She’d shared no such tie with him.

So Lorcan had tried to reset the bond.

In order to see the power in her blood? “We’re Lorcan’s experiment,” Alerac said. “And he wants us—both of us—so he can figure out how to get the same power for himself.”

Alerac’s attraction to Jane had been undeniable, too consuming, and it was being used against him now.

“I don’t have much time left,” Ryan said, voice grim. “But I’m going to make the most of that time. I’ll do my best to take him out.”

Alerac shook his head. “You’ve tried before. That didn’t work—”

“I couldn’t kill him for the same reason you couldn’t—he knew where Jane was! If he’d died, we might never have seen her again.” His gaze cut to Jane. “When the screams stopped, I thought for sure you were dead.”

Pain flashed in her eyes.

Ryan backed toward the door. “You aren’t trading for me. You aren’t trading yourself for anyone, ever again.” He pointed toward Alerac. “Keep her safe, wolf. If you don’t, I’ll come back and haunt your ass.”

Then he yanked open the door, and the fool ran right out in the sunlight.

“Ryan!” Jane tried to go after him. Not happening. Alerac wrapped his forearm around her stomach and pulled her back against him. “Dammit, let me go!”

No.

“Zoe!” He trusted her. As I trusted Liam. His back teeth ground together. “Follow him and make sure he doesn’t get himself killed.”

Zoe was already running through the door.

“Finn.”

Finn jerked to attention.

“Has anyone found Liam’s tracks?” The guy was good at covering himself. He should be good. Alerac had taught him well.

Finn shook his head. “It’s like he just vanished.”

But he hadn’t. Liam would be turning up again. Like Lorcan, he was after the power that could come from Jane.

And like Lorcan, he wasn’t getting her.

Two enemies after me. Time to even up the odds a bit.

“Make sure the human doesn’t leave,” he ordered Finn.

Jane turned in his grasp. “You’re going after Lorcan.”

Yes. Ryan would be his distraction. While Lorcan and his lackeys were fighting Ryan, Alerac would engage his own attack. “I’ll take men with me. The bastard won’t live to see another sunset.”

Alerac couldn’t wait to rip him apart.

“If you go, then I go.” Jane was adamant.

Alerac opened his mouth to argue.

“If I took your punishment, then don’t you think you owe this to me?” Her words vibrated with intensity. “Two hundred years. I won’t stand on the sidelines anymore. I won’t keep hiding. I can’t.”

Alerac closed his mouth because he had no words.

“Your pack backs us, my brother fights, you fight.” Her shoulders straightened. “I fight, too.”

He didn’t want her anywhere near Lorcan.

“I won’t be shut out. I’ve lost my past, but I’m not losing my future.”

“You will!” This came from Heath. “He’ll kill you, Jane! Don’t do this! He’s going to—”

“Gag him,” Jane snapped to Finn.

A grin curling his lips, Finn moved to obey. Soon all Heath could do was grunt.

“I’m a vampire. And, thanks to you, I’m also more.” She held Alerac’s gaze. “Let’s see just how much power we have together. Let’s see if we can make Lorcan fear us this time.”

This wasn’t the scared woman who’d run from him when he first saw her in Wylee’s bar. It wasn’t even the delicate vampire princess who’d first stolen into his heart on a long ago night in Ireland.

This woman…determination burned in her eyes. Fury hardened her muscles.

She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

Alerac nodded. “We will make him fear.”

And beg.

And…die.

***

Liam watched them leave. Alerac took most of his men with him. He took Jane.

The alpha made sure to keep her right at his side.

The storm had helped Liam. It had covered his scent. Hid his tracks.

He’d learned a few other ways to hide his scent over the years, even from someone with senses as powerful as Alerac’s.

The motorcycles roared away.

The sun hadn’t weakened Jane.

It looked like she was changing, too.

He waited until the growl of the motorcycles died away. He’d been watching the main house carefully. He’d seen the activity there.

The familiar human who’d been dragged inside.

The human who hadn’t come out. He was sure that Heath had told them all of Liam’s secrets.

Heath would pay for that.

Liam surveyed the area. Only a few wolves remained. Alerac must think he’d need his pack’s support in the coming battle, but the alpha should have planned better.

He should have left more of a defense at home.

If you didn’t protect what you valued, then you only had yourself to blame when it was destroyed.

Liam carefully worked his way to the main house, never making a sound, barely breathing.

Then he slipped in through a back window. He knew every inch of that house. Knew which boards would squeak beneath his feet. Which doors would creak when he opened them.

There were no squeaks. No creaks.

He saw the human. Bound. A gag in his mouth. Heath’s eyes widened when he caught sight of Liam. The human started to jerk and twist, and his gaze darted behind Liam’s form.

Ah, a warning. Interesting.

He spun around just as Finn charged at him.

But poor Finn never had a chance. He wasn’t immortal. He hadn’t been gorging on vampire blood for two lifetimes.

Liam drove his hand into Finn’s chest. Then he pulled out the werewolf’s heart.

When Finn fell to the floor, Liam was smiling.

The human whimpered behind his gag.

Liam dropped the heart. He turned back to his new prey. “Well, well…I guess we meet again.” There was dried blood on Heath’s neck and shirt. Someone had been drinking from him.

Taking his memoires?

Liam already had enough memories in his head. Memories that seemed to tear him apart. Memories from the vampires. From their countless attacks. Again and again. He didn’t even dream anymore—he just saw the memories.