Blood Flame (Flame 1)

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At the moment that Evan attempted to pry Seraphina from Iris’s arms, Connor levitated swiftly, caught Evan around his waist then twisted him away from the two women. The force he used sent Evan tumbling on the cement.

But Evan rose swiftly in response. He drew his half-sword from his sheath and charged, a wild light in his green eyes.

Connor was unarmed. But he had fifteen years of battling experience, having taken on all kinds of drugged out, hopped up vampires, spellcasters and shifters.

Game on.

Connor held his focus steady, waiting for Evan to make his move. Evan took his time, then finally lunged with a controlled swipe of his sword. At the same moment, Connor levitated backward a foot. Evan came after him with a series of quick cross-swipes that forced Connor to move closer and closer to one of the cement walls.

He knew Evan was trying to back him up against the wall so that Connor couldn’t escape the blade. But Connor had been around the block a few times. When he was within a foot-and-a-half from the wall, he used his boot and pushed up and off, levitating swiftly at the same time. He rolled over Evan’s head and caught Evan’s neck in a chokehold then threw him to the concrete floor.

Evan landed hard and his half-sword went flying. Evan rolled toward it, but Connor was faster, caught the sword in his hand, then shifted course to land on Evan’s back. He pressed a knee into his spine.

At the same time, he caught Evan beneath the chin, lifting his head, then brought the sword close to his throat. “You’re not much without your witch’s help, are you?”

“Fuck you.” The words came out slurred because Connor had hold of his chin. Evan wasn’t going anywhere.

“You’ve killed an awful lot of people all in Heather’s name. I wonder what she’d think about that.”

“She’s dead.”

“That’s true. But you know what else? She’s here. You may not be connected to your witch, but I’m in tune with mine and I’m telling you, Heat

her is here right now. And I think she might have something to say to you. Are you ready to listen?”

Evan grew very still.

“Well?”

“I am.”

“Good.” He switched to telepathy. Engage both of us, Heather, right now.

A female voice pressed into his mind. Evan, I’m here.

Heather?

Connor was relieved he could hear them both. Aloud, he said, “I’m going to take the sword away, but I’m keeping my knee in your back. And just so you know, I can hear Heather as well.”

“I understand.”

Connor slowly moved the sword to the side. Go ahead, Heather. We’re both listening.

Her voice came through loud and clear. Evan, you’ve broken my heart. What have you been doing all in my name and our son’s name? We’ve been waiting for you, but why have you killed so many people? The pain you’ve caused! That’s not who you were. Who we were together.

Evan’s telepathic voice sounded strained. Heather, I hunted for you. I missed you so much. I’d already made the decision to take a vampire serum so I could look for you. Then I learned that Connor killed you. Why did you have to die? Why couldn’t you have waited for me?

I wouldn’t have survived much longer and I couldn’t feel the baby move anymore.

Evan didn’t say anything for a long moment. Those were your last words, weren’t they? The ones you spoke to Officer Connor? The ones he didn’t tell me?

Yes.

Oh, God, what have I done?

You’ve hurt so many people and now you have to atone. If you want to be with us, you have to atone.