“So,” Ian said, his voice completely level. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

I put my hand over the bite wound, wincing as I felt the sticky warmth of my own blood beneath my palm and the hot throb of the venom now being carried through my veins. Fortunately, my brain was fully functional, enough to let the lies flow. “You know these were the folks who sold to Aden, right?”

Ian nodded. “Same smell. Aden reeked of it that night. But they were after me. And they seemed to know you.”

“They knew … of me. Come on, Ian. You didn’t think I was a prep school girl, did you?” I prayed he’d back down easily, as soon as he was challenged. Rumors about me had swirled ever since I’d arrived at school, so why not use that to my advantage?

He let out a short breath. “No, Lela, I didn’t, but—are you saying you’re like a gang member or something?”

Never. But I couldn’t think of any other explanation. I shrugged. “Aden certainly seemed to think so …” I tried to move my fingers, but my entire left hand was numb. I needed to get home. “I’m sorry, really.”

Ian shook his head. “You’re lying. I know you’re lying. There’s something else going on.”

“Look, um … I guess my past kind of caught up with me,” I said, wishing that killing Clarence only once had been enough. “But I’m going to try to make sure no one bothers you again, all right?”

He cursed under his breath and threw his door open. A second later, he wrenched open the rear door and climbed in next to me. I instinctively reached for the opposite door handle.

“Who’s going to make sure no one bothers you again?” he snapped. “Look at you. Your arm’s bleeding. They would have done serious damage if I hadn’t been there.”

Suddenly exhausted, I leaned against the seat, curling my bitten arm against my body as my hand hung limp. “I can take care of myself.”

He laughed. “No kidding. It’s part of why I like you. But we were attacked by seven drugged-out freaks tonight, Lela. You may be able to kick ass, but you’re not a superhero.”

“Never said I was. I’m just saying I’d feel awful if you got wrapped up in this.”

“Too late. You’re bleeding in my backseat.”

I opened the door and stumbled out onto the blacktop, clumsily pulling my keys from my pocket. Already my legs were tingling, as was my right arm. Malachi had been able to run for over an hour when he’d been bitten by Juri in the dark city, so I prayed I could hang on as long.

“Lela, wait!” Ian hopped out of the backseat after me. “I wasn’t telling you to leave!”