Page 28

“One limb at a time,” Zane guided, his hand moving soothingly along my spine. “Start with your arms.”

My arms reluctantly unwound from Ryker’s shoulders, though they immediately tried to reach for Zane instead. I locked them firmly at my sides.

“Now your legs.”

“My legs are on strike,” I informed him. “They’ve unionized. Formed the League of Extraordinary Limbs. Very militant about their right to cling.”

That definitely was a laugh from Ryker this time. Even Zane’s lips twitched.

“Little bat.” Zane’s voice held that gentle authority that seemed to bypass my brain entirely. “Let go.”

My legs finally uncrossed, and I slid down from Ryker’s waist—only to immediately stumble as my knees apparently forgot their primary function. Both brothers caught me, and suddenly I was sandwiched between rich musk and amber and warm spice and bergamot.

“Sorry!” I squeaked. “New vampire legs. Very unreliable. Probably need a warranty check.”

“I was about to make him blood-infused coffee,” Ryker said over my head, his tone carrying something I couldn’t quite read.

“I’ll take care of it,” Zane replied, and there was definitelysomethingpassing between them in that look. “You have training with the security team.”

“Of course.” Ryker’s hand brushed my hair gently as he stepped back. “Try not to float into any more trees, sugar fang.”

I made the mistake of watching him leave, which meant I missed the moment Zane’s arm slid around my waist to steady me.

“Now then,” his voice rumbled close to my ear. “Let’s get you properly fed before you start accosting the rest of the family foliage.”

Out of the frying pan and into the really, really attractive fire, I thought hysterically. This was going to be an interesting morning.

“Let’s get you to the counter before you find another tree to climb,” Zane said, watching me wobble like a newborn fawn.

I made it exactly two steps before my legs decided to go on another unauthorized break. Zane sighed—that perfect mixture of exasperation and fondness—before simply scooping me up into his arms.

“This has to be a vampire thing,” he mused, settling me onto a barstool while I tried very hard not to notice how easily he’d lifted me. “These new abilities manifesting… I should ask Sebastian about it.”

I watched him move around the kitchen, preparing what looked like a seriously expensive coffee setup. The Whitlocks didn’t do anything halfway—even their coffee maker looked like it belonged in a science lab.

“Perhaps we should bring in a proper vampire tutor,” he continued, measuring out deep-red coffee beans that smelled divine. “At twenty-one, you’re still young by vampire standards. We should have done this years ago, but you were so…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Reluctant to engage.”

Through Luca Valentine’s memories, I understood what he meant. Vampires aged differently based on their power levels. At twenty-one, I was at the perfect age for power manifestation in vampires. Like supernatural coming-of-age, when young vampires first come into their full abilities. Which… actually explained a lot about the floating and the inability to control my impulses.

“That’s probably a good idea,” I managed, trying not to get distracted by how his muscles moved as he worked. “The tutor thing. Though I’m pretty sure ‘floating into your brothers and clinging like a desperate koala’ isn’t covered in Vampire Prince 101.”

Zane’s hands stilled for just a moment. “No,” he said quietly. “I suppose it wouldn’t be.”

He turned back to me, sliding a lavender-tinted mug across the counter. The coffee was a deep crimson, steam rising in elegant spirals, and the scent made both my fangs and taste buds tingle with anticipation.

“The Blackthorn Clan’s latest blend,” he explained. “Blood-infused Arabica with notes of cherry and dark chocolate. They say it’s perfect for young vampires still adjusting to their nutritional needs.”

I wrapped my hands around the warm mug, trying not to think about how his scent seemed to envelope me even from across the counter.

“Thank you. For the coffee. And the carrying. And not mentioning how I just sexually harassed a tree.”

“Ryker’s hardly a tree,” Zane said, something unreadable flickering in his eyes as he watched me over the counter. There was a softness in his expression, like he was afraid any sudden movement might break this moment.

I buried my face in my coffee to avoid his intense gaze. The liquid was perfect—rich and complex, with just enough blood to satisfy my cravings without being overwhelming.

“We’ll figure this out,” he said quietly, his hand reaching across to brush a strand of hair from my face. The casual touch sent electricity dancing across my skin. “Whatever’s happening with your powers, we’ll help you through it.”

I’m pretty sure this isn’t about powers, I thought, watching him over the rim of my mug.Unless ‘wanting to bite your ridiculously attractive not really brothers’ is a standard vampire ability.