Stupid.
Brigette shook away the irrational thoughts. Nothing was slipping away, because she’d never had anything to begin with, right?
She forced a stiff smile to her lips. “Thanks for your help.”
She was walking away when Xi spoke. “I’ll be returning to the tunnels.”
Brigette froze, stunned by the relief that cascaded through her. Slowly, she turned back. “Why?”
He stepped forward, allowing his cool power to wash over her. Brigette shivered in pleasure.
“Until we’ve discovered who is ultimately behind the attacks, someone must keep an eye on Maryam.” His dark gaze swept down her body before returning to rest on her upturned face. “Besides…”
“Besides what?”
His smiled revealed a hint of fang. “Besides, I intend to keep an eye on you.”
More shivers raced through Brigette, along with a white-hot anticipation that clenched her stomach. She tried to hide her fierce reaction behind a pretense of indifference.
“I’ve told you guys I don’t need a babysitter.”
His smile widened. “Babysitting is the last thing on my mind.”
For a breathless moment, Brigette’s gaze was mesmerized by the sight of those razor-sharp fangs. She’d always been isolated. First, by her overprotective pack, and then by the curse of the Beast. But she’d heard stories about what a vampire could do with his bite. The pleasure was supposedly so intense a creature could become instantly addicted.
Did she want to find out for herself?
Oh, yeah.
Desperately.
Not trusting herself to speak, Brigette spun away from Xi and hurried away from the club. It wasn’t that she was opposed to exploring the desire that simmered between them. After so many centuries of denying herself the smallest sensual pleasure, she was acutely hungry for the touch of a male. But while it might have been a simple matter to find a willing partner to scratch her itch, she sensed that nothing would be simple if that male was Xi.
The sensations that buzzed between them were more than just lust. They were two magnets being drawn ruthlessly together. There was no reason to it. No chance to deny or avoid it.
Just…fate.
And right now, Brigette wasn’t ready to be swept up in some epic, tidal wave of destiny.
Not when she was trying to prevent a revolution.
Reminded of her self-imposed task, Brigette picked up her pace as she scurried through the dark streets. Maryam would have someone watching to tell her when Brigette returned to the tunnels.
Entering the secret hideout through a side tunnel, Brigette had barely managed to reach the main passage when a hand reached out to grab her arm. Roban. Brigette growled, spinning to kick the idiot in the balls. Roban muttered a curse, barely jumping out of the way of the painful blow.
“Careful, bitch,” he snapped.
Brigette narrowed her eyes. “Grab me again, and I’ll rip out your heart and stuff it up your ass. Got it?”
The male Were ignored the threat, pretending he wasn’t intimidated as he smoothed his hands down the flannel shirt he wore, along with a worn pair of jeans and heavy boots. He made an effort to look like a badass. Something that wouldn’t be necessary if he actually was a badass.
“Well?” Roban demanded.
Brigette folded her arms over her chest, meeting him glare for glare. “Well, what?”
“I’m waiting for your report.”
Brigette deliberately glanced around the empty passage before returning her gaze to the Were.
“I don’t answer to you.”
“I’m Maryam’s partner.”
His eyes glowed with the power of his wolf, and a soul-deep envy punched Brigette directly in the gut. Swallowing her snarl, she twisted her lips into a humorless smile.
“More like her lapdog.”
Roban growled low in his throat. “I warned her it was a bad idea to allow you to join us.”
“Allow? You begged me to come.”
Heat vibrated in the air. Weres were naturally aggressive, and the fact that they were suspicious of each other made the sparks fly.
“Once a traitor always a traitor,” Roban snarled.
Brigette laughed. She could care less what this male thought of her. Xi, on the other hand…
No, no, no. She wasn’t going to let thoughts of the delicious vampire distract her.
“Do you know the definition of hypocrite?” she drawled. “Look it up.”
“We’re saving the demons from their oppressors.”
She laughed at his fierce claim. “There might be some demons in this rebellion who are doing the saving, but it isn’t you.” Flicking her gaze up and down his body, Brigette wrinkled her nose in disdain. “You’re hiding in shadows while creatures with actual courage are out there fighting on the front lines.”
Roban flinched, as if she’d managed to hit a raw nerve. Did he fear he looked like a coward? Or was he frustrated that he wasn’t allowed to fight?
“Every army needs servants to do the dirty work,” he struck out.
“Just as they need a fall guy,” she shot back. “If things start going south, trust me, you’re going to be the one who pays the price. Styx isn’t going to be very happy when he gets his hands on you.”
Roban’s expression hardened. He might be impatient to enter the battle, but he was ruthlessly loyal to Maryam. He would never believe she could betray him.
“You’re delusional.”
“Once upon a time, I was delusional, but never again. Only an idiot trusts anyone. Usually a dead idiot.” She sent a finger wave in Roban’s direction as she continued down the passage. “Have a nice day.”
Chapter 9
Xi wasn’t sure what he expected when he arrived at Styx’s lair, but he certainly wasn’t prepared for the king to grab his arm as soon as he stepped over the threshold to drag him into the massive house.
“Good,” Styx snapped. “I’m glad you’re here.”
Xi allowed himself to be hauled through the wide hallways. “Are you okay?”
Styx grimaced. Although the male was wearing his usual leather and his hair had been pulled into a tight braid, there was a frazzled impatience that sizzled around him.
“I’ve been better, and, unfortunately, I have a fear it’s going to get worse before it gets better,” the king muttered.
Xi’s lips parted to ask if something had happened, but he was distracted by a familiar scent.