Page 25 of A Trial By Blood

It was fresh.

She walked back into the bar, and I knocked the blade out of Vesa’s hand as I turned back. Grabbing him by the throat, I shoved him against the wall.

No, definitely not human.

Shifter.

“What are you?”

“Get the fuck off me!” he yelled and yanked at my hand, still wrapped around his scrawny throat.

There was blood on his chin. “You fathered a child, a daughter with Daisy Thornheart, yes?”

His eyes widened then narrowed. “Who the fuck are you? Did Daisy send you to find me? If she wants money—”

That was answer enough. “What are you?” I asked again.

He scowled, pressing his lips together, refusing to speak.

He wasn’t going to tell me, but I had the right male. My blood felt hot in my veins, and my gut gripped tight. I had to focus hard to sense what breed this male was—then it hit me.

My phone rang, and without releasing him, I checked the screen.

Magnolia.

“Yes?”

“Rose is asking for you,” she said.

“She’s awake?”

“She’s in and out of consciousness, but she’s struggling for every breath and her heart rate’s dropped. I don’t know how she’s still hanging on.” Her voice hitched. “Rose wants you here,” she said, her voice cracked. “You need to hurry.”

Rose was about to die.

“I’m on my way.” I shoved my phone in my pocket.

The male squirmed in my fist, but I no longer needed him, and neither did Rose. I knew exactly what he was, and there was nothing he could give her that would help her now. Tossing him aside, I sprinted from the alley. My blood burned hotter in my veins. Maybe I was dying as well? There was pain in my chest. I needed to get to Rose.

I reached my car and yanked the door open. It tore off the hinges with a groan. Tossing it aside, I got in, started the car, and planted my foot on the gas.

I never lost control of my strength like that. Something was definitely wrong with me. My core temperature had increased even more, and sweat coated my skin despite the missing door. My gut felt as if it were full of spiked boulders, not just one, and my muscles were constricted so tight they were close to cramping.

I checked the clock, then the speedometer.

Four minutes and thirty-seven seconds had passed since I received the call from Magnolia. At my current speed, Rose needed to stay alive another five minutes and twenty-three seconds.

I stomped harder on the gas, pushing the car to its limits.

Make that another four minutes and fifty-one seconds.

The time ticked down in my head, until I finally saw the house ahead of me. I slammed on the brakes, stones spitting out from the tires as I skidded to a stop.

I jumped out and ran for the house, through the door, sprinting full speed up the stairs and into Rose’s room. Her family stood around her. Her mother was kneeling by the bed, Rose’s hand in hers. Everyone was sobbing.

Iris turned to me. “I’m sorry,” she said. “It’s too late. She’s gone.”

No. That couldn’t be.