Page 67 of Don't Bite the Director
“How much time do I have?”
Marquin sighed. “The Praetorians arrive Sunday morning.”
Shit. Less than a day and a half. Might as well be in twenty minutes for all the good it would do him.
“Options?”
“Plead your case, I guess. But you know the laws, Saiden.”
Of course he knew the laws. He was the one who enforced them. He closed his eyes and wondered for a second who the Coalition wouldbring with them. Andre was based out of Bucharest these days, close enough to their headquarters to easily join them. Or maybe they’d call in one of the other North American assets. Sanya always liked him since they’d worked a few high-profile cases together. Not that she would be any help. She knew the job the same as he did.
Didn’t matter. None of it mattered except Cora.
He pushed up off the floor, and Marquin followed suit.
“So what now?” his sire asked.
“Now, I’m going to see my mate.”
Chapter forty
Cora
And then the beast pounced.
The scream ripped from Cora’s throat, loud and guttural, as if it might ward off the creature intent on ripping her to pieces.
“Cora? Cora, please calm down.”
Words. Someone was saying words, but all she could do was throw her arms in front of her face. Words couldn’t save her from vicious teeth and claws.
“Cora, please, look at me.”
Saiden?
The sound of his voice slipped through a crack in her broken psyche and soothed enough of the terror for her to take a deep breath. Air rushed into her lungs, and her eyes popped open.
“Saiden?” she croaked out, recognizing the brilliant brown eyes in front of her. She tried to focus on him, but everything was bright. Too bright. And there were so many people, all shouting. Why was everyone shouting?
“It’s okay, Cora. Just breathe and focus on my face. Everything will be alright.”
She wanted to do what he asked. She trusted Saiden. Cared about Saiden. But the voices were so loud, and the harsh explosions of light fried her retinas. It was all too much. She had to get away from there. Get somewhere quieter.
She tried to scramble away from Saiden, but he held her down on the bed.
A memory sparked. The bed. She knew this bed, recognized the black comforter. And, oh God, the scent. It was like she could smell nothing else but him.
Saiden’s bedroom. The compound. She was back in the mansion with Saiden. So why wasn’t he helping? Why was he holding her there?
“Tressa, do you mind pitching in a little?”
Saiden’s words skated through her mind, triggering more memories. She knew Tressa. The sweet female vampire who looked like she belonged on an island soaking up the sun instead of hiding from it. She was the one who was all big laughs and wide smiles. Fun and happy, like a spring day.
“I am trying, Saiden. It’s just not working.”
“What do you mean it’s not working?”
“What do you think I mean, dumbass? She’s clearly not calming down.”
