Yvette crashed against the wall once more, her hand already reaching for the chain and balls. She hissed in pain when she touched the metal. Silver.

How in hell had he swung it without burning himself? She cut him a quick glance and saw him grin, then wave his right hand at her. She zeroed in on it, and only now noticed the flesh colored glove he wore on that hand. He must have put in on when he’d followed her out of the bedroom.

When he bent over her, she swiped at him with her claws, but he jumped out of her way with preternatural ease, and landed on her chest, his knees pinning down her shoulders, disabling her from moving her arms. He was heavier than her and stronger. Yvette flashed her fangs at him.

But he only laughed. “Should have let me go to the house like I told you. But no, you’re a controlling bitch, who has to have the last word on everything. I’ll show you women who’s boss.”

The words sank deep into her. “Women” he’d said. Instantly she knew what this was about. “Maya.”

“Yes, Maya. I’ll get her now. She’s been mine all along. And neither you nor Gabriel can keep me away from her any longer.”

Yvette shivered. Ricky was the rogue. All along he’d hidden in their midst, and nobody had suspected him.

“How did you do it? How did you evade us for so long?”

He chuckled to himself, then he gave her a cold stare. “Zane had his doubts about me when he checked my alibi, but even he isn’t strong enough to get past my gift.”

Yvette cursed.

“Yes, finally my gift has turned out to be quite useful. You guys always used me to smooth things over when there was a problem. I let you. But finally, I figured I’d use it for myself.  Zane firmly believes I had nothing to do with Maya’s attack. Nobody suspects me, because the minute I sense their doubts, I invade their mind and control those doubts. Poof!” He made a theatrical hand movement.

He’d played them all, and now that he knew Maya was alone at the house with only Carl as protection, he’d get her. “Gabriel will get you,” she spat.

“By the time Gabriel gets back to the house, I’ll be long gone, and Maya will be with me. Nobody will ever see us again.”

“You traitor.”

“Call me what you want, I don’t care.” He stuck his hand into his jacket pocket.

Yvette froze. He’d stake her, she knew it. Her eyes widened. When he locked eyes with her, he laughed again, a cold emotionless laugh.

“A stake’s too good for you. You don’t deserve to die like a man. Women like you, who play with men’s feelings, who lead us around by our noses, make us think you love us, and then just drop us like a hot potato when you’ve had enough. Not anymore.” He slapped his hand across her face, whipping her head to the side. Pain seared through her neck and jaw, but she knew his speech wasn’t meant for her—it was meant for Maya. He was angry at her.

“No, you, fucking bitch, will fry in the sun.”

He pulled out another chain from his pocket and wrapped one end around her left wrist. The metal stung and her skin sizzled as if somebody had dropped acid onto it. The bastard was binding her with silver—a metal she couldn’t break.

Quickly, he removed his leg from one shoulder and brought her arms together, tying her up over her head. Then he jumped up, took her by her hands and dragged her along the floor into the living area.

“You’re gonna pay for this!” she promised. 

“I doubt that very much, especially given that you’ll be dust in a few hours.”

Ricky lifted her up onto her feet. When she was eyelevel with him, she spat into his face. All it earned her was another swipe with his claws. She barely felt the pain now.

Without much ado, he secured her bound hands onto a hook over the fireplace, effectively suspending her a few inches in the air. Then he secured her legs against the grid in front of the fireplace, immobilizing her.

With a few long strides, he went to the window and pulled back the curtains. Once the sun came up, it would shine straight onto her, and within minutes she would fry. It would be a painful death, not the quick relief a stake would bring.

Trying to stall him, she said, “What happened with Holly? Did you go after Maya because Holly dumped you?”

He snarled. “Nobody dumped me. I broke it off with the stupid tart when I met Maya. I wined and dined her, I promised her the world, anything she could possibly want. And what did Maya do? Throw it all back at me like I was some beggar. Now I’ll make her beg.”

The thought of what might happen to Maya frightened her. If Ricky took her, Gabriel would be devastated. “I’ll get you for this.”