“You think that’s the wisest attitude with everything going on?”

He grinned and held his arms out. “Wisdom rarely plays a part in my decisions. Why start now?”

She shrugged. It was his skin, but she wasn’t going to say it. Doc was a grown man. He could make his own choices.

A couple hours later and there was still no sign of Fi. Chrysabelle glanced at the sky. “Doc, you should really get back to headquarters or wherever you’re staying. I’ll keep looking. In fact, I’ll go get Mal and—”

“And let him violate the curfew? No, I’m good.”

She’d forgotten Mal was an othernatural, too. How long had she been thinking of him as a man and not a vampire? She checked the sky again. The sun would be down soon and she had no idea how much grace period would be allowed between sundown and full dark. “Please. Go home. I’ll find Fi, I promise.”

He took her arm and pulled her into a narrow alley between two buildings. “I appreciate your concern, but you’re forgetting that I can outrun any mortal alive. Even if some random patrol sees me, they won’t be able to catch me or track me.”

The longer they argued, the longer they’d be vulnerable. The street solars had already flickered to life. “Fine. Let’s go back to my house and regroup. We can get Jerem. Technically, as my driver, he gets a pass.”

Doc looked like he was going to say no, but he just shook his head and walked out of the alley. She followed, hoping his response meant he agreed with her plan.

Across the street and down one block, two police officers were getting out of their car.

She shoved Doc toward his little sports car. “Get us out of here, now.”

With lightning speed, he whipped around. “I told you—”

“You there!” One of the cops had eyes on Doc and was pointing with his nightstick.

“Hell, no,” Doc snarled. He started toward the officers.

She snagged his arm to hold him back. “Don’t, Doc. Let’s just go, please. Fi doesn’t need you in jail.”

He hesitated and muttered, “Dammit,” under his breath. He backed up and pressed his thumb to the biometric lock on the car door. “Let’s get out of here.”

A soft whistle came toward them. A split second later, a tiny orange-furred insect landed on Doc’s neck. Except it wasn’t an insect. He slapped at the tranquilizer dart, but it was too late. Whatever the cops had been equipped with, it worked fast. Doc slumped against the car, his eyes rolling back in his head. “Tell…”

His mouth moved but no more sound came out. Chrysabelle grabbed his massive form as he slid toward the sidewalk, falling to her knees beside him. “Tell who? Who do you want me to tell?”

But he was out.

The cops ran up. One held a tranq rifle. “We’ll take it from here, miss. Best you go home where it’s safe.”

She stared at them, trying not to hate them for doing their jobs. “Do you report directly to the mayor?”

The officer with the gun looked at his partner and smiled. “For taking down the first curfew violator? Absolutely.”

“Give her a message for me. Tell her I said she’s an idiot.”

Chapter Sixteen

Mal knew Chrysabelle was on board before he heard her calling out his name. If not for the edge of fear in her voice, he would have met her with a kiss. He rushed to where she stood just inside the door off the aft deck. “What’s wrong?”

She threw up her hands and paced past him. “Doc’s in jail. They’re going to chain him in the city square.”

“What? That’s barbaric.” Just like you.

“The mayor announced a curfew for othernaturals from sundown to sunup. Any othernaturals out during that period are subject to disciplinary action.” She stopped pacing long enough to scowl. “They shot him with a tranquilizer gun. Can you believe that?” She shook her head. “The mayor’s using him as an example to scare the rest into submission.”

“Why wasn’t Doc at pride headquarters?”

“He was, but Fi’s gone missing—he told her to get lost, but it was for her own safety, and now he can’t find her. I was helping him look, but the sun set and he wouldn’t go home. Stupid man,” she muttered. “I went to the police station to get information about how to bail him out when I overheard a couple officers talking about the mayor’s plans for the first othernatural caught.” Her hands tightened into fists. “This is a giant, bloody mess.” She stared toward the glittering line of the city.

“You look like you want to punch something.” He came to stand beside her at the rail, resisting the urge to slip his arms around her. He knew her well enough to understand this mood would not be fixed with his strained attempt at comfort. “You know when it comes to Doc, I’m in for whatever needs doing.”

She pushed back. “That’s just it. I don’t know what to do.” She went quiet, her brows furrowing. She turned, studying him. Unexpectedly, her hands came up to cup his jaw. “You’re bitter cold. You need blood.”

“It can wait.” Never. But with her hands on his skin and her wrists so close to his mouth, he was helpless against her delicious perfume. His fangs dropped and his human face shifted away. Blood blood blood.

“It can’t wait. You need to be strong for whatever happens next.” She took his hand and began leading him into the ship. “And as much as we need to help Doc, his decisions led him to where he’s at, so he can sit tight for a little while longer.”