Ava raised a hand and snapped her fingers.
“That’s right. You don’t have a coven anymore.” Lowering her arm, Ava whispered threateningly, “Leigh’s not the only one I’ve been listening to. I’ve been monitoring your thoughts since you walked through my door. Don’t underestimate me because I used to be human. I’m not a vampire and I’m not a shifter. I’m something in between. That makes me a lot more dangerous.”
Without another word, Ava walked to the door and slipped from the room.
“Get your hands off me,” Sadie roared as soon as Ava slipped out of sight.
Trey let her go, feeling numb. He watched from the sidelines as she shoved Nathan aside and went to her friend. Sadie held Leigh as the woman sobbed, running a comforting hand down her back. Nathan turned to Trey, obviously torn. The poor bastard didn’t know what to do.
Welcome to the club.
The Omega’s mate had prevented a catastrophe but her involvement came with a price. Not only were they faced with enemies at the gates, they now had them right inside the doors.
Damn you, Ava.
So much for a welcoming his mate and her friend with open arms.
Time for damage control.
Chapter Nine
“Open up. I mean it.”
Sadie tried to ignore Trey’s firm knock at the door.
He meant it? Really?
What-the-fuck ever.
Funny how adrenaline could take a vampire from dazed to strong. She’d felt wrung out until Ava had shown up, started some shit and left Leigh a total mess. Then Sadie’s protective nature had kicked in, her determination to shield the young vampire kicking into overdrive. She’d managed to put Leigh on the bed and force the men from the room, screaming at them to go.
They’d argued, naturally, trying to stay right where they were.
Too bad she wasn’t in a pleasant mood.
A nice little scuffle had ensued. The men were gifted, she’d give them that. They were strong and hearty. But she had centuries of practice on them. Turns out she only needed a bit of motivation to put them on their asses. Something she should have done from the start. She’d been stupid to put her trust in Trey. He’d turned on her once and—in classic asshole style—he’d done so again. She’d thanked him properly, of course, as she’d escorted the loser and his sidekick from the bedroom.
Nathan had retreated with a bloody nose.
Trey had been graced with a blow to the family jewels.
Served them right.
“That’s your final warning, darlin’,” Trey warned, his voice a steady growl. “I’m going to let myself in if you don’t open this door right now.”
“You want me?” she snapped, moving from the bed. Watching Leigh bawl like a baby had put her in a fighting mood. If Trey wanted some of that action, she was willing to oblige. “Here I come.”
She sneered when she burst from the door, got a lock on his face and decked him in the chin. He staggered back, taken unaware, bringing his large hands up to cup his face. Energy dripped from her, the need to expend her anger into something else—someone else—so strong she couldn’t deny it.
Hell, she didn’t want to deny it.
“First,” she huffed, advancing on him, “I’m going to kick your worthless ass. I’m going to work you up and down this hallway like a fucking mop. Then, when I think you’ve earned it, I’m going to cut off your balls and feed them to you.”
He lifted his arms into a defensive pose as he moved, trying to get out of her range.
Dumbass. Didn’t he know he she was faster? Apparently not.
She clipped his chin a second time and brought her leg around. A swift kick swept him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, landing with a loud thump. Idiot. She went for broke, launching her body over his. She let her fists guide her, setting her feet shoulder width apart and kneeling down, pummeling him for all she was worth.
He’d brought this on himself. He’d known the score. He was more than aware of what she’d do if he scorned her a second time. He hadn’t listened. Nope. He’d taken Ava’s side instead, falling in line like a good little puppy.
How do you like me now? She slammed her fist into his mouth. Fucker.
“Don’t piss me off,” he snarled, capturing one of her hands before it could connect with his jaw again. “You have a right to be mad but I’ll only put up with so much.”
He didn’t just say that. Not after everything she’d given him.
“You’ll only put up with so much? Sweet thing, I’m going to make you eat those words.”
She moved faster than he could see, springing away from his grasp. Her only regret was she wasn’t as fast as she should’ve been. In another time and place she’d have wiped the floor with his sorry ass. If she’d been able to feed on others she’d have taken blood from another source and beat the shit out of him like he truly deserved. Trey had no idea what she could do. He’d only seen her drained, not at full speed.
One day, I’ll show him. Then he’ll understand all I’ve sacrificed.
He came at her, arms extended. He thought he was going to catch her?
Ignoramus.
Her vision caught the movement, centuries of agonizing training kicking in. She shifted her weight, unaware she’d done so. His fingers swiped her arm but slipped away as she moved. He was more than foolish for taking her on. The egotistical shithead was out of his head.
Fool.
A simple glide and she sidestepped out of his reach a second time. She brought her arms to her chest, curling her fingers to taunt him. “Is that the best you’ve got?”
He thought he could bring it? If he kept up like this, she could go all night.
She caught a shadow in her peripheral vision.
Someone had decided to watch.
She didn’t turn, eyes attuned to Trey. She’d make sure the dumbass served as a reminder of what she was—of who she’d been to her coven—a protector and vampire warrior in her own right. She hadn’t survived all these years by being slow or stupid. A part of her hoped Ava was watching. Her beliefs wouldn’t let Sadie harm the woman while she was pregnant but once Ava’d delivered her baby all bets were off. The horrible woman had hurt Leigh in the worst way imaginable. There was no excuse for that.
Aldon be damned.
Trey rushed her but she dodged carefully away. All she needed was an opening. She didn’t want to kill him—that would kill her—but she could make him suffer. She’d draw this moment out and make it last, taking his blood even if it meant spilling it and not drinking it. It was no less than he deserved. He’d hurt her so many times in so many ways. Even after she’d given her body to him, offering herself on a plate served with a side of fuck-me-over-pretty-please.
She should have known that wouldn’t be enough.
Men—whether they were shifters or not—always wanted more.
“I hate you!” she screamed, aiming a punch at his head. But she knew it was a lie. She didn’t hate him, far from it. If only she could.
You’re so fucking weak! Grow up.
She kept swinging, uncaring where the blows landed.
After all this time she was tired and emotionally exhausted. Without the welcome venom of outrage to give her strength she was ripped open and bleeding out. She couldn’t keep going. Not anymore. Everything finally managed to catch up with her, taking her down several pegs. It shouldn’t have bothered her so much. Eventually everyone had a breaking point. She just hadn’t thought Trey would be the reason she’d finally found hers.