“Damn.” He ran his fingers through his hair and turned on the phone.

A few text messages waited. He read them. The human should have checked in already, begun searching for them, and the so-called king had sent threats to the human under his thrall. It was a reminder that the master would kill innocents if Veso didn’t break them free and reprogram their minds, then send them somewhere safe by nightfall.

He called information, asking for the number for the lodge, then requesting it be connected. It rang four times before a familiar voice answered.

“It is good to hear your voice, Davis.”

“Who is this?”

“It’s Veso.”

“We thought you were dead!” Excitement sounded in the VampLycan’s voice. “Those damn Vampires said they killed you.”

“You captured some?”

“They spoke to Kira. She’s alive but the bastards attacked her too. She was bad off but she’s better now. Where are you?”

“I’m not entirely sure. We made it to a cabin but I’m estimating I’m still about forty miles from home. I need you to send help. I’m being tracked by human thralls with tranquilizer darts during the day and soldier and Vamps at night. Can you trace the call?”

Silence greeted him.

“Davis?”

The VampLycan didn’t answer him and he glanced at the phone. It had dropped the signal. “Damn it!” He tried calling back but it couldn’t connect. He walked around, lifting the phone, searching for a stronger signal but it wasn’t showing anything.

“Goddamn it,” he yelled.

“What’s wrong?”

Glenda’s voice drew his attention toward the loft. She clutched a blanket around her body, bare shoulders revealed and her hair messy from sleep. “The signal went down.”

“Why?”

“It happens sometimes if there’s a storm but it was dry outside. The master must have become worried we’d captured a human since the one in the closet didn’t check in a few hours ago. There were texts on his phone. That damn suckhead probably sent other humans to do something to the tower to take out cell coverage in this area.”

“I thought you were going to have that guy we captured check in. We discussed this.”

“I overslept!” He threw the phone. It smashed into the fireplace. “They will be coming for us. Get dressed.”

“You broke another phone? What’s wrong with you? Maybe we could have gotten a signal outside! Maybe it was just down for a minute or so.”

“Stop wasting time arguing with me, damn it. I refuse to be drugged again. We’re out of here.” He stomped into the kitchen, yanking open cupboards to grab supplies.

“Crazy VampLycan,” she huffed from above. “You have anger issues.”

“Get dressed. We leave in five minutes.”

“I am.”

It had been a mistake to throw the phone but he’d needed something to take his frustration out on. Glenda was his mate. He was certain of that now. They’d shared blood when they’d kissed and he’d known.

A human wasn’t supposed to be his mate, nor had he ever wanted to bind his life with any woman. Even as they fucked, he’d tried to use logic to talk himself out of claiming her. The timing was shit. His clan wouldn’t accept her. They were being hunted. Then Glenda had rejected him when he’d finally settled down, ready to accept that logic didn’t matter in the face of instinct.

She is my mate. She’s in danger. I need to get her safe and then I’ll convince her we’ll be together forever. Focus on that.

He emptied the backpack the human had used, repacked it with food bars, snacks, and bottled water. He rose up and strode to the closet, jerking it open. He grabbed the man and hauled him out.

“Look at me.”

The stranger’s eyes snapped open.

Veso glared at him, allowing his power to flow. “King Charles has lied to you. He’s evil. He’ll kill you and your friends. Do you understand?”

The man paled, fear showing in every line of his face.

“You’re going to go find the man and pregnant woman you told me about. Shoot the man with a dart so you can easily control the woman with care and put them on their boat. Get them the hell out of here before dark. Do you understand? Tie them up. You need to keep them safe because they won’t and can’t believe King Charles is evil. He’ll kill you all. Keep them away for a few days. Find a safe place to hide at night. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“I’m going to let you go. Stand still until I hand you the dart gun. Then you leave here and go find them, take them with you, and stay away for at least three days. You need to get as far away as you can. Understood?”

“Yes.”

Veso helped the human to his feet, set him free of the restraints, then lifted the dart gun and opened the case with the darts. He removed some of the fluid inside them, not certain if the current amounts wouldn’t kill a human. Small doses shouldn’t harm one. He loaded the gun and handed it over to the human, along with the case.

“Run!”

The man spun, almost slammed into a wall, then got the bars off the door. He bolted once he was free, heading toward the river. Veso closed the door and decided he didn’t have time to tiptoe around Glenda with his abilities. He leapt up to the loft, avoiding the ladder.

She gasped, almost falling on her ass when he landed. “Shit!”

He wanted to howl in frustration. He’d scared her—again. That was no way to convince her to be his mate. She knew he was a VampLycan but it was possible she needed more time to get used to their differences before she’d agree to drink his blood.

He’d planned to shift, have her ride his back again, but he changed his mind. He could protect her on two legs just as good as on four. They’d move slower but it was important they talk.

“You know I’m not like you,” he gently reminded her. He stepped around her and dug out clothing he thought might fit him then changed. “We’re leaving. Find a spare set of clothes in case we have to swim again.” He did the same for himself, fisting the extra shirt and sweats then climbing down the loft.

He located a large bag, shoved the clothing inside, and held out his hand as Glenda came down the ladder. She’d put on a man’s shirt. The cargo pants she wore were baggy but she’d used a shoelace to bind the belt loops together in the front, forming an odd belt. The slippers she wore impressed him. She’d wrapped more laces around her ankles to make them stay on her feet. They’d protect her from injury better than layers of socks.