Page 33 of Daring Her Vampires (Embracing The Bond #12)

Fuck. It’s like she dared me. I nibble on my lip.

Do I want to test my mate’s willingness to allow me to fight with them?

I haven’t had to ask anyone for permission.

It’s an odd sensation. I want to be honest, but what will I do if they say no?

I know myself pretty well, and if they do, I’ll do it anyway.

Should I cut out the middleman? I look at the closed door and hear Mara leave.

The conversation is now relaxed, and the laughter is loud.

How would I get away with so many eyes watching me?

I glance at the paper. I’m surprised no one has burst in here demanding answers.

My mates are still speaking with Allie. They trust me, knowing Mara wouldn’t hurt me, and I will inform them of what she found out.

Shit. It’s tempting. I could hide my scent and leave when everyone's gone. Is it smart to go to a man who threatened me without backup? That’s a hard no. Yet…I need to be there.

A vision hits me, and I sit on the bed. The fog covers my eyes, and I press my hand to my chest. I see the man in the picture.

Fredrick is sneering, his fangs glowing in the dark.

He’s holding a woman in his arms. I prepare, the nails of my other hand digging into the comforter, waiting to see Allie in his grasp.

My breath leaves my body when I see my face staring at me, bloody and broken.

My hair is matted and stained red. I feel death in my body, and glee in his.

There are teeth marks on my shoulder where my shirt is ripped.

I hold my sob in my throat and try to see the details.

There are trees around us, and I hear water.

I gasp as the visions fall away, and I blink. Mara was right, I will be there. It’s not every day a girl sees her death. I have to say, I’m disappointed. How could I let the asshole get the best of me? Probably because I didn’t tell my boyfriends I was walking into a trap.

Ugh. I hate being a grown-up.

I shake it off, but I know I won’t sleep well tonight.

The front door opens, and I smell food. My guests are having a party.

I suppose I should join them and plan what to tell them.

I press my hand to my stomach and stand at the door.

I can’t have the child in my vision if I am dead.

The future can always be changed depending on your decisions.

Do I want a future? A baby girl? The trust of my vampires?

Damn, I do.

I squeal when a knock resonates in front of me.

“Sally, can I come in?” Allie asks. I step back and open the door.

“Yeah.” I smile, and she slips inside and shuts it. “Are you okay?” I shove everything away and slip the paper in my pocket.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

“What the hell for?” I frown.

“It turned into something other than finding Fredrick. You had to deal with my brother's anger,” she whispers.

“Sis, you thought that was difficult for me? I’ve dealt with much worse, and it was out of concern. What matters is you.” I grab her hand. “Is everything alright?” I nod toward the door.

“Yes.” She looks over her shoulder.

“Let’s talk later. When there aren’t a bunch of nosy fuckers in the living room.” I smile. We can dim our hearing, and I’m hoping they did it out of respect. “Let's eat. We don’t have to share with River.” She grins, and I hug her. “I’m proud of you.” She holds me tight.

“I’m glad I can call you sister,” she says, and I pull back.

“Me too.” She turns and opens the door. The crew doesn’t look like they were eavesdropping.

Everyone is eating. Ryker and Serenity must have left with Mara.

Atlas and Luca are sitting at the counter and staring at me.

I move toward them and notice they are still staying away from my family.

The situation was tense, and they didn’t help put them at ease by questioning their love for Allie.

“Tricks,” Luca says, reaching out and pulling me close. “Did we scare you?” I settle between his parted thighs and wrap my arms around him.

“Not at all.” I tuck my face into his neck. “I’m more worried about you.”

“Nothing to worry about,” he says gruffly. “We’re good.”

“Lying, boyfriend?” I say with a lifted brow.

“Never to you,” he replies, and I purse my lips. Crap. I wasn’t sure which way I was going to go, but his words caused me to feel guilty.

“Did you eat?” I ask.

“Some.” He looks around. “I’m not hungry.”

“Uh-huh,” I hum and turn to Atlas. He’s silent and broody as he watches us. “You’re frowning.”

“I’m fine,” Atlas says. I ease away from Luca, and his hands tighten on my hips before releasing me. Moving to his brother, I step onto the ring of the stool so I am above his head. He palms my waist, and I lean in, resting my arms over his shoulders.

“That’s my line,” I whisper, brushing my nose against his. “Tell me the truth.” Hypocritical much.

“I don’t think you want the truth,” he whispers.

“Try me,” I challenge, tipping my chin down, staring into his eyes.

“I want to find Fredrick and rip his heart out. He broke Allie in the worst way before she was turned. I hate that she had to deal with it in silence. Your family may have great intentions, but I was very close to fighting them for speaking to Luca the way they did,” he hisses.

“I also don’t give a fuck if they hear us.

They don’t have the right to question my brother’s love.

The thought of Fredrick taking you away from us makes me nauseous and ready to hunt him down.

I am very close to losing my shit, doing whatever I fucking want to find him, and stringing him up.

” He kept his voice low, but my family members aren’t saints—they heard.

“Well, I asked for honesty.” I grin and kiss his cheek.

“I love your violence. My family needs to be reminded of when they met their mates and the shit they did to protect the bond. They love mates who will do anything to keep those we care about safe.” I hop down and face the crowd.

“Things got a bit heated. Tomorrow, whoever wants to bond over finding the fucker, meet at Quinn’s office.

I love you all and appreciate your misguided actions to protect me and Allie.

It shows how much all of you value the women in our family.

I get it, but cool off. You need to remember how strong the women are, and that we can handle everything you can, if not more.

If you can’t, your mates will remind you.

” I smirk and meet Daisy’s eyes. She winks and pulls Micah straight.

“Atlas and Luca are mine. Do not question their dedication to Allie or me. Are we clear?”

“We are,” Micah says, nodding to my boyfriends. “We will meet you in the morning.” It wasn’t quite an apology, but I’ll take it. He wraps Daisy in his arms, and they blur out the door.

“I respect violence also,” Heath drawls, walking toward us.

He stops in front of my mates. “I apologize. I understand coming into the family and not fitting in. Sally is someone I respect, and I trust her. We will be at the office. I don’t underestimate the strength of my mate.

” He turns to me. “Even though I don’t, I still have a need to protect her.

” Shit, the snake knows I’m up to something.

“Goodnight.” He nods, turns, and guides Juliana out the door.

“I’m in.” Roxanne jumps up. “I enjoy a bit of violence.” She blows me a kiss and saunters to the door. Saphira, Kingston, and Maverick follow.

“I’ll bring the fire,” Saphira says, wiggling her eyebrows.

“I’m staying with Roxanne,” Allie says, glancing at her waiting in the hallway. “We’re going to have a movie night.”

“Sis,” Luca says, standing.

“I’m good. I want to forget for a while. I’ll be ready to face the past in the morning.” She smiles and joins Roxanne, shutting the door behind her. Luca circles my waist, the silence in the room startling in its suddenness.

“What did the witch find out?” he asks.

It’s decision time.

Am I going to do the responsible thing and reveal all?

Or do what I always have and go it alone?