The Pursuit by A. E. Jones Page A

hurt.”
    His face shuttered, all emotions wiped away. He nodded and walked past her.
    She closed her eyes. Her breathing hitched. He would be safe, and that was what mattered. She would not let him die for her.
    Hands clapped, and she opened her eyes to see Kyle standing at the end of the hall.
    “That performance deserves an Oscar.”
    “What do you want, Kyle?”
    Kyle marched over and leaned in close. “Why are you shutting him out?”
    Talia had no time for this. “That’s none of your business.”
    “That’s where you’re wrong. You’re hurting him, Talia. And I won’t tolerate that.”
    Talia stepped even closer. “ You will not tolerate it? What do you intend to do?”
    Kyle shook her head. “Oh, I know you could gut me where I stand, Miz Tough Vampire. But you won’t.”
    “How can you be so sure?”
    “Because Jean Luc wouldn’t love someone who could do that to his family.”
    Talia froze.
    “For some reason you’re lying to him. You have some misguided need to protect him right now. I get it. I was you, pushing everyone away and lying to protect them.”
    Talia shook her head. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    “I have no idea what your problem is, because you won’t tell us, but I know what I’m talking about. Let us help you. Let Jean Luc help you before you push him away for good.”
    Talia didn’t respond.
    Kyle stared for a moment, but when the silence stretched on, she turned and walked into a room. She shut the door with a definitive click.
    * * *
    Talia stood on the hotel rooftop and closed her eyes. Jean Luc had once told her a vampire could track their sire if they tried hard enough. That the link between sire and vampire was strong enough to make it possible. And Talia was all about the possible.
    A light tickle ran along her spine into her brain, and she turned to the south. It was as if a thread of sensation twisted around her arms and legs and drew her like a marionette toward Chris. But he would not be her puppet master. She would be in control, and she would end this before anyone else was hurt.
    She flashed along the quiet streets. Downtown Cleveland at night was not a popular area in late February. Talia stopped, her breath drifting around her in frigid waves. She was getting closer. The energy string now felt more like a thin rope wrapped around her wrists. She flashed again and found herself along the river leading out into Lake Erie. In front of her were several buildings that looked like out-of-business bars and restaurants.
    She stopped in front of one with a large window overlooking the water. The tingling had turned into a roar of heat in her brain. He was powerful, but she couldn’t back down now. Besides, he already knew she was here.
    Talia pushed open the door. It wasn’t much warmer inside, but at least the building protected her from the wind. She turned slowly to examine the room. Upturned chairs sat on tables covered with dust. A bar ran along the far wall with barstools sitting in a neat row, as if waiting for customers to return.
    A whimper sounded from behind the bar. Talia stepped slowly, her breath stuttering when she caught the fresh linen scent. She stepped around the bar. Annie was crouched down in the corner.
    “Annie? How did you get here?”
    She hiccupped a sob. “He found me.”
    Jesus. There was no time to ask for details. She pulled Annie to her feet. “Where is he now?”
    “I…I don’t know.”
    “I’m right here, Talia.”
    Talia spun toward the door and stepped in front of Annie. “Stay behind me.”
    Chris walked toward the bar. “Are you going to protect her from me, Talia? A little late, don’t you think?”
    A sultry chuckle sounded behind her, and dread shot along Talia’s nerve endings. Annie stepped around her toward Chris. Talia stared in shock as Annie’s scent changed. Her fresh linen aroma morphed into something spicy.
    “I’m so glad that’s over. It’s exhausting playing the damaged