Chapter Twenty-Four

Derek met Tremayne's gaze over Sloane's shoulder. The vampire didn't look pleased, but really what did the vamp expect? Sloane had a family and just because her life went south, they couldn't expect her to just forget they existed.

Sloane inhaled deeply and pulled away, her hand flying to her lips, but Derek caught a glimpse of her fangs before she could conceal them.

"You need to feed," Tremayne said already realizing what had happened.

Wade rolled his eyes in disgust and swore under his breath. While they were training his brother seemed to have forgotten that Sloane was no longer human.

Sloane kept her hand over her mouth while she spoke. "I'm sorry." Her cheeks flamed red.

"You don't have to be sorry or embarrassed," he told her. His hand gently touched hers, lowering it away from her face. "You've worked that cute little behind off tonight. You need to keep up your strength and feeding is a part of it."

Her gaze shifted to his neck and for a moment, the gesture inflamed his own desires. Definitely, all sorts of messed up.

Tremayne cleared his throat, shutting down the idea. "Let's go inside," he suggested to Sloane. "Alone," he said to him.

As much as he hated Tremayne's domineering interest where Sloane was concerned, he couldn't deny it was what she needed right now.

He stared at their retreating backs as they strode toward the house. "How do you do it?" He glanced at Cassandra who had come to stand beside him. "How are you not jealous?"

His sister's brows shot up. "For starters, I may not entirely love this situation, but I trust Tremayne. He sired Sloane, for lack of a better term. She's more like a daughter to him."

Wade hadn't ventured far and had heard the last of Cassandra's words. "Tremayne may be a vampire, but he's one hundred percent male, too. I doubt he's looking at Sloane as if she's his daughter. If anything, Sloane has more of a connection with Tremayne Graystone than you do, sis."

"When did you become such a cynical bastard?" Cassandra shot back. "Just because you sleep with anything that resembles a female, it doesn't mean everyone follows your creed."

Wade's eyes narrowed. "At least I don't fool myself into thinking I can have a relationship with non-humans. BFF is what I say. Babes, Fun and—"

"That's enough," Derek interrupted, putting himself between the two before blows were exchanged. It never ended well with these two.

"For your information," Cassandra yelled over his shoulder and jabbed her finger in Wade's direction. "BFF is Best Friends Forever, not your sick rendition." She turned and stormed away, but Wade couldn't resist one more dig.

"Well, I came up with the acronym first."

Cassandra raised her hand in the air and without slowing her stride or turning around, she gave Wade the bird.

"Just like old times." Derek shook his head.

"Yeah, well she started it," Wade spat.

Derek couldn't help but laugh and a second later Wade did too.

"We sound like we're a bunch of kids, don't we?" Wade asked between chuckles.

"Don't drag me into this. You and Cassandra do have a way with each other."

"Yeah, well she's so pigheaded."

He lifted a brow and Wade snorted just like Cassandra would have done if he confronted her.

"Fine, we're both pigheaded," Wade said grudgingly.

They fell silent and Wade glanced toward the house. "As much as Cassandra is a pain in my patootie, I couldn't imagine not being able to speak to her—even if it's just snarky banter." He shook his head. "Sloane has it tough. I feel for her, but it doesn't mean I've changed my mind about vampires."

"Of course not."

Wade threw him a disgruntled look. "It was so much easier when I believed stake and dust was all I needed to know about vamps."

"Hey guys," Cassandra shouted to them from the backdoor. "You better come inside. The police scanner is buzzing with another homicide. Sounds like Tim's M.O."

They didn't waste any time and jogged toward the house, sliding to a stop in front of the scanner situated on the TV stand in the corner of the kitchen. The static sounds emitted from the scanner didn't mar the voices of the dispatcher.

"Who is he talking to?" Wade gestured toward Tremayne, who was on the phone.

"Someone from his sept that works at the precinct. He's getting the skinny on what went down," Cassandra said.

Derek's gaze shifted to where Sloane sat on the couch with her hands folded on her lap. Despite the fact that Sloane had just fed, her face was drained of color. Her eyes flickered warily to his. "He's killed again," she spoke the obvious with no need to clarify who he was.

"Where did he strike?" Wade asked.

"A convenience store," Cassandra told them.

"Three victims. An excessive amount," Tremayne spoke with a quiet intensity that brought all eyes around to meet his. He had ended his call and slipped the phone into his pocket. The knowing arch of his brow creased in thought before he addressed them. "He always kills two or more at one time and he has no need to drink from so many."

"He's out of control," Wade said. "He doesn't care how many he takes out at a time. He's a vampire for God's sake." He stopped short when his gaze shifted to Tremayne. "You know what I mean."

"Aye, he's out of control," Tremayne agreed, but more as an afterthought, not at all concerned by Wade's lack of diplomacy.

Kudos to the Oiche Sith, Derek thought.

"We have a few hours before dawn," Tremayne said. "Cassandra and I will check out the crime scene. See if Tim left any evidence behind that might lead us to where he's hiding out."

"I'm going, too," Wade spoke up.

Tremayne pursed his lips. Derek had the distinct feeling he wasn't confronted often with demands. He was used to giving orders and having them obeyed. Vampires were usually solitary creatures. They didn't hang out in big crowds, but he knew for a fact, Tremayne owned a pub. He was around crowds most nights, but then it dawned on him why he didn't want Wade to tag along.

"Wade." His brother turned his heated gaze on Derek.

"What?" Wade snapped with annoyance.

"He wants you to babysit me and Sloane."

"Why in the hell would I—" Then the reason must have dawned on him and he rolled his eyes. "I so can't wait until this gig is over." He plopped down in the nearest chair.

"We won't be long," Tremayne said.