Once Bitten (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 1)

“Thanks a million,” Mac said. “You’re a hero.”

“Seriously,” I added. “Thank you. I could really use the help.”

“Need a second person?” Quinn asked.

“We’ve got it,” Mac said with a grin. “You’ll have to flirt with her later.”

“I’ll count down the hours,” he replied, charming as hell.

Unfortunately, it didn't do much for me. Sure, he was hot and nice, but he was no scary vampire with mind control. Which seemed to be the only guy I was interested in right now, which was insane, because I was also freaking scared of him.

“Actually,” Mac said. “We could maybe use some bailout help later.”

“Bailout help?” I asked.

“Hopefully not. But there’s no point having friends if they can’t bail you out of trouble.”

“What are you up to?” Quinn asked.

“Breaking into the city morgue,” I said.

“And if we get in trouble, we might call you,” Mac said. “We’ve already got the witches as an option, but they’re unreliable. You’re not.”

“That’s true. But why are you giving me a heads-up? Normally, you wait until you’re up shit creek to ask for a paddle.”

“Because we’re going to look different.” Mac dug into her pocket and held up two little potion bottles. “And we need you to know which two damsels to come rescue.”

“You’ve never been a damsel.”

“Damn right I haven’t.” She grinned.

She handed me a tiny vial of potion. “This one is for you. Specially formulated by the witches.”

“Thanks.” It was warm in my hand—unusually so.

“Same time?”

“Yep.” I uncorked the vial and raised it, waiting for Mac.

Together, we swigged them back. Mine tasted disgustingly sweet and syrupy, and a shiver went through my whole body, followed quickly by a shaft of pain. I doubled over, the pain turning to agony.

Were the witches trying to kill me?

Mac groaned and nearly collapsed.

Scratch that, they were trying to kill both of us.

As suddenly as it had arrived, the pain departed. I gasped and stood. Mac did the same, and I gasped.

Quinn started to chuckle, his gaze moving between the two of us.

Mac looked different. Like, way different.

And not in a good way.

In fact, she reminded me of a toad—green skin and all. The only good part was that she was still standing on two legs and not four.

“Wow, you’re hot!” Mac said.