“Go to St. Louis Street,” Jonathan told him, shoving his phone back into his pocket. “I’ve got an informant there, one who’s paid to let me know when he sees anything unusual going on.”

Because the human wanted to know everything about the supernaturals. Didn’t he realize just how dangerous that was?

“That was him on the phone. He said—he said he just saw a woman jump off a three-story building, and then the woman just walked away without a scratch.”

Marna.

The tires squealed as Tanner rounded the corner, and because, dammit, humans were coming out and cars were in his way, he flashed on his lights and let his siren scream.

The buildings rushed by him in a blur.

“Low profile, man,” Jonathan snapped. “Low freaking profile.”

Screw that. Another screeching turn. One more. Then . . .

He had her scent. It was the sweetest scent in the world. Tanner slammed the car to a stop and leapt out. He raced through the line of alleys. Jumped over fences. His body burned with the need to shift, but he held the beast back. Not here. Not now.

Not—

He saw her. She must have heard the thud of his footsteps because she turned around. Her eyes widened and she ran toward him with her arms out.

“He loves her,” Cody said, voice tight. “If anything happens to Marna . . .”

Jonathan jumped from the car. Tanner had already taken off, running fast as he followed the angel’s scent. He hadn’t even looked back.

A mistake.

Cody was in the back. The demon was strong enough that he could probably kick the doors open, but, for the moment he was trapped. Vulnerable.

Jonathan pulled out his gun.

Cody’s eyes widened. His fist slammed into the window.

And Jonathan’s bullet shattered the glass between them. Because it wasn’t a normal bullet—he knew better than to battle a monster with a bullet made by humans.

“She doesn’t love him,” Jonathan said and fired again. “And soon it won’t matter how the f**k that animal feels—he’ll be dead.”

He’d make sure of it. He turned away from the car and began to stalk after his partner. The power pulsed just beneath his skin. Then, because he could, because it would be so f**king fitting, he let his form shift. The bones of his face twisted and reshaped. He grew taller. Leaner.

And became the demon that he’d left bleeding in the backseat of that patrol car.

Vengeance is mine.

It would be so sweet.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Marna ran to Tanner and threw her arms around him. He felt so good—solid, warm, strong. “I was coming to find you.”

He lifted his head and gazed down into her face. “Like I was gonna let you go.” Then he kissed her. Deep and hot and she met him with a hungry need. Only Tanner. He was the only one who could make her feel this way. Free. Wild.

You’re on the list.

Marna pulled away from him. “We have to go.” Go where? She didn’t know. They just had to get out of the street. Get someplace safe. Away from the death that stalked her.

But Tanner wasn’t moving. And . . . had she heard gunshots? Or had that just been a car backfiring in the distance?

“Where is he?” Tanner demanded. “Where’s Bastion?”

He hadn’t come after her. She hoped he stayed away. “Gone.” She didn’t want to tell Tanner about the list. What was the point? So he’d get desperate and risk his life for her? If she was on the list . . .

No escape.

Marna grabbed Tanner’s hand and pulled him toward the building on the right. The big FOR SALE sign told her the place was empty, and with one kick, she sent the front door flying in. The house was dark inside, and all the furniture was gone. Hollow.

The way I feel without him.

“Marna—”

She pushed Tanner back against the wall. Kissed him. How much time did she have left? Couldn’t be long. No one ever lasted long once their name came up on the list.

She wanted her last moments to be with him. Happiness, before whatever hell was waiting for her came calling.

His hands were on her waist. Rough fingertips, but with a touch so gentle. His claws were out, but they didn’t so much as scratch her skin. They never did. He always treated her so carefully.

“Tanner!” She heard Cody’s voice as if from a distance. Footsteps pounded outside. She didn’t want to pull free from Tanner. Couldn’t they just stay together a little longer? And let the rest of the world disappear?

But Tanner was gently pushing her back. “He’s worried about you.”