Annie Nicholas - The Beta

It made his soul cringe knowing that pain didn’t cause her shouts but her awareness of the infection Talon gave her. Robert reached them before Talon could make the kill, grabbed his jaw, and pried it from her flesh.

Wrestling to the floor, Talon’s claws dug into Robert’s back, a spur of force driving him as he pinned Robert. Suddenly Talon slumped against his body, a dead weight crushing him.

He shoved the beast off and saw Esther looming above them, a bloody tire rod back in her hands. Robert shifted to his human form and scrambled to his feet, then removed the blunt weapon from her clenched fingers. “Esther?”

“The—the bastard bit me.” She kicked the unconscious Talon. “Rabies filled cocksucker.”

“I’ll take you to the hospital. I heard that General is offering an experimental vaccine to treat the infection.” He dressed in his discarded clothes.

Watching Rob pull his shirt on inside-out and cram his feet into his shoes, Esther’s distress eased. Things like this happened. Getting turned into a monster was one of the many risks slayers faced, but most died when it happened, some at their own hand. She owned a special bullet to use in this type of emergency, but watching Rob made her doubt she’d need it.

She removed her jacket and glanced at the wound on her shoulder. Blood seeped into her black shirt, leaving a dark wet spot. No way would she avoid being infected. The punctures were too deep.

Crap.

“Let’s go.” Rob picked her jacket off the ground, wrapped her in it, and lifted her in his arms. Worry lines creased his forehead.

“He bit my shoulder, not my legs. I can walk.” If he got any sweeter she’d get a cavity.

He shoved the door open using his elbows and knees.

“We’re just going to leave Talon here?” She tried to get a glimpse of the inert werewolf on the floor before the door closed.

Rob stomped toward his sedan when he did a double take. “Did you take Daedalus’s car?”

“Yes.”

“Better not take you home after the hospital. He’s going to skin you alive.”

“No, he’s not.” A familiar male voice spoke from behind them. “You’ve both been busy bees while I slept. Theft, assault, breaking and entering… Anything I’m missing?”

The vampire looked less than pleased, and Rob only clutched her tighter.

“Oh yeah, I forgot stupidity. What the hell is going on?” Daedalus planted his feet firmly on the pavement and crossed his arms over his chest. His pupils dilated, making them appear black. “I smell blood.”

“She’s injured. I’m taking her to the hospital.”

The vampire stared at her, and for a split second she feared she’d be getting a second bite. He shook his head as if coming out of a dream.

“You’re hungry.” Rob made it a statement, not doubting what they’d both witnessed.

“Robert?” Esther used his full name for the first time and finally got his attention. “I’m not going to any hospital.”

“Esther, you’re in shock. You’re going to at least get—”

“I’m not getting used as some lab rat.” She raised her voice. “Put me down.”

He blinked, then set her feet on the ground as if she were made of glass. “What about the virus?”

Her gut clenched. She pictured the special bullet she kept just for this occasion, then stared into Rob’s concerned gaze. “I’ll deal with it.”

He frowned yet nodded. “Okay.” Rubbing his chin, he glanced from her to Daedalus and back. “How did you both find me?”

Daedalus shrugged. “Easy. I have a tracer on my car. What I’d like to know is how Esther stole it. I have every security device known to man on it.”

Quirking an eyebrow at him, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Not many vamps his age converted to modern tech. “I took your keys.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” He grinned, flashing fang.

“Last I checked you already are.” She faced Rob. “I do this for a living, remember?” Then she poked him in the chest with her finger at each word. “You always take back-up.” She dropped her hand. “They would have killed you.”

He stared at her, his expression softening. “You could have left the city or gone after him.” He gestured to Daedalus.

“I know.” She cleared her throat. “But I already watched you almost die once. Couldn’t stand the idea of Talon finishing the job.” Her gaze roved the ground going from discarded gum to pebble to crack until she felt a set of strong arms wrap around her. She lifted her face to find Rob close, his piercing green gaze boring into hers, then she winced as he tightened his grip. Searing pain shot through her shoulder.

“Sorry.” He loosened his hold.

She touched under her jacket, and her fingers came out covered in blood.

“Fuck.” Daedalus’s fangs extended and he spun away, pacing as if caged. “Take her home already.”

The door to the warehouse opened and Talon in beast form filled the space. A growl rumbled from him as he rubbed his head.

Rob shoved her behind him. “Talon, I’d like to introduce you to my buddy, Daedalus.” He gestured to the hungry vampire. “Daedalus, I’d like you to meet dinner.”

The Nosferatu’s ears perked up. “Really? What happened to no killing?”

“I changed my mind.” Rob turned to face her. “Let’s go home.”

The hot water from the shower stung as it cascaded over Esther’s head and trickled into the bite mark on her shoulder. She stood still with the bar of soap grasped in her hand and her eyes closed.

She was a werewolf.

Losing her humanity had never seemed an option before today. She’d always kept a spare bullet to put through her head if she got infected. Rob changed everything. Now she had something to live for.

Who was Esther if not a slayer?

Daedalus had better take his time draining Talon dry and make him suffer for what he’d done to her. She tossed the bar of soap against the tiled wall.

The bathroom door creaked open. “I brought some fresh towels.” Her uncertain future tied her soul in knots, but Rob’s voice, filled with promises, melted something tight inside her chest.

Alone most of her life, Esther never understood how forlorn she’d been until meeting Rob. Even her dreams held a seat for one. How empty her life appeared, a big void of violence, money, and casual sex, which never touched her heart or her soul.

“Esther?” The shower curtain slid over. Rob held a folded thick, white towel and still wore his fucking shirt inside-out.

God, he was the most precious thing in the world. With a sudden sob, she hid her face in her hands, unable to stop the emotional onslaught that shook her shoulders and back.

“Oh no, Esther— Please, no.” He shut the water off and wrapped her in the towel. Carrying her in his arms, he spoke gentle words that didn’t penetrate the dark cloud of despair around her.

She didn’t make much noise as the tears burned her cheeks. Her throat was out of practice when it came to crying and it got sore from the effort. She wiped her cheeks while the sobs faded and realized she sat on Rob’s lap as he leaned against the sink cabinet.

“This is all my fault.” He stroked her wet hair.

Pulling the towel tighter around her chest, she rested her head on his shoulder. “I don’t remember you biting me.”

“No, but I had the chance to kill Talon the night we met and I chickened out.”

She lifted her chin to gaze at his face.

His thin lips frowned, regret filling his eyes.

“Well, if we’re going to play this silly game, then I can be at fault too. I didn’t need to follow you or try and block the door.” She turned his face toward hers and placed a chaste kiss on his mouth. “Your turn.”