“What does that mean?”

“They can leap about ten feet with ease. Possibly fifteen, depending on the Vampire. It’s probably how they entered your apartment. Does this building you have in mind have balconies? They could leap from one to the next to climb higher.”

“I don’t know. I was just thinking I might want to move but I’ll have to see what I can afford. I don’t want to be kidnapped again.”

“Worry about that later. Let’s survive today.”

“I’m just thinking about the future.”

“Tall buildings won’t save you from Vampires, even if there are no balconies. They can control human minds and get your neighbors to allow them inside the building you live in. They’d be able to kick in your door to get to you or even tear through the wall of a unit next to yours. Does that answer your questions?”

She sighed and dropped her chin.

“What did I say?”

She looked up at him. “Did anyone ever call you a buzzkill?”

“No.”

“Well, I just did. You’re bumming me out.”

“I’m being honest. You’re in danger. That master isn’t going to just give up his plan until he’s forced to. He seemed crazy. You’ll need to go into hiding once you’re returned home or he’ll come after you again.”

The more he thought about his own words, the less likely he knew it would be that he could effectively wipe her mind. She wouldn’t be able to stay out of danger on her own if she couldn’t remember what she needed to hide from. He studied her sad expression. It just reaffirmed that he’d have to keep her safe until the master was dead.

But a little fear might keep her from trying to run away from him.

She bit her lower lip.

“I heard what he wants from you. He could breed you with a Lycan, then use your daughter to breed with a Vampire to get what I am. He’ll want to recover you. Breaking the treaty and entering VampLycan territory to drug me proves he’s insane.”

“What treaty?”

“Vampires have sworn to stay away from us.”

“Why?”

He held her gaze. “We’re bad news to anyone who fucks with us. Few are stupid enough to try.”

“Oh.” She took a few bites. “Why are you bad news?”

Her questions began to irritate him. “We got the best qualities from both Vampires and Lycans. We’re stronger, but without their weaknesses. Eat and stop talking. We don’t have a lot of time. I want to be long gone from here before nightfall.”

Glen ate as much as her stomach would allow then stood and walked to the sink, turning on the water.

“What are you doing?”

“Dishes.”

Veso snarled.

She looked at him. “What is your problem now?”

“Leave them.”

“No. It’s rude.”

“The owner is dead. He doesn’t care if we leave a mess. Go put on socks and find some spare clothing. Perhaps a jacket. I believe I saw a backpack in the corner of the bedroom. Put those things inside but leave room for food.”

She turned off the water. He was right. “Fine.”

“Hurry up. We’re out of here the moment I’m done eating.”

She fled into the bedroom and located the backpack. It wasn’t overly big. She packed a few extra pairs of socks, put three layers on her feet, and tried to find them each a spare set of clothing. There was a choice of jackets inside the closet. She found a lightweight one and shoved it inside. Lastly, she remembered to grab a roll of toilet paper. It might be a long day if they didn’t find another house soon with a working phone.

Veso had finished his food when she reentered the kitchen. He had stacked some cans of food and bottles of water on the counter. “I’ll be outside. Pack those.”

“Pack those,” she muttered, right after he left the cabin with the wrapped tarp he’d carried in earlier. “So bossy.”

She did what he’d asked though, and then walked out the door wearing the backpack. Veso waited, his gaze tracking her, his golden eyes shining. Overall, he might be scary, but she had to also admit he was attractive.

“Let’s go. We need to put distance between us and here.”

She jogged down the steps and toward the road. Veso walked quickly with his long legs, the tarp under one arm, the shotgun in his hand. He turned off the road in front of her, into the woods.

“Where are you going?”

He stopped and gazed back over his shoulder. “Do you want to make it easier for the Vampires to find us?”

“We’ll get lost if we leave the road.”

“It will make it more difficult for them to track us. Most Vamps are lazy bastards. I was in this area some years ago. There’s an abandoned mining town close and I believe that road will lead to it. Some of the buildings might be standing still, and that’s the first place the Vampires will look. I want to be where they aren’t hunting for us.”

“Buildings mean someone might live in them, and we need help.”

“I didn’t realize how remote this area is until I found an address inside that cabin. Humans are something we’ll want to avoid. The Vampires will have located where all of them are for feeding purposes and are probably in control of them. It means they’d try to capture us and hold us for the Vamps. Humans stick by roads—so we’re leaving it.”

“We won’t be stuck out here if we find someone with a car. They’ll have a cell phone too. Everyone does. We can call the police. You’re big. Even if they’ve bribed people to do bad things, you could just punch someone.”

Veso took a few steps in her direction but then stopped, scowling. “It’s not up for debate. You have no idea what you’re dealing with but I do. That nest looked pretty established to me, and they had time to add doors to make cells. It means they’ve been in the area for a while. Don’t make me carry you, Glenda. Follow me or I’ll toss you over my shoulder. What do you know about Vampires?”

“Not much.”

“I know everything. I’d like to avoid being captured again. Those bastards are using drugs. Humans put us in danger, so it’s best to avoid all of them. We’re going to my people.”

“The police—”