High Society (The High Stakes Saga #3)

“I can go barefoot,” I countered.

She shook her head. “In this day and time you have to be ready to run, and you wouldn’t make it far without somethin’ on your feet. I have an extra pair of stockings and boots. I’ll be right back.”

She must not have hidden her vampire speed, because she was back before I could take a step, already bending to help me roll on a pair of thick stockings. I sat on the cot and laced the delicate, fabric boots. They were a size too small, but would work for now. I didn’t plan on staying with Asa long. If Enoch wasn’t here, I needed to get to him.

I appreciated her loan of the stockings and boots, but hoped I wouldn’t need to run. If I did, I’d probably tear the delicate soles apart.

Mary held back the flap of the tent and motioned for me to exit. Before I ducked under, I saw that the tech on the back of my hand was glowing. Travelling hadn’t damaged it this time.

When I emerged, I saw Asa waiting outside. True to his word, there was a man positioned at each corner of the tent, each toting a long-barreled rifle that was fitted with a bayonet at the end. As I exited the tent, those blades were quickly pointed at me.

Asa didn’t ask them to lower their weapons. Instead, he took his time, looking me over, making my skin crawl. “You did well, Mary,” he finally approved, smiling in her direction.

“Thank you, sir,” she beamed. “I’ll just finish packin’ my things.”

He nodded to her once in dismissal and held out a hand to me. “You look lovely, darling.”

I almost snarled at his use of the endearing term, but his eyes dared me to open my mouth and give his regiment any indication that I was anything but what he said I was. Asa wouldn’t hesitate to have me shot. He wanted all three of the Assets dead, which was why I wasn’t sure why he was keeping me alive for now. Probably because he wanted information.

I took his hand and ignored his crushing hold. He finally settled down after we’d passed a company of at least twenty men and women, all busy packing their supplies, taking down tents, and loading horses and wagons. His grip loosened and he put my hand in the crook of his arm. “You’ll ride with me.”

Tied to a low, wide branch that swept from the thick trunk toward the ground before turning toward the sky, was a beautiful horse whose mane and tail were the color of dark chocolate and Asa’s eyes.

“I want my stakes back,” I gritted.

Asa chuckled. “So you can stab me with them? I don’t think so.”

“They’re important to me.”

“And my life is important to me.”

“So, you’re afraid of me?”

He untied the horse and swung into the saddle, again extending his hand and loudly announcing, “Come, darling. It’s not safe to linger. The enemy will come for their dead, and we don’t want to be around when they do.”

“You’re afraid of them, too—OOF!”

He leaned down and scooped me up like a child, placing me on the saddle in front of him. Both my legs were on one side, and I was basically sitting in his lap. “I can’t ride like this.”

“Oh, you’ve ridden before?”

“No, but I know I can’t ride like this. I want to ride like you, with one leg on either side.”

Asa pinned me with a look. “Ladies do not ride in that fashion.”

“Well, it’s a good thing I’m not a lady.” I’d barely gotten the word out when he snapped the reins and kicked the horse’s belly. The horse trotted forward, and by the time we reached the others who had been packing only moments before, they were also mounted and ready to ride away. Most had their own horses, and one man was leading a few without riders. “Can’t I just have my own?”

Asa, I learned, didn’t mince words. “No.”

“Why?”

“I don’t travel with spare horses for those of you who might land at any given moment.”

“Gather around!” he yelled, and those under his command did as he asked. He was definitely in charge. I couldn’t tell unless I saw their fangs, but at least half of the people in this party were vampires. William made eye contact with me for a moment before glancing over my shoulder and quickly looking away.

“Stay together,” Asa barked. “Keep your eyes open and your weapons ready.”

The militia maneuvered their horses into a well-rehearsed formation. My eyes caught on William and his dark-haired friend, who were definitely human, and on Mary, who wasn’t anymore.