Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 34791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34791 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 174(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
“Apology not accepted,” Sky announced primly.
Nolan’s head popped up, and his eyes blinked, adjusting to the growing darkness. “What?”
“Apology not accepted. You didn’t make me do anything. Besides, it wasn’t for nothing. We were following up a lead on your brother, who is important to you, even if he’s only important in how you want to strangle him. Plus, I’m here to protect you.”
“Thank you, Sky. Really. You’re too nice. I hate that I’m stealing so much of your time. I’m sure you’ve got better things to do.”
Sky chuckled low. “Don’t make me sound so nice. I might actually feel guilty.”
“Guilty?”
He tilted his head toward Nolan and grinned. “This is all part of my evil scheme to get you to think I’m this nice guy and that you owe me. Only then can I be sure that you’ll agree to go on a date with me.”
The first hint of a smile teased the corners of Nolan’s mouth. “This is all for a date?”
“Do you think I’d fuck around with grumpy vampires for just anyone? Uh-uh. No, sir.” Sky smirked when Nolan laughed. “You’ve been living across the street from me for two years and for two years, I’ve been trying to get you to notice me.”
“How could I not notice you, Sky? You’re always so colorful,” Nolan teased.
“Yes, but you turned down all my invitations for cookouts and watch parties.” Sky paused and released his most evil cackle. “But now I have you in my clutches. You have to go on a date with me because you feel obligated. It’s not the best circumstance, but it gives me a chance to win you over. We’ll go, have fun, and you’ll realize that you must have another date, and another…and another.”
“Sky, you’re not a witch or a necromancer. You’re a villainous mastermind,” Nolan stated with a wide grin.
“Are you scared for your immortal soul?”
“Nope.”
“What?” Sky cried, fighting to hold in his giggles. He’d not expected Nolan to have this wonderful, playful side.
Nolan narrowed his eyes on him and leaned close. “Nope. I know your secret. You’re a big softy on the inside.”
Sky gasped and slapped his right hand to his chest over his heart. “No! How could you see the truth? If you tell anyone, I’ll be ruined! Please, don’t—”
His big, dramatic speech was interrupted by a black SUV racing up behind them. It flashed its lights and honked its horn. Sky frowned. He’d thought they were being followed since they left downtown, but he hadn’t been completely sure. He wasn’t exactly trained in this dangerous kind of stuff. His life mostly consisted of his day job, talking to some dead people, and hanging out with his living friends.
“What’s going on?” Nolan asked.
Before Sky could answer, another SUV pulled up alongside of Sky’s little sedan and the dark passenger window slid away. A woman with a sharp, angular face leaned out and flashed a set of pearly white fangs. Yep, the vampires had found them. The woman scowled and violently pointed for him to pull over.
Unfortunately, they were still on the highway. This wasn’t a great place for them to pull over if they didn’t want to get crushed by a passing semi.
“Shit. What do we do?” Nolan demanded. He watched the vehicle beside them and twisted to look at the second SUV behind them. They were boxed in without a lot of options. There wasn’t a lot of magic Sky could do in a moving car and even fewer options when it came to casting spells and driving at the same time.
“We need to find a safe place to pull over,” Sky replied calmly, even though his heart was now slamming against his ribs.
“Why don’t we call the cops?”
Sky shook his head. “Not a good idea. That will only make things worse in the long run. Besides, if the vampires have come for you, it’s a good sign. It means they probably don’t have your brother. We’ll talk and figure out how to handle this situation peacefully.” He glanced over at Nolan and saw that his companion didn’t appear particularly impressed with this plan. That was fine. Sky wasn’t loving it, either. He was just grateful he’d thought to bring along his bag of supplies.
At the next exit, Sky pulled off and was relieved to find that it was a somewhat sleepy town. He took the first right into a large, mostly empty parking lot for a strip mall. Sky put the car into Park in a remote part of the lot and turned off the engine. Reaching over the front seats, he snagged his bag from the back and placed it in Nolan’s lap.
He flashed his neighbor a smile and opened it. “I need you to do me a favor,” Sky started as he dug through the bag, grabbing vials and stuffing them into his pockets. “Stay in the car until I come get you. I want to take a couple of precautions. And when you get out, bring the bag with you.”