Fear choked me as the vampires surrounded us. One of them threw Nikolas effortlessly over his shoulder and another did the same to me. My body recoiled from his touch, and I could smell the faint stench of dead flesh that all vampires carried. Even though my power was locked away from me, I felt a tiny sliver of ice in my chest.

The ice and snow caused no impediment to the vampires who moved swiftly through the woods. Each step carried Nikolas and me farther from the cabin and the hope of being found by the warriors who were out there searching for us. Despair and terror welled inside me, but I refused to let these bastards see me break down. Instead, I focused on Nikolas. I couldn’t see him, but I could feel him nearby and I clung to that like a lifeline. I could face whatever fate awaited me as long as he was okay.

The vampires ran for at least a mile before we reached a clearing where three snowmobiles were parked. My fear grew as I watched two of the vampires place Nikolas’s unconscious form between them and take off down a trail. The blond vampire took the second machine, and I was forced to sit between the last two vampires on the third machine. I struggled not to hyperventilate as the vampire behind me wrapped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder.

When I suddenly lost any sense of Nikolas, I almost went nuts. My body tensed to fight, and the vampire tightened his grip on me. A few seconds later, I felt him again as we caught up to the first snowmobile, and I nearly sobbed.

We rode for almost an hour before we came to a narrow gravel road where a white utility van was parked. The blond vampire took the driver’s seat and the others got into the back with Nikolas and me. Once the doors were closed, they let go of me and I crawled over to Nikolas. I sat on the floor with his head cradled in my lap and silently pleaded with him to be okay. I love you, Nikolas. I need you. Why aren’t you waking up?

The drive was bumpy for at least thirty minutes before we turned onto a paved road. I couldn’t see where we were going, but I could tell we were on a highway, judging by our speed and the sound of other vehicles going by. An hour later, we drove into a city that had to be Boise. The van stopped at a few traffic lights, took some left and right turns, and then finally came to a complete stop.

Before the doors opened, I knew we were at the airport because I could hear planes taking off nearby. Fear and hopelessness threatened to suffocate me. Once we got on the plane that was waiting for us, they could take us anywhere in the world, and no one would ever know what had become of us. I could try to run, but I wouldn’t. Even if I could manage to escape, I’d never leave Nikolas. Our fates were woven together as tightly as the bond between us.

“Finally,” said a husky feminine voice that sounded vaguely familiar. “I have been waiting here all night.”

“You were more than welcome to go out in the woods and find them yourself,” snarled the blond vampire. “You’re lucky we got to them before the hunters.”

“That is not my job, Anthony.”

“Wouldn’t want you to break a nail, would we?” He barked a laugh. “Well, they’re all yours.”

She sighed heavily. “Bring them to the plane and then you may consider your job done.”

The back doors of the van opened to reveal the inside of a hanger. The blond vampire grabbed me by the arm and ripped me away from Nikolas. As he dragged me toward the small jet, I heard Nikolas being lifted out of the van and carried behind me. He should have woken up by now. What had they done to him?

The vampire forced me onto the plane ahead of him and shoved me down into one of the wide leather seats. “Stay,” he barked like he was giving orders to a dog.

His companions buckled Nikolas into the seat beside me, and I grabbed Nikolas’s hand, clinging to it for dear life. I rested my head against his shoulder, needing to be close to him. I’m here, Nikolas. I’ll never leave you. I didn’t know if he could hear me in his unconscious state, but I needed to say the words.

“The infamous Sara Grey. You don’t look like much for all the trouble you’ve caused.”

I looked up at the female vampire standing in the doorway of the plane. Her red hair fell in thick waves down her back and she wore a black pantsuit and high heels. I sucked in a sharp breath as recognition hit me, followed by burning hatred.

“Ava Bryant,” I spat. Her name left a foul taste in my mouth.

One of her perfect eyebrows arched, and her red lips parted in surprise. “How do you know my name? I think I would remember if the two of us had met.”

“If we had met before, you’d be dead.” I leaned forward in my seat, and she took a step back. “You met my uncle.”

Comprehension dawned in her eyes and her lips curved into a cruel smile. “Nate Grey. Now that is a week I’ll never forget. Nate and I had so much fun together.” She ran her tongue along her lip. “He was quite delicious.”

I gripped the arms of my chair in an effort not to jump at her. With no power and no weapons I was no match for her, and we both knew it.

“Poor Nate. He had such promise. Did you kill him yourself or did your warrior do it for you?”

“I killed the demon,” I said, deliberately evasive.

She sat in the seat opposite me. “Impressive. Quite the little hunter you are.”

“You have no idea.”

“I can see why Eli was so fascinated with you.” She crossed her legs and smoothed a wrinkle in her sleeve. “He was a foolish male and his weakness was pretty little brunettes.” Her eyes moved to Nikolas. “I should actually be thanking your warrior for taking care of Eli. I never understood why that loser was our Master’s favorite.”