Page 102 of Caller of Crows

"Not." Altair pressed his lips to Sven's forehead.

Sven shivered but held his ground. "Yes." He nibbled on Altair's skin, earning a sharp intake of breath. "Besides, you know you're gonna say it again at some point."

"Maybe," Altair conceded. "When you're old and senile, and forget you already heard it once."

"You're planning to keep me around that long?" Sven teased.

"Forever." Altair ran one finger down Sven's cheek, gazing intently at him, eyes dark and serious.

Sven's insides warmed at hearing the promise in Altair's voice.

"Sounds like we have a plan then," Sven murmured. "But first… Let's get some sleep, shall we?"

Altair nodded in agreement, pulling the covers around Sven securely and holding him tightly to his body. "Whatever you want."

"You," Sven whispered. "I want you."

"Always," Altair promised.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Altair noticed Sven's body relaxing as the mortal drifted off to sleep beside him, but sleep did not come as easily for him.

His mind was plagued with too many thoughts and too much emotion. He hated being weak and feeling this vulnerable. It made him want to crawl out of his own skin and run as far away as possible from the entire world and never stop running.

At the same time, though, he couldn't imagine ever letting go of the warmth radiating from the man lying next to him.

He couldn't believe Sven had almost slipped away from him. Couldn't comprehend how close he had come to losing him forever.

All because the vampires he considered his family had gone behind his back and aided Sven in his escape.

And he didn't understand why.

It wasn't like his friends to cross him like this, even if they didn't approve of what he was doing. That sort of treachery was completely unheard of for any of his inner circle—so what had changed?

There was only one way for Altair to find out. He needed to go see Keegan. As much as he didnotwant to see the other vampire right now. Keegan was the one who'd convinced Mordyn to go behind Altair's back.

Because of his visions?

Altair's jaw clenched. Up until this moment, he'd been so distracted by everything else going on that his anger about Keegan's betrayal had been put on the back burner. Now, however… Now Altair was pissed. He couldn't ignore it anymore.

Keegan had acted against him—in direct disobedience of Altair's wishes—and he had to answer for his crimes.

Carefully, Altair extricated himself from Sven's arms, hoping not to wake him. Luckily, Sven slept soundly, exhausted after the day he'd had. He looked peaceful when he was unconscious, less stressed than usual. Beautiful. It calmed Altair's nerves somewhat knowing that Sven was safe at last.

Once he reached the door to their chamber, Altair took one last look at Sven and summoned a crow to keep watch over the mortal while he was away. Then he turned around and strode down the hallway towards Keegan's bedroom.

When Altair arrived at the room in question, the door opened before he had time to knock. Keegan stood on the other side, clad in dark jeans and a gray T-shirt. He looked as if he'd expected Altair to show up sometime this evening.

Of course he had.

A low growl rose up in Altair's throat. "How dare you go behind my back?"

Keegan stepped aside to let him enter, not saying anything. His gaze trailed after Altair as Altair moved inside.

"Mordyn told me what happened," Altair accused the other vampire.

"I understand that you're angry," Keegan said, closing the door, probably so the rest of the coven wouldn't hear their conversation. Altair was beyond caring about that kind of thing, though.