Chapter 213

Orion The second I saw her, the world just stopped. Everything else faded. Like someone hit the mute button on reality. She looked straight at me. Eyes wide, almond-shaped, and glowing. Not just red. Burning. Then they flickered back to amber, just like that. Was I seeing things? My brain scrambled, trying to match this small girl on the floor with the vampire from last night. Coffee was soaking through both our clothes, but I couldn't care less. My thoughts were a total mess. She moved, and it was like someone slapped the world back into motion. I dropped to help her up, pure instinct. But before I could touch her, she smacked my hand away. I pulled back, startled. "Watch it, moron," she snapped, voice low and raspy like smoke. That sound. It was her. The one from the alley. My wolf stirred, wide awake now. [That scent,] he growled. [Rose petals and gunpowder.] I just stood there, useless, while she sprang to her feet like gravity didn't apply to her. Didn't even look at me. She stare