I whimpered and thrashed in his arms, but his grip held me like a vice. I could’ve used my magic however I wasn’t sure I wanted to reveal I had any to him. Not until I knew who else was nearby. Sweyn knowing I was a witch would’ve been bad news for this quest. I had to play my cards smart.

The vampire tossed me over his shoulder. He patted my ass. “First I shall feast on your flesh until I’ve had my fill then I shall feast on your vein.”

My stomach rolled.

He chuckled. “Fear not, the pretty ones get to enjoy their death. You shall not feel an ounce of pain.”

Somehow, I actually believed that. Didn’t mean I wanted any part of any of it. I tried to bend to look around him except his body was massive. I only caught glimpses of snow and trees. Think, Frankie. Think. I had all kinds of martial arts training, especially after my lessons with Jackson and my sparring with Tenn but this was a vampire. The fight was different. My magic was my best bet . . . just not yet.

The vampire stopped and let out a vicious growl that vibrated my whole body. “This one is mine⁠—”

A low growl was the only response.

The vampire holding me growled back then snarled words in their vampire language I’d heard them all using before.

Pressure wrapped around my ankle then I was yanked backwards. I slid off the vampire’s shoulder and dropped to the snow flat on my back. I hissed as pain shot through my head.

A sharp gasp made me look up—right into Everest’s wide eyes. His whole body language softened, his shoulders dropping. “Finally.”

“My Lord?”

Without taking his eyes off me he flicked his wrist and shot black magic into the other vampire’s chest. He didn’t even get a chance to scream or growl, he just burst to ash and dust. I blinked and watched the breeze sweep away what was left of him. Then I turned my stare to Everest.

He watched me with those blue and white eyes that for the first time I’d ever seen . . . felt cold and distant. Had he not spoken the word finally I might have worried he didn’t recognize me. I looked down and saw my pink hair and my ring-clad hands, and the pink dress of mine I’d gotten from our home in the oasis. I looked like me. Yet he looked at me now like I was a stranger.

Slowly, I pushed to my feet, noticing the way his gaze tracked my movement. I licked my lips. “Everest?” When he didn’t react, I reached forward and gripped the lapels of his red brocade waistcoat.

He stared at me for a moment then closed his eyes and cringed.

“What’s wrong?”