Chapter 13 · The Kill Order

The guards move before I can breathe.

They grab Ethan by both arms and he stumbles, still too weak to stand on his own. His head lolls forward and I hear him mutter something—my name, maybe, or just a sound. The crowd shifts back like water parting. No one wants to be close when the blood hits the floor.

I don't think. I just move.

I'm in front of Ethan before the guards can drag him three steps. My arms spread wide and I know how stupid it looks—one human girl blocking two vampire enforcers—but I don't care. They stop. They have to. I'm still Lucas's bride and that means something, even here.

"Move, Mrs. Croft." The guard on the left says it quietly, almost polite. Like he's asking me to step aside for a waiter with a tray.

"No."

Behind me Ethan makes a wet coughing sound. I don't turn around. If I look at him I'll break and I can't break, not now, not when I just got him back.

The second guard's grip tightens on Ethan's arm. "Ma'am, Lord Croft's orders—"

"Lucas." I don't shout. I don't beg.