Mona moved so she was closer to me on my other side. "So, you're doing something right beyond the shifters' support."
"Well, we do our best." Matteo laughed. He began walking down the hall, and soon we turned right, entering the largest kitchen I'd ever seen. I'd always thought the Flying Monkey's kitchen was huge, but this was at least twice its size.
There were no fewer than fifty people either prepping, cooking, cleaning, or doing everything else in between. When Matteo walked in, he clapped his hands. "Can I have your attention for a moment, please?"
It didn't take long for everyone to pause and glance in our direction.
"I won't take much of your time." Matteo lifted both hands in front of him and laughed. "But our queen and her mate have joined us tonight." He turned so I appeared from behind his back. "Everyone, please meet the lovely Queen Elena and Mason."
Everyone bowed their heads.
Every time they did that it made me cringe. "Hi, everyone." Ugh, I'm not awkward at all.
"Hello, My Queen." An older gentleman, who had to be close to the same age as Matteo, headed straight over. "Now I'm nervous as to whether or not you'll like my cooking."
"From everything I’ve heard, it's the best in the city, and I'm looking forward to it." Small talk was like pulling teeth for me. I'd rather be at the dentist right now. "I'm sure it'll be some of the best I've ever tasted."
"Will you do me a favor?" Mason's eyes sparkled. "For the next bread that is served at our table, can you put extra garlic in it?"
Ella had been hogging it all and not letting Louis have any. You're being mean to your sister.
Anything that will help keep Louis away. Mason growled in my head. I don't like the way he looks at her.
Like he might be her mate? The fact that he sensed it put me even more on edge.
Exactly. Mason nodded at the staff with a polite smile. She may drive me crazy, but there’s something about that prince I don’t like.
A loud, piercing scream infiltrated the air. "Help me!"
Mona stiffened and walked farther into the kitchen. "Does anyone know who that might be?"
"No." Matteo frowned as he quickly took inventory of every member in the room. "Where's Cecelia?"
"She was taking the garbage outside." The chef pointed to the door that was in the back corner of the room.
Another loud piercing scream rang in my ears. "She's getting hurt."
Without thinking about the consequences, I ran straight to the door.
"Elena, get your ass back here," Mona yelled at me.
If someone was being hurt and I didn't do anything, I wouldn't be any better than Darren.
Both Mason and Mona's familiar footsteps pounded behind me.
When I got to the door, I yanked it open and rushed outside. As I scanned the area, I spotted a person lying against the base of the alley wall directly across from this building. That same spicy-sweet scent hit my nose again.
No, that can't be just coincidence.
Mason and I ran over to the girl, who was lying face-down. These alleys smelled like ass. For her to be lying nose-down, it couldn't be on purpose.
"Oh my God." Matteo appeared right beside me. "This can't be possible."
I bent down and clasped my hand around one of her arms. I gently tugged her to face us. Her body was still warm, and when I could see her neck, my stomach roiled.
"Who would want to slit her throat?" Mason glanced over at the alpha.
"No one." Matteo winced and squatted so he could touch her arm.
Something right above her body caught my attention. At first, it looked like a random drawing, but when I took a few steps back, my heart began to race.
On the wall above Cecelia’s body, words had been written with her blood.
More will come.
Those words were both threatening and mocking me. The vampire prince had been here, and either he or one of his men had killed this innocent wolf shifter. I wasn’t quite sure how far they would go. Only time would reveal their intentions.
Chapter Eight
No matter what I did, I couldn't keep the panic from taking over my senses. I had smelled the vampire prince earlier and because I didn't follow my instincts, a young wolf lay on the ground covered in blood. "Does she still have a heartbeat?" I had to snap out of whatever fog was trying to overtake my brain and get shit done.
"Yes." Matteo lowered his ear closer to her chest. "But it's very faint. I can barely hear it."
So she's not dead yet. "I ripped the bottom section of my shirt and held it out to Matteo. “Tie it tightly around her neck but not tight enough that it’s choking her." I pulled out my phone and, with shaky hands, dialed Rose. The witch may be the only chance to save her; the fae healer was over fourteen hours away.
"Elena, is that you?" Rose's voice filled with surprise.
"If I send my personal airplane to you, would you be willing to come and heal one of my shifters?" At this point, I was desperate. If I could save her life, this would be worth it.
Is that Rose? Mason leaned over, lifting the girl's head as Matteo firmly tied the fabric around her neck.
Yes, she might be able to save her. I have to try. I turned my head to stare down the alley and noticed Mona was already heading back in our direction.
"Yes, of course I can, but it'll be the same payment as always." Her tone took on a trace of humor, which didn't sit well with me.
"That's fine. Please be at the airport in two hours." I turned to Mona. "The plane will be there ready for you to board."
"What’s the destination for the flight?" Mona glanced at Mason.
"Home. South Carolina," Mason answered.
Matteo laid the girl’s head back on the ground. When he lifted his hands, they were covered in her blood.
"She only has a faint heartbeat. Is there anything we can do to stabilize her?" I hoped the girl wouldn’t die before I could even get the witch to the city.
"How did she get injured?" There was movement in the background as a door slammed.
I tried to focus on my conversation with Rose but was relieved when I heard Mona talking to the pilot. "A vampire slashed her throat."
"With his teeth?" Rose zipped something up on her end. "If so, he should be dead nearby."
"No, it's all the way across her throat and a straight line. It had to be a knife or dagger." I glanced over, and now Matteo had her head in his lap.
"Get her somewhere safe, and I'll be there as quick as I can. In the meantime, boil lavender in water and soak it into a washcloth or towel. Then, apply it to the area. It should help slow down the bleeding enough until I arrive." She opened a door, and I could hear birds chirping on her end. "I’ll see you soon.”
"The pilot is on his way." Mona nodded. “I'll arrange the rest of the itinerary to get her here.”
"All right, that sounds good. We're working on your plans now." I stood over the dying girl as my eyes filled with tears. "Thank you for coming. See you soon." I pressed the red END button and immediately called Kassie. We have to get her to our place. The witch should be here in less than four hours. We need to get some lavender and water boiling at the house as soon as possible. Can you call Tommy to get everything set up?