Annie Nicholas: Hunting Colby

“I don’t think it occurred to them that you would have refused.” I hated to see the pain in Mutt’s face. He had eons to live, but they didn’t need to be unhappy ones.

“Anyway, I passed their stupid test. Cesio is dead. I have verbal proof of his plans with witnesses.” He gestured to us. “You are now looking at the new overlord of Manhattan.”

Shit.

I glanced at Colby and met his confused stare. What did I do?

“This sucks.” Mutt punched the arm of the chair, and it snapped off. “Fuck.” He grabbed the broken piece and threw it across the warehouse. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”

My heart warred with itself. Torn in two between what I wanted and what was the right thing to do. Colby didn’t care for Nosferatu in his life, but they were a part of mine. Mutt was so young. What would happen if I left him to the jackals of this city?

A black hole swallowed the joy from my heart as I stared at the distraught vampire. “You’re not alone in this. I’ll help.”

Mutt twisted to face us, the lines of anxiety melting away. “You too, Colby?” He didn’t mask the eagerness in his voice.

My mate blinked, his bottom jaw dropping open. “You want my help? But I’m a slayer.”

“Technically, so am I. Who better to teach me?” A grin spread across his face. “I have a city with a small army of new vampires hidden away. I can’t imagine a better job for either of us.”

I hugged Colby around the waist. Mutt was right. My mate only had to see past his prejudice. Not all Nosferatu were monsters, and we could help raise this one into power the right way.

“You want me to work for you?” I heard an edge in Colby’s voice, something Mutt might not catch. “I don’t have a good track record with your kind.”

Mutt frowned. “I’m not like them. Not yet, anyway.” He shrugged. “I’d like to try to keep it that way.”

I cupped Colby’s face in my hands. “He needs us. He needs you.” I hoped what was in my heart translated into the plea in my eyes. We could be together.

Colby nodded. “I’m in.”