s pack, he treated them like family.
“As far as Lee can tell,” Ben said, “Sherman’s tied to a chair in your living room. It looks as if Raphael is using your mate as bait.”
Dalton gnashed his teeth. He was done pussyfooting around with Raphael and with Sherman. If his mate had called him from the hospital instead of feeling like a burden, Raphael wouldn’t have gotten his hands on him.
“We could rush the house,” Ben said. “But the vampires could kill Sherman before we got to him. If we went in quietly, they’d smell us before they saw us. It’s an all-around tricky situation, Dalton. We’ve got your back, but unless you want me to call the shots, I’m going to let you run this since it’s your mate at risk.”
“You guys cover me from the outside,” Dalton said. “It’s me Raphael wants, so he won’t kill Sherman if I enter the house. I’ll try to separate my mate from the vampires. If I do, I’ll have him escape through a bedroom window.”
Ben nodded. “We’ll whisk him off to safety and then help you take those bloodsuckers down.”
Dalton hadn’t mentioned the fact that the pain from the poison had reached his bicep. He wasn’t going to be benched when Sherman needed him, but as soon as he got his mate back, Dalton was heading back to the vet. There had to be some way to get rid of the poison, some kind of antidote, and hopefully the doctor had found out what Dalton was poisoned with.
“I’m coming,” Payton said as he stood from where he was seated at the kitchen table. “Sherman is going to need comforting once you get him out of there, and since he doesn’t know any of you guys, a familiar face will help him.”
“The hell you’re going,” Miller growled. “I’m not letting you walk into a dangerous situation.”
“Do you recall the back of your truck?” Payton asked. “You left me behind when you went to rescue Sherman the last time he was kidnapped, and I still managed to tag along. Don’t underestimate me just because I’m human. I’m also stubborn.”