Chapter 49

Somehow, while lying inside a hot, musty coffin next to a chronically pissed-off vampire, I dozed. It was the horrific pain in my back that woke me, so intense that I ground my teeth together to keep from screaming. Whether I'd been shot or not, it hurt like a motherfucker.

Ronick lay motionless beside me, either asleep or counting bats to fall asleep. Good thing he sucked at cuddling. Between my marinated-in-pee stink, my messed-up back, our confined sleeping arrangements, and his unjust life goals, I would've staked him on the spot if he'd tried anything, the Senate's location be damned.

I had no idea what time it was, but I couldn't stay here any longer. With my palms pressed against the heavy stone lid, I shoved until my muscles shook. I'd grown too accustomed to slayer strength and hadn't spent much time exercising my arms on purpose outside of my self-taught training. That would obviously need to change if I couldn't get my powers back.