HELENA POV
The cold night air hit my face the moment I pushed through the back door of the restaurant, and for a second I let myself breathe in deep, slow lungfuls of it. I needed that pause, just a little space to stop pretending I was relaxed while every muscle in my body had been vibrating with tension since the moment I caught that scent. The crisp air carried the faint smell of garbage, cigarette smoke, and damp pavement, but all of it was better than the metallic stench of rotting vampire blood lingering inside the restaurant.
I leaned against the wall near the service door, keeping my expression neutral while I forced my heartbeat into something even. Max thought I needed fresh air. In a way, he was right. Just not for the reasons he imagined.
The alley was dimly lit, a narrow co
