Jesse quickly shut down his rising emotions.

He’d felt her shortly after Steven had told him she would be coming, and he bit back a curse. Taking a deep breath, he remained calm, knowing the slightest change in his pulse would alert them. They possessed vampire bodies for a reason.

Though he kept his emotions at bay, his mind raced. He needed to warn her. Or better yet, keep her away entirely. But there was only way to do it: he would have to lower his shields and speak directly to her thoughts. And once one defense was down, others would soon follow if he wasn’t very careful.

Ever since he’d left the hotel room, he’d refused to let her into his head, knowing it would distract him from what he had to do. He couldn’t be worried about her, or listening to her try to argue her way out of what she’d done. But he also didn’t want her in danger.

So, he waited. Waited until the demons were speaking amongst themselves. As soon as it was as safe as it was going to get, he lowered his shields and told her to get away, then raised them again before she could respond. He had a feeling it would do no good. She was stubborn, and her vampire instincts would tell her to protect him. But he had to try.

As he sensed her coming closer and closer, he pushed down his fear for her. Damn hardheaded female. She was going to get herself killed. He could handle this on his own.

Cruthú reappeared, circling the clearing, her feathers nearly invisible against the dark sky. She called to Jesse, swooping happily in and out of the trees.

His hands shook, the force of emotion he buried within coming through physically, and he clasped them behind his back so they wouldn’t give him away.

His ears perked up when he heard footsteps crashing through the underbrush straight ahead. The others heard it a few seconds later, and all heads turned to their left.

Shea appeared, running so fast human eyes wouldn’t be able to track her. Three rotting vampire bodies chased her. She ran straight for Jesse, not sparing so much as a glance at the others standing there.

With a wave of his hand, Jesse sent the three chasing her flying through the air to land at Steven’s feet. Shea came to a stop in front of him, just outside of the circle. She was barely even breathing hard. Tucking away a few stray hairs, she smiled at him, flashing her fangs. When he didn’t return the greeting, it fell from her face as she speared him with green eyes aglow with hunger and the need to fight. “I didn’t call Aiden. I didn’t ask him to come and get me. I want you to know that right off. Just in case this all goes awry.”

He found it quite amusing that she had no regard whatsoever for the immediate danger she was in, mostly because of the looks on the others’ faces, though he appreciated Mammot’s shocked expression the most. Turning his attention back to the stunning vision of his vampire in full hunting mode, he only said, “I told you to stay the fuck away.” But his tone lacked the bite he was hoping for.

The corners of her mouth turned up just slightly. “But then how would I save you?”

Mammot suddenly appeared behind her. One arm shot out, placing a knife at her throat. He didn’t grab her. There was no need. Before she could move, the blade was partially embedded in her throat. Blood tricked down her pale skin to soak her shirt. If she tried to get away in any direction, it would slice through her windpipe and she would be out of commission until she healed herself.

Alarm flashed in her green eyes and her lips peeled back into a snarl. She was about to try it anyway. He could sense her movements before she made them.

“Enough!” Jesse roared.

Shea stilled, though a deep growl rumbled within her. Despite the danger they were in, his body reacted to the sound, becoming uncomfortably hard. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

“Your timing is perfect, vampire,” Mammot murmured in her ear. “I was just trying to convince this one that it would be in his best interest to do the spell as planned. Your being here will certainly improve his attitude.”

Shea’s eyes locked onto his. He wanted to open his mind to her, to reassure her, but it was too dangerous. He couldn’t be distracted. Movement to the left caught his attention.

The demons were shifting about restlessly and talking amongst themselves. A number of anxious sounds rose in the air.

“She brought others,” one of them said.

Eyes skittering about, Mammot asked, “Where?”

The demons shuffled around, lining up shoulder to shoulder until they formed a protective circle around Mammot, Jesse, and the spell circle. “I don’t fucking know,” it said. “But I smell them.”

When Jesse looked back at Shea, she was smiling. Her green eyes were aglow and her fangs were fully extended.

He gave her a small shake of his head, trying to warn her, but she paid him no heed. Wrapping her small hands around the arm that held the knife to her throat, she braced her booted feet and threw her hips back, sending the demon off balance even as she screamed in pain. She stepped back with one foot, bent forward and pulled him with her, throwing him over her hip. Then she stomped on his wrist with her booted foot until he dropped the knife.

At the same time, five females and five males suddenly became visible outside the circle of demons.

Jesse broke the circle and yanked Shea away from the demon. He pushed her behind him just in time.

Mammot bounded to his feet. Jesse faced off against him, teeth bared much like his vampire would do.

“I will kill that little whore,” Mammot told him.

Jesse kept one hand behind him, wrapped around Shea’s wrist. He fought to remain calm and keep his shields up. “As I told you before…” Magic brewed within him, mixing with the sorcery of the djinn. “Shea is not to be harmed. Allow her and the others to leave, and we can continue.”

As they stared each other down, Shea spoke up from behind him. “I’m sorry, Jesse. I can’t let you do this. I can’t let you free them.”

He had to. He had no choice. “You cannot stop me, Shea.”