"She's my Pumpkin!" His voice cracked as he shoved the door open. "I have to find her—I have to! Every moment wasted is one more where she could be in danger!"
The sun outside welcomed him like a cruel omen. Light lashed against the earth in sheets, the weather still through the narrow streets.
Without hesitation, Lucius stepped forward into it—no cloak drawn, no protection, no thought of the deadly consequence.
"Lucius!" Alaric's voice thundered, deep and commanding, as he appeared at the doorway with vampiric speed.
In the blink of an eye, he was beside his friend, his strong hand clamping onto Lucius's arm like iron.
Lucius snarled, fangs flashing. "Let me go, Alaric! She needs me! Jean could be hurt—she could be calling for me right now!" He wrenched against Alaric's grip, but the younger prince's strength was unyielding.
