Annie Nicholas: Hunting Colby

“Causing trouble.” The trail went into a subway entrance. “He’s using public transit?” Vampires tended to avoid crowds. It pushed at their self-control over the bloodlust. Not to mention in close quarters it was easier to notice their pale flesh and a flash of fang. I shook my head and pushed past the humans in my way. Glancing over my shoulder, I noted that Mutt had pulled his winter hat over his head and ears. If only the humans knew that one of the greatest predators strolled among them. I gave him a small grin.

It vanished when I saw the turnstiles. I stuck my hands in my pocket and came out empty. In my hurry to capture the vampire, I’d left my wallet at my hotel. I gave Mutt a sheepish expression.

He handed me a token from his pocket and slid his own into a slot in the turnstile.

I followed suit but couldn’t keep my curiosity under reins. “Why do you carry subway tokens?”

Gesturing to his clothes, he shook his head at me in disbelief. “Do I look like I can afford a car?”

“Don’t you get a stipend or—”

“No. My brothers think I should learn to fend for myself. ‘Make my own fortune’ is how they put it.” He now led the way to the subway platform, as if he knew where the trail went. “They don’t seem to understand that I can’t just get a job at McDonald’s or even have a GED. That doesn’t leave me with much legal options.”

“Oh.” I’d never met a poor vampire, let alone a poor Nosferatu. It was another blatant reminder of his age. Such a confession from Mutt could leave me in trouble. We barely knew each other, and legal options could mean so many things. Not that Master Tane would care if Mutt broke human laws, but he’d be furious if vampire ones were even bent, and I was beginning to like Mutt. “Maybe you shouldn’t tell me anymore.”

He stopped by the tunnel’s exit and sighed. “Don’t worry. I wasn’t planning on it.”

I inhaled deeply. The scent trail grew more solid. “How did you know the vampire came this way?”

“Because a lot of us use these tunnels to travel, especially close to daybreak.” He checked the almost empty platform before grabbing my hand and jumping off.

The tug contained unexpected strength, yet I landed on my feet with some of my usual grace. Not all of it, but some. I took off after the trail until the illumination from the exit faded, leaving us in the dark, but both of us could see relatively well without light.

All sorts of sordid smells assaulted my nose. Good thing I had a strong gag reflex. I swallowed with a dry throat and fought through the sensory overload until another familiar scent caught my attention.

I jerked my head as cold, sharp metal caressed the flesh of my throat. My gasp echoed in the silence. A hard body pressed against my back, sending shivers along my spine.

“Gwen.”

The muscles in my legs wanted to melt at the whisper. “Colby.”

“What are you doing here?” He twisted so his back was against the wall while still holding me to his chest.

I stared at the empty spot where Mutt should have been standing and considered my options. Lying to my mate seemed like a bad place to start. I’d already attacked him in Rio and abducted his unconscious form earlier this evening. My stomach cramped and I tried to take a deep breath. “Uh, vampire hunting.”

Colby made a frustrated noise.

“Wait a minute, you stole my idea. You tracked the vampire’s scent like I’d suggested.” The bite of steel on my flesh kept me from facing him with my accusation. Mate or not, I didn’t like being at anyone’s mercy. Was he really capable of harming me? I didn’t know which hurt more, the knife or his distrust.

“I would have done that without you voicing it.” His grip loosened just the slightest bit on my throat.

Not expecting any second chances with Colby and sort of surprised I was getting this one, I jabbed my elbow into his stomach hard enough to connect with his spine.

He let out a sharp gasp but clutched me even tighter; the edge of the blade dug into my skin, and blood trickled from a small knick. “Nice shot.” His voice cracked on the last word. He eased us slowly down the tunnel, keeping the wall to his back.

Cold claws of fear ran over my spine. I couldn’t break out of his hold. Not many could boast that kind of power. “I’m not the enemy. Let me go. I can help you.”

“Bullshit, you’re with a Nosferatu. What’s the game you’re playing?”

“Mutt? You’re worried about him?” I rolled my eyes to the ceiling and pleaded with the full moon to give me patience. Where had that vampire disappeared to anyway? “Looks like you scared him off.” I sensed the hesitation in Colby’s steps. “You’re a big bad slayer who helped take down Dragos. He’s just a baby Nosferatu who can’t even buy himself a car.”

“Baby…”

“Yes, he was made after Dragos died. Something about keeping their power in balance.”

The blade eased away from my throat but did not leave Colby’s grip. That hurt my feelings more than the attack. His gaze darted from me to the surrounding area, and he sniffed the air.

I inhaled as well. Mutt’s scent was fading. He’d gone. I glanced at Colby once more. Perfect.

His gaze tracked back to mine and stayed locked on. “What do I have to do so you’ll listen to me?”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I ground my teeth. “Stop running, start making sense, and deal with this like an adult would be a good way to start.”

“I can’t believe you came down here with a Nos by yourself. He could have drained you dry and left your carcass in these tunnels, never to be found.” He sheathed his knife and ran his hands through his hair again.

A wave of dizziness struck me as my heart skipped beats. He cared? Pressing a knife to my neck was a heck of way to show it. Then again, I wasn’t much better at showing my affection, considering that some of the bruises on Colby’s body were from me.

He grabbed me by the upper arm and leaned in close. “You should know better.”

I blinked. “I do know better. I grew up with Nosferatu, remember? Mutt was tagging along to learn about hunting vampires. It’ll be his job one day.”

The silence around us grew thicker. Colby’s gaze trailed to where he held me, touched me, and a bead of sweat trickled from his forehead. The oxygen in the tunnel seemed to have vanished because I suddenly couldn’t find enough to breathe.

“I want to help.” My voice was husky with the lack of air. “It’s my fault Alcide escaped.”

“Why do you care?” His gaze boomeranged to mine.

“It’s important to you.” I refused to take a step forward into his arms. I was done bending and tossing myself at him since it hadn’t done anything except provide proof that I was ruled by my instincts. This male obviously wanted more.

“That’s your only reason?” He released his hold on me. “The vampire might kill more humans.”

“I know.”

His frown grew deeper.

“Th—that would be wrong.” Why did he give such a shit about another race? He bent backwards to save them, yet ignored his shifter nature. Maybe if I were human he’d want me.

“I can’t have you wandering these tunnels by yourself. So—”

“I’ll accompany you and act as back-up. I am trained in multiple forms of hand-to-hand combat. And weapons.”

He grimaced and rubbed his stomach. “Trust me, I remember.”

Colby kept pace with me as we tracked through the tunnels. Not many could have run at my side for so long without respite. I'd trained long and hard to be the fastest and strongest in my pack, even though I couldn't shift. The fact that no sweat marred his skin made me wonder if maybe he could outlast me.