Page 23 of Twice Bitten

“Be careful, Alex. This smells all wrong.”

Yeah. No shit. “I will.”

Once I disconnected, I picked up the pace. I was only a few minutes away from freedom.

NINE

I’d set a few records over the last forty hours. First, I’d somehow survived what should have been a fatal wound. Second, someone had found me and patched me up, rather well based on the ingredients of the poultice I’d later dissected and the puckered healing skin under the bandages. And third, I’d made it through the most awkward Uber ride of my life.

The poor guy had received a hefty tip and an apology. In response, he gave me a wobbly smile and asked me to rate him five stars. His eyes had looked a little dead inside, so maybe he’d seen worse than a barefoot girl screaming at him, “GO GO GO!” as she flew into the vehicle, grass flying over the car’s upholstery from her dirty feet.

One of the bloody towels had fallen out of my purse in the chaos, and while I’d hurriedly shoved it back inside, I’d noticed his eyes widen just a hair.

I would not be surprised if I had a visit from the police later. If I didn’t, I was hiring Hakeem for every single Uber ride I ever had to take. The poor guy deserved the work after that disaster.

Edmund had locked down the house the second I’d stepped inside, using security features I hadn’t even realized the housepossessed. The windows had gone dark, reinforced steel slamming down on the other side of the glass, and all the lights had shut off.

Once I got Edmund to calm down, he’d turned the lights back on, but the steel stayed.

I sat in the kitchen inhaling a double-decker ham and cheese sandwich and a protein shake. Last night’s dumplings had long gone toward keeping me alive.

“From the top,” Edmund said. “Tell me everything one more time.”

I groaned. “I have no other details. Beckett must have followed me to the restaurant and decided to make his move when he caught me alone. Running into those other two supes was pure bad luck.”

I’d told him everything, leaving out the identifying details until I could get to the computer. I kept off the Wi-Fi because Edmund was a master snoop, and I didn’t want him to know the identities of the mysterious vampire and shifter until I confirmed them myself. My gut told me Alric and Silas were important. A quick internet search should yield some info.

But first, I needed a shower and a new poultice. Every muscle in my body ached from the mad dash down the road, and my feet were torn up from the hard ground and pavement. I might be a green witch who liked being outside, but that didn’t mean I was used to running for my life, much less in bare feet.

“You need to report Beckett to the SCC. He shouldn’t be allowed around the general population.”

I rolled my eyes. The SCC stood for the Supernatural Care Commission and was, for all intents and purposes, a joke organization. They were a figurehead organization controlled by the main supernatural species—vamps, shifters, and witches. Everyone knew it, but everyone turned a blind eye because of the SCC’s deep pockets and ability to make people who became a nuisance disappear.

“I’d rather report him directly to the Prime. It’d be the fastest way to get him out of my hair.”

Edmund went silent. “Perhaps, but again, you don’t want to come to the attention of a powerful vampire, Alex. Beckett is bad enough. What if the Prime starts asking questions and sniffing around here? Staying under the radar is always the best course.”

I shrugged. “Right now, I’m more concerned with shaking Beckett loose so I can go back to work. I can hide my apothecary for a little while if need be. I’ve taken the proper measures in case of a contingency.”

“I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

I chugged down the rest of my protein shake and stood up. “You little worrywart. I’ll send an anonymous complaint if that makes you feel better.”

“Some,” Edmund grumbled.

“Good. I’m going to shower and rest. Thanks for calling me a ride today. You were a lifesaver.”

“Yes, well.” Edmund sniffed. “I need someone here to get the Wi-Fi upgrade done.”

I laughed. “I’m sure that’s all it was.”

“Go clean yourself. You smell like a horse.”

I wiggled my fingers at him and hurried to the back.

Taking a shower was interesting considering half my body was covered in bandages. I made do, washing the good half inside the shower and the injured half with a soapy washcloth. Once I was in fresh clothing, I dried my hair, twisted it into a messy bun, and padded back into my bedroom, grabbing my laptop from the dresser on the way to bed.

What I really wanted to do was sleep for twenty-four hours and forget the last eighteen, but curiosity burned within me. Why were those two men fighting in the alley and why had they seemed so familiar with each other?