Chapter 0243

The irony isn't lost on me. The girl we've scoured the country for has been hiding in plain sight all along. Right under my damn nose. At least we found her, even if her bond with Nathaniel complicates things. One less problem to deal with in this never-ending chaos.

My thoughts race with logistics—arranging her permanent residence, adjusting her work setup at the packhouse, and worst of all, breaking the news to Nathaniel about what that bloodsucker did to his mate. The scars run deeper than even Seraphina's.

The stench should've hit me sooner. But it's only when Seraphina shouts my name, panic lacing her voice, that I catch it. The elevator doors slide open. Three vampires stride into my office foyer like they own the place.

The leader tilts his head, nostrils flaring. "Ah. There's my little snack. Missed you, darling." His gaze locks onto Genevieve, who's trembling so violently Nathaniel snarls like a feral beast.

Seraphina steps between them, shielding Genevieve. The vampire's eyes gleam. "Well, well. Look what we have here—the Prince's favorite plaything."

My growl shakes the walls. This is a disaster. My office. The human world. Civilians everywhere. We can't afford collateral damage.

"Kill the mutts. Keep the feeders alive. I'm starving." The bastard actually strokes himself while saying it.

This time, I'm ready. One charges me while another goes for Nathaniel. Seraphina moves to intercept, but the third—Malachi—circles toward the girls. "Come to me, sweetheart. Daddy's got a treat for you."

Even over the sounds of combat, Genevieve's whimpers cut through me. Then Seraphina's voice rings out, layered with Valeria's power: "Rot in hell, Malachi. You and your pathetic leeches die today."

Pride surges through me. Terrified but fighting. That's my mate.

I finally get a grip on my vampire's throat. Dorian surges forward, claws erupting from my fingers. The vamp gurgles, thrashing as I dig deeper. One brutal twist—his head rolls free.

I whirl to find Genevieve pressed against the wall while Seraphina trades blows with Malachi. Nathaniel's pinned beneath his opponent. "Help them!" he chokes out.

Just as Malachi swings at Seraphina, she ducks and uppercuts his jaw. The stumble gives me an opening. I seize him from behind.

"Now, Seraphina! His heart!"

She drives her hand into his chest—misses. He snarls, yanking her closer. I release him to pull her away, but the bastard bolts. He crashes through the window, clutching his gaping wound as he flees.

Behind me, Nathaniel finishes his fight with a gruesome squelch. He tosses the vampire's heart onto its corpse before crouching before Genevieve. "Hey. It's over. You're safe." His voice is gentler than I've ever heard—the tone reserved for wounded creatures.