Page 83 of Caller of Crows

Sven didn't know what to say to that. A part of him wanted to ask how Altair could be so sure of that when Sven wasn't even his first mate, but when he lifted his gaze to the vampire, he found Altair's eyes closed.

Had he fallen asleep?

Sven frowned as the vampire leaned even more heavily against him.

Fuck.

The bastard had.

Sven almost laughed as he studied the vampire. He'd known that Altair was tired, but he hadn't thought it was this bad. Then again, he didn't think Altair had slept since the day before yesterday at least, and considering how stressful the events of that night had been… Yeah, no wonder the poor guy had collapsed the minute he'd gotten comfortable.

"Goodnight," Sven muttered, smiling slightly as he regarded Altair's peaceful expression. "Or is it good day?" He brushed a stray strand of black hair off the vampire's pale face, admiring his handsome features.

In sleep, Altair looked almost gentle. Not the way he was during sex, though Sven definitely appreciated that version of the vampire too. But like this… So quiet and unguarded… It made Sven want to lie down beside him and stay until he woke up.

Which sounded like an excellent idea, actually.

Once more, he reached for his phone, muted it, and then he pulled the covers up over himself and Altair. Neither of them had even bothered to get out of their clothes, but Sven found he didn't care as he snuggled up close to the vampire's body.

He breathed in Altair's comforting scent and, despite the gloomy day, let his worries slide away.

He would deal with them after the funeral. After he'd said a proper goodbye to his mother. Right now, though, he deserved to get some sleep with the man he… loved?

With the man he loved.

The realization hit Sven with unexpected certainty. Drawing a deep breath, he pressed his face to the vampire's shirt.

He loved this man. This cold, powerful, emotionally withdrawn vampire who'd somehow made room for him in his heart.

A soft smile formed on Sven's lips.

He had to be an idiot to be in love with this man, but still… Amidst all the chaos in his mind, at least there was one thing he was certain about. It was a start. More than that, it was an anchor—and he was going to need one, in the days ahead.

ChapterTwenty-Two

The following evening, Altair wasn't surprised when a knock sounded on the door to his office while he was sorting through papers. He looked up to see Keegan standing in the doorway, waiting patiently to be acknowledged.

"Enter," Altair said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "Sit down."

Keegan did so. "I looked into the attack last night."

Altair regarded his friend with interest. "Did you look into it using your computer skills or your other skillset?" he asked, referring to the gift of sight the other vampire had been blessed—or cursed—with.

Keegan merely shrugged at him. "Some of both. The computer aspect was more helpful this time around, however. The security cameras around the city gave me a pretty good view of where the surviving vampires went after the attack."

Altair nodded. "What did you find out?"

"I am almost entirely certain they are connected to the Black Spades." Keegan paused as if trying to gauge Altair's response.

Altair kept his face carefully neutral. He'd already suspected that his brother's coven was behind the attack, to have it confirmed… "They don't like that we also have access to mortal blood."

"You're probably right." Keegan licked his lips. "They're not going to stop, you know. Not until they've reestablished their monopoly."

Altair scoffed at his friend. "Since when are you so scared of other vampires? We've beaten them back once, we can do it again." Theywoulddo it again. As often as it took for everyone in this city to know that they could not touch Sven. The human belonged to Altair, and no vampire was going to challenge him on this.

He would kill every single one of them if he had to.

Keegan did not look convinced. "Alt, you're not thinking this through."