“Okay.” He sighed, and for a moment, she thought she heard a trace of pain in his voice. “Let’s get this over with.”
The moment Brynleighstepped out of the car, she released her wings. They fanned out behind her, the black appendages heavy on her back as she strolled down the street.
The safe house was a block away, but she would make the remainder of the journey on foot.
Knowing that Ryker was listening on the other end, she was cognizant of every breath, every footfall, and every heartbeat.
He was still in the car, waiting where Jelisette couldn’t see or scent him.
Once, this path had been familiar.
The safe house was mediocrity at its finest. Located in a nondescript residential neighborhood in Astera, a modest subdivision on the outskirts of Golden City, the house wasn’t the largest on the block, nor was it the smallest.
The two-story home was well-kept but not extravagant. A white picket fence stood guard around it. A single-car garage housed Jelisette’s vehicle, which she never drove. The coup de grace was the solitary light flickering in the living room. It topped off the entire facade, screaming, “Nothing to see here.”
The only thing setting the safe house apart was the dark, shadowy mist constantly hovering around the base of the home. It had been there as long as Brynleigh could remember. Even now, shadows curled around the foundation. It was like they were drawn to the building, sentient beings wanting to protect its inhabitants.
For the first time, Brynleigh wondered about the shadows. Were they a remnant of her Maker’s Binding? Had they always been there?
She added those questions to her seemingly never-ending list.
Brynleigh made it to the fence before she was ready—although truth be told, she would probably never be ready for this—and unlocked the gate. It creaked as she pushed it open. She stepped into the yard, her skin tingling as the wards washed over her.
There was no turning back now.
The wards were an alarm, alerting Jelisette to her progeny’s presence.
Brynleigh strode up the walkway on vampire-silent feet, her movements graceful and smooth. The first time she’d come here, the homey quality had been comforting, enveloping her in a sense of peace.
That feeling was long gone.
Her shadows writhed in her veins, and although her skin was free of damage, the torture she’d endured had left chasmic gouges on her soul.
She was returning to face the woman who’d betrayed her, sent Zanri to kill her, and hadn’t even had the decency to try and get her out of prison.
Jelisette was the closest approximation to a motherfigure Brynleigh had left. Her sire should have looked after her, cared for her, and guided her as she learned how to be a vampire.
Instead, she had used her progeny as a fucking pawn and abandoned her when she needed her the most.
And now, Brynleigh was prey, walking into a predator’s den.
Before she could change her mind or remember what a monumentally bad idea this was, Brynleigh raised a fist and knocked.
Her hand had barely connected with the wood when the door flung open.
Swathed in shadows and wearing a black sweater dress and tights, Jelisette was darkness personified. Piercing, ancient black eyes met Brynleigh’s, and ruby lips peeled back in a snarl.
Danger, Brynleigh’s shadows screamed. They throbbed and writhed in her veins, urging her to get away from here. But there was no backing out now.
“Inside,” Jelisette snapped. “Now.”
Brynleigh’s heart was a thundering drum. On one hand, she didn’t want to enter this house. An air of death surrounded it. On the other hand, she didn’t really have a choice. Ryker had made it clear that if she didn’t hold up her end of the deal, they would put her back in prison.
She would rather die a thousand deaths before letting that happen.
Swallowing the icy fear rising in her chest, Brynleigh shoved aside all her feelings and followed her Maker inside.
As soon as she stepped over the threshold, the door slammed shut.