Captivated (Deep in Your Veins 6)

I rolled back my shoulders, determination snaking through me. I’d go after her. Talk to her. Plead my case to her. And if she turned me down, well, I’d just keep at her until she agreed. There was no other option, because I wasn’t ready to give her up.

Paying zero attention to the voice that told me I’d never be ready for that, I stalked out of my apartment and headed for hers.

(Paige)

Well this wasn’t good. At all.

Any other time, I would have telepathed Jared to ask for assistance. But right then, I didn’t bother, because I would have failed. Why? Well, Lenox wasn’t alone. He had a hostage. A female vampire who possessed the ability to block telepathic contact—hence the low hum of static in the air.

A female vampire who also happened to be Ursula. And she looked damn terrified.

Considering Lenox held the tips of his poisonous claws to her throat, I couldn’t really blame her for that. Not even I could heal a fatal slit to the throat.

Keeping my expression blank, I focused on him as I said, “A lot of people are looking for you.”

“Yes, I know.” His mouth twisted. “I always liked you Paige, but you’ve become a problem for me.”

“A problem, huh?” I could say the same to him. Though it would be an understatement.

“I need some people to die. You keep saving them. You can see how I might have an issue with that.”

“Killing them wouldn’t change anything.”

“But it is necessary. They lost their right to live. Now let’s not delay matters. Ursula here is counting on you. Oh yes, I’m quite aware that you two aren’t terribly fond of each other. That’s what makes this all the better. She won’t sacrifice herself for you, nor care much that she’ll have to watch you die. But you, being a good soldier, would never sacrifice a hostage to save yourself, no matter who they were.” He tossed a syringe onto the carpet at my feet. “I took it from the infirmary when I went looking for Elise, but she’s been moved. I’ve filled it up for you.”

I didn’t pick it up. “What’s in it?”

“You already know.”

I did. Because that yellow substance was very familiar. He’d filled the syringe with his own damn poison.

“Inject yourself with it.”

“Why not just claw me?”

“I need to be over here with Ursula to ensure you behave yourself. There’s a lot of poison in that. Enough to kill you in under a minute. She and I will watch you die. Then I’ll let her go.”

I snorted. “You expect her to believe that?”

“She had no hand in Brook’s death, so I have no reason to harm her.”

“Elise didn’t have a hand in it either.”

He shrugged. “I knew you’d heal her. I just hoped to flush Ivan out. The coward won’t face me, though.” He tipped his chin at the syringe on the carpet. “Stop stalling and pick it up. This is nothing personal, Paige. I truly would never otherwise wish to hurt you. Particularly since you saved Brook’s life once. But you leave me no choice.”

A knock came at the door, causing us all to tense. Hope leaped in my chest. I couldn’t cry out for help as it would only get Ursula killed, and then Lenox would jump his ass out of here. But just maybe I could somehow get this person to—

“Ignore them,” said Lenox. “Pick up the syringe. My patience is waning fast.”

Another knock came at the door. “Paige, open up!”

My heart skipped a beat. Max.

“We need to talk!” Max quickly added. “I’m not leaving until we do!”

And I knew he meant it. He wouldn’t be put off by my not answering. He’d keep on knocking until I did. Right then, I was so damn thankful for his tenacious streak.

“Paige, let me in!”

Lenox swore beneath his breath.

“He’s not going to go away,” I told Lenox. “He’s also going to draw attention. People will see him pounding on my door and wonder why I’m not opening it. You’ve attacked me once, so it won’t take much for people to wonder if you’re here.”

Again, Lenox cursed. “Answer the door. Make him leave. But don’t be so stupid as to tell him I’m here. And stay in my line of sight. I will know if you signal for help. I’ll snap this one’s neck and be gone before anyone can even try to touch me.”

I believed him. I crossed to the door, pasted a calm expression on my face, and then opened it wide.

Max stood there, his fist poised to knock again. He lowered his arm, pinning me with a determined look. “We need—”

“To talk, right,” I finished. “But that can’t happen right now.”

“Sure it can,” he said, utterly unfazed by my objection. “You’ll only be eating breakfast. I’ll talk while you eat.”