Sleepless City 03 - Family and Reflection by Anne Barwell

Author:Anne Barwell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2015-06-24T23:00:00+00:00

“I CAN smell blood.” Simon’s eyes turned fully brown, and his fangs extended. He took several deep breaths to steady himself. “I’m fine,” he told Declan. “Definitely human, but not Ben’s. I’d know if it was.”

“Not werewolf either,” Declan confirmed, although that didn’t mean Lucas was safe. “Did you hear that?”

“A wolf growling?” Simon asked grimly. “Yes, and—” He froze. Seconds later they heard the unmistakable crack of another gunshot. “I’m going in there!”

“We’re going in there.” Declan was already on his feet and running for the door. He knew Lucas’s growl, and what he’d heard wasn’t Lucas. If this gunman was a werewolf, there was no longer any point in being subtle about this. He’d smell two vampires coming a mile off. “There’s a human bleeding in there. Are you going to be okay?”

“I’ll be fine.” Simon’s nostrils flared. Declan saw his complexion pale. “I’ll be fine,” he said. “I won’t… touch it. I promise.” Given Simon’s history, and the added stress of Ben being in danger, he was holding himself together well. “Ben needs me. I can do this.”

The fire alarm began to wail, and Declan heard sirens. There was no time to lose. Once the authorities showed up, there’d be no chance of getting inside or containing whatever this situation was.

Ange looked up at them as they entered. She was kneeling over Melanie, holding a bloody cloth against Melanie’s chest, keeping pressure on the wound. “There was a guy, then he was a wolf. The wolf… bloody hell, what’s going on? Lucas turned into one too and went after him. They’re out the back. So’s Ben. He’s trying to put the fire out.”

Simon glanced at Melanie and took a step back. He was pale, his fangs extended, his eyes still fully brown. “I’ll be fine,” he muttered to himself. “I’ll be fine.” He visibly pulled himself together.

Outside, several vehicles pulled up. They were running out of time. Lucas and whoever the other wolf was needed to be gone before more humans figured out what was going on.

“Oh my God,” Ange said, staring at them. “You’re the vampires he was talking about.”

“Is Ben all right?” Simon asked urgently. He looked frantically around the café, despite Ange having already told him Ben was out the back.

“Yes, he’s fine,” said Ange. “I’d tell you if he wasn’t. Honest.”

Simon hesitated, glanced toward the back of the café, then bent over Melanie. “Go, Declan,” he urged. “I’ve got this. Tell Ben to get out of there.” He turned to Ange. “We need to keep the pressure on Melanie’s wound while I lift her. You’ll have to do it. I can’t.”

Smoke poured from the kitchen. Declan heard coughing and a fire extinguisher. Ben’s attempt to put out the fire wasn’t working. He couldn’t see the wolves, but he could hear them. Growling, followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the floor. Scrabbling noises were quickly followed by the sound of objects flying in all directions.

One of the wolves yowled in pain.

“Lucas!” Declan yelled, heading for the back of the café.

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