“It makes sense.”
“I have a code, Tegan, a very strict one. I would never kill an innocent human, no matter the circumstances,” he said, sounding offended that I’d think such a thing of him.
Now I felt awkward. “Okay, well, that’s good. But I still can’t go back to Tribane. It’s not safe.”
“I’d protect you,” he replied, his words sincere. “If you were to help us, keeping you safe would be my primary focus. I won’t lie, after he sided with Theodore, I have my issues with Pamphrock, but this is a little girl we’re talking about. She’s only ten and is being held prisoner by vampires. I have to get her out of there. It’s the right thing to do.”
My chest squeezed. An innocent kid was being held captive and I could help. Something twisted inside me. I’d never met her, but if something bad happened to her I wasn’t sure I’d be able to live with myself. Especially since I was so tangled up in the reason why war broke out in Tribane to begin with. And Finn was right. Ethan and I shared a connection. If anyone could convince him to talk to his boss about letting the girl go, it was me. After all, I barely knew him when I managed to convince him to spare Finn’s life. Still, going back was a massive risk. I glanced at Finn.
“Why doesn’t Pamphrock hire a witch or a warlock to cast some kind of spell to find his daughter? You guys are allies with the magical families, right?”
Finn’s expression clouded. “I suggested that myself, but he doesn’t want to involve them in anything to do with Rebecca. He said he has his reasons.”
I wondered what those reasons were. Perhaps Pamphrock simply didn’t trust the magical families when it came to finding his daughter. With the city in turmoil, perhaps they’d use her as leverage so that they could put a witch or warlock in the governor’s position, rather than Pamphrock, who was a dhampir.
“So, are you going to help us?” Finn asked, eyes hopeful.
I blew out a breath. “Fucking hell, I think I am.”
His eyebrows shot up into his forehead. “Seriously?”
“I’m probably going to regret it, but yes. You’re right. We have to save that little girl. I’ll help in whatever way that I can.”
“Thank you,” he said, his voice rough as he ran a hand through his hair. Finn had clearly been through a lot the last few months, and in that moment, I saw how much my help meant to him. He was barely holding it together.
“It’s late. We should probably stay put until the morning. Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?”
“Not yet, but I’ll find a cheap hotel.”
“You can sleep on the couch if you like,” I offered. I wasn’t sure why, but I’d started to feel for him. I didn’t agree with the DOH’s mission to slay all vampires, but I also couldn’t stand the fact that so many of his friends had been killed.
Finn glanced at the couch. “Yeah, sure. It looks comfortable enough. My van is parked nearby. I’ll just go grab my things.”
He left, and I stared at the seat he’d vacated as my heart raced at the prospect of returning to Tribane. It would be a flying visit, of course. I’d help Finn get Rebecca back and then I’d disappear again. I’d have to choose another city, starting from scratch all over again, but I already knew this was going to be my life. I had to stay on the move. So yeah, returning to my old city was a risk, but it was one I was willing to take.
I just had to stay strong, do what needed to be done, and make sure not to get sucked back in again.
3.
The noise of my television set woke me up, and I turned over irritably, wondering how it got switched on. I didn’t remember leaving it on before I went to sleep last night. Then I felt the weight of someone sitting beside me on the bed and the recognisable click of the remote as they changed the channel.
I peeked over the duvet and found Finn sitting next to me in bed, wearing nothing but a T-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts. I stared at him, still too tired to fully make sense of the situation.
“Great, you’re awake,” he said, noticing my movement. “You should really keep your TV in the living room. It’s rude to leave guests sitting around with nothing to do.”
I rubbed at my eyes. “What time is it?”
“Almost eight. I took the liberty of making breakfast. It’s waiting for you out in the kitchen. I left it in the oven to keep it warm.”
I perked up at the mention of food and even decided to let him off the hook for invading my bedroom. I sat up only to realise I just had on a T-shirt and knickers. I hastily dashed across the room to grab some pants, but not before Finn got an eyeful of my legs. He gave a cheeky whistle, and I gave him the finger. He chuckled low as I scowled and headed out to the kitchen.
There was a pot of fresh coffee on the counter, along with a plate of bacon and scrambled eggs in the oven. I could almost forgive Finn for showing up and ruining the incognito life I’d made for myself when I tasted his cooking. So, so good. I nearly sighed when the salty bacon and perfectly seasoned eggs slid down my throat.
Finn emerged from my bedroom, his hair messy from sleeping on my couch.
“I take it you like the breakfast then,” he said, going to pour himself some coffee.
“Cooking one breakfast won’t get you into my good books.”
“No,” he countered, “but money might.”
I stared at him. “What are you talking about?”
“Governor Pamphrock agreed to generously compensate you if you return his daughter to him safely. He’ll pay you five grand upfront and another ten after you get her out.”
My eyebrows shot up. “That’s a lot of money. Why didn’t you tell me about it last night?”
“It was a test. You passed.”
“A test?”
He lifted his coffee mug and took a sip. “I wanted to see what kind of person you really are. Most wouldn’t put their safety on the line to save a kid they’ve never met. The money might’ve helped convince you, but I wanted to see if you’d do it without any compensation.”
I narrowed my gaze. “You wanted to know if my morals are up to scratch?”
“I wanted to know how selfless you are. I don’t like putting my faith in selfish people.”
I frowned severely. “I don’t need to prove myself to you.”
“Ah, will you quit being so tense? You’ll give yourself high blood pressure,” Finn chided. There was a pause as his eyes wandered over me. “By the way, have you been working out? You’re looking very Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby.”
I shifted, feeling self-conscious “I’ve had a lot of spare time on my hands. Exercise helps fill some of the hours.”
“Well, it’s working for ye.”
“Thanks.”
He didn’t drop his gaze, and a weird moment passed between us. He looked a little … turned on. “Ugh! Will you stop looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
I made an arcing hand gesture. “You’re all horned up or something. Been going through a dry spell, have we?”
“I could ask you the same question,” Finn shot back. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed you checking me out.”