Zane turned a corner and opened the next door. The bathroom. He flicked on the light switch and looked around. It wasn’t what he’d expected either. Instead of a collection of makeup, lipsticks, and creams, the granite counter held a single toothbrush, toothpaste, a pair of scissors, and a plastic bag.

He examined the plastic bag. St. Luke’s Hospital—Cancer Department it said.

What the hell? Vampires couldn’t get sick, and for sure they couldn’t get cancer, so why on earth would Yvette have a bag from a hospital’s cancer department in her bathroom? He opened it and peeked inside. Strands of long black hair were inside it. He stuck his hand in, pulled out a bunch and sniffed. Not just anybody’s hair: Yvette’s hair.

Now there was a discovery he didn’t make every day: Yvette had long hair! Damn it if that didn’t surprise him just a bit.

This meant she’d had long hair when she’d been turned. He’d always assumed the opposite. So why would she go through the pain of cutting it short, which she’d clearly been doing every single day he’d known her. Weren’t women supposed to love long hair? What was the point of cutting it? And more importantly, what else was Yvette hiding from her colleagues?

***

Yvette glared back at Wesley, whose body posture reeked with open hostility. “Like your brother said, I won’t hurt you.” Then she smiled, the little devil on her shoulder rearing its ugly head and making her lips part once more. “Not yet.”

Wesley’s attempt to hide his flinch was unsuccessful.

God, how she loved to rattle the stupid little pup. Sure, he was almost as tall as Haven, and the family resemblance was evident in their dark hair and blue eyes, but that’s where it ended. Where Haven seemed controlled, Wesley was anything but. A young blowhard. She’d have to watch him; otherwise, he’d wreck havoc and destroy their chances of escape. Or better yet, scare him into submission so he wouldn’t dare do anything idiotic.

“So, you’re his brother?” Kimberly asked, now standing next to her.

In the last few minutes, Yvette’s estimation of the girl had gone up a notch, despite her comment that she was afraid the two men might rape her if she was alone with them. She doubted that either of the two had that inclination. They just didn’t seem to be the kind—with their looks they didn’t need to force a woman. Turning on the charm was all that was needed. She’d been at the receiving end of it when Haven had unleashed said charm on her.

Yvette liked the fact that Kimberly had stood up for her. It was a step in the right direction. Maybe the girl was much more resilient than she’d presumed at first. Having made it this far in the acting world had to mean that she had stamina and, hopefully, a backbone.

“Yes, I’m Wesley. Haven’s my older brother.” Then he tilted his head and flashed a charming grin at her. Kimberly instantly blushed. “You look familiar. Have we met?”

Yvette walked back to the cot and stretched out, leaning her upper body against the wall behind her. She wasn’t interested in making small talk, and by the looks of it, Wesley would rather talk to Kimberly than her anyway.

“I’m Kimberly Fairfax. I’m—”

“—the actress!” he completed her sentence before taking a few steps closer.

Yvette kept her eyes on them, ready to interfere if necessary.

“Wow! How cool is that?”

Yvette raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, it’s really cool being locked up by a witch, not knowing what she wants to do with us. But hey, at least you’ve found the silver lining.” The aftertaste of sarcasm had a decidedly … pleasing flavor, she always found.

Wesley glared at her. “I’m not talking to you. You’re a vampire. I hate vampires.”

She pressed her hand against her chest. “You wound me.”

He took a few steps toward her. “Creatures like you should be killed on sight.” His voice was full of venom.

“Wanna give it a try?” Yvette jumped up, ready to teach the wannabe slayer a lesson. She gestured with her hands for him to come closer. “Go ahead. Let’s see if you can do more than hit like some human girl.”

The angry glint in Wesley’s eyes told her she was rattling his cage. Lighting his fuse was child’s play. “What, don’t have the courage after all? Were you just showing off in front of your big brother?”

She noticed his fists clenching by his sides, his chest heaving with every breath. Oh, yes, she was getting to him. Just another well-placed shove and he’d lose it. And hell, if she didn’t need a bit of an outlet for her own frustration. “Wanna hide behind your mama’s skirts?”